Online...

I will be adding photos of the trip a little at a time, so check back for future updates.

I have started a flickr account for everyone to see our photos.
go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/outatheblue, I will start uploading our vacation photos here for you to see. Enjoy what I have started.

We are...

getting off the electric grid.

Our house is total electric. This means when we loose electricity, we loose everything. So our goal this year is to get some propane alternatives.

In February 2011 Kenneth bought a 250 gallon propane tank ($200.00) for valentines day. I was so excited, one step closer. In the summer we bought a totally propane, freestanding range. No electricity at all! We got it for $50.00 and it is practically brand new.
When the propane man came to test everything, since we did it all ourselves, and change over the stove from natural gas to propane, He just loved the stove.
Basically he said "the U.S. government passed a law that if it had any electrical parts (even a clock) it had to have an electric ignition for the oven. This means that most gas/propane ranges you still loose the oven when you loose electricity.

Kenneth ran pipes from the tank to the fireplace clean out and around to the kitchen wall.

He even put in a connection for the grill next to the patio.

Our Christmas present to us... a fireplace insert ($400.00).
We have fire!


Total cost so far... probable about $1000.00. This included bring the 1953 propane tank up to code by replacing everything on top, black pipe and connections.


Next, remodeling the kitchen to accommodate the new propane range.
For a sneak peak go here to see the new kitchen sink Amanda and I bought.
Note: We ended up spending seven (7) hours here on our first official visit.

Merry Christmas...

planning...

We are planning for Kenneth's retirement next year...

Helpful websites I have found...

National Institute of Transition Planning; Government Executives;

http://www.nitpinc.com/gov_ex_archives.html

Happy Thanksgiving...

Its getting cold...

fall in our backyard...

and in the crock pot... Autumn Sausage Casserole... from A Year in Slow Cooking.

Love this look...

it's made with doilies...

Krista Larson - wonderful ideas
Robin Kaplan - I love her designs.
Magnolia Pearl - does anyone wear bloomers anymore.

local store Absolutely Abigails in Shreveport. Check out the prices. I can so sew this style.

I love these looks of rumpled, feminine clothing. I need to get back to sewing.

What's up...

What I'm doing today... going to make Apple Flognarde,

grain grinder

ground some corn for...

Black Skillet Cornbread... cornmeal soaking in buttermilk.
This is supposed to make it easier to digest.

potato soup base cooking in the crock pot, will use to make...
Baked Potato Soup
Swiss ham and cheese soup
and Kielbasa Potato Soup
We'll have one tonight and freeze the base to use later.
for any of these recipes just do a search, so many different ideas.

Halloween...

Emily got her face painted...

Leah liked the duck pond...

you can't find us...

Leah

Emily

Amanda made their fairy costumes, very cute. It took her 3 days.
Everyone had a fun time trick-or-treating and going to the church Fall Festival.

Pumpkin & Cream Bread...

Pumpkin and Cream Bread

Yield: 2 loaves (14 slices each)

Batter:

1-1/2 c. pureed pumpkin

1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce

1 whole egg

3 egg whites

1 c. all-purpose flour

2/3 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 c. Stevia Cup For Cup sweetener

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. ground nutmeg

Cream filling

8 oz. reduced fat cream cheese

1/4 c. granulated sugar

1 T. all-purpose flour

2 egg whites

1 t. vanilla extract

1. For the Batter: With an electric mixer, beat the pumpkin, applesauce, egg, and egg whites on medium speed until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine the flours, Stevia, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Slowly mix the flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture.

2. For the cream cheese filling: Beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, egg whites and flour until creamy and smooth.

3. Grease 2 8x4x2" loaf pans. Divide half of the batter between the two pans. Pour half of the filling in one pan and the other half in the second pan and smooth with the back of a spoon. Top with the remaining batter.

4. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Don't overbake or your bread will be dry on the edges. Cool and remove from pans. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

One serving (2 slices) = about 100 calories

From Sunday Baker