Homesteading With katlupe

Homesteading Thoughts from katlupe

Yesterday, I was off my computer due to storms in my area---not because I was experiencing a power outage! No, I NEVER have a power outage due to having control over my own power system. It was because our internet service was effected by the storms and we had no internet service. Of course, I can't complain as that does not happen that often.

Cool here today in upstate New York, but that's ok with me too, as I am baking bread and hate to heat up the house with the oven on a real hot day. My favorite cookbook is fast becoming The New Laurel's Kitchen. Having been cutting down on meat due to the price and the health issues, I had to find some new recipes. My husband is happy to eat a meatless menu as long as it is good and it fills him up. He is a big eater and does alot of work around here and deserves to enjoy his meals.

I had recently re-read the famous homesteaders' book, Living The Good Life by Scott and Helen Nearing. They did not raise any livestock at all, did not even own a pet (course, I can't go that far.....having a group of 7 pets who I dearly love!) . We decided that we would only raise chickens so we could develop a good laying stock of our own eggs. Other than that, we are growing as much of our fruits and vegetables as we can. I like the way the Nearings set their goals down in advance before they did something. Plan. Plan. Plan. And then follow through. I spend most of my day outside working in my garden right now and I know it will be worth the work before long. I will be working on my plan and will post it here when I get it worked out.

I buy dried beans in bulk all the time. Then I can them in pints, not all at once. About 4 different types at a time and put them on the shelf. That way I can use them for quick meals and not have to soak them or anything like that. My family has gotten used to eating them a few different ways. They really taste better than the store bought canned beans. I am learning ways to cook them more for a main dish rather than as a side dish which is the way I used to fix them.

I belong to a great little group of homesteaders from NY and one close to the border PA homesteader. We have a forum we talk on. We trade, sell to each other, barter, give each other stuff for free, shop together, meet for lunch, borrow stuff from each other, exchange ideas, comfort or worry about each other. It's wonderful having a group of people who are all into the same things we are. Understanding what we are talking about compared to talking to family members or others who have no idea why or what you are doing. I think we all basically met on the Homesteading Today Forum. So anyone out there reading my blog today that lives in NY and would like to join up with us, just let me know. We are a serious bunch, not wanabees. All of us are homesteading in some way or other. So if you are a wanabee and need some help you are welcome also. We'd love to help someone get started!

Many blessings to all homesteaders here today!

katlupe

beans--

{ 10:17, Saturday, June 21, 2008 } { Posted by miniumgallegos }

First of all I LOVE your blog! My husband so wants to go solar. His dream was doing it in Mexico if we ever decide to move there, but it looks like it's not so difficult and a great option for here. Plus, my husband is very mechanically/electrically inclined so I know he could do it! I can't wait to share your blog with him! Also, I wanted to add that we cook a lot with beans pintos and black primarily and they are yummy and good for you...I put a little chicken broth in mine to give it that mm mm taste, plus some oregano and cloves (garlic and onion too). But I was going to say to try them on top of a salad ( a big old helping) with some avocado slices on the side, a lime and some cheese (we use farm cheese we make but you could do any type) Along with tomatoes, mushroom & cilantro it's yummy and very very filling--I just use salt and pepper as my seasoning and the lime--no dressing at all--though you could drizzle some salsa (green tomatillo) and it would be yummy too! Just a thought--if you'd never tried it before! Blessings!!