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 9/29/24
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"How do you create wonderful things? With intention, and time." We had an interesting visitor on Friday, a young woman working with a group that's trying to get better power options for rural areas. We talked about the organization goals, and I gave her a tour of the house and grounds. One of the questions that came up was how we decided which way to place everything on the property. In our case, we started with the home placement, and then go to know the land, and designed from there. Whether you're laying out a homestead or even a small yard, it's important to take note of what's already there when you start, and adjust accordingly. Watch for where walking paths naturally develop, where the prevailing wind comes from, helpful and not so helpful neighbors, and so on. For instance, it might be convenient to have a garden on the north side of a home for easy access, but that area is likely to be shaded if it's close to the house. Low spots in the yard can be frost pockets or wet ground. When placing livestock, you want to think about odors, and access for care. New buildings and fences can block wind and provide shade in addition to their primary functions. We built and planted and planned to provide food and shelter for our family for many years to come, but we also made allowances for wildlife. It's amazing to me how many birds now stop in on their migratory path, when there were very few when we first arrived. Each year the land changes, and improves, but it's definitely a life's journey, not a sprint. This brings us to our second rule of Ikigai: Take it slow
Being in a hurry is inversely proportional to quality of life. As the old saying goes, "Walk slowly and you'll go far." When we leave urgency behind, life and time take on new meaning.
Sometimes lack of urgency is not an option, but it's important to take time to savor life when we can, and enjoy the journey. Helping you create resilience and abundance, Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan) This week's featured articles...We've been processing the elderberry harvest this week, making jam, jelly, juice, and wine. There's still more to go, but we're making headway. The jam recipe is now live on the site. For those who don't have their own elderberry patch, we've also put together a guide for foraging wild elderberries. Though some days are still above average temps, we're starting to see some more highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s, which makes for good baking weather. These pumpkin oatmeal cookies are one of our favorite fall treats. Now's the time to gather those end of season herbs and make up a batch of four thieves vinegar to have on hand for an immune booster for cold and flu season. This simple recipe is easy to make and warms you from head to toe. Speaking of herbs, it's time to register for the 1st Annual Herbal Solutions Summit. For 3 days, October 8 to 10th, Chris Dalziel of Joybilee Farm is bringing you presentations from 14 industry experts who have found ways to grow more herbs, craft safe and effective herbal remedies and use them with confidence. (I'll be sharing some of my favorite herbs for pollinators.) Grab your free ticket today so you don't miss out! |
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.
"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...
"The midday warmth of the November sunshine felt all the more precious because it was so short-lived. Darkness fell early now, and the chill lingered in the shadows. Still, the short days flew by quickly. In a little over a month, the daylight hours would begin to lengthen again." I had a terrible urge to linger on the sunny end of the couch today, soaking up the sunshine with the cats. The weather has been blessedly mild, but these short days give me an urge to hibernate. They also give me...
"Halloween morning began with the fog lifting off the big pond like wisps of smoke from a cauldron. Daybreak saw the land coated in frost, but the pond held enough warmth to welcome the duck patrol like a big, splash-filled hug." Our lives are so seasonal here on the homestead, and it's interesting to me to see how the place changes throughout the year, and from one year to another. Both of our ponds are still open because the fall has been mild, but only the larger pond was creating its own...