Monday, October 9, 2017
New Things To Come
Yes we are firing g this blog up again, and we are going to add new roads to travel.
Monday, November 9, 2015
FREE SEEDS!
A few years ago my Sister gave me an Acorn Squash she'd gotten from an organic co-op.
When I cleaned the squash (removed the seeds) I decided to dry and save them. The next year I threw a few in a underdeveloped (hard ground full of weeds) corner of my vegetable garden. 2 amazing things happened. They grew...GREW WELL! I mostly ignored them and let them do there own thing. I watered when I thought about them (not as often as I should have). Never weeded etc... The second amazing thing that happened is that corner looked better than almost anywhere else I so tirelessly tended. OK I knew squash was sometimes referred to as a "cover crop" but I think of clover, rye and winter wheat as a cover crop. NOPE seems any plant that amends the soil by breaking up the ground with a large root system. aids in water retention or shades and inhibates growth of weeds is a cover crop. Squash is a heavy "eater" so a little compost mixed in when planting helps for a more robust yield.
Now on to the free seed part.
I have been growing and saving seeds from my one given squash for 3 years. I have built up a fairly large stock of seeds. I'd love to share the seeds. If you'd like a dozen or so seeds, send me an email with your name and mailing address and I'll get them out to you. This is totally free no strings attached NON-GMO organic Acorn Squash seeds.
Please put seeds in the subject line. I look forward to sharing and hearing from you all.
***NOTE*** this is a first come first serve basis. I only have a limited quantity.
Link for seeds; wildthistlefarm@aol.com
When I cleaned the squash (removed the seeds) I decided to dry and save them. The next year I threw a few in a underdeveloped (hard ground full of weeds) corner of my vegetable garden. 2 amazing things happened. They grew...GREW WELL! I mostly ignored them and let them do there own thing. I watered when I thought about them (not as often as I should have). Never weeded etc... The second amazing thing that happened is that corner looked better than almost anywhere else I so tirelessly tended. OK I knew squash was sometimes referred to as a "cover crop" but I think of clover, rye and winter wheat as a cover crop. NOPE seems any plant that amends the soil by breaking up the ground with a large root system. aids in water retention or shades and inhibates growth of weeds is a cover crop. Squash is a heavy "eater" so a little compost mixed in when planting helps for a more robust yield.
Now on to the free seed part.
I have been growing and saving seeds from my one given squash for 3 years. I have built up a fairly large stock of seeds. I'd love to share the seeds. If you'd like a dozen or so seeds, send me an email with your name and mailing address and I'll get them out to you. This is totally free no strings attached NON-GMO organic Acorn Squash seeds.
Please put seeds in the subject line. I look forward to sharing and hearing from you all.
***NOTE*** this is a first come first serve basis. I only have a limited quantity.
Link for seeds; wildthistlefarm@aol.com
Friday, November 6, 2015
Lets all join this!
There will be a ton of information during this summit. I'm looking forward to all the speakers!
Lets have a discussion when the event is finished. Tell us your ideas. Lets get this online homestead rolling :)
Lets have a discussion when the event is finished. Tell us your ideas. Lets get this online homestead rolling :)
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Hanging Pot Rack
Simple things around the house that can both save space and have that "Down Home Appeal" to it, like hanging a Pot Rack.
Pot Racks save space by giving your pots and pans a new home freeing up space in the cabinets for other things, and believe it not it gives the kitchen a whole new look. Well almost like magic "Wow what different Look!"
This is something you can do yourself, after selecting the Pot Rack of your liking. You're going to need hooks to go into the ceiling, check to make sure the hook can hold up to 100 pound each better to have it hold more then you need then to wake up to a horrible crashing sound in the middle of the night just to find out the hooks were to weak and gave way!
Tools you will need;
So what are the magnets for you might ask, they are for finding the sheet rock screws in the ceiling you will need to locate the rafters or upper floor joist, using the magnets will help you locate them and to see which way the are laid out so your not having to punch a lot of holes in you ceiling to find them. this is what you want your hooks to go into, now you could get toggle bolts as well but the don't hold more the 80 pounds of weight and the hooks themselves a little on the lighter side hold even less weight.
Now that you have located rafters you can see which way they are laid and start measuring and marking where your hooks need to go.
Drill your pilot hole this will make it much easier to put your hooks in, Using your tool with a hole in the handle as a pry or leaver.
Now that your hooks are in you can hang your Pot Rack and store you pots and pans in their new home.
Pot Racks save space by giving your pots and pans a new home freeing up space in the cabinets for other things, and believe it not it gives the kitchen a whole new look. Well almost like magic "Wow what different Look!"
This is something you can do yourself, after selecting the Pot Rack of your liking. You're going to need hooks to go into the ceiling, check to make sure the hook can hold up to 100 pound each better to have it hold more then you need then to wake up to a horrible crashing sound in the middle of the night just to find out the hooks were to weak and gave way!
Tools you will need;
- Drill
- drill bit half the size of the diameter of the hooks main shaft
- Tape measure
- Pencil or marker
- Magnets
- Any tool that has a hole in the handle that will fit over the hook to use as a handle and leaver
So what are the magnets for you might ask, they are for finding the sheet rock screws in the ceiling you will need to locate the rafters or upper floor joist, using the magnets will help you locate them and to see which way the are laid out so your not having to punch a lot of holes in you ceiling to find them. this is what you want your hooks to go into, now you could get toggle bolts as well but the don't hold more the 80 pounds of weight and the hooks themselves a little on the lighter side hold even less weight.
Now that you have located rafters you can see which way they are laid and start measuring and marking where your hooks need to go.
Drill your pilot hole this will make it much easier to put your hooks in, Using your tool with a hole in the handle as a pry or leaver.
Now that your hooks are in you can hang your Pot Rack and store you pots and pans in their new home.
Now you can all go enjoy the new look it gives your kitchen as well!
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Bugging In vs Bugging Out
Bugging in VS Bugging out. We feel we are far better off staying in place rather then trying to leave for someplace else in times of desperate need. Leaving is not a good option unless you're under the threat of a flood or like wise event. It leaves you wide open to unknown dangers you may not be aware of.
I have heard of many people saying when it all goes down their "heading for the hills" and just where in those hills are they planing to go? That someone else is not already there. In the state which we live in there is just over 5.4 million people (Numbers from State Census) and what are you going to eat when you get there I ask? "I'll shoot a deer to eat when I get there!" There is about 1 million deer in our state (number from the State's Department of Natural Resources) by that math 4.4 million will go hungry right away and 1 million will go hungry in just a couple of weeks.
If your bug out location is an hour away by vehicle and you have to make it on foot, you're most likely not going to make it. The average ground gained in a day during World War II was only a couple of miles a day, your average Wagon Train covered 12 to 20 miles a day this was on good days were weather permitted and others were not trying to take what you have away, and no traffic. If your bug out location is 60 to 70 miles away or even further and your on foot with children odds are your not going to make it. There will be others out there along the way not as prepared as you are. And you are in the open on unfamiliar ground and they will out number you and take what you have for their own and leave you and yours with out or dead.
In the current world situation where there is armed conflict going on, there is just over 60 million people listed in refugee status, these are people that left there homes to move to some place they felt was safer It is believed that many other didn't make it and meet their fate along the way listening to their tales of love ones lost along the way and those that did make it are now left with their fate in the hands of charity or others.
There is nowhere you can really go that other like minded people haven't thought of as well. Think of it like this, you know of an old cabin way back in the woods, there are others that may know of the same old cabin back in the woods that you are unaware of.
The amount of supplies you would need to carry will not be enough if you were to bug out and you had to stop along the way due to injury, illness, or break down, had to detour your route due to traffic, riots, bridges being out or as a control check point stopping all traffic. Or you have to finish your trek on foot. Unless you have supplies stocked piled at your bug out location, unless you have caches along your route and if your route is detoured for any reason then getting to those caches will be difficult to get to.
Maintaining your current location and a bug out location can be taxing on your time, energy and your wallet and any other resources that you have. This takes twice the effort when you could be focusing on one location. It is very difficult to secure two different locations when you are at only one of them at a time. You could have a well supplied bug out location only to find out that someone else moved themselves in before you got there. All the multiple times that you have traveled to and from your bug out location, to maintain, improve and to supply it other may have been watching that you were not aware of. You have to remember there is not very much you can do without someone knowing or watching what you're doing. Not to mention that we have an unconscious need to share about what were doing "What are you doing this weekend?" reply "Oh the family and I are going to the cabin this weekend it's just off the lake." You just don't know how much information you actually give up in general conversation with others we talk to. This conversation could lead up to it's location, by talking about the fishing, hunting or just "How nice and quite it is there". This person now knows you have a cabin and where it is and in a time of need and despair they may head there for their own needs.
If you feel you have to have a bug out to another location then make it a family members location. Mom and Dad's place in the country. Or your Uncle"s and Aunt's, Brother, Sister or even a Cousin's place anywhere you can have numbers on your side. You can't do it alone You can't be the "Lone Wolf"! You can't hunt, fish, farm, split wood or much of anything else without having help with security, or someone else keeping an eye out for trouble. If it's just you and your loved one with children, you can't stay awake forever. Security is a 24 hours 7 days a week 52 weeks a year thing. If it is your turn on security then you have focus on that task and that task alone, you can't hoe the garden and also be watching for the bad guys. Remember "Many hands makes lite work"
Our location is in a very small farming town, where we have a Doctor's office and a Dentist's office as well as other resources and here is where we are staying and family members will be coming here as a safe and secured location if such an event were to force them to leave their homes. It's far enough away from any major city if such an event was to rise up we would not be over run by hoards of people trying to leave the cities due to it's not along a major highway.
Yet close enough for the ones we love to reach us within a few days. Bugging in isn't always an option, but a plan now is. Either way (bugging in or out) now is the time to find routes, gather medical supplies and have a food/water plan for everyone at the location plus 5. Family may bring friends. Always over prep at the location you choose.
I have heard of many people saying when it all goes down their "heading for the hills" and just where in those hills are they planing to go? That someone else is not already there. In the state which we live in there is just over 5.4 million people (Numbers from State Census) and what are you going to eat when you get there I ask? "I'll shoot a deer to eat when I get there!" There is about 1 million deer in our state (number from the State's Department of Natural Resources) by that math 4.4 million will go hungry right away and 1 million will go hungry in just a couple of weeks.
Others who thought leaving was a good idea!
If your bug out location is an hour away by vehicle and you have to make it on foot, you're most likely not going to make it. The average ground gained in a day during World War II was only a couple of miles a day, your average Wagon Train covered 12 to 20 miles a day this was on good days were weather permitted and others were not trying to take what you have away, and no traffic. If your bug out location is 60 to 70 miles away or even further and your on foot with children odds are your not going to make it. There will be others out there along the way not as prepared as you are. And you are in the open on unfamiliar ground and they will out number you and take what you have for their own and leave you and yours with out or dead.
Could this be you and your Family
In the current world situation where there is armed conflict going on, there is just over 60 million people listed in refugee status, these are people that left there homes to move to some place they felt was safer It is believed that many other didn't make it and meet their fate along the way listening to their tales of love ones lost along the way and those that did make it are now left with their fate in the hands of charity or others.
There is nowhere you can really go that other like minded people haven't thought of as well. Think of it like this, you know of an old cabin way back in the woods, there are others that may know of the same old cabin back in the woods that you are unaware of.
The amount of supplies you would need to carry will not be enough if you were to bug out and you had to stop along the way due to injury, illness, or break down, had to detour your route due to traffic, riots, bridges being out or as a control check point stopping all traffic. Or you have to finish your trek on foot. Unless you have supplies stocked piled at your bug out location, unless you have caches along your route and if your route is detoured for any reason then getting to those caches will be difficult to get to.
Casual talking with your local store clerk
Maintaining your current location and a bug out location can be taxing on your time, energy and your wallet and any other resources that you have. This takes twice the effort when you could be focusing on one location. It is very difficult to secure two different locations when you are at only one of them at a time. You could have a well supplied bug out location only to find out that someone else moved themselves in before you got there. All the multiple times that you have traveled to and from your bug out location, to maintain, improve and to supply it other may have been watching that you were not aware of. You have to remember there is not very much you can do without someone knowing or watching what you're doing. Not to mention that we have an unconscious need to share about what were doing "What are you doing this weekend?" reply "Oh the family and I are going to the cabin this weekend it's just off the lake." You just don't know how much information you actually give up in general conversation with others we talk to. This conversation could lead up to it's location, by talking about the fishing, hunting or just "How nice and quite it is there". This person now knows you have a cabin and where it is and in a time of need and despair they may head there for their own needs.
If you feel you have to have a bug out to another location then make it a family members location. Mom and Dad's place in the country. Or your Uncle"s and Aunt's, Brother, Sister or even a Cousin's place anywhere you can have numbers on your side. You can't do it alone You can't be the "Lone Wolf"! You can't hunt, fish, farm, split wood or much of anything else without having help with security, or someone else keeping an eye out for trouble. If it's just you and your loved one with children, you can't stay awake forever. Security is a 24 hours 7 days a week 52 weeks a year thing. If it is your turn on security then you have focus on that task and that task alone, you can't hoe the garden and also be watching for the bad guys. Remember "Many hands makes lite work"
Our location is in a very small farming town, where we have a Doctor's office and a Dentist's office as well as other resources and here is where we are staying and family members will be coming here as a safe and secured location if such an event were to force them to leave their homes. It's far enough away from any major city if such an event was to rise up we would not be over run by hoards of people trying to leave the cities due to it's not along a major highway.
Yet close enough for the ones we love to reach us within a few days. Bugging in isn't always an option, but a plan now is. Either way (bugging in or out) now is the time to find routes, gather medical supplies and have a food/water plan for everyone at the location plus 5. Family may bring friends. Always over prep at the location you choose.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Mourning Our Loss
We apologize for not posting anything lately We have been mourning our loss of a family member.
Our Sister/Sister-in-Law, My best friend, My Sister at Heart, was one of the dearest people for me to have have in my life, lost her battle with cancer
She was a Wife, a Mother of three, a Sister, and a best friend. She was someone you could turn to for very good advice or for a shoulder to cry on. She was a solider to boot, U.S. Army Retired.
Our Sister/Sister-in-Law, My best friend, My Sister at Heart, was one of the dearest people for me to have have in my life, lost her battle with cancer
She was a Wife, a Mother of three, a Sister, and a best friend. She was someone you could turn to for very good advice or for a shoulder to cry on. She was a solider to boot, U.S. Army Retired.
Jenny
Jenny We love You and Our hearts feel the emptiness of your passing, You will always be missed and loved but never forgotten!
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
MORE HERB USES!
Wow!
I was surprised how many people asked me about herb based/homemade bug
repellent!
Since so many plants repel insects for themselves and each other (That's is something we can revisit later) it only made seance that we (humans) could also benefit.
I found several recipes one is historical (maybe) and one uses homemade (please see homemade air freshener post) or store bought essential oils. Always check a small section of skin before applying ANY bug sprays, homemade or otherwise for a reaction.
This first sounds like it would smell WONDERFUL!
Since so many plants repel insects for themselves and each other (That's is something we can revisit later) it only made seance that we (humans) could also benefit.
I found several recipes one is historical (maybe) and one uses homemade (please see homemade air freshener post) or store bought essential oils. Always check a small section of skin before applying ANY bug sprays, homemade or otherwise for a reaction.
This first sounds like it would smell WONDERFUL!
Essential Oil Bug Spray
- Essential oils: choose from Citronella, Clove, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Cajeput, Eucalyptus, Cedar, Catnip, Lavender, Mint, etc...
- Witch Hazel
- Distilled or boiled Water
- Vegetable glycerin (optional)
How to Make Homemade Bug Spray
- Fill spray bottle (I used 8 ounce) 1/2 full with distilled or boiled water
- Add witch hazel to fill almost to the top
- Add 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin if using
- Add 30-50 drops of essential oils to desired scent. The more oils you use, the stronger the spray will be. A favorite mix is: Rosemary, Clove, Cajeput, Lavender, Cinnamon and Eucalyptus… it works great and smells good too!
The second one has been posted and re-posted for many
years. With each posting is the accompanying
story.
Used by thieves during the black plague to keep
from getting sick. They used it internally and externally to avoid catching the
disease and to keep the flies and other pests away. According to legend, it
worked and they survived… but it definitely makes a great insect repellent these
days! Its also very inexpensive to make and you probably already have the
ingredients in your kitchen!
Vinegar of the Four Thieves Insect Repellent Ingredients:
- 1- 32 ounce bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 TBSP each of dried Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and Mint
- At least quart size glass jar with airtight lid
How to Make the Vinegar of the Four Thieves Insect Repellent:
- Put the vinegar and dried herbs into large glass jar.
- Seal tightly and store on counter or place you will see it daily. Shake well each day for 2-3 weeks.
- After 2-3 weeks, strain the herbs out and store in spray bottles or tincture bottles, preferably in fridge.
- To use on skin, dilute to half with water in a spray bottle and use as needed.
- Use whenever you need serious bug control!
(Note: This mixture is very strong and has antiviral and
antibacterial properties. It can also be used as a tincture for any illness. For
adults, dose is 1 TBSP in water several times a day,for kids over 2, dose is 1
tsp in water several times a day.
So get out there (without bugs) and enjoy summer!
So get out there (without bugs) and enjoy summer!
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