John Buckingham

Prudent Pantry: Canning Questions

Recently I’ve been getting questions regarding canning. As we gear up towards the time of the year when people tend to do more canning I imagine I will be getting more questions. If you have a question, feel free to post it in the comment section. People have been canning for generations. Although it isContinue reading “Prudent Pantry: Canning Questions”

My Garden: Gardening Doesn’t Have to be Hard

Feels like winter has returned to Vermont. I feel sorry for all the bulbs that have pushed their way to the surface and the little leaves that are popping. Anxious as I am to get out in the garden I am going to have to be patient. I do have some seedlings to transplant soContinue reading “My Garden: Gardening Doesn’t Have to be Hard”

Frugal Tip: Baked Kale Chips

Kale Chips have been around for a while but I never tried them until yesterday. They are so delicious! I am definitely going to try them again, soon. They are very easy to make and in just a short amount of time you can have a bowl of kale chips to munch on. And theyContinue reading “Frugal Tip: Baked Kale Chips”

Asparagus Egg Drop Soup

This Asparagus Egg Drop Soup recipe is light, quick and easy – and so good! Feel free to use any other vegetable if you are not an asparagus fan.

Prudent Pantry: Keeping an Eye on Your Credit Report

I debated whether or not this would actually fall under the category of Prudent Pantry. However just as it is important to keep a well stocked pantry in is also prudent to keep an eye on our finances. In this world where identity theft is an ever-growing problem and can take years to clear upContinue reading “Prudent Pantry: Keeping an Eye on Your Credit Report”

Homemade Insecticides

I’m getting ready for the gardening season I decided I’d better focus on non-toxic and homemade insecticides for the garden.

Frugal Tip: Homemade Microwave Popcorn

For all of you that didn’t make it to the Hanover Home Life Show here is the part of the Prudent Living booth that was devoted to my blog! I had such fun interacting with the many folks walking through. If they shared a frugal tip they got one of our Prudent Living cookie cutters!Continue reading “Frugal Tip: Homemade Microwave Popcorn”

Recipe Box: Beef with Oyster Sauce

Earlier this week I told you how to store ginger. One of our favorite recipes that uses fresh ginger is another recipe adapted from our beloved Pei Mei’s Chinese Cookbook. You can use any green vegetable such as Bok Choy or broccoli. I use a large shallow non-stick pan to cook this meal and useContinue reading “Recipe Box: Beef with Oyster Sauce”

My Garden: Heirloom or Hybrid?

Whether you are planting seeds directly into your garden or starting your seeds early you will have to decide whether you want hybrid seeds or heirloom seeds. Organic is another choice but the first decision will be heirloom or hybrid seeds. What’s the difference? Heirloom Seeds An heirloom seed is a seed that can beContinue reading “My Garden: Heirloom or Hybrid?”

Frugal tip: Storing Ginger

Do you use fresh ginger in your cooking? When you purchase fresh ginger you usually buy a large section of root. However you may only need a small amount in your recipe. What do you do with the rest of the root? Years ago my mother took a Chinese cooking class, in the class sheContinue reading “Frugal tip: Storing Ginger”