Would you like to meet in person?

Will anyone be doing any demo's ? I sure have a lot to learn... milking goats skimming milk... making candles, lip balm, lotions, canning, soaps.... the list goes on and on. I have so much I want to learn... quilting, cutting out patterns ... I guess alot of this can't be done at a camp out but I sure hope someone wants to teach something !!! Can't wait to be there! Rannie

Rannie - thanks for posting what demos you would like to be a part of at the get together -- if we let people know what we would like to learn it will give them some idea of what talents they can share. Some of you have been doing homesteading for so long and so well that you might not know that you're needed as a teacher to those of us who do not already share your talents.

As we get closer to the get together date I think more people will not only come on board but will also volunteer to give demos...but it is only 102 more days... I know, I know...this is a really busy time of the year for homesteading...just keep us and the get together in mind for things to do once you get the all the summer priority things checked off your lists.

Marvella -- I got the flour on Wednesday -- thanks to an honest neighbor. UPS delivered it to her place by mistake and she had her granddaughter bring it to me...instead of taking the short cut though the wooded area of between our place and their's she walked all the way up their driveway and then down ours -- said she had to stop twice to rest.

I did my first practice batch -- and if I hadn't had yours I would have said they were great...but since I have your's to compare them too I will just admit that if I want them as light and tall as yours I'm going to need to practice more. Atleast the rewards of the practice are great -- as I get to eat the results.

Hugs,
Marlene

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

better get her recipe too Marlene including the type if baking powder she uses.
I personally make my best biscuits with self rising flour. I think I will go make some right now. They sound really good cause it is almost 10 and I have had no breakfast. See you later.

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Corky

LEAD ME NOT INTO TEMPTATION. I CAN FIND IT BY MYSELF.

corky- it is self-rising flour!!:-) i never got the hang of making biscuits without it, as the biscuits the next morning proved. LOL!!

marlene was the address right?? they called me back and told me they couldn't deliver to a PO, then i had to leave a message with your other address, but still not sure they got it right. she kept talking about sending it to AZ, and i kept telling her it was AR. surprised it made it at all! and glad your neighbors decided to let you have it. :-)

here's the recipe, but please understand i have no idea what the measurements are. i just do it until it looks and feels right.

put your flour in a big bowl, guessing at enough for at least a dozen biscuits. sorry. maybe 3 cups? take a good handfull of quality (this is important) name brand shortening like criso or snowdrift. it does make a difference. (for variety later, you can also use a stick of butter and it makes butter flaked biscuits.) make a well in the midddle of the flour, and put the shortening in the well. kind of squish it through your fingers good, until it is like big lumps, but it doesn't have to be perfect or into all the flour. another secret to a great biscuit it to handle all the ingredients as little as possible, so a gentle hand goes a lot further. much like so many other things.:-) then start adding milk (powdered, canned or butter milk all work well too) and work it around, slowly adding the rest of the flour in the bowl to the mixture. when it is barely dry enough to handle (there will still be lots of lumps) turn it out onto a well floured board. knead just a few times, 5 or so, just enough to work in enough flour to make it less sticky on the board (this would be a lot easier to show you.) pat it out on your board to about an inch or less thick. then i use an evaporated milk can with one end cut out and holes punched in the other end, dip cutter into flour, cut biscuits out. gather up scraps and gently knead back together, pat out, cut, repeat until gone. this size will make the famous cathead biscuits. a smaller cutter, and patting it thinner may be more to some peoples taste. like any other bread, the more you do it the more you learn to make it to your taste. oops, forgot to tell you to preheat oven to 450, then bake on greased cookie sheet until nicely browned, about 15 minutes. another nice touch is to take a stick of butter and brush over the tops when they come out.

let me know if you have any questions. it really would be easier to show you. if by some odd circumstance i end up there, i'll make it my demo.:-)

happy practicing. some homemade apple butter, and it is a meal fit for kings and queens. :-)

Thanks Marvella -- the recipe is actually on the bag of flour...only their idea of a dozen biscuits using only 2 cups of flour...must be mighty tiny biscuits because I could only get 8 with my biscuit cutter. Your instructions are a lot more detail - the next batch I'm going to do it your way. And btw -- I sure would hate for you to be disappointed if your other plans fall though - but really glad if you can make it to the get together.

Marvella, the home delivery people, and everyone else come to think of it, always have trouble finding out drive and we often hear -- "from the highway it doesn't look like anyone lives back there..."just the way we want it to look.

Corky, you'll probably have to feel it yourself in September -- but the flour Marvella sent me feels like silk...I wonder what their secret it to getting it like that.

Got word though Westwood that our new friends from the spring get together, Mike and Tim will be there in September...this was more good news. I will edit the list before leaving #here this morning.

Only 108 more days to go...all you procasintors really need to start getting serious about making your plans to be there in September!

Hugs
Marlene

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

Corky has mentioned maybe bringing her Spinning Wheel ...I think we might be able to sweet talk her into doing so. She also mentioned that she recently sheared her Alpeca herself -- atleast I think it was the alpeca - I don't think she has any other animals that she shears.

Only 106 more days people ... let's get your name on the list soon.

Hoping to see YOU there!

Marlene

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

that would be so cool to watch and learn the spinning wheel. Could a spinning wheel work for sheeps wool? we are considering raising sheep. Not sure about that one yet but I enjoy learning. Can't wait! Rannie

Yes Rannie,

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Corky

LEAD ME NOT INTO TEMPTATION. I CAN FIND IT BY MYSELF.

We can tell Rannie has never been to Scotland or New South Wales huh Corky.

Actually, at the Spring Baker Creek Seed Company outing there was a lady with her spinning wheel there and she was actually spin angora fur while hold the live rabbit in her lap...I don't think you can actually do that with a full grown sheep...not to mention you probably wouldn't like the results of wool taken directly from a sheep.

Corky, you going to bring your cording combs (is that the right terminlogy) I need to be shown how to do that again also.

Is there anyone out there we might be able to talk into coming and teaching us how do correctly sharpen knives...I would love to be able to have sharp knives all the time.

Hugs
Marlene

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

Big Joe was supposed to teach the knife sharpening last time but he never did.
Maybe we can get him to this time.
They are carding combs and yes I will bring them and a whole alpaca fleece.

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Corky

LEAD ME NOT INTO TEMPTATION. I CAN FIND IT BY MYSELF.

rannie, wool is what most people spin. I spin alpaca only because I have an alpaca and not a sheep.

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Corky

LEAD ME NOT INTO TEMPTATION. I CAN FIND IT BY MYSELF.

That's correct Corky, Big Joe does owe us a knife sharping demo -- I think the one you spoke of was the time he Shelia and Bethie were not able to attend as planned....Shelia, Big Joe - you out there reading this??

Shelia is learning to play the banjo -- maybe she can get in on that jam session someone mentioned...can't remember the nickname right off the top of my head -- but they said they will let us know at a later date if they can make it?? Maybe having other pickers and singers will be a good motivator?

Just for you who do not already know it -- Rannie - is my neice and we have a history of lovingly teasing each other - it's a family tradition. But I really need to go a little easy on her for the next couple of weeks...you see she and family have purchased land in the Ozarks near me. Other neice has been up here 2+ weeks without her while Rannie ties up loose ends in South Lousiana -- and we've really been giving her a hard time about having such a great time without her. It's a ploy to get her up here as soon as possible - but don't tell her that.

I've added Gail/gefozarks to the list of those planning on attending. He's had another recent hospital stay but is relatively sure he'll be up to par and ready to spend some time with us in September. His computer has been down so he isn't able to post except with he makes it into town to use the computer at the public library. If anyone would like his snail-mail or phone number to send a message of cheer please pm me and I'll be happy to give them to you.

I know there are many more homesteaders who actually live in or near this area who have not posted about the get together - think I'm going to start another thread and direct them over here.

Only 103 more days to do folks!

Hugs
Marlene

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

that jam session sounds fun i play no instruments but i sing a little now and then.
and i need to learn how to sharpen knifes and such

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Let a smile be your umbrella against the thunderstorms of life.
have a great day.
when i call on Jesus, all things are possible.

you know that wonderful aunt of mine is fantastic and it could be a real senerio getting us together at an outing I know a few Boudreaux and Thibodeaux jokes that may end up Moe & Tee jokes gotta luv her she's mine!! I am on the jealous side they are up there building trelles' and making gardens and digging holes for poles while I'm down here just waiting to get up there. I can't wait to get up there! Oh Trent is bringing his great aunt six puppies! Rannie

Now that's another idea for a demo - Deb and I can do our teamwork routine of making a bent wood trellis. We're also planning on making fences and gates and working up to bent wood furniture. I guess we better get in some more practice - the trellis was our first attempt.

Trent has a great Aunt Mo who would take in 6 puppies? Must be someone I haven't met yet. I take it the neighbhood dog has had her puppies? Did she have them at your house again?

Hugs,
Marlene

Only 102 days to go!

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

Now rannie, if you are wanting to pawn off puppies you are talking to the wrong member of that household. You should know which one is the easy touch.
That might be a hard sell to even him though. :haha:

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Corky

LEAD ME NOT INTO TEMPTATION. I CAN FIND IT BY MYSELF.

Corky is right about that one Rannie -- now if only I could not allow that little boy glea look you know who gets when he thinks about giving strays a home...okay I know I'm 1/2 the problem.I find it amazing that we only have three dogs.

We have had small time animals swaps at the get togethers -- someone will have something to give away and someone one else will say they would like it - and the get togethers are a great place to make the exchange. You aren't really going to bring mama stray dog, six puppies, a bostonterrier,a 1/2 grown
mastif, two adults and two children all in one vehicle from South Louisiana to Northern Arkansas are you?

Laura, how about we set up down by the river so our musical talents can echo off the bluff walls of the Buffalo River? I always think I sound better in the shower then I do outside of the shower -- i think the river and the bluffs will have that same effect.

Only 101 more days to go people!

Hugs
Marlene

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

that would be one ----of a trip you ever see the commerical where the ladies hair is straight up that's how I would look traveling with a car load like that ...... Maybe someone may be willing to bring a goat and demo how to milk 'em. I'm ready for some hands on learning. How many to list now? Rannie

This is looking to be one of the best get togethers yet!! Just wish I still had my ole tenor sax, I'd get in on the jam session...unfortunately, I can't carry a tune in a bucket. :haha: But I do have a decent helping voice....I just don't think most of you would dig my kind of music....ya know, metallica, whitesnake, madonna......
Marlene, I have people trying to give my pups/kittens all the time...they say, you already have so many, a couple more won't hurt......... :no: it takes a lot for me to say no though..........Phoenix doesn't like the competition...he is one jealous puppy dog.....

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I support our troops, I love my country, but fear my government.....

ladonna- how is that phoenix these days? fully recovered? i hope!!