The Midlife Housewife

Garden and Flock Blog

2012-02-10T11:25:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let you know that I have started blogging about my food growing and animal raising on a separate blog called Garden and Flock.
I am not sure if I will continue to post that stuff here or not. For now, I will either "double post" there and here or at least post a link when I post something new over there. I wanted a dedicated blog so that I could follow my own progress more easily.
One of my goals is to have videos of the different projects I have going on around here.
Anyway, if you are interested, I just posted about my new chicken nest boxes that my father built for my birthday.
~All content is copyright 2012 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Bannock and Bannock Pudding - Frugal Foods

2012-02-10T09:20:00.000-05:00

Tonight I made bannock to go with dinner. Bannock is a round quick bread. Basically, you make your favorite baking powder biscuit recipe and bake it in one large round lump. Just like with biscuits, you can add whatever you like to flavor it. We were having it with pasta and meat sauce so I added some garlic powder and parmesan cheese. We had half of it left over.

Looking at all that left over bread got me thinking about bread pudding. Once I started thinking about bread pudding there was no going back.

I crumbled the bannock into a casserole dish.
Sprinkled about 2/3 cup of sugar over it.

Then mixed up 3 eggs, about 3 cups of milk, a drizzle of vanilla and a couple shakes of cinnamon. Then poured that over the bread.
I baked it at 350 for 40 minutes until it was puffy and browning. It was good. So good that I didn't get a picture of it before we all devoured it.
It would have been even better with raisins or chopped dates but the boys don't like raisins or dates and the last thing I need is to eat an entire dish of bread pudding by myself. Yes, I could.

~All content is copyright 2012 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

That Dog!

2012-02-07T17:16:00.002-05:00

I had a vet appointment today for my dog who has seizures. She has to have blood work every so often because of the seizure meds she takes. She is a good dog and usually listens to commands. Unless she is scared then all bets are off.
Her name is Katrina because we rescued her from Mississippi after hurricane Katrina. All her
siblings died in the floods but she and her mother lived.

Katrina and her boy Matt.

She HATES the vet and usually freaks out as soon as we get to the parking lot. Today she was good so I brought her in on her regular collar. We walked around the parking lot and went over to the grass to smell where other dogs have been. She was doing fine. Then we walked up to the door and then out of nowhere she did a ninja-dog maneuver and in one quick twist she slipped out of her collar and took off down the highway.

She came close to getting hit so many times. I kept running after her alternating between yelling at her and covering my eyes on the close calls.

Then a nice man jumped out of the passenger side of a work truck and started chasing her. He was several blocks ahead of me. He was able to divert her off the highway and through some backyards. Finally he got her to slow down until I got there.

So I walked her the half mile back to the vet and we were both totally exhausted. I was panting as hard as she was.

After having a good laugh at us the receptionist looks at her chart and says, "there was some confusion. she is not due for a visit until May."
~All content is copyright 2012 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Growing Food Indoors (part one)

2012-02-06T09:03:00.000-05:00

Last year I closed down my "grow room." I was frustrated with all my gardening efforts and decided to take a break. I decided to try again this year so prepared the little area in my basement that I use for indoor gardening.

This is the outside of the "grow room."

The grow room is basically a freestanding closet that my husband built a few years ago. I keep it warm and humid with heat lamps, grow lights, frequent misting and reflective insulation.

This is where I start seeds and grow plants that need hot and humid conditions.

Last Spring I purchased three dwarf citrus trees; lemon, lime and orange. They did well outdoors but when I moved them inside for the fall, two of them died. I kept the one remaining tree in my living room until two weeks ago when I finished the grow room. After moving the tree downstairs it really took off. It sprouted lots of new leaves and even started to bloom.

Outside of the grow room, in the basement, I have shelves with grow lights. These are for plants that do not need as much heat such as greens.

I will continue to post my progress and success (or failure) with growing food indoors.

Do you grow anything indoors?

Pressure Cooker Chicken

2012-02-03T18:47:00.001-05:00

Today I decided to play with my pressure cooker. I have had it for over a year and never really used it as a pressure cooker. I use the pans for regular cooking because they have nice heavy bottoms and are just the right size for many things.

This is the set I have. It is a Splendid by Fagor. The pressure lid can be used on either size pot.
(If you want more details about this cooker, you can read about it on Amazon by clicking the picture.)

I think this is going to be my new favorite kitchen tool. Dinner was so quick and easy! I just put in five chicken leg quarters, a few onion slices that I had in the fridge, a handful of baby carrots, salt and pepper and a couple inches of water. The chicken was still half frozen when I put it in the pot.

Then I locked the lid in place and put it on the burner. It came up to pressure in just a few minutes and then I started timing for 10 minutes.

While it cooked I mixed up an easy pineapple sauce because I wanted something sweet. I just combined a can of pineapple including the juice, about 1/4 cup of teriyaki sauce, a little flour mixed with water and simmered if for a few minutes.

I put the chicken on a plate and poured the sauce over top.

I served this with steamed broccoli, biscuits and extra sauce on the side. It was yummy and all went together in less than half an hour.

Double Duty for Empty Mason Jars

2012-01-31T09:56:00.002-05:00

Those of you who home can your foods know that there are always empty mason jars around. Usually dozens of them. A friend shared this awesome tip for dealing with the empties and I have been doing it for a few months with great success.
After opening a jar and emptying it of its contents I would normally wash it and put it on a shelf in my basement with all the other empty jars. Then when it was time to do some canning I would go grab a couple dozen empty jars and wash out the dead spiders (come on, I know I'm not the only one).

Now I wash the jars and then fill them with boiling water and put a used lid and a ring on them. The lids seal from the heat and then you can remove the rings and store your jars full of water.
This provides a small emergency water supply which does not take up any more room than the jars you would be storing anyway. It also eliminates the need to rewash the jars when you want to use them again. Just rinse and heat and they are ready. No more dead spiders.

The water is rotated regularly since as you use the jars. In order not to waste the water when I want to use the jars, I just pour it into the canner and use it for the canning water.
As you know, you can not reuse canning jar lids because the seal can not be trusted. However, for this purpose, if the used lid doesn't seal it's no problem. Just leave the ring on the jar and put it on a shelf.
Do you have any mason jar tips to share? I would love to hear them.

~All content is copyright 2012 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Over Done

2012-01-30T19:56:00.000-05:00

I started feeling better today and tried to resume normal activity which turned out to be a mistake. I am really worn out tonight and my head hurts.
I was able to get my house cleaned up today which helps my mood. Then I made braised short ribs for dinner and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.
I kept wanting to blog but really have nothing to say. Last week I didn't do a "more with less" project because of not feeling well. Maybe tomorrow I will be more inspired. Tonight I am going to go relax with the guys and eat some cookies.
Have a good night everyone.

~All content is copyright 2012 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Monday Monday

2012-01-30T07:31:00.000-05:00

Well, it has been a week since you have heard from me. This morning I am just stopping in to drop a quick note to let you know I am alive. Please don't forget about me :) The horrible stomach bug that I keep reading about on different blogs has stopped off at my house for a visit. I think I am on the mend. I hope to write more later today but first I have an appointment this morning. See you in a little while!
~All content is copyright 2012 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Basement Clean Up - Before and After

2012-01-23T13:12:00.001-05:00

Last week's "More with Less" project was to declutter and clean up my basement. I have been struggling all morning trying to decide if I should post this. The before pictures are so embarrassing that I still am not sure I should publish them. Especially since I recently confessed to the bathtub debacle. However, I never claimed to be perfect but I do try to be real. So, here is my reality...
Over the past couple months, through the holiday season, my basement has been the catch all. It had gotten to the point that I would open the door, toss things in and close the door and try to forget what I saw. I even had the boys do the laundry when ever possible so I didn't have to look at the mess. It was depressing and stressful.
Last week I finally decided to attack it. As usual, I found that completing the job was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Here are the before shots. (Please don't hate me)

gasp...

Bill had let his office go too and his things started overflowing into the pantry area.

Oh, the horror!

Here it is after a few days of donating, tossing and cleaning. Still not perfect but much better...

One day soon I think I will post a photo house tour. Just to prove we do not live like total slobs. :)

Top 10 Frugal Choices for 2012

2012-01-20T18:23:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I posted a review of my frugal choices for 2011. Here are the choices I am making to become more frugal (and sustainable) in 2012.
1) Replace the evil water wasting money pit bathtub.
2) Increase the size and productivity of the vegetable garden.
3) Get the indoor grow room fully functional and grow edibles all year. (I have been working on this and will post pictures and details when it is ready.)
4) Get rid of Netflix subscription.
5) Put up a clothes line or drying "umbrella" and line dry the laundry in warm weather.
6) Raise a new flock of chickens for eggs. If the flock is managed properly the eggs are less expensive than the store bought eggs. They are definitely tastier.
7) Grow at least part of the chicken's diet at home. Things like Mangel Beets, grains, sunflower seeds, winter squash and garden scraps make good feed.
8) Can more foods. We currently keep two deep freezers running. I would like to can enough so that we only need to run one freezer.
9) Make and cook with a sun oven. This will save electricity and it just looks fun!
10) Get my grain mill attached to the exercise bike and start using my whole grains again. I have been buying flour since my electric mill broke many months ago. I have a non-electric mill but I am way too ~~lazy~~ busy to grind wheat by hand. I found plans to attach the mill to an exercise bike which seems like a great idea. (Honestly, I will probably just buy a new electric mill this year. Either way, I will save money by not buying flour and using the less expensive grains.)
Linking up with Oh Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday
~All content is copyright 2012 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

The Bathtub Chronicles - An Ongoing Nightmare

2012-01-20T17:20:00.000-05:00

Before I share this true story with you I need to tell you what a wonderful man I married. He is godly and generous and kind. He is an amazing father and husband. When ever he buys me or the boys a gift he spares no expense and gets the very best. However, when it comes to buying things for himself he can be a bit cheap. Please do not think that I am trying to degrade him in anyway. This is something we both find horrible as well as hilarious.
Now on with the story. Oh, and go ahead and laugh at our ongoing nightmare - we do!!
I love frugality and getting a great deal. In my opinion, a key component of frugality is buying high quality products at rock bottom prices. Cheap is buying junk at rock bottom prices. This situation demonstrates just how costly it is to be cheap.
Bill has back problems. He has had many surgeries; three spine, one shoulder and one knee. Soaking in a tub of hot water helps him when he starts to ache. Three years ago he decided a fancy indoor jacuzzi / steam shower would be nice to have in our (only) bathroom, and it would have been, except for the cost.
He shopped all over the internet for weeks and the showers that he wanted were over $2000. They had steam, ozone, jets everywhere, radio, you name it. The type he picked was like a car wash for people and looked like a rocket ship. Finally he found one on Ebay for $700. I wondered how it was possible to get such a great deal.
I started to understand when we arrived at the pickup location and it turned out to be a storage unit. The seller did not show up at the appointed time so Bill went to the office to ask about him. The receptionist told Bill that the guy's storage locker was dead bolted because he had not paid rent in months. Bill sweet talked the receptionist and she let him into the locker which was full of these tubs in crates from China. He loaded the shower on the truck, left a copy of the receipt with the office and went home.
Bill and my dad spent a week remodeling our bathroom to make this monstrosity fit. There is now less than 6 inches between the tub and toilet. Oh, well. I am used to Bill's "way" and it still looked alright. I decided to just enjoy the thing as my only other option would be to insist that they knock out an exterior wall and remodel the back of the house.

During the first few weeks we found out that every single hose and pipe fitting leaks. Bad. The entire tub and shower including the floor is made of thin plastic. After about 3 weeks of use the floor cracked. Bill decided to try to fiberglass it. Except he used some old boat stuff that was puke green. Every time a child under 4 used my bathroom they would say "Eeww! There's poop in there!"
Fortunately the green stuff didn't hold up and he had to fix it with white stuff. The white stuff held up but the floor was still weak so he built a wooden slatted platform to stand on when we shower. I think Bill must be the messiest fiberglass worker ever because I have all these permanent areas of brush strokes filled with dirt all over the tub floor. It looks like I never clean. Which led to a whole new problem.

I was so desperate to try to make it look nice that I soaked and scrubbed the tub with bleach. That melted all the rubber seals on the bottom of the tub. The next time someone showered it flooded the basement. There are now 6 rubber stoppers in the holes in the bottom of the tub. Some of them have sharp metal latches sticking out of the tops. ( I have no idea why) Every now and then someone will kick one out and flood the basement. On occasion the wooden platform will slip and the person showering will gash their foot open on a metal latch.

After a few weeks all six knobs that controlled the different shower attachments including hot and cold, all broke. One by one the pins broke off and fell down the back of the shower wall. There were days when we had not hot water and day when we had only hot water. After several failed attempts to fix them Bill replaced them with garden faucet knobs and labeled the wall next to them with a sharpie. (You just can’t make anything attractive out of that.)

Then, one by one, the jet nozzles started to blow off. Then the door handles broke off. One day I went to shower and closed the door behind me and it kept sliding right off the track and across the room.
We now know how to shower or bathe without too much trouble. If we stand in a certain way in a specific spot we are alright. Also, we have to point the shower head in certain directions to avoid leaks. And we learned quick that we have to hold the knobs just the right way when turning them or bang our knuckles. Once you figure out all the nuances, you can get a nice shower.
Two weeks ago I turned the shower on and water started spraying out of the wall at me. And into the basement.
Last week the ozone generator caught on fire and melted. It burned itself out before we found it so we had the fire department here for 2 hours trying to track down the source of the electrical fire smell.
The amount of aggravation, time and money we have put into this bathtub far out weighs any savings we got on the front end of the deal.
So, why not replace the tub sooner? At first Bill thought it would be alright once he got the kinks ironed out. Then, I think he didn’t want to admit defeat. Now, we are just waiting for the weather to get nice so we can use the bathroom in the camper. When late Spring arrives he will take a week off of work and remodel the bathroom with a nice plain bathtub.

Frugal Choices in Review

2012-01-19T10:11:00.000-05:00

Back in April of 2011 I published my Top 10 Frugal Choices of 2011. Now that we are in 2012 I thought I should review our progress and set some goals for the new year.
1) Get rid of above ground pool - Yes
2) Get rid of outdoor hot tub - Yes
3) Get rid of electric pond pump - Fail - other things came up and we never did get around to relocating the pond.
4) Get rid of indoor fish tank - Yes
5) Get rid of premium cable channels and cut back Netflix subscription - Yes
6) Cut back on clothes dryer use 80% - Fail - I have gone backwards on this and started using it 100% of the time.
7) Switch to cloth napkins and cleaning towels - Yes and No - I did switch to cloth cleaning towels but I stocked up on paper napkins when thee was a super sale with coupons. They only cost me a few cents per pack. So, I did nearly eliminate my spending in the area so I consider it a success.
8) Stop using the automatic dishwasher - Yes - I cheated on this a lot until a few months ago when my dishwasher broke beyond repair. I actually enjoy washing by hand now.
9) Grow and raise more of our own food - Fail - but not for lack of trying. Our garden was hit with a perfect storm of pests, disease and bad weather. Any chance I would have had to save it was killed when I was laid up with heart problems for a few weeks. We definitely produced less in 2011 than the previous few years.
10) Increase rain catchment around property - Fail - just never got to this project.
I am not overly thrilled with our progress but am satisfied that we are moving in the right direction.
My next post will be my frugal goals for 2012...see you then!
~All content is copyright 2012 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Turkey - More with Less Monday

2012-01-16T09:54:00.000-05:00

Last week my "More with Less" project involved turkey. Close to the beginning of the process I was hit with a round of migraines so I didn't even take any pictures. However, I was still able to pull most of the plan together.
Our local supermarket gives free turkeys around the holidays as a reward for spending a certain amount. This year I received 2 free 20 pounders. Turkeys are one of the most frugal and easiest foods to stretch. 3 or 4 good sized birds purchased on sale can keep you in meat all year if you serve it once a week.
Here is what I do with a couple 20 pound turkeys:
Roast it in the traditional way and slice as much meat as possible. Package into eight dinner sized trays (refrigerate until the gravy is made in a few hours.)
Pull the rest of the meat off the bones and package into 4 freezer bags. This is to be used for Turkey a la King, Curried Turkey, and soup.
Simmer both carcasses in big stock pots for a few hours. When done, strain the broth and save any bits of meat. Use one pot of broth to make a couple gallons of gravy.
Pour the gravy over the 8 trays of sliced turkey and then freeze. This is a wonderful meal to have ready for busy days or for a meal ministry.
Use the other pot of broth and some of the meat to make soup and can or freeze it. Last week, because I was not feeling well, I skipped the soup and just froze the stock. It can be substituted for chicken stock or I can use it to make soup later.
~All content is copyright 2012 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Gardening is Like Raising Children

2012-01-12T10:44:00.000-05:00

In a very loose analogy, that is.

The biggest payoffs, the largest harvests, take time and faith. We can only do what we are supposed to do and leave the fruits to God.

There are short seasons of fruitfulness that keep us encouraged. There are dry times where we think the Lord has forgotten us. There are painful failures where it seems like everything we poured into our plants was for nothing, wasted. There are things that are out of our control but for which we are blamed by those outside of the situation. There are fellow gardeners who are quick to hold up their beautiful fruits and show us how special they are compared to ours.

We take all measure of precaution against disease and predator. We coddle and nurse and prune and train and then we must leave the garden to itself and pray for the best.

I have many plants that are in infancy. I would love to force them into production but no matter what I do, they will not produce fruit even one day ahead of God's plan for them. I am trusting him for a large harvest one day.

Here is what is currently on my property:

2 apple trees, 2 pear trees, 2 cherry trees, 1 plum tree, 1 peach tree, 3 hazelnut shrubs, 2 grape vines, 2 blueberry bushes, a large strawberry bed, 2 raspberry bushes, 2 blackberry bushes. Most of these were planted last year and will not produce for 3 to 5 more years.

The grapes do produce a lot (over 30# each) but last year I lost the whole crop to disease. Also, last year my plum tree produced a small crop for the first time but was destroyed by the hurricane. This year, with more diligent care, I hope to do better.

I also have some perennial herbs: bee balm, lemon balm, peppermint, spearmint, catmint, sage, lavender.

There is also a small rose garden out front.

I would like to add more perennial vegetables such as Jerusalem artichoke and asparagus and some more grapes and blueberries. I also want to add another bed for my annual vegetables. I have lots of plans for my gardens but I realize that my plans do not always have much impact on the way things actually work out.

1 Ham = 13 Meals- Making More with Less Monday

2012-01-09T07:49:00.003-05:00

13 meals from 1 ham. Does that seem like an outrageous claim? It may be outrageous if you are used to having a big slab of meat on your plate for all your meals. Don't get me wrong, we enjoy our meat around here. However, I wanted to see just how far I could stretch 1 ham and 13 was the magic number. The meals may not all center around meat but they are all hearty and satisfying. Remember, I am feeding 2 teen boys and a hard working husband - no rabbit food allowed!
I started with a 10 pound spiral sliced ham from Aldi which cost $16.49.
Our first meal was a traditional ham dinner with mashed potatoes, green beans and apple chutney - a dieter's nightmare.

I used the Ham Glaze packet to make the chutney. Just a half cup of water, 2 apples, a handful of raisins and simmer.

After dinner I cut up the rest of the ham. I packaged the thin slices into 2 bags (enough for 2 lunches for our family) to be used on sandwiches and made 2 bags of cubes (enough for 2 dinners) to be used in casseroles.

I left plenty of meat on the bone and put it in my big stockpot, added lots of water and (the next day)simmered for several hours.

While the ham broth was simmering I soaked 2 pounds of soup beans.

After several hours I strained the broth and removed all bones. Then returned the meat to broth and added beans, a bunch of vegetables and seasonings to make Cajun ham and bean soup. I brought everything just to a boil and then added it to jars and pressure canned it.

The result was 16 pints of soup which is enough for 8 meals for our family. When we have soup for lunch or dinner I add homemade bread and a salad or cheese and crackers.

UPDATE: In the comments Sassy asked me to take a picture of my soup. I'm really glad she did because I thought I had taken one but this morning could not find it. I was too lazy to go downstairs and take one until she prompted me. So, thank you Sassy! And here you go...

I also forgot about the 3 quart jars of soup so that actually makes 16 meals from the ham instead of 13.

Sassy also requested a recipe. I don't actually measure ingredients or follow recipes but I can tell you what I threw in my soup. 2 bags of soup beans and the ham bone with lots of meat on it, 3 cans of diced tomatoes with green chilis, several sliced carrots, several celery stalks, chopped onion (I think it was just one large), a few minced garlic cloves, fresh ground pepper - maybe a couple tablespoons, cayenne pepper - a couple shakes, chili powder - I think that is it.

I don't know if this is actually "cajun" but I reproduced it by taste from a soup that was called Cajun Ham and Bean that my family really liked. My apologies to those of you who do best with recipes. I just don't. When ever I have tried to follow a recipe exactly my family can always tell and never likes it. One of the boys will often say, "You tried a recipe again, didn't you?"

What about you? Do you have any tips for stretching ham? How about any good recipes for casseroles using ham cubes? I would love to try something new with our ham cubes.

Frugal Living - Scratch and Dent

2012-01-05T10:43:00.000-05:00

I love the old adage; use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. Despite our best efforts at being frugal and taking care of our possessions, sometimes very large purchases are just necessary.

Last week my washer finally gave up. It was quite old and had even been through a flood five years ago. Bill has replaced many parts over the years but this time it was done. To "do without" a clothes washer is just not an option. When my dishwasher died a few months ago I waved goodbye and never looked back. But washing clothes by hand...no way. Going to the laundromat is certainly not a frugal option.

So, we went to a local store that sells scratch-and-dent and used appliances. We were able to get a brand new Whilrpool HE front load washer. It is one of the higher end versions with all the bells and whistles and a large capacity basket. It retails for around $1,000.

We only paid $350 including tax.

Why so inexpensive? It was dropped at a retail store and has two cracks in the plastic on front. The cracks are not obvious and don't affect the operation of the washer.

I was concerned that there might be other damage that was not visible but the store has a great policy. You can return your purchase in the first 20 days for a full refund and in the first year for an exchange. That is more than sufficient to see if any problems surface.

I have to tell you, I am in love with this washer. Sometimes I just stand there in awe and watch it work. My laundry has never been so clean! My whites are bright and everything smells great. The allergy and sanitization settings are a real bonus for those of us with pets.

I never dreamed I would have a washer this nice. Even with a couple cosmetic flaws this washer fits my definition of a frugal purchase. It is top quality for a great price.

I am anxious to see if there will be a noticeable drop in our water/electric bill now that we are using an HE model.

~All content is copyright 2012 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

The Freedom of Less

2012-01-04T11:11:00.000-05:00

Imagine opening your closet each morning and only seeing clothing you love. What ever outfit you grab is one you enjoy wearing. There are no just-in-case clothes, no "someday when I loose weight" clothes no pile of to-be-mended clothes.
Now imagine going into the kitchen and fixing coffee and breakfast. You know just where all the utensils and mugs are. You don't have to dig through a drawer full of useless gadgets to find the spatula.
Imagine everything you own is something you love or find essential. You are surrounded by beauty and purpose.
This sounds good right? It is my dream to live like this in every area of my life. It's my on-going goal to reduce. Having less, to me, means freedom from clutter, confusion, and excess work. Less is not deprivation rather it is having only what you need and want.
What about you? Do you live like this? Do you want to live like this? Do you have specific goals to simplify and live with less?

~All content is copyright 2012 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Making More with Less - Beef Shank

2012-01-02T00:30:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago we were blessed with 7.25 pounds of free beef shank (shin). This part of the beef is mostly bone. The little meat it does have is tough.
I try not to let anything go to waste. In fact, it is a fun challenge for me to see how far I can stretch things. Here is how I stretched the beef shin...
First I roasted it in the oven at 425 for about 45 minutes until it was nicely browned.

While it was in the oven I prepared some vegetables. Carrots, celery, onion, garlic and a handful of peppercorns.

I tossed these into the biggest stock pot I have. Then I added the browned beef, pan scrapings and lots of water. I brought it to a boil and then let it simmer all day.

After simmering all day and then letting it cool down, I strained the broth, saved the meat and put the broth in the refrigerator overnight. The next day I skimmed of the fat and brought it back to a boil.

While waiting for it to boil, I prepared my canning supplies. When everything was ready I filled my pressure canner with jars of beef broth.

I love having homemade broth / stock on hand. It is healthier than the powder and cubes you buy and much more frugal than the store canned stock. I try to keep a variety of beef, chicken, turkey and vegetable stock in my pantry.

The 7.25 lbs of beef shank yielded 18 pints of broth and 1.75 quarts of shredded beef. We will use the beef for barbecue sandwiches and it should make two meals unless we have company.

Organization Mania

2011-12-29T07:49:00.000-05:00

Well, this week is flying by. I have been organizing everything I can get my hands on but I still have a long way to go.
Today I am putting the finishing touches on my Homemaking Notebook / Organization Binder. My awesome brother read my post about running out of my favorite pages and bought me more for Christmas! So, now my binder is perfect.
I will also be working on organizing my coupons. I am having a very hard time deciding which system to go with. I have used a binder/card holder and a picture box with envelopes. I was thinking of going with the whole insert thing but I'm still not sure. I'll let you know what I come up with.
I was hoping to get the basement organized this week but every time I go down there I think of something else to do.
I am also planning the garden / livestock for the Spring. I hope to make some improvements to the chicken coop and build a rabbit enclosure. I'll post more on that as it progresses.
How are you all spending your time this week? Is anyone else on Winter break or vacation?
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Procrastination - Making it Work

2011-12-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

I used to think procrastination was a character flaw. Now, it's my new favorite technique for getting things done.
There are certain things I just don't want to do and will do anything to avoid them. Anything...like cleaning the toilets.
The key here is to procrastinate with something productive. Sometimes I am tempted to avoid doing things by grabbing a cup of coffee and blogging. Ahem... But that doesn't do anything but make the situation worse.
Here is an example of how this worked for me today...
I had a writing deadline. I was dreading writing this particular article but it pays well. Besides, it is just bad business to turn down paid gigs when you are trying to build a reputation as a copywriter.
Anyway, I sat down to write this article and just could not do it. There are so many distractions on the computer. Email, blog comments, solitaire. So, I got up and started doing other things.
Now, my house is clean and sparkly, the coupons are organized, the laundry is caught up and my canned vegetables are stacked alphabetically. The deadline is in one hour and I have no choice but to sit down and get this thing written. I do my best work under pressure. Really. *wink*wink*
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

College for a New Generation

2011-12-19T10:57:00.000-05:00

Remember back in the day when we (those of us over 35) were considering college? We went out and bought those huge books that listed all the colleges and their pertinent information. Then we would write a letter (with a typewriter!) and ask for them to mail an application and information package.

Now that I have sons who are looking into college options I have learned that there is a whole new world of academics. Not only can you go online to find information about colleges. You can actually earn an accredited degree online.

It is important that you chose the right online school to get the best degree for your chosen field. A great place to go to get reliable information is: http://www.onlinedegree.com

From adults who want to return to school to earn a degree to high school graduates who can not afford to leave home, online classes are becoming more and more popular. Check out the graphics below.

For more information please check out http://www.onlinedegree.com/school.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Homemaking Notebook - Getting Organized Part Two

2011-12-17T09:09:00.001-05:00

It has been too long since I posted Part One. The truth is, I got stuck trying to make a new homemaking binder.
My old homemaking notebook looked nice and worked for a while but it is not exactly right for me. Over the past few days of searching the internet I have come to the conclusion that there is no perfect set up. So, I needed to just work with what is available and move on.
The first thing to consider when building a homemaking binder is size.
I used a half-size planner for years before trying the switch to a large binder. I decided to go back to a small, half-size notebook in the coming year. It fits my life much better. I have a small kitchen and a large notebook laying open on the counter takes up valuable space. My desk is also small. There is not enough room for a large open binder and a laptop to fit comfortably. The result is that I never used the binder because it was a burden.

I love all the built in pockets.

It is a perfect fit for a mini legal pad. This comes in very handy for taking notes.

The next thing to consider is cost. For me, this needs to be zero. I need to use materials I have on hand or can print for free.
Back when I used the half-sized planner I found a system that I absolutely LOVE. It is the GraceWorks planners. They are beautiful and worked well for me. Unfortunately, they do cost money. Not a lot, but like I said, this year it needs to be free.
So, I have decided on a combination of free forms from moneysavingmom.com, donnayoung.org and some of my own creation.
Then, I needed to decide what would go into the binder. Basically, I stuck with the sections I had in my full sized homemaking binder. With two notable additions. A daily page and a monthly "Keeping in Mind" page. I am currently using some left over GraceWorks forms. When these run out I will have to ~~cry~~ find something to use.
Now that my thoughts and lists are organized it is time to move on to action. Part three will involve menu planning and shopping strategies. It will probably be a few days before I tackle that post. I will be around with some other posts in the mean time though.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Getting Organized Part One

2011-12-12T19:06:00.000-05:00

Like I explained in my post earlier today, I have reached my breaking point and need to get control of my home. The trouble all stems from poor time management and lack of organization.
The first step in getting back on track is figuring out where we derailed.
What is not working? What causes the most problems in my day? What needs to improve? For me, the answers are meal planning, laundry, and ironing. These are the areas that I let slide a lot and when I do they have a domino effect on everything else.
What is working?If it's not broken, don't fix it. For example, if your house is always clean you don't need to figure out a new cleaning schedule.
When I create my new homemaking binder I will not be making a "price book" section. I have tried for years to maintain a price book but never keep it up to date. However, I am familiar with different stores and their prices. Keeping a general price guide in my head works for me. I am not going to labor over getting it on paper just because I think it should be included in my binder.
What would I like to have more time for? These are things I will make time to do regularly; devotions, blogging, reading, exercise.
Today I also narrowed down the information I want to have in my homemaking notebook. In my next post I will share the forms and materials I will be using and why.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

I'm a Bad Homemaker...and What I Intend to Do About it

2011-12-12T10:56:00.000-05:00

For several weeks, I have been a bad homemaker. Let's take this morning for example...
16 year old boy and husband come in from hunting.
16 year old Boy: What's for breakfast?
Me: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. Just as soon as I wash the pot. Run down to the pantry and bring up some oats, please.
Husband: I want to have the buck tenderloins and eggs.
Me: We are out of eggs.
Husband: So I can't have eggs?
Me: Not unless you lay them.
16 year old Boy: There are no more oats.
Husband: Is there any coffee made?
Me: I will work on that after I clean this pot and go find the oats I just bought.
17 year old boy: Why are my clothes mixed up in the baskets with everyone else's?
Me: Because you didn't take your laundry out of the dryer in time.
17 year old boy: I can't find any of my jeans.
Me: I will help you find them after I clean this pot, go find some oats and start some coffee.
If that is not proof enough, let's talk about why we ate dinner last night at 8pm. I did not take the chicken out of the freezer in time for it to completely thaw. Then I did not get it in the oven in time for it to fully cook. So we had stuffing, peas, cranberry sauce and hamburger patties.
All of that could have been avoided if I were more organized and planned ahead.
I am extremely frustrated with feeling 3 steps behind. The worst part is that I get paid to help people become organized!
So, I have given the 16 year old off homeschool for the week to work on cleaning his room and yard projects and to free up some of my time. I am going to lock myself in my room and design a new schedule and organizational plan and then I am going to overhaul my homemaking binder.
Watch for a series of posts starting later today on creating a homemaking notebook. I will be posting the steps as I complete them.
Now to get started with my plan...just as soon as I clear off my desk.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

The Expression of Contentment

2011-12-03T07:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my son and I were driving through an unfamiliar neighborhood. We came across a group of adorable little cabins. I commented about how cute and cozy they looked.
My son said, "If you like little houses, why don't you like ours?"
I thought for a minute, then asked why he thought I didn't like our house.
He replied, "Because you always say there is not enough room or enough of a yard and you want a farm."
That made me realize that I was not expressing my contentment. In fact, by giving too much voice to my "dreams" I was leading my family to believe that I am unhappy. In reality I am quite content with my place in life.
Today I am determined to feel my contentment and express it in words and actions.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Organization Anyone?

2011-11-29T12:28:00.000-05:00

Is anyone else feeling the need to organize and de-clutter? I usually get this way before the winter holidays.
I am craving some new ideas and would love to hear from some of you about your favorite organizational products, ideas or methods.
Please give me all your faves in the comments. Whether it is a book, a shelving system, spreadsheet, containers, whatever... I want to hear about it!
If you are an affiliate or sell organizational products go ahead and leave your links. If I try your stuff and like it I will post about it.
If I get enough of a response I will compile the answers into a separate post with links. If you want a link back to your blog please be sure to leave the addy in the comments.
Thanks all!
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Resources to Help Your Little Students Succeed

2011-11-22T08:29:00.000-05:00

It's been a few months since I have talked to you about educational resources. I thought today would be a good time to mention one of my favorite things to use in our homeschool when my boys were young. Fun, educational worksheets.

I especially loved using themed worksheets around the holidays to add some variety to our school days. This time of year the younger children get anxious and have trouble concentrating on the normal routine. Good quality worksheets and activities help break up the monotony and refocus their minds...for a little while. ;-)
I fondly remember the days before Thanksgiving break. The boys would make turkey or pilgrim hats from construction paper and wear them while they worked on word search or crossword puzzles. They hardly realized they were learning.
Another use I found for Kindergarten Worksheets was when Jake began to struggle to understand some of the concepts in our curriculum. Supplementing with worksheets helped him grasp the concepts he needed to move on to first grade. Sometimes it just takes a little something extra to help young students succeed.
Just one caution about selecting worksheets. If you are using them to assist in educating your child, please make sure to choose ones that are high quality and have been carefully created. As with most things, the internet is full of sub-standard teaching tools. Thankfully, there are also wonderful resources available to aid in homeschooling our children.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Rant and Roll

2011-11-19T09:42:00.001-05:00

Today I am ranting. If you are looking for sunny homemakery stuff you should check out the archives - there is plenty of that stuff there. Today I feel like expressing myself honestly and openly. My blog - my right, which happens to be the topic of today's rant...
(let's see if I loose any followers with this)
On one of my other blogs where I was posting about using coupons, I started getting comments from people trying to educate me to the dangers of certain food products. I understand where they are coming from. I used to be an organic-raw- whole foods enthusiast myself.
That was back in the day when soy and wheat were still in fashion. To this day my husband wont eat Alfredo sauce because of the Tofu Alfredo I fed him once. And don't even mention tofurky in my house.
I spent years laboring under the belief that cooking food and all things dairy were evil. I also (confession time) spent years feeling superior to all those unenlightened folks who ate white sugar. Now that I am old I realize that nothing makes me superior to another person, least of all my diet.
If you want to save the planet and worship the trees, have at it...on your blog. Don't come to my ~~house~~ blog and tell me my eating habits are killing my family and the three- toed sloth. And I won't come to your blog and proselytize you. Your beliefs are yours and my beliefs are mine. Mine just happen to be right.
In case you are wondering what my beliefs are, here you go:
Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and life in heaven. My diet has no bearing on my eternity. Eating Cheese Whiz may or may not help me meet Jesus sooner. Either way, I'm good, thank you for your concern.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Are You in the Holiday Stretch?

2011-11-17T08:23:00.001-05:00

The Holiday Stretch has officially started at our house. That is what I call the days between now and New Year's Day that are filled with activities and hustle and bustle.
Last week was the Christmas Child box packing event for charity and I began my holiday baking. Next week is, of course, the marathon cooking for three days and then feasting on Thanksgiving. The week after that was traditionally spent shopping all day and coming home to turkey left-overs. This year will be different.
This year we are not doing much Christmas shopping. I am happy about that because this way we can focus on the true meaning of the holidays. I look forward to quiet days of soft Christmas music on the radio, sipping hot chocolate and snacking on Christmas cookies and fruits. In the evenings we will cuddle up under our quilts and watch old movies.
While we won't be exchanging extravagant gifts this year there will be plenty of faith, love, family, and celebration to carry us into the new year. Then begin the resolutions, weight loss diets, and attempts at organization and living better. I believe this will be one of our best holiday seasons yet and that will prepare our hearts for one of our best years. Who knows, we may even stick to our resolutions for 2012.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

SavingsAngel - Product Review (NOT Sponsored)

2011-11-16T12:01:00.002-05:00

This review is not sponsored. I purchased a subscription to SavingsAngel.com in order to check it out and give you the scoop.
I have been reading a lot of buzz around the internet about SavingsAngel. So much that it made me curious enough to buy a two week subscription.
Before I give you my review I need to be honest about two things...
First, I did not think I would be recommending this service to you. I thought that I could perform all the tasks they perform for free. I already average 50% savings on my groceries each month. However, I found the service to be excellent. It will save me hours of searching each week. Because of their powerful software, they are able to provide much more thorough information than I can find on my own. Even with my deal-locating-superpowers ;-)
Second, this post does contain affiliate links. If, after reading my review, you decide to give SavingsAngel a try, please just click on any of the links in this post. I will receive credit toward my own membership fees which will be a huge blessing.
In short, SavingsAngel.com is a subscription service for couponing. They provide coupon match ups and shopping lists. Their main purpose is to help you save money by connecting you with the best deals and coupons across the country and the internet. They do that better than any free site I have found...and I have looked long and hard to find the best money saving sites!
However, they are so much more than a coupon match up service. They are the ultimate shopping organizational tool. (Regular readers know how much I love, love, love organizational products.) You can create shopping lists at all your favorite stores with just a few clicks. You can organize your lists by isle or food group or however you like. You can compare the best deals on a product between all the stores in your area, find coupons for all your needs and even locate deals on non grocery items.
The real fun is in the SavingsAngel community where you can join groups, make friends, enter contests, earn Angel Bucks, earn fun awards and connect with others.
A member's blog area allows members to keep an onsite blog and read and comment on other blogs.
Lots of training is available, from videos to a comprehensive faq section to chatting with an Angel Mentor.
There are so many awesome features on SavingsAngel that it is difficult to choose one that is my favorite but I have to say that I am completely in love with the Weekly Meal Plan. The ingredients are linked to the sales in each store and noted on the shopping lists. The recipes are family friendly and are made up of foods we actually eat!
If you are interested it trying SavingsAngel they have some half price trial programs available. The regular cost is $5 per week. I purchased 2 weeks for $5. You can get up to 8 weeks at half their normal rate. (I wish I had gone with the 8 week option).
Sign up for SavingsAngel.com here.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

A Day of Homemaking

2011-11-16T08:12:00.000-05:00

For the last two days Bill was on vacation and the weather was lovely. We worked outside, Bill chipped branches and I collected and crushed leaves. Now we have lots of nice mulch and compost. The yard and garden look much better too.
Today is a gloomy rainy day and Bill is going back to work. It is a perfect day for staying inside and catching up on the homemaking that has been neglected for the past few days. I hope to get the laundry caught up, the floors cleaned and the bathroom scrubbed.
As I have my coffee and think about all there is to do I am reminding myself that it is not as bad as it seems.
Have a blessed day, my friends...
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

I Love Rite Aid

2011-11-15T17:12:00.002-05:00

I have been hearing about all the great deals you can get at Rite Aid and finally decided to give them a try.
I am so glad I did! Here are the results of my last three shopping trips to demonstrate why...
10/16/11 - Value of Products - $49.81I paid - $2.56
10/31/11 - Value of Products - $54.54I paid - $16.26
11/8/11 - Value of Products - $39.64I paid - $1.66
There are many awesome programs available from Rite Aid such as Video Values where you watch a short video then get a high value coupon to print, Single Check Rebates which are all your rebates for the month sent to you on one check that you can use at Rite Aid or cash at the bank, the Silver and Gold discount program, Register Rewards and more.
Since I am new to RA shopping and in no way an expert I will suggest that if you want to learn to play the RA game like a pro, go over to the Rite Aid forum at We Use Coupons. That is where I learned how to have shopping trips like the ones outlined above.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

It is never as bad as you think...

2011-11-14T08:46:00.000-05:00

The phrase "it is never as bad as you think" has become my mantra.
It started a few months ago when I was in the kitchen. We had several extended family members over for dinner and the kitchen was a wreck. Every dish, pot, pan and glass was dirty and the dishwasher was officially dead. I looked around and thought to myself, "cleaning the kitchen is never as bad as you think it will be. It never takes as long as you think it will." Then I dove into cleaning and when finished discovered I had been right. I was not that bad!
So, from that night I have been using this phrase as my motivation to stop procrastinating unpleasant jobs. It is always true. Dreading a job is always worse than actually doing it.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Housewife Happenings

2011-11-13T08:16:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends, how have you all been?
I have been enjoying my bread from blogging but also missing it. I have gotten several offers for paid posts...you may have noticed :) I hope you don't mind these "commercial breaks." They really help pay the bills.
The cleaning business is going petty well and I love it more every day.
NaNoWriMo is way more difficult than I anticipated! I am plugging away at it but I think I have discovered that fiction is not my thing.
Are you all enjoying the fall? It is such a nice time to get things clean and organized in the home and around the yard. This week I am going to gather the fallen leaves and put them in bags to compost. If you crush them up and dampen them a bit, by Spring they will be ready to go into the garden. Of course, you can just lay them on top as mulch too.
It was suggested to me by a professional blogger that I should have several blogs if I want to try to blog for money. So, I have been working on creating specific niche blogs. I have one for frugal food preservation, one for gardening and raising chickens, one for bargain shopping and frugality, one for emergency preparedness. Basically, all the same stuff I have here but broken into individual blogs. I will be launching those soon and will announce them here. This blog will remain my home and "first love." I hope to be able to direct all paid work to the other blogs so I can take this one back to just being my personal blog.
Have you all started your holiday baking? I hope to get to that in the next few days. Watch for some yummy recipes.
Have a wonderful Sunday my friends...

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Penny Stocks - Should You Dabble?

2011-11-11T07:33:00.000-05:00

Penny stocks are shares of publicly traded companies priced less than one dollar. Strong companies' stock prices never get this low. The companies that you want to salt away for retirement will not be found among this category. So why would you want to consider penny stock investing? One word, entertainment.

There are not many get rich quick schemes that actually work. Anyone who claims they did so either is lying or got lucky. Probably both. Investing is about getting rich slowly. Getting rich slowly is the best that we can expect. Slow and steady wins the race. It worked for the tortoise. Although I've always wondered what would have happened if the hare just didn't fall asleep...eh, that's a discussion for another time.

So why would you want to dabble in penny stocks? Well, cast your hopes and dreams of instant riches aside. They offer nothing in this regard. However, they can be pretty fun if you've got a bit of disposable income. Please don't use any money to buy penny stocks that you can't comfortably afford to lose, because you most likely will lose it. But, if you've come to terms with these facts, penny stocks can be pretty awesome.

Since penny stocks' prices are so low, any upward move will significantly increase the value of your holdings. Penny stocks don't just go up for any reason. But the reason they may potentially go up is where the entertainment comes in. Research some companies, and if you find something compelling, throw a few dollars down. Why not? At worst it gives you something to do on a Thursday night.

If you do consider dabbling you should educate yourself first. Check out sites like www.timothysykes.com penny stocks for an honest look at this topic.

Life is boring. Being a responsible adult can be depressing. Anything that brings some harmless fun into it is welcomed. Penny stocks can do a little of this. And a little of something is better than a lot of nothing.

My NaNoWriMo Insanity

2011-10-22T10:09:00.000-04:00

I must have gone insane because I am taking part in the 2011 nanowrimo. Why does that make me insane? Several reasons:

1) I have commitment issues.

2) My writing experience is in non-fiction, specifically, technical writing. Technical writing and novel writing are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

3) 1,700 words a day!!!

4) I don't have the time to devote to a project that is just for me.

5) I may fail.

All those reasons are why I should not try to write a novel in a month. However, they are also all the reasons I am going for it!

Is anyone else giving it a shot?

My Crowing Hen

2011-10-14T12:02:00.000-04:00

The chicken on the right is Trixie.

Trixie is one of my hens. She is a bantam (tiny) chicken. See the two chicks in the crate with her? They are only 6 weeks old in this photo and nearly as big as she is but they still tried to hide under her. She raised them from day old chicks. Trixie is a great mama hen and has raised several batches of chicks from egss and day olds.

She is about four now and has stopped laying. She has taken up a new hobby...crowing. For those of you not familiar with chickens, hens don't crow, only roosters crow. Nobody told that to Trixie. Every morning when a distant neighbor's rooster starts crowing Trixie crows back. She's pretty good at it...for a girl. Instead of cock-a-doodle-doo it sounds more like cock-a-dooooo.

When I think about it, my crowing hen represents my life pretty well. Unpredictable, surprising and doesn't follow the rules.

Scrubs for a Cure

2011-10-14T04:03:00.000-04:00

Do you work in a field that requires you to wear scrubs? You might be interested to know that the good folks at http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/ are having a special for October. For each pink ribbon scrub hat purchased, they will donate $1 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. There are four adorable designs from which to choose.
If you are not familiar with Blue Sky Scrubs, you really should check them out. They have high quality, high fashion scrubs. Their uniforms are not the old fashioned boxy looking ones. They have a wide selection of colors and designs in flattering cuts. They really do help take the monotony out of the daily use of scrubs.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Gift Giving Then and Now

2011-10-14T03:46:00.000-04:00

Now that my children are older, Christmas gift giving is much different than it used to be. I used to hit the stores at 4am on Black Friday to get the best deals on toys and games. The gifts we chose for our children were educational and fun. I think I enjoyed the gifts as much as they did.
I find gifts for teen boys much less exciting. Of course, Bill is enjoying the gift giving more than ever. Holiday purchases no longer include kid games or science kits. These days the boys receive things such as tools and hunting equipment.
I realize that gifts should not be the real focus of the holidays but in our culture they do play a large part. I have fond memories of Christmas mornings that include the family playing games together or the boys sharing a new building set. Even on those years when money was tight and all we could afford were a few small presents, I remember how much we all enjoyed the excitement and togetherness.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

A Retreat

2011-09-27T09:05:00.001-04:00

Do you ever go on retreats? I find they are a nice way to step back and evaluate where I have been and where I would like to go in my life.
I will be taking a break from blogging for a little while. I choose to view it as a retreat to help me clarify my goals and purposes.
My business and life have been busy lately and I need to streamline some areas. I love blogging and don't think I will be giving it up completely but I do need to take some time away.
Please feel free to leave comments or use my contact me page as I will still be checking these.
Until next time, blessings to you, my friends.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Dear Homeschool Graduates...

2011-09-21T15:35:00.000-04:00

Dear Homeschool Graduates,
I have heard many of you speaking negatively about your upbringing. I have also heard your attitude spill over to your non-homeschooled friends. I have heard comments such as "all the people I know who were homeschooled are..." (fill in the blank with illiterate, socially inept, etc.)
I would like to point out a few things you might not be taking into consideration.
Your parents loved you so much that they prayed for God's will in raising you. All of the homeschooling parents I know believe they were following God by teaching you at home. Could they have been wrong? Sure, but they wholeheartedly wanted to raise you the best way they knew. Homeschooling is never a decision that is made lightly by loving parents.
They loved you so much that one of them (most commonly the mom) gave up at least 18 years of her life to devote herself to you. She gave up her career, her independence, her privacy, and all the material pleasures that come from a second income. She gave up the respect of some friends and endured the criticism of family members. She held her head high while berated by "educational professionals." She did this without regret or hesitation.
Many of your parents fought in the courts, the media and the arena of politics for the freedom to raise you the way they felt was in your best interest.
Keeping these things in mind, I find it incredibly selfish to talk so negatively about your upbringing. No, I don't expect you to homeschool your own children, especially if you do not believe it to be God's will. However, after all they have done for you, do you really need to drag your parent's name and reputation through the mud just because you couldn't play on the basketball team? Is it worth breaking their hearts with hateful words because you think you would have made a great cheerleader?
Did your parents make mistakes? Of course they did. They're human. You will make plenty of mistakes with your own children. Yes, you will. I hope yours will grow up and show grace and mercy to forgive you and understand that you always had their best interest at heart. I pray they will appreciate all the sacrifices you will make for them. I pray you will love your children as much as your parents loved you.
Sincerely,
Lorie Dunlevy - An Unrepentant Homeschool Mother

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Great Deals on Fall Garden Care Products

2011-09-20T13:57:00.000-04:00

It's time to start performing our fall garden chores.

If you would like to have a fall/winter vegetable garden it's not to late, in many areas, to plant your cold weather crops. Things such as cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, radishes, mustard greens, kale, mache, and various other winter greens will all do well if grown in a cold frame or greenhouse.
If you have roses, grapes or fruit trees it is time for pruning and preparation for winter.
Here are a couple great deals I found to help reduce the cost of maintaining the gardens this fall. I use both of these companies each year and am always more than happy with the results.
Gardens Alive has an exhaustive selection of environmentally friendly products that work. I use their fertilizers and treatments for insects and fungus. This year I ran out of fungus treatment and my garden suffered! I won't let that happen again. If you need any garden care products I recommend taking advantage of their current $20 off $40 offer.
Another super reliable source is Gurney's. I get lots of seeds and starts from them each year and am always pleased with the results. They are also having a $20 off $40 offer which makes this a great time to order your fall plants or stock up on next year's seeds.
Just click the buttons above to get in on these great offers.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

My Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes

2011-09-20T10:16:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year again. School is in full swing, the weather is getting cooler and the days are busy. Time to dust off the slow cooker and make life a little easier.

Here are my top 10 favorite slow cooker meals:

I'll list the ingredients but remember, I don't measure or time anything when I cook. So, the instructions for all of the meals below are: add as much as you like and cook it till it's done. ;-)

1) Beef stew - beef cubes, potatoes, onions, carrots, a little celery, cream of mushroom soup, golden mushroom soup.

2) Lasagna - The same as you make it for the oven but put it in the slow cooker. You don't need to cook the noodles first.

3) Chili - browned ground beef, onions, peppers, chili beans, diced tomatoes with chilis, chili powder, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. At the end, add a paste of flour and water to thicken the sauce.

4) Barbecue - Use any inexpensive hunk of meat such as pork shoulder or a cheap beef roast or even a chicken. Cook until the meat falls off the bones. Remove meat and bones, drain fat from cooker. Return only the shredded meat to the cooker and add your favorite BBQ sauce. Cook til hot.

5) Chicken and Stuffing - 2 boxes stuffing mix, big can of cream of chicken soup, stick of melted butter, about a half a cup of water, some broccoli (fresh or frozen) boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Mix the stuffing, water, soup and butter and put in slow cooker. Toss in the broccoli then chicken and cook til done.

6) Meatloaf - Make your favorite meatloaf recipe, put a rack in the bottom of the cooker ant then a long piece of foil that extends past edges of the lid - this will make it easy to remove the meatloaf.

7) Seafood Gumbo - Cooked chopped bacon, about half a pound. chopped onions, celery and garlic, cooked in the bacon grease. Toss the bacon and vegetables into the slow cooker with a couple cups of chicken broth and a can of diced tomatoes with juice and a hand full of rice. Cook a couple hours then add some okra, raw shrimp and a can of crab meat. Cook for an hour or so. Don't over cook this one.

8) Sausage Potato Soup - Lots of peeled and diced potatoes, about an equal amount of chicken broth, browned and drained sausage (as much as you like) some diced sauteed onion. Cook for several hours then add a couple cans of evaporated milk and cook for another hour. Sometimes I add a box of frozen kale.

9) Swedish Meatballs - A pound or two of cooked meatballs (very important that they are cooked first). Diced onion and a couple cans of golden mushroom soup. Cook for a few hours. Add a container of sour cream, stir well and cook on low for about another hour. Serve with egg noodles or mashed potatoes and something green.

10) Ham and Bean Soup - Ham bone with some meat still attached, 8 or 10 cups water, a pound of dry mixed beans, diced onion and garlic. Cook for several hours, adding more water if necessary. Remove bone when meat has fallen off. Season to taste and serve with homemade biscuits.

Note: to be healthier and more frugal, all the "cream of..." soups can be made from scratch!

And the Winner is...

2011-09-20T08:44:00.001-04:00

The winner of the Beverly Lewis DVD (chosen by random.org) is Conny! Congratulations. Just send me your address and I will make sure it goes out right away.
Thanks to all who entered!
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Would You Like to Save the World?

2011-09-16T08:48:00.000-04:00

Do you ever get frustrated with the amount of opportunities that are out there to "donate?"
Before you think I am a Scrooge, let me say that I give to a lot of needy people. I help feed several of my immediate neighbors on a regular basis. They can't afford food and I won't let them go hungry. I give them eggs from the chickens and any other food I can spare. We also try to donate regularly to other reputable charities.
Here is my rant. There are several times daily in which I have to say, "no" to a worthy charity. There are even more instances in which I have to say "no" to a questionable one.
Yesterday was my grocery shopping day and, as usual, I went to several stores. I really dislike when the various groups are setup outside the exit and don't let you quietly walk by.
As I leave a supermarket I'm usually discouraged because I could not afford everything we needed in the store and am busy thinking about how I will make the food magically stretch. Then I am jolted out of my thoughts by "WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP..._____________?" (fill in the blank with things like Homeless Veterans, Abused Animals, Hungry Children, Hometown Sports Teams.)
Would I like to help? OF COURSE I would like to help. What am I supposed to say to that? The worst is when the little kids are there and if you say no to them the moms roll their eyes and look at each other like you just spit on them. Obviously the recession has not made it to their part of suburbia yet.
Yesterday as I was loading my food into the car and very near tears because I spent twice as much as I could afford on half as much food as we needed, a young man on a bicycle approached me. I jumped because he startled me. He went on to explain that he has his wife and children at the bus stop trying to get the to the homeless shelter but he needs bus fare for them. Is there anything at all I can do to help? I had to tell him I was sorry and that I had nothing. Now, his whole story seemed a little questionable but I'm not focusing on that.
I feel guilty. I want to help everyone in need who crosses my path. But I can't. And I hate that. I feel sad that there are so many people in need all around me. I feel a constant stress over finances, like a hand around my throat. The tighter things get, the more I have to take away from my own family and that leaves even less for others.
What is the Christian response to all of this? If I were a stronger Christian maybe I would have peace about it all. If I were a wiser Christian maybe I would know what to do. However, I'm just me and I can't fix the economy or feed the world. I can just get through the day the best I know how.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Clean Like a Pro...and Love It!

2011-09-13T08:41:00.000-04:00

Do you love to clean? I do. It hasn't always been that way. Now, however, I enjoy it so much that I started a cleaning business.
The change in my attitude about cleaning came when I read the book Is There Life After Housework? by Don Aslett. It was originally published in 1981 and has been updated and revised many times.
The book taught me about what tools to use and how to use them. Don Aslett also has an online cleaning supply store which can be found at cleanreport.com. That is where I get all my tools and supplies.
When you use the proper tools cleaning becomes fun! You see results right away and no longer exhaust yourself fighting a loosing battle.
There are just a few basic tools and cleaners that work for most jobs. Once I discovered this I was able to ditch all those bottles cluttering up the cleaning closet and under the sinks.
Since switching to professional cleaning supplies I can't go back to "supermarket" cleaners. Most of the professional stuff is actually less expensive than all the popular brands. They take up less room too because they are usually purchased in concentrated form. Even when I do spend a bit more for the professional tools I consider it to be the best frugal choice. Remember, frugality is all about value.
I have had clients offer to let me use their cleaning supplies. I always turn them down. I simply do not want to have my business associated with unreliable work. Streaks and spots are not acceptable to me.
Speaking of clients, something else I learned from Don Aslett's books is how to run a cleaning business. While his tips and tricks for cleaning are invaluable, the most important thing I took away from his teachings is that the business of cleaning is respectable.
Thanks to Don, I view myself and my services with dignity. I have clients, not "people I work for." I wear a uniform shirt with my logo rather than stained old clothes. When I give an estimate for a job I do not try to charge rock bottom prices to beat the competition. I charge a rate that is fair for both the client and myself. This keeps everyone happy.If you want to clean your own house like a pro, I highly recommend Don Aslett's books especially: Is There Life After Housework?: A Revolutionary Approach to Cutting Your Cleaning Time 75%.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Beverly Lewis Fans - I Have a Great Giveaway for You!

2011-09-11T19:58:00.001-04:00

The Beverly Lewis book, The Shunning has been made into a movie by the Hallmark Channel and will air April 16th at 9/8c. The DVD will be released for purchase on September 13.
I was blessed to receive an advanced copy to review. I found the movie to be very much like a Lewis book. Even among the story's conflict there is a peaceful quality that surround the characters. There is a bit of mystery ans suspense which holds your attention. I would recommend this as a nice selection for a "girl's night" with your friends. If you enjoy Beverly Lewis' books, you will enjoy this movie.
If you want to learn more about the movie, the (well known) cast, or the author please visit the following sites: The Shunning on FacebookThe Hallmark Channel Watch a TrailerPre-order your copy today: Beverly Lewis' the Shunning

Would you like to win a copy of this DVD for yourself? All you need to do is leave a comment on this post letting me know you would like to enter the giveaway. I will pick a random winner on Monday September 19 at 9pm.
I will announce the winner here on my blog and will also email the winner (if an email address is provided).
Good Luck!
"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services
mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I
only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:

"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Stuck in Bed?

2011-09-10T16:48:00.000-04:00

Recently a lot of friends and family have been physically laid up for various reasons such as injuries, recovering from surgery, flu, mono (college kids!).
A lot of them call me because they are bored and know that I am home during the day. Now, I enjoy visiting when I can but just because I am home doesn't mean I can spend hours on the phone. So, I have been helping them come up with ways to spend their time productively.
Here is my Top 10 Things to Do While Stuck at Home:
1) Start the novel you have always wanted to write.
2) For the college student who wants to earn his MBA (you know who you are), take a gmat prep course.
3) Finish the quilt you started many years ago.
4) Catch up on your homework.
5) Clip coupons.
6) Become a tutor for young students. Earn some money while you are stuck at home.
7) Read the classics you always meant to read.
8) Organize your photos.
9) Organize your recipes.
10) Learn to sketch, or paint.
There are lots more ways to productively spend down time. Would any of you like to add to the list?
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

2011-09-07T13:10:00.000-04:00

Home school started this week and I started back to working part time. So, I have been a little busy and a lot tired. I have temporarily lost my creativity so, until I get it back, I will just keep posting the fast and frugal meals I have been making.
I was proud of this one because I came up with it on my own. Then I searched and found out that I wasn't the first person to have the idea of turning Chicken Cordon Bleu into a casserole. In fact, according to Google, I wasn't even the 228,000th to have this moment of brilliance. Oh well, there's nothing new under the sun.
I don't usually measure when I cook but if you need precise measurements, check google and you will find several thousand variations of this recipe, most of which include amounts.
I used several slices of left over ham, several slices of swiss cheese, two cooked boneless chicken breast halves, and chopped all those into bite size pieces. Then cooked a box of penne pasta. I mixed a can of cream of mushroom soup, a half can of mayo and about a can can of milk. Then combined all the ingredients and put in a medium baking pan. Then I put about a cup of buttered bread crumbs on top and baked at 350 till hot and bubbly.
My family loves the real chicken cordon bleu so I knew they would enjoy this. I like it because it is easy to make ahead and is frugal if you use left overs.
A good mother would serve it with a side salad so her family gets their veggies. A tired mother would forget to buy lettuce and tell the family to have an apple for dessert. Guess which one I am this week... ;-)

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Aunt Mary's Sweet n' Sour Salad

2011-09-03T09:47:00.000-04:00

Today is our church's picnic and baptism. I need to bring a nice side dish that won't break the budget. This recipe is one I got form Aunt Mary when I visited her in SC in June. It is a great frugal option because it is so versatile. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand.

The original recipe calls for canned vegetables but I prefer to use frozen.

The vegetables can vary. Just use what you have!

2 cans shoepeg white corn

1 large can french cut green beans

2 small can peas

1 bell pepper chopped

4-6 stalks celery chopped

1 medium onion chopped

1 small jar pimento (I used roasted red peppers I had on hand)

drain vegetables well

mix all vegetables

heat to boiling:

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup white vinegar

1 tsp salt

remove from heat and add 1/2 cup oil

pour over vegetables and let stand in fridge overnight

Quick & Easy Dessert from the Frugal Pantry

2011-09-01T05:53:00.000-04:00

I have been looking for some new dessert recipes. My recipe requirements are simple ingredients that I keep on hand, easy to put together and tasty. I tried this one last night and enjoyed it. It's going into my recipe binder.
Anyone who bakes will have these ingredients on hand except maybe the bananas. Freezing bananas is great way to expand your pantry options.
There are several ways to freeze bananas. You can peel them and put them whole into freezer bags, peel and mash them and measure them into freezer containers or simply put them in the freezer still in the skins. I have tried all of these options and they each work equally well.
We eat a lot of bananas around here and I never have any leftover for the freezer. So, I buy them whenever I see them marked down because they are turning brown in the store. I bring them home and put them straight into the freezer.
Now, on to the recipe...
Banana-Oatmeal Crumb CakeStir together:3/4 cup flour1 1/3 cups rolled oats1/4 tsp salt1 tsp baking sodaCream:1/2 cup softened butter2/3 cup packed brown sugar2 eggs1 cup mashed bananas1 tsp vanilla extractmix in dry ingredientspour into small round or 8" square greased and floured panmix topping:2 Tablespoons melted butter3/4 cup rolled oats1/3 cup packed brown sugar2 tablespoons chopped walnuts1/2 tsp cinnamonSprinkle evenly over top of batterBake in 350 oven for 45 minutes

Enjoy!
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Hodgepodge Again

2011-08-31T03:02:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I have joined the Hodgepodge. I don't know why because it is always so much fun and Joyce does a fabulous job with the questions.

1. Do you think the world became a more dangerous place on September 11, 2001 or did we just become more aware of the danger? How has your own life changed as a result of that day?

I think we became more aware of the danger that was already there. I am less trusting of people now, even neighbors and acquaintances.

2. Did you think your parents were too strict when you were growing up? How about in hindsight?

I always asked for more rules. My parents were very laid back in the discipline department. My friends all had rules and curfews but I never did. So, I would make up rules for myself to follow.

3. Share one random but candid fact about yourself.

I dislike gardening but do it because I feel like I "should."

4. Would your nearest and dearest describe you as simple or far too complicated?

Far too complicated. That is probably why I strive to make my surroundings and life as simple as possible. It balances out my complicated personality.

5. What is your favorite stadium or carnival food?

Funnel cake.

6. Tornado, hurricane, earthquake...how many of these natural disasters have you experienced? Which event do you think would be the scariest?

I experienced all three in the last week. The east coast earthquake last Tuesday was my first. During hurricane Irene a tornado touched down in my town but did not cause damage. The scariest is the tornado. I have been close to tornadoes twice (once in NC and once in DE) and it is terrifying because they are so unpredictable and there is not much you can do to protect yourself. There is plenty of warning to get out of the way of a hurricane. An earthquake is almost over before you have time to be afraid.

7. Labor Day weekend is approaching so a work related question seems appropriate. Growing up, did your parents assign you regular chores? Were you paid for doing those chores? If you're a parent do you assign chores to your own children? Why or why not?

I never had to do any kind of chores when I was growing up and I was not given an allowance. I just got what ever I wanted. (spoiled brat) My children have had chores since they were old enough to walk. I think it is an important lesson in responsibility. They receive an allowance but we don't really relate it to the chores.

8. Insert your own random thought here.I have been running out of things to say and wonder if I should continue blogging.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Playing the Drug Store Game

2011-08-29T13:54:00.000-04:00

Today I played the drug store game at CVS and Walgreens and scored some great deals. You can get in on these bargains until Saturday.
CVS Dawn Dish Soap on sale for .99 - Used 3 $1/1 P&G coupons St. Joseph Aspirin 81mg (which I now take daily for my heart) on sale for $2 plus receive $2 ECB wyb 1My 4th green bag tag ended up scanning today so that was a bonus $1 ECB.
Total: Paid $2.10 out of pocket and received $3 in ECB making today's trip a $1 money maker.
Walgreens(I had to do several transactions to receive all the register rewards. At Wags you will not receive a RR if you roll a RR for the same product.) The basic breakdown of totals is this...
Crayola 24 packs on sale for $1 plus receive $1 RR wyb 1 = 3 free packs of crayonsPlaytex 18 count on sale for 3.99 with $1 RR wyb 1 plus I used $2/1 coupons = .99 per box (3 boxes for 2.97)Domino Sugar 4# on sale for 2.49 and I used a .50/1 coupons = 1.99 per bag (3 bags for 4.97)index cards .39 each x 2envelopes .79 each x 12 pocket folders with prongs .33 each x 3highlighter .09 each x 1
Because of the hurricane, the tuck delivery truck did not make it on Saturday and therefore they were out of some really good products such as crest complete which would end up free with RR and coupons. The manager said they might get the delivery tomorrow. If I get over there to check I'll post again with details of another haul.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Drying out...Quick Hurricane Update

2011-08-28T17:08:00.000-04:00

Irene left us mostly intact but soggy. Lots of people in my area are without power but we are blessed to have it.
We have lots of family and friends who were evacuated this morning because a damn very near them is starting to break. Many homes are already flooded as the river and lakes meet. Now it is a waiting game to see what the flooding damage is.
I am busy trying to get some different situations settled and in place to help some people. So, I will leave you with just this quick update and very heart felt thanks for your prayers. Hugs to you all.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Riding out the Storm - Being Prepared

2011-08-28T02:39:00.000-04:00

As I type this, Irene is just a few hours away. We have had torrential down pours for several hours and a tornado in our county. Most of the roads around us are closed due to flooding.
The power was out for a while earlier but is back now, though I don't expect it to last.
Our sump pump is running non-stop to keep the basement dry. When the power was out we needed to run the generator every hour to power the pump. (We are very cautious with the generator. It is located far from the house.)
This is the first time we have actually needed our emergency supplies. Without the generator and sufficient gas supply the flood would reach our first floor quickly.
Earlier this evening I needed to treat a cut on my son's foot. It is not that bad but could easily become infected. I am so thankful that I had the bandages and antibiotic ointment on hand to take care of it. The stores have all been closed and will probably not reopen for a day or two. That is a dangerously long time to deal with an infection.
I know that we have enough water, gas, food and propane to get us though the storm and the aftermath. As long as our house is standing we will be able to survive and help those around us.
If you do not put up at least a few supplies I would like to encourage you to do so. It may seem like a futile act but I assure you, when you need them you will be very thankful to have them.
I will update after the storm as soon as possible when power has been restored.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

A Little Health Update

2011-08-25T21:42:00.001-04:00

Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers over the last few weeks. I have now completed all of my cardiac testing.
The final diagnosis is that I did not have a heart attack but it was a "warning." My heart rate and blood pressure were both quite high and I have an arrhythmia.
I am on medication to control all of these issues and am starting to feel much better over all. The medication has taken some time to get used to because as it slows my heart it causes me to feel tired and sluggish. However, this side effect is fading more and more each day.
Again, thank you so much for all of your kindness and concern. You are all precious to me.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Identity Theft - A Sad Sign of the Times

2011-08-25T21:42:00.000-04:00

I recently wrote about the problem of consumer debt during these difficult financial times. In that article I discussed the importance of maintaining a good credit score. More than just allowing you to qualify for purchases on credit, a good credit score can affect your housing and employment situations.
Protecting your identity is also vitally important. The repercussions of a stolen identity can go on for years. The stress of dealing with such a situation can even affect your health and family relationships.
It is a sad fact that the technology that enhances our lives in so many ways can be used to harm us as well. In this age of the internet, privacy is not something that comes easily. Especially if you maintain any kind of online presence. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to use a credit card or make a payment online? A very minimal amount of information is needed. It is a bit unnerving to think about.
There are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to criminal activity but none are fool proof. If you are serious about identity theft protection I would like to recommend IdentityHawk. They offer a comprehensive identity theft solution and are a well respected business.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

My First Earthquake

2011-08-23T15:37:00.000-04:00

Today I experienced my first earthquake.
I'm sure this is nothing new for many of you but for us it sure was strange!
At first I thought I was passing out or having another heart attack. Then Jake came running out of his room and said, "do you feel that?"

I looked up and the ceiling fans were swinging back and forth. Jake and I went outside and Bill was coming out of the garage. He had his truck up on the lift and it started swaying over top of him.

It sure does make me feel the mighty power of God and how big His creation is.

Also, I realized that all the months of preparation of canned foods can be smashed in just seconds. It was a good reminder for me that everything - even our own preparedness efforts - are all in the hands of the Lord.

Economic Tough Times and Credit Card Debt

2011-08-23T05:59:00.002-04:00

This morning I was reading about consumer debt during the Great Depression and the years that preceded it. "Buying on time" was a relatively new and wildly popular means of making large purchases. Gone were the days of saving until you could afford the things you wanted. Immediate gratification was now possible.
Personal credit accounts quickly evolved from being useful for luxury purchases to necessary for financial survival. Today most Americans could not live without credit cards. At least not in the manner to which they have become accustomed.
Not only does a good credit score allow people to purchase more, employers are taking credit ratings of applicants into consideration during the hiring process. A bad credit score can actually cost you a job opportunity.
I believe the best way to prepare for economic hard times is to get out of debt as quickly as possible. It will mean sacrifice but a little sacrificing now is better than a lot of suffering later. Keep in mind that even after you have gotten rid of your debt, it is still important to maintain a good credit rating. It might be a good idea to check your standing once a year with one of the services that offer a free credit score.
There are many lessons to be learned from the Great Depression era. Let's try to heed some of the warnings of those who have gone before us.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Preserving the Harvest - Roasted Red Peppers

2011-08-22T14:52:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend a good friend gave me a big bag of red peppers. We love roasted red peppers on sandwiches and salads. They are easy to make and last for months in the fridge.

First, rinse the peppers.

Then put them on the grill on high.

Turn them when they started to char and blister.

When they are mostly black, put them into a paper bag and...

fold the top down and let them steam for a while.

When they are no longer hot but still warm, run them under water and rub the skins and seeds off with your fingers.

It should come off easily and the seeds and tops will slide right out, too.

Put them on some paper towels to drain.

Then put them in mason jars and cover with extra virgin olive oil. You can also add a couple cloves of roasted garlic and some sea salt.

Store them in the fridge and enjoy!

Winner of the Coupon Giveaway...

2011-08-22T09:14:00.000-04:00

I used random.org to generate a random winning number.
The winner is #113 - Kathy. She has been contacted by email.
Thanks for playing everyone!
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

I'm back online

2011-08-21T22:32:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay in announcing the giveaway winner. I had no internet all weekend and am simply exhausted tonight. First thing in the morning I will announce the winner.
Thank you to my new followers. I will be stopping by your blogs very soon!
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

GFC Issues

2011-08-18T11:28:00.000-04:00

Google Friend Connect seems to be having some issues the past few days. The followers widget is not showing up all the time on many blogs, including mine. If you are trying to enter my giveaway but are having trouble with GFC, please refresh the screen or try back later. I am very sorry for the inconvenience.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Taste of Home Magazine $3.99 for one year

2011-08-17T08:49:00.000-04:00

This deal is good only until 7pm EST tonight or they sell out.
Go HERE and use coupon code TASTE to take advantage of this great deal.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Innovative, Cool and Down Right Strange

2011-08-16T17:13:00.005-04:00

This comes under the what-will-they-think-of-next category.
During a particularly long bout of insomnia I spent some time surfing around online. I was completely surprised and amused by some of the inventions that are out there.
Check out this cool fold-up table and chair set...

BEFORE

AFTER

To see the entire article and details of the transformation go HERE.

Maybe I am showing my age here but when I saw that there are such things as electronic cigarettes my jaw hit the ground. Apparently these are smokeless cigarettes that are more publicly acceptable because they use vapor rather than smoke. They are supposed to be healthier than traditional cigs but the studies are ongoing. The thing I found really odd is that they have batteries and chargers...just like a cell phone?!? No one in my family smokes but I am surprised that I have never noticed anyone using these. I guess I just don't get out enough!
Too ~~lazy~~ tired for a nice game of fetch? No problem. There is now the GoDogGo automatic fetch machine. Just sit down on the porch with the remote and watch your dog get his exercise. You can pick one up at buygodoggo.com

This next guy is just plain using his head!
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Frugal Food Storage - Home Canned Beans

2011-08-16T17:13:00.003-04:00

Beans are healthy, filling and they have an important place in any frugal pantry.

Dry beans are inexpensive but they are not very convenient as they take several hours to cook. Canned beans are convenient but not frugal, especially when compared to the same amount of dry beans.
In order to take advantage of both the frugality and convenience, I make my own canned beans. They are one of the easiest foods to can at home.
Yesterday I made a big batch of baked beans and canned them.

Today I am canning dry limas and chic peas. We use the limas or "butter beans" as a side dish. The chic peas or garbanzo beans will be used to make hummus or in cold salads.
In order to can beans you need to use a pressure canner. I prefer a weighted gauge canner to a dial because the dials need to be checked for accuracy once a year and I don't have access to a facility that checks them.
I started the process last night by rinsing the beans, covering them with water and letting them soak overnight.

Next, drain the beans, cover them with a couple inches of water and boil them for thirty minutes.

While the beans are boiling, wash the canning jars in hot soapy water. Rinse the jars thoroughly and then fill them with hot water to keep them hot until ready to use.

Put the lids in a pan of water and simmer.

After the beans have boiled for 30 minutes they are ready to go in the jars. Ladle them in and leave 1 inch of head space. 1 inch is just at the bottom of the canning funnel.

Add 1/2 tsp salt to each pint jar or 1 tsp salt to each quart.

Then pour boiling water over the beans leaving 1 inch head space.

Run a plastic spatula around the sides of the jars to remove any air bubbles.

Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean damp towel.

Put on the lids and bands and put the jars in the canner.

Lock the lid on the canner and wait for the safety valve to pop up which indicates the canner is venting steam.

Let it vent steam for 10 minutes and then add the 10 pound weight. When the weight begins to jiggle, start timing. 1 hour 15 minutes for pint jars or 1 hour 30 minutes for quarts.

When the time is up remove the canner from the heat and let the pressure release naturally. This can take a couple hours. Remove the jars to a towel covered surface and let them sit for 12 hours. After that time press the lids and make sure none "give."

Then remove the bands and lift the jar by the lid. If your jars pass both of these tests the seals are safe for storage.

Great Site for Online Shopping

2011-08-15T16:32:00.007-04:00

As you know, I am always on the lookout for great frugal deals. Recently I learned of a really cool site called Become.com.
They are not just an online store, they combine shopping with research. They allow you to comparison shop and get the best value for your dollar. They also provide buying guides, product reviews and editorial tips.
Here are some examples of the neat ways to use the site and its cool features:
I have been in the market for a new ironing set up for my laundry room so I checked out the ironing board covers page. I read about the cover I had been wanting and discovered that it would not meet my needs after all. However, I was able to find a nicer one for less money.
As I was looking around I saw a red "B" symbol next to some of the listings, such as the ones on the page for solar lanterns, when I clicked on it I found that it is the symbol for "trusted merchants." That means that these merchants meet a high criteria and you can rest assured that you are dealing with a trustworthy company.
If you are interested in seeing what Become.com has to offer, go check them out. Just for fun why not start on a page for a high ticket item like the one for a battery powered blower.
Happy Shopping!

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

175 Coupon Giveaway plus Zipper Pouch

2011-08-15T16:32:00.005-04:00

Today's giveaway is for 175 clipped coupons in a zippered pouch.

About 145 of the coupons expire in September or after. Only about 32 expire August 28 or after. There are no expiration dates prior to August 28.
The coupons are mostly for things I don't use such as diapers, wipes, eggs, Ball canning supplies, cosmetics, Post-Its, denture supplies, Depends, electric razors, children's toothbrushes and tooth paste. There are also a variety of others.
To enter simply fill out the form below. There are no mandatory entries.
I will be choosing a random winner this Friday, August, 19 after 10pm EST.
*ETA: Please note that GFC is having issues. If you are trying to become a GFC follower, please refresh the screen and/or try again later. Thank you for your patients
<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

The Harvest Pantry

2011-08-14T17:04:00.000-04:00

The gardens are producing in full force which means it's time to start putting up food for winter. The pioneer families had to put up all the food they would need or they would have nothing to eat. I think about this when I prepare my household for the winter. Depending on how well I prepare it can be a long cold winter or a cozy time of togetherness and memories.
My goal is to have enough food put up to last from Thanksgiving to July, which is when the harvest will start to come in for the next year.
I love to have the shelves stocked when we celebrate Thanksgiving as it is symbolic of the Lord's provision.
Starting today and ending one week in advance of the holiday, we have 13 weeks to get our harvests put up and prepare for the winter.
The winter pantry does not have to be extensive or exotic. I keep mine simple. I like to keep simple ingredients that can be used in a wide variety of hearty meals.
These are the things I like to have on hand:
Meat - whole chickens, a slab of bacon, pork loins, pork shoulders and what ever venison the men hunt.
Vegetables - potatoes, canned and frozen vegetables, stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce
Fruit - quart jars or cans of various fruits
Grains and Pasta - whole grain pasta (only if purchased very inexpensively, or I make it myself), rice (white and brown), flour, corn meal, popcorn, rolled oats
Beans & Seeds - various dry beans, seeds for sprouting
Dairy - dry milk, butter and various cheeses (freezer)
Oils - shortening, extra virgin olive oil, canola or corn oil
Baking ingredients - yeast, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, sugar, various spices and extracts
Other - various seasonings, coffee, tea bags, hot cocoa mix (homemade usually), various nuts and dried fruits
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

My New Favorite Cookbook

2011-08-11T09:08:00.000-04:00

I had a gift card from Borders that needed to be used because they are going out of business. So, I stopped in after one of my appointments this week. I came out with this gem...It is amazing! In addition to hundreds of recipes it contains lots of fascinating history and science. It not only explains how to cook and bake with various grains and flours, it details the whys. Many of the chapters begin with a "primer" with the purpose of giving you an "intuitive feeling for it as your grandmothers did."
I bought the 3-ring binder edition but it also comes in a paperback or hardback.
I have been having a great time just reading through the book but I can't wait to try some of the recipes. I'll let you know how they turn out.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

A Little Update

2011-08-09T07:48:00.000-04:00

Thank you all so much for your prayers, well wishes and kind notes. I love you all.
My blood pressure and heart rate were both extremely elevated and I am now on medication for that. I am starting to feel much better. I didn't even realize that I was feeling so poorly for the last few months.
This morning I am going to turn in the heart monitor I have been wearing. Tomorrow is an echocardiogram which is just an ultrasound of my heart. In a couple weeks I will be having a stress test. That is the soonest they could fit me in.
So, I am doing much better overall. Taking it easy and not doing much gardening. My son helped me harvest the potatoes. I got 25 pounds. I am not sure if I am happy with that.
I need to start thinking about what I will grow in containers in the green house for the colder months. Any suggestions?
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Storing My Stockpile

2011-08-08T19:59:00.000-04:00

I have written previously about how keeping a modest stockpile helps me maintain my frugal budget. After those posts I received questions about where I store my extra supplies.
I am blessed to have a basement in my house. One half is finished and is the "man cave" and the other half is the laundry/storage area. I have a few metal shelves that house a lot of my stockpile.

So sad to see all those empty canning jars. Maybe I will get to can something this fall.

Laundry supplies are kept on a small shelf between the washer and dryer.

At one end of the basement I have two freezers. These come in very handy during hunting season and if I have a good garden harvest.

These are a couple shelves in my bathroom closet where I keep a few things.

As you can see, my stockpile is not huge. It consists of enough products bought at a great price to get me through to the next sale.

If there is a special promotion or super sale that does not happen often, I will buy more of the sale item than normal. For example, I was recently able to get toilet paper very inexpensively. It was a special promotion that only happens once a year in my area and I happened to also have coupons. So, I bought a few months worth of tp. It does not expire, it is something we can always use and I knew I would not find it at that price again soon so I bought more than I usually would.

Do you have a stockpile? Have you blogged about it? I would love for you to share a link to your post in the comments.

Winner of the Fiber One Giveaway!

2011-08-06T08:30:00.001-04:00

The winner was selected by random.org and is #29 Alisha. She has been contacted by email and will be receiving her package shortly.
Thanks to all who played!
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Last day for the Giveaway

2011-08-05T13:31:00.002-04:00

I am still alive so I am still having the giveaway!
If you have not yet signed up for the Fiber One Gift Pack giveaway you have until tonight at midnight! Good Luck!
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Serious as a Heart Attack?

2011-08-03T15:45:00.000-04:00

I had a "cardiac episode" in the supermarket. That is what it is being called until I have more tests done to determine exactly what happened and if there is any heart muscle damage.
I was going to keep this info low key for a while but the cat got out of the bag. I was talking about my situation with a dear friend and apparently forgot to mention the "keep it quiet" part.
Within minutes of our conversation the phone started ringing. Literally 30 minutes later someone showed up at my house with a meal. The calls just keep coming so I have decided to write about it a little sooner than expected.
Yes, I have an awesome, loving church family and I am eternally thankful.
So, what goes through your mind when you have a "cardiac episode?" Well, my thoughts went like this:
Look, london broil is on sale. Should I get one or t...WHAAAT THE FUDGE?!?! Did I just get shot? Is somebody standing on my chest?
my back hurts...
my throat is tight...can't swallow...am I choking?
is this a heart attack?...
I feel dizzy...
DON"T PASS OUT IN SHOP RITE! PLEASE don't let me pass out in Shop Rite! I could never show my face here again and I love this store. PLEASE don't let me pass out in Shop Rite.
grab my purse. call bill. get outside!
Is it raining? No, I'm still inside. Where is all the water coming from? Oh gross! It's sweat. I'm soaked...no one will want to CPR me covered in sweat...
get outside...get outside...how big is this store?!?...get...out...side...
Call bill...pick up...pick up...VOICE MAIL! get to the car and call again...
Okay...Bill will be here soon...sit in the car and wait...
I guess i have to go the the ER...
did i wear torn underwear?...
I feel nauseous...maybe I have a stomach bug...i didn't eat maybe i am just hungry...
sparkly lights in my eyes...pretty...
i feel sleepy...i'll just rest...
oh Bill's here...i'm starting to feel better..let's just go home, I need a nap...
So, that is what we did. Went home and I rested. I went to the doctor the first thing in the morning and she was NOT happy that I went home. I got a nice talking to about things like a critical first hour and time is muscle, etc.
Some things I find interesting in retrospect:
I was not afraid to die. I knew my family would be okay. I felt somewhat peaceful. I determined that being unconscious in the supermarket is not okay but being found dead in the car is.
The next few days are filled with appointments and tests. I'll update when I know more. If you don't hear from me in a week or so I probably died. But it's okay! I'm not scared. and I have new underwear.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Week One of the Extreme Budget - Today's Haul

2011-08-01T13:45:00.001-04:00

Today I went to CVS and Shop Rite and got all the things you see in the picture including the 4 reusable bags. Total out of pocket was $17.73

Total Savings: $81.52 (82%)

Here is what I bought:

3 boxes of Splenda essentials

.75 lbs beef brasciole

2.5 lbs grapes

2 lbs plums

3 lbs peaches

2.5 lbs cheese

6 jars skippy peanut butter

2 pkgs panty liners

2 tubes Colgate Pro-Sensitive

1 Swiffer starter kit

4 reusable grocery bags - free as part of a promo

Honestly, when I look at the picture I am a little disappointed because it does not look like $99 worth of stuff. However, I did get some high priced items for free. For example, the splenda is usually 4.00 each and I got it free and the Colgate is usually 4.99 each and I got those for free also.

Need Help Couponing?

2011-08-01T09:41:00.000-04:00

As you may remember, I recently cut my grocery budget in half to $60 per week. I also started doing "extreme" couponing. There is a lot to learn about the ins and outs of stretching our pennies.
This morning I just want to give another quick shout out to a the We Use Coupons site. When ever I have a question they have the answer.
In searching the internet for information and ideas about couponing I have come across a few interesting things that I would like to tell you about.
There are several online forums devoted to saving money and using coupons. However, some of them are full of bickering and some encourage unethical practices. This is one reason I am so impressed with We Use Coupons. Their forum is carefully moderated and proper coupon usage is strongly encouraged. The moderators (who are all very nice and helpful) do not allow a thread to continue if it contains talk of how to misuse or abuse coupon policies. They stay updated on all stores policies and pass the information on to the members immediately.
They also have a great coupon data base that I just found. If you need something and want to know if there is a current coupon for it, just go to the database and search. It will tell you what coupons are available and where to get them.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Great CVS Deals this Week

2011-07-29T13:49:00.001-04:00

Here are my favorite deals at CVS for this week (7/31-8/6)
*2 FREE Skinny Cow chocolate candies after coupon and ECBGet $0.99 ECB wyb Skinny Cow Singles $0.99 (limit 1)Q=BOGO skinny cow singles chocolate candy and get one free (.77oz-1oz), up to $0.99 (7/31 Red Plum insert)

*Colgate toothpaste .49 each after coupons and ECBGet $3 ECB wyb Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste 4oz (limit 2)Q=$1.50/1 Colgate Sensitive Pro-relief Toothpaste (7/31 Smart Source insert)
*Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor .99 after coupons and ECBGet $5 ECB wyb Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor 1ct $9.99 (limit 1)Q=$4 Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor (7/31 P&G insert)
These are just the ones I will be using. For a complete listing of CVS coupon match-ups and deals you can visit the page of CVS Deals on WeUseCoupons.
Let me know how you do!
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

A Day in the Kitchen

2011-07-28T17:15:00.000-04:00

This morning when I went out to water the garden there were lots of ripe tomatoes and beans. So, I decided today would be a good day to get some cooking done.
I started out by dunking the tomatoes in boiling water and skinning them. Then chopping peppers and onions and putting it all on to simmer down to make stewed tomatoes.

I threw the ingredients for bread dough in the mixer. I love my mixer because it has a great "auto-kneed" setting. Just push the button and when the dough is done the mixer turns off.

I got distracted with other kitchen chores and the dough tried to get away.

I caught it in time and made a braid to go with dinner tonight, a loaf of bread for tomorrow and a nice size lump of dough for the fridge to be used over the next few days.

Then I blanched some green beans for the freezer.

The eggs had started piling up in the fridge so I hard boiled some for salads.

I took a break to eat a slice of homemade toast with a big slice of garden tomato and some horseradish cheese.

After everything was over I ended up with:

Two quarts of stewed tomatoes for the freezer, two quarts of green beans for the freezer, bread for two days and plenty of dough, a dozen and a half hard boiled eggs, gallon of iced tea, pasta sauce for tonight's dinner and lots of scraps for the chickens.

I was feeling a little down and a nice day in the kitchen was just the thing to lift my spirits.

My Budget Makeover - Extreme Frugality Edition

2011-07-28T09:48:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I wanted to try to cut my household budget in half. Beginning August 1st that will be happening.
I will have $60 per week to spend on all food, clothes and household needs.
A little over a year ago my budget was reduced to $120 per week. At the time I was so upset! I could not imagine making ends meet for so little. Sometimes it was very difficult!
Today, prices are higher and till going up. However, this time I am not upset. I am excited. It is like a game and I intend to win!
The first thing I did to make this happen is made sure my pantry is stocked with a few weeks worth of food. I did that by chasing in all the change I have been saving for years. All the coins I find while vacuuming and doing laundry, the pennies no one wants to pick up from the sidewalk, etc. I ended up with $364. All of that went to stocking my shelves.
Now that my shelves are stocked, I will buy only sale items at rock bottom prices with coupons. I have a very detailed plan for this which includes a price book, menu plan, inventory sheets and my coupon binder. I put all of this together with the help of the wonderful community over at We Use Coupons. They are very knowledgeable and super supportive.
Another way I am going to make this happen is by cooking from scratch as much as possible. A few basic ingredients can be used to make a large variety of meals. My favorite resource for this type of cooking is the More-with-Less Cookbook by Doris Janzen Longacre.
I will be tracking my progress here on the blog, and will post my monthly savings in the sidebar. I will also try to fill you in on my favorite deals of the week so you can take advantage of them if you like.
Yes, this all takes lots of time but right now I have much more time than money so I am willing to do the work.
Do any of you have extreme budgets? I would love to hear about how you do it!
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Giveaway!

2011-07-27T09:40:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since I've hosted a giveaway here on TMH but today I have a super one to tell you about! It includes a sensor pedometer, a neoprene iPod/phone holder and a box of Fiber One 80 Calories Cereal.

Last week I received one of these packages and have had so much fun with it!

I can use the pedometer while I work in the garden and around the house. It is surprising to see how much walking I actually do in a day! It is lightweight and I don't even notice it is there. It also comes with a USB connector to chart progress on the computer.

The neoprene iPod/phone holder is great for when I am working outdoors. It keeps my phone safe and accessible, and it is very comfortable.

I have been a fan of Fiber One for a long time. I find their products to be very tasty and they help keep me feeling full. I had never tried the 80 Calories cereal before so I was excited that it was part of this package. It is just as good as all the other Fiber One foods!

Would you like a chance to win one of these awesome packages? You can earn up to 8 entries, just follow the simple directions on the form below.

One random winner will be chosen after midnight on Friday August 5.

**********************************************

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

Disclosure: Fiber One 80 Calories cereal, information, ad giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Great Deal for Quiznos Lovers!

2011-07-27T07:23:00.001-04:00

I love Quiznos so this is just a quick note to let you know that Groupon is having a great deal for Quiznos today. $6 for two subs or two salads!
Because of my new "frugal experiment" I don't usually splurge on take out but this is an awesome deal.

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

A Gardener's Most Useful Trait

2011-07-24T09:34:00.001-04:00

Growing food for my family is one of the more rewarding aspects of my homemaking.
Everyone who gardens knows that there are frustrations from time to time. For example, the seeds that never germinate or the rabbit that eats the strawberries. These little inconveniences are part of the life of a gardener and we make adjustments to accommodate them.
What happens when the problems in a garden become overwhelming? I had a chance to find that out.
Here are some of the difficulties I have faced in my garden this year:Half of my strawberry patch did not survive the winter. The other half was eaten by rabbits.A particularly nasty storm blew all the plums off of my young tree.

I lost several hundred pounds of grapes to a fungus. My natural remedies just could not beat it in time.Powdery mildew has taken over my squash and cucumbers and is threatening the tomatoes.

Yesterday I went into the garden in the intense heat of the day and looked around and decided I would throw in the towel. I would not plant another garden.
After a few hours of feeling sorry for myself I decided that I would not give up. I chose to look at the successes of the garden, even if they are outnumbered by failures.
The potatoes are plentiful and healthy.

The green beans are still producing wonderfully and the tomatoes are delicious.

There is still beauty all around.

Hyacinth near the pond.

Hyacinth near the driveway.

Lavender by the barn.

Gardeners, like homemakers, need tenacity. It is our most useful trait. We can't just give up when things go badly. We need to gather our strength and courage and move forward.

Some years are better in the garden than others. No matter how bad the crops fail, there are still blessings to be found.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

This post is linked to The Christian Home Magazine Issue 25
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Homemaker Creed

2011-07-23T09:44:00.000-04:00

This is from a vintage Betty Crocker cook book. I love it.What do you think?
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

I Just Got My Vistaprint Order...

2011-07-21T19:46:00.001-04:00

A couple weeks ago I decided I needed business cards to hand out. So I went to Vistaprint because I had heard good things about them. I have to say, I am so pleased.
I had some questions so I emailed them. The customer service was fast, friendly and extremely helpful.
When I received my package I was impressed with the quality of the products.
Check out the super cool stuff I ordered for my business.

I got:

250 business cards for free.

a self inking stamp for free.

a pen with my biz info printed on it for free.

and a t-shirt with my logo and biz name for 10.49

I could have just ordered all the free stuff, there was no required purchase to get it. Vistaprint offers fantastic deals and sales all the time. If you make a purchase and then sign up to receive emails they will send you special codes to get free and reduced items.

They have lots of stuff that can be personalized, not just business items. I know a few people who upload their family pictures and have Vistaprint put them on t-shirts or mugs for holiday gifts.

I am putting their banner on my blog because they are a company I can whole heartedly endorse. Honestly, I couldn't be happier with the products or service.

If you are looking for any kind of personalized items for business or fun please consider using Vistaprint. Why not take a few minutes to head over there and design a business/contact card. You can order 250 for free.

My Coupon Binder

2011-07-21T09:15:00.000-04:00

There are lots of different ways to organize your coupons. I used to use a box and envelope system. I am currently using a binder system. Would you like a peek inside my binder? Here ya go...

I use a Case velcro closed binder. Most couponers recommend a zippered closure.

This is the back of my binder. It has a small mesh pocket.

Inside the front cover are two pockets. One is zippered mesh where I keep scissors, pens and coupons I need to file. The other is behind that and does not have a closure.

Also inside the front cover is an 6 pocket accordion file. I keep sale papers and uncut inserts in these pockets.

The first thing I have in the rings of my binder are several zippered pencil cases. The first one is where I keep my receipts. I save these for several months.

Next I have a separate zippered case for each store I will be shopping. I put my list and all appropriate coupons and catalinas in each case. That makes it easy to grab and go when I get to the store.

Then there are calendar pages. I use these to record the expiration dates of my CVS Extra Care Bucks and catalinas. I record these because they do expire and they are like cash. It is not a big deal if a coupon expires but if you let a catalina expire it is like throwing money away.

Next is the heart of the binder. The coupon pages. I use a variety of page protectors to hold my coupons. I use 9 pocket trading card holders the most but also use 2, 3, 4 slot holders and some full page protectors.

I have the pages divided into sections and subsections:

Food

bread, baking, beverages, canned, cereal (subsections: Kellogs, General Mills, Post, Other), condiments, frozen, pasta and rice, meat-cheese-dairy, snacks

Non-Food

cleaning (subsections: Lysol, Febreeze, Swiffer, Mr. Clean, laundry, dish washing, misc.), Health & Beauty (subsections: insect repellent & sunscreen, feminine hygiene, oral hygiene, soap and body wash, deodorant, hair care, skin care, shaving, OTC meds, supplements, first aid), pets

Finally, in my binder are my master shopping and inventory lists and my price book.

Would you like to set up your own coupon binder? Below are links to the products I recommend. (These are the best deals I have found either online or in stores.)

First you need to select a binder. I suggest getting one that is larger than you think you will need. All the serious couponers I talk to say the same thing, "you will outgrow your binder before you know it."

You can choose a simple zippered binder:

Or you can go with a 2-in1. This is the hottest new thing in coupon organization circles. It has two binders in one unit. Most people use one side for food coupons and one side for non food coupons. I have to admit that I really like these and will probably invest in one as soon as I can afford it.

Next you need some section dividers.
You are going to need a lot of these. The most economical and flexible option is to make your own using stick on tabs. Just write the name of your section and stick the tab to the first page protector in that section.

Next you will need a lot of page protectors in various styles. You will most likely use the 9 slot trading card holders the most. You will also use several 2,3 & 4 slot holders and some full page protectors.

Now, start gathering your coupons and get organized for saving!

Very Interesting...or Should I Say Angering...

2011-07-20T16:05:00.000-04:00

After writing my earlier post, We Need a New Contentment, I found an interesting link to an article. It was posted by Kat over at Self Sustained Living.
It relates closely to what I wrote earlier. The article is Modern Poverty Includes A.C. and an Xbox.
According to the article, my proposition that we need to adjust our thinking might be wrong. Perhaps we should reconsider what is necessary and look to the government for assistance meeting those needs. (That was sarcasm, in case you were unure)
Many things about the article and accompanying study disturbed and angered me. I would love to get your opinions on this.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

We Need a New Contentment

2011-07-20T08:56:00.000-04:00

Recently I have been hearing of more people loosing their jobs and families loosing their homes. This is a very sad trend that I don't anticipate reversing anytime soon.
As our country and world go crazy around us we need to find a way to get through the storms. Attitude can make the difference between surviving and thriving.
We need to change our perceptions of what is "acceptable."Are we content with what we currently have? What about if the car breaks down? What if we can't afford to buy our children new clothes for school?
We need to find our contentment and joy in things other than our possessions and circumstances.
We need to figure out how to do more things for ourselves.
Millions of people live joyful lives in what we average Americans would consider unacceptable squalor.
Even in our own country there have always been those who live in poverty, yet still find contentment and joy. Do we need all the latest gadgets to make us happy? Do our children really need the latest video games and smart phones?Beauty can be cultivated anywhere. We simply need to adjust our ideas of what is beautiful.I look to the past for encouragement, to the people who lived through the Great Depression. They had each other and a pioneer spirit and not much else.
If we are going to survive this new economy, we need to find a new contentment.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Being Prepared for Illness

2011-07-18T10:37:00.001-04:00

Saturday I did a bit of grocery shopping and shortly after I got home I was hit with a migraine. I took my meds and went to bed. The meds didn't help so I took some more. I reached the maximum dosage allowed and still no help. Then I took a Vicodin (left over from my injury). It didn't touch the pain.
The migraines I get take away my vision and cause vomiting and extreme pain. They are debilitating. There was no way that I could do any work around the house. I was thankful that I had recently cooked some meals for the freezer.
My family had food that just needed to be put in the oven which was a great relief. They would have gladly cooked for themselves but they would have needed some guidance from me. I was not up to helping even a little.
By Sunday morning the migraine was gone but I felt like I was hit by a truck. I slept 16 out of 24 hours. I did get up to fix dinner which involved another frozen meal and a fresh salad from the garden. Today I am still recovering so I will probably use another freezer meal for dinner.
It took me a years to actually want to prepare for times of illness. For some reason I thought that acknowledging my limitations was a bad thing. The reality is that these times do come and when they do it is so much better to be prepared for them.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

A Frugal Self Reliant Meal

2011-07-15T15:03:00.000-04:00

Last week we had a really wonderful frugal, self reliant meal of fish and chips.

Matt caught the fish. The potatoes that were made into oven fries were from the garden. The green beans were also from the garden

Okay, it was not 100% self reliant. I made tartar sauce from purchased mayonnaise and Old Bay spice but I did use homegrown, homemade relish in it. Also, I purchased the oil for frying and the wheat that I ground to make flour for coating the fish.

Still, the majority of the meal was the fruit of our labors and that felt good and tasted delicious!

My Quest for the Green Stuff

2011-07-14T13:02:00.001-04:00

As my regular readers probably know by now, I have been looking for ways to make some extra money while I work on increasing the client base of my business.
I have run across the usual suggestions such as taking surveys and selling on Ebay. Has anyone tried these? I have. Several years ago I sold quite a but of stuff on Ebay and while it was profitable the experience was less enjoyable than going to the dentist.
I also learned that ChaCha is hiring Vetters for .005 cents per question. If you are really good at it, you can earn $2.50 an hour.
Did you know you can earn a six-figure income by working only 2 hours a week? Apparently it is a big secret that is only shared with a select group of individuals. If you would like to enter the inner circle of knowledge simply send $29.99 to GetRichQuick(dot)scam.
After several wasted hours trying to discover the secret to fast, easy cash I decided to stick with what I know.
First, practice extreme frugality, to a point. Frugality is like a game or a hobby to me. I love getting the most for my money. I love finding deals and sharing them with you on this blog and through Facebook. However, it is also important that I never reach the point where my family feels deprived or desperate. The spiritual and emotional health of my loved ones is more important than a great deal on toilet paper.
Next, selling out can be a terrible idea. There are some opportunities to make serious money that are just so slimy I can’t go there. Yes, it is a lot of cash but I need to be able to sleep at night.
Finally, selling out can be a good idea. It depends on what you are compromising. For instance this site. There was a time that I thought I would never monetize my blog. Then I decided to compromise and give it a try. I like getting a couple hundred dollars extra a month so, yes, I am selling out.
The money I earn here provides me with enough flexibility in my business to accept only high quality clients and turn down the jobs I would rather not take.
However, what I promise to never compromise on is the content that keeps you awesome readers coming back. To my surprise, you keep coming back and wading through my rambling posts. For that I am extremely grateful.
Hugs to you all.

Companion Planting Resources

2011-07-12T12:10:00.000-04:00

This is in follow up to my last post about my companion planting experiment. I actually meant to give my suggested resources in that post but I forgot.

Thankfully, LynnMarie jogged my memory when she commented asking me if I had any books to recommend on the subject. Thank you LynnMarie!

There are many books out on the topic of companion planting. I believe all of the titles listed below are equal in the amount and quality of information they offer. However, if I had to recommend just one book it would be How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons.

Please note that this book only devotes 4 or 5 pages to the topic of companion planting. The reason I recommend it is because it tells you everything you need to know to get started growing an organic vegetable garden in a small space. If you can only buy one book on gardening, this should be it. Highly recommended!

The next book I recommend almost as highly as How to Grow... is Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte. This is a comprehensive guide that in enjoyable to read. I love to read books by authors that enjoy their subject matter. Carrots love tomatoes is one of those books.

Here are some other options which all provide reliable information.

Do any of you have any resources to add to this list?

~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Companion Planting Experiment

2011-07-12T09:11:00.001-04:00

When I began gardening 5 years ago I read a lot about natural and organic growing. I knew that I wanted as much sustainability and as little chemicals in my garden as possible.
One of the ways to achieve this is through companion planting which means growing certain types of plants close together while keeping others apart.
In previous years I planted the suggested companions but never really paid a whole lot of attention to the results. This year I decided to try a casual experiment. I planted some vegetables with their companions and some without. The results of this experiment are already starting to come in... and they are very interesting!
Borage is an herb that is said to deter worms and increase the growth and flavor of tomatoes.
I planted a row of 20 tomato plants. All the tomatoes are from the same seed packet, were started and transplanted on the same days and I have cared for them all exactly the same. The only difference is that I planted Borage between some of them.

It is difficult to see but this is a pic of borage among tomato plants (and some weeds).

Here is a tomato plant that is next to the borage:

Here is another:

Here is a tomato plant that is not close to borage:

These are not anomalies in my garden. All the plants near the borage are showing the same growth as do the plants away from the borage.

Another companion team that I planted this year is pole beans and potatoes. I have two bean towers and they are both planted with Kentucky Wonder pole beans. One tower sits next to the potato patch, the other tower is several feet away. Again, all planted and cared for exactly the same.

I took pictures a few weeks ago when the growth started. The first photo shows the plants that are away from the potatoes.

The next photo was taken the same day and shows the growth of the bean plants that are next to the potatoes.

I have been harvesting large beans for several days from the plants near the potato patch.

I have not been able to harvest much from the other plants. They are still at this stage:

The potatoes will not be ready to harvest for several weeks but it is fine to dig some immature potatoes to have as a treat every now and then. So, I took some from the plants that were close to the beans and some that were far away. As for the potatoes, there seemed to be no difference. But they sure did taste good!

Do you companion plant your garden? Have you noticed any benefits?

Frugal Freezer Cooking - 18 meals for $89

2011-07-11T11:14:00.002-04:00

Last week I was able to get some good sale prices on meats. So, I bought as much as I could afford and froze it. This week I will be bulk cooking and freezing meals.
I will be making 18 meals for my family of 4 for $89.
All of the meals will be supplemented with fresh vegetable from the garden.
Here is what I bought: (I rounded up the prices by a few cents)4 lbs Italian sausage at $2.49 per lb. = $1010 lbs chicken tenders at $1.98 per lb =$203 whole chickens at .95 per lbs = $1710 lbs whole grain and vegetable pasta at .20 per lb. with coupons = $212 cans stewed tomatoes at .50 each = $612 jars pasta sauce at .99 each = $121 bottle ranch dressing = $14 lbs mozzarella at 1.50 per lb = $61 lb cheddar = $33 lbs ricotta for $32 lbs butter at $2 per lb.= $42 lbs brown rice $3teriyaki sauce $2
Other ingredients that I already had:eggs from the chickenslettuce from gardenpeppers from gardengreen beans from the gardencucumbers and tomatoes from the gardenonionscanned mushroomsspices and seasoningsflourhot saucemayo relishdry milk
Here is what I will be making with the above ingredients:2 x Sausage, Peppers, Onions over Pasta 3 x Baked Ziti with sausage2 x Firehouse grilled chicken2 x quiche4 packs of cooked chicken meat and 12 cups chicken broth for use in: chicken salad sandwiches, chicken ranch salad, chicken a la king x23 x buffalo chicken tenders2 x teriyaki tenders with brown rice and green beans
I am linking this post to Works for Me Wednesday and a great new meme - The Mommy Club Resources and Solutions.
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

Menu Plan Monday

2011-07-11T10:54:00.002-04:00

Here is a quick list of the meals I have planned for this week. Monday:B - OatmealL - Turkey SandwichesD - Broiled Flounder, sauteed spinach, new potatoesTuesday:B - OatmealL - Egg Salad SandwichesD - Sausage, Peppers & Onions over Pasta, SaladWednesdayB - WafflesL - Chicken Ranch SaladD - Grilled Chicken, green beans, cucumber salad, baked beansThursdayB - OatmealL - Buffalo Chicken Tenders, vegetable trayD - Baked ziti, SaladFridayB - MuffinsL - Tuna Macaroni SaladD - Cheese SteaksSaturdayB - Breakfast sandwichesL - QuicheD - London BroilSundayB - Bagels & Cream CheeseL - Taco SaladD - Marinated grilled chicken kabobs
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~

My Business

2011-07-08T11:23:00.000-04:00

I thought you might like to see what I do in real life. Here is a link to my business web site:
Homemaker for Hire
~All content is copyright 2011 by Lorie Dunlevy - The Midlife Housewife~