Homesteading Basics: 6/28/09

Almost Home

Found what we think is the most perfect homestead for us ... year-round stream, 2.36 acres, room for garden, 5 bdrms, 2 baths, full basement, and old log cabin on property. Secluded. Surrounded by woods. Absolutely perfect!

Our real estate agent told us today that it was under contract. Bummer. But it's a short sale so it may fall through. I believe, strongly, that if it's meant to be ours, it will be ours.

Here's hoping!

Besides, we're still 2 weeks away from putting OUR house on the market. I just can't move any faster than I am!

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Steps To Work On:

Raise Animals/Livestock:
-chickens (eggs, manure, feathers, meat, pest control)
-ducks (eggs, manure, feathers, meat)
-quail (eggs, manure, feathers, meat)
-rabbits, angora (meat, hair, manure, income)
-goats (milk, hair, meat, lawn control, manure)
-pigs (manure, meat, income)
-bees (wax, honey, fertilization)
-dogs (guards)
-cats (mousters)
-sheep and/or alpaca (wool, meat, manure)

Energy:
-home-make biodiesel
-solar
-wind
-water
-rechargeable batteries
-line-dry clothing (over plants to drip)
-energy-efficient appliances
-use fireplace/wood stove to cook in Winter
-olive oil lamps
-soy, beeswax and/or bayberry candles
-compact fluorescent bulbs
-bed early
-hand-powered appliances (wheat grinder, etc.)
-hand-cranked radio
-mortar and pestle
-push mower, hand clippers
-broom and rake
-walk, bike, bus, carpool, reduce shopping trips

Water Preservation:
-low flow toilets w/toilet lid sink
-composting toilets
-reuse laundry and dish water
-reduce baths and showers
-mulch all garden plants
-handwater garden
-outdoor solar shower
-plant edible plants, not lawn

Work-At-Home:
-blog/internet
-write books
-clean houses
-petting zoo
-sell eggs, produce, livestock, flowers
-homepathic/herbal remedies
-honey
-crafts

Learn:
-Gardening for maximum produce (99%)
-Seed saving
-Animal Husbandry
-Butchering
-Canning/Drying/Freezing
-Baking/cooking from scratch
-Yogurt-making
-Bread-making
-Cheese-making
-Wine/beer-making
-Candle-making
-Sprouting
-Composting
-Making cleaning products (vinegar, etc.)
-Making herbal/homemade remedies
-Making tinctures
-Survival skills
-Edible landscaping
-Sewing, quilting and leatherworking
-Make own paper
-Carpentry
-Plumbing
-Building
-Harvesting rainwater
-Bike, auto and machinery repairs
-Computer basics
-Household repairs/maintenance
-Blacksmithing
-Weaponry/defense/casting bullets
-Sheep/Alpaca shearing
-Spinning and weaving
-Hairstyling and cutting
-Bartering
-Make a solar oven / cob oven
-Make a solar shower

Choose to:
-Help others along this path
-Do without dishwasher, microwave, clothes dryer
-Buy in bulk/organic/local
-Eat what's in season only
-Live simply
-Tell stories at night of the old days
-Use non-electric entertainment (board games, cards)
-Be a modern-day "pioneer"
-Reduce, reuse, recycle
-Shop only once a month
-Shop at second-hand/thrift stores/garage sales
-Consume less
-Unschool/Homeschool
-Use reusable bags for shopping
-Buy nothing that we can make/grow ourselves
-Replace cookware with cast-iron

Cool the House by:
-no central air conditioning
-pull up carpet; install wood floors
-use blinds
-plant "edible" forest to shade house
-solar attic fan

Heat the House by:
-no central heat/furnace
-woodstove or fireplace (use scrap wood)
-insulate bed with heavy quilts/blankets
-dress in layers

Becoming Self-Reliant Homesteaders:
-don't stress; it's not worth the heart attack
-live within your means
-barter or trade for necessities
-cut out the extras like 492 cable channels
-walk or bike whenever possible
-add a new skill each month (candlemaking, etc.)
-store 90+days worth of stored foods
-grow your own food or buy only local produce
-raise a chicken 4 eggs in your spare bedroom
-pay $0 whenever possible
-yard sale regularly to get rid of unwanted clutter
-compost and recycle everything possible

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