One Hundred Dollars a Month - Page 1815 of 2143 - I am your typical housewife living in high maintenance suburbia. I have a handsome husband, 2 kids and a flock of pet chickens. I try and feed my family with $100 a month. With the help of coupons, gardening and bartering I am able to squeeze the most out of our grocery budget and still manage to have a little fun along the way.

How To Make Dehydrated Apples / Apple Chips

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By Mavis Butterfield on October 26, 2012 · 35 Comments

Now that fall is here and we are seeing deals on apples left and right, this is the PERFECT time to buy a case {or two} of your favorite apples and make several batches of apple chips for your pantry.

If you asked my kids, they’d tell you apple chips are 100 times better than potato chips {dare I even say Doritos?} And you know what? Apple chips are a whole lot healthier as well.

If you have never made apple chips before, they are super easy to make, so don’t be afraid to try.

Ingredients

6-8 large apples {I like to use Fuji or Braeburn}
2 tablespoons lemon juice {I got mine FREE from Vitacost}
6 cups water
cinnamon and sugar {optional}

Directions

Peel, core and slice apples about 1/4 inch thick. Soak in a solution of lemon juice and water to help prevent browning. Remove apples from liquid and place on trays. Dehydrate according to the manufactures directions on your food dehydrator {it takes about 6 hours at 135 degrees in my food dehydrator}. When apples are finished dehydrating, let them set out for about 30 minutes before bagging them up.

Have you made dehydrated apples before? How long does a batch last in your house?

Do you eat them plain, or sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top?

Here are a few links if you are interested in dehydrating:

Mary Bell’s Complete Dehydrator Cookbook {Amazon.com}
Apple And Potato Peeler, Corer, and Slicer {Amazon.com}
Nesco American Harvest 400 Watt Food Dehydrator {Amazon.com}

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Overwintering Herbs in an Unheated Greenhouse

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By Mavis Butterfield on October 26, 2012 · 8 Comments

I took your advise, and decided not to take any chances with my rosemary bush this winter.

This morning I dug her up, and moved Miss Rosemary to the greenhouse. I’m hoping as long as I can remember to water her, she will survive the winter, thus saving me a few bucks when it comes time to plant next years garden. We’ll see.

I’ve also decided on my weekend garden project; moving my entire herb garden.

I’ve come to the conclusion that although I like growing herbs, so much of the plants go to waste every year because I simply don’t harvest them all. Not even half. Which normally wouldn’t be a problem, but the 8′ x 4′ raised bed of herbs is sitting on some prime real estate in my garden, and next year I’ll really need to maximize every inch of my garden space if I’m going t0 reach my 2013 garden goal.

So where am I going to move the herb garden to?

The sides {and back} of the greenhouse. Which of course means I’ll have to move the strawberries I planted alongside the greenhouse this year. But that’s okay, I’m sure I’m not the first person on earth to plant something and then change their mind on where they want it planted.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Off to the garden I go!

Peace Out Girl Scouts, I hope you have a lovely weekend, no matter what your plans are.

♥ Mavis

Have you ever tried Herb Scissors before? They’re pretty awesome. I own a pair and use them all the time. Amazon has these herb scissors currently in stock if you want to take a peek.

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Raising Backyard Chickens is Totally Cool!

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By Mavis Butterfield on October 26, 2012 · 6 Comments

Pablo and Picasso {Silver Laced Wyandotte}

Last night The Girl Who Thinks She’s A Bird asked if chickens can be neutered. Here we are at week #7 with the baby chicks, and Pablo has yet to crow. Pablo has turned into such a little love bug the last few weeks that we don’t want to get rid of him. Picassso on the other hand knows something must be up, and keeps giving us the evil eye.

Maybe we need to be looking for a new home for the 2 of them and not just Pablo.

Maroon {Rhode Island Red}

Maroon refuses to let us take her picture and if she keeps acting this way she may be moving to Girly Girl’s coop soon.

5 {Rhode Island Red}

5 still loves us though, and she is slowly growing out of her awkward, shy stage.

Black Fatty {Australorp}

If you have never had chickens before, I would totally recommend getting a few australorps. They are the friendliest birds I have ever come across. They are quite, great with children and nice and plump, which makes them easy to catch and cuddle.

Matilda {Easter Egger}

Matilda doing the cat walk… She is destined for New York City someday.

Peanut {Easter Egger}

Total stinker. May also be shipped up to Girly Girl’s place if she doesn’t change her attitude soon.

Hilda {Easter Egger}

Well, she’s definitely not the cleanest bird ever, but she practically begs for The Girl and I to pick her up and carry her around as soon as we set foot in the coop. She’s a bit of a talker too, and is always trying to tell us a story.

Raising backyard chickens is the best. Especially if you are able to giveaway the disagreeable ones to a neighbor. Just remember to say NO GIVE BACKS when you do hand them off.

~Mavis

Read More Chicken Stories

If you are thinking about getting a flock of your own, check out the book Homemade Living: Keeping Chickens with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Care for a Happy, Healthy Flock. Amazon currently has the book in stock and on sale.

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Text Messages From My Teenagers – Hey Mom…

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By Mavis Butterfield on October 25, 2012 · 25 Comments

I received a text message from The Girl Who Thinks She’s a Bird tonight {she was in the other room of course}. And all I can say is this…Teenagers are awesome!

Ya, okay, let me whip up dinner tomorrow night for 20 to 50 kids.

I mean really, if 20 kids are coming over… what’s 30 more right?

~Mavis

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.