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 11/17/24
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"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 complaining. It's much easier to deal with some mud than freezing your tail off shoveling a mountain of snow. We have rain mixed with snow in the forecast for the next several days. The duck patrol is loving it, spending their days running between the ponds, orchards, gardens, and field. The chickens are having a blast, too, working over the brassica patch in the garden. Captain Featherpants, our rooster, has gotten HUGE. Thankfully he's a good fellow, watching over all the ladies and calling them over when he finds good snacks. August has been dealing with a new Federal pain in the backside called the Corporate Transparency Act, which requires small businesses to register with the Feds (above and beyond all your other paperwork). If you have a small business you need to register with FinCEN by January 1, 2025 or face fines of up to $10,000. I'm mentioning this here so our readers who are also small business owners a heads up, but you need to do your own research and registration. This is the site for the program - https://fincen.gov/boi It looks like the gentlemen of the house nearly have supper ready, so I'm going to wrap up for now. All our best to you and yours,' Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan) P.S. This week's rule of Ikigai is (From the book, "Ikigai: the Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life") is a good reminder as we head towards Thanksgiving:
Give thanks. To your ancestors, to nature, which provides you with the air you breathe and the food you eat, to your friends and family, to everything that brightens your days and makes you feel lucky to be alive. Spend a moment every day giving thanks, and you'll watch your stockpile of happiness grow. This week's featured articles...This can be a stressful time as we juggle various obligations to wrap up the year. I've updated the Home Remedies for Headaches article to help those aching noggins. It's a great time of year to stock up on fresh cranberries. They keep well in the fridge, or you can freeze or can them for longer storage. We have recipes for:
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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.
The soft-snow coated the gardens where the white calico crept, belly deep, stalking any wayward rodent who dared to enter her domain. Sounds were muted by the snow layer and warmer temps - until the door to the coop was opened and the calls of gleeful duckies echoed across the yard. Temps closer to freezing were a welcome respite from the single digit readings that had kept them stuck inside the coop and greenhouse complex for weeks. We had a break from our cold streak this past week - though...
It was still squeaky-snow, face-freezing cold outside, but coming in from evening chores was like walking into a warm hug. There was a fire crackling in the masonry stove, and the aromas of homemade bread, vegetable soup, and raspberry currant jam lingered in the air. Bread baking happened about once a week, soup was supper, and jam making was tackled to help clean out the freezer and add more warmth to the house. Temps this week were a skosh warmer, but single digits and low teens are still...
She was a three and a half year old white leghorn chicken with a flopped over comb. Nothing much to look at, but she had spunk. This winter, she earned herself the moniker "Falcon Chicken" as she adopted the habit of lying in wait on the roost each morning to launch herself agilely onto my forearm for first dibs at the warm breakfast mash. Let the rest of the flock wait those extra few seconds for the food to be put down! Falcon Chicken stalked the chow bowl with single minded intent - but...