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.
A single scarlet branch reached out of the woods on the nearby roadside, announcing like a banner that fall had officially arrived. On the homestead, the grass under my toes was cool with morning dew as I went to let out the chickens. Heavy fog lingered in the yard as the full moon set and the sun rose, providing a dreamy start to the day. Inside, the aroma of freshly harvested honey mingled with flowers - some purchased by a thoughtful husband, some picked by thoughtful children. Harvest...
The melons were finally ready for harvest. These plants had volunteered in another section of the garden and been moved to a spot in the corn patch where germination was poor (likely due to a certain group of duckies digging up the corn kernels shortly after planting). The combination of the move and dry summer slowed their growth, but they were determined to live and bear fruit. We gathered the fruit before the heavy rains, as too much moisture close to ripening can cause a melon to split....
The faded flower spikes of the mullein plants stood like sentinels, watching over the pumpkin patch. A downy woodpecker flitted in, hopping up and down the spires, looking for seeds. We hadn't planted the mullein, but we'd made room for them when they appeared in the garden bed, as they were useful to man and beast alike. Morning walks included sampling now, checking various fruits for ripeness. The elderberries had started to turn, but early apples were long done. The grapes needed picking...