What? Perky Coffee Custard...

I am a firm believer in "use what you store & store what you use".
Recently I made custard and coffee custard from stored items. In fact I have made coffee custard multiple times, I love it that much. The bonus is it is made from things I have stored. There are also links in the post that will show you how to pressure can, preserve and store the same items yourself.
The cool thing about custard is the recipe is so basic:
2 cups milk (pressure canned milk)
2 eggs (preserved fresh eggs)
1/2 sugar
VIA ( I use Italian blend coffee)  (associates link)
You may also add DIY vanilla extract. I like it both ways. 
Then you just multiply that times how much you wish to make. 
First you scald the milk by putting the milk in saucepan on the stove at medium heat. Stir as the milk heats up & when small bubbles from around the edge of the pan it is scalded. At this point whisk in one package of VIA ( I use Italian blend coffee)  (associates link) for each 2 cups I am making. Remove from heat. Allow to cool a little. But you could just make a cup of extra strong coffee to add. 

While cooking the milk crack your eggs and whisk together and add your sugar.
Whisk the egg/sugar mixture together with the milk.

                    

Note: how nice the four month old farm eggs look on the right compared to eggs I purchase this week from the store (on the left).

Pour in to a buttered baking dish. For a smoother custard, strain mixture as you pour it into the pan. I find that cooking the custard in a water bath makes a very smooth custard. To do that place the cooking dish into a larger dish (I then place it in the oven) and add water to the larger dish, about half way up.

                          


Now recipes say cook at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. I actually do a lower heat (my oven runs hot) and the test if it is done is to insert a knife into the center and it comes out clean (not milky).

 I will learn not to eat it late at night.

________________________________________________________

Perky Prepping Gramma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

I would love it if you liked me on facebook (Perky Prepping Gramma) and join our awesome community. There you are able to receive all my original content first hand.
Smiles to you.  ~Perky Prepping Gramma~

updated 093014(120)

Those cute little glass bottles and reflexology...

My grandmother was born about 1915. I was very blessed to have her in my life for many, many years. She got married at 16 and moved out to my grandfather's family farm & loved the very large extended family living on the farm.

She was smart as a whip, creative & ahead of her times. From a very young age, I remember reading her Prevention Magazines when we went to visit. Later she started doing reflexology message. I learned from her how effective this method was for relieving pain.

As I learn more about essential oils, I found that using oils on reflexology points & message work extremely well together. After researching many companies, I personally started using Plant Therapy essential oils. Now my wonderful daughter-in-law has started her own doTERRA business and I am also ordering from her to support her.

Now those cute little glass bottles. While I am still looking at placing my first order, I have found that a company named Aroma Tools carries those wonderful little essential oil bottles and many other handy items to use for carrying & dispensing your oils. Their prices are great, like half the cost of other sites I've checked. But, you have to buy in larger quantities. If you want to pay just a little more per piece, but far less quantities, try Plant Therapy (page 2 & 3) again.

So adding the two things together, in addition to the links shared above, I am sharing some additional links. I have been a fan of Dorling Kindersley informational books for years. I have in my library a super great D.K. book on reflexology by Kevin Kunz. These books are sort of hard to find, here is one I would recommend “The Complete Guide to Foot Reflexology: 3rd Revision” by Kevin Kunz.

Also, I have found a super great interactive link for reflexology points on your hands and feet. This is a lot of fun for me as I continue to learn about reflexology. Click on the link above, not the photo.

While I am still learning on this journey, here just a few of the ways I have used essential oils from my blog. Plus, I have recently started using eucalyptus oil, lemongrass & rosemary oils neatly (full strength) on my feet at the kidney pressure point to try to improve my kidney health.

I love this feeling of the circle being complete from the knowledge that my grandmother shared with me as a child and now myself and my daughter-in-law applying that knowledge currently and then sharing my journey with you.
____________________________________________________________

I also have an online Amazon Associate/store called Perky Prepping Gramma's Store. This allows me to show you the products I have personally used and endorse, while monetizing my work. What I found early on was people would ask me where I got such & such an item and I would simply share a link. 
Even on regular Amazon (not prime), on specific items, when your order reaches a certain point, I believe it's $35 the shipping to home is free. So, I created a store of these items I use frequently or recommend. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but I do receive a small percentage as an advertising bonus, if you purchase from my store. You are even able to just link in and do any of your regular Amazon shopping.

What I carry in my purse...

Over the years I have tended to carry a lot of these items. I just don't like to have a situation come up and not be prepared. I try to keep it light.

Let's see...I carry t.p. & hand towels, sanitizer, energizer additive (these are no longer available, so I hoard the few I have left) & emery board.

Mini-med kit: Salt, sugar, band-aides, safety pins, lighter, sewing kit, honey, agave, triple antibiotic, burn gel, alka-seltzer, wet towel. I also carry enough cash at least for a full tank of gas.

Paracord bracelets. The pink one is a gift from Survival Betty.

OTC's and 3 days worth of prescriptions.

Hat

This weekend I am adding a flashlight and a knife.

Other items I always have:

A P-38 on my keychainVarious high energy foods, which I replenished as needed.

Note paper, sharpies, pens, matches & lighter(s).
ID, cell phone, cards (to dig), lip balms...At one time or another I have used most everything here.

Castle doctrine and stand your ground....

Traveling with DH is always a great experience. There aren't any normal distractions and tends to lead to some really interesting discussions.

Last night we were talking about castle doctrine, stand your ground and how it applies to a Commonwealth in the law. It is important to understand your state or commonwealth's laws.

DH and I met in a weapons training course. At that point he was working and teaching at a range and security company. He was impressed at how well I shot and I liked his eyes. LOL. It was a match made in heaven.
First to explain, DH is a Range Master, has been teaching weapons safety & Virginia Concealed Carry Weapon for decades. Plus he has been teaching Utah Concealed Carry Weapon classes for about 10 years.

There is no way I am able to impart even a smidgen of his knowledge to you.

So, I am going to recommend three books he handed to me today to read.

First is "Stress Fire" by MassadF. Ayoob, next is "Inthe Gravest Extreme" by Massad F. Ayoob again (this is out of print, but you can buy it used) and the third book is "Virginia's Gun Owners Guide" by Alan Korwin and Steve Maniscalco. While this one is specifically about the Commonwealth of Virginia, they do have guides for some other states.

                     

I also ran across a wonderful article entitled "Castle Doctrine Explained, What Every Concealed Permit Holder Needs to Know", that explains castle doctrine and stand your ground very simply and directly. Let me know what you think of the article.

Do you remember bread pudding?

Recently, I have been working at using my food storage a lot more. I had made a loaf of bread and was thinking of ways to use it since it doesn't have preservatives. You know, using it up and not letting it go to waste.
So, I made this childhood classic.
I had forgotten how much I (we) like bread pudding. An excellent use for day old bread. It was so good, I made a second batch the next day. These are just simply the pictures. 100% made from food storage.

Sorry for the sideways pictures...

Lesson learned: Never assume...

Recently I realized there was something major lacking in my preparations. Instructions.

DH was making dinner and he was going to make rice. He asked where it was, then he asked me how to make the rice.

REVELATION

Now I know why DH keeps buying all these prepackaged flavored rice, he needs the instructions. So now I have the simple instructions for making rice in with my recipe drawer and I will be adding to that pile.

Sometimes these things seem so simple.

Another example was I was making more elderberry syrup last weekend, allergy season is in full bloom. I forgot how to make it. DUH! Now, the instructions were stored on my computer. I decided to write a modified recipe on the lid of the storage jar. With the plan to keep the same lid when I open my next vacuum sealed, stored jar of dried elderberries.

The elderberry syrup turned out wonderful, btw.

Write it down, keep it close or on the appropriate item.

If it is store in a box, I often cut out one set of instructions and either tape it to the bigger box or include it inside the box. I will be getting better at this, plus rechecking previously stored items, just in case.

This doesn't just apply to food storage either.

Cross training is important. What if the primary person for ___________ (fill in the black) is incapacitated? I've got some more learning to schedule.

Are you ready?

Are you ready?
Recently I was sitting in the hot sun, watching Little League Baseball players while the coach and parents were calling to the “Baseball ready!” position & I couldn't help thinking about you all & being prepared.

Over 30 years ago when my son was little, they couldn't find anyone to coach the “littlest” newbies. So I volunteered & I didn't know a thing about coaching baseball.

I read tons of books (no internet then) & sought help from people that knew about baseball and I was off and running.

This reminds me exactly of my journey preparing.

“Baseball ready” puts you in the position to be as prepared as possible to focus, move and catch the ball.

Being prepared puts you in the best position to be ready for emergency situations.

Simple basic steps, when practiced provides you & your families foundation for the future.
Use one, buy two.

Two is one, one is none.

Eat what you store, store what you eat.

At this game, I was thinking of you. Are you ready? What am I able to do to coach you for success? I snapped a picture.

Can you here me calling out to you, “Prepper ready?”