Preparedness Challenge #28

 Preparedness Challenge #28
I was talking with my brother this week- and they had a fire near their home and it was quite close. The Volunteer Fire Dept – and quick thinking neighbors came to the recue and all are fine. He brought up the point ,that he would hope to be able to let the horses loose before the fire swept near the barn and corral. We also agreed on the importance of a ‘Grab –N- Go’ bag at times like these.
It made me think that the importance to Preparedness is the ‘PRE’  part of that word. You know, having a plan?   When I looked up preparing on Webster’s Dictionary , I liked the last one best-- “to get ready”.  I’d like to think I’m doing just that!
This week’s plans for preparedness went something like this:

• Purchased propane; filled the tank
• Ordered firewood to be delivered
• Purchased 3 new wicks for oil lamps
• Building a Homesteader’s Library
• Dried and prepped coffee for ‘Coffee Log fire-starters

Let me just say: Propane ain’t cheap! 
To have firewood cut and delivered isn’t so cheap either. In the past, we have gone to different friends and family’s houses'; and cut and removed wood from their property for firewood.  Honey isn’t able to do that so much this year; and I don’t know how to run a chain saw.
Note to self: Learn to run a chain saw.  
Last week I mentioned making a list of the haves and have-not’s – On my own list I saw that we needed new wicks, so I got those while I was out this week shopping for a vacuum belt of all things.  I also am placing an order for  The Backyard Homestead   by Carleen Madigan… I’m using my Swag-Bucks  Amazon gift card to get it! Yay, me! it’s almost free and I’m also ordering a new presser foot from Amazon, so my shipping will be free, too.  Woot-woot!
As for the  Coffee- logs you can click on the link above to learn how to make fire starters for free from recycled items.  It’s virtually free and burns clean. I’ve been making these about 3 years now. They work great!
I added to my Preparedness list this week:

• Cast iron Pot :for roasting or making stew on the wood stove. I figure it will save the “O, so- expensive- propane” and why not since I’ll be having the stove going all day anyway. It will take the place of a crock pot on the counter too! (saving electricity)
• Dryer lint:  Usually get my daughters to save it for me! Need to remind them. (one disadvantage from hanging clothes outside—no dryer lint…LOL!)
• Batteries: for the Car flashlight
• Survival Kit: w/ first aid box and blanket for the car. (realized we needed this while at the car wash…timing is everything!)

As Always
God Bless you and Thanks for reading!

Linked: Preparedness Challenge #28- Homestead Revival

Now Open~ The Odd- Junk Shop~

 

  It’s Up and Running now.

The Odd-Junk Shop—that is the name of my little shop.

I’m using Pay-Pal to make it easy for people to shop.   If you don’t have PayPal —email me, we’ll work something out if we need to do that.

Everything is free shipping---ALWAYS!

There isn’t much there right now; but I’ll be adding things often, so please check back.  I’m very new to this. If you have tips or come across a problem with check out or anything; you may leave me a comment- I like comments {smile} or you may send me an email.

I’m hoping to be placing more Rag Rugs on the site in the future and Rag Crocheted items; baskets, rugs, mats , etc. So DO check back!

You’re invited to hop on over and have a look.

The ODD-Junk Shop

You can sign up to have the Odd-Junk Shop sent to you via Email or you may follow if you like~ Enjoy!

Thanks everyone for the encouragement.

As always--

God bless you and Thanks for reading!

Homesteader's Library

I’m still keeping my eyes out for the other two Little House books in the series—If I must, I’ll go to the library and borrow them. I just don’t get to town that direction often enough. Our ‘Local’ library isn’t as ‘local’ as I’d like it to be. Ha!
Earlier in the week I was perusing my book shelf. I was looking for inspirational reading material I came across the Tightwad Gazette series…
So I plucked them off the shelf and have been picking through them and reading them on and off this week.  I love these books. Amy is my very first frugal hero…next to my Granny Jo of course!

The other thing I’ve been reading and keeping my mind occupied with?
Chickens  published by Hobby Farms.
The first issue I ever read, I picked up at the V.A. waiting area-- (they have a sign that says: You may take any book, if you like, you may return it or bring some of your own to the mix…we don’t mind sharing. Help yourself!) Or something like that.  So I took it.
Until then… I’d not ever heard of Hobby Farms anywhere;  even on any of the Homesteading sites I read. Being new to the Homesteading Concept—I don’t have many resources in my own library. So, I’ve been looking around to see what’s out there.  I personally love the ads in the back; and so far have found some of the articles pretty interesting.
With everything on the internet there are plenty of opinions to go around; both good and bad.  I HAVE found negative comments on the internet regarding Hobby Farms—Don’t know what the hub-bub is about farming whether you do it for leisure or sustainability; doesn’t matter to me. I’m just trying to learn some new skills!! As for my own personal experience, I’ve found them to be a legitimate resource in their material, information, advertising and format.
Regardless what I read… I generally read for practicality.  I glean what I can and throw out the chaff.  {smile}
I’m still wanting …

and hope to be adding it to my personal resource library soon.  There may come a time when I won’t have internet access. So a good library isn’t something to be overlooked when beginning to homestead or planning for
the unexpected.

• So do you read Hobby Farms? 
•  Do you have a favorite Homesteading resource?
•  Is there a resource that you’d recommend above all others when reading about caring for the home, animals, cooking and canning, herbal medicine, etc? 

No fair Listing the Bible…I already have that one! In several versions and two languages!
God Bless you and Thanks for reading!

blogger Tags: Farm Girl Friday

Last Weeks Excursion~ Wrap-up

Some of my favorite things; Watching The Husband toss out a line.

Finding Peace- Preparedness Challenge #27-

Following along with Amy this week; this is the theme of the Preparedness challenge

“The three areas we are focusing on include:
• food storage
• emergency preparedness
• sustainable living. “ –Homestead Revival Preparedness Challenge #27

It seems like the more and more I learn about Homesteading the more I see how these three areas coincide. We are so new to this concept that I’m almost in panic mode trying to get to a point where I feel at peace and comfortable about our living situation.
I am constantly reading and learning- but this week I realized I’ve not done much to actually PREPARE! 

So what is a girl to do, when she wants to be prepared, but isn’t?


Well first, I prayed and asked God to lead me and give me Peace.

Be anxious for nothing, but in all things with prayer and supplication and thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God; and the Peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7


Then you sit back with your little notebook and make a list.

First write down what you do have.
As you’ve begun writing, things will come to mind of what you don’t have… put that in a separate column. This will help you to form a shopping list. Don’t panic—you don’t have to go out and buy these things all at once; but add a few items to your regular shopping trips. Gathering as you go.

On a separate sheet a paper you’ll need to make a TO DO list, don’t get carried away. This list should be broken down into three areas--

• Immediate  Goals
• Short Term Goals
• Long Term Goals

For example; an Immediate Goal  would be to make a GRAB AND GO bag like the one Amy talks about on her blog. You need essentials like a first aid kit  and medications, changes of clothes, flashlight, matches; these are just a few of the things you’d add to this bag.
A Short Term Goal might be to have a pantry so stocked that you are  ready to be rotating this food  into regular meals and only replenishing on a weekly basis. 
And for Long Term Goal; you might start looking at ways you can take your family off-grid, growing your own food, and having a good water supply (not bottled water, although there should be some of that in your pantry).
It can be overwhelming when you begin to think of all things you must have or must be about doing and realizing your are NOT prepared; but when you break it down into little chunks of time, energy and money- it isn’t so bad.

This week while doing my research
I added to my shopping list~
a hand crank/ solar powered Radio – Lantern (flashlight)  the one I’m looking into was at Dick’s Sporting Goods source

While thinking about lighting—I saw that while I have 2 oil lamps and a full bottle of oil, my wicks are short, so I added wicks to the list and will be getting those on my next trip out.  As well as strike anywhere matches.
Years ago- My husband and I took a little rafting trip down the Guadalupe River and we borrowed some gear from our friends. One of the items we had was  I think it is called DRY BAG—though we don’t live in a hurricane prone area, we do get flash flooding on occasion when it rains. This might be something to purchase down the road too. (I just thought of that while looking for my flashlight/radio image) 
I personally worry about doing things that are costly—and I can’t help but think, “How will we ever afford all the things we need to be self sufficient?”
That is an important thing to remember—be prepared and self sustaining eliminates the need for so much cash or finances. That is why we do it a little at a time and in small chunks. Once you get to that point of sustainability—you are just maintaining that level then.
I was looking into Food storage this week too—and came across this method of storing food. You can click the source link below this photo to read the article—she recommends if you have bees wax, to seal the caps once you filled the bottles. I would never have thought of that. Plus you’re repurposing these otherwise landfill destined items.
 source
This is a great post – put up by The Frippery Farm  I have never thought of doing this with 2 liter bottles.  

This is how I spent my week preparing~ doing more research and then ultimately making some lists. This helped a lot.  Although, I’m not completely prepared—I’m more at peace than I was and I have a clearer picture of the direction we should be moving in to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Don’t forget to click over and read more on Preparedness and Sustainable Living at the Homestead Revival- Preparedness Challenge Link up !

God Bless you and Thanks for reading.

Hidden Treasure, Still !

  I previously posted about our little excursion into the woods on the property surrounding ours…it’s ok, we have permission from our neighbors to be on the property, in case you thought we were trespassing, we weren’t.
  You remember “Jerry’s Pond”  See how the lay of the land goes up there? Just on the other side of that little stand of trees was something I’ve dreamed of having…but never knew existed.

Pens. For what? I don’t know.  Too small for cattle… in my opinion. But what do I know?
  There are a total of about 4 buildings—the over growth was so thick I couldn’t get into them to see what they were like on the inside, but I can tell you …the outside with all its rugged goodness and little fence panels was amazing!
You could see in the lower right quadrant of the above picture is some type of feeder… and due to the sunshine and My poor picture taking skills   This is my partial close-up. (You all know I’m terrible at photography) Anyway, I wonder what type of feed this little galvanized goodness held.
Do you know?

Or how about this one?  It was huge! I think that was some type of creeper feeder, maybe? It wasn’t in a pen. It was out, like maybe it fed cattle.

I had so much fun walking around Mr. Jerry’s property… I wish these little out buildings were near our fence line ,instead of behind the pond, I’d ask him to use them… I sure would. He doesn’t use them…but I can’t help but think,  It would be so neat to have a couple of goats.

Looking down the little hill to the building… again, bad photography, but I’m blaming it on the sun. You just can’t see the screen and what your photographing on those little digital cameras when the sun is so bright.
Consider this a ‘peep show’ and my photography is leaving room for your imagination!
In other news—our barn turned garage for our classic car will soon be empty. Maybe we could use it as a barn now? 
Homesteading is just so new to us… we are novices for sure. But as I sit here and covet my neighbor's property, with pond and out buildings that I’ve not ever seen in 15 1/2 years (Honey said he knew they were there) I am thinking more and more about wanting to really do this! I really want to raise eggs and have milk and cream for butter!  We are so limited so it will just slow going for us.
It doesn’t help that we have new neighbors on the corner from us… and they are successfully doing what I’d like to do; On way less property too!  I’m happy for them. Not meaning to sound spiteful but…I can’t wait for the rain to come and take the shine off their shiny new barn roof.  I like a little rust, and the shine literally is blinding even from 5 acres away.  They have a couple of goats and 1 calf.  Their garden sort of went the way ours did…great at first then ‘Crispy Fried” after the temps started to get up there. They have successfully tapped into their old well on their property… We should probably go ask them how they did it. We could learn so much from them, I’m sure.
Well, the laundry is finished;and I need to get it on the line!
I bought sheets today at Bargainland…am planning to make rag rugs with them.
See you soon!
God Bless you and Thanks for reading!

blogger Tags: Homesteading

3 Ponds and Bait

Sunday, Honey and I took a stroll over to the neighbors property.  This is where Honey goes fishing when he just wants a few minutes away… I’ve not ever been to this pond. So I grabbed my camera. Honey wanted to see how low it was getting.

“Jerry’s Pond” You can see by the picture here and the one below…It’s pretty low. Honey says about 30%…

You can also see that it looks like a lovely Fall setting. But no… this is  foliage all dried up; from the ravages of a severe drought we’ve had this year.

 The ‘Far Pond’. This pond had three areas… The two pictured above and this area where the bees where~

Pond life.   This wild plant had beautiful blue flowers as you can see; but there was a terrible thorn hidden under the leaves.  The bumble bees didn’t seem to mind.

The “Little Pond” closest to our house. More like dried cracked earth.     
Lastly, one of my favorite parts about our little excursion ,back at “Jerry’s Pond” ~
If you’ve read my blog at all over the summer, then you know the terrible blight that has been put upon us…
 Exhibit A: The dreaded Grasshopper.
…and his partner.

Exhibit “B”--- the only good thing that could come of a grasshopper.
Aren’t those ripples in the pond gorgeous?  I truly hope that little fish enjoyed his snack!  I. Really. Do.  {smile}
God Bless you and Thanks for reading.
* I’m linking here: Farm Girl Blog Hop #25
blogger Tags: Farm Girl Friday

  Pretty (...eh, there was a drought) Scenery

Is it Frugal or Broke as an Old Joke?

Frugal Motto

Use it up; wear it out~
Make it do, or do without!

How do you decide when to be frugal
and when to spend?

Is it really being frugal when you don't have the money to spend and have to DO SOMETHING... in order to make your plans come together?

Here is the thing...

source

…we bought a washer and dryer about 8 years ago... At the time is was about $1600.00 for the set (last years model on sale) Brand new! Blah, blah, blah... Now this washer is broken and in quite a few pieces sitting on my back porch.
We decided at one point we would make the repairs. We bought parts, put them on , and... "Yay! it works!" 
Only it didn't. Something else was wrong. So back to the drawing board, in my case Google and then You tube...yes, in that order.

Ok... well, somewhere in there I looked at the price of a new washer, similar to mine ...replacement cost?..... WHO HAS THAT KIND OF MONEY? We're retired, remember?

So here we were at the 'do without' part of our washing machine trial.

Not to worry-- My brother had brought a used washer to our place back in January for my daughter to use, way before we ever needed a washing machine. It turns out there was nothing wrong with hers  and she didn't need the freebie!  

That puts us at the 'make it do' part of our washing machine trial.

Not wanting to sound ungrateful; but I really liked my front load washer.  I’ve dreamt of a time when I'd be using it again and saving money when it comes to water use.  It is also a money saver, (and if you have a front load washer you know this already);  since it uses much less water and spins that little bit of water out SO WELL; it only takes a short amount of time to dry the clothes. Using less electricity. At this point that is of no consequence to me because I hang my clothes outside to dry.  More on the dryer in a bit.

So now, I'm at a fork in the road.

Do I buy another one? OR …Do I make repairs myself   OURSELVES? (we’re a team, we do everything together)

This is my machine... USED up and WORN OUT! 

Do I spend the money to make repairs to this machine; because the freebie used machine isn’t going to last forever? I’ve already mentioned the savings on water usage.

Is it being frugal to spend the money here in this area of our household budget, when we have winter coming and things like propane and firewood are still needing to be bought?

One thing I know is that I’ve talked to Honey and he says I can sell my ‘gently used’ dryer if I want, since I don’t use it that often anyway.  I was thinking of buying the drying rack shown here on my wish list page. But am now thinking the money could go towards parts for the washing machine.  At this part of our trial I’d almost HAVE  to sell the dryer  (remember, I hardly EVER USE it, even in the winter time)…CAUSE WE’RE BROKE AS AN OLD JOKE!

The parts are quite expensive and repairs are cost prohibitive really because of that very reason.  It is almost as much, minus a couple of hundred bucks to just buy brand new. We’ve already torn the machine completely apart, so the ‘LABOR’ IS DONE. We had to do this in order to see which parts were exactly needed to buy, now that it’s apart for about $300.00 we’ll have a new machine …well, almost. Even less, if we sell the dryer!

We’ve also added a new skill to our list of things we know how to do for ourselves. That is priceless,right?

So what are your thoughts on this? Is it ‘being’ frugal when your so broke you’ve got no other option? Is it just plain common sense?   What about options, do you have any suggestions? Something maybe, that I’ve not thought of yet?  Please feel free to chime in on this discussion.

I’m open…

God Bless you and Thanks for reading!

An ODD Little business...

I've decided that I'll be selling a few hand made items and some Vintage things as well, over the next few months.
I'm not currently opening an Etsy shop yet-- but am putting together another blog where I'll be selling with the use of PAYPAL.

I don't know exactly how successful I'll be-- but willing to give it a shot.





I'll be selling some crocheted dish cloths in 3 pc sets.



and some 'handle mitts' for holding a hot pot handle!


I'm also going to be making and selling rag-rugs again too.

I've been crocheting off and on here lately-- and while I don't have a huge supply of hand crafted items, I do also have some vintage items I am hoping to get posted soon.

Right now I'm working on getting the blog together and making some adjustments; not to mention posting the photos, prices and PAYPAL buttons. That is a tricky one there.  But I hope to use it up!

Keep an eye out-- and as soon as I get all the kinks worked out I'll be posting a link here~

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

~ Proverbs 31:31

God Bless you and Thanks for reading!

Potatoes and Precipitation~

Ok—so I’ve planted the front bed already with green beans and the grasshoppers ate those. 
I’ve also planted, in the front bed;  spinach, carrots, and leaf lettuces. I’ve not seen anything else come up yet on those plants. We’ll see what happens there.
As for the kitchen garden—potager—I’m planting potatoes in the morning! The research I’ve done so far says to plant Fall potatoes in Texas about mid-August to mid –September.  I figure we’ve had triple digits again this week—so maybe I’m not too late.
Here is what I’ve done so far:
  I found the potatoes with the most eyes-- 

…just a couple of examples.

  I cut them; making sure to leave a couple of eyes to each piece of potato. I laid them out on paper to cure.

You can see that the moisture is going out of them by this evening.
I’ll be putting them in the ground in the morning. I was reading an article at Backwoods Home—and the author of that article (Robert L. Williams)  suggested adding a little bit of leaves or pine needles to the whole hole when planting the potato—providing nutrients and warmth as the roots begin to grow.  He lives in the Piedmont of North Carolina.  As I’ve not ever done this before; I thought I may give it a try. I don’t think it would hurt seeing how our soil is so dry and more than likely lacking nutrients from such a dry and hot summer! 
Speaking of hot, dry Texas weather.  We’ve had to small showers in the last 3 days.  Wed. night it sprinkled VERY LIGHTLY for about 30 – 45 mins.  and tonight around 10 pm it was raining and I could smell the rain in the air.  I love the fragrance it made as it mixed with the soil. 
It was very pleasant.
I’m joining Farm Girl Friday #24

God bless you and Thanks for reading.

blogger Tags: Farm Girl Friday

Fall Garden part 2

Just 2 short weeks ago... I planted my Fall Garden. 

Since then... I've watered. I've kept a strict schedule adhering to the water department schedule of things.

Since then... my tomato plant with tomatoes has come back...starting to look pretty hardy and the tiny tomatoes have begun to fill out somewhat.

Since then... Green Beans have sprouted up out of the ground.  Making me excited to see them come up. We didn't get but a few hands full of green beans back in May and June. 

Since then...



I KNOW! You're sick of seeing this picture on my blog.  

Well, I can tell you--  I'M SICK OF SEEING THEM IN MY YARD AND GARDEN.

YES! Since then... the Grasshoppers ate my little green bean plants.

I wrote about my planting here.

So much for being an ORGANIC Gardener.  The only way to get rid of these things I believe (besides Fire, of course) would be chemicals.

I've tried DE earlier in the year.

Do you have ANY SUGGESTIONS?  I'm desperate.


Linking this here.

God Bless you and Thanks for reading!

Where were you 10 years ago today?

I was at my church—We had prayer in the morning EVERY Tuesday.  Several women met at our church to pray for the church, schools, community—leaders, country, etc.
I was in the sanctuary on my knees…
I remember getting up and starting to leave and someone in the church office telling us what had taken place.
As if in a dream; I remember thinking how I needed to get home to my children – wanting my husband to be there at home when I got there (knowing he was at work) and wishing I could call my mother—wanting desperately to speak with her (though she had died 2 years earlier).  Like everyone~ I had a sinking feeling in my gut. I remember thinking I was totally helpless.
Had I forgotten?  Why had my heart strayed so far from the throne as soon as I left the sanctuary?
Like everyone~ I watched the sky for three whole days-  only to see birds in the air. No man made machines – to clutter the expanse of God’s creation. Something far fetched for the day and age in which we live; I can say it only contrasts to what must have been just as awesome as the first flights witnessed with human eye. But still, I couldn’t help but scan the skies with an ever watchful eye; it was easier than watching the television,  where every thought, word and emotion was played out in horror to those who are glued to it’s scenes.
I had to close my eyes…enter the sanctuary and pray for my country. 
Though I am NOT glad for the events that happened that day and for the days after… I am glad to have this anniversary, this reminder of what it means to be free; to reflect on how this event has shaped me and how it shaped my family and our country- to know that now more than ever…our country needs prayer. 
 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14
What have you reflected on today or in the days leading up to this anniversary?  Are you flying Old Glory today?  Are you doing anything to commemorate this anniversary? 
Will you share your thoughts with me and my readers in the comments?


*edited to add this video-




God Bless you and Thank You for reading!

New Recipe

 Scalloped Tomatoes
1/4 cup Onion chopped; finely
3 1/2 to 4 cups of dried bread; torn or cut into cubes
2 TBLSP butter or margarine
2  14.5  oz. cans of stewed tomatoes; drained, reserve liquid.
2 TBLSP brown sugar
Dash of Salt ( I use Sea Salt)
Dash of Pepper
I actually used my electric skillet – so not to heat the kitchen!
In skillet- add Butter ,Onion and bread. Let cook until bread is browned and toasted and onions are somewhat clear.
Add tomatoes- You may slice them or cut them however you wish if they are whole. (mine were sliced already)
In a bowl; Add brown sugar To liquid reserved from Tomatoes mix well- stir this into skillet with the other ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste.
Cook on 350° until tomatoes are glazed over pretty well. Then turn down to simmer about 45 minutes.
This can bake in the oven on 350° for about 30 minutes.
This serves about 4 people.  * For a drier version don’t use liquid just stir Brown Sugar in at the same time as tomatoes for a more glazed dish. 
We had this much left over.  It can be served along side another vegetable and makes an excellent side dish to sausage.
I’m thinking next time I may use corn bread and add black beans and jalapenos for a Tex-Mex version.  Doesn’t that sound good?

This is a great recipe for all those tomatoes that get canned this time of year and it uses up the left over bread from the bread machine-- (clearing space in the freezer!)

I’m linking up at Deborah Jean’s Dandelion house
Be sure and go there to see what other Farm girls are up to these days!


God Bless you and Thanks for Reading!

Warnings; Conservation and a Lil’ Tip…

Edited to say:

Just so you know~ I typed this in Live Writer and pasted my local weather into the post... so the first paragraph had a mind of it's own and WENT ROGUE on me! Hopefully all the original words have been put back together and you can make sense of it! 





Yesterday we awoke to a Thick heavy layer of smoke linger all over…

Throughout the Labor Day weekend we heard lots of sirens, saw lots of Volun-

teers,Fire trucks, and water trucks ripping up and down our little country FM road. We had several little fires close by—nothing so close that we had to leave our home. But, we’ve come close to it some years back and I know how scary it can be.

This was the weather report for our area

Weather Warning

...DENSE SMOKE ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FORT WORTH HAS ISSUED A DENSE
SMOKE ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT THIS
AFTERNOON.

* EVENT...LARGE FIRES BURNING ACROSS EAST TEXAS HAVE RESULTED IN A
THICK SMOKE PLUME WHICH IS MOVING WESTWARD INTO NORTH TEXAS.
WINDS ARE OUT OF THE EAST-NORTHEAST WHICH IS HELPING TO BLOW
THIS PLUME IN THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF TYLER...ATHENS...AND
CORSICANA. GIVEN THE LIGHT WINDS...THIS SMOKE PLUME IS NOT
LIKELY TO DISPERSE QUICKLY.

* TIMING...NOW THROUGH MID AFTERNOON.

* IMPACT...VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED TO 1/4 MILE IN MANY
LOCATIONS IN THE DIRECT PATH OF THIS SMOKE PLUME. IN
ADDITION...AIR QUALITY WILL BE DEGRADED ACROSS THIS REGION.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A DENSE SMOKE ADVISORY MEANS WIDESPREAD FIRES WILL CREATE SMOKE...
LIMITING VISIBILITIES. IF DRIVING... SLOW DOWN...USE YOUR
HEADLIGHTS...AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF YOU IN CASE A
SUDDEN STOP IS NEEDED.

Thankfully, the last 5 days or so the Temperature has been a considerable bit cooler. The winds, though they make for a rough time in this TINDER box we live in, have been pleasant and cool; not like the HOT blasts we had in July and August.

Which brings me to the Conservation part of this post…

We use propane to cook, heat water, and heat parts of the house when we’re not using wood.  Our Hot water tank is in a closet in the bathroom and it stays hot there during the summer months—we do not cool our bathroom or Utility room (we’re trying to save energy, remember?). So to save even more energy or propane—we turn our WATER HEATER down to VACATION during the summer months.

 (source)

I guess it saves us quite a bit of usage where our propane bill is concerned; by not having to run as often.  During this summer—I noticed our hot water was EXTREMELY HOT. It’s no wonder I guess with 110° or higher temps and nothing to cool it down back there.  This morning I’ve noticed due to the weather change with  the temps being cooler, I barely had water hot enough to wash dishes .   I guess it’s working AND! we still have propane in our tank and are not empty like we used to be years ago this time of year.

So if you’re trying to conserve energy and lower heating bills—you might try adjusting your thermostat on your water heater …that’s if you’re like me and don’t have the * new and improved HOT WATER ON DEMAND. (For the winter months you might experiment with it and see what is the lowest setting you can stand…I WOULDN’T go so low as VACATION, though, especially if you live up north)





Note to self: In the next week or so if the weather trend is to continue cooling—turn up the thermostat on the water heater.  =D

And lastly a tip:

I’ve been making/crocheting dish cloths and dish-mops for doing the dishes. Sometimes there is junk that just won’t scrub off.  If you have a plastic butter tub lid—



you can cut it with scissors to make it rounded with a little corner on one side for getting in the tight spaces.  Use it to scrape off the junk!

Join in here: 

That’s it for today… make it good one!

God Bless you and Thanks for reading.

Learning from Ms. Wilder~

  I began reading the Little House Series this summer. It is my first time EVER  to read them. I’m reading the last of my own books and I read them out of order… I don’t have Farmer Boy or Little House on the Prairie. 

Of the books I’ve read so far I’ve learned and identified with so very much!  I thought I post a little list in no certain order.

• Living on a Homestead is hard work.
• Mending your clothes is important and sometimes necessary work.
• No matter where you live- whether the floor is dirt , the roof thatch, the walls logs, or snow blows in from the outside… always sweep it clean, hang curtains, wash dishes and make the bed. Be house proud!
• It’s ok to expect payment for a meal and a place to sleep. You can still be hospitable and not be taken for granted (ie: It’s ok to charge for room and board)
• Sometimes Grasshoppers, Mosquitoes and drought come.
• Don’t be so attached to some thing (house, livestock, ability, etc) that you miss an opportunity to trade up.
• Watch for opportunities to teach a younger woman.
• There is always room to improve your skills; and an opportunity to earn money with it. (Sewing, cooking, cleaning, tutoring, etc.)
• Don’t be afraid to barter.
• Pay attention to industry/ machinery; you will be more appreciative, but not necessarily dependent upon it.
• Eat what is set before you.
• Cherish family, family gatherings and times of gathering in general.
• When the opportunity to send a letter to a friend or loved one presents itself—Always write a letter.
• Go for a walk; it makes for an interesting journey through an otherwise boring day!
• Christmas always comes.

This summer my life has paralleled these books so closely. I’ve been immersed in the stories. They are timeless- I’ve enjoyed reading them.
I recommend  them if you’ve not ever read them or perhaps you have, why not read them again?
God Bless you and thanks for reading!