My dream has always been to live close to the land. My goal is simpler, sustainable, more self-reliant living. In 2009 my husband and I bought a neglected 1920s-built bungalow on 5 acres, which we've gradually built into our homestead.
I think the alfredo sauce is a great idea for mac and cheese. My alfredo recipe is a bit different from Catie's (which I definitely plan to try), so I'd like to add it to the mac and cheese recipe collection:
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup butter
1 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Melt the butter in a saucepan, then add the cream and garlic powder.
Simmer 5 minutes then add the cheese, salt, and pepper.
When the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy, it's ready to pour over pasta.
I use this for Fettuccine Alfredo, but I think any cheese could be substituted for the Parmesan, as well as the pasta of choice.
I have a couple of small solar setups that serve as recharging stations and for power emergencies. This first one was originally to install a solar vent fan on our back porch. Our back porch is my summer and canning kitchen, which helps keep cooking and canning heat out of the house and I wanted a vent fan there.
The setup was inexpensive and simple:
- 80-watt solar panel
- small MPPT solar charge controller
- 35 amp-hr wheel chair battery
my small solar recharging station
The solar panel is installed on the roof and connected to an inexpensive MPPT solar charge controller.
The light switch was installed to operate the vent fan. The problem was that the 80-watt fan drained the battery too quickly, so I quit using it for that purpose and the switch is not necessary.
The battery is also connected to the charge controller.
Since the battery resides indoors, I installed a sealed (gel) battery.
We use our charging station all the time for everything rechargeable including batteries, headlamps, flashlights, camera, phone, and solar light bulbs.
rechargeable solar light bulbs for camping
The lightbulbs are wonderful for after dark to light the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms, or as a reading light. Better than candles, I think, because there's no danger of pets or kids accidentally knocking them over.
I also have a USB light bulb plugged into the charge controller. It resides over the stove and we use it all the time even when there isn't a power emergency. If needed, it can shine out the back door so we can negotiate the back steps at night when the grid is down.
light bulb with a USB plug is plugged into the charge controller
Our second emergency solar station is larger and used differently. I'll see if I can rustle up some photos to share.
The recipe calls for equal parts of ricotta cheese and kefir, seasoning to taste with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, and a tablespoon of pickle juice. I think yogurt or buttermilk could be substituted for the kefir. This is a favorite on garden salads.
The other day my toaster oven died so i went out to look for a replacement. I was surprised at the selection. Three years ago when I bought the toaster oven I'm replacing, almost all the options were digital. I'm not a fan of digital components and sure enough the clock went out on that toaster oven in less than a month. Anyway, when I looked the choices for toaster ovens at the big box store, almost all of them were mechanical, i.e. knobs and no digital keypads or read-outs. Only a few digital models were available.
I experienced something similar in shopping for a washer and dryer. My 40-year-old washing machine needs replacing and I ordered a mechanical Speed Queen. It's been on back order for 3 months. I had a similar experience looking into a new dryer. Mostly I line dry but having a dryer is handy for threshing wheat or when we have weeks of rain or freezing weather. The mechanical models I looked at (no digital and no smart features) are all on back order.
I admit my observations are limited, but it seems that old-fashioned mechanical appliances are actually quite popular. I can't help but wonder if people aren't preferring these once again because of durability and longevity. I'm wondering if digital features are starting to lose popular appeal?
I'm really encouraged to read this because I have a similar problem in the front room of our house. The southwest corner wall is either terribly hot or cold to touch depending on the season. Like R, I question whether there is insulation in that corner. I've been wondering if a fabric covering would help. it seems like I need to try this! Covering the large window with a quilt + thermal curtain liner + mylar reflective blanket has helped a lot, but I still need to tackle that corner.
Mine arrived yesterday afternoon and I just love them! The topic choices are fantastic and the art work is amazing. The overall design is professional and very appealing. Plus, I really like the color purple.
D. Copeland, I forgot to mention about the Kinder Association newsletter. Membership is $15 from January through December and several times a year they put out an excellent newsletter. Lots of good information about Kinders and goats in general. Highly recommended.
Anyone heard of kikogoats? They are supposed to be great for both meet and milk. Supposed to have a really awesome temperament. The thing I really liked is, they are supposed to be less inclined of diseases. I live in kansas city.And there's a breeder close to me that I was going to go visit.
I had a Kiko buck once. He was gorgeous but he was wild and kept jumping fences to get to the does in heat. I'm not sure if they're all that way though. Around here they are bred as meat goats, but all goats give milk so that might be an option. Definitely visit that breeder!
D. Copeland wrote:Is there a book or other resource that you would recommend on breeding Kinder Goats specifically?
There's not a specific book about Kinders that I know of, but if you poke around the website, there is lots of interesting information. There is also a Kinder facebook group you can join.
Most people have to travel to get their Kinders. I know I certainly did. If you're adventurous, you can breed your own first generation kids with a registered Nubian doe and a registered Pygmy buck. The cross, which became the Kinder breed, gets its milk genetics from the Nubian and its meat genetics from the Pygmy. This is a bit challenging however, and not everyone is successful. But it's an option. Look for "Kinder Starter Kit" on the Kinder website.
My dream has always been to live close to the land. My goal is simpler, sustainable, more self-reliant living. In 2009 my husband and I bought a neglected 1920s-built bungalow on 5 acres, which we've gradually built into our homestead.
