Nearly 20 years ago, we set out to create a self-reliant homestead. Now we produce our own food and our own power, and can tackle whatever craziness this wild world throws at us. If you’re ready take back control from Big Pharma and Big Food and feel confident facing Everyday Emergencies, join us.
Common Sense Home Good News Letter 1/18/26
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The dusky seed heads swayed in the winter morning sun like faded memories of summer past. Occasionally a songbird flitted by, looking for morsels long since enjoyed by earlier visitors. The nearby feeders were well-stocked, so their quest for a humble repast would not be in vain. Soon the days would lengthen, and abundance would be theirs again. We're back in the deep freeze here in northeast Wisconsin, with highs in the single digits and lows below zero. At least we got a bit of snow cover back to protect the ground, though not a lot. Still, it's better than nothing, and I am grateful for the moisture. The pond levels have been slowly creeping up this winter after dropping last fall. There was more muck than water in the small pond at the end of season. Dunc took advantage of the low water levels to do some excavating, but moving extremely sloppy soil is difficult. Friends in Colorado have mentioned the snow pack is the lowest on record, but their biggest snows typically come a bit later in the winter, so hopefully they will still have enough to ward off fire danger this summer. I've noticed recently (from several sources) that some people are starting to return to print books over screens, and it gladdens my heart. Though at the moment I write mostly online, books are my first love. I've tried reading on Kindle, and it's okay, but it never sat in my head the same way a print book does. Now research is confirming that people who read in print instead of digital retain information better. They also have deeper comprehension, increased focus and less distraction, and lower mental fatigue. Screens encourage skimming, and make it less obvious where you are in a book. Now I have even more reasons to enjoy our home library (and maybe add a few more books). This September, I'll be inviting you to enjoy a very special book - my first one with a traditional publishing company. I'll have more information in the next newsletter. This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost: Winter Reading Ritual
A little time with real pages can give your days more depth, focus, and meaning. All our best to you and yours, Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan) This Week's Featured Articles...I still need to look though my seed stash and get my seeds ordered, but for those of you a bit further south, it may be time for cool weather vegetables like broccoli. You can get them going about 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. I've completely updated our guide to growing broccoli. I've also updated our article on making cottage cheese. We now have two recipes - one with cheesemaking supplies, and one with basic pantry ingredients only. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a staple in our home. I drink it in water, and use it in our chicken’s water, too. When cold season hits, this apple cider vinegar tea takes it to the next level, combining ACV with other healthy ingredients for extra kick. From clearing congestion to improving your skin, this detox tea helps your body to clear out crud. Five BEST Herbs for Your Home Apothecary(With Recipes & Remedies)Don't miss this free webinar with my friend Heidi from Healing Harvest Homestead. It's always a reader favorite. Learn more here. |
Laurie Neverman @ Common Sense Home
Nearly 20 years ago, we set out to create a self-reliant homestead. Now we produce our own food and our own power, and can tackle whatever craziness this wild world throws at us. If you’re ready take back control from Big Pharma and Big Food and feel confident facing Everyday Emergencies, join us.
Lady amaryllis flourished her brilliant red petals in the morning sun, like a dancer answering the call of the music. Beside her, her daughter listened, too, and joined her in the dance. It was an eventful week here in northeast Wisconsin, as Blizzard Elsa ended up being one for the record books. We snagged the number two spot for heaviest snowfall in a single storm (since they've been keeping track), with the Green Bay tally at 26.6 inches, making it the snowiest in 138 years. It was also...
Their calls echoed across the half-frozen landscape, lonely yet comforting in the waning light. As the sandhill cranes passed closely overhead, gliding in for a landing, their silhouettes seemed almost prehistoric, a giant relic from some ancient past. It was hard to believe these majestic creatures shared a common ancestry with the delicate songbirds that fluttered around the yard. Spring was teasing us this past week as unusually warm weather cleared out the snowpack here in northeast...
The wind howled and twisted through the treetops, but down in the sheltered yard only a light breeze filtered through. The line of evergreens, planted when the homestead was first established, had matured to become the protectors imagined nearly two decades before. When we purchased our homestead, we started with bare ground. 25 acres was rented to a neighbor, and 10 acres (where we eventually built our home) was an abandoned pasture. We'd lived in the suburbs for nearly 10 years, so this was...