3 Quick Recipes

Today I am making pine needle tea. It's super easy!  Just take some pine needles,  chop them up because it makes them more flavorful,  and pour boiling water over them.  After 5 minutes strain and add honey.  This is especially good to drink if you have a cold because pine acts like decongestant and expectorant.  Don't drink if you are pregnant or nursing!


I am also making laundry detergent.  I make mine by mixing baking soda and washing soda in 2 cups each,  with a grated bar of Zote soap. I like the scent better than Fels Naphtha.  I use the white bar so I don't get the coloring chemicals.  Today I am adding cinnamon essential oil to the mixture for added scent.  I read in Scripture that their clothing was scented with it so I thought I'd try it.  Psalm 45:8

Sunday night was a blast as usual!  We usually go to our friends and fellow homesteaders home and eat supper,  watch TV and play mean games of Scrabble..  The kids all run around outside or do art projects.  It's always fun and we really look forward to it!




My daughter found a new recipe for cornbread and we are loving it!


3 tablespoons coconut oil
2 cups yellow or white cornmeal- I like Bob's Red Mill
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups powdered milk

Preparation
Preheat oven to 450°F. Place oil in a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or similar-size glass baking dish and transfer to the preheating oven.
Mix cornmeal, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add egg and milk, stir until just combined. . Remove the pan from the oven and swirl the oil to coat the bottom and a little way up the sides. . Very carefully pour the excess hot oil into the cornmeal mixture; stir until just combined.

Pour the batter into the hot pan.

Bake until the bread is firm in the middle and lightly golden, about 20 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

Tips & Notes
Make Ahead Tip: The cornbread can be made up to 3 hours in advance. Reheat, wrapped in foil, in a warm oven.

Found here
http://mobile.eatingwell.com/recipes/real_cornbread.html.  My blogger app isn't cooperating so I am just giving the link.

Til next time......

Linking with  A Wise Woman Builds Her 

New Life on the Farm

There are new babies on the farm!

We were not sure if our pig Bella was pregnant but apparently she was! ( we have so much to learn lol)

Rebekah went to say hello to the pigs  and when Bella refused to look at her she called again. This time Bella stood up and glared.
Three squiggly piglets squirmed out from under her!!
Rebekah came a running to tell us!!

Since the goats are not due til February these little ones, two sows and a boar, are getting all the outside baby attention.

Meanwhile inside the cabin we have more new life!

This is one of three new little kittens that Desiree has graced us with.  In this case if you have seen one , you have seen all. Lol. They all look alike.

And that is what's new on the farm. Life!

Immune Boosting Teas

Recently I was blessed to be able to buy some herb teas to help strengthen our immune systems, and being the blogger I am I thought I would share them with you! I was even kind enough to add affiliate links :)

Milk thistle tea- milk thistle detoxes and cleanses our liver so it can do it's job of detoxing and cleansing our bodies. It also helps lower cholesterol. I don't think it has much of a taste so don't worry that you won't like it- just doctor it up with honey :)

Dandelion tea- aids in digestion, purifies the blood, helps your body with it's detoxing, aids in weight loss, and much more!

Peppermint tea- this amazing little tea has actually been scientifically documented as helping to lessen tb!!!
As well as helping with any digestive issues and hay fever and shingles , it can actually help with prostate  cancer too!  I am not a doctor or herbalist but boy I know how to read and research! Try this article 

Stinging nettle tea- helps ease mucus,  helps with arthritis and painful muscles ( hello fibro sufferers) ,  urinary tract infections and it's overall antioxidants  make a worthwhile tea.

I think teas are easier to get my kids to drink that tinctures and such, even tho I use those too. So that is why I chose these products.

Sleep, another way God uses to heal our bodies. Shhh, don't tell him I took this!

Linking with Barn Hop, BackYard Farming Connection

Ya Know You're a Homesteader...

Lacey riding home in the van.



Ya know you're a homesteader when you strategically place a fence company catalog in the magazine rack next to the composting toilet , in the hopes that hubby sees it and orders some fencing for your Christmas gift.

Ya know you're a homesteader when you place your boots right next to your bed every night, just in case you need to run outside at 2 a.m to chase a fox away.

Ya know you're a homesteader when a chicken stands next to you while you are barbecuing and you don't think twice about it- after all, she is free range :)

Ya know your a homesteader when you can't sleep late due to the cacophony of animal voices in the morning- roosters crowing, goats bleating, dogs barking, cats meowing and whatever pigs do that makes so much noise.

Ya know you're a homesteader when your feed bill rivals your grocery bill; and you don't bat an eye.

Ya know you're a homesteader when your bathroom shelves are filled with mason jars you canned yourself.

And ya know you're a homesteader when you can't even leave for the afternoon without someone staying behind to keep an eye on the animals or else you need to follow a detailed list of food and water placement before you go!

Linking with FarmGirl Friday, The Chicken Chick

Creating on the Homestead

 Hannah made these headbands for a friend's baby.

 Rebekah has been making these necklaces like crazy! She uses a spent tealight candle as the base.

 Here's a hat Sarah knit  for winter.

 And a hat and leg warmers she knit for a baby shower present.

Drew and Hannah spent some time at our friend's painting with pokeberries.

What's been going on at your place?

Linked with FarmGirl Friday,  BarnHop ,Simple Saturdays

Lacey and Lilly

 My goats are here! Lacey and Lilly!

Here is a pic of their barn

 

We still need to add the doors for cold weather

See their food trough? I put baking soda ( to help with bloat ) on one side , food in the middle and minerals on the other side.

I have wanted goats for a long time and I am thrilled to get my La manchas! 

I am keeping the girls in the pen for a week to get acclimated but then I will stake them out daily so they can browse and graze all day. That will help my feed bill!  I have dog tie outs and chains  to stake them out with.

I am so happy to get them!  Do you have goats? Do you want goats? Comment and let me know!

Linking with Barn Hop    The Chicken Chick

Pancakes for Breakfast

My pancake recipe

2 cups whole wheat  flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp.baking powder
2 tsp.baking soda
2 eggs
1/4  tsp salt
2 3/4 cup buttermilk - I usually use regular milk truth be told
2 tbs melted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla

Stir flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in bowl. In another bowl, Beat eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla.
Add milk mixture to dry ingredients and stir.
Heat skillet on med high. Brush a bit of butter or oil on pan. Drop 1/3 cup batter onto skillet per pancake.

All done!
Oooo, I just saw that my favorite movie, The Prizewinner of Defiance Ohio is on sale at Amazon. Go get it! 


Linking with FarmGirl Friday