Photo: Great grandparents at their farm in Blandinsville, IL, with five of their six children .. my grandpa was yet a twinkle in grandma's eye. Stable boy and governess also pictured. Hodges farm, circa 1903-4

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Do Not Say There's Nothing To Eat

... is a phrase I often tell my kids.  You need to learn how to make a meal from flour and water if need be.  Yes, there may not be anything ready to grab out of the fridge or ready made sitting on the pantry shelf ... but as long as you have a little flour and water ... you will eat.

Ann, my twenty year old college student (living at home), got out a spiral notebook this morning.  She said she wants to know how to do certain skills before she moves out.  Maybe she hasn't taken the time to be very observant ... or maybe I've always just done too much .. whatever, I was so tickled that she wanted me to teach her how to make things before she leaves the nest.  Here's a sample of what's on her list:
  • make good salad dressing (ranch & vinaigrette)
  • make a good pot of soup
  • make stock 
  • make stew
  • learn how to package food for the freezer
  • learn to make cleaning supplies
  • learn to read labels on foods
  • BBQ tips
  • only wash full loads of laundry
  • make beef jerky
  • homemade hamburger patties
  • homemade cheesy biscuits
  • homemade pancakes/waffles
She's already gotten the run down about debt for the past few years and will enter the world with no student loans or credit card debt ... or a car payment; she seems to have relaxed a bit (just a bit) about taking ownership of my old soccer mom van that is hers if she pays insurance, gas and registration.  It's not pretty ... but gets her from home to school to work and home again.  Today she made the buttermilk dressing and discovered that it's more cost effective to do full loads of laundry ... the sting of paying higher utility bills is hitting home for this daughter of mine ... finally!   (So what did we make with flour and water ... Parmesan-herb bread sticks to dip in the yummy ranch dressing ... Thursday is grocery shopping day ... we're at the bottom of the barrel.)

6 comments:

Ruth Trowbridge said...

That is an impressive list for a woman her age, she is one smart cookie. And so beautiful too. I can feel your pride from here. Peace

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a lovely daughter, and how wonderful that you and she are working together on a list she made up of things to learn. She will have a great teacher.

Enjoy this time together.

FlowerLady

Cindy said...

It's always gratifying when a child asks for advice!

Would you email me your ranch dressing recipe? Thank you!

LynnS said...

How nice when your child approaches YOU on learning! I know you'll help her along and teach her more than she'll ever garner from college.

Beauty, brains, life skills, AND common sense? What a package!! :-)

Sandy said...

I'd love the ranch dressing
recipe, too. Perhaps you
could just post it, along
with the cheese biscuits
recipe? Your daughter is
simply beautiful, and very
wise.
Thanks!!
Sandy

Happy Body Happy Life said...

She may want to learn to make a killer meatloaf as well. Hee Hee. I know a certain twenty-one year old young man who would be thrilled :)