Life on a little urban homestead in the making, showing ideas for self-sufficiency, Permaculture, DIYing, organic gardening, food preservation, Chicken keeping, cookery, crafts, thrifting and more...
Schmaundt Schinken/Creamed Ham-
When I found this recipe I knew I had to try it. Having part of my family coming from various parts of Europe, I knew that there's probably some Prussian in there too! It's here- Mennonite Girls Can Cook It's really pretty simple. I made it last night and it was fab! I served it with sour cream noodles and steamed broccoli. Yummy!!!
How Do You Like The New Font?
Too hard to read or ok? I wanted to try something new and went with "Indie Flower" on Blogger...
With another little snowstorm on the way here, and lows in the teens this week, sounds accurate....
How To Save Money Watching TV- I read this excellent blog post here, Adventures in the Goodland and it got me thinking. We haven't been happy with our Dish bill, and many of my favorite shows are either gone, or available in another format. We may get a wii for Netflix, much cheaper than our current bill, with sports/exercises included. I can watch HBO, etc. in another form. My former favorite SYFY channel sucks now, with Eureka, and Warehouse 13 gone (soon). Only Haven left, sniff. Who watches wrestling and cheasy movie with poor spcial effects on SYFY? Anyway, the savings- $800.00 a year. I think we'll switch over in the spring since we'll need to install an antenna, and do more research. And finish up True Detective Interesting reviews on antennas here by Consumer Reports. You can find your area here, as far as what's available channel-wise and what the signal strength is- FCC DTV Maps
I like the look of this antenna-
Saving Money On Cell Phone Bills- I decided that since I'm paying $30.00 a month to use a smart phone, for the data pack connected to ATT, that I'm going back to a texting, NON-smart device. I'm due for a free upgrade next month. I get a good discount thru my employer, but I have 2 computers at work, and 2 at home. I always have ZERO data usage, so what am I really paying for? Back to the basics for me. I am also looking into a "GoPhone" for $50.00 a month with unlimited text/talk and wireless. Just no data connection/use to ATT. I can save $360.00 a year, or more, no loss of convenience for me. Total savings- over $1,000. per year I'd rather take a vacation, or, ah yes- all those home repairs :)
7. Recycle/Re-Use- Bought some thrifted goodies below.
8. Skill Up- Gotsome new ideas for my job, from other school peers. Learned some new medical stuff sadly about upcoming treatment. Something common, but was not ready for this at my age. More later :(
9. Regenerate What is Lost/Salvage Something- Dave added a new coop vent for better air circulation in the winter. It was $2.00, small vent slots and weather proof. Will regenerate part of my body :)
Wooden Rosemaling folk art plate, $3.00
Thrifting-
We hit a couple of places today out running errands. All of these were less than $20.00 I found a like-new blow dryer, and big barrel curling iron. $3.00 each. I also bought the really Rosemaling wooden nice plate (above) at the Habitat For Humanity used building supplies store, $3.00 also. Dave scored too! He found a vintage Kodak (Made in America) metal pictures bin, full of parts, for $5.00-
We may fill it full of old cameras, or turn it into a indoor planter
I also found this wonderful blue French-made ceramic bowl, our new salad bowl. Anya had to investigate-
Can I sit in it?
I wadded up the receipt, play time!
Dark Days Meal-
Tonight it's homemade pizza with local dough, and homemade pesto! Yum!
What Game Day?
While I find football incredibly BORING, I did find this fake beer ad video really funny! Some bleeps so watch when the kids are gone-
Anna Kendrick
My New Favorite Singer!!!-
I caught the end of this concert late one night with Sara Bareilles, and about fell out of my chair. I had heard her singing Love Song quite a while back. What a set of pipes! She also writes and plays the piano brilliantly. Crank up the volume on the first one, it's a very unusual cover- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. I read when Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics they were directed at Elton John. Bernie wanted to stay simple and be behind the scenes as a lyricist. Elton, not so much obviously... Makes perfect sense...
