Homesteaders

[Raech]

My neighbor raised a couple of hogs a few years ago, and I have a friend who has 4 now. Most pigs around here sell for $50.00 to $70.00 when young. Most people raise them to around 250 lbs and then butcher. That is usally around 6 to 7 months old(varies with breeds and feed). A 250 lb hog will yeild around 140 lbs of meat. Buthers around here charge $.50 to $.65 per pound to process. Your expense could range depending on what you feed them.

As for the Pasta seeds, I'm at a loss. LOL

I know a store that has everything from cow seeds to cheerleader seeds, I should ask if they will have pasta seeds next. Lol Is it cheaper to raise your own cows too? My dad is looking into getting a couple calves once we get the fences all fixed enough to keep them in, I told him we should start our own elk or deer herd on the back half of the property since its farther away from the road.

 

[rancher hicks]

We raise sweet corn, field corn, green beans, purple hull peas, okra, speckled butter beans, squash, cucumber, peppers, cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, turnip greens, and snow peas. We should have asparagus next year. Plan to add cauliflower next year as well. We have new fruit trees and berry bushes that should start producing next year as well. We also raise chickens and ducks.

You're in AL, my favorite state. We've been talking about retiring there. DS and his were stationed there but are now in Florida. I hope the move back when he gets out.

 

[waynec1955]

I know a store that has everything from cow seeds to cheerleader seeds, I should ask if they will have pasta seeds next. Lol Is it cheaper to raise your own cows too? My dad is looking into getting a couple calves once we get the fences all fixed enough to keep them in, I told him we should start our own elk or deer herd on the back half of the property since its farther away from the road.

A few years ago I bought a young steer with a friend. We put him in a pasture and grain fed him a few months. We split the cost of everything, and then divided the meat. I don't remember the exact amount of meat we had; but it was more than my family could eat in a year. We eat more chicken and pork than beef. We did save money by doing it. We paid about hamburger prices for all cuts. If I do it again I will have at least 3 families involved. As for quality, we bought a red angus and it was some of the best beef I have ever had.

 

[waynec1955]

You're in AL, my favorite state. We've been talking about retiring there. DS and his were stationed there but are now in Florida. I hope the move back when he gets out.

Yes, we are in Alabama. My family and my wife's family are from here. I have traveled and worked all over the Southeast,but Bama is home. I hope you get to retire here, I think we are a friendly state with good weather most of the time.

 

[heidisue]

Somebody here is selling their whole goat herd and supplies for only $500! I don't have the space, but I wish I did oh well... Another opportunity will come up in a few years, right!

 

[Raech]

I found a recipe that tops my normal store bought hot chocolate!!! I have been wanting to make my own hot cocoa for awhile, and my son and I finally did it today, a couple of test cups later and I found one that balances the sugar and chocolate. First cup was super sweet, so I added some unsweetened cocoa powder, and it turned bitter so I sprinkled in some more powdered sugar and viola! Hot cocoa fit for Christmas presents to South Dakota. I have started making my own bread, and pancake mix and now I have hot chocolate to add to my list.

 

[rancher hicks]

I found a recipe that tops my normal store bought hot chocolate!!! I have been wanting to make my own hot cocoa for awhile, and my son and I finally did it today, a couple of test cups later and I found one that balances the sugar and chocolate. First cup was super sweet, so I added some unsweetened cocoa powder, and it turned bitter so I sprinkled in some more powdered sugar and viola! Hot cocoa fit for Christmas presents to South Dakota. I have started making my own bread, and pancake mix and now I have hot chocolate to add to my list.

Well you have to share these recipes. It's the law on BYC, that all recipes must be shared.

 

[Raech]

I can share, but I tried another cup of cocoa this morning and I found I need to tweek just a little bit more. But here it is as it sits right now.

Creamy Hot Cocoa
3 c powdered dry milk (ran through food processor)
1/2 c white sugar (used just over 3/4 c powdered sugar)
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 c chocolate milk mix* (had a little left and wanted to get it gone)
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder

Ran it through the food processor just to get the clumps out of my powdered sugar and to help mix it just a little bit more. I made the mistake of adding the unsweetened cocoa powder after I had ran it all through the processor, so I have patches of more chocolate flavor, so I think its going to get ran through just one more time. Also found a recipe for hot cocoa stir sticks. I don't remember the numbers for how many it makes but it looked like fun.

large marshmallows
small candy canes (about 2-3 inches tall)
melted almond bark
crushed candy canes

Stick candy cane in center of the marshmallow, then dip in melted almond bark about half way up then roll in crush candy canes. Place on waxed paper until melted.


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l________________ l This is how its supposed to look, sort of. This is the most creative I can be without using paint. lol





Homemade bread, rolls, hotdog/hamburger buns, breadsticks Recipe

1 c plus splash more hot water(supposed to be 1 Tbsp)
2 dollops of butter
pinch of salt
1/4 c sugar
3 c bread flour
1 egg scrambled
1 packet yeast(better for bread machine)
*depending on use I will add garlic, oregano, basil just to give it a little more flavor

Place butter, sugar and water in first so the butter has a chance to melt. Then add the rest of ingredients in order. I use the bread machine so I cheat, but let it rise once then pull dough out and shape to fit your need placing in a well greased pan (I use shortening rubbed around with a paper towel then dusted with a little bit of flour). Brush a little bit of oil on tops to keep from drying out while rising. Rise one more time then bake at 350 for 20 minutes. For rolls brush melted butter on tops after baking.

Sorry the recipes are all in my head, so all the editing is me remembering something. I got my bread recipe from a bread machine recipe site I believe its called "White Country Bread", and the original hot cocoa recipe from allrecipes I believe.

 

[boskelli1571]

Here's a delicious recipe for honey/oatmeal bread from my bread machine - 1 1/4c water; 3 tabsp honey; 2 tabsp butter/marg; 3/4c quick cook oats; 1 3/4tsp salt; 3 3/4c
bread flour; 2 tabsp oat bran; 2 tabsp dry milk; 2 tsp active dry yeast.
I used to make all my bread from scratch, but I got lazy and now use a bread machine..Sue

 

[MoonShadows]

Recipes sound great! And, I love bread. But, I am on an anti-fungal diet right now, and that means no bread, pasta, sugar, etc....never felt better in my life, though.