Self-sufficient households; help!

[okiemommy]

Thanks lovemychicks9 and beekissed!

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
LOL funny you shoudl say owning a mule... we drove by Subway yesterday and 'parked,' outside tied to the handrail were two horses saddled up waiting for their owners...who were inside enjoying their Subway for dinner! ... we are considering buying a hackney horse/pony and a carriage as our farm has an 1870's hackney stable and small paddock with a drive-shed next door at the edge of the property by the house... just needs a bit of renovating!

We had visitors today, the hubby showed up on his quad, the wife on the horse - it was hillarious, and while we all chatted and had a beer, the kids rode the horse around.
Horse pooped, chickens cleaned up - or spread it out.

They brought their dog along too - he ran along with the horse, I was VERY nervous having a dog in the back yard with the chickens, he lay down most of the time, snuck a drink from the chickens bowl and generally ignored them!
Fun was had by all!
(we're going to try put in a gate at the back of our property - that way they don't have to ride/drive on MAIN street to get here)

 

[Zookeeper9000]

BeeKissed do you use the same amount as the bought detergent calls for thanks.

 

[dirtdoctor]

Thanks for that break down on cost. Thanks soo much. As a young kid in the mountians, i learned how to survive, USAF desert survival and snow camp. I have taught my kids how to survive also, my son lived in Kodiak alaska for 5 months on a fish camp, Getting by on a little and making the best out of your circumstances is the only way to prepare. I agree, since Howard RUFF was warning us in the 70's about the comming prosperity and then the massive decline. We have to prepare. Each one of us has different situations, Some have land, some dont, some have more money than others, etc....
So the idea of being self sufficeint we look at that as a ISLAND. your 50 acre farm might just become a island for some of your Friends... everyuone bringin in thier particular talents to assist when times are tight. Networking to survive....its important. storing enough food and supplies is paramount.
We had a earthquake (well several monthly, but the loma prieta earthquake of 89,) electircty was out for along time, no fuel was being pumped, and people were testy......stores empty, It only takes a small disaster to strain our resources so for a family not to have prepared in advance is a shame. Bleach, plastic bags, food, storage, extra water..... medicines.......contact wearers get yer goodies.....oh the list goees on and on.....dont forget the AMMO.......those that dont have will be after those that DO.

Now this isnt to say that the goodness of mans wicked hearts wont prevail, but I have witnessed evil in third world countries when ppl get hungry. When you have clean water and food, the masses will come to take and pilage......its a evil nature of man to do so.

Self Sufficiency is great, best to be prepared then not.

This BYC forum is great
Best to you all,
Jack

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
yeah, the original recipe calls for 1/3 c. but I don't fool with all that, just use the cap on the bottle. On really tough loads I even might throw in two caps full....at these prices, I can afford to!

 

[2dream]

Quote:
The majority of the pollen is gone from my area of Mississippi. Of course there is always some.
I wash early and hang my clothes out. It usually just takes about an hour for them to dry. Jeans take longer but when they are amost dry I bring them in and hang them inside. During heavy pollen I am not sure how I will handle that. But one thing is for sure. With a 28 percent increase in my electric bill I won't be running my dryer often.

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Thanks I have made the powdered and I love it but want to try them both.

 

[Alaska animal lover]

Quote:
I completly agree! Do you happen to get/read Backwoods Home magazine? I think it would be right up your alley.

The issue before last was all about food storage, etc. It was what made me want to get chickens.

 

[2manyhats]

Quote:
The majority of the pollen is gone from my area of Mississippi. Of course there is always some.
I wash early and hang my clothes out. It usually just takes about an hour for them to dry. Jeans take longer but when they are amost dry I bring them in and hang them inside. During heavy pollen I am not sure how I will handle that. But one thing is for sure. With a 28 percent increase in my electric bill I won't be running my dryer often.

We have a pollen problem here in central NY. I have a very allergic family. If I want to hang out the clothes (I'll need to with electric prices) I just throw them in the dryer on fluff for about 10 - 15 minutes once dry to remove the loose pollen. Helps some and is still better than using the heat on the dryer for an hour or more.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Quote:
Can you add it to your washer in the chicken fat state? Or does it have to be liquified before using it?

I want to try some liquid next time, but I don't want to have to melt some every time I wash clothes (which is several times a week.)

Cassandra

Cassandra--with the liquid that sets up like chicken fat, all you have to do is keep it stirred and after a day or so of stirring it will stay loose and no you do not have to heat it, that is just something I prefer to do myself.