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A Tip To Make Using Milk In Baking And Sauses Cheaper

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I have been trying to recall ways  or habits that I do without out really thinking to make our dollar stretch further.  One thing I have done for years in my baking is it to dilute 1/4th   2 % milk or whole milk to 3/4ths water of what the recipe calls for. 

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for example.... if the recipe calls for 2 cups milk  I use 1/2 cup of milk( what ever type you want) and then 1 1/2 cups water.

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 Also in soups I use 6 parts of chicken broth to about 1 part of cup of milk or  in my white sauses.  I don't miss anything b/c the broth is so flavorful. 

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for example....  6 cups chicken broth and 1 cup milk. 

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I hope the examples make it more clear.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

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  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

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example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

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  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

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 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

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"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

(to join the fun head on over to Carol's by clicking the graphic)

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 From the Heart:  

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Ohhhh it feels sooooooooo good to be putting up a Weekly Wrapup !  It has been sense August 22 sense I have writen one.   My life is getting a bit more managable.  My craft faire is done and went really well.  I will still show pics but I have to get them from my 1ds' cell phone.  Now what is on my heart ?  I have been wanting to get my home to be running more like a smooth ship.  Is that possible ???  I am starting to wonder, lol.  This winter break I am going to TRY to read Simply Charlotte Mason's "Laying Down The Rails" a Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook and Sue Patricks's "Workbox System".  I am not a very organised person and I am praying these will help.  The other book I want to order is" How to Organise (just about) Anything" by Peter Walsh and his DVD "It's All Too Much".   I am praying that if I  apply these  I will start getting things under control !

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I have been keeping my head just bearly above the water with the basics but I know my little homeschool can be so much more life giving.    I am praying that with the help of the Lord we are going to be there in 2010.

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On the Homefront:  

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We are seed cleaning time and I am refocusing on our studies.

In The Garden:

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The garden is put to bed and we are cleaning seeds for 2010 seed sales.

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In the School Room:

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On Sunday the boys are in a play " The Prince and the Pauper".  This paticular play has the slant of the King is God and the Prince and the Pauper are Jesus and how he came to earth to save us and one day we will be brought home to the Kingdom (heaven).  It is a wonderful play !

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We are refocusing and reading lots.  I am trying to get my boys to write more.  This is not a natural thing for them and I am trying to get to a space where it is more natural for sure !  Going to find natural ways for the boys to express themselves in writing.

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Nature Study:

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This is one area I am going to get going again.

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In The Craft Corner: 

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 I am crocheting fingerless gloves and want to get back to knitting socks.  The boys are making wonderful paper snowflakes, making a boat from popcicle sticks, getting ready to sew up felt pencil holders, and flannel pj bottoms. The other goal I have is for the boys and I is to learn how to sew up ripped jean knees.

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In the Kitchen: 

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Going to be making all kinds of goodies.  Fudge, gingerbread people, short bread, sugar cookies,  and more.  We will get to taste a little but most is saved for New Years Eve Family get together. 

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Weightloss Wednesday:

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This week I hope to get back on schedule with my Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone

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Mother Culture:( for definition go HERE ) 

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 I mentioned in "From The Heart " what I am reading.  Other than that I am reading the bible to enrich and give tools for my life.

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 Things are still trying to set aside 15 minutes a day to read.   As the flylady says .... you can do anything for 15 minutes.  So I just need to set my timer. [0=

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Two Good Winter Make Ahead Mixes

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Now that we are in the thick of the time of year that a lot of us like to make casseroles.  I wanted to share two great recipes to help make them more frugaly.  These recipes save you anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 half the cost.  Once again your time is spent no matter what so you mine as well make it yourself and put the extra change towards something special. 

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Onion Soup Mix

• 3/4 cup of instant minced onion
• 1 Tablespoon and 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/3 beef or chicken flavored bullion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed celery seed
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar

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Mix and store in a airtight container.

To Use : add 2 Tablespoons  of mix to 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and simmer for 15 min. or add to recipe as directed.

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Cream Soup Mix

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• 2 cups of dry milk
• 1 1/4 cups of flour or cornstartch or arrowroot startch
• 1/4 cup chicken bouillon powder
• 2 Tablespoons dried onion flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon basil

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Mix all ingredients and store in a airtight container.  If the mix is made with cornstartch or arrowroot startch , add 1/3 cup to 1 1/4 cups of water.  Or if you are using the mix with flour then use 1/2 cup of mix to 1 1/4 cups of water.  If you want to make it to soup consistency then double the water.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

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  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

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example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

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  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

.

 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

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"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

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If you want to join in on the fun please go see my very sweet friend Lori at Plans4You.   This is my  sweet bloggy friend that has a NEW meme !  I am going to do my best to participate now that I have two young adults almost 3 ! 

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This week I would like to share about my oldest soon to be my first homeschool graduate.  I can't believe that I am saying this.  We have homeschooled the WHOLE way and I am thankful.  Even with the bumps in the road. 

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Philip is creative in....cooking !  He has been this way sence he was let me think at least 9 yo.  He always perked up with any kind of cooking shows.  One show my mom would tape for us b/c we don't get tv stations was a show called Donna's Day.  She was always showing projects for parents to do with their kids.  Philips favorite part was when she did cooking.  He is the kind of cook that just gets the basic idea of a recipe and then wings it !   I just found out one of his cooking secrets.  Soooo  shhhhhhh don't tell anyone , okay ? [0;  When he would come up with a spice blend he would put the spice jars side by side by side and smell.  He felt if they smell good together they would taste good together !  Isn't he sooooooo smart.  I never thought of that and love it. 

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My budding cook is going to culinary cooking school next year on the West Coast.  He is going to take the culinary and management courses.  Not only is he creative he is buisness smart.  I can't wait to see were God will lead him in this big adventure. 

Making A List of 10

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  One thing I started when my two oldest were very little was the list of ten.  At Christmas I didn't want the give me gimmies.  I remember as a kid making a list that was over 50 items long and it came to me to only allow 10 items.  Only ten items and list from what you want the most to least and I re-affirmed that they would only get a few things if they were reasonable. [0= 

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 I kept up this tradition for many years now and usually the boys can only think of 2-6 things now.  And they know if it is over a certain amount that people "might" pool thier money together.  For example my 1ds wants to become a cheif and there is a expensive knife he wants but that is all he wants.  So there is a good chance that all the relatives will pulll together for this one.  He said he would be very happy if that is all he got. Or, if a fair chunk was pooled together and then he would work towards saving the rest.

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It was really nice to hear my boys say that it isn't about getting things.  They are focusing on our Lord and also all the fun times and family times we will have this season.  It made my heart sing when I heard it all sunk in.  This year will be a thin year but a fun year of good memories.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

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  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

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example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

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  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

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 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

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"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

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Homestead Ramblings ~ Getting Back On Track

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After a hectic season of harvesting and craft fair I am craving some... routine.  I have been feeling that our home has suffered with lack of good old routine.  We kept up our basics but our focus on really diving in our science and history hasn't been what I would really like.  I will be very careful what my famiy fills our time with.  I don't want to let too many things distract us from what we need to be doing. 

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I also noticed I haven't done a Weekly Wrap Up sense just before Philips virus attack.  I didn't realise how much time actually went by !   I am going to really work at getting back to that.  I really enjoy Carol's meme of Weekly Wrap Up.  It is a wonderful way to keep track of what is going on in our little homeschool and family life.  Also to see what other homeschool families are doing too.  We get to encourage eachother in this road less traveled and cheer eachother on. 

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I have been really trying to learn what balance in my life means.  Boy, this has been a real hard one to figure out.  If I am not careful things come in and crowd out what is very important to our family.  I have commited myself to going the distance with all four boys in homeschooling to the end.  I have to really work at putting blinders on and coming to Jesus' feet each day and seek out the Lord's will for my family.  Not a small task to take on but what a worthy task it is.  If you think of it please pray for me and my family as we seek his direction and if you want me to lift you and your family up in prayer please let me know through my comments or email me privately.   Just click on my link on my sidebar that says Email Me above my cbox.  I would be priviledged to pray for any who want me to.  I know prayer is the only answer in all circumstances.

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Participating In A Craft Fair

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The last 3 years I have participated in a craft fair in November.  I started off with beaded bookmarks and fudge.  the second year I did fudge, necklaces, earrings,candles, and rhubarb juice.  This year I did fudge, rhubarb juice ( two kinds plain and also a raspberry rhubarb which was a BIG hit),candles-beeswax, knitted baby booties.  I have worked up to this as my youngest got old enough for me to be away for two days with big brothers taking care of them. 

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Each year I set a goal to try to reach.  This year I wanted to earn enough to buy a grain grinder.  I also try to go into the fair with having everything paid for.  I came close to attaining that.  I did earn enough to pay for my supplies, table, my goal and very close to buying more supplies for more candles that I will be dropping off at a local artistan store. 

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I have been working each year to get something to help me make it easier to make healthier food inexpensively.  Last year I got a Kitchen Aide Mixer and boy did that make my life easier in making food from scratch quickly.  I am putting this out there to maybe help start someones wheels moving in brainstorming how you can make things that seem to be out of reach normally but can be attained with some elbow grease and a goal. 

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 I am very thankful God has helped me and my family in this way.  I also have to say that I am thankful that this is only once a year.  I sold twice as much as I did last year.  God put in my mind to also sell raspberry-rhubarb juice along with the rhubarb juice.  It was a BIG hit along with my fudge.  I was very pleased how everyone liked my baby booties.  I had stitched snow flakes on the toe and also I blanket stitched on the top cuff.  Next year I will be making bigger kid  sizes and some adult sizes too.  

. I have to say that I couldn't be this pulled away for very much more.  I love being a mom first and let this be a side thing to help my family in a short term.  I thank the Lord for blessing this last week ends sales.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

.

  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

.

example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

.

  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

.

 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

.

"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

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Wondering why I am not blogging as much right now ? 

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Its that time of year again for me.  I am swamped trying to get ready for the Christmas Craft Fair that I am in.  It is a two day affair so I need to have lots of goodies to sell.  This year I am going to have rhubarb juice, raspberry rhubarb juice, knitted mug cozies, and to go coffee cup cozies, fudge, a few necklaces, and candles.  I will give a updated pic of all these as soon as I am able.

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I will be kinda scarce for a week longer.  The craft fair is on the 20th and 21st.  So that means I am madly trying to finish making all that I hope to make.  Things always take longer than I hope.  A few extras were thrown in that I wasn't prepared for.  For example had to make room for our order of beef and I had to make room by pulling out frozen fruit that then HAD to be made into jam. 

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I think the best thing for me to say b/c I don't want really to totally disappear from bloggyland that I will keep popping in and leaving notes on my cbox this coming week.

Blessings and ((HUGS)) ! 

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PS:  There will be no Tightwad Tuesday on this coming Tuesday.  It will be back on ....

November 24th.