Homesteaders

[duluthralphie]

Once a week, I can probably do.

Lesson #89374837093874 today:

While encouraging your steer to race you as you drive up the driveway (pasture borders the driveway) may be entertaining.... it will backfire on you one day.

That day was today. Sharky vs the UPS truck. Nevermind the electric fence popping' at 7,000 volts.... he ran right through it!

I blame the wind. It has everyone full of it today. I saw my 25 year old horse kick his feet up like he was a young colt this morning!

Wow, You must be a young'un to learn that much in a day. I have a hard and fast rule to never learn than one new thing a day. Beyond that is just gets jumbled and I forget it all.

 

[MistyMountain]

Wow, You must be a young'un to learn that much in a day. I have a hard and fast rule to never learn than one new thing a day. Beyond that is just gets jumbled and I forget it all.

LOL! Always trying to take away something away, good or bad, from each project here. Been a lot of learnin' here lately. BUT, we rarely make the same mistake twice!!

 

[lazy gardener]

I personally like the idea of "right sized". I don't think I could cram myself into a tiny house (okay I really could cram me..... not into stuff anyway.) but the family.... different story. We live in a small house with 2 teenagers and I have noticed that we really don't NEED that much space. Living with tiny type attitude makes our small space live large. I am still slowly talking my family our of the "junk" that is not used but takes up space. That being said I have/love my big kitchen as I can, cook, bake, etc. I have friends that have 3000 SF and more and do not know how they can stand that much space and junk and cost to heat and cool it but it is their choice, not mine. I wish that they would show more "reasonable" right size for families (600-1000 SF) and not so much 250 SF. Most people cannot live that way permanently and I wonder how many leave it after a period of time.

Tiny living to me is more about attitude than space. Get/ use only what you need, tread lightly on the world, recycle/ upcycle/ etc. and enjoy life, not things.

I'm betting that many have abandoned their super small within 2 years. Agreed, those mega houses are crazy. I find myself wondering if those home owners are ever home to enjoy them. It's so easy to become a slave to things.

Quote: Ralph, you do well to accomplish that much. Me: (I think I'm a tad bit older than you...) For every new input, I must delete 1 - 2 items to make room. So, I choose carefully not to put too much mental effort into anything that is not deemed important.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

For every new input, I must delete 1 - 2 items to make room.  So, I choose carefully not to put too much mental effort into anything that is not deemed important.

LOL! I know what you mean - the hard drive gets full...am thinking it's time for me to upgrade to a (several) terabyte model.

 

[Talithahorse]

My 32 year old horse was kicking up as well. Must be something in the wind!!!!

(also means she will demand extra dinner and sleep all day tomorrow)

 

[abigalerose]

Just found this thread and following along. I tend to be a bit quiet.


I don't have much say on the tiny house thing--- it is appealing though thinking less is more. I know I could definitely do with less here.

One thing to check in to though--- if you have electricity hooked up, they may charge a base rate to keep it active, whether you are using it or not. In that case, I would make sure to use at least that amount so that you are not paying something for nothing. Getting it hooked up for summer use and turned off may be a hassle... I know just switching over for our rental properties can be a nightmare.

I know that when we get new electricity put in at our barn (different meter than our house), there will be a base amount ($15 sounds about right, DH handles the details) that will be charged whether we use electricity or not. If we use $15 worth, no problem, no loss of money. But, if we don't, that will kinda stink.

Check into it before you decide to whether or not to rely on it. May be different where you live.

It will be hooked up year round, and I'll be on my parents land so probably no worry about a base fee if there is one

 

[BantamBonzo]

I have a question for the canners.
how do I can tomatoes, tomatoe purees, and meat sauces? I have gotten fruits and jams down but dont understand the book instructions for those.

 

[Beekissed]

I have a question for the canners.
how do I can tomatoes, tomatoe purees, and meat sauces? I have gotten fruits and jams down but dont understand the book instructions for those.

Here's a site that may help....I don't agree with a lot of the steps(adding lemon juice, etc.), but it's pretty much what you'll find no matter where you look nowadays: http://www.simplycanning.com/canning-tomatoes.html

 

[BantamBonzo]

Here's a site that may help....I don't agree with a lot of the steps(adding lemon juice, etc.), but it's pretty much what you'll find no matter where you look nowadays:  http://www.simplycanning.com/canning-tomatoes.html

Thank you so much!

 

[Talithahorse]

tomatoes and tomato sauces are not really any more difficult than jams and jellies. I have found www.pickyourown.org to be an excellent site for all your canning needs. It has helped me get started.

Does anyone else pressure can their own meat broth. This is something I have contemplated but haven't quite been brave enough to do. I end up putting my broth in the freezer in jars. Works good but takes up freezer space.