Homemade Vanilla

Homemade Vanilla easy as 1,2,3.

1 cup vodka or spiced rum. (it doesn't have to be top shelf).
1-2 vanilla beans. The long brown pod

Pour vodka in a mason jar or bottle. Slice open the pod and scrape all the beans out. Add the beans to the vodka then add the rest of the pod. Place the lid on and sit in a cool dark place for 2 to 4 months and wait.

See as easy as 1,2,3.

Notes,
This is the first time I have made it and it is looking great. It has been sitting for about a month and is smelling like vanilla and a little vodka.
You can find vanilla pods at most health or bulk stores. I have paid from $2.50 (which is high) to $0.69 a pod. I also have heard that sams has pods.

Enjoy.....................

Fridge Pen Holders

Look what I did in a share 5 minutes I had this morning.

Use an old garlic/onion powder tin or any spice tin that you like. I love red in my kitchen, so I was very happy with the Krogers tins. Add magnet tape to the back. Remember you will be putting pens in it so add enough to handle the weight.

Then add pens/pencils and place on the side of the fridge. You will never be looking for a pen when you are on the phone again.

What a great way to upcycle.

3 Minute Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) margarine or butter
• 1/2 cup low-fat milk
• 1/3 cup baking cocoa
• 3 cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)

Preparation
In large saucepan, combine sugar, margarine, milk and cocoa. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue boiling 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat. Stir in oats.* Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until firm. Store tightly covered.
Variations
*If using old fashioned oats, cool mixture in saucepan 5 minutes.
Yield
ABOUT 3 DOZEN

Where to Start

I have so many friends ask me, how do you recycle, how do you have chickens, how do you decorate a cake, how do you cook. The list goes on and on........

Where do you start. I think everyone changes their lifestyle for different reasons, for me it was about moving back to the country, having more land for my kids to play and neighbours not so close. Don't get me wrong, I love people and neighbours, I just wanted land and no one watching me.  Believe it or not I was sewing at 4 (crazy I know) and cooking about the same time. I would not call myself great at any of it but, I had a great Mum/Mom who let me do this stuff.  As time goes on, I kept wanting to learn more. I think there is always something to learn, something I can be better at.

As for everyone else, I think it is about what you really want to do. I want to be able to take us off the grid. (I hope one day it happens).

• If you want to recycle and pay for a trash man. Stop him coming and work it out.
• If you want to learn how to cook. Buy a cookbook and read the recipe. If it doesn't turn out the first time, keep trying. I have made many mistakes.
• If you want to learn to decorate a cake. Keep following me, I want to help you all out.  (just need to work out the best way online).
• If you want a garden, through some seeds in dirt and see what happens. (Ask all gardens, sometimes things don't grow). We don't give up we keep trying and please don't use sprays.
• Chickens, well I just love them and want more. They are so much fun, but take time and work. You need a place and you need to know what you are wanting.

As I said there is so much I want to do and learn and it is all baby steps. I would love to write again and say we are living off the grid. BUT I'm not there and not sure if I can, but I'm going to give it my all.

Thanks for reading and just give it a try. We all make mistakes and we all love what we do. I love putting good food on the table and living simple.  One step at a time.