India Market Fun

                               

                                                              Rose Matta Rice

Last Wednesday I was in OKC and went to a grocery store named Taste of India. I like to go to ethnic stores. It's almost like going to a whole new world! 

     It was so fun! Of course hubby stayed in the truck but he had A/C so I wasn't worried . 

      It was a lot like the other stores clean but plain. The first thing I saw was a hip high stack if pressure cookers! Weird ! They had little ones that were as big around as your hand spread out and big ones big enough for canning. There were all kinds of different flours to cook with I had never heard of before. In small 1 pounders to 20 pounds or more. Then I saw isles of different kinds of dried peas, lentils and beans. Which explained the pressure cookers! None of these kinds of foods grace my table enough to purchase. 

      The one thing I did see I recognized how to cook was rice ! They had so many different kinds! I saw one or two I had seen in Sams but most was a stranger to me. The one I have pictured above was a interesting color and flavor. It was rose colored but had a very slight nutmeg flavor. Fun and interesting served with chicken breast. I would do it again some day . 

 Take a look at the others I will be trying again soon! Jasmine rice and brown sona rice . Oh yes I found some sanwa millet and toasted vermicelli to learn how to fix some day to. 

                   

        Something else that was interesting was the spices ! Oh now I would say they were running neck and neck with the Mexican market on variety but this was different. This store had more whole seeds that were tempting to take home and plant I mean big 8 ounce looking bags! 

      I also found some curcurmin roots to learn how to grow. What fun!! 

                     

     

    Ugly little things and about as big around as your index finger. A lot smaller than I thought.

     Now if I can just get the ginger to grow I will have some really potent medicine available. It was strange to go to the store and not see a meat department. Many of the people in India are vegetarian so that explained that.

     Well that's all about my fun for the weekly outing. If anyone has some good recipes using some of these things send them to me to look at.

Love

Ranchmama 

Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookie

I know there a millions of all time best chocolate chip cookie recipes out there but this is my new really good one I have found. It reminds me the flavor of a Chips Ahoy cookie when I put the extra cocoa powder in. The cookie dipper or the measurement they use of rounded teaspoons makes a small bite size cookie which a different for me since I like a much larger cookie but it was still hard to resist when you walk buy a stack of them. Hubby really liked them a lot and also had a hard time resisting. 

Love
Ranchmama

Another Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe -- All Butter
http://www.cookiemadness.net/2008/05/another-crunchy-chocolate-chip-cookie-recipe-all-butter/

 

Cook time 12 mins

 

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups (220 grams), stir and aerate flour before measuring
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon of dark chocolate cocoa  (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a couple of cookie sheets with parchment.
2. Sift or thoroughly whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and both sugars with an electric mixer;
4. Add egg and vanilla and beat until egg is mixed in.
5. Add flour mixture and stir until incorporated.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto the parchment lined cookie sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes (or longer) or until the edges start to brown.

**** NOTES ****
ADD about 1 tablespoon of dark chocolate cocoa to the dry flour to give it all a really good taste boost.
I cook them the 12 min time in my oven because if you go longer when they cool they really get a little too hard.
I also like to use the small to medium small cookie / ice cream scoop to measure out the dough for cooking.
If you have a scale it doesn't matter, but if you are measuring by volume, make sure to really stir and aerate the flour thoroughly before measuring.
The baking powder prevents the cookies from browning quickly, so it seems the cookies can bake a longer time and becoming crunchier without burning or getting overly brown. I baked mine on an insulated cookie sheet, so if you notice your bottoms are browning too fast, switch to an insulated cookie sheet or stack you cookie sheet on top of another one to make your own insulated sheet.

The Voice

Is such a powerful yet sometimes soothing sound. One of the things when you meet a person you analyze subconsciously is a persons face and overall appearance the next is usually the voice. 

   There are so many voices in our lives daily. They portray authority figures in our public service people. Maybe that authority person is your boss, teacher, parent, or in some cases a significant other. ( Doesn't that sound generic?!) let's say something more specific a husband or wife, yes there is always someone in the family that wears the pants it usually works better that way.

     We also have the sound of the voice coming to us in music. Music can have so many effects on a person. I think and hope it does more good than harm. I am amazed though at how many people have nonstop music hourly and daily bombarding their consciousness. Some folks have so much music voices preoccupying their brain I sometimes wonder what they are hiding/running from that they have to take up all their thought space with music to push out anything else. 

    Now we come down to our electronic voices . I don't mean the ones you hear  I am talking about text messaging and emails. These things sometimes take over our daily time.  

    So what is this long post all about?? I'm not really sure. Maybe it all depends on you and how the voices in your life rule your life. Maybe it depends on your age and what generation you belong to. I am from a time when we worried about our long distance bill on the hard line. Then there was the cell phone where we worried about our minutes and being out of our zone / range costing too much money to call family out of town or state. Many of us developed habits of saving money / minutes and only visited our people we love and care about on the phone on special occasions losing some of the closeness we need and crave that we once had. 

      It dawned on me that with all the phone package deals there is no reason not to hear someone I care about anywhere in the country and now with some companies anywhere in North America on a daily basis. 

   I don't need a music voice or a voice of authority or any voice other than someone I care about in my head or ears. If I can do it in person all the better. 

   The Voice ---  it's becoming a lost art. To use the proper tone to even have a suitable vocabulary to be able to express yourself properly without expletives or to have a vocabulary with words longer than five letters.

    Your Voice use it or lose the people close to you maybe. 

   Call them up and say "I haven't heard your voice lately" and hear their smile and maybe even their surprise.

Love

Ranchmama 

Home is sometimes where that familiar voice is for some of us. 

    

Skink Fun !

One of the many ways you can tell it is summer is by the critters that you find out and about.

    Well this cute little skink is not out. It is definitely all about my house! 

   I spotted it on Friday going across the living room floor heading under the bar. I told Heidi there's a bug! She jumped and ran away from it. Around here when you yell bug and head for the fly swatter that usually means there is a scorpion that needs to be got before it gets you. 

 I dug around and couldn't find it for anything ! I was thinking I just know one of us is going to be walking in here and step on it. Saturday came around and hubby said it went under the tv stand.

Once again I tried to scare it out and it did go to the rocks in the fireplace. I tried to run it into a plastic bag but of course it wouldn't cooperate. As I left the room to get a flashlight hubby saw it go under Heidi Ho's pillow. I lifted the pillow and then it took off under the big couch! I just gave up.

    I started laughing a little later and had to explain to hubby the reason. 

    Heidi Ho was laying on the floor by her pillow . I told him that is right where the skink went and I can just see that running across her nose! Lol I then started laughing even harder and got him laughing...... I have to wonder which one of us gets the heck scared out of us first? Hubby, me or Heidi Ho ??

   Take a look at her pic here. Can't you just see her snapping up and running when it runs across her??? Lol

Love

Ranchmama

Preparedness Pop Quiz

For those that think it is a good idea to prepare for whatever ills fall into our world this is one persons idea for being prepped.

I have to admit I am no way prepped the way this list wants you to be but hey I can still keep learning and plugging. I have a lot to learn it looks like.

Love 

Ranchmama

(don't feel to bad if you don't score well. Many of us are in the same shape)

==========================

If you score less than 20 points on this, you're probably already dead

by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor 

Preparedness Pop Quiz

Instructions: Give yourself points according to the following list. This list is not a comprehensive list of preparedness strategies. There are far more things you can do beyond what you see here. However, this list covers the basics, and if you haven't covered the basics, you're probably not going to make it anyway.

MEDICAL SKILLS AND GEAR: (9 points possible)
+1 point if you know basic first aid skills such as CPR.
+1 point if you are trained as an EMT
+1 point if you are trained as a paramedic
+1 point if you are a practicing surgeon
+1 point if you own spare antibiotics.
+1 point if you own at least one tourniquet.
+1 point if you own at least 2 gallons of antiseptic liquid.
+1 point if you know how to stitch up a wound and have practiced it.
+1 point if you own a "medicine chest" of essential oils for first aid, including tea tree oil, oregano oil and thyme oil.
Your total points from this category: ____

COMMUNICATIONS: (5 points possible)
+1 point if you own an emergency hand-cranked radio that needs no electricity.
+1 point if you own at least one functioning pair of consumer-grade radios (hiking radios).
+1 point if you have a functioning satellite phone.
+1 point if you own a HAM radio, +1 additional point if you know how to use it and hold a current HAM radio license.
Your total points from this category: ____

PROXIMITY TO CHAOS: (8 points possible)
-2 points if you live within the city limits of a major metropolitan area; -1 point if you live within 50 miles of a major metropolitan area; +1 point if you live more than 100 miles away from any major metropolitan area; +2 points if you live more than 300 miles away from any major metropolitan area.
+1 point if you have already mapped out and practice an escape route ON FOOT.
+1 point if you have basic compass and navigation skills and can read a paper topo map (i.e. basic hiking navigation skills).
-1 point if you are so reliant on GPS that you can't even navigate your own city without relying on it.
+1 point if you already have a bug out bag prepared.
+1 point if you have at least 20 gallons of extra fuel stored.
+1 point if you keep your bug out vehicle at least 75% fueled at all times.
Your total points from this category: ____

CASH AND COIN: (3 points possible)
+1 point if you have at least $500 in cash on hand right now.
+1 point if you own at least 100 oz. of silver or 5 oz. of gold and have it in your physical possession.
+1 point if you have substantial savings in any currency other than U.S. dollars.
Your total points from this category: ____

HEAT AND SHELTER: (6 points possible)
+1 point if you have an alternate bug out location (i.e. cabin in the woods).
+1 point if you have your own source of off-grid winter heat (such as a wood stove); +2 points if you also have a local supply of wood to heat with.
+1 point if you have reinforced the entry points of your location, resisting break-ins via doors and windows.
+1 point if you have a safe room in your existing home.
+1 point if you have a metal cross-bar installed to block entry via your doors.
Your total points from this category: ____

FOOD: (13 points possible)
+1 point if you have at least 30 days of stored food on hand; +2 points if you have six months, +3 points for a year or more.
+1 point if you have at least a portion of your stored food hidden in such a way that it would not be easily discoverable by a search of your home.
+1 point if you own an off grid camp stove (any kind) that can boil water without using electricity.
+1 point if you've stored at least 100 pounds of salt.
+1 point if you have a home garden.
+1 point if you practice sprouting.
+1 point if you own and use a non-electric food grow system like the Food Rising Mini-Farm.
+1 point if you own and know how to use a food dehydrator.
+1 point if you possess food canning skills AND have canning equipment on hand.
+1 point if you know how to process animals into food (chickens, deer, cows, etc.)
+1 point if you know how to smoke or salt meat in order to preserve it.
Your total points from this category: ____

WATER: (5 points possible)
+1 point if you already practice rainwater collection as your primary water source, +2 points if you also have at least 2500 gallons of water stored right now.
+1 point if you live within walking distance of an open, year-round water source (such as a lake or stream).
+1 point if you own a gravity water filter such as the Big Berkey; + 2 points if you've already set it up and tested it.
-3 points if you live in a geographic region that's actually a desert. (Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, etc.)
Your total points from this category: ____

FIREARMS AND GEAR: (17 points possible)
+1 point if you own any functioning firearm; +2 points if you actually remember how to use it and have proficient skills for doing so.
+1 point if you own a functioning rifle of any kind (hunting, battle or otherwise).
+1 point if you own any night vision monocular such as a PVS-14.
+1 point if you own 1,000 rounds or more of any ammo (any kind).
+1 point if you know how to reload your own ammo and have the reloading equipment to do so.
+1 point if you practice shooting at least once a year to maintain proficiency.
+1 point if you own a suppressor.
+1 point if you own a ballistic vest.
+1 point if you own a chest rig.
+1 point if you own a flashlight with functioning batteries; +2 points if you own a tactical flashlight with more reliable batteries such as CR123; +3 points if you also own a red light tactical flashlight suitable for navigating at night.
+1 point if you own a quality tactical knife and keep it sharp.
+1 point if you own a lightweight, high quality portable sleeping bag.
+1 point if you own a reliable fire starting device (beyond just matches).
+1 point if you own a quality, rugged pair of hiking boots.
Your total points from this category: ____

FITNESS: (6 points possible)
+1 point if you are somewhat physically active; 2 points if you extremely physically active; 3 points if you are actively athletic.
+1 point if you have some familiarity with camping; 2 points if you have strong familiarity with camping or outdoorsmanship; 3 points if you are an expert in wilderness skills.
Your total points from this category: ____

How'd you score?

Total possible maximum points = 72

0 - 20 points: You probably won't survive. Prepare to line up in front of a FEMA camp and beg the government for food, water and shelter.
21 - 30 points: You have a slim chance of survival, but only if you adapt quickly and improve your preparedness status immediately.
31 - 40 points: You have a solid foundation for survival but need to quickly ramp up your preparedness to be ready.
41 - 50 points: You are better off than most but still have a lot of preparedness tasks to complete. Seek to network with others who possess the skills you lack.
51 - 60 points: You are very well prepared, far better than most, and will likely survive just fine as long as you surround yourself with capable people who share your preparedness mindset.
61+ points: You are extraordinarily well prepared and are almost certain to live through the chaos if you stay alert.

A blunt message to those who scored very low

If you scored under 20 points on this Preparedness Pop Quiz, you're probably not going to make it.

Even worse, it's probably already too late for you to do anything about it.
<snip> he has much more to say on this at the link.

 http://www.naturalnews.com/049838_Preparedness_pop_quiz_survival_social_chaos.html

Tornadoes Close Enough

doing good here at the Ranch!
Tornadoes Close Enough to make you want to go jump in the hidy hole!

        The tornado area was around I-40 and north going towards Prague. It just missed Prague I think and headed east and a little north. I would say it was about 20 miles south east of where we are here. Sounds like a lot but when your looking at a map and can see where it is and when you know how easy it is to change directions it feels MIGHTY close!

     We had gone to Prague to pick up a present we ordered at Wally world and eat some food then headed home. I asked hubby if we should put the trucks in the barn from hail and he didn't think so. After I saw the map I asked again and he said no. I think he cut it way too close !
   I haven't unpacked from our first rabbit hole run I will after Sunday just in case.
That still gives me time to improve on emergency stuff.

I thought I was doing pretty good. When I looked at it in the cellar it just seems so minimal just very basic. So much needs to be improved on still!

I will keep plugging.

Love
Ranchmama
(Thank you for thinking of me folks you all get a big cyber {{{HUG}}}

Oklahoma Storms

        OKC and naturally the Moore area were getting beat up pretty bad. They had record breaking rain 8-12 inches or more causing flooding in just a few hours. Then there was the tornadoes which they said the last I heard Oklahoma had about 12 touch down somewhere. Then on top of all that some exotic pet zoo got hit and there were tigers on the loose in the neighbor hoods! Some of the places I believe got hit 2 or more times with tornadoes because the weather pattern was really weird. Where the storms and flooding was bad but just a few miles away places didn't get a drop of rain. Hey at least we didn't have any good Earthquake shakers! That has been known to happen here in Oklahoma. Shaken in the morning and stirred at night.
   I haven't heard from family or internet friends yet to see how they faired. I will let them sleep tonight and try them tomorrow to see if they are ok.

Well tonight was a bunch of fun~!
Especially when you are of a age when arthritis keeps you from moving very fast and breathing is not a easy task! So you have to leave a lot sooner because it takes a lot longer to get in the hole! (sometimes just to get your shoes on and laced up! LOL)
        We made a dry run to the rabbit hole. Everything was looking pretty bad in the OKC area and headed our way. We moved the trucks down into the barn to try and protect them from the hail the best we could and had Ol' Blue at the house for the rabbit hole run. Heidi Ho was all excited because we were doing something really different and fun. She was a good girl and went into the cellar for us really easy.
   Hubby grabs just a few things and he's ready to go. Me I am stuffing clothes and undies in a bag because being a fluffy person you can't just go buy clothes anywhere too easy that fits. So with the clothes bag and the nebulizer & meds stashed in a bag along with some electronic stuff for hooking up cells phones and a I Pad with a few flash light batteries I was ready enough. As usual I need to do better.
   I need to make up a box of doggie things for the cellar. Like a weeks worth of canned food, leash, doggie dishes, towel,and a few extra doggie vet box things like I have in the house. The cellar has a thin layer of mud on the bottom because I can't figure out how to plug the leak at the door. Poor Heidi Ho walked around looking for a place to lay down and still got muddy! I have 2 welcome mats I am replacing in a few days at the front door I will take the old ones and put them on a shelf so next time she has a cleaner place to lay down. Coming out of the hole and having to hose down the doggie at night isn't fun. We had some plastic chairs to sit in (thank goodness!) so we were ok.
  Being a cellar it is hard to keep some things down there without damaging them, Like flashlights and batteries. Although we have a good stash of extra batteries in the garage I need to find a container we can grab and go we can put the mag lights in. It would be great if I had some way to attach the mag lights to us instead of carrying them when we have our hands full anyway.
   Hubbies idea is if you have money in the bank you can step out and go stay in a motel somewhere if everything is gone. I think different. What if you can't get there because the trucks are gone or the roads are messed up? So I have basic camping stuff in buckets to cook, eat and light up with. There is NEVER enough of everything! I got to thinking ........ other than a much better and safer cellar than this old one...... We would need something comfortable enough we could sleep on. The ground would just flat out hurt at our age!So something to keep in mind there. Something else would be a bedside commode like hospitals have. The knees just can't do like they used to for that job outside! LOL Much better than a bucket. We can't keep sleeping bags or anything like that down there or it would mold up and ruin.
  Naturally all this happens around supper time and we had to do all that when we got back into the house. I didn't grab a snack bag for the time being and a nervous tummy. I guess it is time to get the goodies ready for the cellar again. I wish our cellar was good enough to put canned goods in on a regular basis. I wouldn't have to worry about it as much. I guess the long term food storage things would hold up good.
     I saw on a you tube video a man had a light bag. Anything you needed to create light was in the bag. Lightsticks, candles, batteries, sm propane fuel bottles, small cans of fuel for food, matches, lighters etc. Some of these things I don't think it is safe to store together because they could light up to easy but you have to do something.
     Well I guess that is enough for now. We went to check and feed cows and everything seems ok. Road is like pig slop for sure. Still the creeks didn't flood bad I guess the ground is still soaking it up renewing the water table which is badly needed.
     We are due for another bad weather round for the next day or 2 so I guess I get to perfect the stash a little better. Practice makes perfect! I see my daughter is getting what we had last night in Arkansas except they don't have as much red in the radar. Just a lot of rain.

Love
Ranchmama