Today had the feeling of the start of our starting over around here.It's good to be back and feeling more at home.Happily working hard and for ourselves.
Last night Chance and I went to the book store to look through the books that pertain to our vibe of homesteading,gardens,food,building and nature.We have been gifted a gift card to Powell's Books and thought we might find something to add to our library.Nope,no books for us last night.
Instead we had a great planning session sitting on the floor of the book store.We mapped out what we wanted to do and how to go about it.Once home we wrote it all down and added in some pricing we could do via the internet.Now we have a check list to work from over the next many months.
Today Chance started in on the first phase of some of the outdoor work needing to be done.He started to clear out the random bits and piles of things we no longer need.Once we are done with this we will have a blank-ish slate we can work from.
There's a couple of areas we would like to re purpose and put to better use.Which includes moving the compost bins.Why we put them near where we sit to eat is a mystery to us.The bins don't stink but seeing them makes some dinner guests squirm.
As for me I was indoors today getting things ready for the work week.Most of that was mundane chores but I did do one project I saw a while back.I made our own instant oatmeal.Issac loves instant oatmeal (gag me) but I won't buy it for several reasons.A.It is over packaged.B over priced C.full of crap if you don't pay the extra for organic (organic processed foods are foolish at our house.) so he has been out of luck for a looong time.
Here is the link for the article I read for DIY Instant Oatmeal. I did not follow all of it.I never add salt to oatmeal so that was left out.And I wanted a more grainy oatmeal instead of the pastie stuff instant can be so I left out the powered oatmeal.Finally I left out the dry milk since we will be eating this at home and can add real milk if we want it.Once I know we like it I will experiment with adding other grains and dried fruit or nuts.
There is a second link on the recipe links page that breaks down the costs of making your own that I did not agree with. I paid $1.57 for the organic quick oats,almost a pounds worth The amount of brown sugar and cinnamon I used was small and very little cost.I figure I filled our 2 quart jar for around $2.50.Much cheaper than a box of organic instant oatmeal,no crap in it and the only "garbage" it created was the paper bag I brought the oatmeal home in.(The paper bag will either be reused to death or composted.So no waste there.) By adding in other add ins the cost will go up but I buy them anyway so in evens out in my book.
Issac is one happy kid and swears he will eat oatmeal every morning because he loves it if it's instant.Ok,kid just eat your breakfast and go to school already.
Can you believe this? I have yet to even open the seed catalog that came the other day.?!?! Really,I have not but it is Sunday evening and the days work is done.I can settle on to the couch with the catalog and enjoy the rest of the evening picking out more seeds than we have growing room for.
Oh dear..the first episode of season 2 for Downton Abbey a PBS series I LOVE starts tonight.The seed catalog will have to wait.
Rois
AHH! Have missed you all. I can't wait to do this instant oatmeal! I LOVE steel cut but Brent always complains he just wants instant! I am gonna see what he thinks...can't wait to see these new yard improvements!
ReplyDeleteLordy. I eat instant organic at work daily and KNOW I could make it myself but have never motivated to do so. Thanks for the link, now I really have no excuse. Especially with all the fruit I dehydrate at home. Now is a great time to get apple cinnamon oatmeal together!
ReplyDeleteWell Lacy,it's not steel cut but it is much more grainy than the store bought pastie stuff.Sol had a bowl this morning and it was good.Issac was running late and grab something to go with him on his way.
ReplyDeleteHootchie Scooter Mama, You know I was thinking a person wouldn't even need to buy ziploc baggies to make it to go,just use a jar or re usable container,keeping the costs even lower and more green.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: I am growing broccoli. Can I eat the big green leaves?
ReplyDeleteMargaret, Looks like fiber rich foods are the topic,LOL.
ReplyDeleteYou can eat the leaves but you may not want to.The little young ones are good and taste like Kale.The larger leaves that kind of surround the plant can be very bitter.
We eat the little leaves here and I save the stocks for in stir fry.We have never tried the big leaves.If you try them let me know how it went.
I did try the big leaves. The we're good. I sauted them, mixed with some Swiss chard, with garlic, olive oil, and a few red pepper flakes.
DeleteWe are going to have to try out this recipe. The kids love oatmeal, but often only get it on the weekend as school mornings can be crazy. (I'm guessing it doesn't get any easier as they get older..?)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're back and blogging. It's no substitute for visiting with you face-to-face, but it will do, for now.
C.A, By middle school the boys had their routine down so pat they can do it on auto-pilot,which is how they are in the morning and I get to sit and drink coffee once I pack their lunches.If they eat in the morning it is because they made something for themselves.I rarely make breakfast not even on the weekends.Shhhh don't tell the helicopter Mom's they might report me.
ReplyDelete