tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367671122024-02-07T21:10:48.159-05:00Wandering in the WonderfulWandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-39338567715245695492019-01-14T08:00:00.000-05:002019-01-14T08:00:00.696-05:00Homesteading In the City?I get it, not everyone is fortunate enough to live on a huge spread of countryside. Some are still toiling away in the city as they save up to break away. Never fear, it is possible to attain some level of self-sufficiency and sustainability while living in the concrete jungle. Here are a few helpful and handy tips for living a more homestead style life wherever you call home.<br />
<br />
1. Waste Not, Want Not<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfciETVdMFP6oEoc6GkHTTIw5DsyEwSFlofTSor8ZqyBDsyj89rb3B9rIzd0P-zJOQxZ4SzvqpKB6y3tVPldNkDK0pYDR1ejOa5nhsKXN8_KgkEH9twFN-eT46rOaV4NIFDn3/s1600/quilt-3862002_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfciETVdMFP6oEoc6GkHTTIw5DsyEwSFlofTSor8ZqyBDsyj89rb3B9rIzd0P-zJOQxZ4SzvqpKB6y3tVPldNkDK0pYDR1ejOa5nhsKXN8_KgkEH9twFN-eT46rOaV4NIFDn3/s320/quilt-3862002_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
That phrase has been drilled into my head by both my grandmothers and my great-grandmothers since childhood. Start teaching yourself to make things stretch. We save everything. Clothing can be recycled not only into cute quilts for the bed but also dog toys, curtains, tablecloths, or altered into something you can still wear. Our favorite quilt was pieced together by my boyfriend's grandmother years ago from old jeans. We refer to it as the "perfect" quilt because it always seems to be the perfect temperature. We also save old buttons and zippers for future projects. You are probably tired of being told that leftovers can be transformed into other meals. I will admit I don't do a lot of this. We are big on meal prepping in this house and tend to eat what we make. My neighbor, however, is a master of repurposing leftovers. We joke that she will turn anything into a soup, or a potpie. It is always delicious. Don't be afraid to experiment with your leftovers.<br />
<br />
2. Grow Your Own<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiAQXL97I1pr37vMg3GgzVBWPBPxxGQ-qRLeRocaOebAi7eORDH814STvB2p_QIq7IIvSMIXpz1t1_Csz387aumJuRTOyMLTJmND2YZ64FThDCxuYNF-uJw0yxhRncCvf1mNC/s1600/sprouts-763457_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiAQXL97I1pr37vMg3GgzVBWPBPxxGQ-qRLeRocaOebAi7eORDH814STvB2p_QIq7IIvSMIXpz1t1_Csz387aumJuRTOyMLTJmND2YZ64FThDCxuYNF-uJw0yxhRncCvf1mNC/s320/sprouts-763457_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a>A warm sunny windowsill is all you need to grow a bountiful harvest of microgreens and fresh herbs. A small patio filled with containers can yield enough produce for a small family. Use your verticle space, hanging planters maximize your growing space. If you are particularly adventurous you can raise indoor animals that will provide your family with food, people have indoor quail, chicks and ducks. This isn't something I would do, but I know others who do. We have a variety of indoor pets, 2 dogs, some cute parakeets and conures and an angora rabbit, but I think I draw the line there. No house chickens for me.<br />
<br />
3. Garden Allotments<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cz2KRj3AZ6Rz_5V-eD_T2297H6tkRePsO39SmSBR8flfPHWaWfN1Hwb9r0nKij_lsXLZ8YqVC3qLrUYDROeM4sXOSv_Zpts9h5sxibEzsVmDtISZofH8Kigx91bx4aTxK1WU/s1600/basil-320736_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cz2KRj3AZ6Rz_5V-eD_T2297H6tkRePsO39SmSBR8flfPHWaWfN1Hwb9r0nKij_lsXLZ8YqVC3qLrUYDROeM4sXOSv_Zpts9h5sxibEzsVmDtISZofH8Kigx91bx4aTxK1WU/s320/basil-320736_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
When my dad was young my grandfather took a job in a city both grandparents still wanted and needed the food freedom that a garden allowed but their little yard in the city wasn't enough to sustain their large family and put away enough for the winter months. My grandparents turned to renting a plot of farmland. This is still an option today. Many cities have also become home to P-Patches or community gardens where you can have a plot to plant fruits and veggies in. Last summer when my sister and I did our East Coast tour we visited Baltimore. We were both pleasantly surprised to see so many community gardens in the city. Food freedom in areas that otherwise would be a food desert.<br />
<br />
4. Fiber Art<br />
Fiber rabbits are a great homesteading animal that can be apartment or city friendly. My house rabbit Jean Pierre is litter box trained and takes up very little space. His hair grows long is sought after by fiber artists. You can easily harvest fiber, spin and dye it yourself in a small space. Something I plan on experimenting with this year is soap making and using felted wool from Jean Pierre to cover the bars of soap.<br />
<br />
The goal of homesteading should always be to be self-sufficient and self-sustaining anything that brings you closer to those goals is a good thing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM00lm7hZCS5zbROuaWxeMdto5dK5qGnmOoQAdyBGfoXj_FDdi7QOZvFVC7ggNTTNBq8-wjxmvuE1C1U9vRNP_LuFmKKEl6AUHDbQutCnGNVmnzidcq5alxb1InxE9VksISzM/s1600/olive-oil-1412361_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM00lm7hZCS5zbROuaWxeMdto5dK5qGnmOoQAdyBGfoXj_FDdi7QOZvFVC7ggNTTNBq8-wjxmvuE1C1U9vRNP_LuFmKKEl6AUHDbQutCnGNVmnzidcq5alxb1InxE9VksISzM/s320/olive-oil-1412361_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-8737751109459837962018-07-02T09:30:00.000-04:002018-07-02T09:30:04.342-04:00Free or Cheap Homesteading Items<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV30AddjoMB-vP1fqhG29S3wAzkpReU4L5pqud6yVExm-7y5wxEnYxD8GuyiGSrYXFMC1HeMK7-iyZkRxglrQZJ0FxSnCgbJiYzCnyt3X-Ijvx0Utu2ojiwGveIKAp2lZ0nP2/s1600/IMG_5751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV30AddjoMB-vP1fqhG29S3wAzkpReU4L5pqud6yVExm-7y5wxEnYxD8GuyiGSrYXFMC1HeMK7-iyZkRxglrQZJ0FxSnCgbJiYzCnyt3X-Ijvx0Utu2ojiwGveIKAp2lZ0nP2/s200/IMG_5751.JPG" width="200" /></a>Not all homesteaders luck into inheriting a fully functional homestead with all the essentials. Depending on your homesteading goals there may be items you need or want in order to fulfill your homesteading goals. Buying things brand new can be cost prohibitive, with some items it may be nearly impossible to find what you want still in production.<br />
<br />
We posted earlier on a good deal we got on our bee supplies, $600 for enough hives and frames to last us through several expansions. Sometimes the best way to get free or cheap items is just being in the right place at the right time. The Wanderers mom keeping an eagle eye out on Buy/Sell/Trade groups definitely worked out in our favor. Join as many groups on Facebook geared to buying and selling that you can, and actually monitor those groups. When someone posts something you know you want or need jump on it fast before someone else beats you to it. The competition in some of these groups can be fierce. We join groups for hobbies and activities we<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxJOxNDZ3jYWvlb7LtBKxf3F2YZoXbdGhnYKkJRaCUW9yaMw7CycvhtlcU9ZBY50hIMkOyyb4YZYoLx3421u7AUHYt3gOFhMwsZtPfZTfObtrfortzdwTIVC65Fif6p01ixLV/s1600/IMG_6081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxJOxNDZ3jYWvlb7LtBKxf3F2YZoXbdGhnYKkJRaCUW9yaMw7CycvhtlcU9ZBY50hIMkOyyb4YZYoLx3421u7AUHYt3gOFhMwsZtPfZTfObtrfortzdwTIVC65Fif6p01ixLV/s200/IMG_6081.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
currently, have and hobbies and activities we know we want to get involved with in the future.<br />
<br />
Also on Facebook, watch the Facebook marketplace. We recently purchased a ton of tools, a wood lathe, various sanders, table saws, an anvil and a forge/blower. We initially found the guy on facebook marketplace because he was selling a planner and a joiner, when we went to pick up the planner and joiner we noticed the forge and how many packed outbuildings he had so we worked the connection. We expressed interest in the forge and told him that we were also in the market for a variety of other tools/equipment. Within a few weeks, he was calling us wanting to sell a bunch of other items. Express interest, let sellers know you have money and are willing to buy. All in all, we ended up spending way less than $100 for each big item we purchased from this contact, and he threw in a ton of small hand tools. The anvil was covered in thick layers of silver paint, when stripped clean we discovered it is a Hay Budden and weighs 130 pounds.<br />
<br />
Estate Sales! We love estate sales and have purchased many many items from them over the years. Most estate sales will have sales on the last day, some will even mark things down 75% during the last hour of the sale. Estatesales.net lists all estate sales in your area, and many have pictures of items that will be in the sale. We scope out the sale through the website and then decide on our "action plan" for sale day. If there are things we want or need that we know will sell fast we try to make it to the sale within the first hour or so that it is open. Sometimes we will split up and head to 2 different spots in the house for the sale. The Wanderer will check out the garage and "man spaces" while I hit the sewing/craft room and closets and then we will sweep through the house together looking for items we need or want.<br />
<br />
Auctions. This is a new one for us, we very recently started attending auctions. We ended up bidding on and winning a portable air conditioner for the garage, we won it in a lot with a desk and vanity for $7.50, yep 7 dollars and 50 cents. The very next week our HVAC went out in the house and we ended up using the portable ac to keep the house reasonably cool until we could get the HVAC fixed.<br />
<br />
<br />
Craigslist has a section for Free items, this is usually curb alerts. People who are getting rid of things from their house so they just dump it on the curb for someone to scoop up and take home. I know a fairly successful "flipper" who goes out several times a month to pick up curb items to refurbish and sale. If local laws allow it you can also check dumpsters for discarded items that are still useful.<br />
<br />Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-82517995290903753012018-06-22T08:00:00.000-04:002018-06-22T08:00:20.418-04:00So You Think You Want Bees?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2I70KAFlweJ5IDb_JojPQ_PcqZVBHLxAS85UK5y3qHvUUcBxFCEBCN3MA85IdKHGJsrwzB0iWTQTVqJfeKHIv8i9ZBodSY53uaKCK0Qv0E4fR9_fApubntwpknc8rXevgp6I/s1600/IMG_7161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2I70KAFlweJ5IDb_JojPQ_PcqZVBHLxAS85UK5y3qHvUUcBxFCEBCN3MA85IdKHGJsrwzB0iWTQTVqJfeKHIv8i9ZBodSY53uaKCK0Qv0E4fR9_fApubntwpknc8rXevgp6I/s320/IMG_7161.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
We have had bees for a few weeks at this point, after years of talking about them, planning, discussion, changing plans. There are a few tips I have for anyone who thinks they may want to get bees.<br />
<br />
Tip #1, Get bee's, seriously they are a wonderful resource to add to your homestead. Do not let all the scary bad stuff you will read online discourage you. Yes, it can be hard work, you may struggle with diseases, mites, and all manner of catastrophe but it is worth it. The rest of my tips are aimed to hopefully make it a bit easier for you.<br />
<br />
Tip #2, Join a local beekeepers club. Call your county extension agent, contact your state beekeeping association to find an organization that meets near you. When we finally decided to get bees and joined a group the closest bee group was the next county over from us, just a short drive for monthly meetings and we have found a wealth of support and information. Many groups will also have equipment like honey extractors that you can rent and may be able to get you substantial discounts on your first nucleus colonies of bees. We learn something new at every single meeting we attend.<br />
<br />
Tip #3, YouTube can be your best friend and worst enemy. We posted the videos of our <a href="https://youtu.be/rKWum1aYTmA" target="_blank">installs</a> on youtube. We have also watched countless hours of video on everything from different hive designs, to how to kill off all your bees (sometimes that is necessary). We have watched more videos on how to install your bees, and how to catch swarms than I can count. Sometimes we get sucked into the rabbit hole of videos. We have watched lectures from some of the best beekeepers from around the world, and we have watched a lot of videos that made us want to hang it up before we even started. One guy pretty much assured everyone that all their bees were going to die, everything was going to die and that was just how it was. We also have gotten hours of entertainment from the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyY-H0aAXsA&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Bush Bee Man</a>.<br />
<br />
Tip #4 Books, books, and more books! We are big readers, I cannot recommend enough finding copies of Backyard Beekeeper, the Beekeepers Handbook, and the Beekeepers Bible. Great reads. Backyard Beekeeper was actually our first official foray into bees, we both devoured that book and knew that we were making the right call in adding bees to our little homestead.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgODQ9yU70N9lls54bAiBO50Wfi-APmESO0FPYUL4a4sfZMaITLQ94aFn_UzOzl4K10sK5_kfa57yR_hNdNZcZL7G4-EcY668hiIZeSFrRv7nvCNkkoMsXkJojdxf-WfBrskcJ/s1600/IMG_7356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgODQ9yU70N9lls54bAiBO50Wfi-APmESO0FPYUL4a4sfZMaITLQ94aFn_UzOzl4K10sK5_kfa57yR_hNdNZcZL7G4-EcY668hiIZeSFrRv7nvCNkkoMsXkJojdxf-WfBrskcJ/s320/IMG_7356.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-25597826555315188302018-06-13T08:00:00.000-04:002018-06-13T08:00:13.527-04:00Busy Bee's<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M8D1ghcw3P6Na6M6jVJ81q5urfZC4TGPH2iG6MU39mngkxyuSS24Ku9DdSIhUpcxMooC0jESoD70cLPqhRau430kdnsc3DtkAq6w9zj0Zf95bMC2KpeHQB0pssc_vqeIEtMS/s1600/IMG_7356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M8D1ghcw3P6Na6M6jVJ81q5urfZC4TGPH2iG6MU39mngkxyuSS24Ku9DdSIhUpcxMooC0jESoD70cLPqhRau430kdnsc3DtkAq6w9zj0Zf95bMC2KpeHQB0pssc_vqeIEtMS/s200/IMG_7356.jpg" width="200" /></a>Way back in February of this year I made a post about adding bees to the homestead. Over the past few months, plans have been made and changed a few different times. We researched hive designs, settled on a few we liked and bought materials. We even made a few hive bodies. We cost wise it was definitely going to save us a few dollars per box and a few dollars does add up over time.<br />
During this time we also joined a lot of bee groups on Facebook. A few of these groups were buy, sale, trade pages for bee equipment. Late one evening the Wanderers momma found a post by a guy who had decided to sell out of the hobby, he was getting rid of everything, about 8 complete hives (no bees), a 6 frame extractor, smoker, suit, and tons of assorted beekeeping tools. Arrangements were made and the Wanderer and I loaded up the truck and took off early the next morning for North Carolina, a good 250 mile, 5 hour trip from our homestead in the hills of Kentucky. The man lives in the orchard area of North Carolina, a stone's throw from Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, where most of his equipment came from. It took us almost an hour using our Tetris honed skills to load each item into the bed of the Dodge Dakota, but we made it fit. This was officially the trucks furthest trip from the homestead.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7G6gP5-wj9tuGd1Y8LYkVrJq25pFZa7QQWqUSsm5rG40FqAlJefGGg1xjde4NaofbU2_mdG_PEP8Hd3sDhUj2cNH_M1LItRsVzeILwYxDTMudx_PM4YQeQQQBUfDt8pLr_ee/s1600/IMG_5738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7G6gP5-wj9tuGd1Y8LYkVrJq25pFZa7QQWqUSsm5rG40FqAlJefGGg1xjde4NaofbU2_mdG_PEP8Hd3sDhUj2cNH_M1LItRsVzeILwYxDTMudx_PM4YQeQQQBUfDt8pLr_ee/s200/IMG_5738.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
Looking over the hives we realized quickly why he lost all his bees, he had pretty serious mite and wax moth infestations. When we got everything home we took metal paint scrapers and cleaned each piece, then tossed them in a deep freezer to ensure that everything bad was killed off.<br />
<br />
Now we just needed to find some bees. Did we want to go with packages, nucs, wild-caught swarms? We decided we needed help and guidance so we joined a local beekeepers club and found out that a member sold nucs, we put our order in for 2 nucs (nucleus colony).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpn4PwUaS-cyytY93I0Cep_4vJxNZxwuouzXk368qAXlaW0L6vHAEKn8TkwEjLgWGeQu_FYMhyTD9uNsCUe6y2dOkkShcgjWnzeUQmaRrLNB1JMv8ik9bW8UTRfkH-Cq230ky/s1600/IMG_7318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpn4PwUaS-cyytY93I0Cep_4vJxNZxwuouzXk368qAXlaW0L6vHAEKn8TkwEjLgWGeQu_FYMhyTD9uNsCUe6y2dOkkShcgjWnzeUQmaRrLNB1JMv8ik9bW8UTRfkH-Cq230ky/s200/IMG_7318.JPG" width="150" /></a>We filmed our first bee install. Did I just say first? Yep. Because a week after we picked up nuc's 1 and 2 we decided we wanted a 3rd so we bought another nuc.<br />
<br />
Initially when we decided we wanted bees we thought we were going to put them up on the hill, somewhere near our barn. Then we started seeing so many people having great results with bug/mite management by allowing chickens to free range around their hives. We have placed our hives inside our chicken and duck lot.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLE7lPEmQcHjljNGeYTw-WdvOhifDFDhfKS2FlTSkYtP2QZn59vN9HgajeAbGwvfuKAeNzAl-pWoSeae6PANJZwVhP6K-APvlkowe34Pog8wC125hEjj0gN6-ArFsnJdDVzN9/s1600/IMG_7340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLE7lPEmQcHjljNGeYTw-WdvOhifDFDhfKS2FlTSkYtP2QZn59vN9HgajeAbGwvfuKAeNzAl-pWoSeae6PANJZwVhP6K-APvlkowe34Pog8wC125hEjj0gN6-ArFsnJdDVzN9/s200/IMG_7340.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting the smoker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKm4jD0yog2QjX3dmrGLjt13tuwTVUsOJHI2Bn8qlXg4eD0s75VcUy6VZCaGnwGCaihVyG_zRu5zA3-B6hlUAYCJKgOXNi4ClnK9rBJ4Ylvl1n5dg0NxflbEkMyr52-SoiJDn/s1600/IMG_7161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKm4jD0yog2QjX3dmrGLjt13tuwTVUsOJHI2Bn8qlXg4eD0s75VcUy6VZCaGnwGCaihVyG_zRu5zA3-B6hlUAYCJKgOXNi4ClnK9rBJ4Ylvl1n5dg0NxflbEkMyr52-SoiJDn/s200/IMG_7161.jpg" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Inspection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOGGAqwuUL2Ww0fjw2Y-pL0VJnZjmxcECz_xk37mRbSYAjbmLvtsJIWtOIkUWLpMh1HokfSIzj-Up_erVglUJvxjdM67hNU_ur7j0pY-DYwErMR4Rl3HmJsbS8V9BV_aZw9m1/s1600/IMG_7347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOGGAqwuUL2Ww0fjw2Y-pL0VJnZjmxcECz_xk37mRbSYAjbmLvtsJIWtOIkUWLpMh1HokfSIzj-Up_erVglUJvxjdM67hNU_ur7j0pY-DYwErMR4Rl3HmJsbS8V9BV_aZw9m1/s200/IMG_7347.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bees at the entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVzLlY3HKQltYdJzXjJ769jOhU8Jp351kmE_3ZLgInOcm63iA-JP6Jr1iyeXVtRO0rHeOQI0R4PICJHih6SfrpcBWuk8JTCJD8W85HC31st4Dim4nS4dg7T3GUfa4X49hOMm_/s1600/IMG_7350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVzLlY3HKQltYdJzXjJ769jOhU8Jp351kmE_3ZLgInOcm63iA-JP6Jr1iyeXVtRO0rHeOQI0R4PICJHih6SfrpcBWuk8JTCJD8W85HC31st4Dim4nS4dg7T3GUfa4X49hOMm_/s320/IMG_7350.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 3 Hives set up. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-88199120761439438232018-03-12T08:00:00.000-04:002018-03-12T08:00:00.396-04:00Don't Be A Homestead If...If you spend much time on homesteading facebook pages, or youtube channels you have come across a few posts like that. I understand there is currently some drama on homesteading youtube due to an off-handed comment by a YouTuber. Some Don't be a homesteader comment that I have read recently:<br />
<br />
Don't be a homesteader if you like to shop...Hmm I like to shop, I live 20 minutes from town and over an hour from decent shopping. But I have the power of internet shopping at my fingertips.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70kvxgUIYQl9VKvRZhU1DRS7YV0VDcrSujXfdl6P7v5WqKxBiMi1emJIK1_ArKW_ChVRGEyXNyqj_hMy1jWqbBWqP8HchEtYuglfm6jB9x2xFftZLOYCqO1OYNbpwbGQmdb-5/s1600/makeup-3196262_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1600" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70kvxgUIYQl9VKvRZhU1DRS7YV0VDcrSujXfdl6P7v5WqKxBiMi1emJIK1_ArKW_ChVRGEyXNyqj_hMy1jWqbBWqP8HchEtYuglfm6jB9x2xFftZLOYCqO1OYNbpwbGQmdb-5/s320/makeup-3196262_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Don't be a homesteader if you like to wear makeup...I have a decent collection of makeup and enjoy getting dolled up from time to time. Is makeup part of my daily routine? Nope, but I can slap on war paint with the best of them. When recording videos for my <a href="http://www.hauntedfamilypodcast.com/" target="_blank">podcast's</a> youtube channel I like to look nice.<br />
<br />
Don't be a homesteader if you don't like the smell of animals...Animals are stinky do I enjoy the smell? Nope, but I understand it is part of this life and I deal with it. You don't have to love every aspect of homesteading to be a successful homesteader.<br />
<br />
Don't be a homesteader if you are a thug...What?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaz5HqfER9si2L0Qqx2jUClzF8MCrqJ4ste6GeELjrPqDp3dQiSeHVF4zfvX-kkjPkgABqBpSCdVY90XJITQIGIo4v1IddE0WhVvrx8hr6UQHTLS_x1kgIWAsL-gHiQarOAgf/s1600/laptop-2588606_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaz5HqfER9si2L0Qqx2jUClzF8MCrqJ4ste6GeELjrPqDp3dQiSeHVF4zfvX-kkjPkgABqBpSCdVY90XJITQIGIo4v1IddE0WhVvrx8hr6UQHTLS_x1kgIWAsL-gHiQarOAgf/s320/laptop-2588606_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a>Don't be a homesteader if you are attached to your cell phone...I have all the worlds knowledge in my back pocket, of course, I am going to use it. I have used my phone to diagnose animals, to text my vet, and to find the nearest feed store that has the meds/tools/whatever that I need. The Wanderer plugs his headphones into his phone and listens to podcasts or music while working on chores<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wc50IpxM73izLDWo6rl_nLMghfjD0ayFxxWhFBugnlDMPKzM7nj-mcys2_tyMrHxRv0Ce6ttdKNgiCx9ZshxbB5f8RtszNw3GnQZtpVbPQ9nUt_3wF0DAPYcf-GEN5dybliZ/s1600/farm-3184446_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1600" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wc50IpxM73izLDWo6rl_nLMghfjD0ayFxxWhFBugnlDMPKzM7nj-mcys2_tyMrHxRv0Ce6ttdKNgiCx9ZshxbB5f8RtszNw3GnQZtpVbPQ9nUt_3wF0DAPYcf-GEN5dybliZ/s320/farm-3184446_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a>Don't be a homesteader if you are going to run your pets to the vet all the time....My animals deserve proper medical care. End of discussion.<br />
<br />
Don't be a homesteader if you have trash pick up...We live in an area with trash pick up, so we use it. We work hard at eliminating waste as much as possible, we try to recycle, reuse and we compost.<br />
<br />
Don't be a homesteader if you have to use fabric softener....the Wanderer will be so mad when I tell him we have to throw out of the bottle of Downy.<br />
<br />
I could go on and on, because these posts go on and on, hundreds of comments. So how about this, let's not be so judgemental of our fellow homesteaders. We are all at different parts of the journey and we are all bringing our on strengths to the table. We all have different goals. Don't be a homesteader if you know this life isn't for you if you don't find it rewarding if it is not your calling in life. Don't be a homesteader if you don't want to be.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO0VWiDUu4B2vFobNbyrB6hBuEsVQwxedJf0w49E1jcqkuo5LYYHNm6gcrjaicXTL6NqRbcx5RJ1_Y1MT40euwfBKSiSmIvxuCItK2G_Dt4B9eyP3s-rSk_Sr-y4Pbr4u1Nwc/s1600/mammal-3177873_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO0VWiDUu4B2vFobNbyrB6hBuEsVQwxedJf0w49E1jcqkuo5LYYHNm6gcrjaicXTL6NqRbcx5RJ1_Y1MT40euwfBKSiSmIvxuCItK2G_Dt4B9eyP3s-rSk_Sr-y4Pbr4u1Nwc/s320/mammal-3177873_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-39629814986251539512018-03-06T08:00:00.000-05:002018-03-06T08:00:04.066-05:00Should YOU start a blog, podcast, youtube? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbdk6PpsRNTtpITy6yFNR9jD6WO_LcY2QExGp2i2RTQAmL9zWlNb27ooXAJaxkR0Q62PkjYaVVz4MidrXgI4Uv-9_YgJhXID7BMutVrB5msQZiS7DY2aLVDHuqRgtRWkXhNNr/s1600/Screenshot+2018-02-27+at+1.23.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="590" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbdk6PpsRNTtpITy6yFNR9jD6WO_LcY2QExGp2i2RTQAmL9zWlNb27ooXAJaxkR0Q62PkjYaVVz4MidrXgI4Uv-9_YgJhXID7BMutVrB5msQZiS7DY2aLVDHuqRgtRWkXhNNr/s200/Screenshot+2018-02-27+at+1.23.54+PM.png" width="200" /></a>Blogging, podcasting, youtube seem to be all the rage lately, especially among the homesteading community. I follow several homestead podcasts and youtube channels. I do not follow as many blogs. It is much easier for me to turn on a video and watch it while doing something else, or turn on a podcast while driving to town. I love blogs, I love reading blogs, I wish I had the time to do both.<br />
<br />
So should you add one or more of these to your already busy homesteading life? Do you have something to share? Of course, you do. One of the benefits of the homesteading community is that we all have our strengths and weaknesses and we can all learn from each other. Beekeeping videos posted by fellow homesteaders has become our current obsession. There is no 1 right way to live this lifestyle, everyone's voice and experience are important and beneficial.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq6VpFicyyLolmsw-2v3nNquaMSOfBgLJcwmdTL5t-BQv-f_Szwg1JHmAlUQ8rYNIPoeThjn-nbIcBRS7ImeNuZFugKlIfX8EKQq8eYVvlySaFo-xJa9BbtmfIWA-whY_BFxR/s1600/books-768426_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq6VpFicyyLolmsw-2v3nNquaMSOfBgLJcwmdTL5t-BQv-f_Szwg1JHmAlUQ8rYNIPoeThjn-nbIcBRS7ImeNuZFugKlIfX8EKQq8eYVvlySaFo-xJa9BbtmfIWA-whY_BFxR/s200/books-768426_1920.jpg" width="200" /></a>But do you have the time? Time is money after all. Blogging can take at the minimum a few hours every week to write a single new post. The podcast I record weekly with my sister (<a href="http://hauntedfamilypodcast.com/" target="_blank">Haunted Family Podcast</a>) Takes at least 2 hours just to record a single hour-ish long episode, that doesn't take into account the time we spend each week researching our episode. we have now added a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Mqx-lvfkjrCbDxTKN5kDA?view_as=subscriber" target="_blank">youtube</a> channel. Most of our youtube videos are just auto uploads of our latest podcast episode. Finding the time for us to get together and record a video is difficult, especially since we live over an hour away from each other.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7AHMs3bgttDJ2V278eks8sjLjT1hI7Yf4poN0HHjPpX5yAUE5f2TxPkdusiXMiL-aQN1VzGCcal5OEHYdDDT-Ac57m6AEhx8MBwJR8TsvS_zncrhXtc8q9nsmy20gDNSNQzL/s1600/Screenshot+2018-02-27+at+1.25.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="596" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7AHMs3bgttDJ2V278eks8sjLjT1hI7Yf4poN0HHjPpX5yAUE5f2TxPkdusiXMiL-aQN1VzGCcal5OEHYdDDT-Ac57m6AEhx8MBwJR8TsvS_zncrhXtc8q9nsmy20gDNSNQzL/s200/Screenshot+2018-02-27+at+1.25.31+PM.png" width="200" /></a><br />
You will also need equipment for youtube or podcasting that you would not need for blogging. We record on a budget, my sister uses a Blu Snowball microphone and I use a condenser microphone with boom arm that I found on eBay. We use Skype and Audacity for recording. Currently, our Youtube videos are recorded on either a cell phone (iPhone 8) or my Canon Powershot. We need to upgrade soon and that is an added cost.<br />
<br />
Don't let the cost or time commitment scare you away. If this is something you have been considering then make that leap. You will not regret it. Your story needs to be heard.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAoK1CkiAVs_I1S-1Pu46QWj6G9GIt2nkoDf-6YNYVk9WJ81ehS3I33sJRoTMi9H7htVqckBFDhznvUODidrqTCnqBHDj7qJ2tO2H4AKq3UYq_iM6q8wfHwGwLxAKVTq43Z-h/s1600/Screenshot+2018-02-27+at+1.26.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="593" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAoK1CkiAVs_I1S-1Pu46QWj6G9GIt2nkoDf-6YNYVk9WJ81ehS3I33sJRoTMi9H7htVqckBFDhznvUODidrqTCnqBHDj7qJ2tO2H4AKq3UYq_iM6q8wfHwGwLxAKVTq43Z-h/s200/Screenshot+2018-02-27+at+1.26.38+PM.png" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-91745699458231831862018-02-26T15:35:00.002-05:002018-02-26T15:35:35.008-05:00Whats the buzz? Adding bee's to the homestead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhiFGm2nI2YxLg80wVFutV5odLDS-GQjmmvVcAt5Aiu2YwS7GOPCohzYSt47OEgV3WvvknxDSwkfjgTH_EEH88V3ISUb6SzVaFR5nSO54VoP1pK0tpA2YxNJTTaUVL6Um0pMI/s1600/The+Buzz+About+Bees.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1073" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhiFGm2nI2YxLg80wVFutV5odLDS-GQjmmvVcAt5Aiu2YwS7GOPCohzYSt47OEgV3WvvknxDSwkfjgTH_EEH88V3ISUb6SzVaFR5nSO54VoP1pK0tpA2YxNJTTaUVL6Um0pMI/s320/The+Buzz+About+Bees.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We were supposed to take this leap last year, but things got in the way (sewing shop and the rental house needed new roofs). This year we are finally doing it. Bee supplies have already been ordered, we are on a waiting list for bees from a local source and the ol farm truck is loaded down with lumber we will use to build our stands. Yep, we are building our own beehives. We hope to bring you along for the journey through pictures and maybe a few videos on youtube.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfzvMmvSy00VA0YTM_idGyRfDt0hyphenhyphenYMq6g8kZgVjjOPLzWaIMryqxqx-_gLp0CBlxeCM40b10qIfLFS4GLyjQG8XPBu5RY9gVTkJbKfYacnCqD5H2Eg2B3baMc-UpUFq6TEcr/s1600/bee-breakfast-delicious-honey-3177590_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfzvMmvSy00VA0YTM_idGyRfDt0hyphenhyphenYMq6g8kZgVjjOPLzWaIMryqxqx-_gLp0CBlxeCM40b10qIfLFS4GLyjQG8XPBu5RY9gVTkJbKfYacnCqD5H2Eg2B3baMc-UpUFq6TEcr/s320/bee-breakfast-delicious-honey-3177590_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a>We are hoping the fresh, local to our farm honey will help offset some of our seasonal allergies. When the lilacs are in bloom I am miserable and nearly bedridden even when taking a Zyrtec daily.<br />
<br />
We are also hoping to add a homemade wax based thread conditioner to our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HomeAgainQuilting" target="_blank">etsy shop</a>. We love good thread conditioner, but it is getting harder to find.<br />
<br />
As I have mentioned before I do historical reenacting, the fresh, natural wax may come into play at some events. I would love to get into candle making.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6oYZjawBF9SZ3L8o4hM5iYvvrxXyRWCrVkre21GfZSvxHMGHuZIA_bLhFju9sfHq-66jG5NBCGX034JDXBG0ySM82HQr688fPOd5DUNTaVTXhnIZz6f0BQX9jAXFu0HXiCVj/s1600/honey-bees-401238_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6oYZjawBF9SZ3L8o4hM5iYvvrxXyRWCrVkre21GfZSvxHMGHuZIA_bLhFju9sfHq-66jG5NBCGX034JDXBG0ySM82HQr688fPOd5DUNTaVTXhnIZz6f0BQX9jAXFu0HXiCVj/s320/honey-bees-401238_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a>Honey is super tasty, raw local honey is even better. But it can be hard to find local honey. The few local suppliers we have tend to sell out fast. Honey shipped in from other areas lack the benefits of local honey. We use a lot of honey in recipes and baking. A neighbor was visiting the other day and the topic of us getting bees came up. She was saying how much she hates the taste of honey and won't eat anything that has honey in it. It was then I had to break the new to her that those wonderful rolls I bring her so often that she raves about have honey in them, a lot of honey.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to bring you all along on this journey as we become beeks. My great great grandfather raised bees, one of my uncles use to raise bees, I feel as if I am carrying on a family tradition and helping save some pretty important pollinators.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSurCLhTk9r8KghtFzoBJg5xidKVLvE9rPGRblMJVAbAaRYk7mY3xHNhohJVI2Vmo6NsRqmFichy65huCGHKOgS7iR6gMGKKxr1U7z9wqAp6ct9LIQcesO4Bl08hIIqDanixZ/s1600/nature-3177505_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSurCLhTk9r8KghtFzoBJg5xidKVLvE9rPGRblMJVAbAaRYk7mY3xHNhohJVI2Vmo6NsRqmFichy65huCGHKOgS7iR6gMGKKxr1U7z9wqAp6ct9LIQcesO4Bl08hIIqDanixZ/s320/nature-3177505_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-35384958921522176012018-02-08T08:30:00.000-05:002018-02-08T08:30:15.777-05:00Homesteading Games For Winter Evenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ebM1khHYXVpSCYD6kI1fnQp_bRqCyCdDvB6TCDSYRZcYKBm3fj-zMXfftbRGmYcNpRaJlTgrjJ5DFxxwF85ez-Qp4KYeFegFhSJHdChWFW8oyRLGiJ55C5ZMMeUhwp8JpYMi/s1600/2+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1080" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ebM1khHYXVpSCYD6kI1fnQp_bRqCyCdDvB6TCDSYRZcYKBm3fj-zMXfftbRGmYcNpRaJlTgrjJ5DFxxwF85ez-Qp4KYeFegFhSJHdChWFW8oyRLGiJ55C5ZMMeUhwp8JpYMi/s320/2+-+Edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Winter is winding down here, despite what the groundhog said about 6 more weeks of winter I can see the slow shift into spring starting here on the homestead. This is the perfect time to start planning for <i>next</i> winter. Those long chilly evenings huddled around the homestead fire, boredom sets in. Why not fill those evenings with fun, homestead educational games? I have compiled a list of some fun games to pass the time and maybe even learn something. Full disclosure, I do not have an Amazon affiliate account, I do not get any money by recommending these products on Amazon. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Cards-Edible-Foods-Ages/dp/0880795158/ref=pd_sim_21_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0880795158&pd_rd_r=QSDMC6NN3JZT9ZTCHY2M&pd_rd_w=elr5q&pd_rd_wg=M6inT&psc=1&refRID=QSDMC6NN3JZT9ZTCHY2M" target="_blank">Wild Cards: Edible Wild Food</a>s standard playing card deck, each of the 52 cards features facts about a different edible plant. This deck, by Linda Runyon, has a 4.5 star rating and great reviews. Whatever your game of choice is this deck will provide fun and handy facts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Family-Pastimes-Lets-Hiking-Co-operative/dp/B000W3PLJA/ref=pd_sim_14_10?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000W3PLJA&pd_rd_r=5AVBEC87ZXTWST6A0ZGC&pd_rd_w=gtiXr&pd_rd_wg=eZQVo&psc=1&refRID=5AVBEC87ZXTWST6A0ZGC" target="_blank">Lets Go Hiking.</a> This board game is unique in the way that you are really not competing against each other. The game works to foster a sense of community and cooperation. You help each other complete tasks, climb mountains and explore the board. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wMDF-ZYrM3fF6mT0n6OmTKPX5ENuLakcu7smb7g_T3JvSeZf9M_qMk8lrRV7B1fzeFla8X0z4eT4r1mq9R7JvuagbuulhwsFGgLRdcUgT8SBKNjo_bPpNDI6AIvVNmSwL3ib/s1600/board-games-2357451_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wMDF-ZYrM3fF6mT0n6OmTKPX5ENuLakcu7smb7g_T3JvSeZf9M_qMk8lrRV7B1fzeFla8X0z4eT4r1mq9R7JvuagbuulhwsFGgLRdcUgT8SBKNjo_bPpNDI6AIvVNmSwL3ib/s320/board-games-2357451_1920.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YUA1B0/ref=psdc_166225011_t2_B000W3PLJA" target="_blank">Hit the Habitat Trail</a>. Work your way through all of the worlds various ecosystems, learn about their animals, habitat, and dangers. Collect cards from each habitat to win the game. This game can be played without the board, the knowledge cards can be used independently to test your knowledge of various habitats. A perfect game from long road trips. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ampersand-Press-Forest-Natures-Chain/dp/B008HVKOH8/ref=pd_sim_21_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B008HVKOH8&pd_rd_r=3NFQRAE011HCWX37BG3V&pd_rd_w=ZLrg3&pd_rd_wg=SeJ9N&psc=1&refRID=3NFQRAE011HCWX37BG3V" target="_blank">Into the Forest, Natures Food Chain Game</a>, Each card in the game features a plant or animal, what it eats and what eats it. Perfect for teaching children the delicate balance that is our ecosystem and how the natural food chain works. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-60656548965972858212018-02-05T08:00:00.000-05:002018-02-05T08:00:00.264-05:00Real Life Ways to Make Money on Your HomesteadThe first step to finding ways to make your homestead profitable is of course research, that is, after all, what landed you on my little corner of the web. It won't be easy, I cannot give you a cut and dry blueprint. Everyones has different goals, skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Your ability to monetize will also depend on the area in which you live. There has to be a market for what you do, you have to find a void and fill it. Some of these suggestions may not work for you, your region, or your homestead.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU_cukpvT4dIa_PXX2UhAF73BqubMooYCA3v38GVf6QoQvWn7Ry_hTcmDshTv_0qXYk28kuWnHxmi6eX1gl2ItzPUZXWnXBlB54SGX3zUNnxDyivYp5SQ2CBv6xjkYdnmgUAx/s1600/pumpkin-patch-2873348_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU_cukpvT4dIa_PXX2UhAF73BqubMooYCA3v38GVf6QoQvWn7Ry_hTcmDshTv_0qXYk28kuWnHxmi6eX1gl2ItzPUZXWnXBlB54SGX3zUNnxDyivYp5SQ2CBv6xjkYdnmgUAx/s320/pumpkin-patch-2873348_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Make your farm a You-Pick destination. A pumpkin patch can be a huge draw in the fall. Pack your patch with fun activities like a corn maze, mini petting zoo, and pony rides. Use this as an opportunity to sell your farm made products, jams, honey, bread, etc.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQnRtUGsw1QpnzaBHivIMfUbilMsIQRfEssQxPRE9biWvMrRV9PmWDP-b0WJiSh_3ujK4VCK0MG9G82Q7pKKp1pSzlmvQKljZe05lZqFfyy_8bHMagn8_Y94rAB3r-dyfm0WF/s1600/pennsylvania-961484_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQnRtUGsw1QpnzaBHivIMfUbilMsIQRfEssQxPRE9biWvMrRV9PmWDP-b0WJiSh_3ujK4VCK0MG9G82Q7pKKp1pSzlmvQKljZe05lZqFfyy_8bHMagn8_Y94rAB3r-dyfm0WF/s320/pennsylvania-961484_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Have a roadside or farm side stand. Utilize social media to drum up business for your farm grown eggs, meat and produce. Contact local brick and mortar businesses about setting up in their parking lot one or two days a week if your area doesn't have a designated farmers market.<br />
<br />
Meat animals can bring your homestead a decent income. Preselling half's or whole animals means that you know exactly how many animals you need to raise to slaughter weight, without getting stuck with unsold extras. Cows, rabbits, pigs, sheep, goat, and chickens are all viable options.<br />
<br />
Start an heirloom greenhouse. Build a few hoop houses and plant heirloom seeds. Save the seeds from your own garden to create a self-sustaining business. People will pay extra for quality, heirloom plants. You can even make a sell customized herb boxes, planter boxes, and container gardens for your customers.<br />
<br />
Fiber animals are something the Wanderer and I have wanted to get into, we currently have 1 single French Angora buck that produces the softest wool fiber. Sheep, goats, alpacas, angora rabbits all produce amazing fiber that can either be sold raw and unprocessed or cleaned and spun on your farm for income. If you choose to process the fiber on site you can host classes where you teach others how to dye and spin wool.<br />
<br />
AirBnB should be considered a viable option if you have space. Create nooks on your farm featuring a firepit, outdoor furniture, and a tiny house. Rent these spaces on the rental site Airbnb.<br />
<br />
Build a pay lake. If you have a pond on your property, or you have the space to install a pond, you can stock them and then charge people to come and fish your pond. There are several pay lakes in our area. If you go this route you can also breed and sell your own fish bait.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HpMpwOgr3-Wan88NQMkCgxjsAoNB7arWb1_LR2KVezYdJvnhUKGGMK8TyMzU3ACA_nce0fKKlE0raWkOJHNue9dOE3U7DgnNG1lCyqW1Jl9Y9vosYYqbMVGckJuC7Ax7ED0U/s1600/bridal-bouquet-2278395_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HpMpwOgr3-Wan88NQMkCgxjsAoNB7arWb1_LR2KVezYdJvnhUKGGMK8TyMzU3ACA_nce0fKKlE0raWkOJHNue9dOE3U7DgnNG1lCyqW1Jl9Y9vosYYqbMVGckJuC7Ax7ED0U/s320/bridal-bouquet-2278395_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a>Farm weddings arre the rage right now and can bring the farm owner several thousand dollars a day. Make your farm a wedding destination.<br />
<br />
Sell items you create on your farm online using sites like <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/Green-Unisex-Baby-Quilt-Price-Reduced-Cyber-Monday/222606096111?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649" target="_blank">Ebay</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/people/wanderingwonderful" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. Or purge your old wardrobe on selling sites like <a href="https://poshmark.com/closet/hsgrass" target="_blank">Poshmark</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UdmjpYeFpHlxSTcujiolzLul5t3oH5T8J9WFLxB-6rRKn1gaTA2isXbXo50EJThiQwqTy7nZT6DNccruzt0pFTVfg82Xi2l-AsQu5IauKT0fjomiV_8PaDLMPE6jhHJqi8Vc/s1600/hay-2478667_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UdmjpYeFpHlxSTcujiolzLul5t3oH5T8J9WFLxB-6rRKn1gaTA2isXbXo50EJThiQwqTy7nZT6DNccruzt0pFTVfg82Xi2l-AsQu5IauKT0fjomiV_8PaDLMPE6jhHJqi8Vc/s320/hay-2478667_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a>State a herd share program. In a lot of states raw milk is still illegal, but sharing a cow and the milk from the cow is legal. Invest in a managable herd of cows or goats and sell shares. For the cost of the share your herd share partners recieve raw milk, cheese, butter.<br />
<br />
Determine what your strenghts and weaknesses are, and form a homesteading plan of action that works for you.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-56890125174492548952018-01-29T08:00:00.000-05:002018-01-31T17:11:29.324-05:00Switching FocusI always caution other homesteaders against biting off more than you can chew. Sometimes that is unavoidable, sometimes the bite is forced down your throat. Toward the beginning of last year, our neighbor up the road fell and shattered her ankle. Her stepdaughter who lives with her is sick, on dialysis and is generally not in any condition to be taking care of farm animals. Twice a day for months we would drive up the road and tend to her animals. Her farm was not well planned and everything was cobbled together. The rabbits were constantly escaping from their hutches. Chickens and ducks were constantly being killed by minks. It was a disaster.<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfhBa70GHrtYasKQqLCqkDFnx6KzQELVCIYnFpTec_XEuMYzck3KGIXvQVJnOjtvH6XY4n_KJqZyxdx5-6gvIm-cfJ8cnuXl6YxSL3dktlX5Jt2g8YltCUxspJLgBh0Afy4bx/s1600/rubber-duck-1401225_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfhBa70GHrtYasKQqLCqkDFnx6KzQELVCIYnFpTec_XEuMYzck3KGIXvQVJnOjtvH6XY4n_KJqZyxdx5-6gvIm-cfJ8cnuXl6YxSL3dktlX5Jt2g8YltCUxspJLgBh0Afy4bx/s320/rubber-duck-1401225_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One morning we received a phone call saying the rabbits were loose and one had hitched a ride 20 minutes away to dialysis. We found the bun, running around the parking lot, somehow managing to catch it and haul it back to the house. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Eventually, she did heal and went back to taking care of her own animals. This lasted mere weeks. Just before winter set in she decided she wanted to gift us all her animals. We went from having a manageable flock and 12 ducks to having 50+ ducks and no clue how many chickens, and 3 additional rabbits. The Wanderer had just finished cleaning out one of our small buildings to be his "man shed" and promptly had to move hutches in for winter. We definitely have too many animals and most of them are animals not of our choosing. We feel like we have lost control. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ultimately we don't regret it, taking all those animals on would never be our first choice, especially because of what it has done to our feed bill but we helped someone in need, we helped make a difference. The lady comes down as often as she is able, pockets filled with treats for "her babies" and we get the joy of knowing we are making things just a bit easier for her. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But boy does it get overwhelming sometimes. We do not have all our ducks in a row.<br />
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4330789257462531" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout-key="-g2+6-z-1s+75" data-ad-slot="3422678805" style="display: block;"></ins><script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
</div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-17248796413065537102017-08-07T06:00:00.000-04:002017-08-07T06:00:28.030-04:00Best Youtube Channels for Homesteaders?I love youtube when my sister and I started <a href="http://www.hauntedfamilypodcast.com/" target="_blank">Haunted Family Podcast</a> I really wanted it to be <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Mqx-lvfkjrCbDxTKN5kDA" target="_blank">Haunted Family Youtube</a>. I turn to youtube a lot when trying to figure out the best ways to do certain things, for honest reviews on products, etc. Youtube can be a valuable asset to any homestead. Here are a few of my favorite channels.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/RushLanePoultry" target="_blank">Homesteading in SC</a><br />
Rush Lane Farms hasn't posted a video to this channel in 2 years, but they have so many useful videos. In one video he walks you through building an incubator out of a cooler and a lightbulb. We followed this tutorial step by step to build 2 cooler-bators. We used a hard-sided plastic cooler instead of the styrofoam cooler. We get a nearly 100% hatch rate out of these cooler incubators. We have since upgraded to a cabinet incubator, but still, use these cooler incubators as our hatchers and sometimes as first step brooder for more sensitive birds.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClBCi5TpnTXorbRke79UyLw" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClBCi5TpnTXorbRke79UyLw" target="_blank">Big Family Homestead</a><br />
Okay, I seriously think that Brad from BFH my be a long lost brother to my niece's Dad. They look and act so much a like. My niece's dad was adopted so I guess anything is possible. I just seriously love this family and how real they are. I love their meal plan videos, recipe videos, and look forward to seeing what the move has in store for them.<br />
<br />
<a class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI2chl1G-fUEAm2qw9MfPSg/featured" target="_blank">Woodbrew</a><br />
I am a new follower to Woodbrew, which follows an adorable young couple as they make cool, diy woodworking projects. Who couldn't use a few more woodworking skills on their homestead? Their hammock stand looks cool, maybe a little too small for our huge Mayan hammock, but we may see about expanding their hammock stand plans into something that will work for us.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/wranglerstar" target="_blank">Wranglerstar</a><br />
You either love him, or you hate him, I personally love him. I also subscribe to his sister's channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG5i_eutkYLe3pysegadfMg" target="_blank">The Fresh Princess</a>. He often does side by side, real world test comparisons of products such as axes. His most recent series of videos is testing out the cheapest products you can find on Amazon, such as axes, knives, multi-tools, fishing poles, etc. If the need arises on a homestead, he probably has a video that deals with it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/madeeverydaywithdana" target="_blank">MADE Everyday</a><br />
Simply put everyone should know how to sew, in the long run being able to at least mend your clothing will save you money. MADE Everyday has some wonderful sewing projects for people of all skill levels.Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-57111616913157166402017-07-31T06:00:00.000-04:002017-07-31T06:00:03.813-04:00Quilt Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzEpM8HNHmdw1JXXDWDbUBptor8yQhNUXTvczz3bBpjuBPR-SP1i1Mn5LO6kZ7NFepxKVktPKoJW7VgUhysdz2byz4CRQW7gA88_7bMkCFESXyzFIyu259WgkOLqxycbQRUDL/s1600/IMG_2969+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzEpM8HNHmdw1JXXDWDbUBptor8yQhNUXTvczz3bBpjuBPR-SP1i1Mn5LO6kZ7NFepxKVktPKoJW7VgUhysdz2byz4CRQW7gA88_7bMkCFESXyzFIyu259WgkOLqxycbQRUDL/s200/IMG_2969+%25281%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a>The Wanderer and I have a new hobby/income stream. Last year along with his mom we stripped an old building we had on the farm down to the studs and did a complete rebuild. Our local K-Mart was going out of business, which was lucky for us. We picked up pegboards, shelves, a clothing rack and a large table top for next to nothing. In the end, we created a crafters dream. the showpiece of this room is a new to us longarm quilter. A handi quilter Avanti 18.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rNxC-DtGdwPVyWxoJWMwS1IKG-Ws2XFglgQVgcQFKOD4jrX6X3DiXb0fuLPP3pO0XUKHCaeGZKvtUsF89ZcMVdsaiWDNmooKebjVJFtYzufrIhxmoSvrrcKnMKtwS2jgbpBH/s1600/IMG_4054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rNxC-DtGdwPVyWxoJWMwS1IKG-Ws2XFglgQVgcQFKOD4jrX6X3DiXb0fuLPP3pO0XUKHCaeGZKvtUsF89ZcMVdsaiWDNmooKebjVJFtYzufrIhxmoSvrrcKnMKtwS2jgbpBH/s200/IMG_4054.JPG" width="150" /></a>Sewing machines use to intimidate me so much, but I am working my way through that fear. The quilter and the embroidery machines are less like sewing machines and more like computers. I can handle that. We have several projects going right now. We are about to list our first 2 quilts for sale, pieced by the Wanderers aunt, quilted by us. It is a family endeavor. We just finished a super secret project. A man commissioned us to make a labyrinth quilt as a present for his wife. He presented it to her on their 1st wedding anniversary. How unbelievably sweet. It took the Wanderer and me about 4 hours at the quilter to get this quilted. His mom did all the cutting and piecing on this while I was with my sister on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydJWjcRcI3w&t=990s" target="_blank">East Coast Tour of Pilot Truck Stops</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagsJiAsGPlWeoi2wCKsC2zGHUOi52m85wdK4VccupmSHzZ5y3zGy5reoLwOrHb8nvtPMlSjYxCpjQlSY6ALExAteGqmUrCt1hB9fo5mtI_J3qcy4HJ9_WBzdI0sVrEH3rEkFD/s1600/IMG_3179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagsJiAsGPlWeoi2wCKsC2zGHUOi52m85wdK4VccupmSHzZ5y3zGy5reoLwOrHb8nvtPMlSjYxCpjQlSY6ALExAteGqmUrCt1hB9fo5mtI_J3qcy4HJ9_WBzdI0sVrEH3rEkFD/s200/IMG_3179.JPG" width="150" /></a>For over a year we worked on collecting T-Shirts from the high school we both graduated from. We turned them into an epic T-Shirt quilt which we donated to the band to use as a fundraiser. We were both band kids, so we know first hand the struggle that bands go through to get adequate funding.<br />
<br />
We really enjoy working together on these projects. Homesteading as brought us closer together as a couple. Quilting has brought us closer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZ2x2oWOPjeKFMgmcgvOixqp28n4VcYR9Ifgv7EFNOlFPfJf3ToARfdx-fplOifsgA-xGamyxC_CkOcgFd38YioLHEz28CcGg61RfAdnKx9ci0g21cHdFShMeZjCrnFNDBM3K/s1600/quilts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZ2x2oWOPjeKFMgmcgvOixqp28n4VcYR9Ifgv7EFNOlFPfJf3ToARfdx-fplOifsgA-xGamyxC_CkOcgFd38YioLHEz28CcGg61RfAdnKx9ci0g21cHdFShMeZjCrnFNDBM3K/s400/quilts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-6372086733985664962017-07-24T06:00:00.001-04:002017-07-24T06:00:13.520-04:00The Best Homesteading Books You've Never Read28% of the population of the US hasn't read a book in the past year. 25% have read 1-5 books in the last year. The fact is that most of us, post high school or college cease to read books. If we are not being forced to read then we don't carve out the time to settling in with a book.<br />
<br />
I struggled to learn how to read. I have dyslexia. In 3rd grade, I found the perfect combination of a passionate Learning Disability teacher and a wonderful Literature teacher. Between the two of them, I finally learned to read, and caught a passion that continues to this day. I am rarely without a book. Currently, my interests are in books that further the podcast, and our homesteading journey. On my nightstand, you will find Social Media Marketing, Podcasting Bible, The Anatomy of Motive, right next to copies of the Foxfire books.<br />
<br />
Full disclosure, I don't have an Amazon Affiliate account, and none of these links are Affiliate links.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhah8c5C7HpgpzWoR5-SQmxShGhLJjNbDMx1KyCse26Wpg_bBDuHEqHNd_o8YibPZOl9I6xni2ENfvKrGZG_GtUgfzU6h-NLgL2acyjWpQuu_LiAEZ7Uq6Tx_lwNVj9bellU0Ei/s1600/51fyO%252BRWY1L._SX301_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="303" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhah8c5C7HpgpzWoR5-SQmxShGhLJjNbDMx1KyCse26Wpg_bBDuHEqHNd_o8YibPZOl9I6xni2ENfvKrGZG_GtUgfzU6h-NLgL2acyjWpQuu_LiAEZ7Uq6Tx_lwNVj9bellU0Ei/s200/51fyO%252BRWY1L._SX301_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="121" /></a>We should all carve out a few minutes each day to read. Read while in the waiting room of the doctor's office, while waiting to get your oil changed, turn off your phone and read for 10-20 minutes before you fall asleep.<br />
<br />
<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3 !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-size: 21px !important;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Living-Appalachian-Forest-Chris-Bolgiano/dp/0811728455/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1500318618&sr=8-5&keywords=appalachian+farming" target="_blank">Living in the Appalachian Forest</a> </span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">by Chris </span></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Bolgiano</span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Appalachian is one of the most diverse temperate forests in the world and it is also my home. I was born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky. In this book, the author explores sustainability in the use of our natural resources by interviewing those in the logging and mining industry. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3 !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-size: 21px !important;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Appalachian-Farming-Life-Perspectives-Virginias/dp/1888813083/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1500318618&sr=8-16&keywords=appalachian+farming" target="_blank">Appalachian Farming Life</a> </span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">by Mary B. LaLone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;">This is a delightful student lead research project that captured stories and oral traditions of farming communities in the New River Valley area of Virginia. </span></span></span></h1>
</div>
<div>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"></span><br />
<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3 !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPklJgsys9jO9LywZg1w5g6UBz1kD7Z7hVAxwX_N1SCIH1ZG2IG3Shc2Hay6b50zpoOzrl-EZgSamX2oZInKw7egoeEVo9dldO8D8HfE__Tacq2qt-u7wyuZRJzQJne4onoqoP/s1600/512v-cBIltL._SX334_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="336" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPklJgsys9jO9LywZg1w5g6UBz1kD7Z7hVAxwX_N1SCIH1ZG2IG3Shc2Hay6b50zpoOzrl-EZgSamX2oZInKw7egoeEVo9dldO8D8HfE__Tacq2qt-u7wyuZRJzQJne4onoqoP/s200/512v-cBIltL._SX334_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="134" /></a><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-size: 21px !important;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Native-Wisdom-Sustainability-Spirituality/dp/0813141087/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1500318738&sr=8-7&keywords=subsistence+farming" target="_blank">Learning Native Wisdom</a> </span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">by Gary </span></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Holthaus</span></span></h1>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Let's face is, sustainability, permaculture, self-sufficiency are buzz words to describe what indigenous cultures have been doing for eternity. Holthaus spend 25 years living in an indigenous community in Alaska. His book is well rounded drawing for multiple sources to provide a thought provoking reading on what it means to be sustainable in the modern world and why the modern mindset doesn't work long term. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"></span><br />
<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3 !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-size: 21px !important;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Five-Acres-Independence-Handbook-Management/dp/0486209741/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1500318738&sr=8-8&keywords=subsistence+farming" target="_blank">Five Acres and Independence</a> </span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">by </span></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Maurice Grenville Kains</span></span></h1>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
</span>
<div>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">At least once a day on the numerous homesteading pages I belong to someone asked the question "How many acres do I need to homestead. How many acres do I need to live self sufficiently?" This book helps answer that question and provides the reader with tips, techniques, and advice on assessing your land, making improvements and making strides toward independence. This book is old, originally written in the 30's and 40's, much of the book advice was real life tested on Mr. Kains' farm. This is a gem. </span></span></div>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<h1 class="a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span class="a-size-extra-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/National-Audubon-American-Mushrooms-Hardcover/dp/0394519922/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500318977&sr=8-1&keywords=field+guide+to+edible+mushrooms" target="_blank">National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms</a></span></h1>
<h1 class="a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa7Lnv4v11huRiwYJ0QwVm961cffqKrGOULJd-7FTIT6q4MI-Cm-9nodsyUSJ0V7xqPl_4iz450VeBZHE6KDcAWm_OVnrgNo7ktWQQFYRcViHGH-nOW_Wg1RnXUOl_O0vIaTe/s1600/51YJPZB0VXL._SX259_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="261" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa7Lnv4v11huRiwYJ0QwVm961cffqKrGOULJd-7FTIT6q4MI-Cm-9nodsyUSJ0V7xqPl_4iz450VeBZHE6KDcAWm_OVnrgNo7ktWQQFYRcViHGH-nOW_Wg1RnXUOl_O0vIaTe/s200/51YJPZB0VXL._SX259_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="104" /></a><span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This is really a must read for anyone who wants to forage, or enjoys hunting, hiking, and being in nature. Over 700 mushrooms are cataloged, with full-color photos and detailed descriptions. The book is well organized making it quick and easy to look up mushrooms. The book even touches on various bits of folklore surrounding mushrooms. Don't eat a wild mushroom without referencing it here first.</span></span><span style="font-size: 28px;"> </span></span></h1>
</div>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-83894245654099617472017-07-17T06:00:00.001-04:002017-07-17T06:00:08.147-04:00We Dove into YoutubeInitially, my sister and I debated whether we wanted to do a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Mqx-lvfkjrCbDxTKN5kDA" target="_blank">youtube channel</a> or a <a href="http://www.hauntedfamilypodcast.com/" target="_blank">podcast</a>. Being the older sister she won out and we started a podcast. After the east coast tour of Pilot truck stops, we decided that it was time to dive into Youtube. We knew that Youtube was in the cards for us, eventually, and now is the time. <div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSs1APbyYCVHVGrtIl9iQWf5bwlGilNwTixgL5JBYjGUg8FwlxjRq_xnUDn_B3ikVRBDQXPF4mH9ExJEMOmAO8rW027Ugsu-2AVAJ8WSCkYmHMhdJMmgFgAcrVqNt1TucYAo1/s1600/Screenshot+2017-07-15+at+8.21.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="892" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSs1APbyYCVHVGrtIl9iQWf5bwlGilNwTixgL5JBYjGUg8FwlxjRq_xnUDn_B3ikVRBDQXPF4mH9ExJEMOmAO8rW027Ugsu-2AVAJ8WSCkYmHMhdJMmgFgAcrVqNt1TucYAo1/s320/Screenshot+2017-07-15+at+8.21.28+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
Our first video is simple, with clips from our trip. We have so much more in store for the channel and plan to include some of our more popular podcast episodes on the channel. We have several film locations and stories lined up for the near future. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I almost feel like we have bitten off more than we can chew, editing the podcast was a learning curve. Youtube was there to help us with that, and now we are using Youtube to learn how to edit and grow our very own Youtube channel. The channel will be my baby, the production will be left solely up to me. The Wanderer and I have kicked around the idea of doing a Youtube channel all of our own, although we can't decide if it should be homesteading related or sewing related. The sewing building really would make for a great studio to record in, as long as the race car neighbors are not 'tuning up' their cars. </div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-33935322965851333532017-07-10T06:00:00.000-04:002017-07-10T06:00:43.935-04:00Road Trip, New England Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMInyErXdCKrUUxjmbqLjcxl68Fp31gVI6F0Sn1a6A9JKBy7xu95pyN96GzwRr-S0qLF9rjONEU_jCkFWkIJvxOh8aTviAXpDlEkJ-lQ4sQISAx7YHm42sggZ9uvKYFw3XdXmB/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMInyErXdCKrUUxjmbqLjcxl68Fp31gVI6F0Sn1a6A9JKBy7xu95pyN96GzwRr-S0qLF9rjONEU_jCkFWkIJvxOh8aTviAXpDlEkJ-lQ4sQISAx7YHm42sggZ9uvKYFw3XdXmB/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Friday, June 30th the Wanderer dropped me off at my sister's house and just after midnight we loaded her car down with coolers, clothes and her 2 girls and off we went. We had big plans, an east coast tour to research for our podcast, <a href="http://www.hauntedfamilypodcast.com/" target="_blank">Haunted Family Podcast</a> and to have some fun. My oldest niece joked that every 2 years her and I somehow end up on a road trip together. It is always fun, and always exhausting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJavhqkEHjriuVJKqFVfWasU_tFemtm3qU6Hv_WHyWsTX-y5LWAtBnwGtJmC-ubrDRBhnCioQmT2T9yvbAPrN9KnuEcniP2V0wQjHd4e1vU4XTqrWhb8-_c-n2hqqHzXIMl6p/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJavhqkEHjriuVJKqFVfWasU_tFemtm3qU6Hv_WHyWsTX-y5LWAtBnwGtJmC-ubrDRBhnCioQmT2T9yvbAPrN9KnuEcniP2V0wQjHd4e1vU4XTqrWhb8-_c-n2hqqHzXIMl6p/s200/IMG_0043.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
For the most part, we just breezed through Maryland, with a brief stop in Hagerstown where I picked up a quilt from the 1800's as a present for the Wanderers mom. We also stopped off in Baltimore to wander around the Westminster burial ground, where Edgar Allan Poe is buried. I love Poe, and I have passed that love on to both of my nieces. I also just really love wandering around old cemeteries. I am a long time contributor to the website <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/" target="_blank">Find A Grave</a>.<br />
<br />
Our next stop was New Haven Connecticut and Yale University. Yale is one of the oldest colleges in the United States, having been founded in 1701. The campus is beautiful and picturesque. I can totally see why F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote it into The Great Gatsby and why Rory Gilmore decided to attend Yale. Leaving New Haven I saw a sign for Mystic. I have never watched the movie Mystic Pizza. Mystic may be one of the most charming towns I have ever set foot in. I conquered a fear of mine and drove across a drawbridge. We wandered through shops and ate ice cream while looking out over a cove. Mystic is on the list of places I will go back to someday and spend more time exploring.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbH1ZlmuxT_YfhmEv2x2XNkjDs5lO9U5RcMhACoGgTQD-kICr8u3sCBMtACsnod1HXKBRkU7MZiT2RCRzMXIAYvm3W2oBgSBCAR2aArTlVSxnlgT4KQGx-kqxn7_I49T2rAHc/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbH1ZlmuxT_YfhmEv2x2XNkjDs5lO9U5RcMhACoGgTQD-kICr8u3sCBMtACsnod1HXKBRkU7MZiT2RCRzMXIAYvm3W2oBgSBCAR2aArTlVSxnlgT4KQGx-kqxn7_I49T2rAHc/s200/IMG_0078.JPG" width="200" /></a>Bright and early the next day we were on the road toward Boston. I heard horror stories about driving in Boston. I found those horror stories to be completely unfounded. Driving through New York was much worse and so much more nerve racking. We parked in a parking garage on Beacon Street and spent the day wandering the city. Oh, how I love Boston. I don't think my sister or my nieces were as impressed with the city. This is very much a pedestrian-friendly city, and I found the people pleasant. Boston is a mix of old and new. Buildings and cemeteries from the 1600's nestled in between very modern buildings. It's an eclectic mix and is so works for this city. We stumbled across the site of the Boston Massacre which is marked by a large circle on a sidewalk on King Street. Boston Common was packed, as I imagine it always is with people enjoying the sunshine and street musicians. Boston smells like legal weed, patchouli oil, and freedom.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UCI7wmJmb2ORkOpk6VzXWqrWkFD256ayzCPSjbJm9hw_v6r6spzE_3vOIZ46KjclbPRK4pRCo3eWebHMkmOKCr8UkDcW4i3UWuKRv8f7fqULYQ_pQSrREQcbACwFCZF7xwSy/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UCI7wmJmb2ORkOpk6VzXWqrWkFD256ayzCPSjbJm9hw_v6r6spzE_3vOIZ46KjclbPRK4pRCo3eWebHMkmOKCr8UkDcW4i3UWuKRv8f7fqULYQ_pQSrREQcbACwFCZF7xwSy/s200/IMG_0085.JPG" width="200" /></a>The next morning we woke up late, I hate waking up late on vacation but we were all exhausted and apparently slept through the alarms. We were excited for the day, today we were hitting Salem. The site of the witch trials. In towns like this, we try to avoid spending money on any of the touristy things because basically, they are making their money off the pain and suffering of someone else, even if that person did die over 300 years ago. We visited the old customs house, listened to the Park Ranger talk about what the job of a customs agent would have been like at the bustling seaport. Salem is also the birthplace of the US Coast Guard.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDAGxsqoI9qVqzo8m0Z5Np4tPw-_veDlrMjP89bAYGZg8PYDi5cficIllCGryjREnUXKAJrgL4rcCvCUvaK3h0sfXvTpMQeoAJJIreA3Dj6Nqsq_tuRo1SBIgevMiLvXuaTe2/s1600/IMG_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDAGxsqoI9qVqzo8m0Z5Np4tPw-_veDlrMjP89bAYGZg8PYDi5cficIllCGryjREnUXKAJrgL4rcCvCUvaK3h0sfXvTpMQeoAJJIreA3Dj6Nqsq_tuRo1SBIgevMiLvXuaTe2/s200/IMG_0105.JPG" width="150" /></a>After Salem, we ended up having a blowout. We found it nearly impossible to find a place willing to squeeze us in and change the tire. We didn't have a full-size spare in the car, just one of those donut tires. Finally, the place directly across from where we had the blowout agreed to fit us in. To me, I really don't understand why it was such a big deal fitting us in. Here in my corner of Kentucky, someone would have rolled a jack out to the parking lot, jacked up the car and put a new tire on, it would have taken maybe 10 minutes max to change the tire and get us back on the road. After our last stop of the day, a visit with a dear old friend of mine we got back on the road and pushed toward home. We came back home through Pennsylvania because that route allowed us to avoid the state of New Jersey. New Jersey cost us nearly $50 in tolls, I may never step foot back in New Jersey again. Not a fan at all, New Jersey took a toll on me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4fhWJ_MMAUwHrYChXT34iFxufWBZhqheuKUWYucisuhmKmntWrHGjp0MRsBV21M0N3-CQYPBmGglMmZiY0R2Lw3Uzl4t5an8R_34YGC_4zDi7AELpHU10becbZ4SuqesC9Ui/s1600/New+England.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4fhWJ_MMAUwHrYChXT34iFxufWBZhqheuKUWYucisuhmKmntWrHGjp0MRsBV21M0N3-CQYPBmGglMmZiY0R2Lw3Uzl4t5an8R_34YGC_4zDi7AELpHU10becbZ4SuqesC9Ui/s320/New+England.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-36943951770257941692017-06-26T07:00:00.000-04:002017-07-23T13:42:07.998-04:00Podcasting.For the past couple years the desire to share my personal experiences with the paranormal has been growing. Little did I know my sister had also been experiencing the same feelings. When we finally sat down to talk to each other about this we discussed several options, a book, a podcast, maybe a youtube channel. I thought youtube would be the easiest way to get our stories to the masses, my sister was intent on having a podcast. She spends hours in her car driving for work each day and podcasts had become her obsession. She is the older sister so she won, <a href="http://www.hauntedfamilypodcast.com/" target="_blank">Haunted Family Podcast</a> was born.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc3GAUCCteRALtB_nAvbzAVYcuiXYPPpd_42cWAkYI0GLUJT4x2DTNhveR_KSJbNptXe0EPnJCfOJRB5YkBXtTXqEW1o7aLeEy4g-eOkTg0dnspNu2n_YBwOdyeOvp37b0lm_/s1600/audio-1867121_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc3GAUCCteRALtB_nAvbzAVYcuiXYPPpd_42cWAkYI0GLUJT4x2DTNhveR_KSJbNptXe0EPnJCfOJRB5YkBXtTXqEW1o7aLeEy4g-eOkTg0dnspNu2n_YBwOdyeOvp37b0lm_/s320/audio-1867121_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
We don't just share our personal stories, we talk about famous, and not so famous crimes, topics of paranormal interest, unexplained mysteries. It is a very cool podcast if I do say so myself. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Over the past year, building this podcast with my sister has been so much fun and so much work. We have had to teach ourselves how to edit, how to publish podcasts, how to build a listening audience. We really struggled for several months with technical issues. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are about to go on our first podcasting research trip. Visiting Massachusetts, hitting several places of interest for upcoming episodes. Having a sit down with a world renown paranormal investigator/author. Be sure to check out our trip on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/hauntedfamilypodcast/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWY5cejlvBgoHNZBIgkZscYmMJVHNYqNyz90quGojveMwo7GP0PFGolE7Lh891j2sWqBHAZQ0FlSnzKJJCTNOlDCTcuV2frvN_2Dca59LNyFU_XOdfMImnv4V6JU7_tlF_Fc21/s1600/IMG_3416.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWY5cejlvBgoHNZBIgkZscYmMJVHNYqNyz90quGojveMwo7GP0PFGolE7Lh891j2sWqBHAZQ0FlSnzKJJCTNOlDCTcuV2frvN_2Dca59LNyFU_XOdfMImnv4V6JU7_tlF_Fc21/s320/IMG_3416.PNG" width="179" /></a> </div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-32351343008136077672017-06-21T06:00:00.000-04:002017-06-21T06:00:46.712-04:00Quack Quack Quack<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMkAC6GyxKlVKyBXV2ElBAkrp4EPTo9cFQ8suddlEfq3G5VRawMVlrIloszDOP-fZOKdO6QQPqZm6t2zfqS6Lut39WUo62_S7xYPdfg7SIHrxnbghLE211EAscwO9VOhKcdrD/s1600/IMG_2240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMkAC6GyxKlVKyBXV2ElBAkrp4EPTo9cFQ8suddlEfq3G5VRawMVlrIloszDOP-fZOKdO6QQPqZm6t2zfqS6Lut39WUo62_S7xYPdfg7SIHrxnbghLE211EAscwO9VOhKcdrD/s320/IMG_2240.JPG" width="320" /></a>Last spring our incubator died midway through incubation. It was a small, foam, tabletop incubator from Little Giant. We lost all of the eggs in that batch. Shortly thereafter we decided to build our own incubator. We picked up a couple coolers at thrift stores, searched through junk drawers to find a couple thermostats from hot water heaters. We pulled together 2 awesome homemade incubators that have close to 100% hatch rates. Late summer/early fall I found an ad on our local buy/sale/trade page for a cabinet style incubator. This Dickey's incubator was a steal at a couple hundred dollars. This allows us to do staggered hatches, using our homemade coolerbaters as hatchers.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtP2b56_lCuHoRrPlPK_8wCQHXjhVJJHjZ8Lu78r5JvuYH1NhEnYRn5_XXAv2OQN0jrAtSzatSqUpBAlzLtctaHjyy8pWsJ0-f2kIVClvdhAqQjr_WIDu4PXEurILBzakkJzhf/s1600/IMG_1949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtP2b56_lCuHoRrPlPK_8wCQHXjhVJJHjZ8Lu78r5JvuYH1NhEnYRn5_XXAv2OQN0jrAtSzatSqUpBAlzLtctaHjyy8pWsJ0-f2kIVClvdhAqQjr_WIDu4PXEurILBzakkJzhf/s320/IMG_1949.JPG" width="240" /></a>Early this spring a neighbor asked us to hatch some eggs for her, duck and chicken. Over the course of a few months, we hatched out over a hundred eggs for her. As payment, she surprised us with baby ducks. We had talked about adding ducks to our little homestead but was uncertain. From everything we had been told ducks were super messy. Now here we are the proud owners of 12 ducks. We normally brood chicks in the house, after this spring I can honestly say I will never brood ducks in the house again. Oh, they are messy and smelly, it is nearly impossible to keep a brooder clean.<br />
<br />
When we put the ducks outside I finally fell in love with them. Currently, they are in a dog run, with a large dog house as shelter, but they spend most of their time roaming the garden area, eating bucks and weeds.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigggFzIkStgMaZB9Dgb5SY_PKTfZH4YgYavFlnikvQ-Cf_ZTBHQpfvNkIfkuOMJ9EY4neZv2E-LBFFrLqlFM5DKTjkn4pCAEPQGqdOutS953KzIFPfNQUvioliTJS8Vb9bU7L7/s1600/IMG_2293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigggFzIkStgMaZB9Dgb5SY_PKTfZH4YgYavFlnikvQ-Cf_ZTBHQpfvNkIfkuOMJ9EY4neZv2E-LBFFrLqlFM5DKTjkn4pCAEPQGqdOutS953KzIFPfNQUvioliTJS8Vb9bU7L7/s320/IMG_2293.JPG" width="240" /></a>Ducks have really grown on me. But we are at our limit, no more new ducks for quite a while. We need to work on proper shelter for winter. We are building a new quail shelter also, and working on expanding the fenced area for our goats. We experienced our first goat births this spring, most of the babies have already been sold, two little ones will be weaned and sold soon. I am a softy and get a little misty eyed letting my babies go. </div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-82741339816382857092016-03-04T07:00:00.000-05:002016-03-04T07:00:16.472-05:00Spring is in the air!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5scPco_nRZUbB1z3812TWVUzlCb4losAthyphenhyphenQ1jgmLFRMKH9CwJat4a8Rd-TROuRiqendD8aNVRaUfjih-5GcXK3vGDE2I6TAdIIybPCH5EkJ7D4pmjADikD3POvrFOKDneq4s/s1600/Hello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5scPco_nRZUbB1z3812TWVUzlCb4losAthyphenhyphenQ1jgmLFRMKH9CwJat4a8Rd-TROuRiqendD8aNVRaUfjih-5GcXK3vGDE2I6TAdIIybPCH5EkJ7D4pmjADikD3POvrFOKDneq4s/s320/Hello.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Spring is right around the corner here on the Wandering Wonderful homestead. We are debating what the next move in our journey should be. Do we want to invest in some unusual chicken breeds? Is this the year we finally get sheep and fiber rabbits? Or do we maintain status quo for the year? Big decissions.<br />
<br />
We have had a lot of luck selling our hatching eggs on <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/281949058525?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649" target="_blank">Ebay</a>. I have also decided to list complete sets of Civil War hair accouterments on my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/wanderingwonderful" target="_blank">Etsy</a> page.<br />
<br />
We plan on growing miniature Indian pop corn this year, mainly because the parrots are in love with it and think it is the greatest treat ever.<br />
<br />
But probably the biggest news is this, my sister and I have decided to launch a podcast. April 4th the Haunted Family Podcast will have its debut episode. We are super excited and super busy hammering out the fine details of this podcast. More details and our web address will be posted soon! But for now join us on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Haunted-Family-Podcast" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQzezdkfhaFD6O6NtvdkAqNwjA3yHRye2TH0EkIRkIYT0nwVO5AzJQXI1KP66NrgE5kKD1vSj-Frt4RNSSyVCGuwDuus-e5EViCCmn2qyPd1ifVUdDMDTLD3ilC-4whNtUS_d/s1600/WWcollage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQzezdkfhaFD6O6NtvdkAqNwjA3yHRye2TH0EkIRkIYT0nwVO5AzJQXI1KP66NrgE5kKD1vSj-Frt4RNSSyVCGuwDuus-e5EViCCmn2qyPd1ifVUdDMDTLD3ilC-4whNtUS_d/s320/WWcollage.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-25096224205302452212016-01-25T07:00:00.000-05:002016-01-25T07:00:03.087-05:00Winter Storm Jonas<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxXdLcbHlISfH-IrsMb_bLzqeAAMlnMU-1NyZtdz3M2Zr7DnB2SlRgkhdGFEiiOPj7xRh2e33ZJRiZzTCPbN125D9VZg0N_PFnEujEWveNxE0Tn1Tv47wTfYeG6FnzlZ1tgou/s1600/jonas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxXdLcbHlISfH-IrsMb_bLzqeAAMlnMU-1NyZtdz3M2Zr7DnB2SlRgkhdGFEiiOPj7xRh2e33ZJRiZzTCPbN125D9VZg0N_PFnEujEWveNxE0Tn1Tv47wTfYeG6FnzlZ1tgou/s320/jonas.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Much of the eastern portion of the US was hit by winter storm Jonas Friday and Saturday. The Wandering Wonderful homestead was buried under 16.5 inches of snow. I am thankful to report that all of our critters <br />
weathered the storm and are eagerly anticipating spring thaw. Snow was knee deep on my trek out to the coops Saturday morning. Our chickens are refusing to go out in the snow. But they continue to lay over a dozen eggs a day for us. We have a good flock of girls.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Many have asked me how we prepare for winter storms. In all honestly we do nothing, nothing special that is. We try to always have a stock pile of extra feed for humans and critters on hand. We always have extra drinking water on hand. We keep propane on hand for emergency heat and cooking, and oil for our oil lamps. We stay prepared, year round. Its the smart and beneficial thing to do. This wasn't technically a blizzard, we didn't get the winds necessary for it to be considered a blizzard, but we did have white out conditions for most of Friday and Saturday with snow falling close to 2 inches an hour. Snows like this are uncommon for this area, we get snow, but we rarely get so much snow at once. I have comprised a list of things you should consider doing to prepare for your next winter storm. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
~Make sure your feed rooms are fully stocked with feed and extra bedding before the storm hits</div>
<div>
~Make sure you have ready access to water for your animals</div>
<div>
~Avoid using heat lamps, they are a safety hazard and unnecessary if your building is dry and draft free</div>
<div>
~Move all animals to secure, dry, draft free building before the storm hits. </div>
<div>
~Change flashlight batteries and charge your electronics</div>
<div>
~Make sure your emergency kit is read, yes you need an emergency kit</div>
<div>
~If you need to be out on the road make sure you have an <a href="http://wanderinginthewonderful.blogspot.com/2016/01/winter-car-kits.html" target="_blank">emergency kit</a> in your car. </div>
<div>
~Make sure you have alternative ways to heat your home, and cook.</div>
<div>
~Invest in good winter gear, keep your feet dry and warm while out tending your critters. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-65368542472820973422016-01-08T07:00:00.000-05:002016-01-08T07:00:00.650-05:00Winter Car KitsMy Mamaw didn't drive. In her 66 years on earth she had never so much as sat in the driver seat of a car. But Mamaw did take roadtrips, Mamaw knew how to travel. I know that many of my idea's and hacks for roadtripping came from her. Her idea's and hacks for roadtrips came from necessity. My grandparents had 9 children and family scattered across the country.<br />
<br />
Mamaw as very cautious about her families safety, she insisted that we keep an emergency kit in our cars, changing out some items to fit the season.<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*a shovel</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">windshield scraper/broom</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*flashlight with extra batteries</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*water</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*Reading materal</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*snack food (nuts, powerbars, jerky, etc)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*matches, cigerette lighter</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Knit hat and winter gloves</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*First aid kit</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Wool blanket</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">tow chain or rope</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">cat litter or sand for traction</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*Jumper Cables</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*emergency flares/reflectors</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Large trash bag</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*Small Shovel</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*Change of clothes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*Change of shoes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; transparent-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">*Basic tool kit</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.38;">*Small gas can</span><span id="docs-internal-guid-092eb1ab-0e63-46f2-21e0-d10eacb1557f"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; transparent-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; transparent-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; transparent-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; transparent-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; transparent-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; transparent-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; transparent-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; transparent-space: pre-wrap;">*denotes things I keep in the car year round.</span></div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-79252020997503304032016-01-06T07:00:00.000-05:002016-01-07T10:59:29.086-05:00101 Skills for the Modern Homesteader<div style="background-color: transparent; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
This list has been making the rounds on various homesteading/off-grid Facebook pages. I don't know the origin or author. Somethings we grew up knowing, part of our rich Appalachian heritage like reading the weather and growing vegetables. Other things we have learned through the course of our homesteading adventure, like giving an animal an injection, and how to cut down a tree. Between the Wanderer and I we have tackled probably 3/4th of the list, learning to keep bees and process honey and make hard and soft cheeses are high on the list of things to learn next. How many skills do you possess and what is next on your "to be learned" list?</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
101 Skills for the Modern Homesteader</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-top: 6px;">
1. Learn how to milk a goat, cow, or sheep.<br />
2. Learn how to successfully compost kitchen scraps and manure.<br />
3. Learn how to make the perfect pie crust.<br />
4. Learn how to cook a whole chicken.<br />
5. Learn how to grow a vegetable garden in your climate.<br />
6. Learn how to prune a tree.<br />
7. Learn how to read the weather.<br />
8. Learn how to tell time without a clock by using the sun.<br />
9. Learn how to give an animal an injection<br />
10. Learn how to foal, kid, lamb, and/or calve.<br />
11. Learn how to pull a calf or baby goat during a difficult birth.<br />
12. Learn how to grow a windowsill herb garden.<br />
13. Learn how to properly cut down a tree.<br />
14. Learn how to make perfect sausage gravy from scratch.<br />
15. Learn how to drive a manual transmission.<br />
16. Learn how to drive a tractor.<br />
17. Learn basic mechanic skills so you can fix your tractors and vehicles.<br />
18. Learn how to change a tire.<br />
19. Learn how to change oil.<br />
20. Learn how to properly handle, shoot, and clean a gun.<br />
21. Learn the laws and regulations regarding hunting wild game in your area through a Hunter’s Safety course.<br />
21. Learn how to hunt wild game–both large and small.<br />
22. Learn how to humanely kill, gut, and clean an animal.<br />
23. Learn how to butcher an animal and the proper cuts of meat.<br />
24. Learn how to pluck a chicken.<br />
25. Learn how to use a smoker<br />
26. Learn how to fish.<br />
27. Learn how to clean and fillet a fish.<br />
28. Learn how to tell if your chickens are molting.<br />
29. Learn how to tell if you can doctor an animal at home, or if it needs to be taken to the vet.<br />
30. Learn how to dry laundry using a drying rack or clothesline.<br />
31. Learn how to make your own laundry detergent.<br />
32. Learn how to build a fire–both inside and outside.<br />
33. Learn how to cook over an open fire.<br />
34. Learn how to make hard and soft cheeses.<br />
35. Learn how to make yogurt.<br />
36. Learn how to make sourdough bread.<br />
37. Learn how to keep bees and harvest honey.<br />
38. Learn how to make basic yeast dough which can be turned into loaves, rolls, buns, pretzels, etc.<br />
39. Learn how to incubate fertilized eggs and hatch your own chicks.<br />
40. Learn how to identify and manage a broody hen.<br />
41. Learn how to cut and bale hay.<br />
42. Learn how to stack hay.<br />
43. Learn the art of intensive grazing so you can better manage your pastures.<br />
44. Learn how to make your own soap.<br />
45. Learn how to make your own candles.<br />
46. Learn how to darn a sock.<br />
47. Learn how to mend damaged clothes so they don’t have to be thrown away.<br />
48. Learn how to sew clothing from scratch.<br />
49. Learn how to knit, quilt, or crochet<br />
50. Learn the art of no-till gardening.<br />
51. Learn how to candle eggs so you can tell if they are fertilized.<br />
52. Learn how to cook outside with a dutch oven.<br />
53. Learn how to heat your home with wood or other sustainable sources.<br />
54. Learn how to trim the feet of your goats and sheep.<br />
55. Learn how to build and fix fence.<br />
56. Learn carpentry skills so you can repair outbuildings or even build basic furniture pieces.<br />
57. Learn how to tan a hide.<br />
58. Learn how to save seeds.<br />
59. Learn how to use a water bath canner.<br />
60. Learn how to lacto-ferment foods to preserve them.<br />
61. Learn how to use a pressure canner and/or cooker.<br />
62. Learn how to make saukerkraut.<br />
63. Learn how to forage for wild edibles in your area.<br />
64. Learn how to identify the difference between edible and poisonous mushrooms.<br />
65. Learn how to identify the difference between harmless and venomous snakes in your area.<br />
66. Learn how to grind your own wheat.<br />
67. Learn how to repurpose everyday items to save them from the landfill.<br />
68. Learn how to sharpen a knife or ax.<br />
69. Learn how to prepare for a blizzard.<br />
70. Learn how to prepare for a wildfire.<br />
71. Learn the basics of animal breeding.<br />
72. Learn how to work together with your neighbors to accomplish more and foster a sense of community.<br />
73. Learn how to halter-break an animal.<br />
74. Learn how to split and stack firewood.<br />
75. Learn how to make butter.<br />
76. Learn how to use essential oils properly and safely.<br />
77. Learn how to build/use a greenhouse or cold frame to extend your growing season.<br />
78. Learn how to start seeds indoors.<br />
79. Learn how to store food in a root cellar or in a cool basement.<br />
80. Learn how to make vinegar.<br />
81. Learn how to make your own skincare items.<br />
82. Learn how to make your own cleaning supplies.<br />
83. Learn how to make herbal extracts, infusions, poultices, and tinctures.<br />
84. Learn how to render lard or tallow.<br />
85. Learn how to chop ice.<br />
86. Learn how to make and apply whitewash.<br />
87. Learn how to tap trees for maple syrup.<br />
88. Learn how to repair a roof.<br />
89. Learn how to humanely euthanize an animal.<br />
90. Learn to identify the weeds in your yard/pastures and figure out which ones are edible.<br />
91. Learn how to back up a trailer.<br />
92. Learn how to purify water.<br />
93. Learn how to make bone broth.<br />
94. Learn how to use non-electric lighting.<br />
95. Learn how to put together a 72-hour kit for emergencies.<br />
96. Learn how to cook eggs in a cast iron skillet without a sticky mess.<br />
97. Learn how to put food scraps like eggshells, coffee grounds, apple peels, and whey to good use.<br />
98. Learn how to make bacon and cure hams.<br />
99. Learn how to protect your livestock from predators.<br />
100. Learn how to make your own chicken feed.<br />
101. Learn how to live within your means and get out of debt.</div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-84313403847085998522016-01-04T07:00:00.000-05:002016-01-04T07:00:19.246-05:00Traveling with your Feathered Friends.Over the last few months we have added not 1, but 5 new birds to our homestead. Actually, 6, but one little parakeet was too sick and sadly didn't make it despite our best efforts. I know in time we will load up the birds, along with the dogs for a vacation or road trip. It will happen, we love travel. While we could leave them at home entrusted to the wonderful people who tend our homestead while we are away, we know will will take at least one trip with them. A little back story on the birds? Callie was previously called Polly, she is a parrot of unknown type. She spent most of the summer living in a small cage on someones porch until she was gifted to us. Tweedle (the parakeet) and her partner are who didn't make it joined the family the next week when I saw them being offered on a buy/sale/trade page. I knew some of the people making offers on the birds, and I knew they wouldn't end up in good homes. So I took them. Then the Wanderer's mother and I found Harrison a Green Cheek Conure on hoobly.com. It was love at first sight. I ended up driving 3 hours the next day to bring him home. He meows, gives kisses, and fake snores. He is quite the comical bird. A week before Christmas we traveled to a near by city to finish Christmas shopping. While at a pet store we saw 2 beautiful blue parakeets. The new parakeets have yet to be named, I am currently leaning toward March and Alice.<br />
<br />
So how do you travel with a bird?<br />
First you need the right carrier.<br />
Harrison, the sweet little Green Cheek I drove to Cincinnati for came with two cages, one was a large cage for use in the home and the other was a small, no frills wire travel cage. Its functional, but not pretty, and I have doubts about it holding up to much travel.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A02jAyG8Z7a505oEm9p-rK6WwqSr8DsR4LU5zwqD5YLpfQcynasdpIZT7BWTIeBtL_Dht7kqOlXffajQH6NLE_mJveQ19APrRnGCV2vVnrZaiBSuXBPz5Am5bY7O8joPsMGC/s1600/510V6aAeM7L._SX450_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A02jAyG8Z7a505oEm9p-rK6WwqSr8DsR4LU5zwqD5YLpfQcynasdpIZT7BWTIeBtL_Dht7kqOlXffajQH6NLE_mJveQ19APrRnGCV2vVnrZaiBSuXBPz5Am5bY7O8joPsMGC/s200/510V6aAeM7L._SX450_.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
The<a href="http://amzn.to/1PwcSrL" target="_blank"> Parrot Travel Carrier </a>is in the running to be our pick, its lightweight, cute, has a perch, but most importantly the floor is Velcro'd on making it easy to remove and clean. Birds poop, a lot, and its very important to keep a clean cage. The shoulder strap has good padding which should make it easy to carry.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKGXVElrPZAdxsgHZditb326g4xLtS0UYlQvAiAhfAYPsvbh35wmmaRCvihvGfvpTPLetsF0T3DQZmvCEJWr9sLbkoemxjgaLvH-EHn8-Olh4UKqMckDx8gGwGyAqfyFYUdRJ/s1600/61fOkRrni6L._SY355_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKGXVElrPZAdxsgHZditb326g4xLtS0UYlQvAiAhfAYPsvbh35wmmaRCvihvGfvpTPLetsF0T3DQZmvCEJWr9sLbkoemxjgaLvH-EHn8-Olh4UKqMckDx8gGwGyAqfyFYUdRJ/s200/61fOkRrni6L._SY355_.jpg" width="197" /></a>We wont be able to travel with all of our birds in the same travel carrier, we know this. The Parakeets can travel together, but will need to be <br />
separated from Callie and Harrison who will need cages of their own. In comes <a href="http://amzn.to/1YOXI7H" target="_blank">collapsible cages</a>. The fold flat for easy storage and transport. Could you use a collapsible dog kennel? Maybe, but the bars on dog kennels tend to be wider than those one bird cages. A bird could easily attempt to wiggle out of the cage and get hurt in the process.<br />
<br />
<br />
Flight time is important to birds, they need to be able to exercise and stretch their wings. This can be difficult if not impossible in smaller travel cages. Leashes and harnesses, even flight suits can be bought for your feathered friends to make flight safe. We have not began the process of teaching our birds to fly on leashes. It is something we plan on doing at some point in the future. Most leash systems come with a small band that you wrap around the birds leg then clip the leash too, or you can clip the leash directly to your birds ID band if he is already banded. Harness systems go on much like dog harnesses. There is of course some debate about which is the safest method.<br />
<br />
In parting I will leave you with a picture of Miss Callie perched on my nail polish rack watching me get ready to go out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmfM7hBBx2kIGhBgOOvhxvr5Wpp7DiOyFBp-3fyHkgQSmWdtOAl1Xzk_mC5jXQlRVWFq93yRj2YZl2dQ-xOi36khqIjzQnMvUzewhW8Uw_SlGkT-IS9DfQeoPXslIY6W-C_9q/s1600/11219515_10153705316972974_5443908947088878996_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmfM7hBBx2kIGhBgOOvhxvr5Wpp7DiOyFBp-3fyHkgQSmWdtOAl1Xzk_mC5jXQlRVWFq93yRj2YZl2dQ-xOi36khqIjzQnMvUzewhW8Uw_SlGkT-IS9DfQeoPXslIY6W-C_9q/s320/11219515_10153705316972974_5443908947088878996_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-53422667773664295462016-01-01T07:00:00.000-05:002016-01-07T11:02:32.342-05:00Books to Improve your Homestead<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Wanderer and I get asked often for book recommendations. What would we recommend for those just starting their journey in homesteading and self sufficiency. We are voracious readers. Our free moments are spent with books, or the tablet in our hands. We love relaxing in our hammock and reading. At the end of the day when we are curled up in bed we read to each other before falling asleep. Books are an important part of our lives. We have taken the time to make a list comprised of our favorite books that will aid others in the homesteading lifestyle. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Foxfire</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first book on list is actually a series of books. You can buy the complete <a href="http://amzn.to/1Vq9nVe" target="_blank">14 volume set</a> with special anniversary editions for the low price of $234.50 on Amazon. With some hunting you can piece together the </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSdAtZBMs8r_soTOu8wHoc7hTLLhka5F42gxIrfEbnG-J4YD7-rEaosEox5pls7agrl_tzLSpbz3m2BLvrsOSzjOrXLL6PlVKPLG_OmlrmiARCXc1LpqIU1ROF5NzZ2jo7Rw5/s1600/finland-909734_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSdAtZBMs8r_soTOu8wHoc7hTLLhka5F42gxIrfEbnG-J4YD7-rEaosEox5pls7agrl_tzLSpbz3m2BLvrsOSzjOrXLL6PlVKPLG_OmlrmiARCXc1LpqIU1ROF5NzZ2jo7Rw5/s200/finland-909734_1280.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">set for about $13-14 dollars a book. I first stumbled across the Foxfire books while in college. Many of the topics in the books wouldn't become important to me until many years later when the Wanderer and I settled down and began collecting animals. The books started out as a simple English class project. Now in addition to the magazine, and books <a href="http://www.foxfire.org/" target="_blank">The Firefox Fund</a> also operates a museum dedicated to Southern Appalachian history and heritage. Topics covered in the Foxfire books include: </span><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">Spring Wild Plant Foods, Spinning and Weaving, Midwifing, Burial Customs, Corn Shuckin's, Wagon Making, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3;">Hide Tanning, Summer and Fall Wild Plant Foods, Butter Churns, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3;">Ironmaking, Blacksmithing, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22.4px;">Quilting, etc.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span>
<h1 class="bookTitle" id="bookTitle" itemprop="name" style="background-color: Transparent; color: #333333; font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 2px; width: 455px;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6209090-the-quest-of-the-simple-life" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Quest of the Simple Life</span></a></h1>
<div>
This is not a how-to book, this is a insightful look into one man's (<span itemprop="name" style="background-color: Transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration: none;"><a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1863481.William_James_Dawson" itemprop="url" style="background-color: Transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration: none;">William James Dawson</a>) quest to find <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiax2uco2Ni2pA_Pn56-oY2B9kgRfbYs3p7NdF7P6j4UBTptw_sftLBWgwfrHFNPlJI3Dr0wUBzwzDCn1q39D1XOwPxog3UncJG0RWQy7iBqcuPR_DEkkdG4VAhGB3t_8DhsM_v/s1600/finland-909734_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiax2uco2Ni2pA_Pn56-oY2B9kgRfbYs3p7NdF7P6j4UBTptw_sftLBWgwfrHFNPlJI3Dr0wUBzwzDCn1q39D1XOwPxog3UncJG0RWQy7iBqcuPR_DEkkdG4VAhGB3t_8DhsM_v/s200/finland-909734_1280.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
himself and simplicity in early 1900's England. I think this book is the perfect read for cold winter nights. We as modern homesteaders tend to look at the past as the "good ol' days" our quest to go back and live as simply as our ancestors. This is a look at how that same quest for simplicity looks to our ancestors. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span>
<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: Transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-size: 21px !important; line-height: 1.3 !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1Py0aYv" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It</span></a></span></h1>
<div>
John Seymour is often called <span style="background-color: Transparent;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Father of Self-Sufficiency, and in this book he gives practical tips and advice on how nearly anyone can follow in his footsteps and live a simpler, more self sufficient lifestyle. He covers a wide variety of topics in this book, from harvesting and preserving food, animal husbandry, basket weaving and beer making. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: Transparent;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: Transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-size: 21px !important; line-height: 1.3 !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1Py0CGi" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nature's Garden</span></a></span></h1>
</div>
<div>
Wildcrafting may not be on your horizon yet, it wasn't on ours either when we first started this journey. Our <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwZl0mUprPAaL2p20pt1rhxlyMMRqR_OAv9UAl0hp-nRy96lXpRkcZTTT_gmGXN9lOB6ORWuYvc8pfCg35lZn8usEjBFgWaljrfGhcnvYcqc0K_bB3_fm1Xrvu6npc3j87KIY/s1600/chestnut-998548_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwZl0mUprPAaL2p20pt1rhxlyMMRqR_OAv9UAl0hp-nRy96lXpRkcZTTT_gmGXN9lOB6ORWuYvc8pfCg35lZn8usEjBFgWaljrfGhcnvYcqc0K_bB3_fm1Xrvu6npc3j87KIY/s200/chestnut-998548_1280.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
grandparents and great grandparents knew the natural bounty that lay in the woods and fields all around us. Grandma could go outside and make a feast from things that grew wild. Samuel Thayer's book covers every aspect of edible wild plants, he will teach you how to safely identify plants, harvest and prepare them. This is the book you need to live more comfortably and fully enjoy natures bountiful harvest. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ibo7Y8favyjhs6gLzjKHu8yRf2W4dnPOsiMEX5VPi9jfTTZKxcvbUMcJ_UZ2T_8-rE7H8OtyrF4LHClIUY7CBp6mVkm0NYisxSKWePIuMbj4hQ21vuUSlOvh_iW3frcN7egW/s1600/12240149_806014029526033_779208460221973691_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ibo7Y8favyjhs6gLzjKHu8yRf2W4dnPOsiMEX5VPi9jfTTZKxcvbUMcJ_UZ2T_8-rE7H8OtyrF4LHClIUY7CBp6mVkm0NYisxSKWePIuMbj4hQ21vuUSlOvh_iW3frcN7egW/s320/12240149_806014029526033_779208460221973691_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-27485139365818772522015-10-20T06:00:00.000-04:002015-10-20T06:00:01.856-04:00Quail, our new additionsAbout a month ago one of our neighbors, and elder man in his 80's announced he is moving further south, he can't handle another Kentucky winter. He didn't want to take his birds with him, Peach doves and quail, so we took them and added them to the growing collection that is the Wandering Wonderful Homestead. Several emails back and forth with the state, and reading up on Kentucky's laws proved that in order to raise and sell quail we would need a commercial license. We don't think we are ready for that yet. So for now we are keeping them for ourselves. Getting our feet wet in the world of raising quail. I have never ate quail meat or quail eggs but I have heard both are delicious. We bought a few more quail to add to the few that we were gifted, going through a licensed seller to obtain these. Here are a few pictures of our very cute quail.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_YMIyiQ1MkJeDK5rMawOXnl_Cvi3T5ZCv9zUs0oHdFQBjLxlxQuYHO610hn6Cq7KI3ndqhC4zySegzvH4u9hRmoPrr9Egk4Ef0IdmfOnaqiRsUkcIMofoCnbO3AabJPpenTx/s1600/10311933_10153641693937974_5482130080785043221_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_YMIyiQ1MkJeDK5rMawOXnl_Cvi3T5ZCv9zUs0oHdFQBjLxlxQuYHO610hn6Cq7KI3ndqhC4zySegzvH4u9hRmoPrr9Egk4Ef0IdmfOnaqiRsUkcIMofoCnbO3AabJPpenTx/s320/10311933_10153641693937974_5482130080785043221_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh from the quail farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyaU_M_OwmNJw3jDDeJJeJWosGdPehb1WBilrmX-Y5U-5P7UcFwG_hJ13ZMD5SWWH96tlu_jZRhXG9k6mrS22YxeW15UjfGdUpah2oD5XZGmoS4yQcveZ65jh22AXm_zAnelX/s1600/11146470_10153641693822974_7393337275749805537_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyaU_M_OwmNJw3jDDeJJeJWosGdPehb1WBilrmX-Y5U-5P7UcFwG_hJ13ZMD5SWWH96tlu_jZRhXG9k6mrS22YxeW15UjfGdUpah2oD5XZGmoS4yQcveZ65jh22AXm_zAnelX/s320/11146470_10153641693822974_7393337275749805537_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiding in the slanted corner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT2GXJluHQOkhQGZtNC0jmuD__Z20xDZjT5pJOPrZFD34BkPdAQCz7UtcYuFZYoGngY8hJPd0hUD17h-eXqsrbeDn1MClf_2c878RK2MmHmxq-Yl356f-qGa8rJU3y55ugXpd/s1600/12096183_10153641693902974_3922791048446678633_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT2GXJluHQOkhQGZtNC0jmuD__Z20xDZjT5pJOPrZFD34BkPdAQCz7UtcYuFZYoGngY8hJPd0hUD17h-eXqsrbeDn1MClf_2c878RK2MmHmxq-Yl356f-qGa8rJU3y55ugXpd/s320/12096183_10153641693902974_3922791048446678633_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moe, checking on things in the quail coop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOnyU_XsXsq0TgCWOwU-bB9WzLYtwc397hyd7fH9H_Lw2YwAixPJI0cHQabKXqmPiTKkUuysmfHk0u-tr5nsnSR1B6brnPsJoulQ78Q4L2RdnKaK7efFWHgaooGdrvEVssUzn/s1600/12105768_10153641693837974_316569523539211653_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOnyU_XsXsq0TgCWOwU-bB9WzLYtwc397hyd7fH9H_Lw2YwAixPJI0cHQabKXqmPiTKkUuysmfHk0u-tr5nsnSR1B6brnPsJoulQ78Q4L2RdnKaK7efFWHgaooGdrvEVssUzn/s320/12105768_10153641693837974_316569523539211653_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempting to get their bearings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767112.post-22594459052578768552015-10-12T06:00:00.000-04:002015-10-12T06:00:05.947-04:00My Ghost Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJchyphenhyphenz363uSJDx3s0_7YGP_76wB40qlBw1O3-FOaG0y4uHJDXm0_j0w9D6PSvO3i2Y4EYX5M7aNi6c_cBetIz4BhcWYXXg9z80GD60_zOghKK7iP2xap42iCiAceS-DZwrmYLs/s1600/myghoststory.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJchyphenhyphenz363uSJDx3s0_7YGP_76wB40qlBw1O3-FOaG0y4uHJDXm0_j0w9D6PSvO3i2Y4EYX5M7aNi6c_cBetIz4BhcWYXXg9z80GD60_zOghKK7iP2xap42iCiAceS-DZwrmYLs/s200/myghoststory.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I have had experiences that I can't explain away logically.<br />
<br />
<div>
A couple weeks before I started middle school, and met the Wanderer my grandmother died. She died very unexpectedly. My family is pretty old school southern when it comes to funerals. We believe in the old tradition of "sitting up with the dead". The night before grandmas funeral a group of was standing around the portico of the funeral home enjoying the warm night air. Suddenly an electric charge seemed to feel the air, the hair on our arms and back of neck stood on end, and then we heard it. My grandmother's sing-song voice. She called out to my uncle's wife. 3 times we heard her call her name. She was my grandmother's favorite daughter-in-law, her and my uncle met at a livestock auction. They were bidding on the same goat, she won the goat and he won her heart. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Odd things had happened leading up to this. One aunt had heard someone coughing while she was in a bathroom stall. When she exited the stall she found herself alone. Others in our group had similar experiences that evening, but we brushed it off. We can't seem to brush off or explain away all of us hearing grandma's voice. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Growing up our house was weird. I have already posted one story about our neighborhood, this is about our house exclusively. Sometime a couple years after we moved in dad saw a dark hooded figure standing in the hall way in the middle of the night. He kept this story from us for many years. I remember times during our childhood when we would hear something shatter in the next room, or hear what sounded like everything from our cabinets being throw into the floor. We would go into the kitchen and check, but everything was always in its proper place. I was a latch key kid and was often home alone for a couple hours every evening. At first I would sit in the living room and just listen to the sounds coming from down the hall, voices, often mimicking people I knew, trying to get me to come down the hall. Eventually it got to the point were I would sit outside on the porch, do my homework and wait for my parents to come home.<br />
<br />
At night the blankets would routinely fly off the bed, this got to the point were I would roll myself in the blanket every night so it would stay on. I would wake to see the shapes of people in my room.<br />
<br />
The topic of ghosts and the supernatural is always controversial. Mr. Wanderer is a non believer, I am a believer but I have no explanation as to what causes this or why it happens. </div>
Wandering Wonderfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662434912934909520noreply@blogger.com0