Rhubarb Candy

( I started this post in Aug)

Wow. Has it really been a year since I posted??!! So life has been crazy of course.  Who's life hasn't!  I got back from a very productive and some fun trip to my home town of Wasilla, Alaska. I was up there taking care of family stuff. I feel good about what got accomplished.  Brought many family pictures home to organize and catalog.

When I was up there I was introduced to homemade Rhubarb candy.  Get the sweet and sour thing going at the same time!! It is sooooo simple.  Cut up your rhubarb into about 1/4 to 1/2 inch chunks. Put in a bowl and puts sugar over the top (depends on how much rhubarb you have). Stir to coat rhubarb. For a big Tupperware bowl I used about 2 1/2 cups. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at least 24 hours up to six days! If it is only one day you can leave it out on the counter.  If longer put in refrigerator. I was going to stir it every day but I forgot.  It was fine though.  The sugar pulls out the water from the rhubarb and sweetens it.  Drain off liquid and save to make something yummy with and then dehydrate the rhubarb at 135 F til supple but not squishy wet or dried out. Again depends on how much you are dehydrating, size of dehydrator, how many trays, and so on.  Some people like it plain like that or shake on powdered sugar to give it more sweet.  It is great both ways!

Cut up Rhubarb,before sugar

Hello,

Long time no post.... but now here I am with many things (as usual) on my mind and in the works.  I will be teaching a beginning sign language class in my home Thurs. Sept. 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11 and 18 from 4:30p -6p.  Class size will  be small.  Cost is $100. My education is as an interpreter for the deaf. If there is more interest I will open up another class. Please let me know as it is filling up quickly. Session II will start Oct. 25, Thurs, for 6 weeks.

 I also have been using my creative energies to make 2 aprons and a walker pocket. 

  The walker pockets are my pattern and have 2 pockets on either side of the bar that it hangs from. I will take orders to make these. 

My goal is make a load and take them to area assisted living homes.

The aprons were made for a senior that is rapidly going blind and uses a walker.  The aprons were made from her own dresses that I converted to personal aprons.These were ready to go to the get rid of pile. I added a button on top to tie a string to for a sharpie pen lid and then the pen snaps into the lid. They are adorable and she loves them. I will take orders to make these.  They need to be from your own dresses or shirts.  Men's shirts work well too.  I Love the concept of re-purposing/ up-cycling.



I do plan on teaching other classes.  Just have to narrow it down from learning to tat, children's games around the world, children's sewing, or cooking meals to put in freezer.... hmm. So many decisions. What would you be interested in? I am open to other topics (within my scope of knowledge) for classes. Let me know and I can teach a class if there is enough interest.
Until Next time... I am on my journey.....See ya round....

So much life has happened since March.  I have a daughter getting married, a son going in for surgery, and a family camping trip in June of this year.  In July another wedding out of town to go to and August holds a wedding for our last daughter! Whew.........

A few weeks ago I finished a great class  by the Merit Program housed at the Chemeketa building of Business and Industry in downtown Salem. It was, "Exploring and Defining Your Business".  I highly recommend it if you are wandering around in your head about ideas of what you might like to start as a small business.  It is just a start, but a great one for pertinent information and things to consider when contemplating a business. I had to decide if I wanted to go with "The Titus House" idea I have had for over 15 years  or "Mama's Extra Hand" model to focus on.  I chose "The Titus House" since it is my passion. 

My business concept for 

"The Titus House"

It is a non-profit business in my home focused on building up women and helping to train the next generation. There will be classes and workshops on various topics of the home and relationships.  

žSome class topics:

žWell stocked kitchen

žCooking from Scratch

žMenu Planning

žThinking outside the box

žKeys to your child’s heart

žPersonality types

žLearning styles

I will also be available to assist/mentor on an individual basis with specific needs in the home. 

The teaching would not only be taught by myself. The working concept of the Titus House is of women with various talents/skills coming together to share our collective knowledge. I have many ideas but the format would be one of collaboration and building a network of women.  There would also be avenues of building friendships in tea times and other unique and fun ways.  

This has been a challenging class for me, but I knew that it would. This concept dove tails right along with "Mama's Extra Hand" but that was more for trying to bring money into the home, unlike the non-profit "Titus House"; doing what I do well, along with passing on to others. 

Something that I want to try in the kitchen is making Green Tea Ice Cream with mango slices.  I had this in a wonderful dessert we had at Thia Dish restaurant in Silverton, OR. Absolutely light and yummy.  Heavenly. With our meal we had rice cooked in coconut milk. OH WOW! I want to try that too.


Love to read your comments.  Leave me one.  Just push on the comment word and a text box will open up.  Thanks. 'Til next time, I am on my journey............

The Mystery Dinner

Hello,

So that mysterious thing I started my very first post with the "MYSTERY DINNER".

 * A "Mystery Dinner" is a 4 course meal such that there are guests that get a menu with 16 to 20 items on it.  Each item is named something else. Items will include all utensils, napkin, toothpick, water, coffee, dessert, entree', main dish, vegetable, appetizer, drink, bread and salad and/or soup.    The guest must choose each item once and put them into one of 4 categories which will be the 4 courses. Because everyone makes different choices on where to put each item they will get different items than someone else in that course.  It is a unique and hilariously fun way to have a dinner party.  Let the Mystery Begin! 

Here is one on my sample menus.  

 

Mystery Dinner Menu

Before the Harvest                                            Ebony and Ivory

After the Harvest                                              Sweet Meet

During the Harvest                                           Kiss Me Now

Trees and Shrubs                                                “Ouch”

After the Udder                                                 Hot Stuff

Sleepy Time Cousin                                             Wagon Wheel

White Girl                                                           Sour Patch

Joan of Arc                                                         Take Your Medicine

Old Man of the Sea                                             The “Y”

Chicken Little                                                      The Ridge

Please enter your choices for each course. You must pick all of them only one time.  Each column must hold 5 items. This is a 4 course meal.

            1                 2                   3                  4

 For example : I choose for course 1, Ebony and Ivory, Trees and Shrubs, After the Udder, Wagon Wheel and The Ridge. These are what I would be served : a chocolate and vanilla dessert, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, butter, a slice of orange and a knife.  Now how lucky did I get to have dessert first!  Hmmm, but I have to eat it with a knife. It would be interesting to watch me eat. It is fun to guess and put the clues together.  A night your guests will not forget. Call me or email me if this is something you would like to do for a birthday, other celebration or just because. Making great memories takes planning.  I would love to help you with that. I can also do other parties with themes and don't forget juvenile parties are also my specialty as well.  Til next time... I'm on my journey....  
Go ahead and leave me a comment. Just click on the blue word comment and the box will pop up to write in.  Thanks.

Home schooling support...

Hello All,

I have been working on many angles of my business plan.  It sure is a lot to think about and consider. From business cards, which icon to put in the corner of it, what colors, a motto, researching the market pricing for different services that I offer, class ideas, ordering tools and the list goes on.  I will be going to a Merit Orientation class this next week in Independence, OR to help me solidify my small business.  I am really excited about this journey.  It should prove to be enlightening and of course challenging but I LOVE A CHALLENGE. Bring it on! If you are wanting to start a small business and just don't know where to start this orientation is free and offered in many locations in my area. Check it out at http://www.chemeketa.edu/busprofession/ccbi/sbdc/merit.html.  I have known about this for years and am thankful for the resource.

One of the things that I have been researching is homeschool support/consulting. There are a few out there and different ways that they provide their services.  I am curious to know, if you are a homeschooling parent, what areas you feel you need help in. Maybe you just can't seem to get on top of something, feeling guilty for not getting to them (subjects, tasks or children), wanting to delve into certain things but don't feel you have the energy, time, ideas or stamina to do it, meals, cleaning, chores, children's personalities or uniqueness,(maybe they hate certain subjects so sneaking subjects in without them recognizing, or coming at it from a different angle) and the list goes on.  I know for me, grading the papers , getting to the spelling tests, and the science lessons just was an overwhelming task.  Money was always tight for those homeschooling years, being on one income.  But one of the best things that I did one year (wish I could have done it more) was hired someone to come in and take over those tasks I just mentioned 2 times a week.  She was WONDERFUL and worth every penny. It did not give me more time in my day (because I was not getting to them anyway) but they got accomplished and the guilt was lifted (in that area).  She was my angel. Maybe you need an angel?  So could you do me a favor and leave me a comment as to what it would be that you would want help with? This will help me to tailor make the business to fit you. I appreciate it. Email me if I can help you. It would be an honor. Oh, and please vote on the poll. The question is: which of the services would you be interested in (you may pick more than one). Thanks.

                Just wanted to share a tatted flower girl basket I made for my daughter's  wedding.                                                              Enjoy!

Come visit me again. Go ahead and leave me a comment. Just click on the blue word comment and the box will pop up to write in.  Thanks.

Help in the Kitchen

Hello,


Today I have been going through my 5 gallon buckets of beans, oatmeal and wheat to see how they are doing. I think that I will make a dry bean mix.  I have small red, kidney, navy and pink beans.  There are some easy ways to soak or quick soak method.  I like to ferment the beans by putting either vinegar or lemon juice in the water while they are soaking.  They should soak til you see  bubbles (about 24 hours).  This helps change the enzymes to digest better and help eliminate flatulence.  The quick soak method is to cover the beans in cold water in a large pot, bring to boil, turn off when it comes to a boil. Let them rest for at least 15 minutes ( I set a timer, or I will forget). Rinse and then repeat the process 2 more times.  Then add what you want for your beans (meat, onions, garlic seasoning or whatever you want) and simmer til beans are done. I also found as I was searching "how to ferment beans", in Marillyn Beard's blog she adds another option for soaking beans and that is adding baking soda to the soaking water.  It really helps her.http://just-making-noise.blogspot.com/2009/06/legumes-poor-mans-meat.html  Hmmmm. I will have to try that.  I love trying new things. Thanks Marillyn.


So I made some beans from my bucket.  Soaked them and cooked them and they just didn't taste right.  Not bad just not right.  They  did not get as soft as they should.  I even tried to pressure cook them to soften them more. So the problem is that they are too old. I had forgotten that I bought them before Y2K. Silly me.  All my beans are so old. Now I have to think of something else to do with them (not bean mixes, bummer).I hate waste.  I think I will make a bunch of bean bags for our missionary children in Mexico, and put ziplock bags together for the elementary schools for crafts around here. Any other ideas?????? I would love to hear them.

 Since my family size is diminishing I need to down size.  This is difficult. I still buy too much food and can't even fit it all in my ample cupboard spaces.Mostly staples. I buy very little processed food. We cook most things from scratch.  My daughter is helping me make an inventory list of my food.  I need to do this for the freezers too.  I must do some rethinking.  First, I think I will have to let go of these big buckets and reduce their size. Maybe I will only buy enough to fill a gallon jar (per bean type). Also I would be able to see them. Hmmmm.

 Menu Planning.  Wow. Seems monumental at times!  Need some fresh ideas? Need some guidance? I am strong in this area and would be delighted to help you.  We will consider allergies, what foods you and your family like and dislike, dietary restrictions, if you want to incorporating new recipes, budget, space, how long you want a menu for etc. There are many structures for menus and we can discuss them and come up with what you feel would work for you. Email me for pricing.Comments are welcome.Go ahead and leave me a comment. Just click on the blue word comment and the box will pop up to write in.  Thanks.
Til next time... the journey continues......

A bit about organizing and sewing

A Bit About Organizing...

I have had my first job! I thoroughly enjoyed helping to de-clutter, organize and get a list of the things that need to be attended to out of the pile.Things were uncovered that she was looking for but could not find.We cleared off her piled desk and filed the things.  It was so freeing for her. It was very satisfying for me to help.  

In the organizing department I can help you with:

• Closets
• Garages
• Home Office(paper piles, setting up filing system, help prioritizing etc.)
• Kitchen (food inventory, pantry and cabinets)
• Kids bedroom and/or playroom
• Family room
• Craft room
• Extra bedrooms or spaces
• Other

Call or email me for pricing.

How about Sewing, Mending or Ironing...

I love to sew and be creative.  I enjoy recycling and Upcycling (Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value). I have made pencil pouches out of  a M&M candy bag and a Doritos bag.  I am still working on the pattern but here it is. Just a few of my creations.  Creativity is my middle name. It energizes me.

I have sewn many things such as: pillows, quilts, curtains, place mats, robes, skirts, dresses,  bathing suits, brides maids dresses, wedding veil, aprons, jean tote bags, hanging organizer and too many more things to remember. I mend and iron too, call or email for pricing.Go ahead and leave me a comment. Just click on the blue word comment and the box will pop up to write in.  Thanks.