"Boiling Springs" in Jackson County!

Here's a neat little place we found out here in our own county several weeks ago.

I hear the locals call it Boiling Springs since it is spring fed and really looks to be 'boiling' up from the middle of the pool of water. And boy is it cold!

This seems to be fed from the bubbling spring and several other places coming right from the mountain.

Like here! This seems to run out from the mountain.

It really looks like it's boiling!

There are mudding trails back through this area too. Some with very deep ruts! But it's so beautiful and densely green back in here you kinda wish it was all foot paths.

The water coming down from the spring is a beautiful green and feeds into the river that becomes Roaring River in Gainesboro.

This sandy, rocky area separates the spring feeding into the river from this creek/river which appears to come from the creek that we frequent, Blackburn, which runs off Cummins Mill Falls and all of this water feeds into Roaring River.

While we were there, several other people came and went. I imagine this is a very popular place in the heat of summer.

And on our way out, what should we see? A pack of wild turkeys and...

...a turkey vulture in a tree!

Psa 150:6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Old City Lake in Cookeville, TN

The lake is not very deep in this area, only inches. You can often see fish, frogs, geese, ducks, and heron here on the pier that we are standing on.

I have no idea what this is, but it grows fairly close to the ground and smells wonderful!

I love this wooden platform. It houses some sort of water main that as you can see, is safely enclosed.

This is at the top of the trail and well-worth the fairly short walk up. In the heat of summer, this is usually the only water flowing, but in the spring there are multiple falls back in the distance around this area. The sound is delightful!

And the green moss grows all around all around, and the green moss grows all around!

Here's is another water fall that has quite a deep area at the end here. Very pretty!

And the tree fungus grows all around, all around...and the tree fungus grows all around!

Lots of varieties of flowers!

There are several places where you can get down to the creek. Go ahead- jump in!

Most of the trail is paved, but the upper part is gravel.

I love the red bud at the entrance. There are several picnic tables here, along with a boat dock where canoes and kayaks are often paddling around. Some say the fishing is good here.

Moving water- beautiful! It's spring fed too, which means it's nice and cold!

I hope to go back once summer is on and everything is greener. But, as you can see, it's lovely in early spring too!

Our Frugal Day In The Hills, Creeks, and Valleys:

Sometimes- you just can't stay inside, especially when these beautiful places are within 3 miles of your house!

I must say, they are not altogether easy to get to:

I mean, you have to walk on a teeny little footpath on the side of a mountain to get there:

And you have to climb over lots of rocks that have fallen from the mountain that you just climbed down:

And sometimes take a little rest:

But once you get back there:

You don't want to leave:

Ever!

But- we did. We came home, had lunch, then left to go to the creek to collect firewood so we could have hot dogs around the fire pit after dark!

They wanted to try to build a raft while we were back there with limbs and fishing line:

While they did that, I decided to try to capture the jumping fish:

And Kellan played guitar:

But, the sun started sinking:

..so it was time to go home.

Then we roasted our hot dogs, took our baths, and fell into our beds!

Psa 104:19  He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

Highlights from April's Once-A-Month-Shopping Trip

Highlights from this month's shopping and tips for locals!:

-boston rump roasts .99lb (bought 3 which will be 6 to 9 meals) (Food Lion)
-one shoulder ham 1.49lb
-7lbs ground beef at 1.99 lb (Leo's)
-Leo's has those end (pork) loins for .89 per pound!!!******
-1 large pack chicken thighs at .99lb
-2 chickens at .89lb
-1 large pack boneless,skinless chicken breasts 1.89lb (Sam's)
-4 packs of hot dogs for $5 (I am planning a night around the fire pit with these and to sing and play guitar.)
-2 packs bologna .99 each (Aldi)
-2 mangoes .69 each (Aldi)
-3lbs mandarins 1.49
-3lbs apples 2.99
-3lbs lemons
-grapes at .99lb X2
-4 pack cukes 1.25 (Leo's)
-3 bundles of bananas at .49lb
-25lbs self-rising flour
-25lbs pinto beans
-2lbs garbanzo beans
-2lbs red kidney beans
-2lbs black beans
-1lb polenta grits
-5lbs carrots at 49 lb (Sam's)
-3 bunches of celery $2 (Sam's)
-giant bag of romaine $3+ (Sam's)
-1 #10 can diced tomatoes $3?
-1 #10 can pizza sauce $3?
-canola oil under $9 for 1.25 gallons
-can of shortening, under $3
-4lbs butter
-45oz tub margarine 1.99 (Kroger) (I don't usually like this but butter had to be pinched!)
-milk 2.49 gallon (Cash-n-Carry will let you have 5 gallons at this price with purchase)
-half-n-half 1.49 (Aldi) (I will use this in place of cream for home made ice cream at upcoming bday. Cheaper!)
-Peter Pan pb at 1.49 jar (Kroger)
-asparagus 2 bundles at 1.28 each (Kroger)
-2 boxes graham crackers at $1+ each
-3 boxes of saltines at .99 each
-2 bags of tortilla chips at 1.19 each (for taco casserole and snacks with salsa)
-eggs 10 dozen at .99 each
-buns at .79 and .89 for one night of burgers and 2 nights of hot dogs from the fire pit and grill
-red wine vinegar
-1 #10 can on clearance of pureed sweet potatoes $3
-5lbs frozen peaches
-$12 in frozen veggies

Menu Plan: April 6, 2013

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

With warmer weather settling, these fellas will be begging for the creek- or the tree. (But probably not the garden! ;-)

Saturday:
-Chocolate Oatmeal w/ sliced almonds
-bologna sandwiches, Cinnamon Chip And Raisin Muffins
-Bologna-Egg Cups, applesauce, toast, homemade Cherry Jam
snacks: Chocolate Granola and milk
Sunday:
-Peanut Butter Oatmeal w/ sliced Bananas
-(leftover) Turkey and Turnip Soup (from the garden), Artisan Wheat Bread
-hamburger patties, romaine salad
snacks:leftover muffins with milk
Monday:
-Masa Porridge (.12 cents for 5 servings!)
-fried eggs and applesauce
-Homemade fish sandwiches, Simple Slaw
snacks: sliced apples, buttered popcorn
Tuesday:
-Johnny Cakes, link sausage
-Chipotle Tilapia, baked potato wedges, romaine salad
-Pinto Beans (cooked with leftover ham bone from freezer), cornbread
snacks: Kefir Vanilla Muffins w/ Choc Chips
Wednesday:
-Millet, Scrambled Eggs
-leftover Beans, cornbread, pepper jelly, pickled peppers, ketchup
-Chili from leftover Beans
snacks:Rugelach, Smoothies
Thursday:
-Rugelach, fried eggs
-peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, baby carrots and dip, sliced apples w/ PB yogurt dip
-Taco Casserole, chili beans, romaine salad
snacks:Strawberry Cobbler, leftover frozen smoothie pops
Friday:
-Fluffy Spiced Wheat Germ Pancakes
-Mexi Chicken Dish, sliced cukes
-Homemade Pizza
snacks:celery sticks w/ dip, grapes

Homemade Wheat Flakes Cereal

I've tried these several times now and I finally have them where I like them.

My first few batches, the flakes were so thick and hard, that it was like chomping on flint rocks. 

(If yours happen to turn out like that, no worries, just whirl them in a blender and make them more like "Grape Nuts".)

But being a bit tenacious by nature, I kept thinning the batter down until I have a nice, thin flake!

Yaaah!

AND- if you can't or don't want to eat wheat, you can make your own corn flakes, rice flakes, etc.

You will just need to adjust your liquids to make sure your batter is really thin.

These have a wonderful flavor and they don't have all that ekaodfa'e'rakjhfsdpghaejasulose stuff in them that you can't say!

Yep, with these flakes, you'll be able to read all of the ingredients! A real bonus, huh?

Taste and pronunciation go hand in hand these days ;-)

Homemade Whole Wheat Flakes

2 cups freshly ground whole wheat flour

1/2 t salt

1/2 cup sugar (your choice)

2 1/2 cups water

Pour all ingredients into a blender and whirl until smooth. (Use a hand mixer or whisk if you need to. Just be sure to break up all the lumps.)

Pour on 3 buttered, lipped cookie sheets. Be sure to turn the pan so the batter spreads out evenly. 

(Thick spots mean thick places and longer baking.)

(approx. 13x18 size)

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Allow to cool for 1 to 2 minutes. 

Break off the crisp outer edges and place the remaining part back in the oven and continue to bake until all of it has crisped. 

(This may take up to an additional 20 minutes if your battered pooled in the center.)

The outer edges are nice and crisp. Break them off and toss the center back in.

This makes about 1 quart of dried cereal. 

It's a bit time consuming too. 

But- if you want cereal, especially one without ejflsdkhuhfjsdklose- you got it!
****************
This post is linked to HomeMakerOnADime,KatheWithAnE,Our Delightful Home,

Easter- Keeping Holidays, Holy Days

Here are a few frugal ways of remembering Christ and Passover at Easter. 

I will be sharing some from the book:Let's Make a Memory

Unleavened bread doesn't have to be fancy. You can buy inexpensive matzoh or use something like this recipe for Chapatis.

This bread reminds us that the Israelites did not have time to wait on yeasted bread. They had  to go when God said it was time. For we Christians, this is a reminder for us to be ''ready to go'' when Jesus returns.
Yeast also sometimes represented evil in the world and God wants His people to be pure.

Coloring eggs can be done with 1/2 a cup of water, 1 T vinegar, and a few drops of food coloring. The children wrote various things with a white crayon before dying them like:

Jesus Died 4 U

God is Love

Easter

Jesus Loves You

Annus Deus (which should have been Agnus Dei :)

Jesus Saves

and even drew some pictures.

The funniest egg was one that I had dropped in the sink which had cracked. Kellan wrote on it: "The Ten Commandments after Moses." Funny, huh?

A roasted egg is a symbol of the free-will offering that was given with the lamb. This represents giving more to God than just what is required. It is a gift of love.

Jesus was God's most precious and ultimate Gift!

"God's law demanded only justice, but with the gift of Jesus, God gave us more than justice; He gave us mercy, love, and forgiveness."

We've read in some of our books about the holocaust how Jews incorporate Elijah into their Passover Seder.

This is "Elijah's Cup". Traditionally it is placed in the center of the table and it remains full; waiting for Elijah to announce the Messiah. 

Christians believe that John the Baptist was our "Elijah". (Matthew 11:14)

For it was he who announced the coming of the Messiah!

For Christians, we share this cup with joy, passing it around the table, celebrating our hope in Him.

This cup and the above unleavened bread can be used as a ''communion'' for your family as well, as we drink and eat in remembrance of His blood that was shed for us and His body that was broken for us as well. (Matthew 26:26-28)

Don't have juice? Use Kool-Aid, colored water, etc. Anything that is unique will work.

This part is called "maror". 

You want something bitter or strong tasting. I used onions here but had planned on dandelion greens but they aren't up yet. 

These bitter 'herbs' remind us of the bitter suffering of the Israelites under Egyptian slavery.

As Christians, this reminds us of the bitter suffering that many have (and continue) to suffer so that we (and others) can know the good news of Jesus. 

This is called Haroseth. It is a mixture of chopped apples, nuts, and cinnamon. Traditionally it would have wine but I used a sprinkling of lemon juice. (I used tart apples too, so I will likely drizzle a little honey over before serving...after all, the kiddies have been eating candy all day and this would be a shocker to their little taste buds!)

This represents the mortar with which the Israelites were forced to make bricks for Pharaoh's cities.

 (Exodus 5)

God gave them their freedom and through Christ, we are free.

Rom 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

We also take the time to read through the entire Resurrection story in the Gospels.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Homemade Noodles

One of my dearest friend's mother used to make homemade noodles. I was so fascinated by this because I was sure they could only come from a box. :)

She rattled off the recipe one day and I've never forgotten it, thankfully.

It makes a fantastic (and super frugal) noodle!

(My best guess is that you can make this batch for less than a quarter. Yeah, for real!)

Now- to help you remember- here's the 'rattle' I told you about: 1, 1, 1, 1.

See?!?! Now you can remember it - in case I forget it!

Lelah's Homemade Noodles

1 cup plain flour

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon oil

 Mix together in a bowl and knead for several minutes to incorporate all the flower. 

(If necessary add a drop or two of water at a time.)

This will make a VERY stiff dough but it will be moist once you knead it.

Break the dough into 3 or 4 pieces and roll out very thin, like 1/16 of an inch or so.

(If your dough is super stiff, drip a little oil in your palm before kneading each section.)

Cut into strips (any size) with a pizza cutter and allow them to dry while you make ready your soup/broth.

Drop noodles into boiling water/soup/broth and cook approx. 10 minutes until no longer doughy.

You can drain them and serve with sauce or leave them in the soup pot.

Tips:

You can add salt to the dough if you like but it isn't necessary if you're cooking them in a broth or soup, or even salted water.

Some of you might like to use wheat flour too but you will likely have to up your water.

You can also dry them for a couple of hours and freeze them for later use.

This makes enough for an average pot of soup, those of you with bigger families like mine may want to double them, especially if serving with sauce.
p.s.
You can do this in just 10 minutes!

 This post is linked to The Shabby Nest,HomemakerOnADime,KatheWithAnE, Our Delightful Home,

 1 Tim 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Homemade Elderberry (Plus!) Syrup

With winter almost over, I guess it's really a crazy time to post about this but you gals know I'm always running late, right? You'd think with all these people around here to help me, I would be more punctual... but no, that's not how it usually happens. It's more like: "We gotta leave in 5 minutes and you can't find your shoes? You don't know where your glasses are because you can't see without them?!?! And you think you left your coat where?"

:)

Seriously though, spring often brings it's last round of germies when you least expect them so it's good to have this little treasure on hand.

There are tons of recipes online but this is my personally concocted, favorite.

(Oh and- no- I'm not going to be using garlic in it, that's just another cold remedy that I'll explain below too.)

In a small sauce pot combine:

-4 cups water

-1/2 cup dried elderberries

-1/4 cup dried olive leaves

-1 dried echinacea flower (or 1/4 cup dried)

Simmer this mixture for 1 hour, covered. (Be sure your heat is low enough that your liquid doesn't all evaporate.) Strain into a jar and add;

-1 cup of sugar (or honey)

Mix well.

Store in refrigerator. I dose about 2 tablespoons every hour until the symptoms have eased.

I usually find that we are better by day's end with this syrup. It is my new favorite remedy since watching it work wonders through this last winter season.

Frugal tips: 

-Use half cup sweetener if your littles will go along with it. The berries are quite strong so many will not take it without the extra sweet.

-Buy your herbs in bulk.

-Also, I try to grow and dry my own echinacea flowers. (Notice the header? Those have long gone to their eternal resting (tea) pot.)

-Consider other anti -viral, -fungal, -bacterial, -septic, herbs that you could grow yourself.
-You can make this using only elderberries with excellent results!

About the garlic- I often give the children a teaspoon of minced garlic, covered in honey, to help them ward off germs. Don't chew! :)

You know you're gonna get a disclaimer right?

Mmm hmm- so here it is- 

Use herbs at your own risk and discretion. I am not a doctor. I am merely sharing my experiences and recipes. 

Whew! Now back to our regularly scheduled program!

Ezek 47:12  ..and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

This post is linked to The Shabby Nest,

Quick Dinner Muffins

Do you ever find yourself in a time-pinch and need a quick bread and you don't have time to wait for yeast?

Me too!

This often happens to me at lunch. 

I can get a pot of soup together pretty quickly but bread takes a little more planning and with school and other things, sometimes I forget the bread!

(See? And you all just thought I had everything organized, all day, every day!:)

One alternative is to bake bread a couple of times a week, cool and slice it, store it in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator, and take the needed slices out and pop them in the toaster. (That's my breakfast trick.) 

But I think you'll find these muffins are a quick and easy fix in a pinch.

 

You can mix up your flour according to your preference as well.

They're slightly sweet, making them perfect for a spicy or salty soup.

They have an almost biscuit like texture.

My kids love one with their meal and one stuffed with homemade jelly for dessert ;-)

(Two birds, one stone! Well, two purposes, one bread!)

So fluffy too!

2 cups whole wheat flour*

1 cup plain, all-purpose flour

1 T baking powder

1/4 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1/4 cup sugar**

1 egg

1/3 cup oil

1 3/4 cup buttermilk***

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Make a well in the center for wet ingredients. Mix the center, then gradually stir in the dry mixture. This should make a thick batter that's thoroughly moist.

Scoop into greased muffin pan. 

Bake at 400 for approx. 20 minutes. 

Makes 12.

*I grind extra flour and store in the freezer for quick foods. You can also mix up your flours or even use all wheat or all white.

 **You can also add more sugar and fruits etc., to make this a sweet muffin for treats or breakfast.

***You can use plain milk but they won't be as fluffy. Also, depending on the flours you use, you may need a little more or less liquid so adjust accordingly.