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 10/26/24
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"Winter cat math: The diameter of the cat curled up on the corner of the couch is directly proportional to the temperature, up to a point of optimal compression. Lower temps = smaller bundle of cat. When temperatures drop low enough, an extra cat should be added to all laps." Animals can add such joy to our lives. Whether it's lap warmer cats and dogs, poultry romping around the yard, or a favorite riding horse, they help keep us in the moment. They can also encourage us to stay active, not just taking care of their needs, but spending time with them, especially outdoors. Our cats may be somewhat unusual, but they seem to enjoy accompanying us on our morning walks. It cracks me up when they take turns "leading the pride", and give us "the look" if we take a side path and don't follow their lead. The ducks are our ready companions in the gardens and orchards, making all the work a little brighter. The chickens provide some exercise, too, when they escape from their large runs and need to be rounded up. Speaking of ducks, Duncan had a humorous experience with the ducks this evening. It appears that he's getting the hang of speaking "duck". As he was walking in the older crew from one direction, the younger flock started to make a dash for the pond. He stopped them in their tracks with a series of low toned quacks, mimicking a protective male duck. They sheepishly turned around and headed into the coop for bedtime. This week's rule of Ikigai is (From the book, "Ikigai: the Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life"):
Get in shape for your next birthday. Water moves; it is at its best when it flows fresh and doesn't stagnate. The body you move through life in needs a bit of daily maintenance to keep it running for a long time. Plus, exercise releases hormones that make us feel happy. All our best to you and yours, Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan) P.S. If you're a pumpkin spice lover, check out this easy pumpkin spice recipe. This week's featured articles...Fall is often harvest time for animals, too, as farmers downsize herds before winter, and hunting season helps folks to fill the freezer. One part of the harvest that is sometimes overlooked is the fat. With a little time and patience, you can turn raw fats into high quality refined fats for cooking and baking. (Lard makes excellent pie crusts.) Some rendered fats also work well for skin care and crafts. We share how to render beef tallow and how to render schmaltz (poultry fat). Along with cooler weather comes cold and flu season. This list of home remedies for earaches was one of our most popular articles, before google decided home remedies all needed to come from Big Pharma websites. It's comfort food season at our home, with the heat from hearty soups and casseroles a welcome addition now that temps are cooler. This beef and wild rice casserole is a family favorite. Get your copy of "Never Buy Bread Again" here and get ready for the holiday baking season! The book includes:
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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.
"Mushrooms dappled the edge of the tree line, rising in circles like miniature villages of fairy houses. The fairly ring mushrooms were aptly named, as it was easy to imagine the wee folk dancing around the earth-toned whorls that emerged after the rains. The mild fall and gentle rains coaxed so many mushrooms to spawn that we harvested enough for several meals without making a significant impact in the display." Our mild November weather continues here in northeast Wisconsin, but I'm not...
"The midday warmth of the November sunshine felt all the more precious because it was so short-lived. Darkness fell early now, and the chill lingered in the shadows. Still, the short days flew by quickly. In a little over a month, the daylight hours would begin to lengthen again." I had a terrible urge to linger on the sunny end of the couch today, soaking up the sunshine with the cats. The weather has been blessedly mild, but these short days give me an urge to hibernate. They also give me...
"Halloween morning began with the fog lifting off the big pond like wisps of smoke from a cauldron. Daybreak saw the land coated in frost, but the pond held enough warmth to welcome the duck patrol like a big, splash-filled hug." Our lives are so seasonal here on the homestead, and it's interesting to me to see how the place changes throughout the year, and from one year to another. Both of our ponds are still open because the fall has been mild, but only the larger pond was creating its own...