Common Sense Home Subscription Confirmed

Welcome to Common Sense Home, where we believe in going beyond “sustainability” to abundance. We live in amazing times with access to so much information it can be like drinking from a firehose.

How do you know who to trust?

We have lived on our northeast Wisconsin homestead for nearly 20 years, transforming an abandoned pasture into a thriving homestead. We’ve combined old and new to become more self-reliant, producing our own electricity and most of our food.

Welcome to Common Sense Home! - flowers next to front door
The front door of our home, circa 2012.

For instance, we have root cellar and use a clothesline, but also have solar electric and solar heat. We have gardens and orchards, but also use permaculture principles to boost productivity. Sometimes we use traditional food preservation techniques, like fermenting. sometimes we use modern techniques like freeze drying.

Modern media and social media like to push gloom and doom to keep us glued to our screens.

I say we need to fix the mess. We can make better choices for our food, our health, and our lives. Let’s learn and build together!

Subscriber Bonuses

Click on the images below to access your free printable pdfs.

Note: When you click on an image, it will automatically download the file to your hard drive or whatever device you are on.

Common Sense Home Garden Planner

Access the garden planner PDF using the image above or download here.

Don’t Lose our Emails in Spam!

Please add the email “laurie at commonsensehome dot com” to your safe senders list. I use a bulk email service provider called “Aweber”, and some email services block all bulk emails, even when you want the email to be delivered. (aol.com in particular seems to be a problem.)

Find What You Need

The Homesteading Resources page lists some of my favorite bulk food suppliers, nurseries, preparedness supplies, online education programs and other references.

Remember, the menus at the top and bottom of the website link to index pages to help you find topics that interest you the most. You can also use the Search box.

We’re Here to Help

If you have a question, comment or a post request, please leave a comment here on the site. (Sometimes I miss social media comments.) Your feedback is very helpful for giving me ideas on what to publish next.

I will email at least once a week, sometimes more if there is something time sensitive.

If at some point you’d like to unsubscribe, there’s an unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email message. I will never sell or share your email address. If you haven’t already done it, please add the email “laurie at commonsensehome dot com” to your safe senders list.

Welcome to Common Sense Home. Enjoy your free downloads, and feel free to contact us with any homesteading questions.

Thank you for subscribing to Common Sense Home!

The photo above is our backyard on a misty morning. I’ll be sharing snippets of country life each weekend, along with seasonal content and special subscriber offers. Our focus is doing what you can, where you are, with what you have.

If You’ve Ended Up on This Page and Are Not Yet a Subscriber

Please visit the Subscribe Page to sign up and join us.

Common Sense Home Logo

You can also find us on Facebook page, Pinterest, Youtube and Instagram.

Dedicated to My Mom – “Never Buy Bread Again”

In 2017 I published my first print book, “Never Buy Bread Again – 20+ Homemade Bread Recipes“. It’s now available in spiral bound print or e-book format. 

This book will help you bake amazing homemade bread, even if you’ve never baked before. Includes online baking tutorial and best bread storage tips.

This book will help you bake a amazing homemade bread, even if you've never baked before. Includes online baking tutorial and best bread storage tips.

Welcome!

Thank you so much for joining our online community, and I look forward to learning together with you. We live in amazing times, and it’s a wonderful gift to be able to blend old and new into into a better future for our loved ones, our communities and our world.

Laurie Neverman, Creator of Common Sense Home

Who We Are

Author & Homesteader Laurie Neverman Profile Photo

I (Laurie) started blogging back in 2008. In 2012, we created the current website. Learn More About Laurie Neverman

My husband helps with preparedness and tech related articles. Our two sons have also been drafted into the family business, working on the homestead and the website.

Learn more about us.

Learn More About Our Homestead

If you have a question, comment or a post request, please leave a comment here on the site or reply to any of our emails. (Sometimes I miss comments on social media comments.) Your feedback is very helpful for giving me ideas on what to publish next.

Why I Created the Site

Over the years, a number of people have asked me why I started blogging. Back in 2008, our family went through a rough patch. My husband lost his job of 16 years, and the stress sent my health into a downward spiral and my weight spiraling up. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, but the meds he gave me made me feel worse instead of better.

Long story short, I decided to do what I could to be proactive about my health and providing for our family, doing my own research and figuring out what worked for us. I pulled out of depression, lost weight, and got things back under control.

After five years of working away from home, my husband found a job in the area and we were back together as a family full time. Of course, the only constant is change, and at the end of 2023, my husband’s local job ran its course. Now he’s starting a new venture, doing private consulting work. Visit Neverman Consulting for more information.

We are constantly told that only industrial agriculture can feed the world, or the only way to get rid of garden pests is with poison. Medical costs are skyrocketing, while access to care is getting more difficult in many areas. Disasters happen, and we’re supposed to wait for the government to “save us”, but we know they can’t even balance a budget.

I want a better future than this, and I hope you do, too.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

88 Comments

  1. Hi Laurie,
    I took was diagnosed with hashimotos hypothyroiditis. I feel like doctors are a blood draw and pill pushes. check my blood once a year just to get a refill on the only med that worked for me and not against me. Tirosint. I have a lot to say on that, but I keep digging. Thank you for your news letters. They are greatly appreciated. Kudos to better health and food.

  2. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I look forward to your newsletters and working toward my goal of self sufficiency. Cant wait for your book.

    1. You’re welcome, and thank you for your kindness. Book writing is slow going, but we’re making progress!

  3. I hope to expand my knowledge over time. I have grid solar and want to take it off line. And cut the grid totally. I need to learn how you did solar heat? I’m looking forward to learning and following your adventures.

    1. We have solar thermal, solar electric, passive solar heating and daylighting.

      Our solar electric system is grid connected and also has a battery backup. For extended outages when there is not enough sun, we also have a generator. If you already have solar electric panels, your inverter may or may not be able to be reconfigured to work with batteries as well. If the electric grid is available, I recommend staying connected, even if you have batteries, because there may be times when you have more energy being produced by your panels than your batteries can store, and it would be a shame to waste it.

      See our article on Passive Solar Heating for that part of our setup. Our solar thermal system provides hot water and preheats the boiler for space heating. This article covers solar electric basics.

  4. I really need a better future! I’m a type 1 diabetic and struggle finding recipes that are low carb and low sugar. I’m getting better at adjusting some recipes…But all in all I want good, simple and healthy living ❤️

    1. I don’t explicitly focus on low carb recipes on the site, though there are some in the mix. Hopefully you will find some of the other content useful, like the home remedies, basic preparedness tips, and tips for using wild plants as food and medicine. Many wild plants are very nutritious or good medicine, or both.

  5. HI Laurie Ive been reading your emails for about two years and love them! Just wanted to send a big thank you for all the work you and your family do. Im 70 and live alone so don’t use as many of your recipes or suggestions as I’d like. When I do they are always a huge hit and very helpful.
    Wishing you and your family a joyful christmas and prosperous New Year.

  6. Laurie, I’ve enjoyed your emails so far and I look forward to learning even more about and with you as we head into the slower and colder winter months.

  7. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. Wisdom is rare these days, especially in one so young.

    I have found, unfortunately, that there is a disappointing number of physically and mentally healthy people in their seventies, and older, who have seemingly chosen to forget what once was.

    Your newsletter, tutorials, and site(s) are a pleasure.

    Thank you for taking the time to put all these materials together so people, like me, can learn from you.

    1. Thank you for your kindness.

      Sometimes it feels like we are caught in a dream (maybe a bad dream) or maybe the past was a dream. I’m old enough to remember discount loaves of bread at the grocery store being sold for 10 cents. Now you can’t even buy a gumball out of a machine for 10 cents. I remember when you could buy fruit that ripened instead of rotting before it got ripe. I remember when people would have never considered wearing muzzles on their faces constantly. I remember when glyphosate and genetically modified food didn’t exist.

      If this is progress, I’ll pass.

    2. I’m turning 80 on Oct 10, and I’m FAR from accepting the new norm and forgetting the old. I’m still very active on our homestead, especially with my tractor as a huge help to me in so many ways.
      Canning our own produce, freeze drying much of it too, we’re being as proactive as we can be.
      Don’t count us oldies but goodies out just yet, Eileen! Lol

  8. Hello Laurie & Family,
    just a quick note to thank you for including me and to say many, many thanks for sharing your life as well as your knowledge. You have been a beautiful inspiration to me and many others.
    Much appreciate and love getting your emails.

    1. Thank you for your kindness. I hope we can continue to reach people with AI results taking over the internet.

  9. Dear Laurie, I am an 81 year old man living in Mumbai, Maharashtra, INDIA and happened upon your website by accident whilst browsing my computer (having nothing to I am mostly on it) , Pls give me a chance as it is 10:30 pm and I have to go to sleep. But tomorrow I will be definitely going onto your website to understand it more clearly. Thanks and God bless you and your family.

  10. Laurie,
    I came across you as I was about to purchase that book about Lost remedies and noticed you reviewed it and was interested. The rest is history. I stumbled upon your psoriasis information. And thought, wow, sometimes things happen for a reason. I have had issues with yeast since my early teens but had no idea how insidious this disease can be. I’ve suffered chronic pain/fibromyalgia and have taken various pills which made it all worse and ultimately caused a total internal and mental shutdown. I found myself in early pre-menopause at 40. I had to supplement progesterone bc my body had none through a wonderful nurse practitioner. But still had aches and pains terribly. No energy and felt awful most of the time. Then in 2017, I started having horrible stomach cramps. After an endoscopy, I was told much to my drs surprise, I had an overgrowth of yeast. I couldn’t tolerate the pills so had to do the best I could myself naturally with the help of some local health food shop owners. I don’t think I ever really got rid of it. Fast forward to now. One knee replacement down and the other needing replaced. Had to go on prednisone during recovery bc I was allergic to the pain meds they prescribed. This was June of 2023. So here I am now with psoriasis beginning. Now mind you, I was diagnosed with Rosacea in 2020. But I feel like they just guessed at that bc I also had a rash on my underarms and chest, neck and breasts. That subsided but has reappeared only on my face and neck 2 times. But now it has come back and looks like psoriasis behind my ears. Also a freaky incessant itching has developed all over my scalp. I’ve never had dandruff a day in my life but here I am a portable Parmesan cheese dispenser. And I’ve tried the shampoos and they do nothing. I have itchy patches on either hip and dryness on either side of my nose. I just feel itchy. And I slather on apricot oil in the shower and use a lotion as well. So yesterday when I read your story it all clicked. That dang yeast is back. This morning I did the spit test. Immediately got the legs and goop at the bottom. Here I am just wanting to cry bc it is so terribly hard to start this again. But I’m so miserable and the itching is driving me crazy especially at night. It impacts my sleep. So I need some guidance Laurie. I see all the links but I’m feeling defeated and overwhelmed as to where to begin. I did lots of supplements my last go around like Enzyme Defense and candex and probiotics. Cut out all sugar and carbs and fruits. It was pure hell. If you can give me a solid regimen to start with I would be so grateful. I commend you. It’s a very very hard thing to do; turning the body back around to a healthy position internally. Please help me. I just need someone who understands and I think that person is you.

    1. Hi Kim.

      Every person is unique, so it’s best to get the full picture (as much as possible) and build a strategy around that. I’ll mail you privately to discuss the situation.

      It is rough when you’re hurting and the “experts” aren’t any help. Been there, done that.

  11. I am so sorry you lost a good friend. The older I get the more people I lose in my life. I have a strong faith and believe there is a reason for everything. I have lost two siblings in the last ten years and my niece just had a major heart attract. You and your family are in our prayers and I wouldn’t mind being prayed for also. God’s blessing to you and yours

    1. Getting older is a gift that’s denied to many, but it does come with its burdens. Sorry for your losses as well, and praying for you and your family.

  12. I have enjoyed your web site. Thank you! I can not see how you or your husband can find time to work on this web site, plus the work on a beautiful homestead, and an outside job. I wish you all a very “Happy Holiday’,and “Happy New Year”.
    The very best to you and yours,
    Paul & Brenda from Storrs, Connecticut

    1. I’m glad you enjoy the site. It’s always a challenge finding time, but we try our best. I sometimes refer to the website as “my third kid” because it has so much of “us” in it.

  13. Laurie, reading your messages feels like sitting down and talking with a dear friend. I always learn something new and am challenged to think outside the box. I am a strong proponent of natural products and love that you share your knowledge in that area. Keep up the great work!

  14. Laurie, just taking a chance that either you or one of your readers might be able to offer some suggestions to a problem that my cat is having with giardia. He’s been on metronidazole and panacur ,each alone and now together without any relief. And giving liquids is hell with this kitty. He won’t eat anything other than dry cat food so mixing in his food won’t work. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

  15. I wanted to tell you that last year I became homeless due to no fault of my own. I contacted COVID-19 right as I found a beautiful place a d had to be rush to the hospital. I was homeless and in the hospital from First of June to December 12,2020. I was without my Kombucha during this time and sure could tell. A nurse found out and brought me several bottles from the store as she drank it also. As soon as I got to my new apartment I sent for a SCOBY and back making it. I make it with green and black tea together and lots of ginger and tart 100% cherry juice. It is easy. I am still in a walker and my hair has grown back! 78 years old and living in a new small town apartment.

    1. I’m glad you are settled again and brewing, and that it’s helping your health. I know I notice the different when I have it.

  16. Happened upon your website by accident (synchronicity?) while looking for info on freeze drying machines. What a fantastic website – such a wealth of information. Many thanks to you and your family for all the work required to build it.
    P.S. from the photos I see you have a beautiful homestead.

    1. Thank you for your kindness.

      The homestead is beautiful, and we continue our work to make it into a sanctuary for us, for our critters, and for wildlife. It sounds so alive. It’s so different from the surrounding monoculture farms.

  17. Hi Laurie!
    I found you by searching for a dandelion wine recipe. Excited, today I picked many dandelions in our huge field we have on our property. I refrigerated them until this evening, when I promptly began rinsing them. Have I made a huge mistake? Your post doesn’t mention rinsing, yet other people’s sites did. Should I have picked the petals off first, then rinsed? Now, they’re all rinsed and most have closed up. Should I let them dry overnight and then pull the petals off ? I sure hope I haven’t spent all this time in vain.
    Hopeful,
    Sharon

    1. Hi Sharon.

      It’s best if you remove the petals as soon as possible after picking. Once the blossoms close up, the petals are much more difficult to extract from inside their green covering.

      I never rinse, which is why I note that the petals must be picked from a clean area. The pollen on the flowers contributes to the flavor of the wine, plus rinsing encourages the blossoms to close.

      If you let them sit overnight, odds are it will be easier to start fresh tomorrow with new blossoms than to attempt to remove the petals from the faded blooms.

      If it’s too much to pick the flowers and remove the petals all at once, you can pick in batches, say roughly one third of what you need each day, freezing the petals after removing them from the flower head. Save them up until you have enough petals, then proceed with the recipe.

      I’m sorry you ran into trouble, but I do appreciate you reaching out. I’ll modify the recipe to help other avoid the same issues.

  18. Do you heat your greenhouse? And if so how do you do it?
    I just got mine up last summer and have many questions about it.
    I love your newsletters and look forward to getting them.

    Thank you

    1. Hi Linda.

      No, we don’t heat the greenhouse, but I’ve seen hardy greens starting to sprout in it as early as February. They just don’t grow very fast (or the duckies find them and eat them, since the duckies get to use the greenhouse for protection in winter).

      We have water filled jugs around the base of the greenhouse, which can buy us a degree or two of frost protection.

      A reader mentioned that she used the tealight heaters in her very small greenhouse. Some people make hot compost piles in their greenhouses and use those for heating.

      You can also get commercial heater, but they tend to be expensive.

  19. Hello Laurie,

    I am not sure how long I have been getting your emails but I know it’s longer than 7 1/2 years and I have kept just about every email you have sent. My favorite is always the videos about the garden and the critters and the family , ;-).

    I have learned much and I thank you for that. I am sure we will get through this next few months and come out of it all the stronger for it.

    So from me and mine….

    Don’t worry, Be Happy

    As the song says 🙂
    Keep safe

    1. Hi Shelagh. Thanks for taking time to leave some words of encouragement.

      I was talking to Amber recently, and I said I am definitely more of a tortoise than a hair. I don’t run into things at high speed, but I also don’t give up. Some way, some how, no matter how crazy things get, we’ll figure out a way through it. I’m too stubborn to quit.

      1. Hi again, I am not sure if I have told you where I am yet. I live in a small village in the central Bc mountains, pop about 700 people. I am not sure exactly where you are but it sounds like your weather is much like ours. I was wondering want gardening zone you are in we are in zone 3 so it is not easy to find
        much variety of foods that will grow here. Any way must get back to business , with hubby away for a couple of days I should be able to get a lot done :-).

        As our provincial health officer always says, be calm, be kind, be safe.

        Respectfully
        Shelagh Drew (drewgida(1))
        Smile, maybe someone will smile back, 🙂

        1. Hi Shelagh.

          I remember your emails from last year, talking about the rocky soil and tricky access.

          We’re zone 4/5, but my brother Rich (and mom when she was still alive) is in zone 3 in northwest Wisconsin.

          Rich opts for short season varieties on the heat loving crops like tomatoes. Early Girl has always been a reliable producer. I like Stupice and Glacier, too, as short season options.

          Minnesota Midget and Blacktail Mountain are favorite short season melons. I like King of the North bell peppers and Hot Wax hot peppers.

          All sorts of cool weather crops should do well, like peas, greens, and brassicas. Root veggies should be fine, too.

          Some protection early in the season (such as cold frames) can nurse crops along until it’s safe to have them uncovered. Rich regularly buys small seedlings cheap at the garden center, then pot them up and keeps them in a cold frame until they can safely go in the garden.

  20. Laurie,
    Hello from Arkansas! I recently subscribed to your page and find it extremely helpful with tons of good info. I am a widowed mother of 4 and am interested in becoming a cut flower farmer. Ive researched greenhouses and plan on possibly enrolling in the master gardeners program at our local college. Are there any resources you could point me in the direction of for beginners that want to make a living growing flowers or produce? I dont want a handout, but was curious if there were any government programs or grants that assisted people like me, that don’t have much to put towards start up costs. I would love to hear about any organizations or companies that will offer employment or training in this field or any publications that can point me in the right direction with guidance on how and when to start one of these operations. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you,
    Robin M.

  21. I have been reading your site & have even posted a question. Your site & information are impressive & I even subscribed to it, which I don’t normally do!

  22. I want to learn about organic ways of killing bugs I planted my garden up next to the chicken coop so I don’t want to use anything that would harm them do you have any suggestions for me .

  23. Hi, thanks for making out time to be a blessing to the world, you’re healing the world with what you and your family are doing and I am so happy to be part of your online family from Nigeria.
    I am a Moringa grower and I intend to have a great product with the Moringa Leaves. I want to know how I can infuse or make Moringa Tincture with MCT oil to help fight malnutrition in Africa and in my community

    1. I haven’t worked with moringa because it’s a little too cold to grow it here, but maybe there are those in the moringa community who can help? I know it has become very popular in some areas.

  24. I discovered your blog when I awoke during the early morning and couldn’t go back to sleep. I do need some assistance
    with my pet cat, Birdette, Her vet diagnosed her with an upper respiratory infection. The infection got better , then Bird took a turn for the worse. She is a Devon Rex which is a relatively new breed developed from o single barn cat with a curly coat. The breed does not have a very strong immune system. Can you think of any thing natural that might benefit her? Corona virus has interfered with her vet’s office hours so I really need something to strengthen her til Her dr is available again ( he is trying to reschedule most patients so he can make house calls as I am recuperating from a stroke and transportation is difficult for me . Thanks loads . I am so interested in your work

    1. Hi Addie.

      Our cats have been fairly healthy overall, but I would think that a probiotic would work to boost a cat immune system just like it works for the human immune system.

      They have lots of different pet probiotics on the market now, like this one, which is made in the USA with no fillers.

  25. I’ve only skimmed through after a search on making canned goods brought up one of your posts. I’m am/was also an engineer, and this is what we are interested in, being more self reliant. I look forward to reading more of your insights.

    1. Welcome, Ruth. There are over 700 articles on the site, and we keep working to add more and update the older ones as time allows. The search box at top works fairly well, and the menus at top and bottom of the site link to summary pages that list all the posts in specific categories. If there’s something you have a question about and can’t find, you can always shoot us an email, too. Knowing what readers are looking for helps to narrow down potential future posts topics.

  26. I just wanted to say thank you for all the information you share with everyone. I’ve been using your Spaghetti Sauce Canning recipe for several years now and it is a big hit with my family. It is so rewarding to open a jar of it in the middle of winter when there is snow on the ground! Thank you and God bless!

    1. Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for joining the newsletter. Now we get to visit every week.

      We enjoy that sauce recipe, too. I’m waiting patiently for this year’s tomatoes to ripen (only enough for one batch of salsa so far), as we are down to the last few jars from last year’s harvest. I haven’t bought commercial sauce in so many years, I don’t even know what I would buy if I ran out.

  27. I’m looking for anyone with freeze dryer soup recipes for a quick meal.
    I’m excited about being a part of commonsensehome.com

    1. Many different soups would work well for freeze drying. The only thing you want to avoid is large, unevenly size chunks. Large chunks can hold moisture in the center, so they don’t dry well. Otherwise, cream based soups, vegetable soups, cold soups – anything is fine.

  28. Yes I just subscribed to your site only because I had cabbage worms in my broccoli I picked it and washed it I thought they were all gone but they weren’t a worm fell out on the floor so I went to clean it again with cold water and salt which didn’t help So eventually I just cut the broccoli heads into smaller bite pieces and pick the worms off one by one then I noticed you had a website it said to use vinegar and cold salt water and soak for 20minutes ps it’s my first time growing broccoli and cabbage the worms are destoring my cabbage an broccoli can you give me some advice please.

    1. I prefer warm salt water for soaking with some agitation to help dislodge the worms.

      In the garden, you can dust your plants with diatomaceous earth (DE) on a calm day. The cabbage worms are cut up by the sharp edges of the DE. Do not breathe DE. Another option is Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spores, which are typically mixed with water and sprayed on the plants. The worms eat the Bt and die in a couple of days.

      Both of these products will harm other insects, so be careful to keep them only on the cabbage crops.

      Also – be sure your cabbage and broccoli are well fertilized. Stressed plants are more likely to suffer damage from worms. See 5 Tips to Grow Big Broccoli Heads for more broccoli growing tips.

  29. Hi ! Laurie I am from Pakistan though very remote but next to you by modern communications.I am new here and want to know how to grow my dandlion plant in a pot ? Else is ok …Wish u all to stay blessed.Amine.

  30. Thank you for adding me, I found your site because I was looking for rhubarb recipes on Pinterest and your rhubarb pudding looks so good, going to make it in the next few days.

  31. Thanks for the add…we need a solution to rid ourselves of mosquitos here in AZ…we moved from MN…did they follow us? We have a small furry love so we want to me sure she is safe from any repellents we apply to our outdoor living area. Frustrated in AZ! Thanks in advance!
    Sharon

  32. Laurie, This time of the year I’m seeing all manner of posts about Dandelions and Violets.
    Both have been in bloom for several days; some of the dandelions have already gone to seed. My question is: have they lost their potency? Or are they OK as long as they are still intact?
    Recipes take lots of either, I’d hate to do the work, then find the results to be not so great.

    1. Which potency are you asking about and for what use?

      If there are still blossoms, even though some have gone to seed, the remaining blossoms are still good to use. (The seeds are edible, too, but take a long time to harvest.)

      Roots are best harvested in fall for optimum medicinal quality, in early spring before bloom for eating.

      Leaves are best for eating before the bloom. After bloom they will be more bitter, but can still be used.

    1. You can put annual crops in a perennial bed. Just make sure that you can reach what you need to reach for harvest without anything getting trampled.

    1. I’m a brand new subscriber and really look forward to reading the emails. I lived on 18 acres off the Appomattox River when my girls were babies. I baked bread weekly, sewed many of their clothes and crafted their toys when they were young. I used only cloth diapers to lessen our 0lastics footprint on the landfill when they were young. Thanks for the invite! I’m excited to belong!

  33. In your Never Fail Bread Recipe you do not say how many loaves of bread it makes or how many rolls. Could you tell me how many it does make. Thank you

    1. Sorry about any confusion. It depends who is making the bread or rolls and what size they choose to make them. A single batch makes one generous 9×5 loaf, or two smaller loaves. We usually double it and make three mid-sized loaves. The buns are even more variable. When we make a double batch of dough, I often pull out enough for one loaf, and then fill a baking sheet with dinner rolls, which would be around 35 rolls (5 across, 7 long). So a single batch should make around 20 dinner rolls. When making sandwich buns, I aim for a dozen per batch.

  34. Absolutely look forward up receiving your email each week. Really appreciate the time and effort you put into it!!

  35. Hi Laurie,
    Even though I very seldom get to the emails you write until around 1 in the morning, I absolutely love all the time and information you put in and give to us all. I am not one to stop and write back letting others know how helpful they are and I am very thankful that you asked, because now I realize that there are probably a lot of people like you who wonder if what they are doing is helpful. This opens my eyes to the need to let everyone who is helpful how grateful and thankful you are. And Thank You for the new awareness of giving feed back to everyone who gives of themselves to share what they have learn.
    Thank You,
    Aho-OM

    1. Thank you, Mary. Some folks are more interactive, emailing or leaving comments on the site, but many are quiet readers.

      1. yep, lurkers, not meant mean, so thought of where it would stand for in my case: Loving U, Reading (for) Knowledge, Extreme RascalS

  36. My apologies some major life changes have happened and my focus had changed for a while but I am still interested in learning.

  37. Dear Laurie,

    We never failed to open and read any of the emails you sent us. I did not write back only because I imagined you would be too busy to read or reply all messages from all the people who are interested in your work. Recently we lost 2 adult ducks and now another looks sick. He looks sad, refuses to eat, to mate, or to make the usual sounds. So we isolated him from others. I don’t know if you received the recipe I sent you about how to make non-alcoholic beer. Please be sure that we love what you write and we never want to unsubscribe.