Time Saving Tip - Chicken Broth

Here's a tip that I use all year long, but it's a great time saver as the holidays approach. Chicken broth is a staple used in so many of our dishes and there are a variety on the shelves today including organic options, but why buy canned when you can make your own and skip the MSG?

I'm a fan of things pulling double duty and chicken is the perfect example...it's not just the meat ingredient in your next dish, but it can make tons of broth for meals in the future!  When I bring the bird home I immediately give it a rinse, pop it into a stock pot, fill it with water until covered, add celtic salt, pepper, spices of your choice, a tad of butter and veggies (carrots, onions, garlic, celery or fennel).  Bring water to a boil then reduce heat and cover.  The length of time varies based on the size of the chicken, but a good way to judge is when the meat is falling off the bone...then it's ready!  Remove the chicken, debone and place in containers to be stored in the freezer.
  

Once the broth is cooled, remove the fat off the top and place it in a container to be stored in the freezer for later use, then scoop out any veggies (some people strain the broth but I don't) and pour broth into ice trays.  Yes, I said ice trays.  This is a great way to have stock on hand at any time and in easy portions.  Two cubes equal 1/4 cup.  The photo below was my first attempt years ago.  I forgot to scoop off the fat, so that's why you see a lovely yellow film on some of the cubes (:

It's such a time saver and adds a punch of flavor to any dish!!  During the holidays it's great to pop some of these little guys in with the turkey drippings to make an awesome gravy.  I love to add it to rice instead of using water and usually toss a few cubes in with my stir-fry veggies.  The options are endless!!

So the next time you bring that chicken home, take a few more minutes to make some stock which will save you money and tons of time (:

New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Apothecary Jars for the Holiday Table

I've been wanting to replace the fruit in our apothecary jars with beaded gourds and pumpkins to reflect the fall season but the desire for all things frugal has kept those desires at bay.  Sometimes beaded fruit can be a tad expensive and our large jars would need a good bit to fill them.

On a trip to Walmart for a few essentials I decided to peruse their sale section for any goodies that might be lurking on dusty shelves and sure enough, there they were...the very items I had in mind and they were on sale for $4 a box!  The addition of a couple of green pumpkins and a yellow gourd brought the total just under $10.  Not bad, eh?  For an added "buy me" factor the boxes came tied up in brown grosgrain ribbon and you know a frugal gal can always use ribbon (; SOLD!!
 

The first box included silk leaves and beaded pumpkins in two different sizes.  Close up they aren't that impressive, which is probably why they were only $4, but they'll be just fine buried among other items inside glass.

The second box contained pears, pomegranates, an apple, berries, pine cones and green leaves.  Of the two, this was my favorite...so many textures and warm colors, plus these items had a realistic quality, unlike the bright orange pumpkins.

I already had quite a few large pine cones left over from previous holiday decor projects and they helped to top off the tallest jar.  Right now these filled and happy guys are just hanging out on the table waiting for their next layer of love...can we say burlap?

Some branches, leaves and candles should finish things off.  I've been pondering over place setting ideas and can't wait to see everything together!  I'll make sure to post photos of the finished product once the holiday draws near (;

New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...


Linked to: Today's Creative Blog, Creating a House of Grace, Between Naps on the Porch, A Silly Little Sparrow, I'm Topsy Turvy, The Creative Juices, Tip Junkie, Blue Cricket Design, Nikki's Nifty Knacks, The Trendy Treehouse, Coastal Charm, A Stroll Thru Life, Hope Studios, My Backyard Eden, It's a Very Cherry World, Sew Much Ado, Embellishing Life, Lucky Star Lane, The Gypsy's Corner, Santa's Gift Shop and Ideas, Free Pretty Things for You, We Are That Family, Crafty Cierra, All Things Heart and Home, Scrap Addict 4 Sure, Dragonfly Designs, Inspiring You 2 Save, Pinkapotamus, Strut Your Stuff

White Dinnerware Entertaining for the Holidays

The holidays are fast approaching and that usually means family and friends gathering around the table.  If you're anything like me, thoughts of ways to make the meal special are already roaming about which probably includes tablescape ideas. We like to keep things simple and frugal...white dinnerware, cloth napkins, natural elements and of course candles (:
 

White dishes and bowls give the option of switching it up every year instead of being stuck with several sets of dinnerware in various hues and patterns.  Allow your natural elements and linens to be the communicators of difference. One year the colors could be blue and chocolate and the next year green and taupe with only a minimal investment.  Napkins and cute place cards only cost a few dollars, but dinnerware can be quite a bit more. Isn't this sweet little pumpkin much more interesting than turkey printed plate? These are the pumpkin gifts I made this year for our neighbors and they also make the perfect place card.



If you really have your heart set on those new dishes with just the right pattern, think of purchasing only a few pieces to add to your white collection.  Layering the different styles can make that one little plate of color really pop!

Simplicity not only means elegance at its best, but it can be a lifesaver during our busiest times.  Why clutter the schedule with worries of fancy arrangements and endless table chachkies?  Stick with a neutral palette and then add simple touches of color.  Now, just to get those wheels turning, here's an idea for Christmas...



So, as you plan your Thanksgiving celebration celebration keep it simple and enjoy the day.  Remember...cherished moments are made in the time you spend with those you love.

New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Linking to:  Today's Creative Blog, Coastal Charm, Creating a House of Grace, A Stroll Through Life, Tip Junkie, Lucky Star Lane, These Creative Juices, Hope Studios, I'm Topsy Turvy, Craft Edition, The Gypsy's Corner, Ladybug Blessings, Embellishing Life, One Little Mister, Faded Charm, All Things Heart and Home, Strut Your Stuff

Cell Phones, iPhones and Texting

I went to a birthday party over the weekend and as with most birthdays, there was a flurry of activity.  Children running about, jumping inside giant bouncy houses and of course playing the ever so popular game of "catch me if you can!!"  Amongst the happy voices and screams of sheer delight I noticed a group of women sitting around one of the tables.  Normally such a thing would not catch my eye, but these women weren't chatting or even watching the children play...they were texting.  Eyes fixated on tiny screens and fingers furiously typing away...and the looks on their faces?  I call it the text glaze. 

What is so captivating about these little devices?  Why do they have such a hold on our society today...am I the only one who finds this strange? When did a chunk of plastic with wires become more important than relating to others?

Then you have the phone calls...an ever present conversation that starts in the car and continues as one rolls about doing errands with no thought given to others sharing the same space.  The clerk behind the counter or waiter in the cafe becomes an object and of course why would we communicate with an object?  Is the conversation really that important that the phone call can't wait until you're in a private space? {sigh}

 
When we fill our days with emails, chats, calls and texts, we miss out on those times of true connection.  Holding someone's hand, listening to a friend share her story as you look into her eyes and just being present relates to the soul in a way that no electrical gadget can. 
 
This journey of simplicity has opened my eyes in oh so many ways.  Clearing out the mindless minutia makes way to enjoy the abundance of grace in each moment. Little by little steps have been taken to reduce, simplify and streamline and one of the things I decided to pare down was my mobile phone.  Gone are the days of unlimited minutes, texts and web access. I have a home phone and one of those little "disposable" mobiles used only for emergencies and much to my surprise it's been a freeing experience!  If someone wants to reach me, they can call the house.  If I'm not there, they can simply leave a message. 
 
When did we become an all access society?  I remember the days when there weren't answering machines and we managed to make it through the day just fine.  Taking a break allows peace to move in and thankfulness to thrive.  We begin to see ourselves and others more clearly.  So as this Thanksgiving holiday approaches, try releasing some of those complexities that take you away from appreciating the moment.  You may be surprised at the peace you find (:



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Linking to: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, The Girl Creative, C.R.A.F.T., 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven, Tools Are For Women Too!, Making the World Cuter, Be Colorful, Mad Skills Monday

Great Fall Gift Idea for Neighbors

One of the things I miss about living in a house is the consistency of neighbors. Apartment living, at least in our area, can be very transitional. You may have neighbors for a couple of years, but they move out and new ones are on the way! It makes it harder to get to know those who share your walls. So as a way to connect and break down the barriers, we like to leave little seasonal "Thinking of You" gifts on our neighbors' doorsteps. For the fall season small pumpkins make an appearance. They can be used for Halloween and then flow right into Thanksgiving...frugal, and versatile all in one (:

We purchased the pumpkins this year from my church's yearly pumpkin patch (the money goes to support missions) and they only cost $.75 if I remember correctly....a frugal gift that keeps on giving. To create the cards I simply found a design online that felt like fall, added "Tis the Season..." on the front of the cards and included a little message on the inside, then printed them out on cardstock.

The cards were simply tied onto the pumpkins with coordinating ribbon and voilà! Instant cute (: They also make wonderful place card holders that add tablescape interest during times of celebration and can be something for your guests to take home to remember the event.

So if you're looking for ways to reach out to neighbors and aren't quite sure what to do...leave a little "Thinking of You" gift and see what doors it will open (:

New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Linking to: My Romantic Home, The Shabby Nest, Remodelaholic, Finding Fabulous, Just a Girl, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Frou Frou Decor, Fun to Craft, Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots and Jello, Craft Envy, Be Different Act Normal, 30 Handmade Days, It's a Hodgepodge Life, Pumpkin Seed Productions, Frugal and Fabulous Design, Sassy Sites, Momma's Kindacrafty

Learning to Knit

Is there something you've always wanted to do but had no idea where to start? Knitting has been that elusive craft for me. The very idea of yarn and needles conjures images of warm cozy nights with family sitting by a crackling fire as children play games or read books...ah, the sheer delight. Neither of my Grandmothers knitted nor aunts or cousins...not even close friends or colleagues enjoyed this zen-like skill of creating, but I wanted to learn.

I hopped online to see if there might be a local group willing to educate this novice. Sure enough I found a few ladies who met once in a while to teach newbies and my first class was under way. A scarf was in the works, but soon things got busy and these new found techniques just became foggy and faded away.

I was eager to begin again, but hoping to find something closer to home that met more frequently. Sure enough...ask and ye shall find! Turns out my church has a prayer shawl ministry!! A group meets every Sunday afternoon to knit shawls for those in hospice and they were willing to teach! I was so excited...not only am I learning to do something that I've always wanted to do, but I'm also able to give back in some way. Here's my first prayer shawl in process...

Hopefully by next year I will have gained enough experience to knit gifts...I can see scarves, stuffed toys and baby blankets in the future (:

So if there's something you've always wanted to do, go for it!! No time like the present (: Look for those who know how to do what you want to learn and ask if they might be willing to teach. There are tons of videos on You Tube teaching so many things (even knitting) and it's a great resource to get you started. So jump in and enjoy the learning process (:



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Linking to: My Romantic Home, Remodelaholic, Finding Fabulous, Just a Girl, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Frou Frou Decor, Fun to Craft, Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots and Jello, Craft Envy, Be Different Act Normal, 30 Handmade Days, It's a Hodgepodge Life, Pumpkin Seed Productions, Frugal and Fabulous Design, Sassy Sites, Momma's Kindacrafty

Pumpkin Sausage Pasta - A Fall Delight

Pumpkin Pasta night is the most awaited night of early Fall. I came across this recipe several years ago on Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals show, made a few tweaks and it soon became a seasonal favorite to rival any comfort food. The Spinach Apple Salad is the perfect add for a well rounded meal.

Because we're a gluten-free household, brown rice penne pasta is used in place of wheat pasta and of course raw cream instead of pasteurized.

Pumpkin Sausage Pasta

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter (I prefer these healthy fats when cooking)
• 1 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage (if you'd like more of a kick go spicy!)
• 4 cloves garlic, cracked and chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 bay leaves, fresh or dried
• 4 to 6 sprigs sage leaves, cut into chiffonade (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup dry white wine (if you don't have wine, just replace with another cup of chicken stock)
• 1 can of pumpkin (or 15-16 oz if you're baking a fresh pumpkin)
• 1/2 cup raw cream
• 1/8 teaspoon ground or freshly grated cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground or freshly grated nutmeg
• Coarse salt and black pepper
• 1 pound brown rice penne pasta (al dente)
• Parmigiano Reggiano for grating

Directions:

Heat a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or butter to the pan and brown the sausage in it. Transfer sausage to paper towel lined plate. Drain fat from skillet and return pan to the stove. Add the remaining tablespoon oil or butter, then garlic and onion. Saute 3 to 5 minutes until tender.

Add bay leaves, sage and wine to the pan. Reduce wine by half (about 2 minutes). Add stock and pumpkin and stir to combine. Continue stirring until sauce comes to a bubble. Return sausage to pan, reduce heat and stir in cream. Add cinnamon and nutmeg and salt & pepper to taste. Simmer mixture 5 to 10 minutes to thicken sauce.

Place drained pasta on serving dish. Remove the bay leaves from sauce and pour sauce over pasta. Garnish with lots of shaved cheese and sage leaves.

Spinach Salad with Apple and Red Onion:

• 1 pound fresh spinach
• 1 small Golden Delicious apple, quartered, cored, and sliced
• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons (a couple of splashes) apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon grain mustard
• 1 tablespoon (a good drizzle) of raw honey
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• Celtic salt and black pepper to taste
• A sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano

Directions:

Toss spinach, apples, onions, walnuts and cheese in a salad bowl.

Pour oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, fennel seeds, salt and pepper in a small jar or container with a tight lid. Shake to combine dressing for about 1 minute. Pour dressing over salad, toss and enjoy!

Yields 4 servings



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Linking to: Skip To My Lou, Tools Are For Women Too!, Simpsonized Crafts, Tip Junkie, Bobbypin's Boardwalk, Today's Creative Blog