Rose Prairie Quilts and Farm

I had made sauerkraut last week and have meant to post this for a friend of mine, Linda G. This recipe is an  adaptation from one on About.com Here is some of the info they gave gave that I thought was pretty interesting. Sauerkraut came to Europe via Asia, where people have been pickling cabbage for thousands of years. Because of its high vitamin C content, it was very useful in preventing scurvy and keeping people healthy throughout the winter months when no fresh food was available. To make your own sauerkraut you will rely on the bacteria found on the cabbage leaves. The salt draws out the water and kills off the spoilage bacteria. You will need between a 0.6% and 2% salt concentration, which equals 3/4 to 2 teaspoons of table salt per pound of prepared cabbage. Makes 1 quart Ingredients: 8-10 cups shredded cabbage, loosely packed (about 2 lbs), about 1 cabbage 1-2 tsp. un-iodized or pickling salt 1 c. filtered water mixed with 1 tsp. salt Pre...

: Have you ever try making your own cultured buttermilk? Once I had read about how it was done, I knew I just had to give it a shot. I use a lot of buttermilk in my cooking and baking and one of the things I like about it is the long shelf life it has for a dairy item. The way I did mine was to use some buttermilk that I had purchased at the store. I believe I read that there are powdered culture that can be used but it was easier for me this way. STEP 1.   Need to start with a clean and sterilized jar. I used a quart size.   STEP 2. Start with fresh milk and cultured buttermilk.  The fresher the better. If your buttermilk is older than 3 weeks it might not have enough active bacteria to give the results needed. I used 1% milk but that is because I wanted just a little fat in  my milk. Gives it a little richer flavor but you can use skim if you want. STEP 3. Add a bacterial starter of 6 to 8 ounces of...

I need your help, please. About two months ago I made a batch of sauerkraut and when I came home from California I noticed that it was dark near the top of the jar. I simply don't know what that means, I can guess. This is the first time I have attempted to make my own sauerkraut. I'm not one who normally eat sauerkraut but I'm trying to add more fermented foods to my diet. I had read that homemade was better for you and taste  better than store bought. So I checked my books and the internet, then decided to make it in a jar. I did not realize you could and was so excited I could seeing how I do not own a crock. Now seeing how it has darken, I do not know if it is any good, so I'm seeking your help. The blue tape is showing where the brine is at. And this is what it looks like inside. Smell just fine, like what sauerkraut should smells like. There is no visible mold, bubbles or frothiness. P.S. I have had it on the counter the whole time. Sh...

Yesterday while relaxing with "the man of the place" , he was watching Band of Brothers, I was on the my laptop just looking around when I came across this idea on someones board on Pinterest.  I thought it was Sarah Roe's board but I couldn't find it this morning when I went back. I should of pinned it, so I'm sorry I can't give credit to where credit is due. It was such a simple idea I didn't think it would work but I had the few simple items needed and what could it hurt to give it a try. I keep at time my harvested fruits and veggies on the counter and I also keep scraps and trimmings to put in the compost bin outside in a container on the counter next to the sink and no matter how well covered or sealed my container is, I still get these pesty bugs in my kitchen. YUK I wish I knew how they show up ever year.    As you can barely see in this photo some of the over dozen gnats/fruit flies in the jar. What you need is  a...

Last month before I came to California I was at the Muskogee Quilt Show and one of the workshop offered was how to make a scarf from an old T-Shirt. Anything that has to do with recycling just get my interest, so I just had to go check it out. Now it was the one of easiest and cool idea I've seen in a while. I had never seen anything like this but when I went toYouTube I found there are a few video on how to make one but they were different then the way I was shown. What you will need is a T-Shirt that has no side seams. My shirt is an XLG.   You will cut off the hemmed bottom  Then you will need to cut strips 1 inch wide. Now I did mine with a rotary cutter but you could use scissors  I ended up with 15 strips, but it will vary with the shirt you used.  Now you will stretch the strips and when you do they will roll.  See, it rolls into a rope like look.  This is what mine looked like when all have been...

I was the other day blog hopping on my own and came across a new blog good cheap eats  .She must of been  having the same brain waves I was having the other day and thought the same thing. You see I was suppose to get that new fridge the other day, (did not come in yet), so I had been thinking for the past couple of weeks how I need to empty out the old for the new. I was also thinking I should stretch it out to  include also the freezer(s) in the garage. Then I came across the pantry challenge . So why not take a challenge where I can eat from my pantry, clean out and organize the freezers and also my mess in the pantry. You see how do I know what I have until I get in there and see but right now I have to dig. You need to see what I'm dealing with and I feel like I'm about to show you my private undie drawer or something. Nobody looks in these spots but "the man of the place" and I.  Deep breathe, OK,  here goes;  Old freezer. ...

This post is in response to a challenge by Amy over at homesteadrevival.blogspot.com She would like anyone to come up with a meal that you can prepare in case of emergency and where you do not have power or water. That's not far fetch for us here. We have well water and when the power goes we have no pump for water. We have been caught off guard before, so we try have water saved. She wrote about how the first 72 hours are the hardest because most people will be in shock and thinking about fixing meals is not thought of. So we should put together enough meals for this time span in a box or container. Meals where it takes no water or heat. Unless you have a wood stove or campfire. I went for no heat even thou I do have a wood stove so that is what I can use if needed. So the meal I thought of was for breakfast for 2, since that's what we have just "the man of the place" and I. 1 cup of instant oatmeal some walnuts (this is a good snack food) raisins (also a goo...

I saw the neatest trick on the Martha Stewart Show this past week. Now I don't know about you but I enjoy watching her show, I always learn something. Now I admit there are some things I can not afford or even consider trying, just doesn't fix into my lifestyle. And years ago  that would of been a majority of her show but now it seems her focus is more natural, organic, affordable and just practical. This is one of those practical things. I'm showing you with one tomato but when my tomatoes finally ripen, I'm going to use this technique for making my tomato sauce. It's a way of skinning your tomato without having to go through the blanching process.  You'll clean and put your tomato(s) in the freezer Now I'm showing with one so I put in a bowl but when I'll do more I'll put them on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, put out on the counter and start letting it thaw. Once you can tell that the outside of the tomato is thawed (about 45m...

OK, I said in a post a few days ago that I have been saving my scraps of fabric for many years, after I thought about it probably  more like 30 than 20, with a few pieces that could be even older. I use to sew for my girls when they were little and the oldest is now 38 years. So here goes.  Whoa-la  Now here it is, the  HEAP in the middle is what was in my sewing room. The clear tubs (and there is one behind the HEAP ) are from the past five years. And then the boxes are the older scraps. At one time I had gone and divided them according to colors, you can make out some of them. So what do you think, will I have enough. Believe it or not I have even made a few quilts already using some of my scraps. Now when I was  in Loveland Co. last month I saw this quilt and fell in love with it. Perfect for using up some of the scraps. ( You like how I admit it will only use some). I wish I could remember who made it, I think it ...

This is not my original idea but it is a pretty darn good one. Seeing how I raise chickens, I have these Polywoven Feed Sacks but Sunflower Seeds come in these bags as does some dry pet food. This is my bag They are very easy to make but I'll suggest that you use a sewing machine that can sew through denim easily. The polywoven is a very tough material to sew through and use a larger size needle also. With an empty feed bag I rinsed it out and let dry. Step One: Cut off the pull string edge and then you will cut off  4 - 5 inches off the bottom of bag. You want to make sure not to cut into the design, so figure what you like on your bag. They are all different. Step Two : Turn bag inside out, sew along the bottom using 1/2" seam Step Three : You will miter the corners of the bottom. To do this you need to fold the bag with the seam going down the middle (see Photo).  Measure from the tip down each side 5".  Sew from one marked edge across to the other marked ed...