How To Can Beans

It’s canning season again, and today I will show you how to can beans. This time of year is my favorite because I get to go pick fresh vegetables from my gardens. When I start getting so many that we can’t eat fresh, I then start canning them to have for the rest of the year. Canning is a great way to preserve your fresh fruits and vegetables to have year round. Canning has been in my family for years and I hope to pass it onto my own children. Canning your own fruits and vegetables is a way to have fresh food and a fraction of the cost. Store bought fruits and vegetables in a can, is full of sugar and preservatives and not healthy for you. So today I will show you step by step how I can my beans fresh from my garden.

Before you begin, check your canner to make sure your seal is not cracked. Next, wash your canner with hot water. Wash all your jars and canning covers with hot water.

1.       After picking your beans start snipping off the ends.

2.       Cut or snap your beans into pieces and place in a colander.

3.       Rinse your beans off under the water.

4.       Put your cut beans in a large kettle with water and boil them for 5 minutes.

5.       While your beans are cooking boil another kettle of water to pour over your beans.

6.       After the beans have boiled for 5 minutes start filling your jars. Press your beans in your jars filling them to about ¼ inch from the top. Add your canning salt. I use ½ teaspoon of canning salt for each pint jar.

7.       Pour your boiling hot water over the top of your beans filling them to about 1/8 inch from the top. Place a knife done the sides of the jars to release the air bubbles.

8.       Boil your canning lids and place them on your jars and screw the covers on tightly.

9.       Place your jars in your canner and put in the correct amount of water for canning. (Check your canner directions for this).

10.   Place cover on tightly with the pressure gauge on the correct setting for canning beans. (Again check your canning direction book). My canner asked for 10 pounds of pressure for 20 minutes.

11.   Watch your pressure gauge and when it starts giggling start your timer. Make sure the pressure gauge giggles every 15 to 20 seconds to keep the pressure going.

12.   After 20 minutes remove canner from the burner and let stand for 1 hour before opening your canner. You want to let the canner cool down before opening. Take a pot holder and check that the pressure has been released before opening the canner.

13.   Use your can lifter and remove your jars. Place them onto some pot holder to cool. Let them stand for 24 hours before removing covers. Take a permanent marker label and date your jars. Place in a cool dry place to be eaten at a later date.

Canning is a great way to preserve foods. I use a Mirror Canner for large batches and a smaller Mirror Canner that was handed down to me from my grandmother. If your family is bigger this is a great way to save money on fruits and vegetables. Canning is a tradition in my family and I love growing and preserving what I grow. I hope you enjoyed my canning beans  from Suzie Homemaker.

Buying a Carpet Cleaner,is it worth it?

Carpet cleaners, should I rent or should I own one? This is a personal choice and all depends on how much you want to spend either renting or owning a carpet cleaner. Plus how many times a year, do you clean your carpets in your house? So in this blog post, I will give you three options and how I feel about carpet cleaners. I think you know where I am going with this, I own a carpet cleaner, and I will tell you why.

Renting a Carpet Cleaner

Renting a carpet cleaner from a store is very pricey. You rent it by the day and if you need it more than one day the machine can really become expensive. Plus you have to buy their chemicals which are really expensive. I use to rent a carpet cleaner and then I would share it with my other family members so we could split the cost or the machine and chemicals. This at least cuts down the cost, but it was still very expensive even splitting the cost. When you bring the machine back in, it has to be spotless and dry or they charge you extra. These carpet cleaners do a good job but they are very heavy. By the time you rent the carpet cleaner and buy the chemicals you can have over $75.00 dollars into it.

Carpet Cleaning Services

Here’s another option. You could hire a cleaning service to clean your carpets. But again this can get very pricey. They charge, by the room and depending on how many rooms of carpeting you have this can really add up. I have 9 rooms of carpeting and even if they charge let’s say $20.00 dollars a room this would cost me $180.00 dollars. This is way too much money for me. Yes, they do a great job of cleaning the carpets but I can do it myself for a lot less.

Buying your own Carpet Cleaner

This is what I did over 10 years ago. I decided to buy my own carpet cleaner. I went to several different stores and compared brands and prices. I ended up buying a Hoover Carpet Cleaner from Walmart. Yes, the upfront price is a little more but to this day I still use the same carpet cleaner.  This has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years. I can use my carpet cleaner whenever I want and don’t have to worry about turning it back in on time. My Hoover Carpet Cleaner is very easy to fill and empty out, plus it has a hose for furniture and hard to reach places like corners and steps. I go to my local Fleet Farm Store and buy my carpet cleaning chemicals there for less than half the price of the rental store.

Saving money and time is the ultimate goal here so I decided buying my own carpet cleaner made sense to me. I’m giving you my opinion here but the choice is always up to you. I find if I can do the job myself I can save money. I like finding ways to cut costs in everything I do and buy from Suzie Homemaker.

Libraries

                How many times have you been to a Library? I go to a Library at least 2 times a week. Libraries are a nice place to relax and enjoy a quiet place to read or to check out what is new. There are so many things to do and see at a Library. Today I am going to tell you why I use the Library so much.

                The number one reason to use the Library is to check out books. Have you seen the price of paperbacks in the store lately? Some paper backs can be priced at over $10.00 dollars and hard cover books over $25.00 dollars. Going to the Library saves me hundreds of dollars each year. The Library has thousands of books to pick from in many different areas. Since my whole family loves to read a lot of different kinds of books, we all can find what we want and like to read. Most Libraries will let you keep the books for a month or until you are done reading them. If you want a specific book and they do not have it, they will interlibrary loan a book from another library at no cost.

                The second reason we like to use the Library for is Movies. The Library has the latest movies and T.V. shows available to be checked out at any time.  Most Libraries will let you have these for 1 week.  Have you been to a movie theater lately, a matinee cost almost $10.00 dollars now and a regular movie almost $15.00 dollars. Buying movies from the store can cost you over $25.00 dollars. If you can wait, in a few moths they will be out in video. Then the Library will have them for free to check out.

                The third reason I like the Library is for the children’s section of the library. The have their own books to pick from and computers to use. Our library even has a nice Teen section of books and seating area just for them. Most Libraries also have kids programs going year round for free.

The fourth reason to use the Library is for the newspapers and magazines. Magazine subscriptions are expensive and so is the paper being delivered to your do each day. Why not sit down and read these for free at your local Library. The Library has many different papers to pick from and many different magazines to pick from, free.

                The Library has computers to use at any time for free. If you do not have internet access at home, here is your opportunity to use the internet for free.  The Library can help you find just about anything you are looking for. Our Library even gives out free tax forms each year.

                The last reason I like Libraries is there comfortable reading areas. If you just want to come in from a hot or cold day to read this is the place to do it. Sit back and enjoy a good book. They also have great table areas for doing work. Just spread out your work at a table and enjoy a quiet area to work.

                Libraries are a fun place to do and see things for free. So check out your local Library soon from Suzie Homemaker. 

Cake in a Mug

Dump Mug Dessert

How many times have you had a dessert that not everybody liked? Here is an easy way to make an individual dessert. While I was at the gym last week a friend gave me a recipe to try, and now I want to share it with you. This recipe is so easy to make and you cook it in a microwave oven. I will show you the original recipe and different options to try. The reason I call this dump mug dessert is because you put everything in a coffee mug and you just microwave it.

Banana Streusel

3 Tablespoons Flour                                              ¼ teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash of Salt                                                             2 ½ teaspoons Sugar

1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons water               1 Tablespoon mashed Banana

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Streusel Topping

¼ teaspoon Cinnamon                                         2 teaspoons Brown Sugar

2 teaspoons mashed Banana                             2 Pecans or Walnuts crumbled (Optional)

                Mix all dry ingredients in a small bowl.

Add wet ingredients until just mixed.

Combine all streusel ingredients in another small bowl.

Fill a coffee mug half full of batter.

Sprinkle 2/3 of streusel mix on top of batter.

Pour remaining batter on top and then remaining streusel topping. Add your pecans or walnuts if desired. Place in microwave oven on high for 1 to 1 and a half minutes.

Take out and place a tooth pick inside to test if batter, is cooked. The cup will be hot. Enjoy!

                Here is another version if you do not want to use bananas

3Tablespoons Flour                                                 ¼ teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash of Salt                                                               2 ½ teaspoons Sugar

1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons water                 1 Tablespoon of mashed Raspberries or Blueberries

Streusel Topping

¼ teaspoon Vanilla extract                                     2 teaspoons Sugar

2 teaspoons mashed Raspberries or Blueberries        Nuts (optional)

                Now everybody can have what they like for dessert. This was so quick and easy to make and everybody loved it. No more complaining or wasting food. You can make this anytime you like with just a few ingredients. Your children or grandchildren can make their own dessert and watch it cook in the microwave oven right in front of them. Enjoy this quick and easy dessert from Suzie Homemaker.

                

Making Art Projects from Rocks

Painted Rock projects for any age!

                The hunt is on for all different types and sizes of rocks. When I was growing up, art projects had to be cheap and easy to do. Money was tight when I was growing up. So this project is something you can do with any age child or grandchild for very little money. Most of the things you will need you can find around your house.  Every kid likes rocks, so why not paint them with some pretty colors. Today I will show you several different things you can do with different sizes of rocks.

                First, you need to go hunting for rocks with your kids or grandkids. Take a trip out your back door or to your local parks or beaches. Pick out many different sizes and shapes of rocks. Wash them up very good and let them dry. Next, decide what color you want to be your base coat. I am choosing white because I have a lot of extra white paint left over.

                Here are some of the supplies you will need:  Acrylic paint works the best for bigger rocks. If you want to put more detail or design on your rocks try using a fine point marker. You will need small to medium brushes, water to clean your brushes, several different colors of paint. If you want your rocks to last for a while put a coat of varnish on them. You can put as much or as little detail into them as you like.

                Here’s one everyone will like, write your name on the rocks either with markers or paint. Use these rocks for place settings, door stops for their bedrooms or just for a cool decoration on their dresser.

                Outside games: How many of you played Hopscotch when you were young? Paint and decorate your own personalized rock for your marker. Have you ever played the game Tic-Tac-Toe, go outside and draw a Tic-Tac-Toe game with chalk on your driveway or sidewalk? Paint some rocks with X’s and O’s on them and have fun.

                This painted rock project my brother liked when he was little. He made all kind of roads on the driveway with chalk. We would paint the rocks with all different colors of cars and trucks and pretend driving them on the roads.

                Since I had two older sisters we liked to paint flowers and butterflies. Another thing we liked to paint was people. We would make several different heads, several different tops, and several different bottoms. We would then interchange them to make different people.

                There are some many things you can do with rocks, just use your imaginations. This is an inexpensive thing to do at home with your kids or grandkids. Just have fun from Suzie Homemaker.

Butcher Shops are they worth It?

Butcher Shops are they worth it? When you go grocery shopping, what is the most expensive thing you buy? (Meat).  Our grocery bill is much cheaper when I buy my meat from a Butcher shop. Meat in the store is so expensive and the quality is not as good. So today I am going to show you how I save a bundle of money by buying from a Butcher shop.

Let’s start with beef, I good pound of ground- chuck can go for over $4.00 dollars a pound in the grocery store. Don’t even look at the steaks prices, they make me cry. Beef is very expensive in the grocery stores. Here’s how I save a bundle on beef. Call around to your local Butcher shops and compare prices. Our family goes to Becks Meats out of Kaukauna. We order ¼ to ½ of a steer at a time and save big time. The price for all the cuts of beef are $2.99 a pound plus this includes butchering and wrapping. Now I can have my steak and not cry. If you are a single person and you don’t want that much meat at a time, ask a friend or family member to split the cost of the meat. Just by ordering a bigger amount of meat up front can save you a lot of money. The meat is much leaner and healthier for you.

Next, let’s talk about pork. A good pound of bacon can cost you over $3.00 dollars a pound. Look at a good pork roast or ham around the holidays and I just get sticker shock. Not any more, I go to Becks Meat Market in Kaukauna and I buy a whole pig for $1.69 a pound. This includes butchering and wrapping. I love pork chops on the grill and those delicious pork brats. The butcher’s shop customizes the cuts of meat to your liking. They ask you how many pounds you want in a package and how thick you want your meat.

At Becks Meats they also do chickens for $1.59 a pound. Each chicken averages around 5 to 6 pounds each. We do all our own chicken ourselves. We order chickens from of local coop and raise them to around 8 to 10 pounds then butcher them ourselves. We do about 25 chickens a year. This a day long project for us. The girls and I wait till dad chops the heads and then does the de-feathering.  Then the girls and I clean and cut them up into pieces. Freeze and enjoy fresh chicken year round.

Always do your research and check several meat markets for prices and amounts or meat you needed to buy to get your biggest discounts. I find I can save hundreds of dollars this way when I buy my meat. Everybody loves some meat, so why not save money and do your meat shopping at a butcher shop. Enjoy that steak, bacon and chicken from Suzie Homemaker.

Gym Memberships, are they worth it?

Gym memberships, are they worth it? This is a personal choice you have to make.  I am going to give you my opinion on having a gym membership. Yes, gym memberships can be very expensive, but think of your health and all the benefits a gym can do for you.

The first thing you need to do is check out as many different gyms as possible. All gyms are different and offer different types of classes and equipment to work out on. Go online and check out reviews on the gym. We found out the hard way on this one, even though the membership was cheaper the place was dirty and the machines were not maintained very well. Ask for a day pass to try out the gym and classes first before getting a membership.

Second if you are a person who needs an extra push to exercise try a personal trainer. The gym that we decided to go to has excellent trainers for an extra fee.  If this is something you would like the staff will recommend a trainer that they feel will fit best with your needs and personality. The staff will take you on a tour of the gym and explain all the equipment and classes that are available.

Third check out the classes that are available, most start early in the morning and go until early evening.  I love the classes they offer like Zumba, Spin, TRX, Yoga, and several more to choose from. The gym we decided on Is Lakepark Swim & Fitness. They greet you with a smile and call you by your name every time you enter the place. Most people stay afterwards for the free coffee and social hour. Everybody is so friendly and helpful at this gym.

Fourth, think of your health and all the benefits exercising can do for you. Working out 2 to 4 days a week for 45 minutes to an hour can improve your health tremendously. Exercising can make you feel and look better too. In a previous blog I wrote about earning extra cash by doing surveys, well this is how I pay for my gym membership .Even if you do not want to go to a gym just walking, jogging or biking is a great way to get some exercise. Be healthy and happy from Suzie Homemaker.