What did you do to save $ today?

[freemotion]

Just got back from a Bible study, and my older friend gave me another HUGE bundle of rhubarb!!!! Yippee!!! We are definitely not sick of it yet. I should can or freeze some, but I just want to eat it all!

She also loaned me some books....Stocking Up, Back to Basics, and an old book from.....um.....Yankee? I'm too lazy to get up and go look..... I've been wanting to order these from the library to see if I want to add them to my own library, and now I don't have to worry about the fines I always owe!

I strained the turkey broth today and froze some, some is in the fridge until I decide if I want to freeze it or can it. Depends on the weather tomorrow, I really have to work outside if I can, then my work week starts up again on Friday. I took out all the big bones and gave the smaller bones and scraps to the chickens....boy, they polished that off fast!

I unmolded my chevre and St Maure cheeses today....something is amiss.....they are gloppy. Maybe the holes in my molds are not right. I may do another batch and press it lightly, like ricotta salata. The moldy St Maure sure smells yummy! I find the chevre a bit boring. I'll have to herb it up next time. I may turn it into French onion dip for my crackers.....oooo, good idea. Good as done!

My chicken fat mayo firmed up nicely overnight in the fridge. I haven't tasted it yet, got too busy today and forgot. It looks like a success, though. It was pure liquid when I made it. It even started to separate, I just shook the jar vigorously now and then, and this morning....voila! Firm yellow mayo!

Did lots of gardening and planting today, too. Pooped! Off to snack and watch a little tube!

 

[FarmerDenise]

Spring has definitely sprung and is turning into summer. Too busy doing what needs to be done to chat with friends online.

We like the goat milk we bought. I tried it plain and in my coffee. I could taste a little bit of gameyness when I had it plain, but it didn't bother me. I rarely drink milk plain anyway. SO couldn't tell the difference in his coffee either.

 

[freemotion]

FD, it is a great feeling! Sticker shock? I can't keep the look of disgust off my face, and then I catch sight of someone looking at me with a strange look on THEIR face....and I know how bad my look was!

Your own goat's milk may not be gamey if you get one or two....ours is not. That may change, since I am now buckling shopping.

As for the stepson, set a trap. Catch the bugger and make him pay up what he stole. Stepson or not, that is your money, too, and no one is doing him a favor by turning a blind eye on the little creep. Sorry. I can't abide by stealing.....from family, it seems far, far worse to me somehow.

The lavender oil wasn't me......I did try to make a hydrosol with lilacs.....basically, the distilled product that is sold as lavender water and rose water. Didn't work with lilacs, they don't hold up to the heat. But lavender and roses would.

You need a big pot and something to put on top that will allow condensation to drip into the center of the pot, like the metal lid turned upside down, or a stainless steal bowl that fits snugly, holding in the steam. You put water in the pot with your flowers, and put in a heavy bowl in the center to catch the distilled steam.....this bowl needs to be lifted up on something so it doesn't crack in the simmering water. Then you simmer, and keep ice in the lid or bowl to increase condensation, which then drips into the heavy bowl. Jar it up, and you have scented water.

I used a corn/pasta pot, the kind of stock pot with a matching steamer insert, and used a stainless bowl in place of the lid. I used a heavy ceramic serving bowl inside, and the steamer insert kept the bowl up off the bottom of the pan and away from direct heat.

If you google hydrosol, you'll find some detailed instructions to help you.

 

[FarmerDenise]

Free, it was the hydrosol I was thinking about. Thanks for the detailed instructions. I'll have to try it out. Might even work in a solar setup. I just can't stand to let all this lavender go to waste.


beekissed, stash those canning jars somewhere even outside, I bet by the end of the summer you'll be glad to have them.

 

[freemotion]

The wonderboy dilemma would make a great thread if you are up to it.....

Today I saved a dollar on a chick by hatching one with my broody hen....hopefully, two more tomorrow! And if the Buff in the coop hatches out that golf ball.....

I cut up a gallon of rhubarb and can't decide if I want to keep it in the fridge and continue to gorge on it (my first choice, the one that will probably win!) or can it or freeze it.......oh, what-the-hey, eat seasonally, huh? Strawberry/rhubarb pie, here I come!

I froze two gallons of turkey stock this week.

I have four trays of catnip in the car dehydrator, I found a lovely patch of volunteers in the pasture....along with one lone nettle! I wonder if it can spread, all by itself out there. A few years ago I would've grabbed my gloves and ripped it out right away. Now I see goat food, free! I also put some dried nettles into my lunch shake on Saturday. Here is the recipe in case I didn't post it before....a handful each of frozen strawberries, red grapes, and spinach, along with a large carrot, some dried nettles, maybe a tablespoon (I was cautious!) and for the liquid, some goat yogurt and one raw egg and three raw yolks, oh, and a bit of stevia extract. It filled a quart glass juice bottle, which is easy to drink out of in the car on my drive to CT. It is green, but is absolutely wonderful, tastes like fruit and new-mown lawn.

The batch of mayo with the chicken fat is quite good. The texture is more like butter, but the taste is good. I used the Nourishing Traditions recipe with the whey in place of some of the vinegar I usually use, and dh likes it better this way, he said it is milder. The whey helps it keep much, much longer in the fridge, so I can make three jars at once and not worry about making it again for a longer while.

Gotta go correct midterm exams......yuk! Then call the flunkers first thing tomorrow! I'd rather clean a stinky stall in my bare feet!

 

[keljonma]

I just posted a Rhubarb Custard Pie recipe for Free's extra rhubarb!

I ate lunch at Second Sunday Luncheon after church, so didn't have to eat any food at home.

Dried laundry on the line.

 

[FarmerDenise]

I used to make my own mayo back in my college days
But in more recent tries it never came out right. I definitely never thought to use chickenfat. I'll have to save your recipe Free. It sounds very interesting.
I also haven't been able to grow rhubarb. It doesn't seem to like my neglectful ways.... that is, when I can find a plant to put in the ground. SO doesn't think he likes the stuff, I think he put evil spells on it , so it won't grow. He didn't grow up with it, so he doesn't know what he is missing. or rather I'm the one missing it.

 

[freemotion]

FD, all that free goat food!!!! Apple branches and blackberry canes!!!! You NEED a couple of goats!

Thanks for the recipe, kel!

 

[ORChick]

I used to make my own mayo back in my college days
But in more recent tries it never came out right. I definitely never thought to use chickenfat. I'll have to save your recipe Free. It sounds very interesting.
I also haven't been able to grow rhubarb. It doesn't seem to like my neglectful ways.... that is, when I can find a plant to put in the ground. SO doesn't think he likes the stuff, I think he put evil spells on it , so it won't grow. He didn't grow up with it, so he doesn't know what he is missing. or rather I'm the one missing it.

I went to a friend's house today with the offer of thinning her apple trees in exchange for apples later in the season. Her property is so overgrown, she just can't keep up with it. When she first moved to it, we were full of dreams of growing all kinds of stuff and we were thrilled that there were several apple trees on the 1/2 acre. I drove the hour or so just about every other weekend and helped work on the property. We moved up into the area a year or so later and what with the kids and jobs and life, things didn't quite work out as we had hoped. Our kids are grown, she has a grandchild, things have changed, but we are still dear friends. And we still have a lot of the same dreams. I am nearly living mine, she has the land, but neither the time nor the physical energy, so I am giving her some of mine. Just a boost. And it is so much fun to work on stuff like that together. We spent an hour or so clearing the area around one tree that was loaded with apples. Thinning the apples was second nature to me since I have to thin our peaches every year. Cutting back the blackberry vines was satisfying as it cleared the area around the tree. I trimmed, thinned and enjoyed my friends company as we reminisced (sp?) about old times. And when the time comes, I'll help to gather some apples and we'll see what we'll make with them. It was time well spent.
I saved a ton on money I could have payed a therapist, by helping my friend. I had a great day!!

I'll pass on the wonder boy. Too complicated to get into. Just need to vent sometimes though.

What a great therapy session, for you AND your friend!

Where we used to live I had a neighbour who had apricot trees, and hardly any extra time. I had time, but only one tree. So I would pick her apricots, and can them, or dry them, and split the results with her - win/win!

 

[FarmerDenise]

Free, I do need a goat. My neighbors actually got their goats to help keep the blackberry vines down. And they love those dry oak leaves in the fall. We usually give them the stalks from the millet as a treat for their goats. I know there would be no problem feeding a goat, even if our place is cleaned out. I'd just have to load it into my buick and go visiting. Probably put the dogs car harness on it to keep it safe in the back seat. hehe
I went to a store that has a good selection of all kinds of cheeses and sampled various goat cheeses, Yummy!!!