Countrified Hicks

Frugal Living Video Blog Series #3: Stocking up!

2013-05-14T17:38:00.002-05:00

This is the third video blog in the "Frugal Living" series. This short video (less than a minute) talks about stocking up on things when you find them on sale. Enjoy!

Frugal Living Video Blog Series #1

Frugal Living Video Blog Series #2: Do not waste

Another blog you might like:
Back to the Basics
Six Sister's Stuff
Little House in the Suburbs
Create with Joy
I should be mopping the floor

Poor Bubba: Again!

2013-05-13T17:03:00.000-05:00

Bubba is my 15 year old son. Bless his heart, he gets himself into such situations; hence, the title. Again! If you remember back a few months there was a post, "Poor Bubba" where he got himself stuck in mud up past his boots and could not get out. Well, he's done it again!
Bubba went out to do his chores and we faintly here him yelling for help. We weren't too worried because this happens frequently. The boy falls at least once EVERY SINGLE day. He gets hurt on a daily basis. I was the same way when I was younger. Anyway...I go out to see what happened THIS time. I walk around the house and then busted out laughing. This is what I see:

Inprisoned Bub!

Yep, he's locked in one of the chicken coops. Apparently, Jasper (the baby donkey) and his momma Minnie wanted to follow him in and eat some of the chicken feed so Bub closed the door behind him. Jasper didn't appreciate it and locked him in. See the wood piece there on the door, Jasper used his nose to turn it and locked Bub inside.

Bub didn't appreciate me running to get the camera before releasing him but this moment HAD to be reported!

The guilty party!

So, how has your day been?

Other blogs you may like:
1 Minute Bible Love Notes
This Mind be in You

The Gathering Spot
Back to the Basics
Six Sister's Stuff
Little House in the Suburbs
Create with Joy
I should be mopping the floor

Frugal Living Series: Videoblog Post #2 (Don't Waste Nothing)

2013-05-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

This video blog post is 2nd in the series over Frugal Living. In this video blog, "Countrified Hicks" talks about how you should not waste anything.

Here is the link to the 1st post in the series: Click here!

Frugal Living Video Blog Series #3

How to make the Oatmeal Packets she talks about in the video.

Other blogs you may like:

Frugally Sustainable

1 Minute Bible Love Notes
Hope in Every Season
Housewife How-To's
Back to the basics!
Cornerstone Confessions
Little House in the Suburbs
Angels Homestead
Six Sisters Stuff
The Gathering Spot
Create with Joy
I Should be Mopping the Floor

Frugal Living Series: Videoblog Post #1

2013-05-06T17:42:00.000-05:00

Here is the first video blog post on frugal living that we have done. Watch the video and hear "Countrified Hicks" talk about dehydrating, canning butter, spice rubs, jam, jelly, etc. Click on the "recipe" tab to find some of the recipes she mentions.

Here are links to some of the things mentioned in the video:

Jamabalaya

Rice-a-roni mix

Corn cob Jelly

Here is the link to the 2nd video in the series. Click here!

Frugal Living Video blog Series #3

Another blog you may like:

This Mind be in You
Housewife How-to's
Back to the Basics
Cornerstone Confessions
Hope in Every Season
Little House in the Suburbs
Angels Homestead
Six Sisters Stuff

Fishing!

2013-05-05T18:13:00.000-05:00

It is spring time but it sure doesn't feel like it. We had 80 degree weather for awhile and then overnight, the temperature dropped 30 degrees and it is cold again. Parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas all got some snow. Gardens and trees are ruined. Luckily, we did not get snow in our part of the woods.
Yesterday was cool and cloudy and I was craving fish so I sent my hubby and oldest son down to the lake to catch a few bass. They didn't disappoint. They caught several and brought home 2 for our supper. Only hubby and I were eating so we brought home only what we needed.

We had a wonderful dinner of fresh caught bass fillets that didn't cost us a penny and father and son spent some quality time together. Yep, it was a good day!

Shop our STORE!

Egg Candler Winner

2013-04-28T13:28:00.003-05:00

One of the winners of the Egg Candler giveaway was kind enough to send me a picture of her and her prize and I thought maybe you all would enjoy seeing it too.

Destiny W. from Oklahoma and her Egg Candler she won from our giveaway!

If you were also a winner and would like to send in a picture of you with your egg candler, please send me a photo and I'll add you to this page.

Remember to check out OUR STORE for amazing deals!

Gravitt's Goulash

2013-04-27T16:55:00.000-05:00

I don't know about your family, but my family LOVES goulash. It's one of those "feel good" kinda meals. It ain't fancy but it sure is delicious and feeling. Anyhow, here is how I make it.

Gravitt's Goulash

2 lbs. hamburger meat 2 T. chopped onions

1 T. garlic powder 3 c. water

2 cans tomato sauce (15 oz. ea.) 2 cans petite diced tomatoes (15 oz. ea.)

2 T. soy sauce 2 T. italian seasoning

1 T. seasoning salt 2 cups elbow macaroni/macaroni shells

In a large pot, brown the hamburger meat. When fully cooked, do not drain off the fat.

Stir in the chopped onions and cook the onions for a few minutes with the hamburger meat. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomatoes, water and all the spices. Cook over low heat for 17 minutes. As the sauce cooks, cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Once the macaroni is cooked, drain and pour in with the sauce. Let the flavors "meld" together for about 10 minutes and then serve.

Remember to shop at OUR STORE for great buys and deals.

Follow us on Pinterest

This recipe was featured on: Home to 4 Kiddo's "Try a new recipe Tuesday"

Other blogs you may like:
Little House in the Suburbs
Six Sister's Stuff
Not your ordinary recipes
I should be mopping the floor
Create with Joy
The Chicken Chick
The Gathering Spot
Home to 4 Kiddos
Housewife How-To's
Cornerstone Confessions
Back 2 Basics Health
Hope in Every Season
Bible Love Notes
Frugally Sustainable

Orange Chicken

2013-04-20T01:41:00.001-05:00

Orange Chicken

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate (Do not add water)
4 T. brown sugar
1 tsp. white vinegar
1/2 T. salt
3 T. ketchup

Mix all the ingredients together and pour into your crock-pot. Now take 2 large cans of chicken and drain the liquid out. Put the chicken into the crock-pot and stir so all the chicken pieces are fully coated with the orange sauce. Turn the crock-pot onto high and cook for 2 hours.
Serve over a bed of brown rice with a side of vegetables. Yum!

Please take a look around OUR STORE. Every purchase helps us out!

Follow us on Pinterest

Another blog you might like:
Little House in the Suburbs
Sugar Aunts
Be Different, Act Normal
I Should be Mopping the Floor
Create with Joy
The Chicken Chick
C.R.A.F.T.
The Gathering Spot
Housewife How-To's
Back to the Basics
Hope in Every Season
Angel's Homestead

Freezing Eggs

2013-04-17T11:17:00.001-05:00

Our hens are egg laying machines. We have a few hens that will even lay twice a day. They are just really happy girls and love to lay eggs for us every single day and we really do not have that many hens. Anyway, we always have an abundance of farm fresh eggs. We give some away, we sell some, we pickle some and we eat a lot but we still pretty much have eggs coming out of our ears! What to do, what to do? Freeze them, that's what!

How to Freeze Eggs

Freezing eggs is really quite easy. What we do is take 10 farm, fresh eggs and crack them all into a bowl. Next, whisk them up really good or use a fork to mix them up like you would do if you were making scrambled eggs.

The eggs all mixed up.

Once they are whipped up good, pour them into a quart sized baggie. Try to get all the air out of the bag and label it.

10 eggs in the baggie ready to go into the freezer.

We did 4 packages this way for a total of 40 eggs in 4 bags. We laid the 4 bags flat in a large cake pan and put them into the freezer. The next day, after they are all frozen completely, you can remove the cake pan and just put the baggies back into your freezer.

To defrost a bag, we just put it the refrigerator overnight. To use, we generally just scramble up the whole bag but if you just want to use a few eggs at a time, 3 T. of mixed egg equal to 1 egg. It is great to take on camping trips. Once defrosted, use the eggs within 2-3 days.

Please visit our STORE.

We have all kinds of merchandise at great prices and EVERY purchase aids our family.

Follow us on Pinterest

Another blog you might like:
Sugar Aunts
Be Different, Act Normal
I Should be Mopping the Floor
Create with Joy
The Chicken Chick
C.R.A.F.T.
The Gathering Spot
Housewife How-To's
Back to Basics
Cornerstone Confessions
Angels Homestead

Praying for Boston

2013-04-16T16:47:00.000-05:00

Once again, our great country is experiencing an act of terrorism. My heart is heavy and sad. It is this week, 18 years ago, on April 19, 1995, that the OKC bombings occurred. Then there was 9/11. Our country is strong and our people are supportive but I hate that things like this are what often pulls us all together. Our country is indeed united in praying and caring for all affected by the Boston bombings. God be with you. God bless us all!

Our 1st Time to Home Butcher

2013-04-12T17:17:00.000-05:00

We butchered our first raised animal yesterday. We butchered a pig we purchased when he was just a few months old and have fed and raised him for over a year.

This is about the size he was when we got him, around 9 weeks old.

The whole purpose of getting the pig was to raise him to be butchered to feed our family. We all knew it but this is the part of homesteading that is not easy.
That pig was ornery. Numerous times he caused us problems. We got angry over him soooo many times but in the end, it was still hard to do. I am not a totally "soft" person. I have worked in the medical field and have seen many things (surgeries, autopsies, death). I did animal rescue for over 10 years and have had to put animals down ourselves for humane reasons. I know that meat comes from animals and the pig will serve its purpose by providing meat for our family but still....
I guess I just got sad because I was so used to seeing that pig every single day. I made sure that I was not the one responsible for its care because I knew I would be the one to be attached and not any of the men folk in the house. But still, every time I went outside or drove up to the house, there was that big pig squealing at us. I didn't get attached...I got used to him. Will I miss him? In a way. Will I enjoy eating the meat? You betcha! Am I not cut out for this type of life? Sure I am. I do not think there is anything wrong with showing compassion or having a heart. I think when one loses their compassion and has no regard for life at all is when there is trouble. All life has value and his value was to feed our family. Thank you Mr. Pig. Well done. Well done!

Please shop our STORE. Every purchase helps out our family.

Follow us on Pinterest

Another blog you might like:
Six Sister's Stuff
Little House in the Suburbs
The Chicken Chick
Back to Basics
Angel's Homestead

Happy 1 Year Anniversary

2013-04-11T11:13:00.000-05:00

Wow! It is so hard to believe but one year ago, I started this blog. I cannot believe how quickly time flies. There has been many times that I have neglected the blog and for that I am sorry. Writing it and having the Facebook page and visiting with you all has helped me more than I am sure has helped you. I have met so many wonderful people and you all mean the world to me. And the stuff I have learned! Man, oh man! Thanks for hanging with me for the past year and hope we will grow and learn more from each other this next year.
Here are some facts from the first year of my blog and FB page:
In one year (365 days), I have written 129 posts. That equals to me writing one post every 3 days for a year. Not as bad as I thought. :-) In those 129 posts, I've received 1459 comments. Gee whiz! Now that is impressive. Do you know what that tells me? It tells me how engaged and responsive my followers are. I average ELEVEN comments per post. That is so amazing and wonderful. Thank you for communicating with me and being interested in what I have had to say.
Again, thank you everyone!

Homemade BIG Biscuits and Chocolate Gravy

2013-04-08T12:41:00.000-05:00

If you are from the South, more than likely, you know EXACTLY what chocolate gravy is and have found memories of your mama or your grandma making this for you as a child. If you're not from the South, you may be wondering what it is. Well, it's exactly what it sounds like...chocolate in gravy form. You use it like you would sausage gravy or pepper gravy. Some prefer it over toast, some over bread, but at our house, my men folk prefer it over big homemade biscuits. I was going to take a picture of my hubby and boys enjoying the breakfast but my camera shutter doesn't move as fast as they were shoveling the food into their mouths. It was truly a site to see. :-D

Big Homemade Biscuits

3 c. flour 4 tsp. baking powder

3 tsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/4 c. shortening

1/4 c. margarine, softened 1 egg

2/3 c. milk.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Add all your ingredients into a large bowl and stir with a spoon. Do not use a mixer. Once it is stirred up, dump onto a floured surface and knead the dough about 20 times gently. Roll out the dough to about 1/4-1/2" thick and cut with biscuit cutter or band lid from a canning jar.

Place on an ungreased jelly roll pan or cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes. Take a stick of margarine and using the end of the stick, smear butter over the top of the biscuits as soon as they come out of the oven. Makes 12 big biscuits.

Chocolate Gravy

1/4 c. cocoa 3 T. flour

1 c. Splenda (or sugar) 2 c. milk

1 T. margarine, softened 2 tsp. vanilla

Whisk the dry ingredients together in a small saucepot. Add in the milk and whisk until there are no lumps. Cook over medium heat, stirring gently constantly, for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the margarine and vanilla. Serve over biscuits with a dallop of margarine on top of them all. Makes 3 cups of gravy.

Biscuits with chocolate gravy and a dallop of margarine on top.

Biscuits with chocolate gravy! Yum, yum, yum!

Be sure to visit our STORE for all your needs.

Follow us on Pinterest

Another blog you might like:
Six Sister's Stuff
Little House in the Suburbs
Create with Joy
I should be mopping the floor
The Chicken Chick
Frugally Sustainable
C.R.A.F.T.
Back to Basics
Angels Homestead

Book Review: The Coming Revolution Signs from America's Past That Signal Our Nation's Future By Dr. Richard Lee

2013-04-07T17:03:00.002-05:00

In his book, “The Coming Revolution: Signs from America’s Past that signal our Nation’s future”, Dr. Richard Lee takes the reader on a journey through the history of the United States. Dr. Lee is quite thorough in documenting how our great country was founded and where the country is headed. Can America be saved or should it be saved?

I really enjoyed reading this book. As a Christian, I felt like the author was speaking directly to me. Dr. Lee directs Christians on their duty to rally together and bring this country back to its roots before it is too late.

Dr. Lee does not just sound out wildly. He cites specific examples and backs what he has to say. His views are very conservative but that is okay by me. He speaks truthfully and intelligently over U.S. history and how our founding fathers built our country on faith and believed it should be run by people of faith.

Do we want our country to be divided? Do we want another revolution? If not, the country as a whole has to change. The best thing about this book is that the author doesn’t just suggest change; he actually lists out things that can be done by you and me to make a difference.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

New Additions to Our Homestead

2013-04-07T16:24:00.000-05:00

It has been a busy past week or two at our homestead. We have added to our farm by leaps and bounds and are so happy with the additions and improvements.

Our first two new additions are American Mammoth Donkeys. We got "Minnie" and her foal "Jasper". They came from Greenwood, AR and had a 2 hour trip to arrive at our place.

"Minnie" right after coming off the trailer.

"Jasper"

"Minnie" and "Jasper" hanging out and getting used to the place.

We have a Boer nanny goat named "Bo" who we plan on mating with our Pygmy Goat "Patches".

"Bo"

"Patches" checking things out.

"Patches" rockin' his "do".

10 baby chicks

Our duckling. Don't you just love his "fro"? ;-)

Duckling swimming.

And if you missed the post on our baby Nigerian goat, please read it here. He is so TINY and darling!

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And if you haven't visited our STORE yet, please do so!

Another blog you might enjoy:
The Chicken Chick
The Gathering Spot

Winners of the Give-away

2013-04-07T01:40:00.000-05:00

Winners of the Ovaview Egg Candler giveaway are:

Lisa InFallbrook
Helen Cates
Destiny Wright
Angie Napier Giddens
LuAnn Braley
Brandon Dee

Congratulation to each one of you!

I have sent an email to each of the winners with instructions on redeeming the prize. If you are a winner, please check your inbox of the email account you used to enter the contest. Be sure to contact me soon via email or our Facebook page.

Mondays with Countrified Hicks #8

2013-04-01T21:00:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder, the GIVEAWAY is still going on. We will have 6 winners who each will win an Ovaview Chicken Candler worth over $45 each. Click the link and enter while there is still time.
Also, be sure to check out OUR STORE. We have lots of rare and beautiful flowers and GREAT prices.

The most clicked on posts for last week were:

Debbie Dabble with "Easter Decor in the Kitchen"

Rural Living Today with "What does sustainability mean to you?"

Baby Giveaways Galore with "Tuna Casserole"

Feel free to grab a featured button (found below) if you were featured.

Now, on to the link up!

Potato Biscuits

2013-03-31T00:03:00.002-05:00

Here is an easy recipe for "Potato Biscuits" some people call them "Potato Rolls" but they resemble more of a biscuit to me. You can't taste the taters in them but the taters make them light and delicious. Our family has these about once a week and they get eaten quickly around here. Hope your family likes 'em as much as mine does.

Potato Biscuits

1/2 c. instant potato flakes 2 tsp. sugar

2. T. softened margarine 1/2 c. hot water

1/3 c. water 2 c. Bisquick

In a bowl, mix together the potato flakes, sugar, margarine and hot water.

Stir gently then add in the water and Bisquick.

Stir until it forms a dough and then turn it out onto a Bisquick dusted table.

Knead 8-10 times and then pinch off some dough and roll into 12 balls. Place on an ungreased cooking sheet and bake in a preheated 450 degree oven for 11 minutes.

Be sure to check out OUR STORE for all kinds of great products!

Be sure to enter the GIVEAWAY!!!

Follow us on Twitter

Another blog you might like:
I should be mopping the floor
Cornerstone Confessions
Home to 4 Kiddos
Frugally Sustainable
Housewife How-To's
The Gathering Spot
Not your ordinary Recipes
Hope in Every Season
Six Sisters Stuff

GIVEAWAY! My very 1st giveaway

2013-03-25T14:30:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to announce my very first giveaway and this giveaway is AWESOME. Brinsea, the company who makes the Ovaview Egg Candler has graciously agreed to give away not 1, not 2, not 3 but SIX, yes 6, Ovaview Egg Candlers.

Each one is over $45 so what are you waiting for? Enter today. JUST TO CLARIFY: There will be SIX different winners and each winner will receive ONE of the candlers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mondays with Countrified Hicks #7

2013-03-24T22:46:00.000-05:00

Hi and welcome back. We had a nice spring break but are ready to get this bad boy started. How about you? Before we get started, be sure to check out our store. There are several really great specials going on and one in particular is AWESOME! How about 2500 (yes, twenty-five HUNDRED) HEIRLOOM (non-GMO seeds) for less than $23. Yep, that's right. Click here to check them out! Now, on to the link up!

Our Baby Nigerian Dwarf Goat

2013-03-19T17:34:00.002-05:00

We just got a new baby Nigerian Dwarf Goat. He is about 9 weeks old and we have named him "Allen Buck Wankin" (yes, the kids helped name him, how'd you guess?). We call him "Buck" or "Bucky". He is just too precious. We will be getting him a female in 2 months so in about a year, we'll be having babies of our own. So excited for this newest adventure. Did you know Nigerian goat milk is a very sweet milk and is one of the best for making cheeses and soap due to its high butterfat amount. That means milk for our family, cheese, and soap. We can also sell the babies for a profit and can butcher them for meat if we need/want to. Anyway, here are some pictures and a short video for you to enjoy of him.

In my hubby's arms

Being held by my 15 year old son, Brandon

In his barrel with his heat lamp.

You can tell how tiny he is. He's inside his 50 gallon barrel which is serving as his sleeping chambers for now.

Just waking up for the day.

Being held by my 8 year old son, Ronny.

Just a quick video of him "bleating" for his human momma, Me!

Don't forget to check out OUR STORE for all your needs.

Visit us on Facebook.

Another blog you might like:
The Chicken Chick

Featured Posts and Spring Break

2013-03-18T12:07:00.000-05:00

I am not doing the weekly link up this week because of Spring Break but I will be back next week as usual. Remember, if you do not link back to me (via a link or my button) I will not feature you (even if you had the most clicks). I am sorry but it's a link up and there are rules and are super, easy to follow. Anyway, the featured posts from last week are:

"Homemade Cinnamon Rolls" from "I got this Martha"

"Slow Cooker Beef Stew" from "The Best Blog Recipes"

"How God brought us to where we are" from "Homesteading Our Family Dream"

Congratulations to each of you!
If your post was featured, feel free to grab the button below to showcase on your blog!

Also, don't forget to visit OUR STORE! Each sale helps our blog and our family. Please have a look around!

Mondays with Countrified Hicks #6

2013-03-11T12:50:00.001-05:00

Hello and welcome! Last week we had 45 great entries. Thank you to each of you for linking up. I was amazed at what a great bunch of links we had. All were so interesting. If you missed out on them, be sure to go back to week #5 and visit each of them. You won't regret it.

Also don't forget to visit OUR STORE for gardening, homeschooling, prepping and Kitchen items!

The most clicked on links from last week were:

"10 ways to be your Husband's Biggest Fan" from "Living in the Light"

"Do you live Fearlessly in a Fearful World" from "Women Abiding"

"Chocolate Coconut Pudding" from Real Food Forager

Feel free to grab a button from below to put on your site if your post was featured!

<a href="http://www.countrifiedhicks.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.freeimagehosting.net/newuploads/4974u.jpg" alt="FeaturedButton" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Also don't forget to visit OUR STORE for gardening, homeschooling, prepping and Kitchen items!

Another walk through our Woods

2013-03-05T15:30:00.002-06:00

We got to experience another 70 degree day yesterday and took a walk around our property. We have such great views and wanted to share the nice day with you all.

Creek that runs behind our home.

Small pond on our property. Love the sun peaking through the trees.

Another view of the creek. Lots of wildlife come down to drink here.

Just one of our views from our property. That mountain/hill has lots of hang gliders who jump from it. It is neat to watch them soar around from our home.

Some of the woods on the property. We have plenty of wooded areas and have black bears , mountain lions, and deer, as well as, squirrels, opossums, rabbits, and racoons.

Our pond from a different angle. The level is way down due to the drought.

I love our homestead. It is just perfect to us. We have 3 wells, the creek that runs behind our home and a small pond. Just to the east of our property is a large water shed with lots of good fishing in it. We have fruit and nut trees and gardens and lots of wild life. It is our little piece of heaven and we are very thankful for it.

Be sure to visit OUR STORE!

Mondays with Countrified Hicks #5

2013-03-04T12:26:00.000-06:00

Here are the most clicked on links from last week.

The Domestic Life Stylist and the post "How to create a stockpile without becoming a hoarder"

The Domestic Life Stylist

Next was Oh Mrs. Tucker and the post New Grandparents=New Firsts

Oh Mrs. Tucker

And finally, Mary's Kitchen with the post "Foods to fight inflammation"

Mary's Kitchen

Feel free to grab a button from below to put on your site if your post was featured!

Visit our store for great deals!