We've been keeping chickens for nearly a decade (9 years actually) - certainly a lot less than some, but enough to be 'seasoned' in the same sense that a cast iron skillet could be considered so after as much time. We've had a lot of failures and frustrations along the way, but enough enjoyment, fresh eggs, … Continue reading Ten Reflections of a seasoned chicken wrangler
Author: Sven Masterson
A simple, strong materials rack for the workshop
I like to keep my materials up and outta the way, mostly because I am a procrastinator and don't get to things right away (I've been thinking about changing, but.... I haven't gotten to it yet). I wanted something simple and durable. So I just picked up a few 3/4" pipe flanges, a few sections … Continue reading A simple, strong materials rack for the workshop
Talenti – The best gelato for your home workshop
Yeah, you read that right! Gelato for the workshop! Well... sorta anyway. We are big suckers for a good gelato, and especially for our favorite brand of gelato, Talenti Gelato. (Twitter: @TalentiGelato) Aside from having some of the creamiest, tastiest, most awesome and pleasure-inducing gelato around, you get a pretty nifty and surprisingly durable and useful container … Continue reading Talenti – The best gelato for your home workshop
Don’t forget beauty on your homestead
One thing that has often bugged us with many homesteading approaches is what we would call a hyper-practical approach that many employ. We sometimes refer to this as 'pallet homesteading' because of the widespread practice among this crowd of fashioning damn-near everything out of pallets. Pallet buildings, fencing, furniture, etc. Now before you flame us as … Continue reading Don’t forget beauty on your homestead
The $2, 20-minute neck-breaking prevention for icy homesteads
Where we live in northern Pennsylvania, winter is some combination of snow, rain, muck and ice. We occasionally see some sunshine in there too! Mud and ice make for miserable homesteading conditions. Whether it's navigating steep and slick terrain to cut firewood, or taking care of livestock on icy mornings, opportunities abound for slipping and … Continue reading The $2, 20-minute neck-breaking prevention for icy homesteads
Are we “Survivalists”?!
Did the title of this post catch your attention? Good. Many, many people sneer at the thought of being a "survivalist" - or "prepper" and not without cause. Many are turned off by paranoid proclamations of doom and gloom and the accompanying encouragement to run for the hills, store up food and water, heavily arm … Continue reading Are we “Survivalists”?!
Where have you people been?
Okay, so it's been a loooooong time since an update. To be honest, we didn't think anyone read this blog, so why update, right? We took a hiatus from this for a few reasons... We didn't feel like our life was necessarily getting "simpler". In fact, homesteading, unless one is ultra-frugal or willing to live a … Continue reading Where have you people been?
A reasonable plan toward residential solar or other renewable energy
Solar energy is expensive. It currently costs more than grid energy, leaving many people to conclude it isn't worth it. If your motivation to choose alternative energy is mostly to save money - you won't get that outcome with this information. At present - establishing alternate energy at home has not yet reached financial parity with grid power. … Continue reading A reasonable plan toward residential solar or other renewable energy
Why your family should own a quality water filter
We've blogged plenty of times about water and the need to have access to good, clean, quality drinking water. Something every family in the world should consider is this... Where and how do we get access to good, clean, healthy drinking water? Many in the world cannot answer this question because they have nothing but … Continue reading Why your family should own a quality water filter
Land/Auction Update
Just realized today that we neglected to post any updates regarding our recent trip to auction to bid on a 37 acre farm. Well, we went there ready to bid. We set a price we all agreed on. We were ready to go. The bidding quickly got beyond our max price. We never even got … Continue reading Land/Auction Update
