Modern Pioneer: The Cash Storm, Homesteaders Freedom...

Modern Pioneer: The Cash Storm, Homesteaders Freedom...

 Future Bunny Houses

This is the type of Bunny houses we are wanting to build soon, as we know bunnies multiply like crazy!

Brrrrrr, it's cold outside!!!!!


    The past few days have been exceptionally windy and cold here in Middle Georgia, I'm looking forward to warmer weather later this week as I have loads of planting yet to do! We still have to clear our side plots and till, and then amend the soil so we can broadcast Winter Rye and Hairy Vetch as a cover crop. We also have several rows of red onions that need to be RE-planted, Thanks to our rotten Guineas!

Bunnies!!!!

   We just picked up 7 new Californian rabbits Saturday afternoon to add to our homestead for producing great organic fertilizer for our gardens. We use Purina NaturalAdvantage to feed them, and so far they are adjusting well to their new home. The great thing about bunny manure is that it can be added directly to gardens without composting first, as it doesn't burn the plants. Given the size of our gardens, the bunnies will make growing our gardens more affordable, and has the added benefit of lowering our carbon footprint. <<Pictures to come soon>>

Top 3 DIY Laundry essentials- You don't wanna miss these! We are currently using the Lavender and Vinegar fabric softener and it is awesome and super easy to make! Check out the directions here http://campwander.blogspot.com/2012/08/top-3-diy-lavender-laundry-essentials.html . I hope you enjoy!!

I know you've probably heard about making laundry soap at home, but who knew you can make a years supply of laundry soap for under $30 a year! To learn how to make your own, check out the directions here http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/08/make-a-years-worth-of-laundry-soap.html as well as everything you will need for this project! What a great way to save money and try something different! Have Fun!!!!

Autumn Scented Homemade Woolen Handwarmers

I found an awesome idea for creating special, scented hand warmers, it can be found here http://campwander.blogspot.com/2012/10/autumn-scented-homemade-woolen-hand.html . What a neat idea!!

Homemade Pancake Mix-Yummy!

I found a great, money saving recipe for homemade pancake mix- and since we go through a ton of the stuff this is a real money saver for us! I've shared a link for the recipe source at the bottom of the page so you can check it out, she has tons of great information and recipes on her site!

MAKING THE PANCAKE MIX

(makes 4 recipes)
8 C. flour
6 T. + 2 t. baking powder
4 t. salt
1/2 C. dry egg powder
2/3 C. sugar
1 1/3 C. dry non-instant milk powder or 2 2/3 C. instant milk powder
Mix dry ingredients together WELL (and make sure your baking powder is still good!) and store in an air tight container.

MAKING PANCAKES FROM THE MIX

2 3/4 C. pancake mix
2 1/4 C. water
1/3 C. oil (or bean puree)
Mix ingredients together until smooth.  Pour onto pre-heated griddle.  Flip pancakes when bubbles form.

ORIGINAL BEST-EVER PANCAKE RECIPE

2 C. flour
5 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
2 eggs (2 T. dry egg powder + 1/4 C. water)
3 T. sugar
2 C. milk (1/3 C. dry non-instant milk powder or 2/3 dry instant milk powder + 2 C. water)
1/3 C. oil
Beat eggs, add milk, stir in oil, add dry ingredients.  Beat until smooth.  (If you’re using all dry powders, you can simply add all your dry ingredients, water, and oil.

WANT THIS TO BE A BUTTERMILK PANCAKE MIX?

EASY!  Change the mix recipe to be…
8 C. flour
4 T. baking powder
3 T. baking soda
4 t. salt
1/2 C. dry egg powder
2/3 C. sugar
2 2/3 C. buttermilk powder
Mix dry ingredients together WELL (and make sure your baking powder is still good!) and store in an air tight container.
You’ll make the pancakes from the mix the exact same way.

My Thanks to Crystal over at Everyday Food Storage for sharing such a great recipe! She has many more good recipes over there so check it out!

Garden Update Week Ending July 27, 2012

Well we have learned that we definitely have a calcium deficiency in our soil here. Our Roma tomatoes, Yellow Squash, and our Watermelons are all showing signs of Blossom End Rot, which is caused by a calcium deficiency. We had to throw all of our watermelons to the chickens yesterday as the blossom end was rotted and brown. If you get a watermelon that is wrinkled and brown on the end, chances are it is blossom end rot. At any rate, I will be adding some bone meal to the soil to hopefully counteract this so we can get melons this year! Our cucumbers have had a rough time with all the heat but they are still producing, albeit much slower than before. Our bell peppers are looking great, but have a poor taste, unlike last years crop. After research it appears that not enough water is the culprit. Apparently Bell Peppers like moist soil and will taste bitter or bland without adequate water. Our zucchini have produced a little but everything seems to be having a rough time in the summer heat. The tomatoes have been having issues with brown caterpillars that look like tomato hornworms, which come to find out are both Tersa Sphinx caterpillars; they just come in both green and brown.

Hectic Week

Okay so it has been a hectic week- We finally got our well fixed, come to find out we needed both a new Well pump and a well tank- but we have water and it is working like a champ! We did end up getting an impressive thunderstorm last night and a good bit of rain so hopefully that will help the garden some.

How to build Community

A friend of mine shared this on Facebook, I really wish I knew who the artist is so that I could give them credit, this is so true! A strong community is vital, get to know your Neighbors!

Orange Peel Oil Candle

This is a really cool idea! Using an orange and some olive oil to make an oil lamp!