Joining the Ranks of the Unemployed - and How I Got Cheap Biscuit Mix

The day after I blogged the strawberry shortcake recipe, I was offered a different job within my company. The job is an extra hour a day commute and even with a small pay raise would cost a lot more in fuel costs and vehicle wear.

I decline the offer and within 24 hours was told my job was eliminated. My last day was a week ago. I have filed for unemployment but as many of you have already discovered, it is a far cry from my previous income.

Fortunately my frugal living skills will help me make do while I look for a new position. Once again I'm glad I live within my means. Since my 'means' have gotten a little meaner...

Last weekend we drove a few miles out of the way to make a direct purchase from a local grain mill. We went to buy chicken feed. A 100 pound bag costs just few dollars more than a 50 pound bag at the national chain feed & seed place.

In addition, this mill has wonderful flour & cornmeal products. I was able to buy biscuit mix, self rising flour, plain flour and seasoned flour for about 30% less than the grocery store prices.

The mill I went to also distributes pie & pastry fillings as well as just about any kind of animal feed you can imagine. It's worth the trip every three months or so to stock up.

Check your local area for a grain mill and see if you can enjoy the benefits of fresh locally milled flours for less than the national brands.

Musings - and Strawberry Shortcake

I often forget that once upon a time I wrote a weekly column online. My life took so many twists & turns that it seems like another person altogether put those words on the page. Today I was reminded when I visited a polling site that asked for my URL. Oh, yeah, I thought... I have one of those.

It's not that I've stopped living La Vida Frugal. Far from it. I'm simply wrapped in the 'busy-ness' of business and daily life.

Perhaps now that I've remembered this blog thing, I'll trade some of my busy time for the chance to share my thoughts and recipes once more.

In the meantime, the strawberries are ripe. We planted 25 plants along our driveway in what was once a flower bed. Three years later we average 5 gallons of berries a season. If that's not frugal, I don't know what is.

Shortcake anyone? Inexpensive and easy to make, but it doesn't look like it! You can always substitute whatever berries or fruits are in season.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

4 Cups ripe strawberries, sliced
1/4 Cup sugar
2 Cups Self Rising Flour
1/2 Cup Lard ( yes, LARD! oh, alright, use shortening if you must - but lard makes it better tasting)
2/3 Cup milk
1/4 Cup sugar
Non-dairy Whipped topping, for garnish

Preheat oven to 400 F. Sprinkle sliced strawberries with 1/4 Cup sugar. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix flour and lard with a pastry cutter or two forks used in criss-cross fashion. The mixture should look like rough cornmeal.
Add milk and sugar. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Drop by large spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. (You should get about 6 biscuits)

Bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

Split warm cakes in half. Fill with strawberries and a dollop of whipped topping. Put top in place. Add more berries and whipped topping.