Saturday, August 30, 2008

Fall cleaning

I personally like to do an autumn cleaning, just like a spring cleaning. It's time to get rid of the spider webs lurking in the corners. Give everything a thorough cleaning before winter sets in.

I also find it a good time to replace the white vinegar and water I mixed up in a spray bottle in the spring. See if I need a new box of baking soda as well. As we all probably know, these two ingredients can get just about all of our cleaning done. Who needs strong, potentially harmful chemicals in their house?

Also, let's not forget Borax. I use it in my laundry to help with the hard water found here in south central Indiana. It can also be used to clean up pet stains and odors, can be used as a bug controller, and a general household cleaner. You can find it in the laundry section at the grocery store. Which reminds me, I am out of borax.

Not to change subjects, but I received a Lehman's catalogue in the mail yesterday. It's like an old time wish book, considering I like practical, rural, older things. As I flip through the pages, it's a trip down memory lane, as well as a reminder of some tips and tricks I was taught, or saw my grandmother use as she went about her day.

I believe we should live our lives with a mix of old and new things. If we come up with a nice blend of new technology, old fashioned habits, and experience, I think we're better able to handle the times when things go awry, such as when we go through a power failure due to inclement weather.

Tip for cleaning: Use a microfiber cloth to dust, and cut out the use of dust sprays. These cloths work great, pick up any mote of dirt, pet hair, lint, etc. Are easy to clean in hot water, and are very reusable. Find them at any dept. store, usually in the auto section.

~ Paula

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

What do I do with these things?

I've been thinking about the uses for the lids to laundry detergent jugs. The community recycling center will take the empty jugs, but not the lids, so I have accumulated several over the past several months.

I hate to throw them in the trash. The thick, heavy plastic won't break down anytime soon, and we throw too much away in the first place. So, in thinking about how to reuse these things, I've realized they make great scoops, can become plant starters, be sorting containers for beads or seeds, or anything small. They are a measuring cup, a tiny basket. They are whatever I can make of them.

Feel free to share your uses of the small, mundane things we tend to throw away. I'm always on the alert for creative ideas. Not only do I stretch my imagination, I help to save the planet in a small way, but hopefully one that adds up over time. That's well worth the effort to reduce, reuse and recycle.

~ Paula

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Making soap


Here's a picture of some of my jars of peach butter made Friday evening. I do have to say it turned out great, with a thick consistency and wonderful flavor. That make me happy!


I made a 5 lbs batch of soap today, lavender to be exact. It's now sitting in the mold, curing. I should get 20 bars of soap from this. If a person figures their household uses one bar of soap per week, 2o bars will give them a five month supply. That's not too shabby.

Tip: You can almost alway assume the cost of soap you hand craft yourself, will cost you at least half of store bought soap. Plus, it has great lather, leaves you feeling clean and doesn't dry out your skin. That alone is worth making your own.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Welcome!

Welcome to The Kitchen Girls Blog. Here you will find tips on country living/sustainable living skills, as well as recipes, and tips for simple living, or any information we think is useful to promote simple living.

Today, I made Peach Butter, using one half peck of fresh peaches purchased at a local farmer's market. I used my slow cooker to cook down the peeled and diced peaches while I tended to my busy work schedule. This evening I added spices, cooked the butter down to a thicker consistency and filled nine jelly jars. These I processed in a hot bath for 15 minutes. Voila! Homemade peach butter that I will enjoy during the winter months.

Peach Butter Recipe

1/2 peck of peaches, approximately 25-30 peaches
(tip: 5 peaches will about fill a pint jar.)
2 cups sugar
1 Tbs of Pumpkin Spice

Clean the peaches and slip the skins. If the peaches are ripe they will be easy to peel, or dip in boiling water for 30 seconds, dip in ice water. The skins will peel right off. Discard any bruised sections and blemishes, and the pits.
Cut the peaches into small pieces, place into crock pot, add the sugar and mix well. Turn the crock pot to the low setting. Let cook for 6 to 8 hours.
Prop the lid up to let steam and moisture escape. When the peaches have cooked down, mash any larger pieces, and stir in the spices. If the butter looks runny, turn the slow cooker to high, remove the lid and cook to a thicker consistency.

This recipe will fill 9 to 10 jelly jars, or half pint canning jars. Hot pack the jars and process for 15 minutes.

~ Paula