Life at Our Little Homestead http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:19:00 -0600 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:19:00 -0600 This is so adorable and practical :) Click over to our site to find your FREE COPY :) Happy Homekeeping- Lisa   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/745622/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:19:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/745622/ Thanksgiving: Preparing the Homestead-CONTEST! To enter you must go to our main blog/website--click here :) :) So–we’ve been giving some great natural cleaning recipes out, to prepare for Thanksgiving and thought it would be fun to give away a copy of our “Homestead Simplicity: Natural Clean” eBook!  That picture is MUCHO bigger than anticipated–lol.  So–anyhew….you know the drill on our contests–we keep ‘er simple..  If you’d like to win a copy of this title….just post a comment here, with your first name and email addy….you’re entered!  Want another chance to win……?  BLOG about this contest and get TWO more entries, just post your comment with your name, email and link! Want yet another entry? Sign up for our eNewsletter on the front page of the site- here  & tell me in your comment that you signed up for it….it’s that easy!  We’re running this contest the until November 21st!  On the 22nd, my handsome 2 year old (wow–almost 3 now!) son will draw a winner out of the ol’ hat   We’ll post the Winner on the 22nd! Thanks for stopping by our blog–enter one of our giveaways, grab a cuppa coffee and hang out awhile, we’re glad you came by! Blessings~ Lisa http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/745613/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:42:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/745613/ Sooo….it’s 2 weeks until Thanksgiving. Are you prepared? (are you laughing right now?) All those relatives inspecting, er…visiting— and of course you want your homestead to be clean, inviting and enjoyable for all who meander by. I am going to share a few of my Natural Clean recipes to make the cleaning of the Homestead E-A-S-Y and au’ naturel (aka the children CAN use the cleaners (no freaky toxins) and help Mama! Furniture Oil Grab an old container, any will do–tupperware, canning jar–whatever is handy and has a tight fitting lid. :)  Fill half full of Olive Oil (I usually only use a half cup or so, as a little truly goes a long way and this is super easy to make up quickly when needed!) now you can add 1 t of Lemon Juice OR (and this is my personal preference) add some Sweet Orange essential oil, or Lemon essential oil–about 5 drops to the Olive Oil.  Now–Tighten your lid down, shake it up a bit and it’s done.  Next, take this container and an old cloth (1 for each child/helper who is above the age where he/she will try licking the cloth with the yummy smelling oil on it) and demonstrate (if needed) on how to polish the woodwork, furniture, etc. and let the children do this for you–or do it together–make it fun! Be sure when you are done–the lid goes back on tightly AND you mark the container “FURNITURE OIL”. You don’t want Aunt Mabel grabbing for it as she prepares a recipe at your home on Thanksgiving Look for more Natural Clean recipes (and some edible ones too!) coming up on the countdown to Thanksgiving 09! :o) Lisa www.HomesteadOriginals.com Lisa is blessed to be a wife to Marc, Mama to four blessings, and a keeper at home! They live their homestead adventure in the mountains of the Northwest. Seeking the trail that the Father has called them to follow “off the beaten path,” they homeschool, homechurch, and work from home. They operate a family-run business, Homestead Originals (www.HomesteadOriginals.com/), where they specialize in wonderful handcrafted goodies. Lisa is also the author of the Homestead Simplicity E-Book series, which focuses on encouragement for the homekeeper, simple family living, natural cleaners, and making everything from scratch. Come on by and visit Lisa’s blog (www.homesteadoriginals.com/?m=200903). Lisa@HomesteadOriginals.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/744099/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:23:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/744099/ Grandma Koontz’ Cakes  Okay so these are THE absolute favorite breakfast around here–add in some of my home canned pears and you have silent (at least at the breakfast table) happy children (including the BIG kid at the head of the table!) Grama Koontz went home to the Father, right when dh & I married, I never got to meet her. :(  I hear stories, and this lady was a pistol!  I would of loved her dearly, I know! I have her old griddle and will keep her recipe alive and the stories my husband tells, about being a kid at Grama’s and how she always made him these, his favorite ‘cakes!   In a large bowl, stir very well : 6 Eggs 4C Buttermilk (1 Quart) ¼ C Olive Oil 1C Half n’ Half 1 Tb. Yeast 4C Organic Flour 2Tb Baking Soda 2Tb Baking Powder (aluminum FREE) 2Tb Sugar 1 Tb Sea Salt When done mixing, put this into a large pitcher (for easy pour) or Tupperware with lid. Store in fridge and stir daily~will keep at least 2 weeks.  These make for a Soooo simple, hot breakfast that is Deeeeeeeelicious!   These truly are the best pancakes! Lisa ps--If you have someone "Gluten Free" in your home, I sub "Jules Flour Mix" that I whip up and keep on hand-works great! www.HomesteadOriginals.com This recipe and many more are found in our eBook: Homestead Simplicity: A Primer http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/739937/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:21:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/739937/ Ah…..Autumn…it’s here….yay! Truth be told, Winter is fast on its heels in my neck of the woods! So is your homestead prepped for Winter? To keep on top of all the chores that need to get accomplished, I love to use this “Basic Household Cleaning List” from DonnaYoung.org, (to find it,  scroll about a 1/4 to 1/2 way down the page and look for the title of “Basic Household Cleaning List” and you can click and download a copy for yourself :)  it helps me look at the seasonal things that we need to do to keep our homestead running somewhat smoothly…and remind me of those ‘once a year chores’ that I may otherwise forget! I also love the weekly section that lists areas that I can fill in with those monthly/weekly chores that will, and do, slip my mind without this great chart to keep us on track!  Things like flipping the matresses and cleaning the coffee pot…things I ‘intend’ to get done, but without my reminder chart….tend to get forgotten! I was looking over my chart today, as I stood in the kitchen, tanking down that first cup o’ coffee and noted we had really got a lot done and are pretty much ready if the snow that is being predicted does fly, starting this evening. My husband is really the one who does the bulk of the outdoor prepping, but all in all the whole family participates in one fashion or another This year we needed to really get our wood stocked back up, and thanks to much hard work by my husband, it is done! Kindling and all!! The faucet covers are on to help protect our water system from freezing up, the hoses have been drained and put up (ah…back to hauling water to the animals!) & we needed a bit of weather stripping around a particular door, and that is done as well. Tools that won’t be used over winter are stored (great to store with a coat of WD40 on them , or in a bucket of sand and olive oil, to keep them from rusting) tools that will be used, such as the snow rake, snow blower, snowshovels, wheelbarrow (for hauling wood from the main wood pile to the racks we have on the deck to hold a few days worth at a time), etc are ready to roll! Machines that won’t be used are cleaned up and made ready for winter (riding mower and such). Gutters are cleaned and ready for the snow and ice–as ready as they can be. All the childrens outdoor toys and such are put up, covered up or otherwise tended to… all their ‘treasures’ from down at the creek are picked up and put up til next year (if you don’t pick them up the creek WILL take them far, far away downstream during the annual flooding we tend to get! The creek goes from peaceful babbling brook in summer to raging river in late fall/early winter! If the creek doesn’t get ‘em  the annual windstorms will!). We have the stove cleaned and it’s already keeping us warm and fed!  Using a real stove/chimney brush, I say ‘real’ because I’ve heard of folks using other ‘things’ to do this job (they are easily used and saves on having a chimneysweep come out and do this for you) keeps creosote down and ensures a great draw! I love to keep pots of soups or chilis going on the stove during the cold months, we also keep kettles of water on the stove–that we can keep moisture in the air with, and add essential oils, such as Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, etc for colds, sniffles, or just ‘cleaning the air’.   Fuel!  We have our propane tanks and smaller fuel tanks full, we’re holding out on filling up larger fuel tanks, hoping prices will DROP! When winter hits with a vengence–it’s nice to have propane for using our outdoor heaters / cookstoves if need be, and gas for snowblowers, chainsaws, etc. or even filling a vehicle if caught in some sort of longer than a few days, winter event. If you use rock salt, get it now–have it at the ready. Cat litter is another help (although messy to clean back up) to get traction for feet or tires! Vehicles are ready, with the exception of snowtires, which legally, here, we can’t put on til November 1st–antifreeze, ice scrapers, tire chains, jumper cables, and emergency bags are all taken care of in both rigs. Althought I DO need to get my G.O.O.D bags (’get out of dodge’) repacked with extra clothing and blankets, couple candles, etc., etc. (etc = whatever you think your family will need in a “Get outta dodge” situation–I’ll leave that to your imagination) back in the vehicle–I took them out to got thru the clothing and wash it, etc.  Need to get that on the list of immediate TO DO’s! Now is also a great time to put extra straw in the goat barns and dog houses (or whatever critters you have on your homestead!) for the animals to stay snug and warm during winter!  Also to get a rubber hammer out break ice up, in animals water containers. I also try to have the pantry totally stocked by this time of year, so all I need to do is keep up on things, rotate and can soups, stews, chilis–meals, as I make big batches :)  I also make sure all blankets (extras included) get a good washing and are ready for tossing an extra on the beds in cold weather, the camper has a few extras, and for using as indoor window coverings in extreme cold.  Another thing we do each Fall, is ‘inventory’! Does each person have a good pair of snowboots that still FIT them? What about snowpants? Coat? Gloves? Hats? What can we toss or donate, and what can be passed down to the next person? What about our emergency medical supplies? Do you have a family member that needs certain medications? NOW is the time to be sure those things are on hand, rather than get hit by a freak ice storm or something and not be able to get them (and that is a good plan for the entire year, emergencies don’t just happen in winter–man made disasters can happen at any time, we’ve all been witness to that!) Last but certainly not least…just for fun–make sure you have a few decks of cards, and games (with all the pieces) handy, some hot cocoa mix, coffee and teas and OF COURSE candles–so when your power goes out or you have a winter weather event, etc.– you have some comforts that make things more pleasant than they would be without them Let the snow fly… Lisa www.HomesteadOriginals.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/739254/ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:10:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/739254/       Homeschooling is such a blessing!  Having a few 'tools' in your skirt pocket when homeschooling multiple children is a BIG blessing--;)  Young Minds is a great DVD aka 'tool' for assisting in the teaching of numbers & counting for little ones--in an engaging manner! My son loves all the pictures and images of 'frogs', 'trucks' etc--and counts along with the DVD and identifies the numbers/objects/images.  I like that this DVD uses real images and real music in the backround, rather than cartoon characters, loud noise, and gibberish in images that go 1000 mph!  If they are going to watch something on 'the screen' make it something of worthwhile substance that teaches them something good! Young Minds is a winner in our homeschool family, we've really enjoyed it and see results!! Math Tutor DVD has another wonderful tool for homeschool families! Happy Homeschoolin' Lisa www.HomesteadOriginals.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/738100/ Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:44:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/738100/ “Leathercraft Projects To-Go” from Tandy Leather Have you seen these NEAT ‘projects to go’ from Tandy Leather ? SUCH a neat idea and such fun projects for the children! Tandy has created these ‘projects to go ‘ in a sturdy plastic bucket (reusable!) based on themes (we used the Native American one) such as “Sports”, “New Frontier”, “Camp”, “Ranch-Farm”, “Patriotic”, etc….they include short lessons/information on the theme, along with HIGH QUALITY supplies to make up to 12 of EACH of 3 projects–that’s 36 projects folks! These are so perfect for Homeschool CoOps, Homeschool Group gatherings, or as just plain old FUN–my children absolutley LOVED the projects and could easily pick up the directions and figure out how to make everything on their own, too. Tandy makes REAL projects (I’ve seem so many ‘projects’ for children out there that are just cheesy garbage ‘crafts’….aka busywork!) with really nice high quality, REAL leather, real sharpie markers, eco friendly paints, beads, etc. VERY nice! The children can create their own designs, get ‘hands on’, creative and artistic and be learning all at the same time Here is some more info direct from the Tandy Leather website: Everything needed to create 36 leathercraft theme projects in a handy bucket! Students will learn about the theme while creating a useful and decorative leather project. Lesson includes history and new vocabulary words. Creativity, math and dexterity skills will be exercised to design, personalize, color and then assemble the project. The Native American Theme Bucket contains: • Complete Lesson Plans & Instructions • 3 Projects: Hide Pouch, Koozie or Pouch & Arrowhead Fob:       — 12 Pre-Punched Leather Hide Pouch Parts       — 12 Pre-Punched Leather Koozie or Pouch Parts       — 12 Pre-Punched Arrowhead Fobs • A Look Back Into Historic “Native American Symbolism” • A Look Back Into Historic “Weapons Of The Frontier” • A Look Back Into Historic “Native American Dwellings” • Eco-Flo™ Cova Colors® Acrylic Paints • Stencils • Sharpie Markers • Cord • Hook & Loop Fasteners • Brushes • Design & Coloring Ideas • Beads  Lots of fun, (I even made a few things myself!) the children loved them (this was perfect, as they love to study early american history (aka pioneers n indians!) and I like the fact that they are making something of use/value out of nice high quality materials and learning something along way–for the children, they don’t realize they are being taught and learning–these projects are just plain ol’ FUN. Tandy has tons of fun, high quality projects and ideas on their website–check them out! I would highly recommend their new “Projects To Go”–great idea…and lots of smiles (from parents and children alike!) Happy Homeschoolin’ Lisa http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/736626/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:42:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/736626/   Sell, Barter and Give…oh my! Odd, how a twist in the economic ’style’ of this country has brought back some age old thought and wisdom. When it comes to ’stuff’ and ‘things’ we really evaluate what we ‘need’ vs the,  ‘eh, I could do without’, when times get a bit ‘uncomfortable’. As we prepare to make our big move, we are finding that there are things we have here at this location, that we have no use for in our soon to be location.  As we ‘look around’ and see things we have, but truly do not need, or want to move— because hey, let’s be honest, it’s nice to have things that make life easier! It’s nice to have ’the latest model’. Question IS…Will we ‘need’ these things in our new homestead? We see opportunity, to barter or sell those things, to get the things we will really need and use at our new place. Or do we know someone who could really use something we have, but really never use? BLESS THEM!!!  Give it away!  Anyhow, that leads me to my point of this post (really!) I have found lately that folks are A LOT more apt to sell for cheap (or somewhat reasonable), barter (whatever happened to this GREAT idea!?), or even GIVE things away!  I have also found that there are a variety of places to find what we do need on the cheap or even FREE. Let me give you an example.  A few months back as we were planning for this big change in our lives, we knew we’d better start shopping around for a few things.  We also knew we’d better start planning on getting rid of a few things. So, to Craigslist I go.  I start checking daily on a few key items we are hunting for. Sure enough, within a few days I find the fuel tanks that my husband is looking for!  Best part? The seller is open to bartering! (I find this a LOT these days on Craigslist) Anyhew…for a truckload of wood (that we wouldn’t be able to take with us anyway) and an air conditioner, (that we would not want to be running and sucking up our off grid power!) we got the 2 huge fuel tanks we needed. Voila! Just yesterday I stopped by the Salvation Army and gave away a bunch of very nice clothing.  Many nice things the children have outgrown, never worn or had been given that they just didn’t care for–we had a bunch of baby clothes that our son never even wore (folks give babies FAR too many clothes! lol), some clothing that I had, that was very nice, from when I worked outside the home… many moons ago, that hadn’t been worn since the day I left the cubicle behind!  I am sure all these items could bless someone else though, and help empty my closet, clutter and moving load! Searching Craigslist is a great blessing!  We’ve sold goats, refrigerators, given away a piano to another homeschool family….bartered for equipment, bought some spendy tire chains for the truck that were less than 1/3rd the price new, bought some “impossible to come by–sold out game” — baseball tickets, for a special outing for one of the children and daddy’s ‘day out’….we even acquired one of our Livestock Guardian Dogs through Craigslist!!!  Check out their “FREE” section too! Now my REAL find.  We homeschool, we love books…. and I have a myriad of options and know of TONS of places and vendors to buy from , when it comes to buying books and materials. TONS.  I found this place (via Craigslist too!) that is a couple hours from me, geographically, and I’d heard of it before–just never drove the distance to go check it out.  Well, come to find out, (this is SUCH A HUGE BLESSING!!) this is a GOLDMINE of a gently used local homeschool bookstore/curriculum shop! The best part? I email them with my list of book titles, or curriculum wants–they shop for me, pull my choices right from my list–and UPS it to me!  This is homeschool heaven, folks!!!!!  I will share–because you can email Jessica your list and since they ship UPS, you can have your order shipped direct to you too!  They are professional, carry a HUGE variety, have NICE stuff, and make finding titles EASY. I love em!  The shop, for any Northwest Washington locals, is “Homeschool Potpourri” in Kirkland.  Next idea for maybe getting rid of things that you’ve got that you just don’t truly need and are cluttering your home and life, is FreeCycle!  You can not only get rid of things you don’t need any longer and that will bless someone else–but you can find things you do need, for FREE!  FreeCycle is a non-profit, staffed by volunteers, and is a great way to ‘recycle’ and  GIVE to others who may need something, that you no longer have need for-it’s a win-win!  Check out their site for specifics at www.FreeCycle.org When we buy, sell, barter and giveaway with one another–we are helping out neighbors, and ourselves…saving time, money, reusing, recycling…sounds like a winning combination to me! Lisa Lisa is blessed to be a Wife to Marc, a Mama to 4 blessings, and a Keeper at Home! They live a God centered, family centered, homesteading lifestyle of learning in the mountains of the Northwest. They operate their family run business Homestead Originals where they specialize in handcrafted candles, soap, and gifts for the Homestead. She is also the author of the Homestead Simplicity E-book series that focuses on Encouragement for the Homekeeper, Simple Family Living, Natural Cleaners, and Making Everything from Scratch! Come on by and visit Lisa’s Blog for great ideas, tips, freebies and contests too! To contact Lisa, email Lisa@HomesteadOriginals.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/686164/ Wed, 6 May 2009 08:30:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/686164/ I love to make anything and everything homemade if I can!  So when it comes to the kitchen, homemade is definitely a priority!  I just love to ‘create’ my own buttermilk!  This makes SUPERB pancakes, salad dressings, biscuits and so much more!  This is so easily done.    I grab a quart of organic, raw buttermilk from my local Natural Foods Co-Op (you can use regular store buttermilk too!)  I take 2 cups, I then pour this in one of my (very clean) half gallon glass milk jugs and fill the rest of the way up with raw goats milk (You can use store bought milk here too if you wish).  I set this out on the kitchen counter for 12 hours. I give it a little shake, and put in the fridge. Voila!   Use clean containers, and fresh buttermilk and milk to start.  It should smell ‘buttermilk-ish’ not ‘bad’.  I’ve yet to have a bad batch.  I use a good amount of buttermilk and if you always keep it FRESH, and keep 2 cups to make a new batch…you’ve got your own homemade buttermilk! (This is akin to a ‘starter’) If you don’t use so much buttermilk, just cut this recipe in half! Enjoy~ Lisa www.HomesteadOriginals.com   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/676347/ Mon, 6 Apr 2009 07:08:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/676347/ IF YOU GIVE A MOM A MUFFIN... If you give a mom a muffin, She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it. She'll pour herself some. Her three-year-old will spill the coffee. She'll wipe it up. Wiping the floor, she'll find dirty socks. She'll remember she has to do laundry. When she puts the laundry in the washer, She'll trip over boots and bump into the freezer. Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan for supper. She will get out a pound of hamburger. She'll look for her cookbook ("101 Things To Do With a Pound of Hamburger"). The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail. She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow. She will look for her checkbook. The check book is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two-year-old. She'll smell something funny. She'll change the two year old's diaper. While she is changing the diaper, the phone will ring. Her five-year-old will answer and hang up. She'll remember she wants to phone a friend for coffee. Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup. And chances are... If she has a cup of coffee, Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it. by Kathy Fictorie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/673076/ Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:10:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OurLittleHomestead/673076/