Homemade "Bisquick" and other ramblings

In order to try a new recipe (thank you M. Meyers), I needed a new batch of "Baking Mix" for it.  Basically, it's homemade "Bisquick."

I've used the below (link is below photo) recipe often, and as she states, you can store part of the mix in our fridge or freezer if you don't use it within the month.

The recipe is from Lazy J bar c farm - Baking Mix.

She has other recipes I love to make, including the zucchini muffins with shredded zucchini (I like to freeze shredded zucchini over summer for this in the fall/winter/spring time).  It's a great go-do muffin recipe for taking to gatherings or potlucks.

The other day I threw together a soup, because I had expected leftovers on our meatloaf dinner night (kids came and devoured it all).

It actually turned out delicious.  I just threw it together with some organic Hannah sweet potatoes (they are white, not orange), ground Italian sausage, and kale.  I also added onion, garlic, basil, salt and pepper.  Oh, a bit of dry white wine as well.  We both loved it. I did not add any milk or cream, but that could be added possibly.  Either way, it turned out delicious.

We are noticing day light has been longer the last few days.  It is so nice to see that again.

I finally got back to lining more of the kitchen cupboards.  I got 4 more shelves cleaned, and now have new shelf liner.  I also have metal shelves in a few that also got a good cleaning, before putting back in the cupboards.  I have a few more to do.

Cold Day ~ Pouring Travel Soap

We are to have a very cold day today (yesterday's sunrise).  However, we are to warm up after that, so it's not staying long.

One more winter job off the to-do list - making travel soap.  

I am slowly working items out of my closet (total chaos).

The soap base was in solid blocks, so I grated it first.

I decided, after trying both sizes, that the rectangle soap makes a smaller soap, and better for travel.  the oval is perfect for a spare bathroom or gift giving.

I decided to get those made, and soap stored for any traveling this year.  Very easy to make and are great for adding to gifts such as a crocheted washcloth and face scrubbie pad.

Not all of the soap is in that photo, but the bars came out to about $.57/each minus adding essential oil.  I did not (obviously) add any coloring.  I am also sharing some with the kids, but perfect for travel trips/camping and gifting.

In hindsight, I should have made a few regular sized bars, but that job is done.  I have had the soap base for at least 2-3 years now.  The last few years have been rough, so I guess 2022-2023 is a "get'r done" year for us.

A reader asked about melting down slivers of leftover soap.  I do not know about store bought soap (non handmade).  I mentioned you could put your soap slivers into a soap saver bag made with 100% cotton.  

Once you add the essential oil and pour to a mold and then use, I don't think you can melt them down again (with the oil in them).

Photo of a soap saver bag:  HERE

I could not find a photo in my computer photos, so I went looking for a blogpost.  I do not have any here at the homestead.  What I have left is still at the museum gift shop.  There are several patterns online for them as well.