Happy Homebuddy #6 We are calling this Sourdough

 Good Day Happy Homebuddies!

I hope that your Easter was beatiful and filled with joy!

We've had two days of summer weather leading up to Easter, and then it became more seasonal. 

Which is fine. I can tell you that with the warmer temperatures, me cooking & baking our kitchen became delightfully warm & so the old sourdough did it's happy little thing, I am pleased with the results, and I think I can finally call that a completed sourdough starter.

I lost track I think this was #4. 

Friday

Saturday, I fed it to make sure it was ready

Look at those glorious bubblys!

Transferred to its new home, I'll add some flour on top, 

The lamb made with the butter we churned; I need to find a new mold. Something a little smaller, I put the two halves together and had to patch. 

Happy Homebody Monday #5

 

Happy Homebody Monday!

What have I got in my Apron pocket to talk about today?

Nothing which I have not mentioned many times before, I have an update, something new I tried to learn, and an old favorite I just like to go on about, because they are so lovely.

First on the agenda-Update the sourdough starter! 

If you've been around for the last month or so you know that I started a new one. It failed, I tried a 2nd one, didn't do well. And now I'm on #3.

Here is what I think about that? The first one I used freshly ground wheat berries; I'll say that I don't think they were the problem. I used buttermilk, and I think that was the problem because the 2nd batch I used regular King Arthur Flour/Organic/Unbleached with buttermilk. I don't think it was the flour. The third batch I used flour and distilled water, it reacted the 1st day. I think it was the buttermilk, which by all means should have enhanced the starter action. #3 is still in process. 

Something new I am learning

Previous Post The butter churn

We made our own butter today, I enjoyed the process and marveled at how wonderful the beautiful milk cow is and how they provide so much of what we use everyday. If I could have one I would definately have a beautiful dairy cow. Property and city limits are not condusive for this. So here is what we made. Thoroughly enjoyed it and will make more. 

For our Easter Dinner

Previous Post Sourdough/Candle Molds

And an old favorite

Beeswax & taper candles

We picked up 1lb of beeswax in Amish, that is what I am melting today, it smells really nice, almost reminds me of a light baby powder, what flowers smell similar?

 Let me know if you have an idea in the comments please

. Something else I would like to do, have a beehive. I've got Lavender growing and the bees love it. Living next door to Mrs. No Weeds anywhere, who puts chemicals on everything...probably not a good idea near a food source. Again Property & City issues. Something I would like to change. Anyway....

 I melt the wax down into these bite size beautiful rosettes, all uniform and make tapers from these. When I have enough, I make taper candles. Today I'm going to melt down and form these rosettes, and after they have cooled I'll make another batch until all that beautiful wax is in rosettes.

Then I'll make the tapers. I need to replace because I light one in the early morning before the sun rises and it is just a beautiful way to start a day. 

That is my story, I'm stickin to it.

Be of Good Cheer!

  

 

       

Skill Sets: The butter churn

Hello Happy Homebuddies!

Thread Crochet doily & chicken I made for Easter this year, not my design.

One more day of winter here in my neck of the woods. Although mother nature is already showing off with some beauties from below the soil. Dare I even say that my bleeding hearts are coming back, I thought they died off in the heat, :) Nature is so resilient. 

Sourdough Starter update 2nd batch. Smells good, not quite there yet, we'll see.

I've got the butter churn. Picked one up in Amish yesterday. We had a lovely day, it was cold, and very pleasant, no tourists. I also picked up a canning kit with the funnel, grippers etc. 

I've got to read up on it, I did purchase some cream down there. I have not removed it from the box yet. It was the last one on the shelf. 

We were out most of the day yesterday, so today is catch up. I've got to pack away the St. Patricks decor, run a load of laundry, and the Easter decor comes out. 

Busy, but productive day. 

If you've made butter I'd love to hear, if you haven't but have an interest, I'd like to know that also.

I love always getting into something.

Be of Good Cheer! 

 

  

A little Across the Clothesline chit chat

Hello Happy Homebody!

Internet Photo
But...I would love to have a clothesline pole just like this one. 💖

Is it spring in your neck of the woods or fall? Both are my favorite. 

I am in the springtime here where I live. Perennials are coming up, Oh I don't doubt they won't have one or two dusts of snow, but they'll be ok they always are.

It's bread making day.

. Fermenting started for some red onions I want to try. I used some raisins and apple peels. Always in a learning curve here. The ferment will be used in a few days for red onions. 

Speaking of fermentation

Sourdough!

As of this posting, the sourdough starter looked just like it did yesterday, no change 11 days have passed, and it should be ready to bake. I thought perhaps it was the freshy milled flour. It was bubbly and I messed with it. Shouldn't have. I did misread the directions and tried to correct, shouldn't have done that either. It was not the flour; I'll chalk this one up to user error.  😲

This isn't my first sourdough; it is a learning curve all the way around. Once it is established it flourishes with minimal care.

If you don't try, you have 100% of failure, 50/50 if you give it a go.  

 I've made a command decision, starting fresh with non-bleached, organic King Arthur flour, buttermilk just as before following the specific instructions. I did not put it in the oven to keep warm; it is setting on the counter, I've got it covered with a coffee filter, loosely not affixed with a rubberband. 

 Bound and determined!

I've got a few more things I'd like to learn and be just that more self-sustainable. 

I am at some point going to try my hand at butter. We don't live near any cows unfortunately, so I cannot get milk from the farm, I'm still looking into this. I'm going to invest in a butter churn. 

I've always said skill sets are important, and now more than ever.  It is my intention do everything I am able to do to advance self-sufficiency as much as can be expected, for such as the times we are in.  

Today I received this by delivery, I do love when something fun is delivered.

Thank you man in the brown truck.

 I've had 2 of these over the years, and they both went to Goodwill for someone else to love. 

This one is smaller, should be easier to manage.

 I'm not going crazy with it. We grow tomatoes in the summer and some sauce over the winter would be nice. The price of spaghetti sauce is off the hook. Maybe applesauce

It is a good skill set to learn. Stocking, and preparing for lean times. which are coming sooner than later. I stocked up on some dry beans & topped off my jars. 

I don't have the jars yet, I had a difficult time locating a smaller canner, now that I have that the jars won't be a problem. I live in the "hood" and people here don't do anything but wait in line for coffee and fast food. There won't be any run for canning jars. Lucky for me.

I'm always into something, I'm not a spring chicken, but I've always said I've lived my life backwards. 

The candle tin arrived after a short tour of our local post offices.  

Townsends 

It is beautiful, handmade.

I have one and it makes 6 tapers at a time, so now I can make 12. I've got plenty of the beeswax rosettes left, and we picked up 1 lb block at a bulk store in Amish.

The taper mold is made in USA by hand, makes beautiful short tapers. I'll be doing that later this month. 

Be of good cheer!

    

 

Happy Homebuddy Monday #4 Sourdough Starter Update Skill Set Share

Happy Homebuddy Monday !

I began the sourdough starter on Monday March 2, so as of this writing I am on day 4 of the sour dough starter. 

More information about this can be found 

Happy Homebody Posting Sourdough

Sourdough Starter day 1

Sourdough Starter day 4

To recap I used freshly milled grain berries, and water in equal parts. I stir it every day to bring in oxygen, cover it with a coffee filter, and keep it in the oven with light on for warmth. My kitchen is on the North side and it can be cooler than the rest of the house. By this writing you can visually see a difference in the starter, and there is a pleasant somewhat sour smell. I am looking very forward to making bread with this.

Skill Sets Matter

Be of good cheer! 

 

  

All over the board, that is me these days

Hello Folks!

I didn't realize it has been a month since I've posted. I wish I could say that I could tell you or show what I've been doing for one month, I've nothing to show for it. Time just slipped away. 

Thank you for checking in on me.

I've been up, down, and all over the place.  Nothing has been crocheted, project after project begun, nothing finished. I've been keeping up making bread on Monday mornings and have been taking a walk around the block when weather permits. 

So today I'll be around to see what you are doing. 

On the Fermentation front, which are very good for you by the way. I've learned sourdough, and fermenting cabbage into Saurkraut, and I'll do some pickles this summer. You may remember I've talked about skill sets. I'm adding a new one, making probiotic yougurt.  

Skill Sets

Visit  Mary'sNest

Gut Health/Mary's Nest

Fermented foods are very good for your gut health.  

~ The joy is in the making~

Faith

Happy Homebody Monday #2 We are makin saurkraut

Hello Happy Homebuddies!

 

It is saurkraut making day in my world. It is 7:00 am, waiting for that sunrise!

While I'm waiting...and enjoying a nice cuppa, let us converse about our day, what is in it, and the joy it will bring us. Making good use of time, keeping things simple, nurturing the little girl who lives inside, to play, imagine, create, and have fun.

 We purchased 2 cabbages & they weigh 5 lbs aprox.

The cores has been removed, the cabbage has been sliced up and is ready for the big red mixing bowl.

This is how it looks at the onset, 6:47 am 

 Salt is added, the cabbage is being mixed  and crunched up. The salt will help the cabbage release water which will become the brine and help ferment the cabbage.

The cabbage in in the crock below the cabbage leaves, I forgot to take a picture.
 

The tamper or pounder for the saurkraut arrived very quickly, it is lovely all one piece made from maple.See link in my post where I purchased it. Very happy with the service & product, very reasonable price. Small business.

Sauerkraut tamper where to purchase.  

 

The sunrise this morning is a beautiful mix of lilac, soft pink, and darker lilac clouds. The snow has picked up the colors and looks like a very light lavender.

Beautiful, straight out of God's crayola box! 

~The Joy is in the making~

Faith

 

 

Have any of you also made saurkraut? I'd love to hear from you and how it worked out. 

Monday Happy Homebody #1

 Happy Monday Homebuddies!

A new year filled with opportunities & learning.

What I'm getting into now, it is always something.

Homemade Saurkraut is up next, learning a new skill set.

A previous posting for reference

Stoneware & Crock

I've got almost everything I need, I am waiting on a tamper, proper tools for the job right? 

I searched around for one, starting with my local area for handmade in the USA product. I eventually found a place which makes these from wood locally sourced with no chemicals, hand made in the USA! 

Ordered & shipped the same day.

I ordered the small one 12", my crock is 1 gallon, the tamper is made of Maple, all one piece, no chemicals.

I'm all about locally sourced, small business, hand made in USA, so I will share the link. I am not affiliated or receive compensation, just spreading good information to support companies in the USA who still do things the old fashioned way. 

Handmade, locally sourced, good work ethic. The way things used to be done.

Wisemen Trading Company 

 

 Thank you all for your comments!

PioneerWomanatHeart

SlammintheScreenDoor 

IntheLandoftheLivingSkies 

GrannyMarigold 

TheLocustBlossom

 

On the next Monday Happy Homebody if the tamper arrives, I'll be 

making saurkraut the old school way! 

 

~ The joy is in the making~

Your HomeBody Buddy!

Shopping to be prepared or hoarding?

 

Which are you?

Or are you none of the above?

Hello & welcome to my simple Farmhouse Worthy blog.

I hope  you all answer to be prepared.

Whether it is a weather emergency, a sickness, or another unforeseen event I hope that you all are doing something which will help you in times of need. 

Coming up on winter where I live, it can be nasty, frozen & unforgiving so we keep some things on hand in case we cant get out. Sickness we've had those times as well, couldn't make it to the store.

Canned Soup, crackers, & ginger ale for when the stomach bug comes, ginger tea. 

Hoarding is not what this is....this is be ready.....

those few items in a sickness or weather situation will be most welcome I assure  you. You have time now to purchase these items, plan for an event. 

You plan for holidays, birthdays, etc...why not plan for an event you didn't plan on? 

No lights? Make Candles. 

Beautiful Beeswax Candles I'll be making more soon....

~Faith~

Penny Rug Candle Mat

 It has been cooler & lovely, there is a hint of fall.

Moving about smartly today, I did get my fridge cleaned & organized looks much better. A little dusting, and moving things around for a fresh look.

I've been working on the penny rug mat, and have made good progress. When I finish this one, I'll work on the pumpkin circle mat next. A little bit every day.

I finished something, how about that?  This wasn't hard, it was a learning curve. I am not a sewer or a lover of sewing by any stretch. I so admired these little penny rug mats, I had to give it a whirl.

This is where I purchased the kit from, it includes everything. You cut and sew the circles.

SassafrasCreekOriginal

I thank you for your visit

~ Faith~ 

Homebody Monday #4 Skill Sets

 Happy Homebody Monday to you!

I was up before the sun this morning 5:00 am, love to watch the sunrise. I don't plan to do, but when I wake up I have the most energy and I always have things I would like to get done.

We had made a stop at Lehmans in Amish country, I picked up a noodle drying rack, & rolling pin for scoring the dough. Yesterday we were in Amish and I picked up some Durham flour for making noodles.

Today....I made the noodles.

I've made them one or two other times, but decided that I wanted to dry them for 24 hours and put them up for a time when I needed them. At one time I thought I wanted a pasta machine, I'm glad I didn't purchase one for I prefer to make them handmade, like my grandmother did. 

 
 I purchased the rolling pin for making noodles, I need to experiment to see if this cuts through the dough, which it didn't this time, or just score it. I  used a bench scraper to cut along the score lines.

Recipe

1 Tbsp water

2 eggs

1/4 tsp salt

1 3/4 cup flour

mix together until a soft dough forms, do not knead

Roll out thin. If you want to store these they must dry 24 hours.

 

 

Tested! We were prepared.

The oppressive heat wave and lack of rain has broken!

Hello to you!

Whenever it is that hot/humid the potential for rain & thunder is or I should say was the normal way in mother nature re set herself.  We didn't get that all summer. On Tuesday August 6, an F1 Tornado blew into town. There was a warning, tornadoes are not something we normally see here, but one came through, and it was close. 

I didn't see anything, hear anything but rain and wind, we've had worse storms here, 1/2 mile away a tornado went through the main street, stayed on the road  and uprooted trees and poles, missed houses. The heat wave was over. 

We were without power for 1 day, grateful for that. Others are still out, crews were brought in to repair the snapped telephone poles. As far as I know there were no fatalities or injuries, thank the Lord.

When it got dark, I looked outside and all the houses were dark, except for ours, and maybe 2 neighbors, you could see they had candles flickering. The others remained in the dark.

 Why I wondered isn't anybody prepared for this? 

 

Internet Photo

Why does it seem that to be prepared for times like this is so difficult for people to grasp.?

I'm hoping that some people will have gotten the call to pay attention. I'm sure there will be more instances when lights out will be the call for the day.

The quiet without the buzzing of the electric appliances, it was dead quiet all over.

We have provisions for times as this, if it isn't ever needed thank the Lord, but we have in case.

I have some remaining bees wax, I'll be making more candles, the wax doesn't do me any good if there is no wick in it. I think I have some soy also, will be using these up and making candles.   

                                                                          Beeswax Rosettes

Hope you are all well.

~ Faith~

 

For such a time as this

Skill Sets, being as self reliant as possible in your world, comfortably.

Hello You!

We've had more glorious rain, and today it is cloudy. Go figure. I have Sun Pickles going on. They look as though they are still fermenting, it has been warm. 

Over the weekend I received the grain mill I ordered. Yesterday I made bread for the first time using freshly ground wheat berries, which was an experience all by itself. I enjoyed it very much.

A little ansy about the bread making, this is a learning curve. I managed to make 2 loaves which were not the prettiest bread I've ever made, but it was rather tasty, and totally different then the white bread I've made for years. 

Looking for an Amish bread recipe using ground wheat berry flour. 

A skill set, grinding grain & making healthy bread.

Hard White Wheat Berries

Grinding/Milling my Grain

Prior to investing in a grain mill & berries, I did some research.

All these years I thought that making my own bread was healthy for my family, and in part because there was no additives as store bought bread it is somewhat true, but..I learned that in order for the stores to make flour shelf stable, they remove almost all of the nutritional value.

I don't particularly want to stand in long lines waiting to get bread which is not beneficial, or available.Times are unstable.

Some links for you to learn.

BreadBeckers  

Grains and Grit  

Both of these have You tube channels, blogs & websites. 

Do your research, this of course won't be for everybody but it is an option to help you be less reliant on everything else for your well being, these are troubled times, you can rely on yourself and trust that  you have done everything you can to be more self reliant.

We can have more control by being less reliant on...(Fill in this blank)

I'm on day two of the sun pickles, I'll be posting about these soon.

 

~ Faith~

   

For times such as these..farmhouseworthy

Greetings & Welcome In

If you've been here a few times, I do mention about skill sets & how important they are now especially.

Over dependence on anything is not a skill set, it is a false sense of security.

A skill set is a collection of abilities, knowledge, and competencies that an individual possesses. These can be learned through various means, including education, training, life experience, and practice.

I'm going back to the old ways....they are tried & true.

How many of you have a recipe from a mom or grandmother written in her own hand, on an index card?

I have a few of these....they are treasures, history,traditions, and personal touch although I don't suppose they ever thought them to be that special, it was a tool in their quiver.

In these times of instant & cloud etc.....convenient, but lack personal touch and style.

What if.....you couldn't access them. You can always access what is inside of this beauty.

 Internet Photo

I do have a recipe box with index cards, my go to recipes I've got taped inside my spice cabinet for easy access, recipes which I make often brownies bread, sourdough pancakes, pie crust.. you get the idea.

I've got a small little notebook I picked up at the $ store. When I find a recipe of interest to me I write it in that book. I don't know how many recipes over the years I saved or flagged on the internet to never find them again. My husband will ask did you save this recipe? And I can tell him I have it written in my little book. If it is a keeper I can write it on a card.

It seems simplistic almost so that it isn't given a thought about, something unimportant, we have the internet, the cloud, and the trusty old printer. What is the timeline for the that?

Preparing now for what ever may come, less dependency on others, gives you more control over your circumstances. 

~ Faith~