Keep Up the Stockpile

On the one hand, I hate it when "experts" list the things to keep on hand.  On the other hand, it seems to be a good starting point for me.  I completely understand the idea of keeping a stock pile - we live in a new development area & our nearest grocery store is 7 miles away!  If you run out of milk in the morning before breakfast, it is a real pain to have to run up to the store to get it!  My goal is to have another of whatever we are currently using - that way, I can "shop" my stock, & replace at my leisure.  

Anyway, This is MY stockpile - yours will probably be different!  Just look around your home & decide what you usually have on hand - & what you miss when you run out.  Change the brand names, items, or ideas to suit you and your needs.

Most published lists do not include non-food items, but to me, you are ignoring a large part of the "food budget"!  Therefore, my list begins with the stuff I need on hand to keep myself and my house clean & running smoothly.  I was very surprised at how much I stock - I took this list directly from my shelves, drawers, cabinets, and cupboards!

Pork Chops with Pears

Some time ago, I signed up with Saving Dinner, and got a bunch of really good recipes.  I don't use all of them, but several have become family favorites - I deem it well spent money for the year of subscription I got! Most of the recipes have been adapted for our family, but Saving Dinner is a great place to start!

This recipe always makes a great meal!

Amazing Bread Rolls

One of my new favorite recipe web sites is "Get Off Your Butt And Bake" - this woman knows baking!!  Note that her blog is one of the other Great Cooking Blogs - along the right side of my page.  About a month ago, she (re??)posted a bread recipe that is amazing.  Like any good daughter, she "stole" the recipe from her mother, another amazing baker!!  I have discovered that this bread refrigerates wonderfully, and reheats in a microwave without becoming rubbery, a problem with most breads!

Photography

There is a show on TV about a guy who takes amazing photos of nature - from the commercials, he treks way back into the off-trail areas to get his shots, uses a tripod, and charges an arm and a leg for his work.

I thought to myself, "I can do that!"  Only I have no real interest in trekking off-road.  So, with my trusty Sony camera - or even my iPhone, I shoot photos of what I see - usually from the passenger seat of my husband's truck as we go barreling down the freeway!  Sometimes, though, I simply stand on our porch and get some awesome shots!

I hope you like some of our work!

Grandma's Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

A few years ago, when we were moving to Utah, we stayed with my niece, Sonja, and her wonderful family while we looked for a house.  Sonja is a wonderful cook, and a joy to be around.  While we were there, cold season came around, & Sonja made this yummy soup for me.  Note her addition at the bottom of the recipe!