About Common Sense Home – Who We Are and What We Do


Common Sense Home started as a way to share our story as we moved out to the country to pursue a more self-reliant lifestyle. Over the years, we’ve helped millions learn about growing your own food and medicine, food storage and preservation, emergency preparedness, and more.

The Neverman Family
The Neverman Family, Fall 2023. From left to right: August V, August IV, Laurie, and Duncan

Our Homestead

We began our marriage staying with family while we built our first home in the suburbs. We filled the yard with dwarf fruit trees and gardens, but we always dreamed of our own place in the country.

In 2004, we decided to take the plunge and move so our sons would grow up on the homestead. We found our land when Laurie spotted a “For Sale” sign tipped over in a ditch. The home was built in an old cow pasture after we swapped land with a neighbor for a driveway to get to the landlocked pasture.

Our family’s Green Built certified home includes an attached greenhouse, root cellar and canning pantry, which extend the growing season and allow us to store food for year round use. We also built a coop/greenhouse complex, for chickens, ducks, and growing more food. Eventually we added two ponds, solar panels and a workshop.

Neverman backyard 2024
Looking south from our home towards the workshop, ponds, and gardens.

The Gardens

The raw land was rough, with compacted soil closer to the house and thick grass roots farther away. Our first garden was a sad, weedy mess, planted with a few leftover transplants from Laurie’s mother.

Over time, we added many garden beds, two orchards, nut trees and shrubs, and other edible and medicinal plants. We went from soil that the boys had to use a pick ax to break up to soil that looks like chocolate cake.

Learn More About Our Homestead

Our Homestead – Then and Now – How Things Have Changed

Overcoming Adversity

Things haven’t always been easy, but we’ve made it through as a family. In 2008, August lost his job during the economic downturn. After a year of freelancing, he found a full time position – an hour and a half away.

We debated selling the homestead and everything we’d worked for, but decided to hang on. August came home on weekends, and Laurie and the boys kept the homestead going. After five long years, August finally found a position back in the area and the family was back together full time again.

Then, in 2015, Laurie had a debilitating attack of psoriasis, with peeling, blistering skin over about a third of her body. When the “experts” told her to live with it, she took matters into her own hands, and figured out a way to clear her skin.

At the end of 2023, August’s full time job ended. He started a consulting business, but things are different from the first time he lost his job. Now, we have other revenue streams. We also produce most of our food and electricity. No matter what happens, we can make it through together.

Laurie Neverman

Author & Homesteader Laurie Neverman Profile Photo

Laurie Neverman is the creator of Common Sense Home (formerly Common Sense Homesteading). She was raised on a small dairy farm in northwest Wisconsin, and worked in the family catering business as her summer job through high school and college. She has a BS in Math/ Physics and an MS in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in renewable energy.

Her gardening adventures include companion planting, wildcrafting (using weeds for food and medicine), vertical gardening, herbalism and permaculture. She hasn’t found a wild edible she wouldn’t try (including quackgrass wine), and grows over 100 varieties of fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers in her garden each year.

Laurie was a professional caterer during the summer months of high school and college, and earned her bachelor’s degree in math/physics and her masters in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in renewable energy. Before coming home to raise her family, she operated the world’s largest solar water heating system. Learn More About Laurie Neverman.

August Neverman IV

August Neverman


August Neverman currently does Broadband, I/T, Cyber Security, DR/BC and Business Ops Consulting. He was the Broadband and BCCAN Director for Brown County, Wisconsin.

His primary interests include: emergency preparedness, all things I/T related, cyber security, and building design and architecture.

August designed both our homes and has assisted on the design of other homes. He was the CIO for Brown County for 7 years, the I/T Director for the Medical College of Wisconsin for 5 years, and 16 years in I/T with Hospital Sisters Health System.

While attending college, he served 9 years in the Minnesota Air National Guard, which included emergency response training and cyber security work. He has a bachelors in Management Information Systems and a minor in Physics from the University of Wisconsin Superior.

August and Laurie live with their two sons in Northeast Wisconsin.

Duncan Neverman

Duncan Neverman

Duncan Neverman is focused on regenerative farming/gardening and permaculture, and incorporates both on the family homestead. He works with sound healing and energy healing, too, as well as healing plants and animals.

Our resident handyman, he works with his brother on repairing things and building projects. They’re in the middle of building a workshop for woodworking and storing his new tractor.

Ducks are his favorite farm animal, as they can always make him smile. He helped rehabilitate a duck that couldn’t walk and did surgery on another duck with a foot injury.

August Neverman V

August Neverman V

August works with his brother to help keep the homestead running, tackling building and repair projects and ongoing tasks. He’s our primary technical support guru for the website, and is more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it.

He enjoys working with the chickens, and helps troubleshoot the solar electric system and all things technical, electrical, or computer related around the homestead.

Contact Us

You can reach us via email at laurie at commonsensehome dot com. We do not accept unsolicited guest posts. Visit here for advertising inquiries.

Just in case you’re wondering about the plant in the Common Sense Home logo, it’s common plantain, Plantago major. My grandmother called it medicine leaf, and it was one of the first wild plants that I learned to use. I chose as a reminder that the help you need might be found where you least expect it.

At Common Sense Home we share our experiences, and we hope to inspire you to create a more resilient mindset. With hard work and determination, you can create abundance wherever you are.

Common Sense Home Logo

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150 Comments

  1. Hi. Can I vacuum seal powdered sugar without an oxygen absorber? I have about 4 bags and want to keep them as fresh as possible I was going to vacuum seal them and place them in a container.

    Thank you!

    1. Just keeping the powdered sugar in an airtight container will help it last a long time. No O2 absorber needed. If you do decide to vacuum seal, be careful not to suck the sugar into your sealer.

      If you live in a humid area, adding a moisture absorber will help prevent clumping.

  2. Hi Commonsensehome Team,

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    Do let us know if you have any ideas, we are always happy to hear from you. Let’s work together!
    Cheers,
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  3. Do you know of any quick-acting and strong natural muscle relaxants that could be used topically and that do not require alcohol?

    Also, do you know of any quick-acting and effective natural bladder pain relievers?

    Thank you so much.

    1. Topical muscle relaxant = magnesium cream or magnesium spray. I like Earthley’s Good Night Lotion.

      Bladder pain relievers – I don’t have a quick fix for that one, and if it’s a recurring problem, you may want to seek professional help. I know that certain foods will trigger bladder pain for me, so if it’s intermittent pain, it may be helpful check what you’ve been eating before the pain occurs, or try an elimination diet and see if it helps with the pain.

  4. Hello, I just read your information on how to make dandylion wine. My Mom is 83 and she told me about the wine. I had never heard of it before.
    I have one question. How sweet is the finished wine? 3 pounds of sugar sounds very sweet. Thank you!
    P.S. Can you send me the answer to the email I provided?

    1. The finished dandelion wine is not excessively sweet, because the yeast converts much of the sugar to alcohol. My husband says it tastes like a good brandy.

  5. Is this correct? The best form to purchase Milk Thistle in… is seed? and seed can be used for tincture…yes..etc.. you can grind into powder as well..
    Milk Thistle can be used for better milk supply in nursing mommy’s…however: there are warnings do not consume if u are pregnant or breast feeding… can u clarify that for me? thank u so much for your time…

    1. Hi Peggy.

      Milk thistle seeds are easy to use, affordable, and when taken in “normal” amounts, extremely safe. As the nuts.com people note, they’re good to eat, with a range of nutrients.

      The concerns come in where you’re using a more refined form, or in unusually large doses. If you are nursing or pregnant, it’s best to check in with your healthcare provider if you are considering anything more than occasional use. Some people get carried away with supplements or new foods.

  6. I read a review concerning the book “The Lost Ways”. You mentioned “The Encyclopedia of Country living” as an excellent book. Will any of their books be ok? I’ve seen several older issues on sale at second hand stores – they are on their 50th Ann book this year. Should I spend the $ to get the newest book or are the older ones better?
    Thanks!

    1. Go ahead and grab the deals – the older ones are fine. Carla passed away in 2005, so any updates after that time are not her work. That’s part of the reason I recommended that book – because it’s affordable and widely available. Note that it’s not as picture focused as some other more recent books. You can check out my other top recommendations (and their pros and cons) in the Best Homesteading Books article.

  7. Hi Laurie,
    I am hoping to use your strawberry rhubarb jam recipe this weekend. I ended up having to freeze my strawberries and rhubarb because I didn’t have time during the season to make jam. I was wondering if you have used frozen fruit when doing this recipe? I do have the Pomona universal pectin.. thank you for your insights.

    1. Hi Sharon! It’s absolutely find to use frozen fruit for jam making. Do thaw before measuring the fruit so it’s not in big icy chunks.

  8. Hello,
    We’re interested in advertising on commonsensehome.com
    Can you please direct me to the best person to speak to about this?

    Thanks!
    Max

  9. Hi Laurie, used to follow you on FB…is there any plan to make an account on Gab.com in your near future? I would love it! Thanks

    1. Hi MJ.

      I have a personal account on Gab, but haven’t done much with it. The service has been loading poorly for me, and there are only so many hours in the day.

      We do have a MeWe group at https://mewe.com/join/common_sense_homesteading that gets a fair amount of interaction.

      The best way to get regular updates is the newsletter. You can sign up using any of the forms on the site, including the one on the Subscribe page.

  10. Hello, I’m having a hard time trying to find (3.7 Volt 1000 mAh ICR 18650 Batteries). Do you know where I can purchase about 6 of them? The only company I found is alibaba, but you have to buy 100 units.
    Thanks

  11. I have spent the morning making your orange marmalade. I am done water bathing it and it is thin. I don’t know that it will thicken up. What did I do wrong?

  12. Hello,
    Do you sell Geodesic Greenhouses? If not, might you direct me to, for example, the company you allude to in your Harvest Right article in Cplorado and any others for purposes of comparison?
    Thank you in advance for your assistance.

    1. I’m confused about the wording of your question. In the post I clearly state that we purchased a Harvest Right greenhouse in the very first sentence.

      “In 2018, we purchased a 16′ Harvest Right geodesic dome greenhouse to review.”

      There is no alluding.

      Unfortunately, Harvest Right stopped selling the kits shortly after I wrote my review, due to low demand for the greenhouses and continued high demand for their freeze dryers.

      I spoke with my contact at the company, and he doesn’t know when or if they will be reintroduced. I am not aware of any similar style units, but if you search you can find some other types of custom built geodesic dome greenhouses.

  13. Good afternoon. I hope you can help me with a question about a recipe I’ve thought up for canning beef sliders. I have only been canning a couple of years now but I see no reason this wont work.
    I would like to season ground beef with garlic/s&p, form into thin patties and cook them in the oven, and layer them in hot jars with slice of onion between each patty and process them as I have in the past for ground beef.
    I know contents being too dense is an issue, but with the patty prepared thin (a chicken breast is much thicker) and the onion between should help the heat circulate, it seems to me this should work fine. Can you please share your thoughts? Thanks you for your prompt reply.
    Teresa

    1. I don’t know how well they would stay in patty form, but as long as you keep them thin and use the spacing you describe and cover with canning liquid for heat transfer, it would seem that food safety guidelines are being met.

  14. Just wanted to say hi Laurie, this is a truly wonderful blog! My husband and I also run a homesteading/gardening blog and you are an inspiration!
    Elle Meager

  15. Hi Laurie,

    I learned about you from the Modern Homesteading Summit. Thanks for all your interesting information. I have a question: Where can I find information for homesteading in the tropics? All the information I have encountered has been for homesteads in more northerly climates. I live on a small acreage in the very south of Tamaulipas, Mexico at 22.2331° N, 97.8611° W. Can you point me in the right direction, please?

    Lyn

  16. Hello Sir / Madam,
    I have read the ICF home construction article on your website, It is quite interesting, But I have some questions.

    We live in India the weather condition there it is winter 4 months summer 4 months and raining season 4 months, So this ICF construction is suitable as I look about the weather conditions will change 3 times in a year.

    The durability/life span of a home how many years, it will stand with the living condition.

    the cost of construction how it will vary as compared to old kind of construction i.e bricks and concrete use.

    Please help me with this, I will be looking forward for your reply.

    Thank you

    Regards
    Shahid.

    1. Properly built, ICF construction should last for decades, possibly generations. The technology has been around since the 1970s, so those early buildings are around 40 years old and counting. The EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) that the forms are created from is inert (non-reactive). If covered with siding to protect from UV radiation and not exposed to fire or noxious chemicals, it is relatively unaffected by normal environmental conditions.

      As for cost, it’s difficult for me to say because I don’t have experience with typical construction costs in your area and costs of the forms in your area.There is an Indian manufacturer of ICF forms. In the United States, much of the cost lies in additional labor, with multiple pours of concrete and slightly different requirement for finishing. If you’re comparing to all brick construction, that would be quite labor intensive, so I would expect ICF to be cheaper. Compared to plain concrete, I would expect building costs to be higher, but maintenance, heating and cooling to be lower (and a longer lifespan).

  17. Hi Laurie
    I signed up and your links in the first email don’t work. I would also like the printable templates but can’t find them. I’m just learning how to start gardens indoor and move them outside. I bought a green house and am so excited to be gardening. I do really need the printable stuff, I’m a stroke survivor and my memory is not so good. I don’t want to mess this up. It’s my therapy suggestion from my neurologist.

  18. Hello Laurie,
    You do a wonderful job on your newsletters and your website. It is a welcome sight to see your newest newsletters in my email! About your affiliate links, are you able to get one for a website called Vitacost.com? Their prices are usually lower than amazon and iherb for what I shop for. Iherb is also a good site though. I would love to support you by purchasing through a link on your website, or a link in your newsletter. Just a thought. Thank you for your hard work on your blog and newsletters.
    Sincerely,
    Julie.

  19. Dear Laurie,

    I just read your great review about the home freeze dryer. I am thinking of buying one but as I am living in Germany the shipping costs are quite high. Do you happen to know if Harvest Right has something like “kitchen lab” where they offer to test the freeze dryer in advance ? I would prefer to fly over and test it before buying. I have tried to contact Harvest Right (Tristan Tesch) but didn’t get a response. I am grateful for every hint. Thank you so much! Best wishes from Berlin, Cecilia (my blog – just in german – http://www.beanbeat.de)

  20. Good morning,

    I discovered your site through FB and signed up for email newsletters. I love all of them. You are very informative and STI maintain the person touch. Thank you.

    I read an article recently I would like to share with my man but am unable to find a place to search for it. Not sure if I was reading newsletter and linked off it or what. But it was regarding choosing solar options pros and cons.

    If you can help me find it I would appreciate it.

    Thank you for your time. Have a great weekend.

    Dawn

    1. Hi Dawn. Glad you’re enjoying the site and newsletters.

      I’m not sure which type of solar you’re referring to, since I’ve talked about solar thermal, passive solar, solar electric and solar cookers on the site, but all of the solar articles are listed on the green home page at https://commonsensehome.com/green-home/.

  21. Hi Laurie, I grew sesame seeds again this year and I’m just getting around to cleaning them I let them dry and drop into paper bags now I can’t seem to get all the junk out of the seeds. Do you or your readers have any hints

    1. The professionals use specialized seed cleaners. For home use, there are a few different techniques you can try. First, you may want to make sure that the seeds themselves don’t have anything sticking to them by rubbing gently. Once the seeds and debris are no longer stuck together, you can winnow by gently tossing up into the air when there is a a very light breeze, or pouring between two containers when there is a light breeze. This should get rid of the majority of the chaff, but is likely to be time consuming. (This is why a don’t grow more amaranth for its seed. It’s a bear to clean.) When ready to use, you can soak the seeds, and more debris will float to the surface of the water and can be skimmed off. The seeds can then be rinsed and dried or toasted, or used however you like.

  22. I downloaded a copy of seed-starting-dates but would really love to have an excel version so I could make some changes as well as use an online version of the chart. I tried building my own chart in excel but my skills are so rusty I just could not manage it. Any chance you can send me the excel file so I can tweek it to my needs.

  23. I used your bread recipe and the results are less than desirable. The bread and rolls are wayyyy too crumbly to even cut. In fact, it sort of resembles corn bread when done. I am looking for it to be more doughy and stretchy when baked. Am I doing something wrong or is there a step I am missing?

    Thanks

    Susan

    1. I don’t know what you did or didn’t do or didn’t add, but that doesn’t sound like any of my recipes done correctly. You can see a video of the basic sandwich bread on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/p/BMZboZ8BacS/?taken-by=commonsensehome . I’d guess that you didn’t add enough liquid somehow. There is one whole cup of water, then I break an egg into the empty measuring cup and add enough water to reach 1/3 cup. The only other liquid is the melted butter. You should use one entire stick of butter.

  24. Hi. I need information about grains in bulks, price for package at 50 lbs or more. I need black beans, red beans, lentils and peas.
    Thanks

    1. Jane, for next years tomatoes there is a great recipe on Wegmans.com for tomato basil orzo soup. You’ll have to adapt it a little to do fresh tomatoes but it is a great soup

  25. Dear I want make nata de coco.
    Can i buy nata de coco mother starter culture dehydrated live ACETOBACTOR XYLINUM
    and or
    The making process of aceto bactor xylinum bacteria from pineapple dregs
    I am from Sri Lanka

  26. Laurie,
    Please help.
    I want to purchase a manual grinder that will grind oats into flour, and do a GOOD job of it without getting mushy or binding. Which grinder is the best for this purpose? I purchased a unit from Country Living, but it doesn’t work well for oats. I trust what you have to say because you have the experience and knowledge, about these things.
    I appreciate your help with this issue.
    Thanks!
    James

  27. Hi Laurie,

    Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom about bread baking. I was one of those, “you never knew what you were going to get”. : / Very frustrated! But thankfully, your hints have afforded me to make six loaves perfectly! Oh how I thank you!!!!!!! What clued me in was the 90 degree water instead of the 110 degree & how to check the consistency of the dough. I’ve searched online for recipes, watched countless videos but never how the details given click with me. Until now! I can’t tell you how thankful me and my husband are for your sharing with us the true “how to” bake the perfect loaf every time! PRICELESS!

    Was looking for a yeast dinner roll recipe, any available?

    Goodness, I can’t thank you enough so I’ll say a prayer that you be blessed beyond measure!

    Have a great day!

    1. Both the potato bread – https://commonsensehome.com/leftover-mashed-potatoes-make-potato-bread/ and the basic sandwich bread – https://commonsensehome.com/sloppy-joes-with-homemade-buns/ make excellent dinner rolls. (I’ll be making a batch up myself for Thanksgiving.) Just roll them quite small – an inch to 1.5 inches across – and pack them fairly tightly on your baking sheet (touching is fine). Let them rise until double in size, then bake at 375 for around 13-15 minutes, until tops and bottoms are lightly browned. You can use an egg wash to give them a shine if you like (just brush with a beaten egg before baking). This technique will give soft sided “pull apart” dinner rolls. These can be made ahead and frozen, or made a day in advance and they will keep well.

      If you like a “crackly crust” type roll, use the French bread recipe and shape into elongated rolls or breadsticks. Brush with salt water before baking as with bread, and bake 13-15 minutes, until lightly browned. These are best made the day of the event to preserve the crispy crust, although you could make up and shape the dough ahead of time, freeze, thaw and bake that day of – but that would be more fussing.

      Glad you enjoyed the bread baking tips and the site, and thank you for your kind words.

  28. Hello there,

    Hope you’re well! I am so happy to have stumbled upon you’re commonsensehome.com and I would love to discuss the possibility of collaborating with you.

    As a part of our digital marketing strategy, we are searching for blogs that capture a specific target market and we believe that your blog would be a huge asset to our marketing strategy.

    I will provide you with an original article, written around a subject that is featured on your website. The article will reference my business as an authority on the subject and will incorporate a link to my website. I can assure you that the content written will be unique and relevant and thus beneficial to your website.

    This proposition is mutually beneficial and if you are willing to collaborate, we can discuss how to proceed from here.

    Looking forward to working with you!

    Kind Regards
    Natalie

    1. Thank you for your interest in the site. At this time I do not accept guest posts from those I have not worked with previously.

  29. Hi Laurie, Just trying to get the apple leather article to come up. I could make some this weekend. It doesn’t seem to go to the correct area. Thanks!!

  30. Hello,
    I was happy to discover your website. I like what you do. It is great Just one criticism if I may.
    On your site it took me some time to find where you are on the planet. I mean, in which country and climate you live. I think this is important info, because some garden techniques are very climate specific.
    Take care
    Slaven

    1. I don’t broadcast the details of our place to the casual reader, but anyone who digs a little, subscribes or reads a few articles should find it pretty obvious where we are located, since I don’t attempt to make a secret of it, either. While some things are site specific, many are universal, or at least easily adjusted to different locations.

  31. I can’t find your contact info, only this place for replies. Hence, I shall inquire here how to download “Common Sense Homesteading 101”.

    1. That info would be right under where it says, “Contact Us”:

      “You can reach me via email at laurie at commonsensehome dot com.”

      It’s written that way to reduce the junk mail I get from spambots.

      There were links in your confirmation emails to the ebook download, but I’ll just email you a copy directly to keep it simple.

  32. Hi I am new to this website and wanted to learn more about oils. I have lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Which oils would you suggest to help with these disease process. I just recently had brain surgery and continuing to have nerve pain. I would like to not have to take medicine for ever.
    Any suggestions?? Thanks Vicki

    1. The FDA has made it illegal for bloggers to offer specific advice on medical conditions, especially regarding the use of essential oils. The have shut down websites that provided this type of information. Even if it wasn’t illegal, it would be irresponsible and dangerous of me to offer medical advice without medical training and a full examination/understanding of your specific conditions. Anything strong enough to act as medicine should be treated with respect and caution. Essential oils concentrate the medicinal effects of an extremely large amount of plant matter, and can be dangerous if used incorrectly. See “Top Ten Worst Injuries from Essential Oils of 2014—Part 2“.

      Please work with a professional to get help with your health challenges, not random internet folks. Peace and healing to you.

  33. Have 30 acres in North Country New York, 1mi. from Quebec, 13mi. from Vermont. I was raised on a farm in Indiana. When kids were little had a Jersey milk cow, 20 Barred Rock & Rhode Isl. red chickens-got a lot of double yolks. Two horses eventually, one would “neck rein” for work (pulling logs out of the woods for firewood) the other for dressage for our daughter. My wife has a teaching license and her masters, but opted to stay at home with our four children which varied in age by 13 yrs. Eventually went to small free range chickens. Burned firewood as primary Winter heat source although we have an oil fired hot air furnace in the basement for backup and when gone in our 110 yr old post and beam farmhouse. Insulated attack, put new airtight windows in house, helped heat. We have a four hundred year old Maple tree on the property (estimated by arborist). We had at the time 7 acres tillable (planted in crops for the horses- we would have a neighbor bail it for us and then another neighbor with horses and a big barn stored our hay. Now the kids have spread to the four winds (closest 300mi. & 3 states away, and furthest, 3,000mi. in France). So the woods are encrouching ever closer to the house. Would not trade our existence with anyone. Winters are very cold, but the rest is near perfect, and the Fall colors are spectacular- we are 13 mi. to the Adirondack Park (110mi long, 100mi wide with the forever Wilderness law preventing building. We are 13 mi. to Lake Champlain (5mi. wide, 100mi. long, a sailor and fisherman’s paradise-I sail. On a clear day from Whiteface Mtn, peak in the Adirondacks, you can see Mt. Washington in the White Mtns. of New Hampshire- 100mi. away. Many people here migrated over here from Quebec. Many older folks say they learned English when they went to school. We have two Thanksgivings here, the Canadian one in Oct. and ours in Nov. We often hear more French than English in our shopping areas in Plattsburgh, NY since we are invaded by Montrealers on the weekends and most of the Summer.

  34. I have been trying to get your newsletter and cannot get on. They said I must change to aol.com.
    My e-mail stand for intergrity on line 24 Not aol. Can you see what you can do? I have a son and daughter-in-law so very interested in natural living and I am interested also. Thank you for anything you can do.

    1. Vicki, I entered your email and it seemed to work. I’ve sent you a link to the book download page, and you’ll be receiving an email with a link that you need to click on to confirm your subscription. Welcome.

  35. Laurie: My husband and I are seriously planning on building an ICF home in Savannah, GA. I read your article about living in an ICF home. Is it true the outside can be made to look like a normal home? Any advice or warnings you have for me I would appreciate. And is it true that it only costs about 10% more than regular homes?
    Thank you

    1. Hi Beth. Yes, the outside can be finished just like a conventional home, but the builder will have to know in advance what the finish will be. For instance, a brick exterior requires a slightly different pour so that there is a lip/ledge for the brick to rest on. It will also keep down costs if the house is rectangular, since that’s a much simpler pour. If you can fit your footprint to match typical building material dimensions, that will help keep costs down, too. You’ll note that our windows are lined up between the basement and main floor. This is preferred because it makes the structure safer and easier to build. I’m not sure what the current cost is, since we built a decade ago, but the 10% was our builder’s estimate at the time.

      Overall the house has performed very well, but we did run into some trouble this past fall with some mold/mildew in the basement. We had a record setting snowfall last winter, coupled with a cold wet spring and a cool summer, then a cold, very wet fall. It set the stage for perfect mildew conditions. If you do choose ICF, make sure you have forced ventilation, and make sure you use it when needed. I try to use natural ventilation whenever possible, but with the lousy weather, it just didn’t work, and it took me a while to spot the problem because that room is used less frequently.

  36. Not really a comment or reply just a huge question. You posted your mounds and almond joy recipes and mentioned the type of pans you used to do the bars. Could you give me a heads up as to where you found them as I haven’t come up with them yet. I would love to find them asap for New Years guests so no hurry =o)
    Thanks for all you do I catch you on facebook..

  37. Laura
    I found your beautiful vertical hanging succulent trellis idea on Pinterist. It was found on commonsensehome.com but I can’t find the instructions for making it. Can you help?
    Daryl

    1. I’d love to be able to do that, but unfortunately, someone pinned an image of something I’ve never done, and linked it to an unrelated post on my site. If you see this response, could you post a link to the pin that you saw? I have a friend who raises succulents, so I’m thinking about hiring her to make a similar project for all the people who’ve been asking.

  38. What I’m passionate about at home is seeing evidence all the time of the health of the ecosystem. Our apples have little codlin moth, no doubt because of the thick undergrowth of weeds around them harbouring plenty of predators. It’s springtime for us, and the weeds are growing wonderfully. An Australian named Peter Andrews who has pretty revolutionary ideas about water management on the broad scale, talks about the value of letting the weeds go to seed, as that is when they are bringing the maximum amount of nutrients up from the depths of their root system. He advises waiting until seed is set before slashing or grazing them down. On a small scale, I use the catcher on the motor mower and lay it out around the fruit trees as mulch. Excess is composted, sometimes after sterilizing the seeds by exposure to hot sun in a black plastic bag, or by microwaving. I’ve a row of Chaenomeles japonica bushes which are very spiky, managed by pulling weeds and mulching once or twice a year. The weeds growing in the broken down mulch from previous years, are easy to pull by hand. What I need to learn about is all the other uses each individual weed can be put to. There is a vast pharmacopoeia’s worth out there. A herbalist once walked a group of us through a paddock, stopping to tell of this famine food or that medicinal herb, every few paces. Even in the Australian red center, the Aboriginals had lots of different resources. On a walk for us tourists at Uluru / Ayers Rock an elderly couple showed us a food source every 50ft or so.

    1. That’s interesting! I’ve learned that many weed seeds are edible to humans, too, either as a cereal grain or sprouted for use as sprouts or microgreens. I don’t know if you took a peek at the garden post that went out in the newsletter, but in it I talk about the weed seeds in the garden.

  39. Hi, I wanted to leave a comment regarding the epic kitchen giveaway but I don’t see it on your site. So I am leaving it here. I want to thank you for a chance to win and I love all the items. Have a wonderful holiday season.

  40. Hello Laurie!

    Your new site design looks beautiful!! Thank you for all that you are doing for me, newbie homesteader in British Columbia, Canada!

    1. I don’t have a post on the site about that yet, but some of the remedies that help with a woman’s monthly cycle will also help ease menopausal symptoms. You might try – https://commonsensehome.com/herbal-remedies-for-pms/.

      The article “Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes” also mentions Black Cohosh, Red Clover, Dong Quai, Ginseng, Kava and Evening Primrose Oil.

      Also be careful when using herbal remedies, checking for possible drug interactions or sensitivities. Anything strong enough to be medicine is strong enough to use with care.

    1. Madell, did a quick search and found two emails listed for you, so I deleted the older one. Next week you should be down to one. 🙂

  41. How I stumbled across your website . . . I don’t know (maybe with a simple cheese recipe). BUT I AM SO GLAD I DID!!!! I am so happily overwhelmed. Everything I ever wanted to try, experiment, etc. is here! I could read for months but of course that wouldn’t get me DOING. I am so excited. I started reading in the garden section. growing up and into young adulthood my mom & g’ma had green thumbs. Me? Mine was black!!!! Until they passed. I believe they willed me their green thumbs ’cause now I do pretty well in the garden. But I have so much to learn! I am temporarily in MD for the next year (an entire rotation of growing seasons) and had been unable to get my hands dirty until a nice opportunity arose. I was given about a 50yd x 25yd of an old corn field to play with. Whoo hoo! Oh no. I didn’t and still don’t know anything about the weird climate on this side of the country. The local Master Gardners came out and helped me get going. Obviously we didn’t only used about a 40 x 25 ft area. It would be too much for just me otherwise. I have so much to learn and am so grateful for the knowledge I am obtaining from your website. Thank you. I am looking forward to a bumper crop of vegies and storing seeds for next years garden in CA.

    1. Welcome, Devora, and thank you for your kind words. God must have known I needed a pep talk. This weird weather and everything else going on with moving my husband home this spring has thrown a monkey wrench in my gardening, but I know I just need to stick with it and get things done, even though it’s a terrible mess right now. Thanks for taking time to leave a positive comment. 🙂

  42. Laurie I love your articles. I studied horticulture for a couple of years in St. Louis and was able to work at Shaw’s Botanical Gardens through a work/study program through the school (several years ago!) That experience embedded a deep love of all things in the garden and it’s been a life long endeavor to always have a beautiful yard – with vegetable plants tucked in wherever I can! I noticed your grow lights. Do you have a good source for these? They used to sell the bulbs at the hardware stores but I have been unable to find them lately. I kept my Kumquat trees going this winter by a single full spectrum bulb in the garage but would love to expand to starting my seedlings again under the fixtures. I used to germinate my seeds in old metal ice cube trays with cut glass tops (to slide off and on) on top of the furnace in my basement. I miss the thrill of hundreds of flower and veggie seeds poking thru the mix! Regards, Kathy

    1. We purchased ours at the hardware store, too, quite a while back. I noticed when searching online, I was getting a lot of results for single, screw in bulbs, and not much else. Maybe ask at a local gardening or hardware store?

      Working in the earth is good for the soul. 🙂

  43. So nice to stumble upon this blog! My husband grew up in Kewaunee and my in-laws still live there!

  44. Love the recipes. Like to cook with beans and always looking for new ideas. I have a request though. My mother had a cookbook for pinto beans that included a recipe for chocolate cake. Unfortunately it was lost in a house fire and I have been unable to find it. If anyone knows what I’m looking for and where to find it I would appreciate your help. Thank you.

  45. Thanks very much for accepting me to your folds and want to express my joy for being part of your discussions,I read comments from the group and learn more as I keep using my common sense to lead my life,the use of our common sense could have saved our world the many lives lost to diseases created by man in search of real wisdom and common sense.
    Thanks again and hope to be here till dooms day.
    George Henry Amoah.
    Skype:george-henry-amoah.

  46. Hello,
    Just thought I would throw my two cents out there for you.
    Came here by way of Home on the Range (Brigid) blog.
    What you post about is what I am striving for. I would like to get all gushy about how excited I am to see your blog…but just can’t put the words down and not cringe at them!
    I can say that I am very grateful for finding my way to your electronic life. I can also thank you for sharing your life with us.
    Sincerely, Pam

    1. Thank you, Pam. It’s really nice of you to take the time to comment and share such positive thoughts. 2013 has been a bumpy year for us, but we’re still trying to hold on to the dream. We have each other, and are reasonably healthy, so in the end that’s the stuff that matters most.

  47. HI, Just found your blog and I really like it.
    I’ve been looking into growing stevia for I’ve
    tried several from the stores and have not
    found one that I like and plus the cost is crazy.
    So I want to grow my own and well the seeds
    you suggest don’t show an organic symbol and
    I’m not always sure how to deal with seeds that
    don’t have the organic symbol.

    Also if I buy seeds now can I sow them outside
    I am in zone 9 or 10 sounthern California?
    Thanks for all your help and now that I’ve subscribed
    I have a feeling I’ll be taking a journey with you all. 🙂

    1. There aren’t all that many places that stock organic seeds just yet, and I haven’t yet come across any certified organic stevia seeds, but they may be out there. Many small producers find organic certification to be cost prohibitive.

      I haven’t grown in zone 9/10, but I suspect that the seeds would indeed grow and germinate in your area directly sown outside. It just might be easier to baby the seedlings and keep track of them if they are sown inside and transplanted out. They tend to have a low germination rate, so every seed sown will not give you a plant – fussy little things that they are. Once they get growing, they are fairly tough.

      Welcome to the site. We can learn together.

  48. Hi Laurie, I was hoping to get your input on a project that I’ve been pondering, first a mini bio. I have serious back & neck problems as well as with my left knee, ankle & foot. I live on a fixed income so I am always looking to save where I can. I’m unable to work on my knee’s or in a bent over position as one would with gardening. I currently live in town and the duplex I rent has an attached brick flower bed out front that stands approx. 30″ from ground to top. This past summer I decided to plant Tomatoes in the flower bed and It worked great! I could stand and tend to my plant’s without all of the pain. I even enjoyed some of the comments people walking by would make about my beautiful flowers, lol.
    However, the space is limited.

    As for my project, I would like to build a raised garden, or what I’ve been referring to as a standup garden. I was thinking of a narrow rectangular shaped plot that would allow enough room for 2 rows of crops. This way I would be able to walk along one side of the plot tending to 1 row and back down the other side tending to the 2nd row with little or no bending involved.
    My questions are:
    1) What would the width of the plot need to be to accommodate 2 rows of plant’s (primarily vegetables)? The height of the box would be 24″-30″ with no floor, so room for the root system wouldn’t be an issue.
    2) What materials would you recommend for the walls? I’m leery of any materials that may have been treated with any sort of chemicals for things such as weatherization, pests, etc.
    3) What would be the best soil mixture for a plot of this type?
    4) Lastly, I need to keep this as cost efficient as possible. I only need food for myself and wish to eventually have a constant 1 year supply of a continuous rotating stock of canned goods. (again, primarily vegetables)

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Even as to whether or not this is a plausible idea.
    Thank You for your time, God Bless,

    Steve

    1. I recommend checking out the book “Square Foot Gardening” to give you a detailed listing of spacing requirements of a large selection of crops.

      As for walls, it really depends on your budget. Cedar and some other woods are naturally pest resistant without treatment, as are some composite materials. Check around your local lumberyard and home supply stores and see what’s available in your area that will fit your budget. Concrete might also be an option.

      You can check out this post for good info on organic potting mixes: http://www.extension.org/pages/20982/organic-potting-mix-basics

  49. Hi, Laurie! I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed this website and how much I have learned from it. Thanks!

    I came across this site and thought of how you are all about frugal and do-it-yourself projects. Set the boys to making labels for your canned goods, etc with this:

    http://www.realfood4realpeople.com/non.html

    Look under Craft Recipes in case the link does not totally work.

    Don’t work too hard!

  50. Oh,
    You have my dream house! Lol…I’ve been after hubby for a long time for an attatched greenhouse! I love the idea of fresh, homegrown all year long!
    I am so considering homeschooling…sigh…
    Love to garden, although I need to get better at it!
    Love your website, it’s on my favorites list.

    1. Thanks, De. I’m a little behind in the garden this year, but I’m gaining on it. I need a few more hours in the day.

  51. Laurie:

    I enjoy your comments and your exceptional reviews of products. Your education certainly gives you an edge on most preparedness-type reviewers and reviews–that makes your content more credible for both newbie and long-time preparedness folks.

    I invite you to interview with me on the Doctor Prepper C.P.R. Talk Show on the Preparedness Radio Network. I think it would help our listeners gain an appreciation for some of the basics necessary for becoming prepared or getting better prepared for the uncertain future.

    We’ve enjoyed more than 3.6 million downloads (not hits!) to date, have more than 2 dozen hosts, and broadcast more than 40 hours of original content each week day–and have two days of “Best Of…” shows on the weekends. We average more than 12,000 downloads daily, and that should help more people get to know you. We reach lots of preppers — that will certainly help introduce more people to you and your great information.

    My contact information is below. Please contact me and we can arrange a convenient time for recording the interview. Heck, with your information and credentials, you should be one of our hosts!

    Looking forward to speaking with you.

    Thanks,

    James Talmage Stevens / Doctor Prepper
    “If you’re gonna do things ain’t never been done,
    You gotta try a few things ain’t never been tried.”
    Phone: (210) 695-4950
    Fax: (210) 695-4200
    Doc@DoctorPrepper.com
    http://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/DoctorPrepper
    http://www.BePreparedRadio.com
    http://www.MakingtheBestofBasics.com

  52. Hi Laura

    In depth organization! However; with financial/social chaos coming how will you keep your preps when the FE MA goons come to take your stuff under the existing executive order? Might consider some secure hiding places. Extend your root cellar and build a rock-walled circular raised garden over it? So much to learn and do that it interferes with my theoretical physics research.

    John

  53. Laurie, most excellent site and value adding info. I’m adding your site to my Resources page, just followed you on Twitter and subscribed to your newsletter.

    Saw your article on oil pulling. I’ve been doing some pulling for about two months now with coconut oil and have noticed great improvements in my skin and sensitivity in my teeth has gone. Just a little testimony on my part.

    Common Sense Woman indeed 🙂

    1. Hey Todd! Thanks for stopping by and taking time to leave a comment. I’ve seen your content around the survival boards. One of the things we’re planning to focus more on the year is preparedness, so I’m sure we’ll be running into each other again. Thanks for your words of support.

  54. Made your sandwich bread. It is wonderful! It has gone inside my cabinet door (where I hang all the best recipes, I may need more doors). 🙂 I live in a rural area where gardens and canning are common for us “country folk”. I love the taste of homegrown food, I won’t even buy tomatoes at the store. I wait for my garden. 🙂

  55. We have a large garden and I planted enough potatoes from last year’s crop to feed an army. Now we have a large root celler buried six feet underground. Unfortunately the root celler has been open all summer and only recently closed up, so the surrounding concrete and soil is too warm. Currently I have a small 6″ fan to draw in cold air every night. Problem is, our stored potatoes think its time to start growing, so the sprouting is not good for them. Does anyone know of a way to slow down the sprouting process until the temperature can be brought down into the thirties?

    1. My grandmother used to break off unwanted sprouts as they formed, and I follow the same practice. Anything you might treat them with could inhibit sprouting at planting time. Other them temporary colder storage somewhere else while the root cellar cools down, I haven’t heard of other good suggestions.

  56. Just started looking at being more self sustainable, though I’ve raised my own vegetables for many years. With the government and economy in such turmoil, we have begun stocking up and getting ready for unexpected emergencies.
    I found you on Pinterest and was pleased to find someone from Wisconsin. I’m near Oshkosh. I’ve been up your way many times.
    I keep my carrots in the garden all winter by covering with a 2-3ft layer of leaves. We dig 6-8# at a time and bring them in and cover the rest over again. Many years ago, when I planted too many, I had to give away many buckets of them so I could plant my spring garden. I don’t have that much space at this house, but still raise much of the veggies we eat. Being close to the earth is very rewarding. I’m a nurse and believe we have lost the ability to heal ourselves due to all the medications that people take at the drop of a hat. Give you body a chance to fight it off by eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated.
    I’ll be researching your earlier posts and watching for new ones!

    Debbie

    1. Welcome, Debbie. At our site here we’re pretty exposed, and everything not nailed down tends to blow away, but maybe one our windbreak trees are taller I could try the deep leaves.

      I agree that we’ve lost touch with our own healing capacity in this crazy world we live in, and I’m working to reconnect with that in my own family and share what we learn with others.

  57. Hi, Laurie,
    I haven’t visited in a while (just read your Facebook updates). Just wanted to tell you that your updated blog looks SO fantastic! Hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving.

    1. Hi Danielle! Nice to hear from you! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Glad you like the new format. It’s still a work in progress, but I found a Wordpress angel to help me do a makeover. The goal is to make everything easier to find. (I knew I needed help when I couldn’t find posts that I knew were on the site.) She runs her main sites over at http://www.lassgroup.com/, but also provides help to wayward bloggers. 🙂

      We had family over yesterday and will be hosting friends today, so I’d best go get the ham in the oven. It’s windy as can be outside, but otherwise good weather, so that makes traveling easier in the area, which is a blessing.

  58. Hi! I’ve just stumbled over your site and am really excited to work my way through it. I live in South Africa where our economy and future is best described as seriously unstable, and though I haven’t been a dedicated homesteader (mainly because we’ve moved about 22 times in the past 14 years) – I have always had a keen interest in it. Having moved last week for (hopefully) the last time in a long while, I am really determined to start something properly now and, just from looking through your site, I can see I will get a LOT of wonderful ideas. Thanks so much for sharing your life with the rest of the world! 🙂

    1. Kathleen, thank you for your kind words. We don’t get much news about South Africa here, but I have seen snippets about unusually cold weather, which tends to add stress to already difficult times. The US is in a lot of turmoil now, too, with no end in site. Hopefully we can all work together to come up with real solutions.

  59. Hello, I saw a link to your post over on Frugally Sustainable, My husband and I live in the city where we’ve had a tiny “urban homestead” but we’re growing out of our back yard and our neighborhood has changed so we’re moving to ten acres in the country. I’m adding you to my Google reader and look forward to reading your blog.

    1. Welcome, Jenny. We had a similar motivation for when we moved away from our urban homestead. The neighborhood had changed so much!

      Since you’re moving to more land, you may find this new/old book I just rediscovered helpful. It’s called Weeds- Guardians of the Soil.

      1. Oh that’s wonderful!! Thank you so much. For the time being we just mow the front of our property to make it look nice and have let everything else grow. It is cut for hay twice a year (maybe just once this year because of the drought). I’ve started to take notice of the “weeds” though, have identified several and am anxious to start foraging.

  60. Well done on the move from Blogger! I still have a blog or two lurking over there that I haven’t figured out how to transfer.

    Now that you’re on WordPress, if you do have questions or crises, please feel free to join our new WordPress Help group on Facebook. It’s manned by friendlies – and no promotion allowed. If we can help, we will be honored to do so – and if not, we are a nice safe place to chat over coffee 🙂
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/249373261832924/

    Best,
    Casey

  61. Hi
    I see we are ‘Lake Neighbors’ I live in Michigan in Manistee County which is directly across from you. :o) I love this blog you have so much useful information. We are trying to live more sustainably on our small city lot. Eventually we’d like to move out of town a little onto a few acres.

    1. Hi Karen! That’s some pretty country over there. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words.

  62. Stumbled upon your site from a post on Pinterest. WOW, you are just what I’m looking for.
    I’m diabetic and need to find healthy ways to keep my blood sugar in control, I need to lose weight-the prescribed medications has caused me to gain weight-I’m not real comfortable with the prescribed medication. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I already appreciate you.

    1. Yvonne – are you familiar with cinnamon for regulating blood sugar? A friend of mine has been using it with good results. Also, you may wish to check out the post “Switching on a Healthier You” https://commonsensehome.com/switching-on-a-healthier-you/ In the comments, Matt Stone references a post of about insulin resistance and carbohydrate consumption that may be of help to you. Good luck to you on your journey, and thanks for stopping by.

  63. whoa, so inspired to find your site today — a friend posted on facebook an article about putting up food. my bf and i are just learning how to make kimchee…. loving that, realizing how much i want to learn ‘old ways’….. thanks for sharing all your learning!!! <3

    1. Welcome! I hope you find the site useful. Let me know if there’s something you’re looking for that you can’t find. I’m always looking for new ides to post about.

      1. It is so awesome reading all of these interesting subjects, etc. here, I would like to know if you have a magazine or something on paper I could subscribe to? my mother likes these things too, but at 82 years doesn’t have computer.

        1. Hi Lou! Glad that you are enjoying the site.

          Right now, it’s just me (Laurie) for the most part, squeezing in time between “real life”, so I haven’t given much thought to a print option. As we move forward, it might be something I would be able to do. (I just need a clone!) You are welcome to print out the articles for personal use.

  64. LaLonnie – I think I’ve got the rss feed transferred and updated. Hopefully this will work! So much to learn on WordPress. just switched over from blogger this week.

    1. Just purchased a little over a quarter section out here in Canada. Getting ready to retire after many years of saving for our little ranch. Chickens are the first on our list so really enjoyed your chicken information. Next is trying to get something in around our barns to get the knee deep grass down. Any suggestions?
      Deb

      1. How thick/tall is it? Heavy duty weed whacker or possibly rent a brush hog may be a good fit to take it down initially. My brother lays down tarp for a year to smother patches for starting garden beds. Flame weeders are sometimes useful, but not so good close to buildings.

  65. was wondering if you have a newsletter I can sign up for? or if there was some way I could stay connected to your website…etc…so enjoyed looking around….Thank-you…