Kit Houses

I've had this fascination with Sears Kit Homes for years.
It's amazing that not so long ago,
one could order a house from a catalogue
the way we order household items, food, or books today.

In modern times, these homes would be called prefab houses.
They are not the same as mobile homes.
It's one option we are considering when we move.
The process is incredible.

The homes are assembled inside a factory, just like a car.
The wall panels are transported to the site and erected there.



Finish work like plumbing and electrical is done on site.
Overall, the buyer can get into the home sooner than conventional structures
because the elements are not a factor during construction.
If you're the handy type, you can build the kit yourself.
That could add up to a lot of savings.


One of the most appealing aspects of choosing this type of construction
is the lack of wasted materials.
In the factory, workers have exactly what they need for each model
and excess materials can often be used elsewhere.




From contemporary to rustic, the choice is yours.
Choice of materials, colors and styles
is easily adapted to the homeowner's desires.


I recently enjoyed this book about the subject:

Here's a fantastic chart to give you an idea
of what's currently available.

If you're interested in learning more about the extraordinary
Sears Kit Homes, here are some links:

http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/

http://www.arts-crafts.com/archive/kithome/rt-searskits.shtml


http://www.searshomes.org/index.php/blog/

We're looking forward to exploring this option.
Keep ya posted!

Crockpot Lasagna

The crockpot is a wonderful tool to use in the kitchen.

Especially in the winter,

it's great to be able to make hearty stews and soups

with very little time and effort.

We traditionally eat lasagna for Christmas supper.

Since preparing the turkey in the slow cooker at Thanksgiving worked out so well,

I decided to make Big K's lasagna version in the crockpot.

The inspiration for this dish came from this website,

but as usual, we put our own twist on things.

Stephanie O'Dea's books and website

have tons of slow cooker recipes.

No more labor-intensive lasagna for me.

Just layer it in and move on with your day.

You don't even have to cook the noodles first!

Crockpot Lasagna

1 box lasagna noodles

16 oz. container ricotta cheese

8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded

*16 oz. gravy (tomato sauce)

1 lb. ground chicken or turkey

1 onion, diced

3 carrots, shredded

8 oz. baby portabello mushrooms

1/2 t salt, or to taste

1 T Italian seasoning, or to taste

Brown meat with carrots and onion until onions are transluscent.

Meanwhile, sautee mushrooms

in 1 T olive oil until carmelized.

Add gravy and seasonings to meat mixture.

Place uncooked noodles on a layer of sauce.

Break up the noodles so that they fit the form

of your slow cooker.

Add a layer of riccotta, then mozzarella, then meat sauce.

Repeat layers one more time.

Add a little shredded mozarella to the top layer of sauce.

*Pour 1/4 C of water into sauce jar and shake.

Add to the top of your lasagna.

Cook on low 8 hours, on high 4 hours.

Enjoy!

Have leftover ricotta cheese?

Make these.

Got Moss?

One of the things we noticed about Central Florida

is how the moss drapes over every tree in the landscape.

Our weeping elm is no exception.

Spanish moss doesn't damage trees, as some think.

It may become too heavy and shade leaves, slowing growth.

Our tree hasn't been affected this way

and seems to be healthy and growing.

Moss is used by birds in nest-building,

so I left some for them.

It could also be used as mulch.

The rest that I gathered was used to fill in a pot

with a pencil cactus 

that I recently shared with a friend.

We try to repurpose, even in the garden.

Shared on Repurposed Ideas Weekly.

Wordless Wednesday

The Giving Box

One of the best ways to start off the new year is by giving.

This year, our family has committed to filling a box

with staples from our grocery stores'

"Buy One, Get One Free" deals.

It's easy enough to pick up a few extra items

and donate them to a worthy cause.

The box is kept in our laundry room, right next to the garage.

Each week, any new items will be placed here.

Once a month we will deliver it to our charity of choice.

This is a great way to get kids involved in helping others.

Our local "Meals on Wheels" program will be the beneficiary.

They provide meals to seniors who can't cook

or get out to grocery shop.

I called them before the holidays

and asked what kind of items they need.

Most cities and even small towns have places

that can use these types of donations.

We've chosen food, but other items might be needed.

Clothes, school supplies, toiletries or blankets

are all things that could be donated on a monthly basis.

I'm planning on writing an article

in our community newsletter,

encouraging all of our neighbors to start their own giving box.

Even if just a few families participate,

it could add up to a big difference for folks in need.

I'd love to hear what family projects you've got going.

Giving really is receiving...

"If you haven't got any charity in your heart,

  you have the worst kind of heart trouble."   

-Bob Hope

***Sandy Hook Kindness Chain*** 

Deed one

(We continue this deed.)