What did you do to save $ today?

[FarmerDenise]

Free, tell me more about this Herbes de Provence mix.
I want to make rubs and "seasonings" for gifts this year. We have so many herbs, mostly mediteranian, that I want to make full use of. Herbs are also good gifts for those folks you have to mail a gift too, since they don't weigh much. That reminds me, I need to start collecting nice little jars. Got to check with friends with babies, for those babyfood jars. I make my own labels, so the jars look real nice. I may add some recipes this year too, since I'll be making some more unusual mixes, like the lavender salt.

I tried to grow cumin, but the seeds didn't sprout. I should grow chervil again too. It has such a unique flavor, it's an absolute must in and herbed cream cheese. I bet you use it in your chevre, Free.

 

[freemotion]

I'd attributed it to keljonma, but it was ORChick..... sorry, OR!!! The recipe I used is the third on this thread: http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2279

There are more herb blend recipes on that thread, worth checking out, especially to plant now for gifts later!

 

[PunkinPeep]

This is a very small one, but i feel more efficient.

With all this heat, i've become more conscious about cooking and spending any drop of electricity.

So yesterday, it finally donned (sp?) on me to make my tea outside in the sun! And it tastes so much better!

Now i'm trying to think of other ways i can utilize the sun and the ridiculous heat to save energy in my house.

If i could figure out how to bake bread in the sun, i would be giddy!

 

[freemotion]

Do a search for solar ovens....they get quite hot, depending on where you live. You might be able to! I plan on doing some rendering of suet in some, since I don't really want that in my house in the summer, and it doesn't get quite hot enough here in the Northeast for a lot of solar cooking.....at least according to the charts and all the trees shading my yard. It is on my project list, if it ever warms up here!

ETA: you make one from cardboard and tinfoil, there are many designs out there and plans online!

 

[PunkinPeep]

Do a search for solar ovens....they get quite hot, depending on where you live. You might be able to! I plan on doing some rendering of suet in some, since I don't really want that in my house in the summer, and it doesn't get quite hot enough here in the Northeast for a lot of solar cooking.....at least according to the charts and all the trees shading my yard. It is on my project list, if it ever warms up here!

ETA: you make one from cardboard and tinfoil, there are many designs out there and plans online!

thanks! i'll look it up!

 

[FarmerDenise]

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[FarmerDenise]

Free, I checked out that thread. Thanks! I copied all those recipes down. I'll have to find my recipe that I used to make for herbed cream cheese and add it.

 

[modern_pioneer]

I was headed into town to purchase some work supplies, I spotted a piece of used green fiberglass roofing material. It has holes where it was ripped off the roof. I looked around, nobody seemed to be missing it. So I stuffed it in my truck to use over the girls pen. Saves me somewhere in the tweenty dollar range I think.

 

[freemotion]

Ok, during my tea break I will post my savings for today....

Saved my sanity by successfully re-introducing the injured chick back to it's mama.....saved electricity (heat) and food, too, since mama provides most of that, with a little help from me.

Dehydrating today! I have mints in the electric dehydrator, and in the big dehydrator....the car....I have 7 trays packed full with oregano and parsley.

I opened another 4lb cheddar this morning, and it tastes like....cheddar! The texture is still a bit dry and flakey, but the taste is wonderful, so cheddar came off the grocery list this week. Last night's mozzarella, about 3 lbs, is also a wonderful flavor, but again, it did not stretch. I wish I knew why. But it tastes fantastic. Got about a pound of ricotta, too.

Got enough lettuce from my late-planted earth-bucket for a big salad for supper. I'll add store-bought tomatoes and goat cheese and a couple of devilled eggs, and make a dressing with fresh herbs from the garden. Mmmmmm.....

Oh, I'll have to go walk the dog and check on the wild grape leaves, and see if there are enough for picking yet. Gotta get them in that window of opportunity when they are big enough but not riddled with bug-eaten holes! If not, I'll pick up some scrap wood for my next project, a group hay-rack for the goats for when they are lounging together in the communal stall. The big feed tub allows too much arguing, and inevitably, someone curls up in it for a nap and then gets up for a stretch and a potty break! I'm tired of scrubbing it out every night!

 

[FarmerDenise]

The big feed tub allows too much arguing, and inevitably, someone curls up in it for a nap and then gets up for a stretch and a potty break! I'm tired of scrubbing it out every night!

Was is it about animals doing that?