Summer Salad

This is for my dear friend, Julianne of Providence Lodge.  She has been asking for my homemade salad dressing recipe for years and I just kept forgetting to send it to her.  Finally, my dear, here is the recipe - along with one for croutons, if you please.

Spicy Bacon Vinaigrette
1/3 C ketchup
1/2 C white vinegar
2/3 C sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 C olive oil
1/2 lb. bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled (you can use bacon bits)
1 green onion, chopped

Blend first 6 ingredients together until smooth; add bacon and green onion.  Stir or shake well.  Store in refrigerator.  (I doubled this recipe, by the way).

Pouring the olive oil into the vinegar, sugar, garlic mixture

Frying the bacon

Adding the bacon and green onions to the liquids

Ready for the salad

Homemade Croutons
1 loaf day old french bread (or wheat, or white, or whatever you have on hand)
1 cube butter
1 or 2 cloves of garlic, minced
chives, Italian spices (whatever suits your fancy)

Cut bread into cubes.  You can use fresh bread, however, slightly stale bread is better.  Melt butter in skillet (I prefer cast iron) and add garlic.  Saute for about 1 minute.  Add spices to garlic and butter.  Put bread cube in with butter mixture (you may have to do this in batches, depending upon the size of your skillet, adding more butter and spices is required).  Stir to coat bread cubes.  Dump bread onto cookie sheets (I cover mine in tin foil to contain the mess) and put into a 300° oven for about 20 minutes or until toasted and dry.  These will keep for weeks in a sealed jar or plastic bag.

My favorite bread for croutons is homemade french bread, however, any kind of bread works well.  For these croutons, I used stale store-bought bread and they turned out wonderfully.

Cubed bread

Sauteing garlic

Stirring bread to coat with butter and garlic

On a cookie ready for the oven

Crisp and savory - very crouton-like

Plenty for many salads to come

Welcome in summer with salad, bacon dressing and homemade croutons!

Contest/Give-Away....Our First!!!!

We are very excited to announce our inaugural (to be monthly) contest/give-away.  The rules are very simple, just drop us a line telling us your favorite "You might be Married to Burt if...." saying (of the infamous Tremors Movies), either original or previously mentioned (along with your name - it can by your cyber name).  You can also enter again by posting our contest on your Facebook page or website (just drop another line letting us know).  This contest will run from today (Saturday 6/2/12 through Saturday 6/9/12).  We will choose a random post (all entries will be eligible to win, even if you don't leave your favorite saying).

The prize will be...Drum roll please.......your choice of books from best-selling author Joe Nobody.  Choose one book and it will be signed by the author and shipped to your doorstep.  Mr. Nobody (don't tell anyone, but I don't think that's his real name) has written a  number of books, two of which we have read, LOVED, and reviewed on this blog.  These books are absolutely essential to any preppers library!  You will have the choice of: 

Without Rule of Law:  Advanced Skills to Help you Survive

Holding Your Ground:  Preparing for Defense if it all Falls Apart

The TEOTWAWKI Tuxedo:  Formal Survival Attire

Holding Their Own:  A Story of Survival

Holding Their Own II:  The Independents

I can't wait to hear from you!  To get us started, here are a few "You Might be Married to Burt if".... sayings from my own personal collection.

You Might be Married to Burt if....

• Your husband thinks a .50 cal. is a nice "Carry Piece"
• Your husband reminds you that "plastic is NOT an oxygen barrier"
• Your husbands idea of a dirty magazine has nothing to do with nude women
• When looking at real estate, your husbands first requirement is "Geographical Isolation"
• Your husband asks you to keep a supply of "a few household chemicals in proper proportion"
• Your husbands favorite color is camouflage, followed closely by OD

Here we go!  Let the games begin.

The Making of an American

I have been pondering what it means to be American.  From the time I could think in a cognitive fashion, I have been proud to be an American.  I knew in the core of my being that I lived in the greatest country on earth.  My countrymen where honorable and true and our leaders were fearless and just.  Americans were the "knights in shining armor" of two world wars and they conducted themselves in a manner befitting our princely nation.  My heart swelled with pride and thanksgiving knowing I was a child of the great United States.

What is it that I loved about my native country?  I loved that our citizens were fiercely independent.  I loved that we were willing to sacrifice personal comfort in order to do the right thing.  I loved that we were a country of principle and character.  I loved that we could make do with anything and thrive in any circumstance.  I loved that we would rather go without than burden someone else with our problems.  I loved the fact that we made a stand for right and hated wrong.  I loved the fact that we cared about our fellow man more than we cared about ourselves.  I loved the fact that we were more concerned with disciplining ourselves than policing everyone else.  I loved the fact that we rewarded achievement and punished evil.  I loved the fact that we were willing to work hard for what we wanted.  I loved the fact that we had the strength of character to succeed when the odds were against us.  I loved being an American.

I am still proud to be an American.  I still see the best in us.  But I see the worst too.  I see people who would rather take than give.  I see leaders who would rather be served than to serve.  I see good being called evil and evil being called good.  I see a people who have lost their dignity, willing to accept handouts rather than resolutely making their own way.  Americans are being replaced.  We are being replaced by impostors - haters of the American way.

It's not too late.  We can reclaim our heritage - our country.  It starts with you.  It starts with me.  It starts by throwing off the shackles of an over-reaching government.  Get off welfare, get off WIC - be too proud to accept the state's handouts and be bound by their chains.  Do the hard things.  Be willing to suffer, work hard and make your own way.  Don't blame the economy, the government or your parents.  Find that inner strength and rebuilt your nation.  Embrace good and shun evil.  Stand up for what you believe in, no matter what the cost.

It starts with you.  It starts with me.   We are the making of an American.

The Wolf is at the Door

Remember the tale of The Boy Who Cried Wolf?  You know the one.  Little boy, seeking attention, cries "Wolf, Wolf" while playing in a secluded field.  Terrified, the villagers run to his rescue, only to find the little boy completely unharmed with nary a wolf in sight.  Again and again, hearkening the little boy's cries, the townsfolk arm themselves with pitchforks, bows and knives and rush to defend one of their own against the devil beast. And, time after time, the little boy sheepishly admits that perhaps he hadn't seen a wolf after all.  Finally, one fated afternoon, the little boy lifts his gaze, and cringed in horror at the penetrating yellow eyes of his greatest adversary - the Wolf.  With terror unmatched in his young life, the little boys cries "Wolf, Wolf" at the top of his lungs, only to be met with the indifferent silence of an apathetic village.  Hearing the little boy cry "wolf" innumerable times when no actual danger was present had hardened the hearts of the townsfolk.  This time, they ignored the frantic cries and went on with the tasks at hand.  The mother rocked her child, the grocer sold his goods and the smith worked his iron.  The people went on with their lives as the boy lay dying in a pool of his own blood.

When the little boy failed to come home for dinner, the villagers scoffed at his weeping mother, not moved by her pleas for help.  As they settled themselves into warm, inviting beds, they slept the sleep of the righteous.  And then - they heard scratching.  Peering into the darkness, they searched for the cause.  Seeing nothing, they turned, thinking once again of sweet slumber.  With their defenses down, he pounced.  The wolf with the yellow eyes was at their door - and yet they slumbered.

I made the mistake of reading the news.  Headlines herald the end.  "Congressional Budget Office Warns of Economic Cliff".  "New Black Panthers Call to Create "Red Sea" of Bloodshed"".  "Total Emergency" in Spain.  But, as usual, life goes on with nary a glitch.  Sure, gas prices are awful and I'll have to hold my nose when I vote this year, but the realities of my day to day life remain untouched.

Now is the time when many become complacent.  They grow tired of hearing the "boy" cry "wolf".  They've armed themselves against the beast only to be betrayed by the town crier.  They're done.  The wolf is a myth - a figment of an overactive imagination.  They are going to live for the now - for the moment.  To heck with the wolf.  Life is waiting.

But, the wolf is at the door.  After months and years of prepping and planning, it is easy to become disillusioned.  "If it hasn't happened yet, it never will".  But nothing could be further from the truth.  The wolf has been prowling, seeking who he can devour, and he will, when we are at our weakest.  Therefore, I encourage you to keep the faith.  Run the race.  Don't lose heart.  You are our last, best hope.

The wolf is at the door.  How will you answer?

Prepared Family Products Presents the Emergency Birth Kit

Recently, while we were taking inventory of our preparedness supplies, we noticed a gaping hole.  Although we are well stocked with emergency medical necessities, we had none that were specifically geared toward pregnancy, labor, delivery and immediate post-partum.  Realizing that this oversight could mean the difference between life and death, Maid Elizabeth took action.

Drawing on her experience as a midwife, not only stateside but also as an out-of-country missionary midwife, Maid Elizabeth began gathering supplies that she considered essential.  Although basic, her kit is filled with the necessities required to help non-medical personnel deliver a baby safely in a home environment.  This kit was designed to provide the education and tools for a lay person to successfully deliver a baby in a grid-down, TEOTWAWKI situation.

The Emergency Birth Kit is combat packed (once opened, the items you need first will be on the top and will progress in descending order to the bottom of the bucket) and filled to the brim.  An excellent emergency childbirth book is at the top of the bucket, enabling expectant parents to prepare for impending birth, as well as a number of brochures explaining uses for specific items.  A list of items is attached to the back of the bucket, along with the quantity of each item.  An index is also packed in the bucket explaining the intended use for each item enclosed.

Having had most of my children at home, I can attest to the fact that this birth kit is extraordinarily comprehensive.  The fact that it is packed in a labeled 5 gallon bucket makes it perfectly complimentary to most every preppers food and equipment stores.

The reality is that in a worst-case scenario situation unexpected births will happen. Having a birth kit at the ready will bring a modicum of calm to an already stressful situation.  As preppers we try to have all the bases covered.  The Emergency Birth Kit is a necessary component of every survivalists plan of action.

If you are interested in purchasing an Emergency Birth Kit, just click the Birth Kit button on the right-hand side of the blog or go to www.naturallycozy.com.

Our Life in Pictures

These are snapshots of our life - days full, bringing joy and contentment and LOTS of good food!  Enjoy your visit.

Blackberry Crumble

Individual Blackberry Crumbles (can be made with any in season fruit or fruit from your freezer or canning jars) is a perfectly simple ending to a summer meal.  I make the crumble ahead and keep it in the refrigerator, waiting to adorn fruit at a moments notice.  The crumbles take about 20 minutes to cook, making them perfect to pop in the oven when dinner comes out so they are ready to eat when the meal is finished.  I love blackberry and raspberry crumble best, although apple and pear make a fabulous fall treat.  The crumble topping is infinitely flexible, adding or subtracting ingredients depending on what is in your pantry.

Crumble
1 C cold butter
2 C flour
2/3 C sugar
2/3 C ground almonds (I used pecans)
pinch of salt

Combing flour, sugar, ground almonds and pinch of salt.  Cut in butter with a pastry cutter.  Store in refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Cutting in the butter

Adding a little sugar and cinnamon to the berries

Berry mixture in ramekin pots

Going into the oven (350° for 15-20 minutes)

Ready for a summer picnic

Perfect topped with whipped cream

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Bacon and Cheese Frittata

When I was a girl, my dad made the most wonderful omelets in the world.  They were light and fluffy, packed with all kinds of good things.  When I grew up and went out in the world, I ordered an omelet in a restaurant, and much to my great surprise and consternation, they brought a flat, folded thing that bared no resemblance to the omelets of my youth.  Years later, I came to find that the omelets my father had made were in fact not omelets, but frittatas.  With our overabundance of eggs, frittatas are on our regular menu.  Leftover bacon, sausage and ham are regular features, as are onions, green pepper and cheese.  Whatever we happen to have in the fridge ends up in the skillet.  I love making these on the wood cookstove best, but they work well in a regular oven as well.

Frittatas
Eggs (I used 14 for a 10" skillet)
Cooked meat (bacon, ham, sausage etc)
Veggies (onions, peppers, mushrooms etc)
Cheese (whatever suits your fancy - cheddar, swiss, pepper jack etc)

Melt a tablespoon (or so) of butter in a cast iron skillet.

Mix eggs with a bit of milk.  Beat well.  Add meat, vegetables and cheese.  Stir well.  Pour into heated skillet.  Cook (without stirring) over medium low heat until the eggs begin to set around the edges of the skillet.  Put skillet into at medium oven (350°) and cook until eggs are set (eggs don't jiggle when you shake the skillet).  The frittata will be huge and puffy but will deflate as it cools.  Slice and serve with toast and potatoes.

Beaten eggs with bacon pieces

Adding chives and cheese

Pouring the mixture into the skillet

Transferred into the oven

Breakfast is served!

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Carmel Corn

Years ago, I went to a tupperware party at a friends house.  Now, truth be told, I am not a tupperware kind of girl, so I didn't come home with any new plastic gadgets, however, I did come home with a killer recipe.  Our hostess made carmel corn - in a MICROWAVE! no less, and it was awesome.  I wrangled the recipe from her and have been spoiling my family with it ever since.  It always turns out perfectly, takes very few ingredients and is lightening fast, and really, is better than any recipe we have tried.  It is cheating, I suppose, using the microwave, but it sure is convenient, especially if you are feeding hoards of locusts (our pet name for children when we have large gatherings).  Try it - you won't be disappointed!

Carmel Corn
1 C popcorn (popped)
1 C brown sugar
1 cube butter
1/4 C corn syrup
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 paper grocery store bag

Pop popcorn and pour into a paper grocery bag.  In a large, microwave safe bowl, combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup.  Microwave for 5 minutes, stirring halfway through.  Add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda to mixture and stir.  This will significantly change the consistency of the carmel.  Pour carmel mixture over the popcorn in the paper bag.  Stir through the popcorn.  Fold the bag and put in the microwave for 1 minute.  Mix popcorn again and put in the microwave for 1 more minute.  Pour the popcorn in a serving bowl.  Allow the carmel corn so sit for about 1/2 an hour to harden.  Break into chunks and enjoy.

The brown sugar, butter and corn syrup

Stir half-way through the cooking time

Ready to add the baking soda

After the baking soda was added

Carmel on top of the popcorn (in the paper bag)

Stirring carmel into the popcorn

Folding the paper bag to go into the microwave

Mixing at 1 minute (push around from the outside of the bag)

Ready to serve

Have a wonderful Memorial Day!

The Real Cost of Freedom

This is an article I wrote last year for the 4th of July but somehow I thought it was an appropriate tribute for Memorial Day.  Treasure your freedom - it has been bought and paid for with the blood of One and the blood of many.

Freedom comes with the highest price

Our freedom, so coveted by true patriots, comes at a price far greater than most of us realize.  When we think of freedom, most often we think of the noble men who fought and died to free us from the tyranny of King George, or of the brave souls who risked life and limb to liberate the world twice, in one century, from evil men who fancied themselves demigods.  But, how often do we consider the true author of freedom?

When God breathed the first breath into mankind, he could have chosen to enslave the human race.  Being the author of our lives, He could have given us no choice in who we worshipped, who we served or what we thought.  He could have created a worshipping throng to proclaim His goodness all their days.  Instead, He created a free people.  He breathed the breath of life into a people that could choose to love Him - or not.  He gave us freedom, from our first breath to our last.  God himself is the author of liberty.  And our liberty was purchased at a great price.  Blood.

When God chose to give his children freedom, He knew we would not choose Him.  He knew that we would be tempted by the world.  He knew we would choose to gratify ourselves, serve ourselves and love ourselves.  He gave us our freedom anyway.  And then, he made a way for us to belong to Him in spite of our rebellion - blood.  The blood of his son to be precise.

And, so it is.  Freedom has always been won with blood.  Never, has a single man been freed by the swipe of a pen or the clasp of a hand.  Freedom has always been fought for, bled for and died for.  From the beginning of time, our freedom has been purchased with blood - the highest of prices.

As we celebrate our nation's birthday, I urge you all to recognize the true cost of freedom. My freedom and yours has been bought and paid for with the blood of many.  Our freedom can't be won with words or platitudes, but only by the blood of great men who truly understand the price of freedom.

I am no slave.  I never will be.  I am a free man (woman), not because some government granted my freedom, but because God himself made me free.  My freedom has been bought. And so, my fellow Americans, has yours.

Equipment Review - Surefire Helmet Light

This equipment review promises to provide more information than any other helmet light review on the web.  Really.  When reviewing flashlights, most product testers don't bother to deal with the basics, such as proper flashlight cleaning.  Even if they touch on the subject, they say something ignorant like "wipe with a soft, clean rag".  The Paratus Familia product test team went one step further.  We put the flashlight through its paces and tossed it in the washing machine - with a load of laundry.

Knowing that people would be using their Surefire Helmet light in all types of inclement weather, we allowed the flashlight to remain submerged in the washing machine all the way through the 45 minute heavy duty cycle.  When the spin cycle was completed we retrieved the light, dried it off with a bath towel and flipped the switch.  Eureka!  The light worked.  We were truly impressed!

O.K., so we didn't really mean to toss the flashlight in the washing machine - but sometimes these things just happen.  We truly were impressed that, being submerged for the better part of an hour, the light worked flawlessly.  That makes the Surefire a light worth owning!

The Surefire Helmet Light is just what it's name suggests.  It comes with a bracket that easily attaches to either a PASGT Helmet or a MICH Helmet.  It has 3 regular LED's and 2 blue LED's (specifically for use with Night Vision - the blue light won't disrupt your optically assisted night vision) and also has an infrared pulsing function that can only be seen when using night vision (which helps eliminate "friendly fire").  The Surefire helmet light uses one CR123 battery and has a long run time.

Light attached to the helmet

Light bracket

The light

The switches and battery compartment

Three white LED's

Blue LED's

Infrared

Once the bracket has been attached to your helmet, the light is easily removed for use independent of the helmet.  Master Hand Grenade regularly grabs his light, stuffs it in his pocket and heads out to start the generator in the dark.  However, when it is attached to the helmet, it provides great hands-free illumination.

Surefire helmet lights are rather expensive.  If you are looking for an inexpensive, every day light, this Surefire is not for you.  If, however, you are looking for a light to use when you are in full tactical gear, the Surefire helmet light just may be your answer.