This is the first time I’ve canned something by myself from start to finish. It took longer than I thought, but it’ll be well worth it when we are eating green beans all winter! Here is how I canned the green beans… First I put the jars and utensils in the dishwasher on a hi [...]
I belong to an email list for a local beekeeping club and for the past month it has been hot with folks postings leads on swarms – in buildings, on the side roads, in gardens and so on. It’s amazing how quickly beekeepers get on these leads and immediately snatch them up. Just the other [...]
I guess I will start this article with a “disclaimer” similar to what Everett did on one of his posts a few months back… Disclaimer: This post contains words, information and pictures on killing and eating a live animal. I make no excuses nor do I feel guilty about my current omnivore diet. I have, [...]
I’m not quite sure where it came from, but this table has been with us for a few moves now and usually has a tapestry thrown over it with a printer on top. A few weeks ago I drove it up from the barn to the porch for me to give it a makeover so [...]
When we sold our last house, the new buyer requested that we leave the dog house and rabbit hutch. We built Clyde’s dog house palace a few weeks ago, since he didn’t have anywhere to cozy up and stay warm. And since then, my bunnies have been housed in a metal dog cage occupying the [...]
For over a decade I have been wanting to build a passive solar (and PV panel ready) cabin of my own. I’ve read a few books and skimmed a lot more, helped friends in various stages of building “green” buildings, and worked with a close friend (ex-wife!) to create a cabin design that not only [...]
On Friday I made an all-grain batch of beer – Rye Pale Ale. As some of you may know when you brew an all-grain batch you can use upwards of 25 lbs. of grain before it’s all said and done. Even though the barley and rye are doing a great job to produce 10 gallons [...]
My friend recently let me “store” his all-grain beer making equipment. We were brewing a batch of beer one evening not long after he dropped it off and I had the idea this setup would for be perfect for canning. So, today was the day to put up some ‘sauce and I couldn’t wait to [...]
A good friend of mine called a few weeks back and asked it I wanted some Shittake spore plugs. Yes, I said! I only have 3 logs in place now and thought it would be a good time to start several more logs… When I got off the phone I realized I needed to check [...]
If you remember, a few months ago I went to a nearby farm to observe sheep shearing and to pick up a couple of fleeces. Well, I finally decided to wash a small batch of wool since it’s the first sunny day in weeks and I wanted to take advantage of it so I could [...]
Everett writes about voluntary simplicity. This blog catalogs his search for "the good life" as he tries to strike a balance between work and play, freedom and responsibility, simplicity and comfort.
