It's all about self reliance for me

Being self reliant or self sufficient is something that I long for and work towards each day. It's not easy either let me tell you. Like most of you, I have been addicted to consumerism since birth. Everywhere we go, everything we see encourages us to spend spend spend. Everything is disposable now days. Products are made cheap so as to not last too long and are usually priced so that it's cheaper to replace an item than it is to have it repaired. That's sad I think. I try to repair anything that has problems before I even consider buying a new one but parts are hard to come by and too expensive to be an option most of the time. Quality seems to be a thing of the past. I would gladly pay a little more for a good quality product if you can even find one. That's the problem that I have, I can't find any products that are good quality no matter what the price is. We just use things and then throw them away. There they sit in a landfill for the next million years or more because they were junk to start with. The days of spend spend spend are over here at the farm. I'm just not going to buy things that are junk to start with and then have to buy them over and over again once the give up the ghost.

I guess that's the reason I am so happy to have purchased my Survival Seed Vault. I know that I will never have to purchase these seeds again. All good quality heirloom seeds that will replenish themselves years after year. I'm not buying any of that Monsanto chemical filled seed that is gone with the end of harvest season. I don't want my kids eating that crap anyway, God only knows what they do to those seeds that ends up in the fruit in the end. I don't need some scientist monkeying around with my seeds. I think God had a pretty good idea of what he was doing when he spoke this seeds into existence and ordered them to reproduce a good quality seed that could/should be replanted year after year. I guess God isn't a consumer either...lol

I guess what I am trying to say is that at least with these heirloom seeds that I have now I feel a little saver and more prepared for the days ahead. My Survival Seed Vault provides me and my family a lifetime of seeds that will feed us for the rest of our lives. It's another step in self reliance I would say.

Now, click that link on the side and....Get ya some.

American Preppers Network Formed

Someone has had the insight to establish the American Preppers Network. This is a network of Preparedness minded people from all over. There are already Prepper Networks in Kentucky, Utah, Texas, Ohio and Idaho with many more on the way. If you live in any of these states the preppers network is looking for your input. And for the many states yet to be formed people are needed to take over those networks too. Follow the link for American Preppers Network to see if there is a Preppers Network in your state and let them know you want to help. These networks provide all types of emergency preparedness information for all to benefit from.

You all know that there seems to be a common understanding that hard times are headed our way like it or not. The weather man can tell me it's not going to rain but if I feel a strong wind and I can see dark clouds on the horizon, I know better. I have my umbrella and my rubber boots close by because I chose to be informed by those who are not part of any hidden agenda ( one that they don't even try to hide anymore it seems). The signs are all around us and it's time we all took note of the situation that we are living in today. I know most of you have the means to get yourselves prepared for the uncertain future that awaits us. Well, it's time to get prepared folks, like it or not. Look for your states Preppers Network and see if there is something there that may be of use to you and your family. I know that we all want whats best for our families and we will do whatever it takes to insure their safety, this is a step in the right direction for us all. Get involved with the Preppers Network in your area and let's all stay safe and prepared.

A few experiments in alternative energy

Alternative energy is something that is always on my mind. I of course want/need to find ways to do this on the cheap. If you are a regular reader of this blog you know I always try to find the cheapest and most efficient solution to any problem I have. I have been reading a lot of the posts over at Dragon's blog. He has a really nice set up that he has put together on a small budget. He has also coined a new phrase "The Re-Volt". Dragon's system is mostly a 12vdc system. By using 12vdc devices you avoid loosing energy through the use of an inverter. There are many things you can purchase that use 12vdc. 12vdc electric blanket is one that I thought was great! Check Dragon's post and links for more very informative 12vdc systems.

I have a few things that can be used to generate some alternative energy too. One being a small solar panel that I took off of my solar electric fence charger. Here it is while in the sun and hooked up to my new meter. In the sun producing 11.71 amps.

OK, so how can I use this? I just happen to have a lawn mower battery that has a very low charge. Here you can see it's reading 5.52 vdc rather than the 12vdc a fully charged battery should read.

I hooked the solar panel to the battery. Placing the meter between the positive leads.




A reading of 4.50 amps are entering the battery through the solar panel.



This reading is made with the solar panel attached and not much sun at this time. You can see that the power from the battery and the solar panel combined are now 10.13 volts. After charging for a few hours I will take another reading to see what the battery alone reads. Update!! 1 1/2 hours later--no sun, nearly total cloud cover and the battery now reads 7.59 volts. The small solar panel is charging the battery. I have not charge controler so I will have to keep close check on it. That is good news for sure.

Another project that may be of use is the cordless drill motor/generator. This is just a motor taken from a cordless drill. I had a blower wheel that I think I got from an old air conditioner. Attached the blower wheel to the motor shaft with a wooden dowel rod. Not the best set up but it was what I had at the time, so... I then took the rig over the the overflow from my pond. This overflow runs year round. By placing the wheel, which is now the turbine, so that the water passes over the turbine thus turning it, I can produce a small amount of dc power. A very small amount is all I was able to get from this. 0.15 amps. I will be doing a lot more work on this set up. I know that Dragon uses this as a wind turbine and gets good results from it but I don't get much wind. The overflow runs year round though and may be the best for me.

Today wasn't a total loss

Even though I still have no goats milk the day was still pretty productive. Daisy did seem happy to get on the milking stand, that has to be good. We are in for some really cold weather this week and I needed to work on the chicken coop and the goat barn some to prepare for it. Don't want to loose any animals due to my neglect. I covered the 2 windows on the chicken coop with clear plastic to keep the cold out and the warm in. I also got 3 eggs today, have only been getting about 4 or 5 a week. That's better for sure. I covered the goat barn on the front where I had left somewhat of an opening so they could get plenty of fresh air. I sealed it up and left an opening in the door so they can still get in and out. This should keep it warmer and dryer in the barn. Lou Lou, our other boer doe, is getting bigger and bigger the last few days. Maybe we will have more kids soon. She is not as big as Daisy was so I am not really expecting twins from her. This is also her first breeding as was Daisy's. Emily, our pygmy doe, is gaining some weight but I don't think she will kid anytime very soon. Ya just never know.

I know I have gave you nothing but failures the last few days and I'm sorry. You all take time to stop by and read my ramblings and you must leave on a bit of a sorrowful note. Hope I'm not ruining your day by sharing my failures. But, I want to give you an honest account of what goes on here. It's not always success. I am new to many of the things that I try and can only rely my research, your advice and trial and error. I can only keep trying and learning along the way. For some of you, none of this is new, for others that may be thinking and dreaming of living on a small farm, maybe you are learning along with me. I hope so. I don't paint the prettiest picture for you but, and honest one. I hope you will stay with me and maybe I can post on some real success stories for us both. Until then, I'll be here, one foot in front of the other, moving along as best I can.

'Til then, I remain,

Your Friend,

Chris

I got a new PLAN !!

It's seems that my addiction to smokes and cokes is turning out to be a pain to break. A BIG PAIN and you now where. Tomorrow I will try a new plan that I will post on tomorrow. Chris <-- Fingers Crossed. I am also looking into a way to add a little more income to the farm. I have ,and will continue to be, working on setting up a ETSY account. If you have never heard of it please take a look. A good way for any homestead or anyone else really to sell some of our hand made products. Some of what you will find there : Jams and jellies, pickles and bread and cookies. Alot of homemade products. It's all got me thinking of ways to supplement our income here on the farm with our extra canned goods and things that could be made right here. Be sure to take a look. Maybe you will find a new outlet to sell some of your products and increase you $$$ flow.

Rain Rain Rain

Nothing but rain here today so no work on the milking stand I guess. I'm gonna head down to the clubhouse and work on some renewable power projects. Dragon has a great post about his set and you should read it if you are interested in getting off grid on the cheap. Tell him the Scavenger set ya his way, he'll be glad to hear from ya. Then jump over and see Wretha's post on her solar set up too. Both are very good read and easy to understand information.

Goat Kids and Preps

Had to go to town today (Grrrrr) so I thought since I was there anyway I might as well pick up some goodies. Found this great first aid kit made by Johnson&Johnson. This thing is loaded with all kinds of stuff. 200 pieces and coverage for Skin: Wound Treatment and Protection, itch relief,burns,poison ivy toxin removal, splinter removal. Muscle: aches and pains,swelling,finger sprains,muscle pain. Body: diarrhea,body heat retention,colds and allergies. Equipment and instructions: emergency light, first aid instruction,temperature measurement. All in this neat plastic container that is marked as first aid. We needed to add some stuff to our first aid and this thing just has so many different things that I thought it would be a great addition. I would also recommend this to any one as a very good starter first aid kit. Walmart-$20.00 I also picked up 2 more 1lb (well 1.02 lbs) propane fuel bottles. I try to pick up a few of these each month. Walmart-$5.36 for a 2 pack.

Well I might as well pick up some more CFL's while I'm there too. These things can really save you some $$$. You get the same amount of light as a 60 watt bulb for only 13 watts. If you change all the bulbs in your house to these CFL's you will see a difference in your energy usage. Walmart-$6.97 for a 3 pack, they cost a little more but are well worth the savings.



Then on to Lowes. My meter has been on the injured list for a while now. It's an old one that my Dad gave me years ago. And I mean like 30 years or so ago. I have to have one for my alternative energy projects, so I'm already here, and it's cheaper to get it now rather than come back to town later to buy one. This one should fit my needs just fine. Lowes-$21.95. The funny thing is I just went to Walmart to pick up a prescription and Lowes to get 3 2x6's. Hey, it's stuff that we need and can use so I can justify the cost.

The new goat kids are really doing well. They are running and jumping around the lot and having a ball. They seem to be really healthy. The doe we have named Eve, they were born on New Years Eve and it just seemed right. She has a white spot on the top of her head. The buck kid will be Scout.

This is Scout wondering what those things are with the feathers.


Gotta grab a little warm milk before he goes out to scout the area again.Lou Lou looks like she may be getting close to having kids of her own soon. Only time will tell, I'm not even gonna try to guess again. lol

I'm doing a little better

After a long day full of headaches and nervous jitters I am going to bed now. I wish I could have done better with my Declarations on quiting smoking and Diet Coke but I have made much progress in my ultimate success. Total count for January 1- smoked 4 cigarettes and drank 6 diet cokes. Not good by any ones standards but tomorrow I will continue the fight. I have added a side bar to let others keep track of my success and failures. I vow to continue to battle these addictions until they are defeated no matter what. I have given my word to you and to myself and I WILL keep my word. It's a matter of honor to me now. I'll keep you updated.

On a lighter note, the new goat kids are doing great. I kept them and their mother in the barn last night and I let them out today to enjoy a little sunshine. They ran and jumped and had a ball. We held them and made sure they knew that we were no threat to them and that we provide nothing but love and kindness. It was a good day here on the farm for all.

Reaffiramation of New Years Declarations

This is a re-post of my New Years Declarations. I know that many have been inspired by them and many have been kind enough to link to this post. I wanted to post them again for any that may not have read them before and to reaffirm my Declarations to myself and to the World.

I have decided that this year there will be no New years resolutions, there will be declarations instead. Resolutions are too easy to wiggle out of if you ask me. My list will be Declarations. I declare I will do these things, or die trying. My list is complicated and my goals are high but this is a time in my life that I need to demand more of myself, as we all should. Let's get serious about what changes need to be made and tackle them head on with a vengeance. Here is a list of my Declarations.

I DECLARE, I will stop smoking these cigarettes. Marlboro has shortened my life and emptied my pockets long enough.

I DECLARE, I will stop my addiction to diet coke, 20 a day is just a little out of hand.

I DECLARE, I will make better use of the things available to me, my garden and my livestock, my land and my water source.

I DECLARE, I will produce electricity in a usable amount, be it solar, wind or micro hydro power. I will begin my energy independence this coming year.

I DECLARE, I will learn new skills to help improve our way of life. Soap making, Cheese making and Blacksmithing are among them.

I DECLARE, I will be a better brother, son, father, husband and friend to those I love.

I DECLARE, I will continue to gather and store food and other perps necessary to protect my family.

I DECLARE, I will make better use of my finances. I have never seen a well that won't run dry.

I DECLARE, I will take better care of the things that have been given me. My cars, animals, tools, property and my life to name a few.

I DECLARE, I will take time to smell the roses. Time management will be a top priority.

I will be posting on the success of these Declarations in the near future and will be honest with you and myself as to the outcome. I encourage my readers to call me out on these Declarations. If I haven't mentioned them in some time, ask why! Don't let me forget that I made these DECLARATIONS right here for the whole world to see and hear and that I am obligated to fulfill them.
I am interested to know your plans for the New Year. Are you making resolutions or DECLARATIONS ??

Gifts for the boys in my family

This is the gift that I have chosen for 2 of my nephews. They are at that age were they are impressionable, and I want that impression to be a good one. The American Boy's Handy Book is the ideal gift in my opinion for any boy that falls into the 9 - 12 age group. Hey, I'm 41 and I think it's the greatest thing ever. A lot of good useful information in this book for people of all ages I think. Below is a product description of the book and you can click here to learn more.

Product Description
Originally published in 1890, The American Boy’s Handy Book is the ultimate collection of timeless boyhood activities. Written and illustrated by America's founding father of scouting, this book shows how to have fun while being constructive, creative and daring. The American Boy’s Handy Book is packed with tips, instructions, and illustrations for things boys don't learn while playing video games and surfing the Internet. From making fireworks, shooting arrows, and fighting war kites, to building a raft, riding a sled and training a dog, the author encourages boys to be boys, be active, enjoy some innocent mischief, and develop their self confidence and character (although they probably won't realize these last two are happening).

Now does that sound pretty cool or what?? I would have loved a book like this when I was their age. I have read some of it, don't tell, and man it's full of great stuff that they can use for the rest of their life. This is a wonderful addition to any young (or old) boys collection. I added a little hand written message for each boy on the inside flap of each book also. Maybe some day they will pull that book from it's shelf and remember the great times it provided them over the years and maybe, just maybe they will remember ol' Uncle Chris too.

Now with a book like that you gotta have a good knife to go along with you on the journey, right? OK, so I added to each a inexpensive 7 function swiss army (type) knife. I have carried one on my key chain for years and it has been a life saver for me.

New Years Declarations !!

I have decided that this year there will be no New years resolutions, there will be declarations instead. Resolutions are too easy to wiggle out of if you ask me. My list will be Declarations. I declare I will do these things, or die trying. My list is complicated and my goals are high but this is a time in my life that I need to demand more of myself, as we all should. Let's get serious about what changes need to be made and tackle them head on with a vengeance. Here is a list of my Declarations.

1. I DECLARE, I will stop smoking these cigarettes. Marlboro has shortened my life and emptied my pockets long enough.
2. I DECLARE, I will stop my addiction to diet coke, 20 a day is just a little out of hand.
3. I DECLARE, I will make better use of the things available to me, my garden and my livestock, my land and my water source.
4. I DECLARE, I will produce electricity in a usable amount, be it solar, wind or micro hydro power. I will begin my energy independence this coming year.
5. I DECLARE, I will learn new skills to help improve our way of life. Soap making, Cheese making and Blacksmithing are among them.
6. I DECLARE, I will be a better brother, son, father, husband and friend to those I love.
7. I DECLARE, I will continue to gather and store food and other perps necessary to protect my family.
8. I DECLARE, I will make better use of my finances. I have never seen a well that won't run dry.
9. I DECLARE, I will take better care of the things that have been given me. My cars, animals, tools, property and my life to name a few.
10. I DECLARE, I will take time to smell the roses. Time management will be a top priority.

I will be posting on the success of these Declarations in the near future and will be honest with you and myself as to the outcome. I encourage my readers to call me out on these Declarations. If I haven't mentioned them in some time, ask why! Don't let me forget that I made these DECLARATIONS right here for the whole world to see and hear and that I am obligated to fulfill them.

I am interested to know your plans for the New Year. Are you making resolutions or DECLARATIONS ??

Brrrrrr.....It's cold in here.

That's a line from one of the cheerleader movies that Savannah watches all the time. I think it's a cheer. Well, either way it fit's, because it's cold in here. Been wet and cold since I got back from the folks house for T-Day. We had a great time, all the family was there. Katie and I took the van to WV on Wednesday and Liv and Savannah brought the car. Liv has a new 2009 HHR that we bought about 2 months ago and she and Ban love it. We took separate vehicles because I just couldn't be away from the animals that long, me and Katie came home on Friday, Liv and Ban on Sunday. Katie travels fine with me in the van though, it's a Dodge Grand Caravan with the DVD player and all the stuff. We stopped on the way there and back and had a picnic in the back of the van, that's the great thing about the van, it has what's called stow and go seating. The two seats in the middle and the bench seat in the back can be stowed / folded down and you never know they were there. Makes it like a cargo van once the seats are down. We sat and had sandwiches and watched one of her movies somewhere just outside of Pikeville Ky. There is a new section of road that just opened and there are a few places that you can pull off the road onto large area's of land that overlook the valleys. We got out and threw rocks and enjoyed the view and had a lot of fun.

Once back at the farm we just knew that Daisy, one of our goats had had her kids while we were gone. Not a chance, she's getting bigger by the day and now has a large milk sack. Still no kids. I have worried myself silly about her birthing and now I have just decided that babies of any kind are like apples....when they get ripe....they'll fall.

I had been working on a new barn for the goats just before we left and hope to pick back up on that project once it warms up a little. Cold, Rain and Arthritis just don't mix I tell ya. In the spirit on being a Homesteader, I have gathered up some shipping pallets and am using them to build the barn. I will try to post some pictures in a day or two. Need a little time to do some cosmetic work first, it's not the prettiest thing you ever saw if ya know what I mean. But it's free, so it's me.

On the subject of being a Homesteader, I am also working on a project to have renewable energy down at the Clubhouse. Yes I still have dreams for the Clubhouse just never enough time to pursue them as I'd like. I'll update on that too as time allows. I have an old electric scooter that the kids have pushed to the side so to speak that has a Permanent Magnet motor in it. This motor, if I can find a way to keep it turning, wind or water mill, will produce DC voltage to charge batteries that can then be used with an inverter to make AC -110 power.

And let's not forget the puppies. We had ( I thought ) decided that we would find a good home for all three of them. Looks like we have......right here.

Rub A Dub Dub, Three Pups In A Tub.

Don't worry pup's, Katie still don't like bath time either. You'll get used to it.

Cracking nuts and my favorite Magazine

Well I have finally found time to crack a few hickory nuts that we have picked up around the yard and field. This is the way that I crack them. It takes time but I don't hit my thumb with a hammer either.


First I remove the outer shell of the nut. It will just peel right off a dry nut.

Nut with outer shell removed.I then place the nut in a small vise that I picked up somewhere cheap. A larger one would do a little better.

Slowly turn the handle until you can see and hear the nut start to crack. At this point remove the nut from the vise and you can crack by hand pretty ease. If this picture wasn't crap you could see the crack in the nut.
The result is a cracked nut that you don't have to chase all over the yard and it's mostly still in tact. Just remove the nut meat with a nut pick and repeat.

This is probably my favorite magazine in the whole world. Countryside Magazine - The Magazine of Modern Homesteading & Small Stock Journal. What struck me as most interesting when I first purchased this magazine, years ago, is their Philosophy that is posted on the first page of each new and interesting issue.

Our Philosophy

It's not a single idea, but many ideas and attitudes, including a reverance for nature and a preference for country life; a desire for maximum personal self-reliance and creative leisure; a concern for family nurture and community cohesion; a belief that the primary reward of work should be well-being rather than money; a certian nostalgia for the supposed simplicities of the past and anxiety about the technological and bureaucratic complexities of the present and the future; and a taste for the plain and funtional.

Now, the people that came up with that are what I call Good Folks. Check them out and I'm sure you will like what you see.

http://www.countrysidemag.com/

Animals and signs of fall

A lot of pictures around the farm of the animals, lot of pics and a lot of animals too. Here I am trying to get Daisy to let me know when the kids are gonna be here. She's not telling. Guess that nice stroke on the nose just don't do much for her.
The ducks always come to see if the steers left and food for them. They are little bums. We feed these ducks several times a day and they still come running everytime they see one of us.

The trusted farm dog. Smokey Bear. How could ya not love that face.
Cheif, our buck pygmy just hangin out.
Liv talking it over with one of the goats. I bet their talking about me. I just know it.

Our little Honey Girl had a surpise for us today, 3 black puppies. Not sure about the father of these pups, probably a wanderer just passing through. She likes the "ruff" type.
From that look I belive I have taken enough pics of her baby's.

Our oldest calico cat, patches, enjoying the day outside with us.
This is one of Honey Girls pups too.. Bandit is about 4 years old now and still so little. He's my little grandson. haha!!!
Liv and Katie with 2 of patches kittens, I think Katie is holding Fluffy and Liv has Iddy Biddy. Patches is in the floor keepig and eye on things.


There are sure sign s of fall around there these days and not just the cool nights. The trees are starting to change their color.

Sir. Loin and T-Bone eating a little hay. Hang in there boys, won't be long until your in the freezer.

Arm Yourself with Information

As we all are thinking about prepping for when the poop hits the fan, consider information as a #1 priority. Now we can search the net for all the good stuff that we like to learn about and read to our hearts content, but what about when the grid is down. When TSHF big time like, the grid will most likely be down too, leaving us all of a sudden unarmed with that infomation that was so readily available before. I suggest doing what I have been doing for a while now, if you like it and learn from it, PRINT IT. That's right, just click print, then store your hard copy in your organized notebook that you have just for this information. Sort by subject matter and now you can arm yourself on or offgrid with survival information. I hate to think that I had forgoten a firestarting trick or a water purification step in all the maddness that is to come. Think of new topics that interest you that you want to learn about and click and print. Make this notebook as large or small as you wish, the information you may need will vary with individuals and with their situations I'm sure, but you get the picture.

Punkins, Punkins Everywhere !!!

First let me say that I am very sorry it's been so long since the last post. This simple life that I am trying to live is getting more complicated by the day. Long story and I'm not going to bore you with my problems.

We harvested some punkins and gourds from the garden the other day. Got some nice looking gourds and some yummy punkins.
This is not what I had in mind as food storage but, atleast it's a start. haha!!My girls cleaning out 2 punkins and getting ready to carve them.Katie getting a hand full of punkin flesh.We ofcourse roasted the seeds and they were great.Made 2 loafs of pumpkin bread with this recipe from pick your own. I have already eaten half of one of them. Sooooo Gooooood.Pureed some of the pumpkin to freeze. Seems it's not really recommended to can pumpkin.
Savannah's pumpkin. Katie's Thomas the Train pumpkin.

Spending the night in the Clubhouse !!!

Gonna spend the night in the Clubhouse tonight. Woooo Hoooo!!!!! I can hardly wait until dark, and the kids go to bed too. We have company coming tommorrow night and we ( I ) thought I should give it a trial run before then. (If they come I will be spending tommorrow there too.) So tonight I spend in solitude. Spent a few hours in there last night, until about 12, and man was it great. No tv's screaming at me, no phone ringing over and over, just the thing I desire most in life, peace. I read a little and straightend up some of the stuff that I had in the closet in the house that I moved down there. It was really relaxing. I laid on the bed for a few just to try it out and Smokie Bear lie in the floor looking as content as I was. I wonder if his thoughts drift away like mine, when I closed my eyes I was a thousnd miles away. I could imagine myself (Bear Dog too) in a cabin on a knoll just about a river full of hungry trout waiting for us to arise in the morn. The only sound I could hear was that of the bugs of summer and the croak of the frogs in the pond. If only for a short while I was transported to a far away dream land where I was a true man of the mountians. Needless to say, the Clubhouse is good for me and for those have to try to cope with living with me. I hope that my time in the Clubhouse will make life eaiser for all of us. Talk to you all tommorrow, that is if I wake from my dreams.....

Future Projects (Hopefuly Near)

I will begin with small steps to my freedom from society. I may cause some alarm if I just slip out when no one is looking. I hope that maybe one day people will say "Yea, I remember him, wonder what ever happened to that guy?" So slowly but surley I fade away into the land of the FREE. Steps to be taken:

1. Grow and preserve all of our own food.
(Have chickens, ducks and goats now)

2. Generate usable amount of electricty through some form. Solar, wind or water.
(We get lots of Sun very little wind but have a pond with a nice overflow.)

3. Stop buying shit we have no use for. (We have plenty of that already)

4. Should probably be number 1 but stop my addiction to smoking and diet coke!!!!
(These 2 together are enough for most off gridders to live on.)

5. Rain water collection system.
(Our house is 2200 sq. ft. so we can easily get 1100 gals of water from 1 inch of rain.)