Using sound judgment to be more self-reliant.
Since our little crew of duckies has become a big part of our lives, I wanted to formally introduce them and tell a little about their story. We'll also use this page to answer some basic duck questions, and share some duck videos for those who need more duckie time. [Read more…]
Spring asparagus is a wonderful blessing after a long winter. Those first tender stalks are absolutely delicious raw, straight out of the garden. If you have large home patch – or want to take advantage of the seasonal abundance in stores and farm markets – it's great to have an assortment of asparagus recipes on hand and to know how to preserve asparagus for later use. This post features over 25 healthy asparagus recipes, including soups, salads and main dishes, plus instructions on how to store asparagus and preserve it for later use. [Read more…]
“Sustainability” is a popular buzzword in many circles – sustainable communities, sustainable development, sustainable agriculture, sustainable building, sustainable growth – heck, even sustainable fashion. But what does “sustainable” really mean, and how do we apply it in our daily lives – or is sustainability what we really want? I'd suggest that we strive for something more. Sustainability and self-reliance talk often go hand in hand, so August and I decided to share some of our thoughts on the subject. [Read more…]
Protecting plants from frost is easier with good garden planning. In this post, we'll talk about DIY cold weather protection for your garden in early spring, fall, and winter to protect your plants from frost. Our cold weather protection for your garden, includes cold frames, frost covers, greenhouses, and other products; plus frost protection garden planning tips. [Read more…]
A vacuum sealer is one of those kitchen machines you don’t realize how much you’ll use – until you buy one. We use our vacuum sealer for food storage, sealing jars and bottles, corrosion protection, resealing bags and emergency preparedness. You can also use your vacuum sealer for sous vide cooking. In this post, we’ll discuss ways to use your sealer, do a comparison of Foodsaver models and their features, and share some tips on Foodsaver bags. [Read more…]
