What to do in Florida other than visit Disney (Sorry, Mickey!)

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A few things we did on our trip, and frugal alternatives to Disney for those of you planning your next vacation:

• Meet up with long-time friends and create a few more memories
• Stay at a resort with a great pool and spend the warmer days swimming
• Visit the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens - it's a small zoo, but unique and very nicely done; Gentry was able to hug a llama and pet an armadillo :)
• Visit the Orlando Science Center - be sure to check out the real half a brain (eek!), the hurricane force winds simulator, and the real volcano model
• Walk the boardwalk and see the manatees at Blue Spring State Park; if your children are older, take out kayaks (available hourly) or snorkel the spring
• Stroll the kid-friendly shops and restaurants at Downtown Disney - it's free :)
• Enjoy massive ice cream sundaes at Ghirardelli
• Venture up to St. Augustine, the oldest city in America 

Here are a small handful highlights from our twelve day trip:

Time in the resort with friends.

Little do these two know, we are secretly plotting their wedding :)

I was thankful for a kitchen so that I could cook up yummy breakfasts and also for a whole foods store nearby; here is my omelett, with sprouted grain raisin bread, and the best turkey bacon ever.

I was so proud of my oldest son in this photo -  we took him out for a rather unique dinner, and he bravely tried (and enjoyed!) goat cheese, lamb, crab, and much more.  This made me smile :)

We made great memories, but it's good to be home.

            Warmly,




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Guest Post: 5 Ways to Begin a More Self-Sufficient Lifestyle, Part Two

[image: Kendra's home-baked bread]

~ Precious mamas, my family is off on an adventure this week, and the very talented Kendra from New Life On a Homestead has graciously agreed to share her thoughts with you here today.  This is Part Two of "5 Ways to Begin a More Self-Sufficient Lifestyle."  I'll be back with you all next week to share some exciting news! ~

***If you missed Part One, you can find it here.

4.  COOKING FROM SCRATCH

Nowadays, it seems almost counter-cultural to cook food from scratch at home. I’m talking, from scratch people… and no, hamburger helper doesn’t count! Think of all of the money you’ll save, all of the health benefits you will reap, and the comfort you’ll have knowing that you can prepare a nutritious meal for your family.

Stop depending on fast food chains and the deli to feed your family. Cook it yourself! Learn to make pizzas from scratch (dough and sauce included), home-baked bread, and even condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup, BBQ sauce, salad dressings, vanilla extract, spice blends… anything you’d normally buy already made for you. You can learn to do these things yourself! And I think you’ll be amazed at how easy it is once you’ve given it a shot.

5.  NATURAL HEALTH CARE

Another thing we are entirely too dependent upon is the pharmaceutical industry. If our kids have a cold, we are quick to pump them full of the first syrup we can reach off the shelf.  If we have a headache, we just cover our pain with a few pills. And if we aren’t feeling well, most of us won’t think twice about swallowing a week’s worth of antibiotics. Do you realize that there are natural, healthier alternatives for our most basic health care needs?

I’d strongly encourage you to learn basic natural remedies to treat your family with. Ear infections can be quickly remedied with an easy garlic and olive oil treatment. Urinary tract infections can be relieved with lots of water, vitamin C, and garlic tablets. Pink eye can be cured with breastmilk, or eyebright and chamomile tea bags.

The next time you find yourself reaching into the medicine cabinet, stop for a moment and turn your focus toward finding a natural treatment to try first. Taking your health care into your own hands will save you time, money, and most importantly, the well-being of you and your loved ones.

Of course, these are just a handful of ideas to start with when beginning your own journey to self-sufficient living.  There are so many things you can do to break free from dependence on others, but these are important starting points, and anybody anywhere can do them!  Be encouraged, pick one or two of these skills, and get them under your belt. Then work your way to a more self-sufficient lifestyle!

Kendra is a full time, homeschooling stay-at-home mom to three little ones, with a fourth on the way! Her and her husband moved to the country two years ago, and have been working hard at learning how to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle.  You can follow the ups and downs of their journey at New Life On A Homestead. 
  If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Like a Bubbling Brook - it's free! Or, follow along on Facebook.

Guest Post: 5 Ways to Begin a More Self-Sufficient Lifestyle, Part One

[photo: Kendra's pear preserves...yum!]



~ Precious mamas, my family is off on an adventure this week, and the very talented Kendra from New Life On a Homestead has graciously agreed to share her thoughts with you here today.  This is Part One of "5 Ways to Begin a More Self-Sufficient Lifestyle."  Be sure to check back on Friday for Part Two.  I'll return next week and will share some exciting news! ~

The idea of learning to do more for your family and depend less on others to survive can seem like a daunting task. Where do you begin? Some people imagine the self-sufficient life to mean hauling water from a nearby creek in a bucket and using the bathroom outdoors. Doing more on your own doesn’t have to begin so dramatically (although, I think being prepared for off-grid living is a worthy goal!). Starting slowly is the best way to prevent yourself from being overwhelmed and burning out quickly.

Here are five easy ways anyone can begin living a more self-sufficient lifestyle, and learn to survive without having to depend on others for the most basic necessities:

1.  FOOD

The most important thing you can ever learn is to do is to grow your own food. You don’t have to have a huge yard to have a garden, either. Container gardening can be just as productive, and even more productive, than a traditional garden plot in the yard.

If you are new to gardening, and a little intimidated by the idea, start off by purchasing a few of your favorite vegetable plants from a local nursery. Don’t go crazy and buy a bunch of stuff though; you don’t want to overwhelm yourself! Ask the nursery worker for advice on planting your seedlings at home, borrow a few gardening books from your library or look up info online, and get those beautiful veggies in some soil!

2.  WATER

Another most basic necessity you’ll need to learn is how to harvest water. Even if you are on city water and don’t think you’ll ever need to worry about finding it for yourself, it’s an extremely important skill to have under your belt. You don’t have to use it every day, but knowing that if you had to, you could provide clean water for your family, will definitely be a comfort to you and your loved ones.

If you are on a private well, consider installing a hand pump on it, if you can afford to do so. Or, you can learn to make a small emergency well bucket, like this one, to have on hand, so that you can access your well water when power isn’t available.

Installing rain barrels is another important step toward self-sufficient living. Not only can you water your plants and animals with this precious resource, you could also wash your clothing, dishes, and filter it for drinking water, if you had to. If you’re planning on collecting water from either the rain or from a stream, you’ll need to filter it before it’s safe to drink. You can make a homemade Berkey style water filter for a fraction of the price of the real thing.

3.  CLOTHING

Learning to sew your own clothing is a huge step toward becoming more self-sufficient. Think of all of the money our culture spends on fashion! If you could learn to make simple clothing items for you and your children, what a blessing that knowledge would be to have. If you are new to sewing, start off small by learning to hem, mend, and attach buttons.


...to be continued in Part Two this Friday!  Be sure to subscribe for free email updates of new posts so you don't miss it!

Kendra is a full time, homeschooling stay-at-home mom to three little ones, with a fourth on the way! Her and her husband moved to the country two years ago and have been working hard at learning how to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

You can follow the ups and downs of their journey at New Life On A Homestead.


 
 {also shared at Simple Lives Thursday, Raising Homemakers and WFMW}  If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Like a Bubbling Brook - it's free! You can also easily follow along on Facebook.

~ Have you entered our 1st birthday giveaway yet? ~

Southwestern Black Bean Tacos: Easy, Frugal, Healthy, and Yummy

We've made different variations of these "tacos" for years.  For awhile, I served this just as a bean salad, chilled.  Then I made it without a couple of the ingredients and served them in whole wheat tortillas.  Now, I've tweaked them a bit more, and think they taste best served on some Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas, lightly toasted in an oiled cast iron skillet.  Mmmm!  Lots of flavor!

For the family members that prefer meat, it also works well with a bit of shredded chicken thrown in.  

Here's what you'll need:

1/3 cup of lime juice
salt and pepper
2 tbsp olive oil

2 cups of frozen corn kernels
2 cans (or about 3 1/2 cups) of black beans
1 ripe avocado, chopped
1/4 green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped fine
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

Here's what to do:

Whisk the first three ingredients (for the dressing) in a small bowl; set aside.

Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium high.  Lightly toast corn until spotty brown but not charred, about five minutes.  Remove from heat.

In a large bowl, add the remaining ingredients and the toasted corn.  Drizzle with the dressing and mix well.  Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.

In the same skillet that you used to toast the corn, heat about three tablespoons of oil and lightly toast the Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas, one at a time.  You may need to add more oil to the skillet as you go.

Spoon the bean mixture over the tortillas and serve.

Enjoy!


            Warmly,




If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Like a Bubbling Brook - it's free! You can also easily follow along on Facebook.
 *Shared at Nourishing Gourmet, Ultimate Recipe Swap, Women Living Well Wednesday, Domestically Divine, 5 Dollar Dinners, Tasty Tuesday, {Titus2}sdays, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Real Food Wednesday, Raising Homemakers, and WFMW

Guest Post: Five Simple Ways To Build Your Pantry In 2011

Today I am excited to share this guest post with you from Brandy at The Prudent Homemaker.  I've frequented her site for quite awhile and have gleaned so much from it.  I'm certain you'll find her helpful and inspiring, too.  What a blessing she is!  It's an honor to share her with you here today.

Having a good pantry can bless your family in many ways.  It can be as simple as not having to run to the store at the last minute because you’ve forgotten to buy an ingredient (because you always have everything on hand), to being able to cook a week’s worth of meals when you’re snowed in (and not having to brave the elements and face possibly empty store shelves for bread and milk, to being able to feed your family without shopping for a year because your family has lost their source of income.

In addition, having a well-stocked pantry will save you money (and not just the cost of gas for multiple last-minute store trips) because you can buy things ONLY when they are their lowest price.

Ready to save some money and be more prepared in 2011? Here are five simple ways to build your pantry this year:

1. Shop Sales

It sounds simple, and it is. Only buy food and toiletries on sale. Aim for the lowest priced sales, and only buy when prices are at their lowest. For example, chuck roast may be $4.99 a pound where you live. However, if you wait, it will go on sale. It may go on sale for $2.99 a pound, and you may think that’s okay. My personal rule is no meat over $2 a pound. If you’re willing to eat something else cheaper until the next sale, you can wait to buy chuck roast until it’s $1.99 or even $1.89 a pound.

Many foods go on sale for 50% off, and sometimes even up to 70% off. (And when you’re ready to save even more, coupons on top of sales can take you all the way up to 100% off on lots of items!)

This may sound great to you, but how are you going to eat in the meantime? Besides eating what’s cheapest this week, you can be prepared to only pay $2 or less per pound for meat every single time, by following step #2.

2. Buy More

When you see a great deal on something, stock up. Most sales run in 12 week cycles, so calculate how many you might need to get through to the next sale (or longer). For example, if pasta is on sale for .50 a pound, and you know you eat spaghetti once a month, buy at least three packages of spaghetti noodles. You’ll have only spent another $1.00 more than the one you would have bought for this month, and yet you’ll have saved money for the next couple of months. It may seem like a tiny thing, but as you practice this, you’ll end up spending significantly less in the long run, and you can cut your grocery budget by 60% or more--this year.

3.  Take Advantage of Produce in Season

We all know that peaches taste best in season. Like all fruits and vegetables, they’re cheapest at the same time that they’re the most delicious. Whether you get them from your own garden, a CSA, your local farmer’s market, a friend’s garden, or even from the grocery store, you’re going to pay the least when they’re the best, and wish that they could taste like that and cost like that all year long.

Instead of wishing, do something about it! Buy lots of fruit in season! Take it home, and freeze or can peaches, peach jam, peach nectar, and peach puree for baby food. And of course, don’t forget about apricots, pears, plums, apples, strawberries, and even grapefruit! Not only will this save you money on groceries, but you’ll have some inexpensive Christmas gifts for family and friends as well. There is nothing quite like apricot jam made with the ripest apricots available. Your friends and family will thank you—and ask for the same present next year.

If you’re wondering how you’re going to build up a pantry when you seem to already be eating everything in your house until next pay day, you can use this simple way (#4) to keep your pantry full:

4.  Buy Less Expensive Food

Have you ever added up the cost of your favorite meals? I have. I can feed my family of 8 for anywhere between $1.50 to $8 for all of us (and have leftovers, too!) I can stretch my money a lot further if I eat the less expensive meals more often each month. Many of those less-expensive meals are favorites at my house, so someone is always thrilled! If you eat more soups, rice, beans or potatoes, for example, your family will still be full, and you’ll have more money to use to buy more food for your pantry shelves. In 2010, I fed my family for less than $.70 per person per day. We ate the more expensive meals on occasion, but as we focused on the less expensive meals, we were able to eat plenty of delicious food—even though our income has been cut by 70%.

5.  Buy Staples in Bulk

There are many ways to buy in bulk. If you have a warehouse store like Sam’s Club, Costco, or B.J.’s, bulk purchases are simple. But even if you don’t, there are plenty of other places that you can buy from (and may want to buy from as well). If all you have is Walmart and your local grocery store, look for the big (25 pounds) of rice, beans, and flour on the bottom shelves. Beans for $1.25 a pound may not sound too expensive, but beans for 58.4 cents a pound are even better. Bulk purchases are a simple and quick way to inexpensively build up your pantry.

And if you’re not sure what your husband will think, be sure to stock his favorites more often with the money you’re saving, and have them ready to pull out for late-night dates after the children are in bed. In my pantry, we keep the chocolate chips (in the 5lb. bag) on the top shelf :)

Brandy Simper is the mother of 6 children.  She writes about frugal meals, homeschooling, gardening, sewing, and ways to save money at The Prudent Homemaker.  Be sure to visit her there!


Photos copyright The Prudent Homemaker



 If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Like a Bubbling Brook - it's free! Follow along on Facebook. Try Crown Financial Ministries' online envelope budgeting program, Mvelopes, FREE for two weeks by using this link. Cancel anytime! [ad]


*Shared at Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well Wednesdays, and WFMW

Crown Financial Ministries' Money Restoration Kit - Free!

Some of you who have followed this site for awhile may remember how instrumental Crown Financial Ministries (formerly Christian Financial Concepts) was to our vision for getting out of debt.  Your Money Map, written by Crown's founder Howard Dayton, is one of my favorite books on budgeting and debt-free living.

Right now they are offering a completely free Money Restoration Kit, which includes:

■20-minute teaching video from Chuck Bentley, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries

■The "Money Restoration Guide" (a practical budget planning guide)

■A Crown Money Map™

■Other tools that will assist you all year long

 
What a wonderful gift to offer in the beginning of a new year, while many are trying to get back on track financially!
 
If you like what you see there, you may want to come back here and use my link to get a free trial of their online envelope budgeting software, Crown Mvelopes.  We've used it for several years and it is an invaluable tool for tracking your finances.  My referral link will get you two weeks free to try it, and if you end up continuing after that, an additional 20% discount as well.  Their rate plans are very affordable, and they are risk-free; you can cancel anytime.
 
I hope some of you find the free kit useful!  It sounds very inspiring!

           Warmly,

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Follow along on Facebook.

Upside Down, Spinning Around... Ah, Life With Boys!

Evenings around here are often spent wrestling and rough-housing.  We have boys, after all!

The littlest one has an affinity for Daddy's feet, though, and also for hanging upside down. 

Is he a monkey or a possum?  You decide!

Do your children do this, too?!  Please tell me they do!

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend, dear ones, and I'll see you in the new year.  There are many challenging posts ahead!  Thank you so much for all of your encouraging words; I'm thankful for you, and I'm humbled that you take the time to write and comment here! 

           Warmly,


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If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Like a Bubbling Brook - it's free! Follow along on Facebook.

Try Crown Financial Ministries' online envelope budgeting program, Mvelopes, FREE for two weeks by using this link. Cancel anytime! [ad]

Simple Christmas Decor, and a "Parade of Christmas" Link-up!

We're hosting Christmas dinner at our home this year, and I've been thinking about some simple yet beautiful decor ideas, getting inspired to plan and prepare for a meaningful day.

Here are some decor ideas from Country Living that I'm mulling over ~

ribbons on which to hang Christmas cards

daisies and cranberries

natural packaging, accented with cinnamon sticks

pinecones and pomanders - oranges laced with cloves
(wouldn't this be a fun project for the children?)

mini-trees in teacups

greenery and tealights, against golden hues

stockings hung over the piano

What are you planning for Christmas?  How does your family celebrate the birth of Christ?  I'd love to hear all of your ideas, and thought that a Parade of Christmas link-up would be a great way to share.

You are welcome to link to any of your Christmas-themed posts and ideas, from decor, to recipes, to how you encourage a meaningful Christmas.  I can't wait to read about what you are doing (or not doing)!

As a common blog carnival courtesy, please add this sentence to the bottom of your post: "Please join us at Like a Bubbling Brook for a Parade of Christmas!"  Then link back here so others can join in the fun!






Warmly,







If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Like a Bubbling Brook updates via email - it's free! You may also easily follow along on Facebook.

Ramblings on Gifts, Pies, and Blogs

Yesterday was quite an eventful day around here.

The morning was an especially early one for me ~ I spent much of it preparing for friends that were coming to visit in the evening.  Picking up toys, dusting furniture, running laundry... But then I baked one of these:

And also one of these:

Both are so very good paired with ice cream or coffee...

But, alas, I digress.

It was especially eventful here yesterday because of the many lovely ladies that came to visit Like a Bubbling Brook from Money Saving Mom.  Thank you, Crystal, for including my Homemade Chai Tea Kit idea on your DIY gift post.  It was a wonderful privilege to be included!

Yesterday's link lit an idea in me; I began to think of what a blessing sites like Money Saving Mom have been to our family - and many of you - over the last few years.  I remember following along with Crystal on a couple of her previous sites as well and was always so very encouraged by her posts.

So, today I thought I'd share a few of the other blogs that I've found to be a tremendous blessing, and each of these I've followed for at least a year, some two or three years.  Inevitably, I may not agree with everything they've shared on their sites over the course of time, but the inspiration has been invaluable ~

Eyes of Wonder - She doesn't post often anymore, but her photos, stories of family, and simplicity have been a treasure.  Her children are mostly grown and she has many lessons and thoughts to share.

Cultivating Home - She raises chickens and ducks, lives simply, is rehabbing a beautiful old home for pennies on the dollar, and has such beautiful children; we've never met in person, but I often feel like we are the oldest of friends when I am reading her posts.

The Prudent Homemaker - She says that her site is dedicated to all those who struggle to put food on the table, but I've found her site to be much more than that; her recipes are frugal and delicious, her gardening and canning abilities inspire me, and I really, really desire a thoughtful, well-stocked pantry like the one she's created.

And last, but certainly not least, is my sweet friend Mrs. June Fuentes's blog, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home.  When I first came across her blog a couple of years ago I had no idea that we lived near each other and would one day be spending time with each other's families.  She is a well of wisdom, and I never tire of gleaning from her.  I highly recommend her Christian Mother Series if you have the time.

Be blessed and encouraged today, ladies ~ you were created for such a time as this, in His image, and He knows the plans He has for you.

Do you have a favorite site or blog that you've followed for a year or more?  I'd love to hear about it in the comment section!


           Warmly,



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10 Christmas Gift Ideas for the Kitchen Enthusiast

 

photo credit


Are you looking for some unique gift ideas for yourself or another mama that enjoys cooking and baking? 

Many of the items I've included here are fun - or just plain useful - kitchen items I've accumulated over the years, and you may enjoy giving (and getting!) some of them, too.  Most of them can be purchased on Amazon by using your Swagbucks, and then these gifts would cost even less! 

I've purposefully included ideas for a variety of budgets; for those mamas who only have $10 to spend to those that have $50.

You just might find a gift or two you'd like to receive on this list, too.

Let's get started!

1.  T-Sac Tea Filters- Perfect for a mama that enjoy a cup or two of tea in the morning!  Pair a package of these tea filters with a small container of loose tea and you have a beautiful, inexpensive gift. (under $10)

2.  Dish Drying Mat- Great for setting large pots and pans aside to dry, and folds up for easy storage when not in use.  Space-saving alternative to the traditional drying rack.  (under $15)

3.  Cherry Pitter- This may not get used very often, but it is very handy when I do need it!  You may even want to pair it with some cherry jam or cherry printed hand towel. (under $15)

4.  Gourmet Sea Salts- If you feel like a gift of gourmet salt isn't enough, you may also want to consider a beautiful Salt Box. (under $10)

5.  Olive Oil Sprayer- If you are having a hard time breaking free from fake non-stick sprays like Pam, you will love this Olive Oil Sprayer.  Maybe pair it with a small bottle of olive oil as a gift? (under $10)

6.  100% Pure Maple Syrup- Doesn't everyone LOVE real maple syrup?  I cringe every time I have to buy it, though... what a great gift this would make! (under $25)

 

7.   Bamboo Cooking Utensil Set- You can leave these sitting in the pan and they won't melt! (under $20)

8.  Dutch Oven / Cast Iron Pot- I like this one for its moderate price point and its versatility.  A dutch oven is great for making a variety of dishes, from stews and soups to larger pieces of meat.  I even bake bread in mine occasionally. (under $40)

9.  OXO Good Grips Containers- Fantastic for storing grains, sugar, pasta, etc.  Airtight, easy to open, and you can buy just one, a small set, or a large set.  You decide! (prices vary from $10 and up)

10.  Paring Knife by Cutco - One of the more pricey gift options, this would make a great gift for someone extra-special.  I have an entire set of Cutco knives, and my 2 3/4 paring knife is by far my favorite.  Consider making these knives a gift tradition; maybe buy one each year for your recipient until she has a set?  After a paring knife, I highly recommend one of their chef knives, or, for a bread baker, a bread slicing knife.  These knives make cooking prep much easier, and they will last a lifetime. (prices vary)

Soon, I'll be sharing some frugal do-it-yourself gift ideas that cost only $5 or less.  If you aren't a subscriber yet, now's a good time to sign up for free updates via email! 

What do YOU enjoy giving and getting at Christmas?

           Warmly,




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