Works for me Wednesday.... making yogurt!

Works for me Wednesday....

Making Yogurt

We eat sooooo much yogurt in our household. I have found that if I eat yogurt everyday I can keep the dreaded yeast infections away. (I am very prone to them) And if for some reason I have to be on an antibiotic I consume 3 servings a day and it keeps me ok. My kids also love yogurt and in the summer we can devour smoothies made with fruit and yogurt. All this yogurt eating can be EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!

My mom had made yogurt when I was a kid and so I knew it could be done. I gave it a try and after several attempt with a variety of methods I decided purchasing a yogurt maker was the best option. I purchased a "Salton" brand on Amazon.com. (When I purchased mine it was only $20, now it is up to $30. It would still pay for itself, cost of yogurt and milk has gone up since then, too) ****OK... I am jumping in to edit this 10/24/09.... The price of this yogurt maker has skyrocketed to $199!! INSANE! There are many other, much cheaper, options available!!! If you click the link above you can look around at all the other yogurt makers . ** This thing is very much worth the cost! I can make a quart of yogurt for $1!!!! My savings paid for the yogurt maker with 20 batches (at 2 a week that is 10 weeks). I have had my yogurt maker for almost 2.5 years now...... talk about SAVINGS $$$$!!!!!

I really like thick yogurt and to get extra thickness I add about 1/2-2/3 cup dry powdered milk. I also add 1/3 cup sugar (I know.... not healthy). Sometimes the yogurt still doesn't come out as thick as I like for eating so we use that for the smoothies....yummy!!!

My FAVORITE breakfast is homemade granola with yogurt on top!!!!! I just finished my bowl.... mmmmm!

Directions for making yogurt:

Warm 3.5 cups of milk to very hot, but not boiling
Add: 1/2 - 2/3 cup dry powdered milk
1/4- 1/3 cup sugar (this is optional... we just like it better this way...)

pour about 2/3 cup of this milk mixture into a coffee cup and allow both mixtures to cool. The milk mixture must be between 105 -115 degrees. I just use the wrist test and when it feels the way water should feel when baking bread I know it is right. When I first started making yogurt I used a candy thermometer. I have actually found I prefer to be on the warmer side.....

Once the main mixture is at the right temp add 1/4 - 1/3 cup of starter yogurt to the milk in the coffee cup. (you can purchase plain or vanilla yogurt for your first batch and then save some yogurt for future batches. About every 5 batches start off with a new store bought yogurt starter.) Mix the yogurt well with the milk and pour it into the main batch. Stir and put in yogurt maker..... just ignore it for 7-12 hours, chill all day or over night, ENJOY!!!!

Mix in fruit or jam if you want..... we often just serve fruit and yogurt together. Then of course as I mentioned earlier.... yogurt on granola!!! YUM!!

Have a blessed day!
Heather

Tour Tuesday

As I stated in my first Tour Tuesday, I am a nosy person! I enjoy seeing other's homes, homesteads, animals, land, etc! I am working on setting up "mr linky" so that you can join me every Tuesday! Enjoy the tour!

I will start your tour at our mailbox, looking towards our home. We live in a 1911 house on 3 acres of heaven!

Now, below, you will see the view to the east I have out my front door! We live in the middle of some of the most fertile farm ground in the nation. The farmers have been busy planting corn the last couple of weeks. Soon I will be surrounded by the beautiful stuff. You can see my mailbox.... (to give you perspective)

Now I am turning in... this is the view of the inside of my house from the front door. My hubby is an outdoors man so our living room is "his" room!

This is my view out the back door. We have some wonderful shade trees that do a great job of keeping the sun off the house in the summer. I am facing West in this picture. Do you see the fence area off the barn?? This is my fenced in garden area. To the right of the fenced in area is the orchard!

I am standing at the barn looking towards the house.........
We spend a TON of time out here when the weather is nice. We love the swing in the tree!
In fact, we have lived here 5 years and that is our second swing... we wore the first one out!

Now, lets turn inside again.... for the view in the back door. It opens up to our dining room. Notice snack is still on the table.

Snack! (very healthy, I know!)

I live 4.5 miles from a TINY town, 8 miles from a small town (school, library, grocery store, hardware store, restaurants, etc) and about 22 miles from a large town (home of Purdue University). However, from the view from my home it seems like we live in the middle of NO WHERE!!! To give you an idea of how rural I am.... take a look down the road from my mail box....

Looking South.... See the tiny dot of barns?? That is about 1.5 miles down the road...

Now looking North..... again, see the dot of house and barns in the distance?? That is about 2/3 mile down the road....... I LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From where I live I can only see 4 houses in the horizon!!!!!!

Well, this wraps up this weeks addition of "Tour Tuesday"! Hope you enjoyed it! I would love to see tours of your place... leave a comment with a link. Again, I am working on "mr. linky" for next week.

Have a great day!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Breaking the "silence".....

What did I learn in my time of "silence"?

• I learned I had been on a constant "intake" of some kind of information
• I was on "auto pilot" too often.... I would catch myself automatically turning on the truck radio, turning on the computer, picking up a magazine!
• As the days went on, my mind cleared and I actually had some "margin" in my thinking! My poor brain had a break from constant input!
• It was almost like "detox"..... I needed this! Get the junk out so I can get more of GOD in!
  
• I am going to have some new limits to my "intake" (ie... don't automatically turn on the radio as soon as I get in the vehicle, don't keep the radio/music on all the time at home, LIMIT my computer time, reading time and tv time) I need to digest what I intake before I take in more. I will be very purposefully about what I do "consume".
• One of my Bible studies was dealing with contentment/finances..... not consuming so much of the world really helps me to avoid discontentment!!!!
  

This was a wonderful experience. I will be back posting, but I am going to limit my computer time.
"Tour Tuesday" will be back tomorrow!!!
Heather


It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Turkey hunt success, fruit trees, and silence....

TURKEY hunt!!!! My hubby got his FIRST turkey yesterday morning!!! YEAH! It is a beautiful one!
We now have some turkey in the freezer. There is a one Tom limit (no hens allowed) here, so he is done. He is going to take a friend out on Saturday.


The boys thought it was COOL!!!!!


FRUIT TREES: The past few days have been BEAUTIFUL weather! I really love warm weather. I feel like a different person in the spring/summer than I do in the winter. I literally CRAVE the sunshine warming my skin. CRAZY?? Probably, but it is who I am! I spend as MUCH time as possible outside on days like today. My Hubby had the day off (he took it off for turkey hunting, but since he is "bagged out" we spent the day together). We planted FRUIT trees!!!!!!!!! When we purchased this place it came with 2 mature peach trees (that produce fantastic peaches) and 1 junk apple tree (that we have cut down). Last year we added 4 apple trees and 2 apricot trees. Today we planted 2 more peach trees, 2 pear trees, 2 cherry trees and 10 more apple trees!!!!!!! Five years from now I will (God willing) have fruit coming out of my ears!!! PTL!!!!!

SILENCE:
I will not be posting any new posts for a week. I will go into more detail later, but for a week I am following God's leading and stepping into a world of silence. I am participating in 2 Bible studies that have both hit on the same topic (I must be hard headed if it takes not one but TWO studies for me to get it!)..... Getting into the word on a DAILY basis. Why is this soooo hard???? The biggest reason we all give is because we are BUSY!!! Yes, I am busy.... so are you! We live in a BUSY world. However, I still make time to get online, read other things, watch tv, listen to the radio, talk on the phone, etc.... God has been really convicting me on my choices, my priorities, my focus, my attitude, my personal discipline. We live in a world of constant "input", constant noise of some kind. For the next week I will be entering a world of silence..... (yes, I will still talk). I am ready to HEAR God! I am ready to be "still"!

Have a great week! I will be back after this time and look forward to another addition of "Tour Tuesday". I am going to show you my "views".


May Menu comes out on the 25th! Grill season is here... I have included a grill recipe each week. The sample menu will be updating soon. www.simplefamilysupper.com

Wacky Wednesday!

My hubby is a goofy guy! He is the HARDEST worker I know, but he PLAYS hard, too! In my opinion that is the best combination. His goofiness is contagious!

The dogs aren't sure about Miss Pork Chop! They have loud barks for such little dogs..... note Nate's got his ears covered!

Have more fun in your life, Get rid of the supper time stress! www.simplefamilysupper.com

Tour Tuesday

I don't know about you, but I am "nosy"! I enjoy seeing other homes, homesteads, animals, kids and gardens! You don't have to show me the dirty laundry... I have enough of my own, but I do love peaks into your lives! I think I am going to start a new tradition on my blog.... TOUR TUESDAY!

First Picture:
Our youngest, Nate, on his new bike! Our house in the back ground. We live in a 1911 farm house on 3 acres.




What is this????? Are they building a Christmas manger in April? No, this is to be the home of our newest family member, "Miss Pork Chop"!!!! We are working our way back in time..... we are raising our own meat!!! Our next pig will be named "BBQ"!!! We decided it was best to name them for what they are going to be... help the kids get used to the idea right away.....








Here I am with Miss Pork Chop in her finished home! My hubby is the BEST builder!!! He always builds quality, even for a PIG! Our Ethan is posing with me.











Here is a sneak peak at our garden... not much going on yet...... SOON there will be more growing in it!!!!!









Did you enjoy this little tour????? Come back next Tuesday for more Pictures from our little Heaven on Earth.
Have a BLESSED day, Be a BLESSING!
Heather

BABIES!!!!!!!!!!! I love them!

New CHICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at all those EGGS!!!!! They are staying nice and warm in the incubator.
We could hear cheeping for 2 days before they hatched! It was way COOL!!

The next day:

Aren't they CUTE????? (Yeah, both of them! Can you guess which one is my "baby"??)

We moved the brand new chicks out to the barn when they were 3 days old. They are rooming with the other chicks (the older ones are now 3 weeks old!) They are growing FAST!!!!!!!

Youth Trurkey Hunting Weekend!

My daughter completed her Indiana Hunter's Safety course earlier this month. She was excited to get it done before youth turkey hunt weekend! Robyn (age 8) and Chris (my hubby, her dad) went out yesterday morning (they left at 5am and saw THREE! (2 hens and 1 jake) She was able to take a shot at the Jake, but unfortunately didn't hit her target (can I say nervous first time jitters?) She didn't get a turkey, but she did bring home some wonderful memories of time in the woods with her Dad. They even went out for breakfast together after the hunt! Now that is what I call a great Daddy/daughter date!

Yesterday evening and this morning, Chris took out our oldest son, Wesley(age 10). They saw some hens and heard gobbles, but never had a shot on a Jake. They had a blast.... good Father/son bonding. I really admire the way my husband enjoys spending time with our kids and passing on his love for nature and his enthusiasm for hunting, fishing and trapping. He has been so patient as he teaches the children the skills required for these activities. The children have thrived under his training and are great shots, love to fish (note I am not saying that they love to clean the fish!) and have respect for nature.

Today is going to be beautiful! This afternoon we are going to plant some trees and then Chris is taking the kids fishing. I have to finish typing up the next addition of Simple Family Supper!
Have a great Day!
Heather

Frugal Friday, Fast Track Cooking and fun!

Last night my sister and her family came over and shared supper with us!!! It is always such a blessing to spend time with them. The weather was BEAUTIFUL so all of the cousins passed the time getting dirty (I mean playing) outside! I think if summer time bath water isn't really dirty then my kids didn't have enough fun that day!!! Maybe even the same for me! I need to get dirt under my fingernails at least ONCE each nice day.

Having family over for supper doesn't have to break the budget! We really enjoy having others over for dinner!
Anyway, I pulled two bags of "efficient cooking" browned deer burger out of the freezer and whipped up tacos in no time! Yummy supper, fun fellowship and sunshine all in one day! Scores a 10 for me. I love being able to make a good supper without spending a ton of time in the kitchen. Yesterday was too busy for lots of kitchen time.... I was too busy playing with my new baby chicks!!!!

Fast track Tacos:
Ingredients:
Browned meat from freezer (thawed in microwave)
1 can chili beans
1 package taco seasoning
1 can diced tomatoes (with or without chilies)
Shells of your choice

Directions: Blend together the beans, tomatoes and seasoning in blender till smooth.
Mix the bean mixture with the browned meat and warm up in microwave.
Serve with your choice of toppings. We use cheese, lettuce, salsa!

Would you like to learn more about my method of "efficient and fast track" cooking?? Visit me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Cooking with Venison...

Works for Me Wednesday......

Cooking with Venison!
We are a deer hunting family! I had NEVER eaten deer or even really known anyone that hunted till I met my hubby..... wow, has my world changed! I have only gotten one deer (without my car), but hope to get another one this year. Our oldest two have completed their hunter safety course so they can go out next fall. Our daugter is excited!!!!

Anyway, cooking with venison is something that I struggled with at first..... I just couldn't get used to it and I thought it always tasted gamy..... well, not any more!!!! I learned the SECRET!

Secret to fantastic (you will never know it is venison) meat:
VINEGAR!!!!!!!!!! The acid totally takes away the game flavor! Period.... no more!
When I brown ground meat I simply add it while browning (I don't measure, but about 2 TBL per pound). When I make a roast I just always add vinegar to the cooking juices and I cook it in the crock pot.

I also Mass brown ground meat and then freeze it in meal size quantities... makes for a fast supper on the table. This principle is what I call "efficient" and "fast track" cooking. Saves me time and reduces stress! Simple Family Supper uses Efficient and Fast track cooking! Simplify supper time! www.simplefamilysupper.com

Wedding!!!

My youngest sister is getting married on SATURDAY!!!!! We are all so excited for her and her future hubby!

The bridal shower was a blast and I'm sure that the wedding is going to be beautiful. She has the wonderful opportunity to be married by our Uncle (a minister). My daughter is a junior bridesmaid! I am sooo glad it is her turn as bridesmaid.... I experienced my fair share! I will post pics on Sunday or Monday... Till then I will be busy with helping with last minute details. My other sister and I (there are 3 girls in my family of origin) are in charge of decorating for the reception. We had a wonderful "sister's night out" last Saturday as we shopped for all the decorations! Weddings can be stressful, but enjoyable.

Please pray with me as my sister, Sriyani and her Brent, begin their life as husband and wife.
See you all in a couple of days!
Heather

Since I have been extra busy this week I have been using my crock pot like crazy!
What are you having for supper? Let me get you organized and take the stress out of supper for you and your family. Visit me at: www.simplefamilysupper.com

What works for me???
My FAVORITE, frugal, all purpose, home made cleaner!!! Now say that 10 times as fast as you can!!!

I have been using this recipe for about 2 years now and LOVE it!!! I have saved a ton and have been kinder to the environment at the same time. It also makes the house smell great!!!

Home Made All-Purpose Cleaner (it is a great glass cleaner... we have used it to clean every window in our house in addition to lots of other places)

1 spray bottle (I just use the bottle I had from the last time I purchased a windex)
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2-2/3 cup scented rubbing alcohol (I use up to 2/3 cup if I am going to use it all for windows)
Fill the rest of the bottle up with water.

The rubbing alcohol comes in wintergreen and citrus... you will find it with the other rubbing alcohol in the pharmacy section of your favorite store. Our dollar store sells it. The alcohol really speeds up dry time... no more streaks! It also completely covers the vinegar smell and leaves a wonderful mint or citrus fragrance. (I am NOT a fan of the vinegar smell... it is what prevented me from using other home made recipes.) I use this to wipe down my bathroom EVERYDAY! I also use it anywhere I would use windex and on my kitchen counters (I alternate days with bleach water).
Anyway, save a ton and help the environment!

Have a great day!
Heather

Once that kitchen is clean, keep it that way by making SIMPLE suppers for your family!
www.simplefamilysupper.com

Making your home a haven

Making your home a haven as hosted by Biblical Womanhood:

It has been BEAUTIFUL the last THREE days!!! Spring has been slow coming to our neck of the woods. We made our home a haven by cleaning up the yard from all the twigs and random things that accumulated on our 3 acres over the winter. Our yard looks great.... now I am just ready for flowers.... the bulbs are about 4 inches tall!!! YEAH!!!

I have the gardening itch! Plans, plans, plans.... ready to get dirt in my fingernails!!!!! I have to admit, in the last three days of being OUTSIDE, my house is a mess! I have to get it in order tonight! Oh, well, spring only comes around once a year... I have been couped up all winter.

Have a great day! Enjoy Spring!!!!
Heather

Spring is the time to break out the grill again.... the April menu has grill recipes!!! www.simplefamilysupper.com

crazy facts

Crazy Facts

In the 1400's a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb".


Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.


The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV was Fred and Wilma Flintstone.


Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.


Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.


It is impossible to lick your elbow.


The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000


Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.


The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.


Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king in history:

Spades - King David

Hearts - Charlemagne

Clubs -Alexander, the Great

Diamonds - Julius Caesar


111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321


If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural
causes.


Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand


Q. What do bullet-proof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All invented by women.


Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey


In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase "goodnight, sleep tight."


It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.


In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down." It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"


Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they
used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.


Don't delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the human mnid aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a word are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Amzanig huh?

~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~

At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow

So who tried to lick their elbows?

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Frugal Friday

It is time for another addition of Frugal Friday....

My 12 year old laser printer is out of commission..... yikes!!! It is the most economical printer I have ever had!!! I got it my junior year in college and have printed THOUSANDS of pages through it and have only replaced the ink 5 times in 12 years! The toner costs $40 each..... not bad for 12 years of printing. I went out and bought ink for the ink jet..... so pricey for the number of prints. I am going to have a friend try to fix my laser (it has a sheet of paper JAMMED in) and if that isn't possible will be investing in another laser. I do so much printing with Simple Family Supper that I need an economical way to print.

My frugal tip: LASER printers!!!!!!!

Heather

Print out your own copy of the family friendly sample menu at www.simplefamilysupper.com!