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 7/4/26
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We hired our young neighbor to help out with tasks around the homestead, as she wanted to save up for her own homestead projects. She set to work with a will - weeding, planting, pruning and trellising tomato plants. Then she got a gleam in her eye and said, "Let's clear the wild grape vines out of the rose patch!" That turned out to be quite the task, as wild grape vines breed with an enthusiasm akin to rabbits. She was in the middle of the mess, working with my sons, when her dad showed up to give her a ride home. Seeing her fighting with a stubborn vine, he jumped in and joined the pulling, until they'd cleared enough to meet her satisfaction. You know that friends are true when they gladly lend a hand to messy jobs. This week was hot and steamy, with a couple of rounds of rain. Dunc walked out to start chores this morning and said, "It smells like outside is fermenting." The ground finally has some bounce instead of feeling stiff and dry. (Much nicer for walking barefoot.) The humidity was so high earlier in the week (over 90%) that I didn't even attempt to dry the day's laundry on the line. Thankfully there was a breeze today, so the grapevine wrangling wasn't completely overwhelming. We also had a stunning double rainbow just at sunset last night. No matter how many of them I see, they never get old. The gardens are finally starting to take off (yay for rain!) and we're getting mulch and trellises in place. Then there's the brief slowdown in the annual gardens (where we take some more time with the perennial plantings) before the main harvest season kicks in and it's crazy time until hard frost. Homesteading life is very seasonal, especially when you raise plants or animals. This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost
Resilience grows stronger when we share the load, work with the season at hand, and remember that today’s effort helps shape tomorrow’s abundance. All our best to you and yours, Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan) Making the Most of the WeekendWhether you’re hosting family, heading to a cookout, or just trying to stay comfortable through the heat, I’ve rounded up a few favorites that should come in handy. From memory support and musty laundry fixes to easy summer recipes for sharing, here are some practical reads to help make the weekend a little smoother — and a little tastier. Give your memory a little supportIf names, to-do lists, or “why did I walk into this room?” moments have been more common than you’d like, this new article digs into simple ways to support memory naturally — including daily rhythms, novelty, and habits that help your brain work with you instead of against you. Read: How to Improve Memory Naturally Rescue musty towels and clothesSummer heat and humidity can make laundry smell “off” in a hurry. If towels, workout clothes, or stored linens have picked up that stubborn musty odor, these simple fixes can help freshen them up without a lot of fuss. Read: 6 Ways to Get the Musty Smell Out of Clothes and Towels Easy summer recipesIf you need a few dependable dishes for the 4th of July weekend, I’ve got you covered with a mix of savory sides, cool drinks, and old-fashioned desserts. Think simple crowd-pleasers for potlucks, cookouts, and family gatherings. Browse the recipes:
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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 morning began with the cheerful warbling of the house wren, perched on the porch railing outside my bedroom window. The little fellow and his lady nested nearby, their wooden box sheltered by the sturdy windbreak evergreens. Later in the day, we were treated to a marvelous display by the tree swallows. Their fledglings had left the nest, but weren't quite ready to be on their own. They perched bravely on the edge of our two story roof, while mom and dad worked to bring them tasty morsels....
The elderflowers perched atop the branches like lacy fairy houses, swaying in the breeze. Their heady aroma beckoned as we walked down the nearby driveway, coaxing us to stop and linger a bit before heading back to the house. Around the yard, summer abundance was building. It was a good year for catnip and milkweed, both of which made excellent food for the bees. Juneberries, currants, and mulberries were ready to pick, with blueberries soon to follow. By day, birdsong filled the yard, and...
A breath of rose scented air trickled by on the breeze, while above the sun blazed in a clear blue sky. The deck boards were warm beneath my bare feet, and the laundry was welcomely cool as I moved it to the line to dry. Cleaning was not one of my favorite tasks, but it was a blessing to have clean clothes and such pleasant surroundings to dry them. We have officially crossed over into summer here in northeast Wisconsin, but last week's weather gave us a precious taste of the spring we missed...