Homemade Creamed Corn

This has been my most successful experiment to date! Everyone in my family had a taste before I added it to the mix for Mexican Corn Bread. It is entirely different from the stuff that comes in a can. There is absolutely no liquid in the end product. It is sweet and crunchy. I made it after buying too much fresh corn. I also threw in half an ear that got cooked, but not eaten the night before. The darker colors you see in the photo are kernels of red corn. The recipe is from Southern Living with some modifications from me. Give it a try! I promise you will be pleasantly surprised.

Creamed Corn

1/4 cup butter or margerine
2 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 3 ears)

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; stir in corn kernels & milk. Sprinkle with cornstarch, sugar & salt; stir well.

Bring mixture to a boil, stiring constantly. Reduce heat & simmer, stirring constantly, 8-10 minutes. (Great arm workout!) Serve immediately.

Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

Cost varies. Mine was about $2.50

Time 20-25 minutes

Laundry

I LOVE hanging out my laundry to dry. I wash it first thing every morning then hang it as soon as I get a few minutes to myself. I love the quiet, meditative state it puts me in. I enjoy the challenge of placing each item in the perfect spot to maximize my space and keep it off the ground. It's like a puzzle and a ritual all in one.

I am also very proud to say we are down to drying only one load per week in the dryer. Sheets, blankets and jeans are all that get dried electrically. Jeans just don't fit right with out the heat. Sheets & blankets either blow off in the Delta Breeze or turn the whole rack into a kite.

The rack I use is yet another great find of Sandy's. Ikea. Around $20. It holds a load of laundry quite easily. The picture is of a full load of towels, washcloths and the like. I use large office paperclips to hold down things like little socks that might otherwise be blown away.

The only complaint I have heard about outdoor drying is the stiffness of the towels. I kind of like the way the moisture from my body melts away the crispness of the towel as I dry off. Oh well, you can't please everyone...

Check out the link below. It has lots of information about saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions by line drying.

http://laundrylist.org/

"I only buy the things I can't make."

My dear friend Sandy recently made the statement in the title of this post to me. Such a simple idea, but it really had an effect on me. I have been conscious of all the little things we each can do to help out Mother Earth for a long time. I have nagged plenty of my family and friends about recycling, composting & turning off lights. This idea really struck a chord with me because it is one more thing I can do.

So, I have begun my journey towards a more independent existence. I hope you will enjoy hearing about it as much as I am enjoying living it.

Homemade Mayonnaise

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 cup oil

Put egg, salt, mustard & vinegar in blender with 1/4 cup of the oil. Blend on low, uncover and slowly but steadily pour in the remaining oil.

Makes 1 1/4 cups

Costs less than $1

Takes about 5 minutes to make