Homesteaders

[rancher hicks]

Rancher Hicks - here is the recipe for pineapple upside down cake - I give you fair warning I don't normally cook strictly to any recipe so quantities are "guesstimates"

In a deep cast iron skillet (either a 9 inch square or 10" round) melt about 1/2 a stick of butter and then add about 3/4 of a cup of brown sugar and a half teaspoon of cinnamon Melt and brown over low to medium heat. It should cover the bottom of your pan at least a quarter to a half inch thick. Arrange slices from 1 can pineapple (save the juice) and cook on low heat for a few minutes then turn off the fire. Preheat oven to 350

Beat 1 egg until very light, add 1/2 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Add 1 cup flour and 1/2 cup liquid (I use the juice from the canned pineapple & then top it off with milk) then add 2 Tablespoons melted butter and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until smooth and pour over pineapple/brown sugar mixture in skillet. Place in your preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes until cake is done. Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes and then flip it onto a plate. Be careful, the liquid will be very hot and sticky! If it cools in the skillet you will never get it out-still tastes the same but doesn't look as pretty and makes the skillet harder to clean.


My family loves pineapple upside down cake but we actually like this recipe better made with homemade pear preserves. Just substitute a jar of homemade pear preserves for the canned pineapple. Unfortunately, my pear trees are still young so I don't always get enough pears to make preserves.

Well Lord have mercy! DW is the baker but I see you're in TX. How far are you from Conroe? That being the case if it's not too far you can just make one and bring it over for coffee and cake. DD and hers live there. I'm leaning on DW to move, but so far no decision has been made.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Anyone have any advice on how to put up that shrink-plastic on windows that have trim with a ledge along the bottom. Can I just lay the 2-sided tape on the top of the ledge and stick the plastic to it? I am guessing that the plastic will un-stick when I try to shrink it tight.

 

[rancher hicks]

Anyone have any advice on how to put up that shrink-plastic on windows that have trim with a ledge along the bottom. Can I just lay the 2-sided tape on the top of the ledge and stick the plastic to it? I am guessing that the plastic will un-stick when I try to shrink it tight.

Got the same deal here. What I do is run the tape down vertically, bend it and run it down over the ledge leaving some extra. Then I run a piece horizontal along the ledge. Run this piece right up against where the trim comes down and meets the sill nice and flat. Then when you bring your plastic down fold it at that juncture. If there is a small wrinkle don't worry. I never get it as smooth as I'd like. Don't shrink it too tight and it will be fine.

If you think you'll need more tape they do sell just the rolls of the tape. I buy some just to be sure I have enough.

' sides if you want you can run to rows of the tape. Won't hurt I guess.

 

[Raech]

Well, my friend chose not to relocate her chickens to my backyard. She said it was too much work to tear it all down and rebuild it here, plus someone up there is willing to take it all off her hands. So I guess my chicken plans will be put on hold again.

 

[KlopKlop]

Bummer

 

[rancher hicks]

Iv'e been getting the garden ready for spring. I know all the magazines show these pretty trellises and supports but when you are homesteading you can make do with what mother nature gives you. These beds held other things this year but will be tomato beds next year, lord willing. The black plastic has leaves and grass clippings underneath. The heat should break them down pretty good. I use biodegradable jute for tying things up. This way I can just cut it and toss it to the ground at seasons end. If you have some leftover wool yarn that will work too.





Rustic fencing is a good place to hang things for the winter. These are the cans I use around my plants for easy and frugal waterings.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

Iv'e been getting the garden ready for spring. I know all the magazines show these pretty trellises and supports but when you are homesteading you can make do with what mother nature gives you. These beds held other things this year but will be tomato beds next year, lord willing. The black plastic has leaves and grass clippings underneath. The heat should break them down pretty good. I use biodegradable jute for tying things up. This way I can just cut it and toss it to the ground at seasons end. If you have some leftover wool yarn that will work too. Rustic fencing is a good place to hang things for the winter. These are the cans I use around my plants for easy and frugal waterings.

Looks great

 

[rancher hicks]

Looks great

I still have more beds to cover but the weather's not cooperating.

While rustic fencing is nice it does break down and needs replacing.

My first garden lasted about 5 years.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

I always wanted to do raised beds but have never got ambitious enough. someday

 

[rancher hicks]

I always wanted to do raised beds but have never got ambitious enough. someday

There are quite a few things you can use besides wood sides. I see quite a few offers for cinderblocks on CL but with out a truck they're out of reach for me. I realize for those who grow huge crops raised beds might not be doable. Though even 2x4's and be used. The goal being to keep the soil from being packed down.

I started small with just a few beds. Too they make great beds for Kitchen gardens. I turned one garden lot to an herb garden. The lavender did well. I've been moving the mints to around my chickens runs. The chickens don't eat certain herbs and I'd read mint can deter mice.