Homesteading club members - your challenge for Oct.

**homesteadmamma** · 09-30-2005, 10:21 AM

We haven't had one of these for quite some time. It's fall and time for challenges.

Your challenge this month is to "prepare and eat" a full meal using candlelight or oil lamps only, during the preparing of the meal and the enjoyment (eating) of the meal. Use only a couple candles or no more than 2 oil lamps. It can get challenging, however it's something that will really take you back to pioneer days.

Then come back here and post how it went.

Here are a few questions to answer after you've done it:

~did you find it difficult to see? (think of how the pioneers felt)

~what did your family say? (my family loves it. Even Michael gets in the act. He has to blow out the candle.)

~is it something you enjoyed?

~would you do it again?

~what was the most difficult aspect of this challenge (if any)?

**Michele Annette** · 09-30-2005, 11:13 AM

I'm in CJ! I will report back when I do it!

**baxjul** · 09-30-2005, 02:19 PM

I'm in! My dh and dd will think that I have finally flipped my lid! Will let you know how it goes!

**Kimberlina** · 09-30-2005, 08:54 PM

Okay, I'm in, but when Maggie blows out the candles repeatedly because she is making a wish, do I get to turn the lights back on?

**jlxian** · 10-03-2005, 02:13 PM

I'm in too. I was thinking about doing this just during the past weekend. Sounds like fun!

I guess I get to cook the meal on the stove don't I?

**Mamaw** · 10-04-2005, 10:13 PM

I am in. This sounds like alot of fun! It may even be a bit romantic if I can convince DH that I have not lost my mind!

**Michele Annette** · 10-06-2005, 03:32 PM

Okay, I did it!

I cooked by candlelight last Friday. I had a good time doing it. I made turkey Florentine casserole and homemade cornbread. I'm describing in lots of detail. Hope you don't mind.

Before I started I made sure all the dishes in the sink were washed and put away, the counters were clear and all clutter was put away. I knew, since I don't see very well in the dark that I wanted a very clean and organized kitchen before I started and I have to say that it made all the difference.

I choose to burn three votive candles. One on the kitchen table, one on the stove and one on the counter across the room. I also discovered that if you put your candles in a large glass bowl (the bigger the better), it reflects a ton more light, so with three candles I had some pretty good light to work with.

I knew that darkness and candles posed other potential problems, such as not seeing so well, bumping into things, being careful of the candles, etc. so when I tied my long hair back I had to be extra careful of my ponytail not catching on fire or my shirt sleeve (It was really chilly that day). So I wadded my hair up in a bun. I'm glad I knew where everything was, I even taped the refrigerator light off. I found that I hated the fact that I would finally be really getting into all of this and then I would open the fridge and there would be this glaring electric light (which I didn't like) and then going back to candlelight I had to wait so my vision adjusted.

I wanted to only use my electric stove and oven as cooking sources. I also used my running water and fridge (light off). No toaster, microwave or any other electrical appliances. I just felt they detracted from the moment. I could have used my camping gear to cook, but then it would have been like camping and not like my kitchen.

I was really into the moment at all times because I really needed to pay attention to what I was doing. It can be dangerous and forget multitasking! I did one thing at a time very deliberately. Watching the knife when cutting, not burning myself in the oven (I don't have an oven light either) and watching out for the cats underfoot I learned pretty quick when I almost cut my finger and tripped over the cat.

I found the candlelight to be soothing and warming. I liked figuring out how to make it work without cheating, because I could. If the power was really out there was no cheating, but knowing that the lights could be turned on was definitely tempting in the beginning. I would find myself squinting and instinctively reach for the light switch. I did that twice out of habit then I stopped. I found that I didn't want to use them at all after about ten minutes.

I used all my senses and skills that I forgot I had... feel the cornbread to test for doneness, listen to your food cooking to determine how the temp needs to be adjusted on top of the stove. Knowing which spices I wanted to use through scent and knowing my measurements of ingredients without a measuring cup and spoons helped too. I found that If I cleaned as I went along everything went much smoother. I didn't want to leave an empty bag next to a candle to catch on fire or something on the table blocking my valuable light. Everything had it's place and I found it the only efficient way of working. Everything took so much longer to do. I forget how much I multitask while making dinner normally...run down to the basement to hang the laundry, glance at the temp on the stove while I stir a pot. I couldn't do that in candlelight and it forced me to slow down, which I liked.

Eating dinner was very satisfying and wonderful in the candlelight. DH didn't think anything of me cooking by candlelight and I will do it again. I can understand why the main meal was earlier in the day. I need to see to be more efficient and less dangerous to others and myself. Overall though it was fun and I'm glad I did it! Thanks for the challenge CJ!

**momof42003** · 10-13-2005, 04:51 AM

I am in too.. I just need to figure out the meal and night to do it.. I will probably do it on a night that DH is not at home, since he would think that I am out of my mind....