Updates from the Homestead


 

This last week we battled snow storms and power outages. On Sunday another snow storm moved in and gave us a bit of snow and ice. We lost power for most of the day. Tobin had to hook up a battery and inverter to keep our circulation pump moving water through our wood stove. He hooked the inverter up to the battery on his tractor to try and run the freezers, but the inverter was not large enough for that job. So now he has a bigger inverter on his list of “winter preparedness” supplies. 

 

The ice and snow were also more than some of our trees could handle and I kept hearing cracking and thudding sounds as tree limbs came down around our property. It looks like we will have some clean up to do once the weather clears and a good start on next years wood supply. 

 

Thankfully the weather is changing now and most of the snow has melted. They do say on Sunday we might get some more snow and I am hoping that will be all for the winter. I have visions of warmer spring days and gardens in my mind at the moment! LOL.. 

 

Yesterday was a pretty productive day. I started the day by putting lasagna in the crockpot. I have never done this before and have to say it turned out delicious! I will post the recipe in just a bit. 

 

Then it was school time and household chores and laundry, etc.. After that was done I ground up about 12 or so cups of wheat. I made a 6 loaf batch of bread dough and made 5 loaves of bread and pan of cinnamon rolls from it. I wanted to get some bagels made but they will have to wait until this weekend.. I ran out of time yesterday..

 

After making the bread I then made another gallon of instant oatmeal for the kids. They like it, and I like how it makes breakfast time so very easy around here!   Here is my recipe:

 

Instant Oatmeal Mix

Crystal Miller

 

20 cups quick cooking oats

2 cup powdered milk

2 tablespoons cinnamon

1 tablespoon salt

 

Take about half of the oats and run them through a blender or food processor to make them smaller… you don’t want flour though! Then mix with the rest of the ingredients. I put this in gallon size jar for storage. This is much easier to use with a big family than little packets. Little packets of things just do not work at my house! For serving we do not really measure this. We scoop out some and put in a bowl. Cover it with boiling water and let it sit for a minute or so. Then mix in honey, maple syrup, dried fruit, milk or anything that you normally enjoy with oatmeal.

**********************************************

 

Today the girls and I are headed into the big city to buy groceries and do a little shopping. They both have their own lists and stores they want to stop at.. as usual I am sure we will not be able to get all their shopping dreams packed into one day! .. LOL.. but I will try and hit a couple of places for them and of course no trip to town is complete with a stop at Starbucks for a coffee.. 

 

Dinner tonight will be leftover lasagna, a salad and maybe a dessert.. we will see how much time and energy we have by then.. 

 

Have a great Friday on your homestead!

Comments

  1. Hi there Crystal, so glad you are back on your blog - I was beginning to worry about you. Would love your crock pot lasanga recipe


    Chrissy - Down Under

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Crystal! Just passing this award on to you...a most excellent example to us all!


    http://www.xanga.com/MrsCatherine/640469943/e-for-excellent-award.html


    xoxo Cat

    ReplyDelete
  3. Crystal,


    Thank you for your blog - you are an inspiration! I have made the homemade laundry soap and hope I have inspired my blog readers to do the same. I put a link (thanks to your help) on my blog. I made your Creamy Tomato Soup last night and it was a huge hit! I have gone to your website and just copied recipes for about 2 hours!! I have put a recipe binder together and wanted your recipes to be part of my steps toward a more gentle and simple life!


    Thank you so much!

    Your friend,

    Shan

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for posting the recipes :)

    http://www.nikisventures.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

All messages are moderated. After approval your message will be posted. Thank you for your comments!! Crystal :)

Popular posts from this blog

Canning Cabbage

Canning Chicken Noodle-less Soup

Dishwasher Soap Sub