Nancy on the Home Front

My Garden: Repel Pests Naturally

If you spend any time in the hardware store or garden center looking at your options for controlling pests you will see numerous bottles marked with “poison” or “toxic” and details how to reach the poison control hotline if there is a problem. It’s enough to make you decide to live with the pests!

However you don’t have to live with toxins or pesky bugs! You can use natural strategies to help you keep the bugs away! Your first step is to figure out what in your home or garden is attractive to the pests. If preventative measures aren’t enough try some natural repellents.

Inside the house place sachets of crushed mint, bay leaf, clove or eucalyptus around the house to repel flies.

For moths wrap cedar blocks or chips in cheesecloth and place in the drawer or cabinet alongside your clothes. Dried lemon peels are also a natural moth deterrent.

To keep tiny grain moths and weevils out of pantry staples place a cinnamon stick or bay leaf in with your flour, pasta or grains. The strong smelling spices will repel the insects without affecting the foods taste or smell.

I have made my own bug repellent which smells wonderful and does a great job at keeping the bugs away.

homemade bug spray, chemical free — Bug spray ingredients.

In your garden the easiest way to prevent insect damage is to discourage pests from coming in the first place. Pull out any weak or infected plants. Clear your garden area of debris and weeds which are a breeding place for insects.

Interplant and rotate your crops. When plantings are mixed, pests are less likely to spread through a crop. Rotating crops each year is a common method to avoid re-infestation of pests, which have overwintered in the bed.

There are other non-toxic and homemade remedies you can use. Homemade remedies are inexpensive and you now what is going into your garden. For soft bodied insects such as mites, aphids and mealybugs mix one tablespoon of canola oil and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Shake well and pour into a spray bottle. Spray plant from above down, and from below up to gets the underside of the leaves. The oil will smoother the insects.

For natural remedies to get rid of Japanese Beetles read my post here.

I am also raising Guinea Fowl this year in the hopes that they will consume many of the bugs in our garden I will let you know how it goes!

Linked to: WildcraftingWednesday, SidewalkShoes, ASouthernDayDreamer , ADelightsomeLife, SimpleLivesThursday, FreshEggsDaily, SmallFoorprintFriday, TootsieTime, LittleHouseInTheSuburbs, SimplyNaturalSaturdays, BackyardFarmingConnection, AnOregonCottage

Frugal Tips: Your Financial Update

Halfway through the year is always a good time to take a look at your finances and see how you are doing.

I am always eager to review the budget in the beginning of the year and start off on a fresh foot. I find if I don’t take a look at things halfway through the year I tend to loose focus and as long as the bills are getting paid and there is money being saved I don’t look at the big picture.

bargains, frugal tips, prudent living — Shop wisely and keep your money in your wallet!

I’ve posted about creating a working budget before. A budget is a written plan to determine how your income will be allocated in a proper balance to meet all of your needs and goals. It is never to late to start living on a budget.

Several years ago my husband took a new job with a decreased salary. Thank goodness we had been used to living on a budget so we were able to do some tweaking and learn to live on a lot less.

As I look over the past six months I just want to make sure that everything is accounted for and we haven’t gone overboard on spending in any area! I can look at the numbers and make adjustments if needed. It’s also a good time to take a look at where our money is going and where can we cut back.

budget, prudent living, frugal tips — Determining your Expenses

There are many books and online resources to help you have a balanced budget.

budget, prudent living — Financial Books

One of the best books I’ve read recently on the subject on called The Money Saving Mom’s Budget.

budgeting, prudent living, frugal tip — The Money Saving Mom’s Budget

It is well written and easy to read and understand. If you’ve been putting off creating a budget this book may give you the encouragement you need. One of the best suggestions the author gives is that if you are new to budgeting give yourself time to work out a full-fledged budget. Start first with a single area of spending – a food budget, this will help you to shift your habits. You’ll see changes there, which will help you to move on toward developing a full budget for your family.

How are your finances looking this month?

Linked to: CornerstoneConfessions, AnnesFunnyFarm, AdornedFromAbove, TheNYMelroseFamily, TheThriftyHome, SevenAlive, TheBrambleberryCottage, ALifeInBalance

Beef and Beer Chili

Recently my daughter introduced me to a little cookbook she purchased for her husband called Recipes Every Man Should Know written by Susan Russo ad Brett Cohen. It’s a small book that could fit in a shirt pocket but it is filled with delicious recipes that are quick and easy to make. I thought the book was such a find I purchased two copies to give to our two sons who will be living off campus next year. One of the tastiest recipes is Beef and Beer Chili. My son-in-law occasionally cooks up a batch and it is so good. I made it at home and I have to say it may replace my standby chili recipe, it’s that delicious!

Beef and Beer Chili

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 large red or green pepper, chopped
1 – 1 ¼ lbs ground beef
1 ½ – 2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
Several shakes of salt
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 (14.5oz) cans pinto or red kidney beans, drained
1 (14.5oz) can, diced tomatoes, with juices
1 (12oz) bottle dark beer, like a stout
1 Tbsp cornmeal, optional

Directions:

Warm the oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onions and peppers and sauté 5 minutes. Add meat; cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in spices, salt and brown sugar. Add beans, tomatoes, and beer. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 20-25 minutes or until thick and soupy. Stir in cornmeal if you want a thicker chili. Serves 6-8

Serve chili hot with any or the following: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, sliced scallions or fresh cilantro. Also delicious with a batch of warm corn bread. The bonus is that it is even tastier the next day!

Prudent Pantry: Goals For the 2013 Harvest

I have mentioned before about keeping a good inventory of what is in your pantry. My garden is finally planted and while I am waiting for things to sprout I take this time to review what I have in my pantry and what harvest I plan to preserve.

For the last few years my tomatoes have not done as well as I would have liked. I am hoping this year I have a bumper crop. I still have some Tomato Basil Sauce left over from last year but I definitely want to make several batches of salsa! We seem to go through a lot of salsa during the year! I would also like to make more pizza sauce; I can’t improve my husband’s pizza much but homemade sauce takes it up just a notch!

pizza, tomato sauce — Homemade pizza with homemade sauce!

If I do have an abundance of tomatoes I’d like to try my hand at making some catsup. I was given a new recipe last summer that I’d like to try.

Last year I made quite bit of jam, I think I got carried away with various new recipes I found. With the exception of making more raspberry jam I don’t think I will be making much jam this summer.

preserving, prudent living — Strawberry Jam

I am looking forward to a good cucumber crop; I don’t think I have a single pickle in my pantry! I’d love to try some pickled vegetables as well. What is your favorite pickle recipe?

Our corn crop failed miserably last year, it was such a dry summer and I couldn’t water the garden where the corn was planted. If this rain keeps up throughout the summer I will hopefully be able to fill the freezer with some corn.

Yellow Corn on Cob — Looking forward to a more abundant corn crop this year!

Last year we had an abundant garlic crop, this years crop is doing well. Looking forward to making garlic scape pesto again!

Such fun to look at the jars in my pantry and envision this year’s harvest. What are you planning on preserving this year?

storage, pantries, home canning — Inside my basement pantry.

Linked To: HomemakersChallenge, ServingJoyfully, CommonSenseHomesteading, SimplyNaturalSaturday, TheViewFromRightHere, TheCreativeHomeAcreHop, TheChickenChick, HomesteadBarnHop, TheBackyardFarmingConnection, HealthyRootsHappySoul, AnOregonCottage, Back2BasicHealth

My June Garden

June in Vermont is a beautiful month. The weather can be a little crazy, snow flurries one weekend followed by temperatures in the 90s the next. For the most part the days are sunny and the nights cool. This morning the temperature was 39 degrees F, just a little cold. My plants are not going to be very happy.

The garden has been planted and now the consuming task will be keeping up with the weeds.

One major project has been completed; I now have an herb garden just outside my kitchen door!

I love the spring flowers. The iris.

My favorite Columbine.

The lupines.

My Jules Simon Lilac bush is still blooming!

Once again my rhubarb bed is producing an abundance or rhubarb.

I’ve made Rhubarb Cake and last night we enjoyed delicious Rhubarb Crisp.

One of the delights of living in the country is the various visitors we have On The Home Front. This week it was a beautiful Luna Moth. The size was amazing.

Our little keets are growing. Like the book said they are noisy! We try to hold them everyday to get them used to us, they are quite skittish not like our baby chicks who will hop right into your hand!

Thanks for stopping by to visit my June Garden! It’s another beautiful day today and time to head out to enjoy the garden!

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Frugal Tips: Your June Bargains

June is a big month for Dads, graduations and the start of summer. It is also a popular time for weddings. Is there a wedding in your future? If you’re not too picky, June is a great month to buy a wedding dress! What hasn’t sold gets highly discounted in anticipation of a new season of bridal wear.

June is also National Dairy Month so keep an eye on dairy products for sale prices.

Father’s Day falls in June so the deals you find are for Dad’s and men in general. Check out razors, aftershave and cologne, gadgets, grilling tools, golfing, hunting and fishing gear. June is also a good time to buy home tools and hardware. Many of these items will be on sale before and after Father’s Day.

Are you in the market for a new laptop? In June Intel will be releasing a new processor that is quicker and uses less energy, as a result you will see lower prices on the older models. You may also see savings on Apple products as well. June also brings deals on televisions in case you are looking to upgrade your current model.

Spring clothing will also be going on sale as stores make room for current fashions. Remember just because something is a bargain doesn’t mean you have to purchase it! Spend your money wisely and when you do decide to make a purchase find the best deal out there!

prudent living — Keep Your Money In The Bank!

Linked to: Frugallysustainable, WeAreThatFamily, TheThriftyHome, ALifeInBalance

Rhubarb Cake So Simple

Rhubarb is one of the first things I am able to harvest from my garden. I love rhubarb and am always looking for new ways to cook it. This Rhubarb Cake recipe is an old standby. Recently I was asked to bring a dessert to a ladies luncheon and this was what I chose.

Old Fashioned Rhubarb Cake

Ingredients:

½ cup butter
1 ¼ cups sugar, divided
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 cups chopped rhubarb
½ tsp cinnamon

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and 1 cup of sugar. Add the egg and beat well. Combine the buttermilk and vanilla; set aside. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add the buttermilk-vanilla mixture and the flour mixture to the butter, sugar and egg. Fold in chopped rhubarb.

Spread in a greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. Combine the remaining sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the batter. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until the cake tests done. Serves 12

Perfect for your next gathering. This Rhubarb Cake is delicious with a cup of tea or a serving of ice cream.

Prudent Pantry – First Aid Essentials

Just as important as having a well-stocked pantry, it is also important to have a good first aid kit on hand. You can purchase a first aid kit that has already been put together or you can make one yourself.

Here is a list of the ten most important items to have in your first aid kit, according to the American Red Cross.

Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.

en: Photo of a Band-Aid manufactured by Johnso... — Adhesive Banages

Sterile gauze pads in various sizes and cloth adhesive tape to secure them.

Latex-free disposable gloves, to protect you from bodily fluids or other matter (latex-free material prevents potential allergic reactions).

Tweezers

Thermometer (the digital variety is the safest)

Triple-antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin)

Antiseptic wipes

First aid instructions

Topical antihistamines and aspirin (or some other over the counter pain reliever recommended by your doctor).

A face mask to protect you from germs or bodily fluids when administering CPR.

Do you have a first aid kit in your home? Do you have one in your car? Maybe now is the time to put one together.

My Garden: A Day At The Nursery

I have a wonderful friend I’ve known forever.

We've been friends forever! — We’ve been friends forever!

We now live in the same state although more than an hour apart. However numerous times a year we plan a day together. One of our favorite outings is our spring get together where we visit a different nursery. I can’t think of a better way to spend the day, checking out new plants with a dear friend.

Last week we met at Morning Star Perennials & Nursery located in Rockingham, VT.

It was a chilly, drizzling day but such fun to discover this nursery off the beaten track.

They are passionate about caring for their organically grown perennials, trees and shrubs. There was quite a selection of various plants both for shade gardens and full sun gardens.

The owners, Laurie and Scott Bolotin were very helpful and full of information. Despite the chilly temperatures it was a fun morning exploring the nursery. We filled a wagon with some new plants for our garden.

To end the day we stopped for tea and a dessert.

Doesn’t that sound like a perfect day?

Linked to: ASouthernDayDreamer, SidewalkShoes, WildcraftingWednesday, BrambleberryCottage, ADelightsomeLife, RuralityBlogHop, SmallFootprintFridays, FromTheFarmBlogHop, LittleHouseInTheSuburbs, DandelionHouse, SimplyNaturalSaturdays, TALU, CraftyGardenMama, TheBackyardFarmingConnection, HealthyRootsHappySouls, AnOregonGarden

Grilled Corn Salad with Goat Cheese

Each month I participate in the Surprise Recipe Swap. I have found such delicious recipes as Spiced Pumpkin Bread and Salted Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes. We only need to pick one recipe off the blog we are paired up with but sometimes it’s just hard to pick one. This recipe is from Jessica’s blog Simple, Clean and Homemade. I made a few adaptations but the end result was delicious. This Grilled Corn Salad with Goat Cheese was wonderful on a bed of lettuce and even better in a wrap with some guacamole and grilled chicken. I will definitely be making this recipe again!

Grilled Corn Salad with Goat Cheese
adapted from Jessica’s recipe for Grilled Corn Salad with Cotija Cheese

Ingredients:

10-12 ears of corn
1 jalapeño, diced
2 TBSP diced scallions
2 TBSP chopped cilantro
Juice of 4 limes
Zest of 1 lime
1-2 tsp salt
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
Pinch of smoked paprika
2-3 ounces goat cheese

Directions:

Shuck the corn and grill the cobs until they are slightly charred on each side.

Cut the corn off the cob and combine with remaining ingredients.

Serve warm or cold. Store in the refrigerator.

Delicious on it’s own.

Equally delicious in a wrap with grilled chicken and guacamole.

Enjoy!

Beef and Beer Chili

Ingredients:

Directions:

Old Fashioned Rhubarb Cake

Ingredients:

Directions:

Grilled Corn Salad with Goat Cheese adapted from Jessica’s recipe for Grilled Corn Salad with Cotija Cheese

Ingredients:

Directions:

Grilled Corn Salad with Goat Cheese
adapted from Jessica’s recipe for Grilled Corn Salad with Cotija Cheese