Getting Off The Grid - 2020 Homestead - What Is To Come?

The year of 2019 I learned more about the homestead. More than just growing food.

I did try new methods of growing and some worked and some didn`t, lesson learned.

If I am to get off the grid I have to make enough money off the homestead to pay for some needs. Property taxes is one of those "you have to have money" needs.  This is what I have been doing the year of 2019, I am discovering how and what, I am learning how to be established as a selling homestead. Yes, it took a whole year. No one said it would be easy.

As far as getting off the power grid, I am now looking at several options instead of solar as the only option and I will discuss those with you as the year progresses and I try each one out.

Now to the water, Yes I want a well. No I have not contacted a well digger, yet. Why? I gave my all to help someone suffering with cancer that did not have any help, God called him home so I will be looking into getting a well here, that would save around $600 a year and hopefully the water not leave scale behind on everything.

While some homesteaders hold on to everything, in case they need it for a future project, I just can`t.  I don`t feel right inviting people here to buy my jelly and it looking like a dump. I have been very busy cleaning up "the I might need it later hoard."

The year of 2019 I added much more to the online store "Sunshine`s homestead creations." not only body products but healing salves and homemade ink. Art will be added soon.  As far as the physical store, I will see how that goes in 2020, I do have plenty to stock a store, now that I learned more about my homestead, so that will be up to God to lead me into a new way of life with a store to sell my goods.

I have a goat but I have not gotten her here, yet. I plan for laying chickens in the spring.

The people I have been conversing with the past few week may be what I need. Time will tell.

Goodbye 2019. I welcome 2020 with open arms.

By Andria Perry

Photo by Andria Perry

What To Give Anyone For Christmas!

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When you run out of ideas and you still have so many people on your Christmas list, think about the small businesses online and local. 

Homemade gifts for everyone!

Lotions and soaps that makes the skin feel and smell so special. Or the no added scent lotions and soaps for those with sensitive skin or breathing problems.

Body Sprays!

Scented to perfections for everyone in the family.

Beards are in!

Beard oils are not to much for the beards as they are for the itchy skin underneath. Bread balms for those who would like to have a style and control a wild beard.

For the kids too!

Kids love the wild berry scent, more like grape kool-aid scent, and the sweet almond are perfect, lotions and body washes.

The Outdoors People!

Yes! lotions with natural sun protection and lip balms for the lips, hey and don`t forget the insect repellent.

Got hunters? We have them covered! No added scent or chose the cedarwood.

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We have gifts sets, singles and many items for stocking stuffers, plus free shipping with orders $35 or more!

So when you are looking for that homemade gift, no added dyes ever! just stop by, I will be glad to serve you.

At  Sunshine`s homestead creations

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By Andria Perry

Photos By Andria Perry

Getting Off The Grid - Fall Upkeep

Living on a homestead there are always chores to get done, each season has a different set.

I make myself a list of chores to get done, it makes life easier for me.

1 - Mow grass so the homestead looks nice and neat.

2 - Cut down any over grown bushes, if possible root for new plants.

3 - Clean the dead plants out of vegetables beds and flower beds.

4 - Trim lower limbs of trees, cut for fire wood or use wood chipper if possible.

5 - Stack and store tomato cages.

6 - Rake pine straw and bag up for later use.

7 - Start herb cuttings for winter use in kitchen windowsill.

8 - Plant new fruit and nut trees.

9 - Take houseplants inside for the winter.

10 - Wash and clean all your mowers and digging tools.

That is how I do October on the homestead, how about you? Do you have certain things that you want done?

By Andria Perry

Photos by Andria Perry

Getting Off The Grid - Its Pepper Time

This year my garden did not make it so I took what the land had to give me naturally, and the gifts of friends, and added to the home canned stockpile.

The past week it was peppers, mostly Jalapeño peppers, I did five pints of whole green pickled, one half pint of sliced and then I went out of my comfort zone, I made my own red hot sauce. (think of Frank`s or Texas Pete) It was easier than I thought it would be, I got two liters, and the dried peppers I picked are now hanging for next years seed.

Home canning any peppers has been easy for me and I was taught how to do this back when I was just 13 years old. So, Here I will share with you how I can mine.

Always clean your jars with soap and water, then sterilize them. I heat my lids and seals in boiling water and keep them hot. 

I use pints for whole and half pints for sliced.

Pickled Peppers

I wash the peppers, making sure no dirt is on them. 

I pack the jars with the peppers leaving 1 inch head space.

In a large stainless steel cooking pot I add:

1 part water

1 part vinegar

1/2 teaspoon canning salt to each jar

1 tablespoon sugar to each jar

With this recipe you can make one jar or 12 jars. 

Red Hot Sauce

Wash the peppers to make sure they are clean of any dirt.

Put on steady plastic gloves! Make this in a well ventilated area!

You will Need :

25 red jalapeño peppers - chopped

1 small onion chopped

5 cloves of garlic or 7 teaspoons of minced garlic

2 tablespoons of lime juice

2 teaspoons of canning salt

1 teaspoon of paprika

1/4 cup sugar

Slice off the ends of each pepper and chop in a couple pieces, it doesnt have to be pretty. Chop onion.

Put all ingredients  in a large stainless steel cooking pot, bring to a boil, Lower the temp and cover, allowing a slow boil for 20-30 minutes, the peppers will be soft.

Set off the heat and allow to cool.

In a food processor, or blender, puree till smooth. 

Use a mesh screen to remove the seed, pouring through into a large glass or plastic bowl.

Pour your hot sauce into jar of choice, using hot lids, and process to seal, using a water bath.

This made 1 liter.

NOTE :

If the consistency is to thick, add a little vinegar at a time till its just right for you.

There! Do you think you will make your own pickled peppers or red hot sauce? 

That is what is going on at my homestead, what is happening on yours? 

By Andria Perry

Photos - Pixabay

Getting Off The Grid - Defining The Homestead This Summer

What does it mean to get off the grid and have a homestead?  I am sure many will say " to live free!" And that would be the ideal situation, however, we cannot live for free.

Why not? 

Here is a small list of why not`s :

1 - Someone has to pay property taxes, there is no way around this, unless you are over 65 years old, then you get an exemption card to mail in. Most of the people I know that are off grid or on the way like me are far from being retirement age, we have to have some type of income.

2 - Food and Preserving. While we can grow and kill our own food we still will need some type of foods that are store bought. We will need jars, seals,  salt and sugar. I know as time goes by we learn to adjust down the amount of salt and sugar we eat but, yes there is that but, if we make jelly we can make money also by selling it.

3 - Clothing is something we all have to have, so there has to be an income, even if you make your own, you will need fabric and thread.

Those three are the main reasons I did not just do it! 

What does off grid on a homestead mean to me?

No more rushing! I will be out of the rat race, the daily grind of work that pays the power company, the water company, the middle man for food (aka grocery store) and in some cases the doctor.

How Has The Homestead Evolved? 

While this year I didn`t have a vegetable garden to eat fresh foods I still had all the home canned foods in the pantry from last year and the year before, some 3-4 years old, because like the good old tin cans the jars keep foods for 4-5 years.

With the time I would have used to gardening it was not wasted by any means. I have been home canning what the woods has gifted me with and collecting plants for medication as well as items I can sell to make money. 

Learning how to use many of the plants for medication, making medication from those plants as well and using it, especially for my skin, seems everything causes an allergic reaction and these new products do work, all natural and free.

When I look at the homestead now, I don`t see how I am to work the land to get the best benefits, instead I see how can this land work for me and use what it has to offer already. Even what people look at as "the trash of the woods" I now see what it has to offer me.

What Is New?

Most know I named my homestead,  Sunshine`s Homestead,  with the online store, and soon to be physical store, Sunshine`s Homestead Creations. I have one more thing up my sleeve but I won`t reveal till its happened.

Anyways....

As I mentioned above I have made some forms of medication, for my skin. I get ant bites, I get poison ivy rash, even grass breaks me out after mowing so I made a wonderful line of salves. The most organic ever is the plantain, and in my opinion the best to stop an itch and heal a rash within days. 

I do have a link for anyone interested.

September I added a new line of salves. Click for  Sunshine`s Homestead Creations online store. Now what new products can I get ready for October? 

Remember I do have lotions, body washes and even deodorants, with scent and without added scents, never any dyes! And none to very little preservatives. 

By Andria Perry

Photos by Andria Perry and pixabay