Homesteading / Simple living / Downshifting... anyone?

[ChikeeMomma]

schellie69 - last year was my first for canning. I loved it! I have only used the water bath method, though. Haven't used a pressure canner. I remember I was nervous about getting everything just right. It's a lot of work -- compared to picking it up in the grocery store, but very worth it! Cheaper in the long run, too. It's very satisfying knowing that you are eating what you grew or even if the garden doesn't produce -- frequent the local farmers market or farm stand. We have a lot of "no spray" farmers in our area (essentially as organic as you can be).

 

[Amanda0609]

I'm interested in what you guys are using for homemade cleaners. I use baking soda to scrub my sinks but need some more ideas. I will have a garden next year. I spent the money I would need to fence it off on building my chicken coop instead. Gardening in Idaho is not much fun either. I live in a very dry part of the state and we can get below freezing well into June. I do plan on planting a few raspberry bushes so I can make jam, they do well here. I am also replacing some of my very thirsty flowers with native flowers that don't take much water. I am also planting alot of trees that don't require much water. I would have cows, pigs etc but I live in the city right now and can't wait to move. Wind mills are popping up all over around me I would love to have one, someone told me that they cost $50,000! Not sure how accurate this number is. Nice to see so many people trying to get away from all the commerical junk we have filled our society with.

 

[rileysgranny]

I am trying to do what I can, but DH is not always like minded. We have recycle bins (large trash cans) in the kitchen pantry for plastic, paper, cardboard, glass and aluminum, but I have a REALLY hard time getting him to use them. I used to sort through the trash and pull out what he throws away, but that has gotten real old. He just doesn't see the reasoning behind it. He just turned 60, so I'm not sure there is going to be much changing him, but I'm trying. I also bought recycle bins for the office where I work, but same problem with the co-workers. They are all younger than me and on the go so fast that I don't think they even think about what they are doing.

We do have chickens, obviously, for the eggs, but I haven't been able to bring my self to do "the deed". We mostly eat chicken so it seems silly to keep buying it at the store, but give me time. We have a 2 acre pond/lake on our property that we eat the fish from, but it's close to the interstate and fed by a creek that runs along side the interstate, so I worry about the runoff of lead and other contaminates.

I've been trying to get DH to help me build a raised bed garden, but he thinks that is silly too because we have so many deer, squirrels, etc. that get into the garden and we are doing so many other projects around the house that fencing is not on the list of necessities right now. He has been laid off from work for 6 months, so some of the things I want to do will have to wait. I can't do it by myself because I'm recovering from a fractured spine and I'm not supposed to lift more than 20 lbs. at a time.

We have no cable and the only computer I have is here at work. We live too far out in the country. Cable doesn't run close enough to us yet and I don't want to spend the $$ on a dish. Besides, I'm not inside long enough when I'm home in the warm weather to sit and watch TV or play on the computer anyway.

I learned to can a couple of years ago (sad that it took me this long - I'm 53) and canned pears and made jelly from the pears my neighbor was letting rot on his tree, so I got them for free. Since the strawberries are getting cheaper, I plan to do some strawberry jam/jelly soon.

Hopefully, once I am able to retire, I will be able to do more. But don't know when that will be, considering the financial situation right now.

 

[ntiveheart]

Quote:
Just interested if you make your own cleaner for dusting wood, shelves, objects? If so what do you use? That's one I could use help on. I use a lot of vinegar/water combo for mopping and general cleaning. Thanks!

for homemade furniture polish simply combine 2 parts of olive oil and one part of lemon juice. shake the heck out of it and apply with a soft clean cloth. wipe with another clean dry cloth until your furniture shines. viola! easy peasy!

 

[EweSheep]

Not only I live in the city limits and have a good sized garden 8' x 12' that I planted last year and will plant again this year. Canned a few tomatoes before they succummed to viruses in late summer. Will be planting more roma tomatoes than Better Boy tomatoes.

And for me, I am trying to stay away from cheap foods even it is more expensive in our budget and try to cook more foods naturally than is to use take outs. And pay a visit often every Saturday to the Farmer's Market for fresh produce. It will support the local farmers!

 

[momma's chickens]

Quote:
What part of Idaho are you in? I am by Lewiston.

 

[BigSkyChickens]

rileysgranny, what you said about your coworkers made me think:

They are all younger than me and on the go so fast that I don't think they even think about what they are doing.

I'm trying to slow down and actually think about what I'm doing. I grew up in a small farm town, and always aspired to get to the biggest city possible. Now the insanity of a fast paced life is getting to me, and I'm trying to get back to the country. I'm lucky to have an old house with a clothes line and room to grow food.

DBF and I are trying to eat less processed foods. This is a huge thing for us, since we used to live on frozen food from Trader Joe's.

Strawbery Jam is my absolute favorite, and it's so simple! I really like the low "sugar recipe" that comes in the pectin box (which actually has a lot of sugar - 4 cups!).

We are installing a victory garden this year, but it will be a late spring thing since $ is tight. In the meantime, here is the "mini-front-porch victory garden" (V is for Victory):

We have enjoyed MANY delicious salads this year, and this patch is only 1 foot by 3 foot! DBF makes an amazing salad dressing w/ balsamic vinegar, oil, salt, peper and fresh pears.

Every little bit counts! Don't give up, even if you have gardening challenges like ZooNana. Wow, and I thought I had it rough with the darn squirrels!

Go on good people!​

 

[ChikeeMomma]

Thanks ntiveheart! I think that's the same recipe I've heard before. Always have that stuff on had anyways.

 

[Want Less]

WOW!! I go outside to work in the gardens for a couple hours and come back to an explosion of new friends over here... how fantastic!

Thank you everyone for jumping on board here, it is so nice to see that there are so many of us around!! I look forward to learning from all of you. I've already gotten a list of ideas from many of your posts...

BigSkyChickens: I love your salad garden! And your dressing is spot on!

EweSheep: Don't you find that cooking your own foods are far more tasty (and good for you) than the cheap processed stuff? Supporting local farmers is great!

ntiveheart: That cleaning concoction sounds like something I want to try. Thanks for sharing!

rileysgranny: I have found that the key to recycling is to make it no-fail easy. We have a recycle trash can and a "trash" trash can in our kitchen. Maybe a thought? And I have such a weakness for homemade jams and jellies. Be careful mentioning those or I may come move in!!!

Amanda0609: We clean nearly everything with a spray bottle of white vinegar and water (vinegar smell goes away as it dries).

ChikeeMomma: I agree, it is very satisfying to know you are eating things you grew

schellie69: I have a great bread recipe that we live by if you'd be interested... and yes, please share links! I'll also post them on my website.

sandspoultry: HELLO NEIGHBOR!!!

momma's chickens: ....and we know the results will be well worth it!!

ZooNana: I'm a novice at canning, and also want to learn about dehydrating. Mind if I poke you for some hints on information sources online??

Cindiloohoo: I'm sure your children are learning such valuable information!!! Kudos

esthermgr: Mushrooms!!! Something my husband and I have wanted to learn more about for a long time. Any info sources you can share???

St-Hubert: My husband was easily won over with the chickens as well....

 

[Amanda0609]

Momma's chickens I am near Pocatello, so really far from you. My part of the state is dry and covered in sage brush. Haven't been as far north as you are but I've seen pictures and its pretty. Wow I plugged it into goggle maps and its like 9 hours away.