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| A few of the "family" members... |
The
home has become a homestead; a horse, some sheep, a number of goats, chickens,
dogs and cats also have become members of this family. In the summer months the
children tend a garden where they grow potatoes, strawberries, lettuce, onions,
various herbs, beets, carrots and in greenhouses that the older boys construct each spring - tomatoes and cucumbers. The garden ensures that during the summer and
early fall the children have fresh vegetables.
For
insight into what this family of 20 (persons "at home" during the
week) and at least 25 on weekends eat in one week:
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| Dave has climbed to the top! |
• 70 kg potatoes
• 6 kg carrots
• 2 kg onions
• 5 litres cooking oil
• 6 kg carrots
• 2 kg onions
• 5 litres cooking oil
•
6 l sour cream
• 2 kg farmers' cheese (like cottage cheese)
• 2 kg cheese
• 70 eggs
• 7 kg sugar
• 1 kg salt
• 35 loaves of rye bread (less expensive than white bread and more filling)
• 10 kg meat (mostly ground meat and soup bones)
• 25 l milk (purchasing some from a local farmer, because the goats do not produce enough)
• 6 kg pasta
• 6 kg oatmeal porridge
• 3 kg rice
• 2 kg flour
• 4 kg cabbage
• 2 kg farmers' cheese (like cottage cheese)
• 2 kg cheese
• 70 eggs
• 7 kg sugar
• 1 kg salt
• 35 loaves of rye bread (less expensive than white bread and more filling)
• 10 kg meat (mostly ground meat and soup bones)
• 25 l milk (purchasing some from a local farmer, because the goats do not produce enough)
• 6 kg pasta
• 6 kg oatmeal porridge
• 3 kg rice
• 2 kg flour
• 4 kg cabbage
While the meals are quite frugal - seldom is there dessert, no cold cuts for the sandwiches, no pot roasts - no one goes to bed hungry. A true treat is fruit in the winter or strawberries with ice cream in the summer. Though I must say I remember times when money was scarce and we made sorrel soup or a mushroom sauce to pour over potatoes - the children gathering sorrel and mushrooms that grow wild in the area... We send them peanut butter, so that they always have protein in the house - hold the jam - a luxury... Another treat we send regularly is powdered hot chocolate - add water and presto! - for times when milk is scarce.
We have it so good! Consider buying that jar of peanut butter for your local food pantry, even though it has gone up in price - it is a great source of protein!
