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 2/16/25
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"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 not drifted, and much deeper in the drifts. The chickens have refused to even try leaving the coop, instead sifting through their deep bedding again and again, but the ducks tried to go out for a bit on Saturday. They seemed very confused when they went off the path, trying to make their way around in snow that threatened to swallow them up. A week from today the forecast has temps above freezing, but for now they are bored quackers. Tomorrow the snow stops and the temperatures drop again, but by Thursday there should be some improvement. I wish I could explain to all the animals that they just need to get through a few more days before things get better. I feel for those dealing with larger animals and more of them, and everyone else who needs to work outside in the bitter cold. In spite of the cold weather, I know it's time to get my seed starting shelves cleared off and ready for action soon. I want to get some early greens going for us and the poultry. Ducks and chickens both love their greens. The onion seeds and some herbs and flowers need early starts, too. (Late winter and early spring is also time for tree pruning.) Book writing continues, slow but steady. It's definitely different than writing on the website. The 2025 Virtual Herbalism Conference started today and will continue through Friday. You can still register to join and catch the rest of the conference here. Next week is the 2025 Spring Gardening Summit, and I'll be sending out more information on that later this week. Stay warm and safe, and keep dreaming beautiful garden dreams. All our best to you and yours, Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan) This week's featured articles...If you still need to order seeds, these are some of my favorite heirloom seed sources, along with reader favorites. If you help with indoor seed starting, we have you covered with this easy to follow troubleshooting guide. For anyone else is in need of some help for aching muscles, from snow shoveling or other exertion, check out these 12 home remedies for sore muscles. For those who are already able to get into their gardens (or have had trouble in the past), we have a new pest control guide to help you get rid of aphids, with quick fixes and long term control strategies. |
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 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...
When we left the suburbs over 20 years ago, I had no idea where this journey would lead. Yes, we knew we wanted to move to the country and build a sturdy home that focused on providing for our needs, not just looking pretty. We knew we wanted to give our sons the opportunity to grow their own food, build things with their own hands, and learn at their own pace. I didn't know that the food we grew and stored would help us through job loss, or that the medicines we grew in the backyard would...
The years came together like a tapestry, weaving in all the moments of our lives and reminding us why we chose this path. That time when our eldest (then around six years old) came in from playing outside holding two tiny wild raspberries in his outstretched palm and proclaimed that he had harvested them "from the bounty of their land." Making fire-baked pizzas in the oven of the masonry stove — and that same stove keeping us warm in below-zero temperatures when the primary heating system...