Oldest Man In the U.S.

I am sure many of you saw this ( http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100921/ap_on_re_us/us_world_s_oldest_man ) article on the yahoo news today. If you didn't, it is worth a "click" and short read. The gentleman pictured at right is named Walter Breuning. He was born in 1898, that makes him 114 years old.

As I read this story, I thought of Mr. B's wonderful grandmother who as born in 1912. I also thought of all the history Mr. Breuning and Granny, as we all liked to call Mr. B's grandmother, experienced through out their lives.

I always enjoyed visits with Mr. B's Granny, because she always had so many first hand accounts of history to tell. She was also eager to share not only the events but also the mood and thoughts of her generation and culture during the many changes she witnessed. Sometimes I think I garnished more from her, regarding 20th century history, than from all the stacks of history books I've read.

Since I lived a significant portion of my childhood with my own grandmother, who was 60 years my senior, I've always held our older generations in high esteem. Many of them have a wisdom, a hind sight, and of course experiences that all of us could learn from, if we'd only allow them teach us.

If you have an elder in your family or neighborhood, I urge you to spend some time with them. I promise as they share their life's history and perspective, you will be abundantly blessed with a wealth of knowledge and information you never expected to receive.

An Announcment ...

On Sunday, August 29, 2010, our daughter, OG, was graduated and "Crowned" as an "Honor Star" from the Missionnettes Stars Program.

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding: That ye may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing; being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." Colossians 1:9-12 (KJV)

We are proud of her accomplishments and look forward to her continued growth in the Lord.

Today's Frugal Feast

... Sounds like a good blog title, doesn't it? ( Hmmm, looking over my archived posts, realizing how many recipes I've posted, AND admitting that I am a MAJOR foodie, maybe it is time to change my blog title. ) Oh! sorry, just thinking out loud ...

Aside from cooking and eating good food, what do I like to do best? Save money while cooking or eating good food! Eating well doesn't have be expensive. It does, however, take a little time, imagination and creativity.

The daily food budget for our family is $13.15 per day. This amount feeds my family breakfast, dinner, supper, desserts, snacks, special meals with guests and holiday meals. But I am always trying to come in well under the $13.15 plan. Let's take a look and see if I came in under budget today.

Breakfast $0.84 per person
(served 2 people, I wasn't hungry this morning)
peanut butter & jelly on a large slice of toast, orange wedges, 8oz. glass of milk
slice of homemade bread = $0.04 ea.
homemade jelly = $0.10 tsp.
peanut butter = $0.07 tbsp.
oranges = $0.34 ea.
milk = $0.29 per serving

Dinner $1.40 per person
(served 3 people)
BBQ chicken sandwiches, cowboy beans, dump cake, water
homemade bbq sauce = $0.07 tbsp. (I used 2 tablespoons per serving)
leftover roasted chicken = $0.45 per serving
homemade cowboy beans = $0.27 per serving
thinly sliced onion = $0.04 per person
bread & butter pickle slices = $0.16 per serving
dump cake = $0.34 per serving

Supper $0.61 per person
(served 2 people, Sunday is my Sabbath & I do not eat an evening meal on Sundays)
garden salad, leftover cowboy beans, water
garden salad = $0.34 per serving
homemade cowboy beans = $0.27 per serving

Grand Total for today = $7.10 including dessert!
How would a family of four fared today if everyone ate every meal? $11.40, OR $1.75 under budget. What will I do with the leftover funds? Well, apply it to another meal later in the week or month (or maybe I could add it to my shoe fund ...), OH! sorry, I was thinking out loud again.

I am sure many of you are familiar with the old standard cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple dump cake recipe. However, as part of today's Frugal Feast, I decided to use what I had on hand vs. purchasing additional items, ie. canned cherry pie filling and canned crushed pineapple. As you know, I am always frugal minded while in my kitchen.

Frugal Feast Dump Cake
(12 servings)

1 box yellow cake mix
OR
2 c. cake flour, 1 1/2 c. sugar, 3 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. salt

1 qt. homemade pear pie filling
2 peaches, pitted and peeled & tossed in 2 tsp. lemon juice to prevent browning
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
zest of one orange



In a greased 9"x13" baking pan spread pear pie filling. Evenly distribute sliced peaches over pie filling.

Evenly sprinkle cake mix over pie filling and fruit mixture. Do Not stir.

Evenly drizzle melted butter over cake mix.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 - 50 minutes, until golden and bubbly.

ENJOY!

Please take the liberty of substituting any combination of fruit filling, like I did with my homemade pear pie filling and peaches - you never know, the combination just might be a blue ribbon winner. Note: if you really want to WOW your family serve dump cake warm with a dollop of homemade vanilla ice cream, Mmmmmm!

A Little Homemade This & That

For the past 13 years I've fed my family on a budget of $400 per month. Thirteen years ago I was feeding a family of 6. During the past eight years our older boys have grown up and set out on their own so, I am now feeding a family of 4 on the same $400 per month. BUT let me tell you, that $400 per month certainly doesn't go as far as it did 2 years ago, let alone 13 years ago. One must also keep in mind that since Mr. B is currently living very far from home, my $400 grocery budget is divided between two households. Now, Mr. B doesn't have extravagant dining habits, but he certainly isn't quite as frugal as I am when in the kitchen and certainly not in the grocery store. His lack of knowledge when it comes to cooking from scratch has reminded me how very expensive pre-prepared foods are.

Most folks who know me personally, know I generally shop only the dairy and produce departments of our local grocer. Throughout the years I have sought and found less expensive alternative food sources for bulk foods such as flours, cornmeal, oats, grits, sugars, honey, spices, olive and cooking oils, etc. Mr. B enjoys hunting and fishing, and has plenty of friends who enjoy the same, this has kept my freezer well stocked for more than a decade. Until this summer we have also enjoyed many harvests from our vegetable garden. I've maintained my little herb patch and we continue to enjoy a few fresh and home dried herbs.

On a recent trip to the grocer I took a stroll down the spice and ethnic foods isle. Since most of my spices are purchased in bulk from sources other than the local grocer, I was utterly SHOCKED at how expensive some of these little bitty 2 oz. or less bottles of spices were - some were almost $7! Even the typical spice blends were outrageously priced. For example, a brand name 1 oz. foil package of taco seasoning was more than $2 - the generic store brand was closer to $1.30, but that still had me taking a second look just to be sure I didn't need to schedule a vision exam. I thought, "Are these people serious? $1.30 for a 1 oz. package of seasoning?"

With all that said, I, very long windily, come to the point of this post. I have for you today two homemade spice blends AND a recipe for Dragon Sauce, which is similar to sweet-n-sour sauce which, by the way, we love for dipping our egg rolls in when I make my fried rice supper. When compared to the grocery store prices, these recipes can be made for pennies on the dollar. I also suspect they are healthier since they don't contain anti-caking agents, MSG or many other ingredients that most of us have a hard time pronouncing.

Taco Seasoning Mix

2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. dried parsley flakes
1 1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. dried onion powder or dried onion flakes
1/2 tsp. salt
1/s tsp. garlic powder

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, add to ground meat just as you would a store bought foil package.

Asian Spice Blend
(I use this in my fried rice and spicy stir fried noodles)

1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. lemon grass
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground tumeric
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt

This recipe makes about 3 tablespoons of spice. I generally add all of it to my fried rice ( http://herpeculiarlife.blogspot.com/2008/10/fun-week.html ) and spicy stir fried noodles (http://herpeculiarlife.blogspot.com/2008/05/stir-fried-noodles.html ), HOWEVER, we like ours spicy. I suggest that you start with only 1 tablespoon of this spice blend and add more accordingly for your and your family's personal pallets.

Dragon Sauce
(similar to sweet-n-sour sauce found in many Asian restaurants. - Try basting it over baked chicken ... Mmmmm good!)

3 cups fruit nectar (you know, the liquid from canned fruit you generally pour down the drain)
3 tblsp. cornstarch
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. vinegar
1 1/2 tblsp. soy sauce

In a small bowl or mixing cup whisk together 1/2 c. fruit nectar and cornstarch until smooth. In a medium sauce pan combine 2 1/2 cups fruit nectar, sugar, vinegar and soy sauce; when mixture begins to simmer, stir in cornstarch mixture. Stir continuously until sauce is thickened and transparent. Store left overs covered in the refrigerator. Makes 3 cups. Note: Instead of pouring canned fruit nectar down the drain, collect it in a freezer container and thaw when you have collected enough to make dragon sauce.

Pinching Pennies

Hey Guys!

This morning I read an article on yahoo news by Amy Bell entitled "5 Generic Products That Are Just As Good".

In these tough economic times, if you aren't purchasing the generic products mentioned in this article, you may want to give them a try. If you find they are just as good as name brand, as Ms. Bell has found, you have nothing to loose and plenty of your hard earned cash to save.

Here's the link to the article:

http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-110214-6160-2-5-generic-products-that-are-just-as-good?ywaad=ad0035

Psalm 143

Hear my prayer, O Lord,

Give ear to my supplications!

In Your faithfulness answer me,

And in Your righteousness.

Do not enter into judgement with Your servant,

For in Your sight no one living is righteous.

For the enemy has persecuted my soul;

He has crushed my life to the ground;

He has made me dwell in darkness,

Like those who have long been dead.

Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me,

My heart within me is distressed.

I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all Your works;

I muse on the work of Your hands.

I spread out my hands to You;

My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.

Answer me speedily, O Lord;

My spirit fails!

Do not hide Your face from me,

Lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,

For in You I trust;

Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,

For I lift up my soul to You.

Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;

In You I take shelter.

Teach me to do Your will,

For You are my God;

Your spirit is good.

Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's sake!

For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

In Your mercy cut off my enemies,

And destroy all those who afflict my soul;

For I am Your servant.

(Psalm 143 NKJV)

Pantry Cooking

After 20 months of Mr. B working and living almost 2,000 miles away from home, Mr. B and I have decided to go ahead and sell our house here in S.E. Texas, move the family close to his employment, and rent while continuing our search for the right home. Since our house is officially up for sale, I have been and will continue to cook from my pantry stores. I'd like to use up as much of our "stock" as possible before packing up to move. With this in mind, today, I decided to use up one of the quarts of pear pie filling I have stored and bake a beautiful pear pie.

I have gleaned several resources for this pear pie. For the decorative top crust, I was inspired by the stunning fruit pie photo found on pg. 63 of "Taste of Home's" Aug./Sept. 2010 publication. My pie crust recipe is adapted from the 1st recipe found on pg. 182 in "Amish Cooking" by Pathway Publishers - this is , by far, the BEST pie crust I've ever eaten. The pear pie filling is adapted from the Apple Pie Filling recipe found on pg. 91 of the "Ball Blue Book of Preserving". Below is my pear pie recipe:

Pear Pie Filling (adapted from Apple Pie Filling pg. 91, Ball Blue Book of Preserving)
Yield: about 3 quarts

6 lb. pears, peeled, cored and sliced
2 c. sugar
1/4 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 tbls. lemon juice

Toss pear slices in a small amount of lemon juice to prevent darkening. Combine the sugar, flour and spices. Drain the pears; stir into the sugar mixture. Let stand until juices begin to flow, about 30 minutes. Stir in 2 tbls. lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken. Ladle pie filling into sterilized quart jars, leaving 1/2 in. head space, remove air bubbles, top with lids and screw on bands. Place in boiling water canner, fill with hot water 2 in. over lids. Cover and bring to a rolling boil. Boil 45 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Place hot jars on cooling racks and allow to cool down to room temperature. You should hear the "ping" of the lids sealing as the jars cool down. Label, date and store in a cool dry place for up to one year.

Pie Crust (adapted from pg. 182, Amish Cooking by Pathway Publishers)
Yield: 2 single crust pies OR 1 double crust pie
2 c. all purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. vegetable shortening
1 egg
5 Tbls. ice cold water
1 tsp. white vinegar

Sift the flours, spices and salt into a medium sized bowl. Cut the shortening into the flour mixture until mixture forms course crumbs. Beat the egg; add the water and vinegar. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture. Stir with a fork until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured pastry cloth. Gently kneed the dough, 3-4 times (DO NOT kneed the dough excessively). Divide the dough in half. Form the halves into disks and roll out, using a cloth covered rolling pin, until it is about 2 inches larger than the lip of your pie plate. "Roll" the dough around the rolling pin, transfer to the edge of the pie plate and "unroll" the dough into the pie plate. Repeat with other half of dough.

Assembling the Pear Pie

Prepare the above pie crust recipe. Line the pie plate with bottom half of the pie crust. Pour 1 quart of pear pie filling into bottom crust. Top the pie filling with other half of the crust. Trim and crimp edges, cut vent holes, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 -40 minutes or until pie crust is golden brown.
Note: to make the decorative top shown in the above photo, after rolling out the top crust, cut it into 4 1/2 inch and 2 1/2 inch long "petal" shaped strips. From the middle of the pie, fan the 4 1/2 inch strips out to the edge of the pie plate. "Fill in" the spaces by fanning the 2 1/2 inch strips around the pie. Cut a few small round "disks" and place them on the center to resemble the center of a flower. There is no need to cut steam vents into this decorative top crust as it is not a "solid" crust. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon and bake as directed above.
Yield: 6 large slices, 8 medium slices, or 10 small slices

Romans 8:28

(photo courtsey of www.photobucket.com)
Hey Y'all!

I am SOOO excited ... Last week I clicked in over at Mrs. M's blog, Frugal Home Living,(http://www.frugalhomeliving.blogspot.com/), to find she was holding a give-a-way for a gift certificate to CSN on-line stores. Since Hurricane Alex was making its way toward the S.W. Texas coastline, she shared her frightening childhood memories of going through Hurricane Alicia. She asked her readers to, in turn, share their own storm memories as part of her give-a-way competition.
I never expected to win when I shared my own terrifying memories of Hurricane Alicia - (isn't amazing how bloggers can live so close to each other, or find out they grew up near each other, and yet, most have never met in real life?).
I have won very few competitions in my life, so I never expected my storm experience to even put me in the running for a win. But, you know, God's Word tells us in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (KJV)
Thank you Mrs. M for selecting me! I feel so very honored.