ECD Car Supplies: All because of baseball

Mr. Perky cracks me up & I am grateful. 
Today's shipment is all because of our grandsons baseball game we attended about two weeks ago & the increase in our travel time to and from the "vacation home". 
First, we are now traveling several times week to the farmstead. Mr. Perky now insists that I carry my BOB (bug out bag) in my vehicle. Just in case something should happen.
Next, we were at a baseball game not long ago and it was cold. It was dark, cold and very windy. I was really surprised how unprepared most of the families were for the weather. It was 'bleeping' cold. Three hours.
One dad, a hunter pulled out his blind and propane heater for the children to huddle in during the game.

Thankfully, I had hand warmers (which I need to replenish, since I gave them all away), boots, hats, scarves and my Carhartt quilted bib overalls in my car to bundle up with. I certainly was the most prepared.

Anyway, Mr. Perky's reaction was to add more to my car from Sportsman Guide. 
Last night, our shipment arrived.

For some reason we now have two more sleeping bags.
What cracked me up was we already have sleeping bags, but I really liked his thought process of this adding this sniper bag for future baseball games. LOL. 

Plus, he got 4 Swiss Army blankets.

These are great additions for you to add to your bug-out-bag.

Mr. Perky took a trip...

Mr. Perky took a trip to North Carolina yesterday to talk to a company about putting up a 20' x 40' garage/outbuilding on our property. It was well worth the trip. Even with the company traveling to our area in Virginia for installation, he was able to save about $8,000!

We are also currently waiting on the installation of a new roof on our house. 

"Butterfly Circus" & Mr. Perky the Druid

Technically Mr. Perky is not a druid. In my family we spin tales all the time. Rather an imaginative group.

When we first met Mr. Perky was very turned off by established traditional church – proclaimed he was the only member of the Church of the Hermitage (a place of religious seclusion), who stayed home on Sundays and watched reruns of Star Trek in his underwear. I was a de-churched Christian.

The story that ensued over the years pulled from classic Celtic legends, was he would pilgrimage to Stonehenge, hugs trees etc. The reality is that he is simply a person whose family had extremely painful interactions with church and churchy people.
One month after we were married, my faith journey grew back into a strong relationship as a follower of Christ.

I believe the most important thing to know about me is that I REALLY love God and Jesus.

This influences my POV and everything I do. It gives me spiritual stability, which I personally feel is the first essential for being prepared.

You do not need to believe like me to be welcome on this journey; for truly everyone is welcome here. Recognize this is the very core of who I am and God will come up.

A vision statement outlines where you want to be. This communicates both the purpose and values of my life. It answers the question, “Why am I here?”

My vision statement is:

“love God, love others, it's simple” (Matthew 22: 34-40)

A Mission statement talks about HOW you will get to where you want to be. This defines the purpose and primary objectives of my life. It answers the question, “What do I do?”

My mission statement is:

“entice the skeptic, challenge the lukewarm & ignite passion in the believer.”

I believe these statements epitomize my journey here with you on being prepared. My heart breaks for the disenfranchised, those typically marginalized by society. It motivates all I do.

Mr. Perky and I have always maintained a strong mutual respect of each others faith journey.

This video entitled “Butterfly Circus” is worth the viewing. I feel it describes my faith journey well. It's not preachy, I promise.

So now you know a little more about me...

Welcome to the journey.

The Butterfly Circus - HD from The Butterfly Circus on Vimeo.

FREE Canning Downloads

From the beginning, when I was learning I would read about what you can and can't do when canning. Eventually, I got to the point where I wanted to see what was actually said by the oft attributed USDA. I read these guides thoroughly & that is how I decided what I felt was safe for my family. That is what I always encourage people to do, read and determine for yourself.

Plus, it was the source of a lot of nifty pictures and charts you see.

There are seven free guides available for downloading and printing. It is a great resource to have on hand. 

USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, 2009 revision

If you want to buy a printed version, they are available from Purdue EDU Education Store for $14.40

How to be prepped for long term storage: Elderberry Juice...

Has anyone canned elderberry juice?

From the wall: Stephanie's Question: "When making Elderberry syrup are you canning it? If so do you water bath it or pressure can? I've made it and frozen some but it doesn't last long without molding in my fridge so I need to figure out if I can can it for long term storage." 

The short answer would be I haven't canned the actual juice. I use it so frequently & for me it is quick and simple to make. 

I do have it prepped for long term storage by having the individual ingredients stored. Each of the highlight words below link to a post on that topic.
I use four ingredients & have three stored. Water, dehydrated elderberries, dehydrated ginger and local raw honey. Didn't get my ginger in this picture.

First, I have dehydrated elderberries and dehydrated ginger. 

 

Then I vacuum seal them for long term storage. 

The honey is a forever food. Just keep enough in stock.

It is that simple to keep all the supplies on hand.   

It's that time of year...

My first batch...

Getting to know my new neighborhood...

We have been traveling back and forth to Orange for a very long time (probably 20 years). Last weekend, I wanted to take the time to check out some of my local area merchants. I basically wanted to see what was available.
First I went to Yoder's Country Market. 
Love their selection of various spices, pastas, baking goods and bakery items. They also have a bookstore and outdoor furniture. 

I just bought a couple items this time & I received a 2015 calendar with coupons for each month.

Also, I went to visit Miller Farms Market. The gentleman in front of this main building, said "Wait, I wasn't smiling". I laughed and offered to take the picture again. He had gathered some apples from the market and headed across the street to the Farm House Kitchen across the street. I need to find out more. One of the things I have been thinking about is teaching pressure canning, dehydrating, etc. 

I picked up some local fresh eggs and honey. I prepped my eggs with mineral oil and now I have some store at our new house. 

How to store eggs for nine months: Redux: Egg-cellent Egg-ducation

Buy Fresh, Buy local ya'll

Water Kefir (part 2)

I think I am becoming obsessed with water kefir. Seriously. This stuff is so good for you. I am working on building up probiotics in my body. Funny thing, I have never really been crazy about soda/pop or straight up juice.
But for me, water kefir is amazing. Here is how it is going in my "experiential kitchen".

photo credit Rawfully Tempting

Since I last posted, I have made a batch out of freeze dried fruit from Starbucks (strawberries and blueberries) & mango /orange juice. Plus, I have dehydrated blueberries, raspberries & some more juice (I really am just trying to get some bottles to store my kefir) and I have been dehydrating more fruit (mango and oranges) for coming batches.

I can't seem to make enough of it fast enough. I have even thought about getting more water kefir grains to up my production. The temperature in my house has been cool, so it has been taking 4-5 days for the kefir to ferment enough. The last batch & this batch I have sat on top of my dehydrator to speed up the process. I will be switching to raw sugar.

Shopping list:

The kefir on the left is the one I purchased first. Decided to go with organic. And as I am writing this up, I am ordering a larger batch. Going to kick it into high gear & share.

                                                            

I had a smaller dehydrator when I started, it finally died. I opted for the 9 tray Excalibur Dehydrator (I saved up my money until I could afford it). I absolutely love it & keep it busy all the time.

                                                     

I have an online Amazon Associate/store called Perky Prepping Gramma's Store. This allows me to show you the products I have personally own, used and endorse. The cost is the same for you, but I do receive some compensation if you purchase through my store. I always appreciate your shopping.

  Instructions with my first batch of Water Kefir