Update...

Not much blogging around here. We have been busy getting ready for spring. It's about to get real busy around here again. We moved the raised beds and will be adding a 50x20 garden area for corn and tomatoes this year. The plan is also to add fruit trees and berries this year. I will be starting veggies seeds by months end. We are also prepping the yard to add a outdoor wood burner and a regular clothesline this summer. The umbrella line is just not enough for us anymore. That and I would like to do my laundry 2-3 times a week instead of one load a day. The larger clothesline will help me be able to accomplish this. Once the basement is cleared of the decreped wood burner, dh will be building some more shelves to store all my canned goods. Yay!! Dh is finally working more, for now. We will see how long that lasts. He is gearing up for spring planting with the family farm. Little girl is growing like crazy. She is sleeping all night most nights (FINALLY!!!) and has 2 of her eye teeth poking out. She has decided not to wait until she is 2 to start her "terrible twos" tantrums. This has been very interesting to say the least! We will attempt potty training this summer. Blogging here will probably be sporadic for awhile (like it hasn't been already!). I will add an rss feed for anybody interested in this blog. Is anybody interested?

Make Your Own...

Onion Soup Mix

2c powdered milk
3/4c cornstarch
1/4c beef boullion crystals/powder
2T dried onion flakes
1 tsp dried basil leaves, crushed

Stores up to 1 year in a bag/jar.

To use: 1/3c of mix per recipe. Blend with water for soup or sour cream for dips.

Grain mills

I have been researching grain mills for some time now. This is something we would like to invest in. I am having a hard time deciding what kind to purchase. I see the old cast iron ones on ebay and then there's the ones that http://www.lehmans.com carries. I want a hand cranked one and we don't want to spend a load of money on one. Anybody use one and can give me first-hand knowledge on these? I also don't want to run the wheat through them 4-5 times. Any suggestions? Also, does anyone roll their own oats? I've seen a couple products that can do this and that interests me also.
Any suggestions, tips, complaints, etc are welcome!!
Thanks!!

Make your own...Tartar Sauce

Tartar Sauce
1c mayo
1/4c chopped sweet pickles
2 tbsp chopped onion
2 tbsp pickle juice

Mix togther and store in the frig.