We’ve just released our first ebook – Thanksgiving on a Budget! It’s 84 pages long and features 28 recipes, including three fully planned menus, so that you have everything you need to plan a thrifty but awesome Thanksgiving.

These are some of the things you’ll find in the book are:

• Budget Traditional Turkey Menu complete with super easy cranberry sauce and stuffings
• Prepare ahead Turkey Lasagna Menu
• Complete Vegetarian Menu
• All your favorite desserts – Apple Pie (it’s Daina’s special recipe!), Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie and more
• Family tested recipes for using up your leftovers
• Heaps of worksheets to help you with your planning
• Help planning your budget and budget planning workshop
• Menu planning and shopping list worksheets
• Pot luck planner worksheet
• Guest list planner and tracker worksheet
• Thanksgiving task planner worksheet

It was co-written by Rick, Daina, Julie and Cathy. We all had great fun putting it together, so please check it out at Thanksgiving on a Budget.

All of us at Get Self Sufficient

PS we also have a great affiliate program – check it out at http://www.thanksgivingonabudget.com/affiliates

P.P.S Use these video clips from Chow.com if you run into any “Oooops!” while preparing your feasts!

Step # 1: Replacing A Doorknob

When Replacing a Doorknob start with removing the fasteners keeping the doorknob in position. The actual fasteners will likely be on the indoor side.

 That should result in the doorknob dropping free. Both sides of the doorknob will fall away…This will also expose the interior mechanism of the door latch…

Step # 2: Remove the Door Latch

Remove the screws either with a regular hand screw diver or with a power drill, as shown in the image…You will be able to pull the latch out of the slot.

Step # 3: Installation of the Brand New Door Latch and the Door Handle

Depending on your door, you might need to change the actual back set, the space between your fringe of the door and also the middle in the doorknob. Many doorknobs may allow for various back sets.

Reverse the removing method to install the new doorknob. Typically the actual openings for that brand-new doorknob may suit your current holes. Make sure to orient the new striker plate (on the door jamb) in the right direction to ensure the door can shut effectively.

Install the new latch and hand tighten the screws first, establishing the anchoring screws by hand 1st after which tightening them with an electrical drill.

Arrange your doorknobs in position, also tighten the anchoring screws by hand.

You can snug them with either a hand screw driver or power drill…keep in mind,  never over-tighten the anchoring screws as you may hinder your doorknob.

Test the brand new door handle to make certain doorknob turns, as well as locks correctly.

If you have any questions, please feel free to do so in the comment box below an I will be happy to answer.

I love this time of year.  The weather is good here in the UK and it’s a great time for walking in the great outdoors and for foraging for fruit.

Last month I managed to pick some wild raspberries locally.  The blackberries are now ripening and I’ve already had several dishes full of the  young, ripe blackberries.  I’ve also found a good source of cherry plums (yellow and red ones) and they are really sweet.  The apples are starting to weigh down the branches of the trees.  I’ve also notices that some of the cobnuts (English hazelnuts) are starting to turn brown (though they won’t be ready for picking until the end of September – if you pick them too early you get nothing but empty shells).

If you are new to foraging and you don’t think there is much free fruit in the local area I suggest you start walking regularly and you open your eyes and look for the fruit.  I found that it took a couple of years of walking to actually be able to spot fruit bushes and trees.  Once you get the knack of it you start to see them in places you’ve maybe been walking for years and you’ve just never noticed them. You would not believe how many apple trees grow near to my local canal, all because someone many years ago was kind enough to toss away their old apple core.  I’m thinking of going down there myself with a few and donating to the foragers of the future.  In fact, I think we should all make a point of planting fruit bushes and trees  in such places, especially as the price of food is starting to go through the roof.

Anyone out there involved in projects like this?  I’m just wondering if there are guidelines or laws in relation to planting in these open spaces?  If you know of any good links, please do add them in a comment below.
photo credit: erix!

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about Reading Preventing my Progress. Following the guidance of Julia Cameron, in The Artists Way, I spent a week trying to avoid reading in the hope that my productivity and creativity would improve.

Avoiding reading was very frustrating.  I was tempted so many times to turn on my computer and to start searching for inspiration.  I gave in once, but it didn’t really solve my problem.  I just wasted an hour or so surfing the Internet and felt quite annoyed about it!

On the positive side I managed to get down to some of the creative tasks I’d been promising myself I would do for ages.  I designed and made a craft tidy box for all my art pencils, pens, scissors, glue, tools and other bits and bobs that seem to roam around the house. I worked on my calligraphy, designing and producing cards for my friends for Easter, and tried out various techniques in my sketchbook. I completed a few other textile projects and started an inspiration art journal.

I’m so impressed with my increased productivity that I’m continuing to restrict the amount of time I spend reading.  I suggest that you try the one week reading ban for yourself too.  It may make you question why you spend so long with your nose in a book instead of trying out new techniques and completing new projects.

I hope that you return and list some of the items you’ve managed to produce in your reading free week.

Good luck!

Thinking of baking bread or cakes for Easter?  Check out these great recipes for 10 different types of Easter breads and cakes from around the world.

Hot Cross Buns

Many people love to eat these on Good Friday (22nd April 2011), and sharing them with a friend is supposed to ensure friendship over the coming year. The term ‘Hot Cross Bun’ was first recorded in 1783. The cross is a symbol of the crucifiction. Hot Cross Buns are wonderful eaten straight from the oven or toasted with butter. You can either stick to an original Hot Cross Bun recipe (which would contain spices, currants, raisins or candied citrus peel) or try one of the many variations e.g.

Orange and Cranberry

Chocolate and Orange

or Jamie Oliver’s Hot Cross Pudding.

Passover Bread

Passover Bread is an unleavended bread which is traditionally eaten over the Passover holiday.  Unleavened bread is eaten to commorate the Exodus story, when the israelite slaves were freed.  This year Passover starts on 19th April 2011 and ends on 25th April 2011.

Easter Dove

The Dove is a symbol of peace and a symbol of Christ.  The Easter Dove, a traditional Italian bread, will certainly be a topic of conversation at any Easter gathering.  If you want to create lots of smaller Easter Doves, try this Easter Dove Recipe.

Lazarus Bread (Lazarakia)

This spicy bread is traditionally eaten on Lazarus Saturday (which was on the 16th April 2011) to commemorate the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus.  If you haven’t come across this before you have to check it out. The bread is actually shaped like a man (Lazarus).  Go over to Adventures of an Orthodox Mum to see the Lazarus bread recipe. If you turn up with this as A gift I’m sure you’ll be forgiven if it’s well past Lazarus Saturday!

Paska (Polish Easter Bread)

If you’re looking for something light and sweet, try this Polish Paska Bread.  Again there are different types of Paska and the different breads symbolise aspects of Easter. Paska with a yellow and white swirl inside can represent Christ and the Holy Spirit, while marachino cherries may represent jewels honoring of the resurrection of Christ.

Babka

Again there are different versions of this sweet, yeasty cake.  Take a look at the Jewish Babka which contains chocolate and cinnamon.  This is traditionally eaten over passover instead of the usual types of bread.

Simnel Cake

Historically these spicy, frut cakes were made as a gift from a daughter to her mother on Mothering Sunday.  If it kept moist until easter is was taken as proof of the daughters good baking skills.  The cake became associated with Easter during World War I.  Check out this Simnel Cake recipe.  Mmmmmmm Marzipan!

Pretzels

Did you know that knot shaped, sweet and savoury Pretzels are thought to have Medieval Christian origins?  They were probably invented by monks to reward children for remembering their prayers.  Again there are many varieties, all are baked.  Try these Soft Cheddar Pretzels or these Sweet Cinnamon Raisin Pretzels.

Easter Biscuits

Easter Biscuits are thought to originate in Britain and they were traditionally given as gifts on Easter Sunday.  The biscuits are similar to Garibaldi biscuits; they are fruity and topped with sugar.  There are variations; some are spicy, some use lemon zest.  Why not use the basic recipe given and adapt it to your own tastes.

Easter Egg Nests

If you really can’t be bothered with all that flour, eggs and sugar, then keep the kids happy by making some Easter Egg Nests.  Even I can do this one off the top of my head.  You only need three ingredients and some bun cases.  Sugar coated chocolate mini eggs, chocolate and cereal (rice crispies or cornflakes work well but I’m sure you can get away with the children’s favourite cereals).

I hope you find time to try out some of the Easter recipes.  If you’re partying over Easter, don’t go empty handed.

Have a great Easter.

photo credit: izatrini_com

Pasta is one of those foods you can prepare very quickly.  Fresh pasta can take just a few minutes, and most dried pasta you can cook in about 10 minutes.  If you have small frozen portions of a simple tomato sauce in the freezer, you can prepare a great meal in next to no time.

Heres the list of ingredients of a basic Tomato Sauce.  Try doubling up, multiplying by 4 etc.  Make as much as you can in one session so that it’s more economical in terms of time and fuel used in cooking.

Ingredients for the Simple Tomato Sauce

6 tablespoons olive oil

1 finely chopped onion

1 1/2  lbs (approx 3 kg) tomatoes (skinned and choppped)

A 14oz tin of chopped tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed.

Salt & pepper

3 fluid oz vegetable stock (or 1 vegetable stock cube 3 fluid oz water)

A small handful of basil leaves

Cooking the Simple Tomato Sauce

Pour the olive oil into a saucepan.  Add the chopped onion and fry gently until golden.

Add the chopped tomatoes, garlic and salt & pepper.  Cook for 5 minutes.

Stir in the tinned tomatoes.  Simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the stock cube and water. Bring it back to the boil and simmer until the sauce has reduced to the required consistency (about 10 minutes).  Chop and add basil leaves (alter the amount to suit your tastes).

This sauce keeps well in the freezer.  Store in single portion sized quantities.  Try thawing it out and using this sauce with pasta and just grated cheese on top, or add other ingredients (e.g. small pieces of freshly cooked bacon, roasted mediterranean vegetables, use it as a basis for bolognese with mince, stir in some mozarella, how about some continental sausage etc).  Any more suggestions?

photo credit: nayukim

Practice, Practice, Practice

Are you thinking about learning calligraphy?

Learning calligraphy is something I thought about for years.  At a few points along the line I did actually buy pens, calligraphy sets, books etc.  But after a few trial sessions I gave up.  I just couldn’t get any of it right.  My straight lines wriggled and leaned over.  My circles were oval.  The curves were too big (where have I heard that one before).  My pen just never did what my brain wanted it to do.  You get the drift?

About 6 weeks ago my desire to learn calligraphy was cataputed from the far recesses of my brain when I found an old calligraphy pen and some leaky cartridges at the bottom of one of my craft boxes.

After reviewing my past failures I decided to start by searching for local tutors and classes.  I found only three people in the local area who seemed to be working as calligraphers or teaching calligraphy.  After a little more digging I found that there was a class running about 5 miles away and that the teacher is a prize winning calligrapher.  Perfect.  If this guy can’t help me, no-one can.  A few phonecalls revealed that there was a place on the course so off I went to enrol.

I’ve now attended four, two hour, classes.  At the beginning of the first one I nearly had a panic attack when I was presented with gothic letters and asked if I’d like to learn the script.  Love to, but where do you start?  With a little support I was soon practicing the lower case letters.   At the end of the class I bought the beginners calligraphy kit from the tutor.  This consisted of a sponge (in which I stand the bottle of ink so it doesn’t spill), ink, a pen, nib and reservoir and some paper.  I went home happy.

The next morning I decided to try out the new pen.  No matter what I did, I just couldn’t get it to write.  I tried cleaning it in soapy water, altering the position of the reservoir and overloading it with ink.  It just didn’t work.  I could not get it to write.  I decided that the pen was a dud and reverted back to my faithful cartridge pen.   After another 6 days of practicing for 20-30 mins a day I returned to the class feeling proud of my progress.

At the beginning of the second class I spoke to the tutor about my problems with the pen.  He immediately solved the problem.  When I loaded the pen I’d not checked to see if the ink was filling the front of the reservoir.  I had been leaving  an air space so the ink would not flow to the nib.  With this problem solved I immediately put my head down and started to write.  Unfortunately I then spent an hour and 15 minutes splodging (ok, so maybe it isn’t a real word, I really did splodge none-stop)  over the paper, the desk, the teachers handouts, my hands and everything else that came within 2 feet of me.  It was not a pretty sight I can tell you.  By the end of the second class I was spitting feathers.  I was in a terrible mood, stressed out of my brain and convinced that I would never be a calligrapher. I felt defeated but wasn’t quite ready to voice it out loud.

That night I had a serious talk to myself in bed.  (I have as degree in psychology.  We all talk to ourselves.  Believe me, it is normal).  The splodging was a small problem caused by overfilling the reservoir and by pressing on too hard with the pen.  All I had to do was stay calm, learn how to fill the pen to the correct level and control the pressure.  Over the next 6 days I splodged and practiced.  The splodges decreased and my confidence grew.

At the beginning of the third lesson I received a copy of the capital letters and set to work.  It was difficult to know where to start on some of them, but the tutor pointed me in the right direction.  Always start on the right and at the top of the letters.  Work your way down and to the left.  Just as you would with normal hand writing.  After another weeks practice my letters were starting to improve.

By the forth lesson I was getting in to the flow of calligraphy.  It is very intense.  You need a great deal of patience and concentration to learn calligraphy.  It’s also very restful though.  You can’t stay stressed and do calligraphy.  Once you make a start, it’s like your brain cools down.  Meditation.  Very restful.

I listen to people talking about calligraphy, painting and other arts and crafts.  Often the comment, ‘It’s only practice.’  I disagree.  In order to learn calligraphy you do need to practice.  You need good discipline and perseverance.  You have to constantly look for your own mistakes and find out how to improve your work.  Having a good tutor will helps with all of this.  They also provide the encouragement that you need on a bad day.

I’m looking forward to many more classes, improving scripts, learning new ones, incorporating colours, and learning about layout.  I’m hoping that this will be the first year I don’t buy Christmas cards.  I’m going to make them.  I already have visions of beautiful lettering, attractive borders, a few seasonal sketches and and smiles from the recipients.

If you’re thinking of learning calligraphy, do it now.  Find yourself a great tutor, join a group, learn some letters, make time, make mistakes, practice, improve, learn some more, then practice more.

Don’t forget to post stories of your calligraphy trials and tribulations here.  Do you think we should have a calligraphy card completion before Christmas?  Mmmmm.  Must speak to Catherine and Rick about that….

I love reading. I love books.  I love the Internet.   I’m forever searching for infomation and looking for ideas. The problem is that I spend more time reading than I do on actually do on creating anything myself.

I’m just working through a book called ‘The Artists Way’ by Julia Cameron. There are lots of references to it on the Internet.  It’s a popular book and lots of potentially creative individuals seem to be working through it.  There’s also a website and forum where people discuss the book.  So, inspired by all the positive comments, I checked out the local library catalogue, found that there was a copy on the shelves of the library, and off I went to find some more inspiration.

There are lots of exercises to work through every week and daily tasks that are there to support your artistic development.  It’s more of a spiritual/mind/working through issues book rather than the kind that works through arty/crafty techniques.  I’m slowly ploughing through it, and quite enjoying the journey.

Last night I read through chapter 4 (for the start of my week 4).  At the end of the chapter I closed the book with a big smile on my face.  Why?  In week 4 I’m not allowed to read.  NO READING!  Can you believe that?  Will I survive week 4?  Who knows.  This is a real test of my dedication.

Apparently, some people react to this with anger and protests.  I can understand why.  The reason for the reading ban is that people who are blocked tend to spend all their time searching for inspiration from others, often by reading.  They avoid actually sitting down and creating something themselves.  How true.  This is something I know I’m guilty of.  I can spend hours reading art and craft books and blogs.  I search for, and I find, absolutely fantastic ideas that I’m always going to do tomorrow (when I feel less tired).  Unfortunately, tomorrow almost never comes.  I’ve usually found something better to read and bookmarked it for the following day.

So, as I already said, I went to bed last night smiling.  My first reaction to the news that I can’t read was ‘How on earth will I do that?  I don’t think I can manage it.’  My second reaction was ‘If I can’t spend all my time reading (and doing other useless things like watching TV) I will have to do something productive.  Brilliant.  Yes, I have to agree with Julia Cameron.  It’s a fabulous idea.

This week I’m going to resist reading, as much as possible, and I’m going to concentrate on being creative and being productive.  It’s going to be difficult.  I want to write more blog posts and I usually look for references on the Internet.  This week my posts are going to be written using what’s in my head.  No references, but I might make a few suggestions for further research if you’re interested.  I will allow myself to read through my own posts in order to search for mistakes.  Editing is part of the creative process.  I will not allow myself to be distracted into searching for ideas or reading novels (which is tough ‘cos I’m half way through a good one).

If you want to find out more about this book I suggest you do a Google search for ‘The Artists Way’ by Julia Cameron.  Have a look at the website and find out what others are saying about The Artists Way.  I’d love to join you in the search.   I’d love to read about what comes next, but I’m not allowed to.  I’m too busy being productive this week.

This week I will not read, I will not read, I will not read.  Oooohhhhh, so difficult!  It’s a bit like having an itch that you can’t scratch.

I hope that you have fun reading.

Don’t forget to reserve some of your time for creating.

It would be great if you would come back and leave some comments and references for others to follow this week, and I certainly look forward to reading the comments -  next week.

This is one of my favourite soup recipes.  Not too many calories in the soup (only use a minimum amount of cheese on the baguette if you’re watching your weight), and the taste is outstanding.  You can make this soup in less than an hour and it freezes well. It’s great as a starter, lunch or a warming supper dish in the winter.

Ingredients

1/2 oz (25g) butter

2 tbs olive oil

About a dozen sage leaves (chopped)

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed

8 onions (use a mix of red and white onions), peeled and sliced

2 leeks, washed and sliced

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 litres of vegetable stock (you can use good stock cubes to make this)

A baguette cut into 1 inch slices

Grated Cheddar cheese (to melt under the grill on the  slices of baguette)

Method

Place the butter and the olive oil in a pan.  Add the onions and leeks, garlic, sage, and salt and pepper and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until golden (this will take 40+ minutes).

Add the stock. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 15-20 minutes.

A few minutes before the soup is ready, toast the baguette slices on one side.  Turn the slices over, cover with the grated onion and place back under the grill until the cheese is golden.

You can either serve the baguette with cheese on a side plate or actually place them in the bowls of soup.

Mmmmm, tasty!

photo credit: downtownpearl

Just had another bread baking session.  Thought I’d try out a new variation of soda bread.  As usual, I went into self sufficiency mode, checked out the store cupboard and decided that honey and walnuts might be a nice combination.

Here’s the recipe for the Walnut and Honey Soda Bread:

Ingredients

8 oz (225g) plain white flour
8 oz (225g) wholemeal flour
1 1/2 oz (40g) butter
2 tsp cream of tartar
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
A pinch of salt
1 large tbs honey (you might want to try adding another spoonful if you have a sweet tooth or you like honey)
12 fluid oz (350ml) milk
2 tsp lemon juice
A handful of walnuts, broken into small pieces.

Method

Sift the wholemeal and plain white flour into a bowl.  Add the salt, cream of tartar and the bicarbonate of soda. Rub in the butter and then stir in the walnuts.

Pour in the milk, lemon juice and honey and mix until it forms a soft dough. Add a little more milk if you need to.

Place the dough on a floured board and shape into a round. Place on a greased baking sheet. Roll slightly until it is about an inch thick and then use a knife to mark a large cross on the circle.

Place in the oven at 190C/375F/Gas 5 for 35 – 40 minutes.

Just an idea, maybe a little mixed spice would add a bit of a zing.  Anyone care to try it out?

photo credit: pizzodisevo