Coffee Chat and always more!

 

Coffee Chat and always more!

I have found myself with so many thoughts, that I just can't seem to string together enough words to make them all make sense! Strange place to be when writing is what I have always done to get those thoughts out of my head. It's even stranger to me that all the time, effort and research I do; there is so very few that even take the time to read/watch what I put out. So, I question, why bother?! The handful of people that I actually talk to, most don't want to actually listen to anything that goes against their illusion. The rest just want to race through the conversation, use excuses not to communicate, or lean on excuses as to why they are the way they are. I have spent a lot of years watering myself down, to be acceptable to other people's opinions. 

Sadly enough, I find myself at an intersection of which way to turn. For several years now, I have been in a strange position. As I said, watering myself down to "keep the peace," and realizing my "place" amongst family dynamics...it's been unsettling. I have spent a majority of my life in fight or flight mode. Not really slowing down or settling for anything that didn't fit what I wanted at the time. Being a very independent person, has some pretty high stakes in a world that has become more and more entitled. Being in unique family dynamics has truly pushed me to the position of just being an observer...even though my own life is effected by much of the interactions...I'm not supposed to have or voice an opinion. You can guess how well that typically goes. While I have mellowed out a LOT, I have not lost my fire...it's just been dampened a bit more than it should have been. This has been shoved into the forefront of my vision since this past September, more than I realized. I did what I was asked to do, didn't make any decisions without running past those that needed to have the final word, and struggled to hold myself together while being supportive to my loved ones, and extended family...it has been evident that none of that mattered. You see, when you are the strong one...it's just expected that you will shoulder everything. I have, and do not regret doing what I have felt was right. I do struggle with knowing how to manage several areas right now. I may come back to this subject, but this pushes another area into the light.

We are all guilty of saying or doing things, and just chalking that up to "just being the way we are." That is a pathetic excuse to behave poorly and not be accountable for actions. I know this from experience. I am no saint, and I make a lot of mistakes. However, I attempt to approach most things with compassion and empathy. At least, initially. It becomes a major struggle when you see other people's behaviors reflecting badly on them, because of their lack of compassion, empathy and communication skills. I get that we all have moments when we blow off our mouths, before thinking. I think I have a huge "guilty" sign on my forehead. The thing is, taking some time to reflect on what has been said or done, and revisiting the stressing issues with a level head and patience is important. I am watching this scenario play out in my own life. Honestly, I am not sure how to handle it...I see the problems from both sides, and here I am stuck in the middle yet sidelined. Do I step in, try to play referee yet again(25 years of this is getting old)? Do I stay out of it while watching people that are important to me both be hurt because neither knows how to communicate? I can't really talk to either party involved without getting fully involved and potentially causing a bigger issue. It has had me feeling like I am floundering for months. I like to solve problems, not continually add to them. Right now, the issues are piling up because of stubbornness, hurt, and lack of communication. I hate this situation. 

My brain has been drowning in lack of communication for months! I know everyone is busy, and lives are chaotic. I use that excuse too. I don't have many people that I will confide in, because I've my trust in some broken too often. However, I need to talk out this chaos. As much as I am concerned about the country and world events...my own life right now feels like one of those old spinning tops. You remember those old toys? The ones you'd take in your fingers and give a spin. They'd just spin in circles for a while before getting wobbly and falling over? I kind of feel like my own life is at the point where the top is just starting to wobble, it's not yet falling over but you can anticipate that it's going to real quick. 

I have struggled with all the technology for years. Yes, it is an amazing tool for a lot of things, but it's all one of the biggest time/energy sucks there is. I have seen it case so many more issues than it's actually solved. The biggest one being what I talked about earlier...communication skills. Technology has created not only a lack of communication skills, but it has also created a wedge amongst real relationships. How many of you can relate to having your phone or computer messengers blow up with messages, texts and tags....yet, you never or rarely actually speak to people? I get over 100 emails a day, about 50 messages, and a ton of texts...every day. Yet, I may get 3-4 actual phone calls or maybe 1-2 visitors a week! Typically, my family only talks to find out what is for supper, when they want to bitch about something, or when they feel we need to buy to something. Getting them to sit down for more than 30 minutes without phones, tv, or some other device...is nearly impossible. Having a conversation about anything important to me, does not happen! 

I have also struggled to make sense of so many things of late. Have you ever gotten stuck in a rut so deep, you can't see the top? I know the theory of shoveling a little, taking a step up, and continuing that process to dig out....but it's not working! I'm worn out with the Cha-Cha of 2 steps forward, 6 back. Each time I think I am making progress, something else comes along to undercut every step forward I have made. While I am happy with the person I am and am becoming, individually...I have a lot of areas that are sinking...some pretty rapidly. As I have said before, I like to SOLVE problems. However, right now, I can't seem to find solutions. I hate that! 

Moving on to areas that are not stressing me out. Our farm is my piece of heaven. All of the critters, the babies, the gardens, the trees, and even the clean up from winter...they are my stress relief. I have about 20 hens and rooster that are 3-5 years old. I am adding 11 more babies this year. They are currently still housed in a brooder in my mud room. I love spending time with all of them. I have 10 magpie ducks, 5 mating pairs. My daughter has 2 pygmy goats...which I have had to take over care on, since she lost interest. I have a baby lamb in my house that has been raised on a bottle, and is truly the sweetest little ram I have ever dealt with. There are 50 or so hair sheep in the pasture, with a lot of babies - still not done with the second round of lambs. My son has gotten into raising miniature cows and they and their babies are so precious...and still calving. I believe we have finally gotten to a point where I can get my gardens worked up again, if my husband ever has time to do it. Sadly, I am not strong enough to run the tiller. I have a lot of new trees to plant, new strawberries, blueberries, and lots of flowers to get planted. We are just a few weeks from the typical last frost, so it is time to start seeds, and get vegetable plants too. Not to mention, it's time to start mowing and trimming again. I know so many people hate that, but for me, I love it! I enjoy that time of no technology, no one talking at me, and just complete outdoor connection. I know, I'm weird. I have a chicken coop that has seen much better days, and the runs are in horrible shape. All the work that needs to be done on them, will depend on how the finances go. What I had planned to do out there this year, has been put on hold since we had to get a different hay mower. 

Finally for today, I know many people are too busy to read my blogs, read my social media posts, or even watch my videos. I get it. It upsets some days, but it is what it is. I just hope that somewhere, someone will find some use out of the things I share to help them. I get frustrated when some seem so totally oblivious to what's happening around them, or the way their own behaviors effect their desired outcomes...I can't fix the world. I can only fix me, and the way I manage my life. I just hope others will see that by managing their lives, they are also fixing things...one person at a time. 

Thanks for reading this far. Have a blessed weekend everyone!

Salli

Homesteading, hardships, preparations and recipes

 

Talk about a loaded title! Realistically though, where do you begin in the times we are living in?! History has shown us, that times of hardship have repeat patterns. Even though most of us alive today, have not experienced times that we have read about from the depression period, it is becoming easier to see how close a repeat pattern is becoming. 

Growing up, I did not live on a farm. My Dad gardened, he grew up on a farm, but I really spent more time like a kid from town. I helped my Dad some in the garden, but I had no idea what to do with the extra produce that we didn't eat immediately. So, food preservation was not in my wheel horse...as you will learn, was like many other skills. Like with my Dad, I spent a lot of time with my paternal Grandfather learning about woodworking and carpentry, and several other areas that he was interested in. I truly didn't have a clue. I had a good friend in elementary school that lived on a farm, we'd spend a lot of time there, but again...I didn't know what farming was all about. I always admired my friend and the way her family lived, but I didn't have a clue about the work, effort, blood, sweat and tears that went into their life style. So, when my husband and I got together, there was a massive learning curve. There were also several years of bucking the rural life style. I will admit to probably making his life hellish for about 8 years or so. With that being said, I crossed a threshold at some point, and decided to dive into this amazing but difficult life. 

Now, we have spent the better part of 12 years on our little farm/homestead. Depending on who you talk to is how it is defined. We have had cattle, pigs and chickens for most of those years, and have since added sheep, goats and ducks. We went from a small garden to as much as close to 2 acres of gardens at one point. I have learned to preserve/freeze/dry foods, I have helped butcher chickens. I have taken multiple classes to sharpen my gardening skills, my animal knowledge, my soil knowledge, and how to grow multiple things. I'm constantly learning as much as possible. I have learned to cook from scratch, how to alter recipes, how to build recipes, and how to stretch food. I have learned the value of organization, planning, and schedules. I have honestly learned so much in the past 25 years, I'm not sure I could list everything! Homesteading/farming is not an easy life style, at least not for small farms/homesteads. It's kind of like small businesses. We don't have the luxury of being able to absorb unexpected expenses, we don't get massive discounts, loan opportunities, or bail outs. When we hit hardships, it's a sink or swim scenario. Many small farms/homesteads end up sinking due to the excessive prices. Whether that be the cost of land, feed, or things as simple as lumber, groceries, or utilities. So, I learned very early in my growing process to prepare. While I did not do things to the extent that I do know, I have learned a lot through the years. Fortunately, my husband's grandmother's, great-grandmother's and his mom, helped to teach me a lot!

 

On our little farm, there is rarely a dull moment. Seriously, if it isn't the crazy animals...take your pick of what it could be. Neighbors dogs, eagles, hawks, foxes, coyotes, deer - you never know what is going to cause a stampede and uprising. Most of our farm life, I laugh off some of the crazier things. Like ice skating in the mud and falling square on my butt, while chickens and ducks find it necessary to climb over me. Trying to feed chickens while they think I am a jungle gym or they zig-zag between my legs and about knock me over. Or goats that one decides it needs to use me a leaning post and the other is doing everything possible to avoid any contact with me. It could be ducks that decide to race to the feed pans and flap their wings because I'm in the way, while I'm digging eggs out of their houses by having to basically crawl in them. It could be sheep that think their heads belong in the feed buckets, before it ever gets to the trough, or lambs that think climbing to the top of the hay bale by way of the backs of the ewes. Or guard dogs that think they are lap dogs when they aren't "on the clock." You truly never know what you see, find or get yourself into to. There is so much that goes into our homestead/farm. We home school, which adds yet another layer to the mix. There is that schedule, keeping up with the indoor household chores - laundry, dishes, grocery lists, meal planning, meal prep, bi-annual cleanings, repairs, upgrades, get togethers, budgets, feed schedules & deliveries, calving/lambing schedules, vet schedules, attempting to remember to keep up with extended family & friends. Some days, it can get pretty overpowering. 

 

Living rural life means always being prepared. You never know what weather or other conditions will happen. It means always having several months of food, supplies and necessities on hand at all times. You learn to keep track of what and how much you use on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Typically, in my household, I keep track on a monthly basis. I hate shopping, so I do it as little as possible. So, I prepare my meal plans, my grocery lists, and feed lists based on what is used in the month past. So, for example, what ever food was used(I inventory weekly)in the prior month I will replace in my next grocery run. We have learned through the years how much flour, sugar, pasta, cream cheese, butter, etc. we typically use on a monthly basis. We know how much animal feed each type of animal uses on a monthly basis. We know how much paper products, soaps, etc. we use on a monthly basis. I keep several items for a few fully stocked first aid kits, veterinary supplies, cat food, dog food, rabbit food, etc. While I have always kept several months worth of food on hand for us, I believe that we all need to kick up our preparations further. Sadly, there is a lot patterns that are showing signs of repeating; not the least of which is 2008, and at worst - the Great Depression. You see, when you flood the markets and economy with cash that is recklessly printed out of thin air, then you begin pulling that cash back out of the economy, add in excessive spending, excessive debt; you have an economy ripe for a depression. So, while I fought against this life style for awhile, I am honestly thankful I dropped the stubbornness and began learning. I'm still concerned how everything is going, but I know I can - if need be, take care of my family. 

 

So, I thought I would go through some preparations to get and keep in your stocks. I don't care if you have to convert a closet to storage space, and extra bedroom, or buy a shelving unit to stick in a corner somewhere....get stocked up! So, here we go. Think about foods you can eat if need be that do not have to be cooked - canned soups, stews, vegetables, fruit. Think about a means of cooking if the power is out - grill, griddle, outdoor fire. Think about a means to cook on alternative cooking devices - cast iron, foil pans, etc. Don't forget candles, matches/lighters, propane/charcoal, lighter fluid, can openers, bottle openers. Now, think in terms of long term storage - boxed pasta, raman noodles, dried beans, rice, home canned foods. Also keep in mind, if there is an electric grid problem, there is a good chance you will not be able to use water either. So, having water on hand to drink, cook with, flush toilets, and wash with is necessary. If you have animals - having food for each kind, hay, straw, grains, litter, pine shavings, etc. Having garden seed on hand, should you have to grow your own food. Having written or printed recipes on hand. If there isn't power, typically that means no internet either. Having things to entertain children and adults if the power is out for extended periods. Trust me when I say, teens and young adults without internet will drive you nuts in short order!! Board games, card games are always a fun treat. In addition to these preparations, taking the time before you need it to learn skills is important! Learning to grow food, meal plan, learn skills that could help in an economic down turn. Learning to barter and having items to barter with, have proven in history to be life saving! 

 

So, I believe sharing some easy recipes and recipes that stretch will help several people out. Are you interested in some of those? I believe I will begin sharing some here and on my Facebook page too. Here is a start. This is my homemade bread recipe. I also use it to make my homemade pizza crust.

2 TBS yeast, 1 1/2 C warm water - mix and let sit about 5-10 minutes.

add in 2 TBS Olive Oil, 1 heaping TBS honey, pinch of salt, and 3 1/2 C flour. 

If using a mixer, remove the bread hook, and leave dough in bowl. Cover the bowl and let rise for about 20-30 minutes. Dust the dough with flour(will help keep dough from sticking to your hands) and transfer to a floured surface. You can roll this out, cut in half and make 2 loaves of bread/1 Italian style loaf of bread, or 2 pizza crusts. Once you have rolled out to your desired thickness, put in pans, cover and let rise 20 minutes. Bake at 350 until it sounds hollow to tap(for bread) or put your favorite toppings on the pizza crust and bake. Usually about 20 minutes. 

 

An easy meal to stretch:  Homemade hamburger helper - 2 variations

1 lbs. meat(any will work), 1 lbs. pasta(your choice of style) , Brown gravy mix or velveta, mushroom soup.

cook the meat, boil pasta per the directions, once both are finished... to make a stroganoff style make up the brown gravy(or have the jars of pre made) add a small can of cream of mushroom soup, mix all together.

For a mac & cheese hamburger helper - add velveta and some milk. 

You can feed 4-6 people per meal idea, or less will give you some to put in the fridge for lunch tomorrow.