The Simpler Life

I read this quote today, "Going back to a simpler life is not a step backward" by Yvon Chouinard. I loved it! Why do most people think simple is poorer, backwards, or ignorance? I live in a double wide, it needs a lot of work , we recently had a roof put on it, and I have a lot more I need to do , but it is paid for, I do not have a house payment over my head, it suits my needs! The money I save from that can be put to better use , like getting my Nigerian Dwarf Goats, fencing, fruit trees, canning supplies,etc! Simpler to me means less stress, healthier food, and less dependency on government, grocery stores, and other modern convenience items!  I enjoy the satisfaction of growing my own fruits and vegetables, making my own bread and wine, gathering eggs, eating our own farm raised  chickens, and sweetening things with our own honey. Soon, I hope to add our own goat milk and cheeses and bath soaps, and we are going to try our hand at making our own dish-washing and laundry soap! To me, that's not backwards, its smart! Depending on our own resources is an intelligent choice!It gives you such a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction! If you had asked me about all this several years ago, I would have thought you were crazy, and I would have probably laughed. But I am not the same person I was then, I have gone through my life always depending on someone else to handle things, from my mother and father, to my husband. When things did not go as planned, I could always blame them, or at least know it was not my fault! However, that is just wrong, on so many levels..lol. Now, I make my own path, I am responsible for me, my decisions and my choices. Well, for me that means, being a lot more self reliant and simple! Have a great day!

List!

I always seem to have a list going, a list for what I need at the store, a list for what I have to accomplish in the upcoming week, a list of  appointments or places I need to be. I am always consulting them , marking stuff off , adding to them , and when I do not get everything done, I get frustrated! At the present time I have a list of important June dates coming up, a friends birthday party, Father's day, Dad's birthday, feeding the homeless, and my daughter and grandchildren coming down. I have a list of things I need to accomplish before each of these dates, and errands that  need to be run . I also am working 6 days a week for 3 of the 4 weeks this month. It seems every time I get to mark something off , I think of 3 more things to add!I get frustrated when at the end of the day, I did not get all of it done. My kids say, I try to do too much, that I should take a day to relax, and rest, but when  I try, I feel like I am wasting time. If the list are not completely empty , then I do not need to relax, but the bad thing is , lets face it, the list will NEVER be empty! So does that mean I never get to relax? That would be crazy, so why can't I just chill sometimes? I do not think of myself as anywhere near a perfectionist, but really feel like I have to get this done! Is anyone else like this? So what is the solution? Is it really important to have everything just perfect? I am not sure, but I do know we all need to relax and regroup, and sooner or later if we do not do it on our own, circumstances will see that we do! So , my new goal is to try to relax, try to not get all upset when that list is not completely finished, to try not to drive the kids crazy, with my list and things I need to do! Will it work? I am not sure, but here is to trying!

So, What's your Passion?

 We all have a passion , something you love to talk about, learn about and do! I think our passion is a gift from God. A way to use our knowledge,talents and ideas to help others. I have a sister whose passion is exercise and being fit. She lost a lot of weight, learned about exercise and your health and became a personal trainer! Now she teaches others in a variety of classes. I have a good friend whose passion is helping the homeless. She has helped hundreds of people, feeding them, giving out blankets, helping them get jobs and and a place to live and furnishing their homes. She does so many things and she is always thinking of new ways to help. Her passion has led to establishing and leading  a nonprofit to make a difference! My daughter's passion is cooking and baking, she is always trying new recipes, and baking goodies for others. She loves making others feel good and smile by making a treat or new dish, and the love she puts in to it shows in the taste!For me my passion is homesteading, getting back to the basics, growing and raising our own food and doing what we can to cut dependency on anything but ourselves. I love knowing exactly what goes in to what we use  and eat. I love sharing our bounty with others , and sometimes talking a little too much on the "evils" of commercialized food!I think its awesome we all are passionate about different things, we can learn from each other, and help each other out. So if you are drawn to something,if you have a strong interest in learning something, or an urge to try something new and a little out of your comfort zone..give it a shot, it may be the best thing you ever did! So, I ask you,   what's YOUR passion?

Canning Summer's Bounty

I love this time of year, I know I have said it before , but I really really do! I love growing our own food and preserving it , so we have that fresh taste in the middle of winter.I think canning your own food was a dying art, but it seems it is slowly making a come back! I see more and more folks doing it, and more and more canning items for sell in the stores! There is no comparison  between what we put up, to what we buy at the store!

I always make home made vegetable soup in the fall and winter, hands down it is a favorite of my entire family. It has a little kick to it and it really is good , I learned it from my mother, and made a few changes to make it my own, but on a cold winters day it hits the spot! This year my goal, is to make it with all my own stuff, to use what I have grown or canned myself to make the soup and can it for winter! I want to use our own herbs, and tomatoes and all the veggies, I cannot imagine how much better it will be!It is so convenient too, just pop open a can on a cold snowy day, and it taste like you cooked all day!This is one of those go to meals like I talked about in a previous blog.."Convenience or not?" No need to run out to the store or out to eat, its right there on the shelf! It is so much better for you too, all natural ingredients! 

                                              This past weekend we put up  strawberries, we made strawberry jam,strawberry syrup and strawberry pie filling! To be honest , I am a little tired of seeing strawberries! But , to break out a jar  of my pie filling in November or December , and make a fresh pie.. it will taste like spring!Do you do your own canning? Have you ever wanted to give it a try? Believe me when I tell you I promise it is worth it , and not hard like you might think! You may be surprised at how much better it taste!