November Journal Pages!

The November Journal Pages are HERE!

Here's the Photo Page:

Journal Blocks:

Here's the PDF:

November Journal Packet PDF

The Journal Cover Is On the Way!!!

All the PDF files should be up and running on Monday.

Thanks for being so patient!

PLUCK...The Turkey!

PLUCK THE TURKEY!

This is a Thanksgiving Hangman

and a great way to get pre-teens and teens

involved in the day's activities.

You have to use words that have to do with this

specific holiday.

(OK...you don't have to, but it's definitely more fun!)

Instead of slowly hanging a stick figure,

you will be plucking the turkey.

If you guess the word before all your feathers are gone...

YOU WIN!

If NOT...You're the Thanksgiving Dinner!

Above is a picture of the word card.

This page is laminated so that dry erase markers can be used.

Here's the Plucked Turkey:

Here are His Feathers:

The Game Also Comes With An Instruction Card:

The PDF prints out to be an 11"x17"

so it can be used in larger groups.

I also did a smaller version so that you can

print it from home.

Here is the 11"x 17" PDF file:

Pluck the Turkey

Here's the 8"x 10" PDF:

Pluck the Turkey

Good Luck!

Food Storage Meals and Menu Planning - Breakfast: Bag Meal!

We have a 5th Saturday this month

so I thought we could add a BAG MEAL

to our Food Storage Meals and Menu Planning!

I've been adjusting new recipes to fit the

Bag Meal Plan and have come up

with some really amazing dishes.

(I'm working on the recipe book as we speak!)

Today's Bag Meal is a Breakfast Bag!

Pumpkin Muffins

Topped with Gingersnap-Cinnamon Chip Streusel

and Bottled Fruit!

Here's the Recipe:

The items listed below will be put into jars

and seal with the Food Saver.

Pack each layer as you go!

Gingersnap-Cinnamon Chip Streusel Mix

Layer Items in the Order Given Below into a Pint Jar:

1/3 cup Oatmeal

(Quick or Old Fashioned)

1/4 cup Sugar

1/3 cup Finely Chopped Pecans

(These are on sale right now... it's a great time to stock up!

1/3 cup Cinnamon Chips

3/4 cup Coarsely Chopped Gingersnaps

(You will add 3 Tbsp. Butter when you prepare this recipe.)

Pumpkin Muffin Mix

Layer Items in the Order Given Below into a Quart Jar:

2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour

1/4 cup Cornstarch

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 1/4 tsp. Ground Cinnamon

3/4 tsp. Ground Ginger

1/4 tsp. Grated Nutmeg

Brown Sugar Mix:

This part will go into a Pint Jar.

3/4 cup Packed Brown Sugar

3 Tbsp. Dry Egg Powder

1 1/2 Tbsp. Dry Non-Instant Powdered Milk

To Make This Mix You Will Need To Add:

3 Tbsp. Oil

3/4 cup Pumpkin Puree

(Canned pumpkin is perfect and it's on sale right now!)

2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup + 6 Tbsp. Water

5 Tbsp. Butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter and flour 8 large muffin cups, or 12 regular-sized muffin cups.

Pour Streusel Mix contents into a bowl and stir to mix.

Mix in 3 Tbsp. butter until mixture starts to clump together.

Set aside.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, pour contents from

Muffin Mix jar and combine well with a wire whisk.

In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed,

beat together 5 Tbsp. butter, oil, and brown sugar mix until creamy.

(About 1 1/2 minutes.)

Beat pumpkin, water, and vanilla until well combined.

Add contents dry ingredients from the medium sized bowl

and mix just until combined.

(About 1 1/2 minutes.)

Divide batter into muffin cups.

Evenly top with gingersnap mixture, and gently press

into the surface of the batter.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until well risen, golden brown,

and a toothpick inserted into cake comes out

with moist crumbs attached.

Cool muffins 10 minutes before removing from pan and cooling.

Makes 8 big muffins or 12 regular muffins!

Bag Contents:

Gingersnap-Cinnamon Chip Streusel Mix

1 Can Butter

Muffin Mix

Brown Sugar Mix

1 bottle Water

Can of Pumpkin

1 can or bottle of Fruit

Pantry Items:

(I alway keep these items in my food storage!)

Vanilla

Oil

Here's the PDF:

(The PDF is coming...they are not loading right, but I'll have it figured out soon!)

The PDF includes a Recipe Tag, Instruction Tag and Contents Tag.

Print, Laminate, and Punch a Hole in the top of each tag.

Tie the tags to the handle of the bag and ...

YOU'RE READY FOR BREAKFAST!

NOTE:

I use Fresh Butter but always keep a can of butter in the bag.

Canned Butter is more expensive,

BUT it's a perfect food storage ingredient. 

I just keep rotating the same unopened can.

I have the peace of mind of knowing it's there if I need it

and the shelf-life is at least 40 years so it's definately worth

having on hand!

I made up 12 Mixes in just a few minutes.

Now I can have these AMAZING MUFFINS

once a month... FOR A YEAR!

This will make a

Perfect Halloween Breakfast!

Happy Birthday to my friend Jessica Anderson!

Hope you have a great day!

Don't Eat Tom!

Don't Eat Tom the Turkey!

This is just a Thanksgiving version of the

DON'T EAT FRANK game

I made for Halloween.

Here's the Link to That Post:

Don't Eat Frank Link

Candy Corn...Gumdrops...or any other candy

will work to cover the squares.

The little ones will LOVE this one!

Here's the PDF:

Don't Eat Tom Game Packet PDF
The game comes in 5"x7" as well as 8"x10"

Next Up...

Pluck the Turkey!

Preserve It . . . Canning Corner - Syrup!

This is a new one for me...

Bottled MAPLE Syrup!

I've canned plum and choke cherry syrup,

but I've never canned Maple Syrup before now.

Many pancake syrups can be home-canned.

I was so excited to find out that

I can bottle my own Maple Syrup.

I usually avoid canning anything with dairy products

included in the recipe...still too many questions on the safety

of that, but fruit and maple....they'll work perfectly!

The best part...

It costs about .25 cents per jar to make!

AWWWW-SOME!

Here's the 1st Recipe:

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Water

2 Tbsp. Karo Syrup

(This will keep the syrup from turning grainy over time.)

1 tsp. Maple Flavoring

Syrup Instructions:

Bring the sugar and water to a boil.

Add maple flavoring and stir.

Syrup will be poured into the jars at the boiling point!

Here's the 2nd Recipe:

(This recipe makes a little thicker syrup.)

2 cups Sugar

1 cup Water

2 Tbsp. Karo Syrup

1/2 tsp. Maple Flavoring

Syrup Instructions:

Bring the sugar and water to a boil.

Add maple flavoring and stir.

Here's the 3rd Recipe:

(It's got a touch of CINNAMON!)

1 cup White Sugar

1 cup Soft Light Brown Sugar, Packed

1 cup Corn Syrup

1 cup Water

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Cinnamon Stick, (broken in half)

Syrup Instructions:

Put all the ingredients into a large saucepan.

Bring to a boil and then simmer gently for 3 minutes.

Remove from the heat and CAREFULLY remove

the cinnamon stick and pour into clean sterilized jars.

Follow canning directions from here!

Canning Instructions:

If you are going to can pancake syrup,

you will need to bring the syrup to a boiling point

and then pour into clean sterilized jars

leaving about a 1/2-inch head space.

Wipe the rims of the jars to make sure that

they are clean and ready for the new, hot lids.

Simmer lids before putting them on the bottles of hot syrup.

Caution:

When you are working with hot liquids...be very careful!

I usually keep oven mits handy when I'm canning.

Place filled jars into a boiling waterbath canner.

Process PINTS for 7 minutes.

Start timing when the water returns to a boil.

Remove jars from canner and cool on a wire rack.

Here's the PDF:

Bottled Mapel Syrup Recipe PDF

Note:

The recipes listed above are for a regular batch of syrup.

For canning . . . Make sure you 3,4,or 7 times the recipe!

Now you're ready for some of these...

FLUFFY PANCAKES!

Woot...Woot!
Lots to post today!

I will be posting AFTER I go can

some TURKEY CHUNKS

at the Cannery!

I will also be adding the PDF to this post and the

pictures and PDF to the Gobble post.

Family Activity - Time to Carve the Pumpkins!

It's FINALLY TIME!

My boys have been ready to

carve our pumpkins

for weeks now.

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

Woot...Woot!

Carve 'em up . . . Light 'em up . . . and Set them on the Porch!

If you don't want to cut them with a knife,

use a drill!

Here are a few SAFETY TIPS to keep in mind:

I added these because MY FAMILY is totally

accident prone and BLESSED but NOT LUCKY!

SOOOO... if you are careful by nature,

YOU can skip this next section!

(Although it wouldn't hurt to brush up on some First Aid Basics!)

Prepare your Pumpkin - Moisture causes your hand or knife to slip.

Dry hands, pumpkins, and tools are a must.

Have the Right Tools for the Job.

Pumpkin carving kits have been created to make carving easier.

The small saws and sharp plastic tools are easier to control

 and are less likely to get stuck in the pumpkin.

“According to a study in the Journal of Preventative Medicine,

these tools cause fewer and less severe injuries

than serrated or plain kitchen knives.”

If using a kitchen knife, sharper is not better.

They often get lodged in the thick pulp and require greater force to remove.

If your fingers are in the wrong place when the

knife dislodges an injury can occur.

Hold the Pumpkin with Caution...People!

 Injuries usually occur when cutting towards your hand

or when the knife slips out the other

side of the pumpkin where it is being held.

Making small controlled cuts and using tools that cannot reach

the other side helps reduce these risks.

You can also use a carving board to steady the pumpkin as well.

Carving is for Adults

Little hands and sharp utensils do not mix.

Have them draw the pattern and remove pulp instead.

Adolescents Still Require Supervision –

Carving parties are fun but filled with distractions.

If adolescents are getting together to carve pumpkins,

an adult should be present to ensure the safe use of sharp carving tools.

Know First Aid for a Carving Injury

(Hmmmmm...that sounds like a good thing to brush up on!)

First Aid Skills are an important part of being PREPARED!

If an injury does occur, bleeding usually stops with direct pressure to the area.

Clean the wound and apply a topical antibiotic and a bandage.

If your finger loses feeling or can’t move, the wound is deep or the entire width of your finger,

or it is still bleeding after 15 minutes of pressure, go to the emergency room.

Oh, and one more thing...

Don't Throw the Seeds Away!

Save them for the TREAT:

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

You Will Need:

Seeds from your Jack O Lantern

Butter Flavored Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Salt

Instructions:

Rinse seeds and remove all pulp and fiber.

Pat dry with paper towel and let dry at room temperature

for at least three hours.

Spray a cookie sheet with butter flavored cooking spray,

or coat seeds with melted butter.

Sprinkle with salt or other seasoning if you like them spicy.

Spread seeds thinly on sheet and roast at 250 degrees for about an hour.

Stir every 15-20 minutes and spray lightly

with buttered covered spray as needed.

When seeds are golden brown,

remove them and let cool before eating or storing.

If you're in a hurry and your guests don't want to wait

for the seeds to air dry you can try the microwave recipe.

Rinse seeds in water to remove pulp and then dry with paper towel.

Place 2 tablespoons butter in a two quart dish

and microwave on High for 30 seconds.

Stir the seeds around in the butter to thoroughly coat each seed,

and spread out evenly in the dish.

Microwave on High for 7-8 minutes or until toasted,

stirring every two minutes.

Sprinkle with salt and serve.

For Extra Flavor:

After cooled if you want even more flavor

place them in a zip lock or plastic bag.

Add about 1/2 teaspoon olive or vegetable oil

to every 1 cup of seeds you have.

Once they are fully coated you can add your dry flavors,

 salt, sugar, cinnamon, paprika, garlic powder,

anything that sounds good.

If you are using a wet flavor like liquid smoke,

Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, soy sauce,

you don't need to add the olive oil.

Instead use the same measuring system 1/2 teaspoon per 1cup seeds.

WhaLaaaah!

Perfect Pumpkin Seeds . . . Everytime!

Here's the Recipe PDF:

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe PDF

GOBBLE!

This is the

THANKSGIVING

Version of YATZEE!

It's called...

Yatzee!

You Will Need:

6 Dice
(I included a PDF for 1 1/2" wooden dice or regular-sized dice.)
Mod Podge
Sponge Brush
Wet Erase Markers

and a

Printed Copy of the PDF

To Make The Game:

Cut the PDF pieces.
Mod Podge the pieces to the dice.
Each dice should have the #'s 2,3,4,5,6, and a letter.

Each row will cover all 6 six sides of the dice.

You will end up with 6 total dice! 

Here's the PDF:

1/2 Inch Dice Gobble PDF

3/4 Inch Dice Gobble PDF

1 Inch Dice Gobble PDF

1 1/4 Inch Dice Gobble PDF

Here's the Score Card:

Gobble Score Sheet

Laminate and use Wet Erase Markers to keep score!

(I get my wet erase markers at Walmart.)

NOTE:
If the person yells, "YATZEE!" instead of "GOBBLE!" it doesn't count!
Have FUN!

Preparedness Project - Dutch Oven Barrels!

Today's Project Is:

A Barrel Cooker!

This simple barrel can cut your cook time

as well as the amount of briquettes used . . . IN HALF!

All You Need To Make This Project Is:

A Used Clean 55 Gallon Barrel.

Used 55 gallon barrels can be purchased

for between $15-25.00.

Drill with a 1/2-inch drill bit.

You will need to drill holes into each of the sections of the barrel.

(Shown Below!)

The top layer of the barrel will have 12-15 holes.

The second layer will have 10-12 holes.

The third layer will have 8-10 holes.

This will be reversed when in use!

To Use the Barrel Cooker:

If your barrel comes with a lid,

this will need to be removed before using.

Next...

Simply turn the barrel over and cover your

Dutch Ovens while they are cooking.

Keep the Dutch oven items that take the

longest amount of time to cook on the bottom,

and the Dutch ovens with a shorter cooking time

closer to the top.

The barrel will help to keep the heat

around your Dutch ovens.

That's what cuts the cooking time in half.

You will only need about

1/2 of the briquettes you normally use as well.

Layer them under the Dutch ovens and on the lids

like you normally do.

Stack Dutch Ovens on top of each other

and then cover with the barrel.

Wooden handles can be added to the sides of the barrel

to make it easier to lift, but it's not necessary.

Is that COOL or What!?!

SIMPLE...EASY...

AND VERY EFFICIENT!

Dutch Ovens and supplies can be stored 

INSIDE the barrel cooker when not in use.

Dutch Oven Caterers Swear By It!

Turkey...Turkey...Who's Got the Turkey?

Turkey...Turkey...Who's Got The Turkey?

Is a perfect game for Thanksgiving Day.

Little ones will SIT in a circle and pass the

Turkey and Leaf Tokens.

The person sitting in the middle of the circle is IT,

and has to try and find out who has the Turkey.

You can pass just the Turkey Token, or you can add the leaves

to make the game a little bit more of a challenge.

Here's what goes on the back of the Leaf Tokens:

Here's what goes on the back of the Turkey Tokens:

Whatever you choose . . .

It's SUPER FUN and will keep

the kids entertained while you get things done!

Here's the PDF:

Turkey...Turkey...Who's Got the Turkey? Game Packet PDF

Here's a Link with the HOW TO INSTRUCTIONS:

Pumpkin...Pumpkin Game Instructions

A Preparedness Project

and

Another Thanksgiving Idea

Are On the Way!

Tick . . . Tack . . . Turkey!

This game is played like Tick...Tack...Toe,

but with a Thanksgiving Twist!

It's a great way to keep little ones busy while

you finish up the Thanksgiving Feast!
Playing Card:

Game Pieces:

Here's the PDF:

Tick...Tack...Turkey! Game Packet PDF

Game Boards:

Pieces:

To Make the Game:

Print the PDF

Laminate

Cut Pieces

Add Velcro

(The loop side to the card and the hook side to the pieces.)

Variation:

You can also use a cookie sheet and magnets

instead of the velcro if you would like.

Hope you have FUN playing this game

with your little TURKEY'S!

Halloween Is Almost Here . . . BUT

I couldn't wait any longer to start sharing some

THANKSGIVING IDEAS

with YOU!

November is my birthday month and so it's MY FAVORITE!

I love everything about this time of year.

The crisp in the air, the fall colors, and best of all . . .
this time of the year
always seems to be all about

FAMILY, COMFORT FOOD, and FUN!

Does it get any better than that?!?

No SIREE Bob!

Here's a List of the Things

You Can Expect to See This Month:

Tic . . . Tac . . . Turkey

Turkey, Turkey, Who's Got the Turkey

Gobble

Don't Eat Tom!

Pluck . . . The Turkey

Pin the Gobbler on the Turkey

The Turkey Bowl

Thanksgiving Busy Bags

Gratitude Garland

Our "Tree"-mendous Blessings

Word Contests

Candy Corn Guesses

Turkey Hunt

Rice Krispy Gumdrop Turkeys

Blessings Bingo

Grateful Guesses

Thankful TOM

Gratitude Candles

Guest Book
Cupcake Toppers
Place Cards

"Spin the Bottle"

and

Lots of Amazing Fall Recipes!

. . . BE PREPARED . . .

These ideas will be coming at a fast pace so that

we can start working on some of the
Christmas Games and Ideas!

Ark Prep 101 - Top 100 Items List!

Top 100 Items
You Might Want to Store!

I found this list in with some of my preparedness stuff

and thought you might like to see what items

made the TOP 100 LIST!

So, Here Goes . . .

1. Generators

2. Water Filters/Purifiers

3. Portable Toilets

4. Guns, Ammo, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats, Slingshots.

5. Duct Tape

6. Cook stoves (Alcohol, Propane, Coleman, Kerosene)

7. Fuels

8. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid A MUST)

9. Feminine Hygiene, Skin products, hair care, deodorant

10. Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash, floss, nail clippers

11 Shaving supplies (razors, creams, talc, aftershave)

12. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves water)

13. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur)

14. Flashlights, LIGHTSTICKS, torches

15. Lantern Hangers

16. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc

17. Candles

18. Matches {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.)

19. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps

20. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid

21. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)

22. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit

23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)

24. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)

25. Hand can openers, hand eggbeaters, whisks

26. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)

27. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing)

28. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Cooking and Barter Item)

29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many)

30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels

31. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)

32. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)

33. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)

34. Laundry Detergent (liquid)

35. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypo chlorite)

36. Paraffin wax

37. Fire Extinguishers (or Baking Soda in every room)

38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)

39. First aid kits

40. Boy Scout Handbook / also Leaders Catalog

41. Survival Guide and Emergency First Aid Books

42. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY ( food grade if for drinking)

43. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water transporting - if with wheels)

44. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)

45. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)

46. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators

47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks

48. Board Games, Cards, Dice

49. Reading glasses

50. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies

51. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)

52. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel

53. Bow saws, axes and hatchets. Wedges (also, honing oil)

54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes

55. Garden tools & supplies

56. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats

57. Cots & Inflatable mattresses

58. Backpacks, Duffel Bags

59. Fishing supplies/tools

60. Rice - Beans - Wheat

61. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc

62. Milk - powdered & condensed

63. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts

64. Dehydrated fruits, vegetables

65. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels. Trail mix/Jerky

66. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancer's)

67. Honey, Syrups, white/ brown sugar

68. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies

69. Soy sauce, vinegar, bouillon, gravy, soup base

70. Canned Salmon Fish

71. Vegetable Oil (for cooking)

72. Flour, yeast, salt

73. Teas
(Herbal . . . of course!)

74. Coffee
(Hot Chocolate . . . Yeah, that works for me!)

75. Chewing gum/candies

76. Vitamins, Minerals, Medications, etc.

77. Sweatshirts/pants

78. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs

79. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.

80. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)

81. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens

82. Work boots, belts, Levis & durable shirts

83 Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)

84. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.

85. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula, ointments/aspirin, etc.

86. "Survival-in-a-Can"

87. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams

88. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets

89. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer

90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts & bolts

91. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.

92. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)

93. Cigarettes
(I'm thinkin' fire starters might go here instead!)

94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc.,)
(Dr. Pepper works for ME!)

95. Lumber (all types)

96. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)

97. Seasoned Firewood.

98. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc

99. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
(I'm kind of partial to little dogs myself!)

100. Goats, chickens

Phew . . . we made it!

So, how did you do?

Here's the PDF:

(Just in case you want to check the things you have, off of the list!)

Top 100 List PDF

I have to say . . . there were a few things
I won't be stocking,

BUT it did give me a lot to think about!