HennyPenny's random thoughts. New set of goals!

[hennypenny9]

I'm lucky, when my mom came to visit she brought a bunch of jars. I think they're a pint, they look like the normal canning size.

Eventually I'll make a Costco run and get some olive oil. Hopefully by then I'll have a successful batch curing, and maybe financial backing from friends. Who knows?

So much to do!

 

[Farmfresh]

All you need to water bath can is a DEEP stock pot with a lid and a wire rack for the bottom! It is much easier and safer to learn the water bath canning - save the pressure canning for when you have more money and more experience.

If you happen to spot an All American canner (my favorite and well worth the investment) for "cheap" when you have the money - by all means snap it up!

 

[SheriM]

For canning supplies, I always haunt yard sales. You can pick up the big enamel canning kettles for next to nothing. Jars too.

 

[punkin]

I like to look for that stuff at yard sales, too. But, seems like around here, it's hard to find anymore.

 

[TanksHill]

I actually did a batch of strawberries a couple days ago. The recipe paper in the pectin box gave some substitutions to use instead of the canning rack. It says even a cake rack in the bottom of a pot will do. One thing I always use is no sugar pectin. Most fruit at it's peak is plenty sweet or you can add a cup or two of sugar. Not the usual six cups regular pectin calls for. You yield less jam, but much better.

I think if you can make soap a jar of jam should be easy!!

 

[Farmfresh]

Be sure to use the NO SUGAR pectin. It is different than the sugar kind.

You can also make sugar free preserves, which are basically stewed fruit cooked down to thicken and then water bath canned.

 

[hennypenny9]

I'm going to make my step-dad tell me when he goes to Eastern Washington this year! He always picks up tons of fruits and veggies on his way back for nearly nothing. Sometimes he picks his own and gets it for even cheaper! That would make them FREE for me, since my mom is always scrambling to find uses for all of it, and would be glad to give some to me. That way I can start with some peaches or something.

So I went to the store with NO list, but it didn't cost me that much. They have no 100% lye. They have no canning books. They didn't have the coffee accessory I wanted. I couldn't find a decent scale. The stick blenders were WAY overpriced. Same with all the other utensils I would use for soap, like stirring spoons. ($3.99 at Freddies vs. $.49 at Goodwill)

I got enough cat food for 12 days, a pint of extra-virgin olive oil (I need it for cooking, I know it's wrong for soap making), sour cream, corn bread mix, instant mashed potatoes, and half a gallon of milk.

After the coupon, the grand total was $1.78. That's how much the milk alone would have cost. It almost felt like stealing, lol. And what I bought was useful stuff that I would have had to buy anyway. And I still have almost $30 in coupons left~

 

[Farmfresh]

You still did very well! I am proud!

The fruit idea sounds great. Remember that almost all fruit is very easy to freeze as well if you have enough freezer space.

I actually found my stick mixer at Walgreen's for $19.99. It works great except you have to be sure not to overwork it. They are intended for the short cycles involved in mixing a drink - not the 20 minutes involved in some soap recipes. I just switch the mixer with a plastic/nylon wooden spoon to let the mixer cool a while. This also gives me an easier way to see how well the soap is "coming along" and how close it is to "trace".

Also be on the lookout for:

* A 2 qt Rubbermaid brand pitcher with a lid. This is what I use to mix up my lye with the water. It gets HOT and Rubbermaid pitchers will take the heat.
* A couple of thermometers that go to at least 275 degrees F (you can get by with one IF you HAVE to).
* A stainless steel stockpot to mix the soap in.
* A nice big plastic cake size pan (I use Glad Ware baking dishes or old rectangular Tupperware containers ) for a soap mold. You can also use a 12 inch length of 3 inch PVC pipe as a great soap mold.
* Jewelry beading wire (makes a great soap cutter)
* A storage box (to keep your soap stuff in between soapings)

Most of this stuff (except maybe the jewelry wire) is EASY to find at the thrift store or a garage sale! Just keep your eyes open for those bargains!

You are doing great girl!

 

[Farmfresh]

I did a little checking for you.

At Wally World (Walmart) there were a couple of the items you need for soap.


A scale - http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10098022

This thermometer will do - http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10879198

 

[hennypenny9]

Random census rant!! Also conspiracy theories!

A census worker came to my parent's house. So technically this is all hearsay, but I trust my parents, obviously. So my step-dad, Jim was home alone, and he notices a strange car parked in our driveway. We have a couple acres. The house and shop are right up front, and the the drive goes all the way to the back of the property where there is a view of Mt Rainer and Puget Sound. Jim sees that no one is in the car, and goes back to the office. He then sees a man come from BEHIND our house, get in his car, and start to drive up the driveway to the back of the property.

Jim runs out and stops him. The man asks if this is the correct address. Jim says yes. Jim asks if he needs any more information. Man says no. Jim says, okay, get off my property. Man backs up REALLY fast, and somehow hits our dog, who is old and slow. Jim SCREAMS at the man, and grabs onto his rear view mirror. He demands the workers name. Man lies and says he already gave it. Man again backs up like mad, crashes into some slough bushes, and drives away.

For some reason there is a sheriff on our street. Evil census man tells his story. Jim tells his, and points out the bushes still in the census man's bumper. Sheriff sends everyone on their way. Our dog is fine, thank heavens. Jim bent off the man's radio antenna.

My mom read somewhere that while the census workers are on a property they take a GPS reading of your front door. Lets take a moment to think on that. I do not like. Sorry if that's too conspiracy theory-ish, but I think Big Brother's too close for comfort.

Either way, be wary of census workers. The one who came to my house was very nice, but as my parents have found, it is not always so!