Fun Snowflakes

Tis the Season for this Cincinnati Homestead Mom and I am so excited this year!

Here in Cincinnati we have had an unusual warm winter so far this season. I am use to freezing weather and considerable snowfalls by now.  However this year I have the windows open and a short sleeve shirt on.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not complaining, we've had some bad winters the past few years so I'm ready for any easy one.  Anyway, we're not letting the warm weather slow down our winter festivities.

Snowflakes are a great way to bring the winter feeling inside.  I love making things with my son, so some easy snowflake crafts were a great way for him to help and feel like he was a big part of the decorating.

As a kid I loved  making paper snowflakes by folding paper over a few times and cutting patterns along the sides.  I loved the anticipation as I unfolded it to discover the unique patterns.  Super simple, only 2 things needed...... Paper and Scissors.

For the snowflakes my son and I made, we used coffee filers.  Hey, they are paper and they are already round, so why not.

Things Needed

coffee filters (but any paper will do)

scissors

All you do is Fold It In Half a few times

Then using the scissors, you cut out pieces along the sides (half-circles and triangles work really well)

 After you've made the cuts you want, carefully unfold the coffee filter to reveal your snowflake

So there you have it.  A Super Simple Snowflake Craft to help bring the element of winter into your home without anything melting and making a mess.  The best part about these fun snowflakes is that you can use them for a ton of things; glue some thread or string to them and hang them from a curtain rod to give any window a winter view, make a mobile out of them to hang in your child's room, or glue them to a brown paper grocery bag to make beautiful wrapping paper..... 

I hope you have as much fun making these as Cincinnati Homestead Mom did.  If so leave me a comment and let me know.

 

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Ham and Cheese Sliders

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Football Season is here and this Cincinnati Homestead Mom couldn't be happier.  I love football season, and I love the Cincinnati Bengals (Who Dey).  To me, there is no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon then to have a few friends over to watch the game and cheer for our orange and black.

These little Ham and Cheese Sliders are perfect to take to a Tailgate, Super Bowl Party, or any other little get together you might be hosting or attending.  Sure to please, quick and easy, and not too hard on the budget.

Here is what you will need

dinner rolls (I like to use Sister Schubert's)

honey ham

margarin or butter

parmesan cheese

mozzarella cheese

If you are using the Sister Schubert's dinner rolls (or another frozen brand) let them thaw for just a bit

* This is the tricky part - you want them to thaw out just enough so that you can slice it in half but to not let them thaw out to the point the individual rolls come apart

Lightly butter the inside of the top and bottom of the rolls and sprinkle with parmesan cheese

* you can notice how on the left they started to come apart on me

Add a good layer of Honey Ham

Next a layer of Mozzarella 

Finally put the top back on and cover with foil

I bake them according to the dinner roll instructions.  They should be lightly browned on top and heated throughout.

These are sure to be a crowd pleaser so try them out and let me know what you think in the comment section below.

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DIY Dryer Sheets

For a Cincinnati Homestead Mom, saving money, and doing things yourself is what it's all about.

How would you like to never buy dryer sheets again?  Sounds great doesn't it?  I seen this trick on Pinterest and decided to give it a try. (so glad I did)  It works great!   

Here is what you will need:

• bottle of fabric softener (any kind)
• pack of sponges
• air tight container

cut sponges in half and place in container

mix 1 cup fabric softener with 2 cups water and pour into container

Then just wring out a couple of sponges and toss them in with your wet clothes in the dryer

When the clothes are dry, place the sponges back in the container

How easy is that?  For less than $5, this Cincinnati Homestead Mom has a year's worth of diy homemade dryer sheets.  

Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

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Backyard Chickens

With all the what ifs in the world today, I knew I wanted to do more and be better prepared.  But where to start?

For me, Cincinnati Homestead Mom I wanted to start with a reliable food source.  Growing and raising some of our own food would be a huge step in the right direction.

After reading some blogs, doing online research, asking a lot of questions, and convincing my husband it was a good idea, we decided to start with chickens.

Chickens? Really?

Yes, Chickens.  (I never thought I would have chickens)

Raising a small flock of chickens in the backyard has a ton of benefits.  They will supply us with fresh eggs that are more nutritious than those bought at the store, and cleaning out the coop gives us great fertilizer for the garden.  Not to mention the companionship and entertainment.

My son loves our chickens.  If he is outside, it's a safe bet that he will have one of the chickens under his arm.  In fact, he wants to have his Birthday Party at home this year.  When I asked why, he was quick to answer that he wanted his chickens to be able to be at his party and they weren't aloud to go other places.  My boy and his chickens

Even I enjoy having those little peckers around.  It is truly comical watching them strut around the yard, pecking and scratching.  And watching them take a dust bath you'll soon realize they are both graceful and awkward.

Currently we have 3 chickens and get about a dozen and a half eggs a week, which is plenty for our family.  At one point last year we had 9 hens and I was getting more eggs than I knew what to do with.  Luckily friends and family are always eager to take a dozen or two when I have extra.

Here are a few things you should consider before you get your first chickens.

• Cost  Normally the biggest expense is in the beginning.  Our initial cost was around $500.  Building material for the coop, feeders, food, bedding, and the baby chicks add up fast.  Then it doesn't stop after that, you will be buying food and bedding on a regular basis.  And an occasional trip to the vet or medications may be needed.
• Space  While chickens don't require a ton of space, you will need room for the coop and run.  You will want something with shade for the summer, and something that will protect them from the elements. 
• Time  Chickens are fairly low maintenance, however you still have to feed, water, and collect eggs daily.  (sometimes 2 or 3 times a day)  Then cleaning the coop and frequency of cleanings will depend on the number and breed of chickens you have.  This could be weekly or monthly.
• Noise  Both roosters and hens can be noisy.  Roosters don't only crow when the sun comes up, some roosters will crow all day long.  This depends on the breed and the individual chicken itself.  (some roosters are just cocky and like to hear themselves crow)  While hens have a call they make before and or after laying an egg.  My girls are quite loud with their little song.  (they are very proud of their self when they lay an egg)
• Laws, Zoning,  and Restrictions  There are many cities and suburbs where chickens are not aloud to be kept.  Sometimes a permit is needed to build the coop.  And some areas may have restrictions on having roosters or limiting the number of birds you may have.  Please check into this for your local area.

For this Cincinnati Homestead Mom, I couldn't be happier with our decision to start a backyard flock.  Knowing that part of our food source is not dependant on the modern supply chain, and my son learning where food comes from is priceless.  With every egg I collect, I feel a since of pride.  Simple and more Self Reliant.

Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

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Spicy Bourbon Chicken

Like I had told you in my first post, I've recently discovered that "I love cooking".  Knowing that my family is eating good food makes me happy, and using fresh ingredients (hopefully some from my homestead) makes all the difference.  

Growing up, I guess you would say my mom was a picky eater. (sorry mom)  She was also busy working and raising 3 kids.  Often, dinner was something quick and simple without a lot of variation. 

Then I got married and my husband is a real "meat & potatoes" kind of guy.  He doesn't like many vegetables, and could do without anything different or out of the ordinary.  

I found myself making the same things over and over again.  Simple and basic dinners, that I knew, could be better.  

This Cincinnati Homestead Mom wanted something different.  I wanted something that had some flavor and that I wasn't sick of eating.

So, I got online and I found a recipe that sounded great and that I had never made before.  Spicy Bourbon Chicken.

Oh my goodness, it was delicious!  Let me just say it again D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!  I knew that's how I wanted dinner to be from then on. 

Spicy Bourbon Chicken 
don't tell anybody, but there's no Bourbon in it

2lbs chicken meat (I use chicken breast)
1Tbls olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/4tsp ginger
3/4tsp crushed red pepper (a little more or less for preference)
1/4cup apple juice
1/3cup brown sugar
2Tbls ketchup
1Tbls cider vinegar
1/2cup water
1/3cup soy sauce
1Tbls cornstarch

Heat oil in a skillet, add chicken and cook thoroughly.  
Remove chicken and set aside.
Add remaining ingredients and heat on medium heat until well blended and dissolved.
Add chicken and bring to a hard boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 20 min uncovered.

Serve over hot rice


So that's the recipe I started with.  You can use a little more or a little less of the crushed red pepper according to how spicy you like things.  I go with a little more, but that's just me. (I like the heat)  

I hope you enjoy it as much as this Cincinnati Homestead Mom does.  Give it a try, and let me know what you think.

I can't wait to make my next post but I've got so much to share and talk about I don't even know where to start.  So make sure to check out the poll at the top of the page to help me out.

Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

Oh yeah, and don't forget to subscribe, follow, like, and share.

Cincinnati Homestead Mom

Let me just start by saying, this is my first attempt with a blog, so if it's a complete failure, I apologize.

Now that that's out of the way, let me tell you a little bit about what this Cincinnati Homestead Mom is about.  I love my kids, my family, my animals, and everything that my life has become.

I have found myself in a mindset that isn't quite what I would have expected (10 yrs ago).  I didn't think much about the what ifs, or wonder if I could make something instead of buying it.  I never thought I would be excited over my seed catalog arriving, and never ever thought I would have chickens. (I love our chickens).  Now I find satisfaction in doing things myself, and enjoyment in being outdoors (okay that hasn't changed, I've always been a tomboy).  

I got married and my husband is as much of an outdoors, go-getter, as I am.  We love to go fishing and camping. A day shooting guns in the country, or a night around the fire-pit is perfect for us.  We travel and love seeing our great country with it's people and cultures.

After my son was born I started to think more about the what ifs.  This tiny person was completely dependant on me for everything.  When we would leave the house I would pack a bag "diaper bag" with everything but the kitchen sink.  I wanted to have everything he would or could need.  Then it just grew from there. I started thinking about how the world around us would affect my family.  What would happen if the electric was out for days? (which it has been)  What would happen if the stores were empty or the banks were closed?  What if, What if, What if?  That lead to me wanting to be better prepared for the what ifs.

And now I have recently found out that "I love to cook".  Knowing what my family is eating is a relief from all this GMO, over processed, ready to eat stuff that some people are still calling food.  No I haven't went completely organic and we still have dinner out occasionally, but my out look on what my family eats has completely changed.  Using fresh ingredients (especially if they come from our little homestead) makes all the difference.  Nothing fancy but I love it.

I'm still plugged into the grid, and I still find myself going to the store more often than I would like.  But, I have made leaps and bounds of progress towards being more prepared and living a more simple and self reliant life for myself and my family.

I love sharing recipes and talking about the things I've been doing around our homestead (it's still a work in progress).  So I hope you check back to see what has been going on with this Cincinnati Homestead Mom.

I can't wait to make my next post but I've got so much to share and talk about I don't even know where to start.  So make sure to check out the poll at the top of the page to help me out.

Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

Oh yeah, and don't forget to subscribe, follow, like, and share.