Mountain Lane Homesteaders

Technical Tip: Searching for a specific blog when you can't remember the name

12:49 PM, Friday, January 12, 2007 .. Posted in Handy Tips and Tidbits .. 4 comments .. Link

Another challenge recently listed was for technical blogging tips and I just discovered a new one I thought someone might find useful.

The other day I read something on a blog that interested me and then over the course of the next day the subject was on my mind and I wanted to read it again. The only problem was that I didn't know the name of the blog to search for it and it had passed out of the 100 newest posts. What I did know was that it had been within the past 2 days and I thought I could remember what the person's avatar looked like. So I went to the main page of homesteadblogger and clicked on "member list" (top righthand corner). When that comes up it lists all the members in alphabetical order but if you go to the column that says "Last Activity" you can click on it and it will bring up members that have had the most recent activity (I think it also shows when someone's just been reading even if they haven't posted). Doing this I was able to scroll down the past couple of days and look for the picture I remembered. It didn't take me long and I had found what I was looking for (it should go without saying that this method is more time consuming if the person is using the picture of the sheep!). One caution though, be sure to start from page one and scroll down rather than looking for a specific date because if the person has added a newer post than the one you are looking for, their avatar won't show up again on the date of the past entry.

If your mind, like mine, happens to remember the avatar picture better than the name of a blog this might be helpful for you sometime. I have to really be on my toes when someone changes their picture though don't I?!!!

Frugal Tip:Getting the most out of batteries

11:18 AM, Friday, January 12, 2007 .. Posted in Handy Tips and Tidbits .. 5 comments .. Link

Boy there have sure been a lot of challenges posted on here lately and I'm getting in on todays!

It may go without saying but in order to get the most out of batteries there is an excellent option........RECHARGEABLE. I am here to testify that they are so worth the upfront cost. I have 3 children and a husband who ALL listen to portable cd players ALOT plus we have a digital camera. Those items alone are constantly using up battery power. We own 12 rechargeable AA batteries and one unit that will charge up to 4 at one time. We keep 4 batteries earmarked specifically for the camera and then each child has 2 for their players which leaves 2 extras that we keep charged for when someone's run down. Before we had this system someone was ALWAYS needing batteries. I don't know which I hated more, spending the money on them or just hearing the words "my CD player is out of batteries again" but whatever the case, we've sure saved tons of money by using rechargeables. I know they eventually will need to be replaced but they have already been charged many many times and paid for themselves long ago.

So, let's look at it this way......everyone loves to see pictures on the blogs. How many batteries have you already gone through or will go through in the coming year? Think about investing in some rechargeables and then we can all see so many more without it costing you a fortune!!!

So speaking of pictures.....here are a few examples of what it means to be a pet here in our home:

And since I was MIA for a while, how about one of Christmas in the cabin?

Thanks for visiting! Now, when the weather warms up so that you don't freeze solid when you step out the door........ go out and get yourself some rechargeable batteries. Take it from a veteran, you'll be glad you did.

Zap the Sap

8:35 AM, Wednesday, September 27, 2006 .. Posted in Handy Tips and Tidbits .. 7 comments .. Link

In the process of working with trees we have discovered a handy tip that I thought might come in useful for someone this time of year. Whether you are doing yard work and carrying brush, hauling in a load of firewood or even just handling a couple pieces to add to the woodstove, chances are at some point you are going to encounter the sticky sap getting on your hands. Washing it off with soap and water is a seemingly useless task! We have discovered the easiest way to get it off the skin is to rub some Purell hand sanitizer on the sappy area and it disappears immediately. I have also used it on clothing with mixed results. It seems to get the sap out but I have had it leave spots on the fabric.

Just something we have found helpful that I thought I would pass along.

Cherry Pitting Tip

3:15 PM, Tuesday, July 25, 2006 .. Posted in Handy Tips and Tidbits .. 3 comments .. Link

I posted this morning about all the cherries we picked last night. I still haven't decided exactly what I plan to make with them but I did find this wonderful idea on google for pitting cherries with a paperclip. This may not be news for many of you but I have never even made a cherry pie, let alone pitted cherries so it was very exciting for me. If you find yourself with a bunch of cherries to process.......give this method a try. I had enough for a pie in 20 minutes.

How to pit a cherry with a paperclip

First, you will need a clean standard sized ''gem'' paperclip (not a tiny one, and not a jumbo one, just a normal everyday paperclip). Wash it off and make sure it isn't rusty, scaley, or otherwise going to leave a nasty metallic residue in your fruit. Next, separate the two loops of the paperclip, bending it open into a flat S shape. If the paperclip breaks, get another paperclip. You need the whole clip for leverage.

Which end you use as the business end depends upon the size of your cherry stone. I generally use the larger loop, although smaller cherries (such as sour cherries), may work better with the smaller loop. Try both ends to see which works better for your fruit.

Wash your fruit prior to pitting. Washing the cherries afterwards will fill them with water and wash off the juice.

To pit a cherry, remove the stem and push the round end of the paperclip loop into the stem end of the cherry (it may take a bit of effort to breach the skin), on a slight angle so that the wire scrapes against the side of the cherry stone. Keep pushing and angling the paperclip so it follows the curve of the cherry stone instead of poking out the side of the cherry. When the end of the paperclip reaches the bottom of the cherry stone and starts to hook under it, twist the paperclip (or the cherry, whichever is easier) so the wire loop scrapes all the way around the pit. You may need to do this more than once, or dig around a bit to find a spot you've missed. You'll be able to feel when the pit is loose, at which point, angle the loop to pop out the pit.

After the first few, I find myself developing a knack and it goes much faster. Each cherry tends to give up at most one large drop of juice. There will be very little flesh stuck to the cherry stone, as well. You will stain your fingers, though, and your hand may eventually get a little sore where the ends of the paperclip digs into it. Also, once in a while, a cherry will squirt. So don't wear anything that minds a few drops of cherry juice! This technique works equally well on firm and soft fruit, although it tends to be easier to push the paperclip into a soft cherry.

Keep the pitted fruit refrigerated if you don't use it right away. It's best to use it within a day. If you are really frugal, wash off the paperclip, dry it, and store it away for next time!

About Me

My husband and I along with our 3 children, moved from Iowa to Montana 3 years ago fulfilling a long time dream of living in the mountains. Last summer we purchased and moved onto our bare land and are currently living in our home made cabin which has evolved from a shed to a barn to our cabin and future guest house. The foundation for what we now call "The big house" is dug and waiting for our next burst of energy!