Pantry basics

 

Good Morning.

We had a bit of a small rain event last night, nothing much

but the weedy wild gardens surely loved it.

I wish to ask a question today.

When did we start allowing our boundaries to be crossed?

The boundaries of civility , respect, courtesy, politeness seem

to have disappeared and in their wake a bold, cold, rude

and violent wave of energy crept in.

It was never ok, and it was always gross and unattractive

yet boundaries were pushed and no one said no.

Hummmm... no one said no.

Sounds like a spoiled brat situation.

* I want what I want when I want it*

Interestingly, once the *adults* awaken and say,

*no* what happens next?

Tantrums & fits.

Before the adults in the house  regain peace & order.

Just my humble thoughts on this grey morning....

I just purchased this book .

It is beautiful and so wonderfully teaches children about the

wonders of the Fall season.

I highly recommend it for littles ... it will be one of those books that they

go back to over the years.

I went through my pantry this week.

( this is not mine but it is a wonderful one)

I checked expiration dates and rotated items.

Did everyone grow up with a pantry in their homes?

My mom always had one.

Everyone in our neighborhood had one.

I always have purchased extra of a product when I see it on sale.

Stash it away in the pantry.

As I look at the pantry above it is a wonderful example of

a well stocked one...focusing upon ingredients vs processed food items.

The same goes for my shopping list, it should be more ingredients

than products.

Apple cider vinegar, Ghee, potatoes, flour, baking necessities....

Having the components is much more cost effective than

buying a *kit*.

Now everyones pantry is based upon your lifestyle.

The list above is a rough guide.

My pantry has to have:

lunchbox items

sauce

spices, oils and vinegars

pasta & rice

salt & pepper

canned veggies & fruits either in jars or cans

honey & maple syrup

dried beans & lentils

tuna

coffee, tea

peanut butter

popcorn

powdered chocolate

( for baking & to make my hot coco)

baking items:

gf flour, baking powder & soda, sugars ( caster, light & dark)

 chocolate chips

nuts & fruits etc...

{ also included is dog food and cleaning supplies, 

personal care products... they are stored elsewhere}

Instant potatoes is such a wonderfully versatile item.

For people like me who are wheat free it can be used to thicken

soups and stews, for last minute Shepards pie, to make potato pancakes...

I do have gf-taco kits, I think that may be the only kit I buy...

The Mr. eats a basic wheat ( he can eat wheat) cereal so I 

get that in bulk and add dried cranberries to it, storing it in

a glass jar.

The rest of our foods is stored in the freezer.

We have a deep freezer that stores local meats, purchased in season 

and a basic fridge in the garage that holds bread & veggie items

as well as my frozen berries .

If I make a lasagna, I make 2 and store one in that freezer,

same for meatballs or pies.

The bottom fridge holds pumpkins potatoes, apples etc...

oh & *company drinks*- stuff we rarely ever drink but we still

have it for guests.

and that is pretty much it.

Summer is still here... we have a few days left of her.

I plan on soaking in that sunshine as much as I can, storing up

essential vitamin D and setting my internal clock.

I do believe that Fall is a great month to get out there and

do all the things, oh but that first 40* night.......

it hits me hard!

This year I will be prepared.

It will be our 5 year anniversary tomorrow of moving

here to Stone Hollow.

Last night we walked the property.

We counted our blessings.

This is the dock that I pray on.

In the dark all you can see are the lights I installed.

It is one of my favorite places.

God will not bring you to something without being there to also bring

you through it. 

This was huge.

Our whole life changed.

The faith and the bravery to just do what you are being led to

is not something I had ever felt comfortable with.

I have had to encounter many hard things, but leaving my

foundation, my home was so difficult.

Here now, I am at peace.

I now know that there was a divine hand in orchestrating this whole

thing and that I needed to learn trust.

In a world where it is all too much at times, having the ability to 

just shut it out ( for the most part) is a gift.

Never be afraid to follow your dreams.

Blessings,

Raven

xoxo