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 songbirds chirped and twittered in the trees and shrubs on the chilly early March morning, like an orchestra warming up before the glorious chorus of the spring dawn song later in the month." Now that most of the snow has melted, we can navigate our morning walk of "the loop" around our homestead without sinking in. We have 35 acres total. 25 we rent out to a neighbor, and 10 we use for our gardens, orchards, and everything else. The ten is where the loop is, and it's around 1500 steps,...
"They can't watch the forecast, but the animals know when the season change is on the way. Suddenly, the cats start shedding enormous amounts of fur, and the duck and chicken courtship dances kick into high gear." I don't know if it's the slight temperature increase or the incrementally longer days, but spring fever has set in here on the homestead. Most of February has been chilly, so today's above freezing temperatures are a welcome respite. I won't miss dealing with the ice, though I don't...
"The bright blue of the sky and dazzling sunlight tempted one to believe it was a pleasant day outside, but the cold was so intense that it stole your breath away. Warmer days would come, but winter seemed determined to grab us and shake us like a pup with a favorite toy, refusing to let go." I made liberal use of magnesium cream on my sore back this weekend after three days straight of snow shoveling. I didn't see the list of official snow totals, but the snow is about to mid-calf where it's...