More Simple Ways to Travel "Unplugged"

. . . when there are miles to go and places to hopefully SEE as you pass through them.

When in-car videos became the thing, I threatened to send
our grandkids videos of the areas they were going to be
traveling through/to so they could see what
they were missing outside the car while
their eyes were glued to the screen
inside the car.

Picking up where I last left off:
The  mileage game and more . . .

and

Page 23 covers one-fourth of a page, leaving a lot of white space, so I'll just add it here:

are called Pelicans so much the better. The pocket on these clothes protectors stay in an open position making a great sandwich and French fry holder, as well as catching the crumbs and drips.

To break the boredom of fast food, we have allocated each family member a certain amount of money and then stopped at a large grocery store where there is a giant selection of items including dairy, deli, and bakery. Each person gets to pick what they want to eat. This can really be fun occasionally, especially if you allow them to choose exactly what they want---regardless of it's practicality or nutritional value.

Lastly,

Whenever you travel, wherever you travel, try not to let your destination be your only focus. 

There is so much of interest and beauty to see when you take the time to enjoy the entire journey. Pointing out things of interest, beautiful examples of nature, and gorgeous sunsets will help your children appreciate their country and all of our Heavenly Father's creations. We never tire of such things. Hopefully we never will. 

One night when our children were young we were taking one of their friends home and I pointed out the gorgeous moon.  The little friend's comment, "I've seen it before."  How sad is that!

Simple Travel Games for Kids that aren't "Plugged In"

"Are we there yet?"

Four of the most dreaded words in family travel! 

At least that is the way it used to be.

If your family is consumed with all the electronic stuff available today, you may not hear that phrase as much, but if you are interested in traveling as an interacting family (in the car and with the passing landscape) the following ideas may give you an old-fashioned buzz.

Life was simpler back then ---- when being together meant exactly that.  Sadly today, it too often means separate individuals doing their own thing ---- even when sitting next to each other in a confined space.

In my last post I promised some simple travel ideas to help families (who habitually tune one another out) tune in to each other and the areas where they are traveling. A unique way of traveling that somehow got lost along the way.

Just as it is unnecessary to "reinvent the wheel", it seems equally unnecessary to re-do the pages I wrote in my 2000 booklet Simply Keepin' 'em Busy about simple things kids and families can do and share while riding on those wheels.

Regarding the last item on the above page---our kids are appalled at the memory of doing that---but they all survived. 

Next: Special activities and an auto survival kit for parents of the really young.

Stay tuned!  The mileage game will show up this coming Friday in my  next post . . . along with

• Racing Alphabet
• Letters Game
• Name That Truck

Plus more sanity savers for breaking the monotony of eating and motel-ing on your way to "there."

Just in time for the last holiday of summer!  But not the last chance to try something new.

Personal Electronics Complicate While Simplifying Our Lives

Back in the day ---- not even too far back ---- times were simpler. Far simpler.  

• Telephones were attached to a long cord and we had to be home to answer it.
• Home-delivered newspapers and movie theater news reels brought us the news.
• Books consisted of paper pages that you turned one at a time.
• We watched favorite television shows by scheduling our time so we would be at home at their scheduled time.
• We wrote letters in cursive, or typed them using a typewriter. . . and mailed them.
• We found our information for school assignments at the local library and in encyclopedias.

• If we wanted to be "naughty" we  looked up words in Webster's Dictionary or poured over the underwear sections of the Sears Roebuck catalog.

Back in the day we even had to wait for our coffee to perk and our popcorn to pop over high heat on a stove.

We knew what it meant to have to wait for something --- as there was no other option.

We understood patience --- as there was no other option.

Young people today may not even know what patience is!  Our own kids tell us we would know more of what was going on with their families if we would receive text messages or join Facebook. To let you know how unlikely that is: 

A couple of months ago we turned in our almost 12 year-old cell phones for new ones. The employees laughed at our antiques. We wanted the most basic model they still carried. They refer to them as "flip phones" and dug out a couple.  We returned to the store when we discovered we were missing our  user instructions. They laughed again and said they they were not missing, only were no longer included. 

Fortunately we have the patience to wait until one of our grandchildren comes over --- as that is our best option!

Dave was employed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) in the early 70s. The Church installed their first computer system shortly after. It took up most of the space in its own large, climate controlled building ---- and didn't have anything near the capabilities of today's I-phone or Smart phone or whatever they are called.

Whatever information required research and time, even 10 years ago, is available today in an instant, right in your pocket. Exciting and often invaluable but . . .

While we know these things are progress, admittedly unbelievable and amazing progress, we also know the dangers they can elicit and the things that are lost along with this progress.

We shudder to think of the challenges parents face in regulating and monitoring (besides keeping up with and paying for) all of today's electronic "necessities."

The following is the introduction to a recent newspaper column  by Tiffany Gee Lewis:

On a recent family road trip, a little bantering began about five minutes down the highway.

“Mom, can I play your iPhone?”

“No, not right now.”

A pause.

“Dad, can I play your iPad?”

“No, not right now.”

“How about your iPhone?”

“No.”

“In five minutes?”

“No.”

And so it went. For three hours. While we encouraged our kids to read books, stare out the window and, for goodness sakes, just look for the ocean over the crest of the hill, they pestered us about absolutely needing to update their Minecraft account.

Tiffany continues:  "I’ve heard frustration from countless parents who feel they are on the losing end. They can’t seem to get a handle on when and how to let their kids have access to electronics. As this particular war isn’t going away any time soon, here are six ways to fight the good fight."

Tiffany is the young mother of four sons. She has some great suggestions and encouragement.You can read her entire article

                  iCharge: 6 Ways to Control Family Media 

at  thetiffanywindow.wordpress.com.

My next post will feature some of the  non-electronic road trip games our children played back in their day.

When Life Defrosts Your Freezer . . .

While hurrying to leave for a short trip this past week, I grabbed a last minute item from the freezer and left the door ajar.  Ooops!

When we returned 2-1/2 days later . . .

The difference between a spot and a stain is time. Check out this amazing (and amazingly simple) way
to clean up spills on carpet 

 It could have been a lot worse!!!

This freezer (we have two) sits on carpet in the office. When we bought the second one I debated as to whether I should try to divide our frozen items equally in case something happened to one or the other.

Fortunately I decided that would complicate keeping track of things and  I like to keep things as simple as possible.

This freezer holds mainly fruits, fruit butters, juices, nuts, baggies of pebble ice, bottles of water and and a gallon of milk

They were thawed but still cool.  My first stop was Internet searches on their safety and usability.

Restoring . . .

Since we eat very little meat, there was very little to throw out.  I did have a package of thin beef, waiting for me to try my hand at dehydrating it into jerky.  It was still in its original packaging and that package was in a plastic grocery bag so I didn't give it much thought as I went to dump it in the trash. I should have. The trash can was two feet from the freezer and the package spilled its bloody meat juice. It almost made me sick --- and definitely made me panic.

While I was frantically searching the Internet for protein/blood-based stain removal, Dave calmly got a couple of bath towels and a spray bottle of clear water. Five minutes later, I was still searching and. . .

Dave was finishing up.

There was not a single trace remaining. (Pessimist that I am, I was sure the stain would reappear when the carpet dried---along with an accompanying, and probably horrible, smell.)

Dave was a Church custodian for many years and learned this from a fellow professional. The first thing to realize in the removal of spills is to remember that the difference between a spot and a stain is TIME. Tackled immediately most spills will come up completely with water.

1. Blot up as much of the spill as you can with cloth toweling.
2. Generously spray water on the spill and let it sit for two or three minutes.
3. Blot up with more cloth toweling.
4. Repeat process as needed.

Dave did this three times. There is no stain and no odor!

Preserving . . .

 I moved the bottles of juices and apple butters to the refrigerator. Neither has made us sick.

Same with the milk but later tossed it because of how it looked.  It didn't smell bad but it was full of clumps that did not dissolve when shaken. Probably milk is so processed that it isn't possible for it to spoil in the real sense of the word but I wasn't going to take any chances.

I made several loaves of banana bread and froze those we did not eat immediately.

I let the grapes, pomegranate seeds, and a few things like that refreeze. I haven't checked them out yet.

One of my biggest concerns was the 10 pounds of crushed raspberries I had frozen to make raspberry-peach jam when the peaches were plentiful and therefore---cheap. Thankfully I had separated the berries into recipe amounts and heat-sealed the bags.  Only one, that I had already opened and lazily closed with a rubber band, leaked onto the floor and a door shelf of the freezer but not onto the carpet.

Fortunately the peaches aren't cheap enough yet.  Why would I say fortunately?  Didn't I mean unfortunately?  Nope!

We still had quarts of peaches that we had bottled two and three years ago, allowing me to "kill two birds" without the work of having to remove any of the stones---or peach skin!

and Raspberry-Peach Jam

While I love the raspberry-peach jam recipe I have used for years,

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/making-jam-with-sweet-juicy-ripe.html

I was never overly excited about the package of jello it required and I don't like the thought of  packaged pectin or its price. So, this time around I used another recipe I found on the Internet. It is great --- just like my grandma used to make it. It thickens by cooking "down" so you get  less but without commercial pectin or "cow hoof" jello.

It is  from Patricia Larsen on a Taste of Home site. It took first place at her local county fair. Her  basic recipe is given here with my comments in green. You can check out her readers' comments by clicking below---they include using Splenda in place of sugar.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/raspberry-peach-jam

• 2-2/3 cups finely chopped peeled peaches  (that amounted to just under two quarts, after draining them and quickly blending them)
• 1-1/2 cups crushed raspberries
• 3 cups sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions

• In a Dutch oven, combine all ingredients. (I used a stock pot and while the ingredients were only a  few inches deep it still splattered out during the boiling and stirring time.) Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved and mixture is bubbly, about 10 minutes. Bring to a full rolling boil; boil for 15 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; skim off foam. (for some reason I didn't have foam with any of the batches I made.)
• Carefully ladle hot mixture into hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. head-space. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner. Note: add 1 minute to the processing time for each 1,000 feet of additional altitude over 1,000 feet. Yield: 5 half-pints.(I used pint jars which averaged out to four half-pints)

I followed the advice of one of the reader comments and used the drained bottled peaches with total success.

You should probably do as they say and not as I do

Current information for jams and jellies, as has always been with all fruits, is to process the bottles in a water bath for about 15 minutes. I ignored this advise.  While I have always processed all  fruits in a water bath, for 45 years I have followed the old practice of pouring the boiling jam into hot sterilized jars, sealing them immediately with lids and rings, and turning them upside down on a folded bath towel.  When I turn them upright they have always sealed. And have never molded.

Possibly modern research has discovered this NEED to also process the jams and jellies but sometimes "modern" is based on overreaction and/or over-the-top and unnecessary caution (maybe because of an isolated case caused by an sloppily un-sterilized jar or . . . worry of a lawsuit.)

The Third Page of My Quiet Book is Something You Can Count On

Since my last two posts have, in a loose (very loose) sense, been counting the ways you can save money and how quickly it adds up---it seems like a good time to introduce Quiet Book page three.

You can count on almost every quiet book having a counting page of one type or another. Some match number  with  items that match that number. For example, there might be a page with numbered ladybug outlines along with separate ladybugs with corresponding numbers of spots on each to match with the correct number.

This page simply has beads to feel and count --- and slide --- and --- whatever the imagination dictates.

1.  This page  has a lot "feels"  for the baby who is only at the feeler stage, with opportunities for more to do as they grow older.

2. The beads are Pony Beads from the dollar store. There are hundreds in each  $1.00 bag!

3..  I thought the rick rack would be a change from the usual round cord because it allows the beds to stay wherever they are moved until the "player" wants to move them somewhere else.  The rick rack looks twisted in a few cases but it isn't. It just looks that way because I have played with it and haven't straightened the rows out.

4. The side sections of felt securely "capture" the ends of the rick rack . . .

5. as well as providing  the area for the numbers.

6. The numbers are glittery craft foam self stick numbers also from the same dollar store. They didn't have plain ones.  I bought three bags. Even after making the 12 books, there will be a lot of numbers left over.

7. I was concerned about the glitter so I rubbed off as much as I could.  I think the rest will be safe.

8. As I've mentioned before, I don't trust the sticky back, a feature which is really handy,  to do more than hold them in place while I sew them on. I used thread to match each number and stitched over the sections of each one. It was a lot more simple that I first thought it would be and since I was going over the numbers and not through them the needle didn't get gunky.

9. This page is pretty simple and quite quick.  At least in comparison to the farm and Noah's Ark which you haven't seen yet!

Watch Your Savings Add Up With DIY Snacks ---

Dave read my "poem" and called it doggerel.
I had to look it up.

I know the poem is pretty corny but Dave was kind enough to tell me  there is actually  a real dictionary word for what I composed.

As I promised last post, if you take the simple step of packaging your own lunch box snacks the $avings will add up almost quicker than the time it takes you to do the packaging!

For even greater $avings, try one or more of the following recipes, and package them to fit your family's needs and appetites. With a little thought and imagination, or even (if you have to) some initial expense, you can acquire a variety of reusable containers that will satisfactorily do the job.

Notes: Heidi uses lidded yogurt cups --- over and over and over.
I bought one 24 pack of 8 ounce bottled water; they are perfect  for juices. You can even add a little powdered lemonade or other flavors to the original water when using them the first time.

$ Extend Commercial Mixes:

Gelatin Extender: Simply add three cups of water to a 3 ounce package of gelatin rather than the called for two cups. Portion as desired.  Refrigerate. Note: It takes a little longer to set up and is a little softer than regular gelatin.

Cooked Pudding Extender: Add 1 T. cornstarch and 1 additional cup of milk to a 3 ounce package of cook-type pudding mix. Cook as directed. Portion as desired. Refrigerate. Note: If you partially heat the milk before adding the pudding mix, you will save some stirring time.

Frozen Juice Concentrates:  Add some additional water, a little at a time until you find just how much you can dilute it without affecting the taste.

$$ Make Master Mixes from Scratch:

Vanilla Pudding Mix
Combine the following ingredients, blending well. Store in tightly-lidded container.
2-1/3 cups granulated sugar
1-3/4 cups cornstarch
3/4 tsp. salt

To use: In medium saucepan combine 2/3 cup pudding mix and 2-3/4 cups milk. Stir constantly until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Cook and stir one minute longer. Remove from heat and stir in 2 T. butter or margarine and 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla flavoring. Portion as desired. Refrigerate.

Coconut Pudding:   Prepare as for vanilla pudding  but stir in  1/2 to 2/3 cup shredded coconut. You can replace vanilla extract with 1/2 tsp coconut extract if desired.

Chocolate Pudding Mix
Combine the following ingredients, blending well. Store in tightly-lidded container.
1-1/2 cups plus 2 tsp. cocoa powder
3-1/4 cups granulated sugar
1-1/3 cups cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt

To use: Use 1 cup mix per recipe with 2-3/4 cups milk and following directions for vanilla pudding above.

"Krunch" Candy Bar
2-1/3 cups crisp rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)
1/4 cup (1/2 cube) margarine or butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

Put cereal in a sack and crush it to make about 1 cup. Set aside. In large saucepan, add margarine, chocolate chips, corn syrup and vanilla. Place over very low heat and stir continuously until contents are smooth and blended. Remove from heat. Use wire whisk to mix in powdered sugar. Stir in crushed cereal until thoroughly coated. Quickly press mixture evenly into buttered 9x9" pan. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into bars of desired size. Wrap in clear wrap and store at room temperature. 

Note: there are many recipes on the internet for making the marshmallow rice crispy bars that kids love.  They are quick, easy, much cheaper and, I think, better tasting than there commercial counterparts.

Soft Caramel Dip
27 caramels (if you buy them in bulk they are cheaper than in the package)
1/2 cup (1 cube) margarine
1 can sweetened condensed milk (or one recipe - below)

In microwaveable bowl, combine unwrapped caramels and margarine and heat for three minutes or until melted, checking and stirring often. Be careful not to overcook. Beat in condensed milk. Portion as desired. Serve with apple slices or pretzels.

Sweetened Condensed Milk 
1 to 1-1/2 cups dry powdered milk
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup boiling water
4 T. (1/2 cube) margarine

Put sugar, boiling water and margarine in a blender. Process at low speed, adding dry powdered milk 1/4 cup at a time until the condensed milk is the right consistency (thick and creamy). Blend until smooth. Use in place of one can purchased "Eagle Brand" type condensed milk. Note: I have not used this in baking but it is good in non-baked items.

$$$ Do your kids like cookies that are sandwiched with frosting? Spread frosting between graham crackers for a great treat.  You can use canned frosting; for more savings, and better flavor, it is simple to make your own. The measurements don't need to be exact.  Basically, in a bowl add about half a cube of softened margarine, a sprinkle of salt, a little vanilla or other flavoring, and about 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar and a small amount of milk. Beat until smooth, adding sugar or milk a little at a time as needed to obtain consistency you want.  

It is simple to make your own Tuna, Chicken, Ham Salad Sandwich or Cracker Filling

1. Open a can of tuna, chicken or ham, drain if needed, place in a small bowl, and with a fork break into small chunks. 
2. Mix in mayonnaise or Miracle-Whip-type salad dressing to moisten. (I like to add a tiny amount of lemon juice or vinegar when I am using tuna)
3.  Add other ingredients as desired to taste: pickle relish, salt, pepper, powdered dill weed, chopped hard-boiled egg, etc. 
4. Store covered in refrigerator.

For egg salad, follow same directions, with the addition of a tiny bit of mustard, and any other additions you may like.

$$$ More . . .

For most of the commercial products you buy, you can find recipes or ways to Do It Yourself ---- almost always cheaper and almost always better tasting (and healthier)---- on the internet.  Even Twinkies!  With natural ingredients!!! Rather than the commercial Twinkies' 39 unnatural ingredients.*

If you are even tempted to buy little single serving packets of carrots, celery sticks, or whatever, look at the price and find great satisfaction in the savings of D-ing IY.

* Want to learn more about the amazing ingredients in a modern-day  Twinkie (and other manufactured food facts) check out

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/search?q=twinkies 

or simply type Twinkie in the small upper left search box. 


It will change the way you think of foods and quite possibly what you eat.

Save Big by Making Your Own "Individual Servings"

We are nearing the end of summer. Time to gear up for the start of another school year. 

If your kids bring their lunches from home, or if you do, and you want to cut down on the food budget the following will show you how to . . .



  spend a little time to save a LOT of money!

Every time we enter a grocery store we see more and more "individual serving" type products. 

Companies would have us believe they spend zillions of $$$ making things easier for us. In reality they spend those zillions trying to convince us we don't have the time nor the know-how to do things for ourselves ---luring us into dependency on pre-packaged, portion-sized this and that. 

I compared the price of food items that might be included in a "brown bag" lunch. 

The foods were identical in brand and quantity with the only difference being the type of packaging.

The lunch comprised of individual pre-packaged servings cost $3.88. 

The lunch made up from regular-sized packages re-packaged in per serving quantities at home cost $1.60

I'll do the math!

$3.88 - $1.60 = $2.28 SAVINGS per lunch
$2.28 X 5 days per week = $11.40 SAVINGS per week per lunch

Now you do the math

$11.40 X number of lunches you pack each week = $______________SAVINGS EACH WEEK!

If this sounds like a wise practice but you don't think you have the time

Find ways to make time!

• Let the kids help ---- approach it with enthusiasm and they will be eager
• Enlist the help of your spouse and make it a family activity
• Take the required time away from your electronic attractions (or are they distractions?)
• Consider what you could do with the savings

If you still don't feel you can find or make the time, do it once and time it so you can see how little time it actually takes ---- especially compared to the money savings.

If you are into the other kind of green savings (the environmental) think of the reduction in packaging waste.

At this point, consider again the motivating factors behind the pre-packaged items:  Is it for our convenience or for their greed?

If you want to save even more money and are willing to spend a little more time,  you can make some of these brown-bag items yourself and portion package them yourself --- providing the great additional benefit of eliminating  the additives and preservatives increasingly added to commercial food.

I'll give (or re-give) you some simple recipes in my next post.