Since it is getting gardening time in the USA it is also canning and dehydrating time too.
We can also take advantage of something being on sale at the grocery store and preserving it so it does not spoil.
I got out the dehydrator and dehydrated some carrots. In the past people dehydrated many ways, smoke, sun, some built wooden units with trays and ovens. Then came along the electric dehydrator. It is not a 1940s thing but food preservation but we spent the money on one years ago so I am going to use my electric dehydrator because it makes sense.
The reason I am posting this is I want to remind folks that when dehydrating vegetables, most of the vegetables need to be blanched before going in the dehydrator. Also there are some foods that do not do well, or rather do not keep well so check with the manuals or reputable books. Don't skip this step. Blanch according to the manual that comes with the dehydrator if you have one. I blanched the carrots for three minutes then plunge them in ice water.
Remove them from the ice water and strain them..
Place them on the dehydrator racks and i set my temperature at 135 degrees.
I have a Nesco Gardenmaster and my understanding is that the excalibur dehydrator is good too.
So they go from this to....
This after drying...
These are pint jars and this is five pounds of organic carrots that have gone down to this small amount. It saves a lot of space to dehydrate food.
I always dehydrate several hours longer than it calls for because I want to make sure it is very dry.
To rehydrate these carrots I will add hot water and let them sit.
Now I will boil the carrots..
I cooked them just like I would normally and did this just to show how to rehydrate them. I want to mention to use the broth from the dehydrated vegetables because there is nutrition in the broth. I just drank the broth and it was good.
By the way I vacuum seal the food that we dehydrate.
Now about the skirt. I made a pattern so I can make these easy A line Skirts.
My selfie attempt in my dirty socks lol. I really like making these skirts, they can be dressy or casual, cute or you can make mother daughter matching skirts with this easy pattern. I really should change this picture but keeping it real, I do walk around the house in my socks most every day.
I finally found the link to the skirt pattern that I purchased quite awhile back and I wanted to share it with you. It only costs a few dollars and you can download the pattern "formula" which I think is brilliant because you can make it fit you! Each of us have different figures and an A line skirt goes with most shapes. Just a tip I add a few inches extra to the length after the formula is ready. You will understand this later.
Here is the link to lisa Clarks easy a line skirt. I am not making anything off of this, I just happen to like this pattern and by downloading the pattern you get a formula to make these very comfortable skirts. They are easy and sew up quickly. and if you are beginner at sewing this is perfect for you. I just wanted to share it.
Look for the one that says easy a line skirt
http://www.lisaclarke.net/downloads/sewing-pattern...
Grandma Donna
