Inspirational!! Using Our Past to Preserve Our Future

Date sort Score sort
Yeah, Tiki, they would be great to have now - if only to sell on eBay!!

Is anyone familiar with the Findhorn Gardens of northern Scotland? Findhorn is now a commune/retreat but it started out in the '60's as trailor park in the most desolate and windblown of areas. There wasn't even any top soil. The out of work family that lived in the trailer were inspired to start a vegetable garden so at least the family could eat. They had to drag in organic material from wherever they could get it - broken hay bale on the road side, horse 'road apples', anything - and within 18 months not only did they have vegetables, but is such quantities and such variety they were attracting the attention of the media and horticultural colleges.

The story gets are little 'out there' at times i.e fairys in the garden, but the place still exists and it still grows plants and veggies that traditionally have not grown in that particular climate.

Whatever they've got I think I need a piece of it.
 
well of course you need "fairies in the garden" Its Scotland
lau.gif


and elves in the cupboards
lau.gif


Seriously that sounds like a really neat story and more power to the people who started that

I sometimes wish I had done that back then, but then it is never too late to start
 
Last edited:
I guess for me it was a bit of a "duh" moment. It finally dawned on me that anything the grocery store had to sell, I could probably make or grow it myself. If not, it is not generally something I need
smile.png
Not to say I don't buy things from the store--I certainly do! But, I've learned to make more and more on my own.

I'm amazed and awed every year that for $1, I can buy a package of spinach seed that will provide enough spinach for 10 families and come back the next year!!! Woohoooo--gardening is a huge way we stay more self-sufficient. Plus, chickens, of course
smile.png


I found the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle to be quite inspirational. It gave me permission to continue having as much fun with my life as I do. After all, if someone as cool as Barbara Kingsolver was having a blast living off the land, I can too!
 
me&thegals :

I guess for me it was a bit of a "duh" moment. It finally dawned on me that anything the grocery store had to sell, I could probably make or grow it myself. If not, it is not generally something I need
smile.png
Not to say I don't buy things from the store--I certainly do! But, I've learned to make more and more on my own.

I'm amazed and awed every year that for $1, I can buy a package of spinach seed that will provide enough spinach for 10 families and come back the next year!!! Woohoooo--gardening is a huge way we stay more self-sufficient. Plus, chickens, of course
smile.png


I found the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle to be quite inspirational. It gave me permission to continue having as much fun with my life as I do. After all, if someone as cool as Barbara Kingsolver was having a blast living off the land, I can too!

I agree 100% with you!! Like you said, of course you buy stuff from the store, but when you start thinking about what you could make yourself instead....yep, I've had those "duh" moments, for sure!! Had one today, actually, and ended up making myself a couple dozen flour tortillas from scratch to put in the freezer. We were out, and I went...duh! I can make those myself! They're yummy, too!
lol.png
The little things add up.

I'm also a fan of Barbara Kingsolver's book. A lot of great ideas.

Now if only I would have more luck gardening!
roll.png
 
Quote:
I agree 100% with you!! Like you said, of course you buy stuff from the store, but when you start thinking about what you could make yourself instead....yep, I've had those "duh" moments, for sure!! Had one today, actually, and ended up making myself a couple dozen flour tortillas from scratch to put in the freezer. We were out, and I went...duh! I can make those myself! They're yummy, too!
lol.png
The little things add up.

I'm also a fan of Barbara Kingsolver's book. A lot of great ideas.

Now if only I would have more luck gardening!
roll.png


That's funny! One of my first duh (or "aha") moments was over tacos, too
smile.png
I was out of taco seasoning but had everything else ready to go. Thank goodness for the internet! I've found websites that take almost any commercial mix you could come up with and give you a recipe for it! Ever had mock Cinnabon cinnamon rolls---yummy!

I know what you mean about the gardening--some things do so great and others just completely bomb. I've started requesting reimbursement from the companies whose seeds just don't germinate--if I've done everything according to package instructions at the right time of year...
 
This months issue of Mother Earth News has an article in it about what you would do to prepare if you knew that in 5 years from now everything would cost 10 times more. The idea is not unrealistic when I consider what our parents have lived through with inflation. My inlaws bought thier house 40 years ago for $12000.00 They can sell it today for over $240,000.00. During that time the prices of everything have gone up alot more than 10%!
We have been spoiled and have had it easy for too long. It's not the end of the world, it is a wake up call for consumerism.
Instead of cable TV, internet, going out for dinner, driving fast boats and having that "He who has the most toys wins" attitude, we are going to have to become alot more simple. Hey, maybe moms will be able to stay home with thier babies again because 2 cars, new clothes, eating out, and everything else will be so expensive that she'll have to plant a garden, raise some chickens and stay put! It's not all bad:>)
 
My single most inspirational source of information is Countryside magazine. It sort of puts you in mind of what Mother Earth News started out to be years ago. I like ME but it HAS grown too glossy and commercial for my taste. I have several old issues that I simply love to get out and peruse....they are a part of my permanent library. The post that mentioned straw bale/cob house construction is one that I second...anyone with the ways and means to do so would not go wrong by constructing this type of house. I've never been more fascinated than by the beauty and function of these types of structures.

Countryside magazine is like a community of folks who enjoy sharing their tips and project designs for self-sufficient living. I can't wait for it to come, and read it from cover to cover. I got my laundry detergent recipe from it, my chicken feeder design, my methods of gardening, etc. It always has one section for poultry, beekeeping, recipes, livestock information, gardening and issues addressing NAIS. I cherish every issue and plan to catalog and cross reference the issue by subject matter.
 
Let's see if we can get good news traveling as fast as doom and gloom.

Back in the day Mom and Pop stores were the norm cos people didn't travel as much. Then came the multi-vehicle families, cheap gas, the over indulged gotta-have-it-now society and huge malls, Walmarts, Home Depots etc who put mom and pop out of business.

Maybe mom and pop's time hs come again. I know I would happily hop on my bike and ride to the local store (it there was one, of course) and load up on groceries, purchased at a premium price, than jump in the car and drive 30 miles to save $30.

I'm all for comunity taking care comunity. EggCentric, I LOVE your farmswap idea!!
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom