M&M Marbled Biscotti Recipe

This was one of my Thrift Store finds. This recipe card indicates a baking time of 35 minutes makes 24 pieces and is freezer friendly. How great is that!! Under Tips on the bottom right hand corner how to get the best results in the freezer.

Thanksgiving Dinner for 1 Please

The Holiday Season can be a difficult for those who have lost loved ones or not near family or friends.

Dinner for 1 Please. I truly believe that we can create our own joy and happiness in simple ways.  Nor worries you can enjoy this Holiday for 1! Think of the things you enjoy this could be the Hallmark Channel, Crafting, Woodworking, Sewing, Scrap Booking, Reading, Puzzles, Journaling, Bible Study, Drawing, Painting, Planning, Cooking, or looking at Photo Albums the list goes on and on.

Decide to do 1 or 2 activities that bring you joy and a therapeutic calm. I know when I hand sew or work on Dollhouse Miniatures this brings me to a serene place. Taking a walk outside does this as well. Reach out and wish family and friends a quick Happy Thanksgiving! Pamper yourself today with hand treatment or mask at home. Where your comfy clothes and cozy socks. Embrace this time with joy. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends here and remember to reach out to those that are home bound, shut-ins, senior citizens and anyone alike that may be alone this time of year! Lets love one another year round not just on Holiday's.

Winter Home Preparation and Car Kit List

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and it will be the coldest one since 1996 in Maryland. The arctic cold air from Canada will sweep in and leave our area struggling with frigid temperatures and wind chills in teens and 20's. This is a nudge from mother nature of how chilly our weather will be in the coming months. I hope all have taken out their winter items here is a list t help get your home ready:

1. Winter Clothes: sweaters, scarves, warm socks, layering shirts, warm pants
2. Winter Coats, hats, gloves/mittens/scarves/ear muffs
3. Winter Warm Shoes: any kind 
4. Winter Car Kit (see below separate paragraph)
5. Home window treatments curtains lined flannel, plastic window treatments (Dollar Tree),caulking (Dollar Tree), carpeting on cold floors
6. Blankets: comforters, throws (around the home for extra warmth), warm flannel bedding or fleece.
7. Room dividers for home that are older/chilly a common practice is to use curtains on the door entry ways to keep the chill out from the main home (by closing out unused or colder rooms). This does help. 
8. Fireplace/wood stove or back up heat source if your blessed to have one of these have enough wood/propane to carry your family through a tough season of cold harsh weather. (We don't have either in our rental)
9. Home Slippers or thick socks to keep the chill away while in the home
10. Sweaters or Cardigans for the home solely that you can leave on a go to place to keep the chill away. Great for the entire family and keeps illness/colds at bay. Its better to take off layers.
11. Humidifier Cool Mist: we have them in our bedrooms to help keep the air with a touch of moisture this helps keeping colds at bay as well. These must be cleaned every few days or 1 time a week.
12. Having your pantry fully stocked at all times so if there is a winter storm you don't have to make a store run.
a. Water, coffee, juices, ciders, teas, cocoa's
b. Food, soups, pastas, rice, beans, veggies, fruit, canned foods
c. Toilet paper, paper plates, plastic utensils, tissues, napkins, paper towels
d. cleaning supplies
13. Medicine: anything your family normally use:
cough and cold
fever reducer
diarrhea/fiber/anti acid
head ache/pain
sore throat lozenges
thermometer (they have these at the dollar tree)
first aid/ace bandages for sprains.
herbal tinctures (if you make them yourself)
women's personal care (pads, tampons, treatments Yeast Infections Azo Cranberry Pills for Urinary Tract Infections etc) 
diapers for families with younger ones
baby wipes for body 
14. Keep a full tank of Gas at all times whenever you can if you need to leave/evacuate you can quickly

Winter Car Kit: Blankets, Warm Hands, Extra Hats/Gloves (Dollar Tree),Water, Food, Extra Warm Clothes, Boots for walking, Medicine/First Aid Kit, Portable Urine Container, Winter Blend Windshield Wiper Fluid, Windshield Snow Remover, Flat Tire Repair Can, Jumper Cables, Playing Cards, A few entertainment items if your stuck for hours in your vehicle.

If you have extra money for the car kits: a battery jumper 

I know this list is not complete if you want to leave any suggestions please leave them below in the comment section. I hope this helps someone.

Making Your Home Your Haven

Making your home a Haven. This can be done little by little.

1. Cleanliness
2. Organization
3. Decluttering when feeling overwhelmed
    a. donating
    b. giving to family/friends/neighbors
    c. selling your unwanted or used items on ebay/poshmark/yard sale/church etc..
4. A home that smells good either by cooking, fragrance, or cleanliness (love the smell of Pine Sol in a home). 
5. Changing your home decor on a budget
    a. Thrift Stores
    b. yard sales/church sales
    c. create a swap party where family/friends can bring 10 items or more they no longer use or want everyone gets to swap for things they may need. Everyone wins. You can even do them by theme ex: Christmas, Autumn, Halloween, Clothes/Accessories, Home Decor/textiles, Crafting, the themes can be limitless.

These 5 Simple Steps begin the journey to making your home a Haven. This has been a journey of sorts for me. I have been donating alot.  I slowly chip away at it each day going room by room and getting myself together. Setting up bags for donation and putting items for other times/seasons away. 

First Step is to Start!

Idea's from Gooseberry Patch

Here is a Spicy Pumpkin Pie Recipe from my Gooseberry Patch Book. Its that time of the year where baking takes center place in our homes. The warm smell of pumpkin cooking in the oven is a wonderful scent that welcomes family and friends. I hope you enjoy.

Thrift Store Prepping Finds

When ever I go thrift store shopping I have a mental list of things needed for the home. These things can range from a simple serving dish to children's clothes and the list goes on from there.

As many of you may know I have been focusing on my prepping needs. Never truly knowing what you may find it's like a treasure hunt of you needs and wants. I scored and found good things. Here is a sneak peek of my prepping finds. I will do a video later this week on my youtube channel with everything I found.

Find No. 1 here you will see a John Hopkins Complete Home Guide to Symptoms & Remedies. This is a large hardback book with easy to understand answers. If there comes a time that we hit with an EMP or Solar event that can wipe out internet, cell, and vehicles all communications unless your face to face. Its important to have these kind of reference materials. I paid $2.99

The second was a rare find for me. This is not your normal book found on the shelves. The BEEKEEPER'S HANDBOOK 4TH Edition BY Diana Sammataro & Alphonse Avitabile. This is a large soft back book. I paid $1.99 inside the book there are printouts for resources and plants indigenous to my area. 

Autumn is here and Home Idea's

In Maryland we have been having cold nights and crisp days. My favorite times of the year are Autumn and Winter. You get snuggle up with warm coats, woolly sweaters, and thick socks. The Autumn brings the brilliance of colors bursting before our eyes. Then the tree's shed their leafs and go to sleep. I remember as a child seeing tree's with bright red leafs that looked like a burst of flame. How wondrous it was to me how God created such unique beauties. Lets embrace this time of year and take in the beauty, colors, and crisp air. Soon the scent of fire places burning will begin. Its a magical time for all to experience.

Lets think of ways to embrace these colors and bring the outdoors  in our homes. 

Being a Mom and My Selfish Mistake

Next to my bed my night stand holds a straw basket lined with a creamy cloth. This basket holds a ton of books and magazines that I want to read along with reading glass's, lotion, chapstick, and kids toys,lol.

Guilt: By the end of the day I'm tired and exhausted. I found myself neglecting my evening reading ritual for my children and myself. Last night I reached for a magazine called Focus on the Family. This magazine I enjoy. I find so much helpful information on marriage, children, life, and my relationship with God. Although, I may read 1 book to my twins but none to my older son. He would pick his own book and read to himself. I should be pushing through and doing the right thing. I normally would read a book and then a Bible Story to ensure that they are walking the right path. 

Being Honest: These Bible readings create a question and answer scenario. These can be quick or long depending on the questions. Because of this I started to push away and not read the way I used to. This is so wrong and I know better. If I can sit on the chair and look at social media or watch a show on my phone I certainly can take the time to read the Word to my children.  

Making Positive Change:  I will start my nightly reading for my children with a smile and gusto knowing that what I am doing is the right thing. It's okay to make mistakes as long as I acknowledge then and correct them. We are all human (Smile). 

New Nightly Ritual: I want to tape a short passage from the Bible on the wall or headboard of my children. I will read it to them every night and have them repeat it to me for a few weeks and see if they can memorize it.

Let's Keep it Real: Now, I know this maybe a struggle for me on those days that I don't feel well or can go another step. But I know with Gods strength I can do this for my children. 

Prepping on a Budget

I just posted a Sams Club Haul (see bleow). I know how difficult it can be to buy bulk food items that are budget friendly and tasty. 
So, I decided to share these buys with you. In this haul I purchased some items for my long term food storage. I bought 2 10lb pound bags of Members Mark Pancake Mix Cost $5.98 each. These only need water and taste very good. I would recommend these. 

Next, I purchased Members Mark Long Grain Rice its a 25lb bag cost $9.48

Lastly, I purchased some Quaker Oats for $8.48 comes with 2 5lbs bags inside the box. 

Here is my video haul of other items I purchased for the home. I plan another trip where I will buy sugar, flour, and salt in larger quantities. I also need to buy food grade buckets to place my goods inside with Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers. Those are on my list to purchase as well. Prepping for my big family is a challenge. I never want to be in a position of seeing my children hungry if I can prevent it. So, I prep!

NASA wants to Save the U.S. from the Destruction of Super Volcano YellowStone

Its important for us to stay in the know so we can be better prepare our ourselves and family. So lets touch on a few topics. Alot of people forget the United States has a Super Volcano Yellowstone that is by all accounts ready for another major eruption. The serious nature of the eruption could throw us into a nuclear winter. The loss of life is inevitable.  However, those who may survive would have to deal with loss of food, contaminated water, loss of medicine, animals dying, plants/fruits/vegetables destroyed etc. They predict after a major eruption there would maybe leave enough food for 74 days. That is a scary thought. How would you and your family survive? Think about this. Sit down with pen and paper jot down what you need to over come such a disaster. Always start with water, food, and go from there.  You would be stuck indoors for an uncertain amount of time due to the ash. Inhaling the ash would kill you. The ash cloud goes around the earth making trip after trip of fall out. This does not even speak on additional eruptions or destruction from the plates shifting from such an eruption. Seriously, think and research this. The main news media is warning everyone of the inevitable. The links below are here for you to read.

https://www.ready.gov/volcanoes

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/volcano.html

Business Insider posted this interesting article:
https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-is-looking-at-how-to-contain-a-volcano-that-may-wipe-out-humanity-2018-10

What are they getting us ready for?

This weekend my sister came over and we had a great time. Bargain hunting at thrift stores and such. After a long day of shopping we needed gas. We went to 2 gas stations. Gas station No. 1 was out of gas completely. Gas station No. 2 had several pumps that were non-functioning. She was on E (empty) and we both thought to ourselves what if this was a SHTF situation or needed to evacuate the area. This would not be a good scenario. The attitudes of other drivers with frustration, cursing, and speeding out of the stations on this normal day was eye awakening moment. Could you imagine in a event. Keeping your gas tanks topped off and having extra at home is important. Especially if you need to get away quickly and as far as possible. These little things could mean the world.

Rationing Food Whats Happening!

Sugar and Wheat

Alot of people are out of touch with the decline in food production in this world. Weather has played a significant role in its decline. The main news/media doesn't report the shortages occurring around the world. It takes a studious person to recognize these events. People are not drawn to food production until it effects them. India has a wheat shortage due to its own weather that destroyed their production other countries are refusing to send them wheat. The U.K. farmers have suffered loss's along with the rest of the world. 

When you see rationing its a Red Light! Mexico produces sugar/sugar cane. Our relationship with them has been strained do to the current administration. The plentiful Imports that we used to get no longer come in as before. In the U.S there are 4 states that grow sugar cane (mainly) Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Hawaii not enough to supply America's needs. Asia is a large producer but our relationship with them along with many other countries are strained. The new Tariff's will hit us as well in many ways the average consumer is not ready for.

I have friends that live in Mexico. Mexico has begun to ration sugar and wheat. This is an alarming action as they are a producer of these. They are restricting the amount anyone 1 person may have per month. If you are caught trying to acquire any additional through the black market there will be much trouble. None of this is in the main news media. 

As soon as I found out yesterday I wanted to share it with all of you. Especially my prepping families. You may want to consider looking at your sugar and wheat stock and seeing if you need more. In the future there maybe problems with supply and demand. 

My Dollar Tree Prepping items

Here are a few items I bought for my preparedness. I hit jackpot at the Dollar Tree. These are the items I purchased. All $1.00 each. All these items go for more money in mainstream stores. I like to mix my dark canned chicken with chuck white makes a good combo.

1. 26 cans Crider Premium Dark Chicken 10 oz US product
2. 10 Old Orchard Apple Cider 64 fl oz
3. 2 Krusteaz Biscuit Mix Country Style just add water
3. Hats and Gloves for the children
4. Warm socks for myself Snugadoos Too
5. Gossner 2% Milk shelf stable good till August 19 2018
6. Campbell's Chicken Gravy 2 cans 13.8 oz

Prepping and Pantry Idea's

Good morning my friends its 8:15 am on a Sunday. Maryland is gloomy and raining outside. We have had rain almost everyday since Hurricane Florence hit the Carolina's. 

I made a decision to work toward preparedness. I must do at least 1 prep a week. I will admit my list changes and grows according to season, life, weather, economical, children (growing) and family needs. I do alot of online shopping for convenience and thrifting to make ends meet. I will be sharing my online deals as they arrive. I received my 1st shipment of 3 yesterday. I bought 1 Augason Farm Powdered Butter for an excellent price a No. 10 can for $17.00 with long shelf life. 

 Here is an economical idea I bought this glass jar with closure to help preserve and keep ants out of my Sugar. I found this gem at the Dollar Tree $1.00. These are also great to hold spices and other foods. We get ants in the home and this helps to deter them from visiting the kitchen along with Essential Oil mixture of Cinnamon and Water spritzed on the counter tops. Smells great and ants dislike it.

Lastly, I went to the Thrift Store and found this lantern for $5.99 its a Ozark Trail Floating Lantern and works!!! I added 4 D batteries I picked up on the cheap from the Dollar Tree. I do recommend buying alkaline long lasting batteries but the cheap ones are good to test items out. I hope you enjoyed my share towards prepping.

You can do it from a small scale to large. Its not a race rather a journey of change in the way you think, buy, and creating new habits to strengthen your new mind set.

Simple Autumn Home Decor

Autumn brings me a feeling of nesting. All the rich deep jewel tones of mother nature. I long to surround myself with them. I have already begun changes in my home. I had white curtains (fabric shower curtains) in my living room and on my rear sliding doors for summer. 

Time to bring in those warm rich colors for the season. I found these curtains about 2 months ago from the thrift 1/2 price off . Someone donated 6 panels. I bought all six each at $4.00 each. They are a lovely toasted dark tan with white cross hatch look and metal grommet circle. The ones below are on the rear sliding door off to the deck. The other panels grace my living room window. 

The beautiful hanging wreath below I found 90% off from Tuesday Morning I paid only $4.99. I was so happy to had found it months ago while visiting my mother. We no longer have a Tuesday Morning close by so it was a treat to go. The green wreath hanger is from the Dollar Tree.

Remember simple changes here and there make such a statement in our homes. I will be sharing my home decor changes with you as I go. 

Hurricane Storm Surge is Serious

I just viewed a very good video on You Tube to give you a visual of what may happen with storm surge/water rising. These are real dangers! I hope you use this as an educational tool for understanding how quickly water can rise and its effects.

Why didnt I.....Hurricane Florence

                          In the face of incoming Hurricane Florence

I wasn't ready. What I needed here is my list.

-Needed more Water (family 6) = 180 gallons a month

1 gallon per person a day

-no cook foods (protein bars, snacks etc)

-tarps for broken windows or leaking roof

-better secondary form of cooking

-propane heater (winter event) propane tanks empty

-food and water in upstairs location in case of flooding

-emergency car bucket not complete nor updated (changes seasonally)

-self contained meals just need hot water (close package and wait)

-several other forms of lighting (led,flashlights, wicks/oil)

-not enough preps on our boat (food,water, etc)

-relocation of first aid for easier access.

-extra gas for car and generator

-did not start canning my own food for extended foods in pantry

-battery or hand crank radio and clock (mine is in the basement) need to find it!

-more organization

-grab and go important documents 

-clothes line system and 2 large buckets to wash clothes by hand

-face masks and eye protection (swimming goggles)

if yellow stone erupts. 

I shared in my video Dollar Tree has great tarps and sternos for cooking (2 hour use) that I should of already had in my stash but none where to be found. I paid 18 bucks for 2 tarps from Ace hardware.  I need to work on my list and get these items into my preps. On my learn a new skill list is canning foods/meats for my family. Now, I'm sure I am missing some things on this list. I will sit down and give some much needed thought to our needs. I challenge you to look at your home and your families needs. Make a list of what is missing in your preps and start chipping away to get your family ready.

PBS The Miniaturist

I was browsing my subscriptions on YouTube. I saw a new show featured on PBS. I nearly jumped out of my chair when I saw the Dollhouse in their new show called The Miniaturist. It is based off the novel written by Jessie Burton "The Miniaturist". I have never read the book but just down loaded a free sample read on my kindle. The book costs a bit on kindle so I may go to the library to try my luck. 

The description provided on PBS:https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/shows/the-miniaturist/

Working on my Prepping Food Stock

A while back I shared that I found a food dehydrator at the Goodwill for a great price it looked brand new in the box with all the paper work. This was one of my things on my list to help with my pantry. 

I believe in stocking up for a rainy day. I had 5 bananas that were needing to be used. I have never dehydrated bananas before so this was a new venture for me. I've checked on the progress and its looking pretty good so far. I am about 4 hours into them. See the picture above.

I am taking on learning new skills and this is one of them on my list. Next, I will be going through my pantry(s) and taking inventory. I will be changing things around and move the foods that need to be used to a different location in my kitchen. I believe this may take me a few weeks a little bit at a time. At the end I will have a clear picture of what I need for my family and what I have on stock. 

Yesterday....time lost or memories created

Yesterday, was a busy day for me. I feel I loose special moments with my children because of the mundane chores. We need to carve out time for our children. They require alot of guidance, love, and support. They enjoy reading times, playing outdoors, creating art, and so much more. Lets take that time for those simple things that seem time consuming and know its a lifetime investment in the character building, memories, and growth of our children.

The picture below you see a mother who stopped to sit outside and play with her child. I often dont slow down enough to capture these moments. They are so fleeting. 

A gentle reminder to savor time with your children, family, and friends.  

Dollar Tree Diy Projects for the Home

I wanted to share what I created while visiting my sister. I made this Blessed Wreath and Acorn Mirror. It felt great to create and bring home a personalized piece. I will post my video down below if you like to hear all the details of my how to. 

The wire wreath I purchased from the Dollar Tree along with the center picture that says Blessed. This was a picture that I took off the wood backing trimmed then added ribbon detail. The material used around the wreath form was long strips of Muslin fabric that I 

cut then tied into knots. That created a sunburst look. I used hot glue on this project. Lastly, the colorful autumn pick was from Micheals 2 seasons ago that I had not used yet.

This is a mirror from the Dollar Tree (you can use any mirror). I picked up 3 packs of loose acorns from the Dollar Tree. I hot glued the acorns to the frame and to the caps side by side. I love this look!!

Pantry Challenge Prepping Time

Prepping is a serious topic for me. What would you do if
your experienced even on of these events in your life:

1. Loss of Job or job injury that incapacitates you for life
2. Loss of life (main income person)
3. Loss of Savings or Retirement
5. Suffered a weather event (flooding, hurricane, winter storm, tornado, earth quake, volcano eruption (Super Volcano Yellowstone in America).
6. Loss of Medical Insurance (You may have a serious condition that needs treatment and medicine monthly).

These types of events will make you refocus your priorities and expenditures very quickly. My immediate reaction as a homemaker would be take stock of pantry (foods, spices, condiments, drinks, and dry goods), medicines, and other daily supplies we use to figure out how long you can stretch things out to make ends meet with no income etc.. I'm thinking of doing some video's where I will pose these questions and see what your feed back would be. This would be very interesting for all.

Side Note: I just read a good book that is a quick read on
Kindle called Over the River and Through the Woods by Susan Gregory. If you read it let me know what your thoughts are. Another friend on YouTube recommended The Journal by Deborah Moore. I haven't read this one yet it is a series.

My Personal Experience with a Hurricane:
I have been without electricity and water due to a hurricane. I can recall the feeling... it was like I lived in the Flintstones era (big smile). Whatever needed or could be done had to be started at sun light and finished by sundown. There was alot of interaction with one another. That was not the norm in the household. You looked to gardening, books, cards, board games, diaries, sketching, cleaning, organizing, crafting, and singing songs. I recall it was hot with no wind to give us a chance of cooling of during the day. The evening's were the only time for a bit of  fresh air. There was no showering and/or water. So, it wasn't pleasant to say the least. I found myself doing things that I would not normally do because of television, phones, or computers that may have taken up my time. It really opened my eyes to the monopoly played by social media/television/and computers. How much we tune each other out instead of tuning in. Just fruit for thought my friends. 

Pantry Time:
Here are some of Pantry Items I bought and shared on a video (see the video below). Now, these may not be what a typical prep item may look like.  Every little bit helps to extended your food stock and supplies. Each family or person will have different things they may concentrate on for example: if you live in desert you would focus on water first etc... I hope this helps kick start a family into the right direction to love, care, and nurture the ones you love by prepping.