Stawberries- How to Freeze Them

I love strawberries.  I love to eat them, make jam with them and put them in smoothies.  I also love hot strawberry sauce for waffles and German pancakes.  My price point for strawberries is less than .50 per pound.  In June of last year I was able to buy them for .25 a pound.  With those I made 75 pints of jam and froze about 25 pounds for smoothies and sauce.

The first few times I started froze strawberries I put them all in a zipper freezer bag and ended up with a frozen clump of berries that had to be chiseled apart.  It was such a hassle.  Then one day I thought that if I laid them out flat on a cookie sheet and froze them I could put them in a bag after they were frozen.  That worked out so much better. So that is how I freeze just about everything now.  I'm sure to many people it is just common sense, but I had to learn the hard way.

Here is how I freeze strawberries.


I fill the sink with cold water and add 1 Cup of vinegar and a 1/2 Cup of baking soda.  I put all of the berries in the sink and swish them around.  This is all 37 pounds that I had today.

I use a colander to scoop the berries into my large bowls.  I use one of the boxes that the berries come in and line it with foil.  This is where I put the berries instead of using a cookie sheet.

I place the berries in a single layer, and then put another sheet of foil over them.  Another layer of berries goes on that foil, and I just repeat until the box is full.  To save time today I did cut the tops off of the berries rather than core them.  The tops were still white and would make the end product less appealing.  Also, I wanted to save a little time since I didn't have help today.  The tops will not be wasted, however.  I am giving them to my chickens, so no waste.

Today I added a fourth layer a little higher then the box.  If I had another few flats of berries I would have started a new box.  Because I only had a few berries left, I put a final sheet of foil on top and turned up the edges to keep the berries from falling off.

I always have little hands sneaking berries.  It makes my heart happy.

Alexis' Latest Project

Alexis wants to learn to sew.  Last week McCall's patterns were on sale at Hobby Lobby.  I thought it would be a great opportunity to teach her a little.  We picked a few 18" doll patterns, and went right to work on the simplest pattern... as skirt.  Before I let her jump in cutting and sewing, I had her read a booklet I bought a few years ago.  I had her read sewing terms and definitions so that she would have a good idea of the pattern lingo.   I am so proud of how well she did.  She would do a step, then ask me what to next.  I'd explain to her the next step and she'd do it.  She did all of the hands on work herself.  The cutting and sewing and snipping.  She did great.

My New Crayon Box

When I was younger, getting a new box of crayons, markers or colored pencils was so exciting.  I loved opening the box and seeing all the perfect colors waiting to become my masterpieces.  Whether I was coloring in a book, or making my own picture, the possibilities were endless.  The desire to create was there.  My visions were usually bigger than my ability, but I loved the process anyway.

Now I have new "crayons".  Fabric.  I love quilting fabric.  I want to make those masterpieces I have in my head.  I love the prints and solids, and all the beautiful colors.  Yesterday I received in the mail something that I consider to  be very fun.  It is my Moda Bella Solids color card.  It is so pretty to look at, and I can't wait to use it.  "Hmmm, what shade of green would go perfectly in this quilt?  Ah!  I'll use my color card to find out!"  That conversation will definitely be in my head.  I also have an Aurifil color card.  It's really nice to not have to guess what color thread to buy.  I just compare fabric to the thread card and write down the number and buy that spool.  My new crayon box is a little more complex than my old one, but it is so satisfying, and gratifying.

More colors than a box of crayons

Life is Learning

Steve and I had a brief conversation yesterday about college degrees, and which one I should earn.  He was joking that I should not get a degree in Economics, because he already has one and we need to balance each other out.  I asked him what degree he thought I should earn, and he said nursing or something.  The reason this came up is because I am taking the Maricopa County Master Gardening classes, to earn my certificate.  We had the first class last night, and had to read the first two chapters before the class.  I was not prepared for the reading.  I didn't expect college level (community college?), botany and horticulture.  I don't know what I thought the class would be like.  Maybe a lot of hands on classes of digging and planting and watering.  I am really excited that the classes are more in depth than that.

I have been thinking about this class and other classes and hobbies I've had.  I am learning, and I'm not earning a degree.  If I have an interest, I read and research.  I work and do.  I make and create.  I am giving myself my perfect education.  This is not to say that I wouldn't do more formal education.  I am not going to tell my kids that they shouldn't go to college.  I think it is extremely important for them to go.  My future aspirations will require me to take some accounting and other classes.  As for now, my main areas of interest are contributions to my family, and learn skills to make us self sufficient.  Canning, quilting, sewing, gardening, budgeting, cooking, teaching.  All of these skills help me to grow.  All of these skills help my family.

Life is learning.  I love my life.

Baby Quilts

We returned home from Utah on Thursday evening.  After dinner and putting the kids to bed, I went right to work on finishing the baby quilts.  I am happy with how they turned out. The baby shower was on Friday night at 7:00, and I finished them at about 5:45.  I had a lot o fun making them.  My friend is having twin boys, and they will be babies 7 and 8 for the family.  I was able to have the oldest five come over one afternoon to secretly  each make a quilt block for the quilts.  I thought it would be special to have all the siblings have a part in it.  I took pictures of each of them with their quilt block to give to their mom. ( I won't be posting them)  

I forgot to take pictures of the backs to show how I chose to quilt them.  I'll go to their house to take some, and post them later. 

I chose the Log Cabin block because it is fast and simple, but looks nice.

The quilt backings are both a nice warn and thick flannel.

Girls Day Camp 2011 Living As a Pioneer

Day Three

Today we ended Girls Day Camp with baking bread and swimming.  My good friend was kind enough to let us have camp at her house, and she also taught the bread class.  Each girl was able to make a delicious loaf of whole wheat bread to take home.  While the dough was rising, the girls had a great time swimming.  I am so happy to have been able to serve and teach these girls and have this camp.  Also, thank you to everyone who helped me with my kids and with the camp activities.

grinding flour and mixing dough

freshly ground whole wheat

first batch rising

veggie soup (was very good)

learning about the solar oven

beautiful reflection

fun time swimming

solar oven bread

they accomplished so much

Girls Day Camp 2011 Living As a Pioneer

Day Two

Today we finished the quilts, made laundry soap, painted small birdhouses, made cornbread, prepared lunch for tomorrow, and made butter.  For lunch today we had ham and beans with cornbread.  We made the cornbread with the buttermilk left from making the butter and used the butter on the bread as well.

yes, we use a kitchen-aid to make butter

stirring the laundry soap

painting the birdhouses

happy about butter

vegetable soup for tomorrow's lunch

making the cornbread

finishing up the quilts