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.
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...
Homestead rhythms quickened and eased, always interwoven with the seasons. As the days lengthened and spring approached, the flocks grew restless in the mornings, bolting outside as soon as possible in spite of lingering cold. Tree buds began to swell, sap rose, bird song spread in ripples - joyous melodies to welcome the day. I am sorting through my root cellar storage this coming week, checking condition of storage crops and setting aside my seed potatoes for the coming season. Note - if...