What About Mini Homestead… In a Trailer Park?

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After the move, I will no longer be living in a trailer park… though a trailer is the type of main dwelling that is on my sisters’ property. But I am planning to leave the blog up, with an easy to access link to a new blog when it is started. At least for a while.

Mini Homestead… In a Trailer Park chronicles my adventures while starting my journey.

The new blog will chronicle my adventures while living with my sister. She has a bit more available space to work with.

I will keep you all updated.

 

Shannon

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Clearing Spaces

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In preparation for a move, we have been clearing spaces. First, I have been going through things and deciding what is no longer necessary. It is not always easy to get rid of things, but it becomes necessary over time.

It took us two days to clear and clean the garage at my sisters, upstairs and down. There was a lot to be done, but we managed to finish everything as we all worked together: My sister and I, my daughter Zowie and Sheila’s two sons. All of the work has paid off, and I now have a place for the belongings that I will bring with me, as well as an office area to work in and a place for all of my gardening stuff.

The current project here at the trailer is going through all of Skye’s stuff, and packing what she will bring up to Fort Kent. She will be picking all of this stuff up this week. She will also be bringing her cat up there with her. I will miss Zander, but he will be fine with Skye.

So this means that I will be bringing just 5 cats with me when I move.

Shannon

Sending Stuff Away

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I am very much enjoying the act of giving away my belongings. Is this normal, LOL? I have no idea. Over the weekend I asked my sister if she wanted a sofa and chair that I will no longer be using. She seemed pleased with the offer and accepted.

I am awaiting a nice day so that I can place a playpen and some baby blankets by the road with a big free sign. I will also place a couple of printers, old fans and a shelf out there. By letting these items go, I am freeing up space.

At some point here, I will be bringing a bunch of items that I have placed in boxes and bags to a thrift shop… not sure which one yet. I do not need them.

There are a few things I hope to be able to sell.

Shannon

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Clearing My Space

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I have far too many possessions. It is true. I must get rid of some (okay, much) of the stuff that is taking up space in my home. There is just no getting around it. Besides, I do not like to clean. The less I have, the less I will have to clean. This will work out well for me.

So… I have been going through all of my belongings, deciding what will stay and what will go. I bet I’ll end up letting go of more than half of what currently resides in my home with me, and I am happy to do so. This process will take a while, as I do not have much time for this type of activity often, but it will get done.

I have my daughter on board with the decluttering movement as well. She is a college student who moves onto and off campus numerous times a year for both work and school. By going through all of her things and lightening her load, she will have less to drag back and forth with her.

We are not simply throwing things out, however. We have decided to incorporate different methods of non-wasteful disposal to rid us of everything thing we do not want, from clothing to furniture. Here are the steps we will be taking to clear our home:

1. Offering items to friends and family.

2. Incorporating Freecycle.org into our efforts to get rid of things.

3. Placing things outside with a big FREE sign.

4. Donate to charity.

5. Possibly having a yard sale with my sisters.

Just the thought of getting rid of all of this stuff is freeing

Shannon

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Mini Homestead Happenings for 5/18/2011

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There has been so much rain as of late! Rarely do we have a great weather day, and I am usually at the library working on articles and blogs when we do. I did manage to take Mothers’ Day off, and my daughter and I went hiking so I could photograph the beauty of nature. I got some good shots.

 All of this rain means that I have not started seeds yet. I should have done this inside last month, but my cats will only eat the seedlings. I had planned to start them on the porch, but haven’t had a nice day when I am not working. Everything will get into the ground, though. Have no doubt.

My mother is saving milk jugs for me, and they will be used as mini greenhouses to go over seedlings once they start if the need be. It is still so chilly here due to all of the rainy weather. If I don’t need them this year, then I will use the jugs next spring.

Shannon

Earth Day for the Homesteader

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In general, homesteaders are already treading lightly on the Earth. We do many things on a daily basis that are considered earth friendly. If you have not already begun these projects, you might start with (at least) one of these activities today.

1. Plan a vegetable or herb garden. Use compost when starting the garden, and seeds that are organic. Consider heirloom varieties whenever possible. Reuse containers from last year. Refurbish old raised beds.
2. Expand your composting system, adding another bin. It is helpful to have at least a three bin system. You will also want to be sure that you are composting manure from animals such as cows and rabbits. Kitchen scraps will also work nicely.
3. Use torn and stained clothing to make rag rugs, rather than throwing them out.
4. Make a quilt from old clothing.
5. Plant some trees on your homestead. I suggest orchard trees such as apples.
6. Use wood scraps to build a bird house.
7. Spend time cleaning up the yard.
8. Make your own, non-toxic cleaners. Use them to begin your spring cleaning efforts.
9. Make some reusable shopping bags.

In what ways are you celebrating the Earth today?

Mini Homestead Happenings for 2/10/2011

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Dare we hope for an early spring? I would like to. I can’t wait to get out and work in the yard. I am working on a to-do list of everything that I want to accomplish out on my little lot. I am also going through seed catalogs and planning what I want to grow this year, and am trying to get ahead on the ‘spring’ cleaning so I don’t have to do it when I want to be outside.

We have had many sunny days as of late, which always keep me motivated. Some of those days have been nice enough for me to walk outside without the air irritating my lungs. I have asthma.

I don’t know if I mention that I learned to make apple butter . Very exciting. It turned out great, and is almost gone. I have one more jar in the freezer. I will be making more soon.

This winter, I have re-watching movies and shows like The Waltons, Little Women and Little House on the Prairie. I love these. I am also re-reading the Little House on the Prairie series.

Hope you are all doing well. I feel some gardening posts coming up soon.

Shannon Buck

Mini Homestead Happening for 1/29/2011

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Not much has been happening on the home front. I have mostly been writing articles and working on the Living the low-Income Life and Frugal Recipes blogs. I have also set up the How to Live the Freelance Life blog.  I have also begun a newsletter titled Freelance Ponderings and Advice. Work has been coming in steady, and I have spent much tome at my sisters using the wireless to be able to accomplish it all.

Zowie has moved back onto campus, and I am plucking away at the heavy duty cleaning and organizing that was not kept up on while I was sick and throughout my surgery and recovery. Things on this front are coming along slowly. I just packed away the Yule stuff this past week, and placed the items in storage a few minutes ago.

I had some good news this past week, in that I may be getting health insurance. I hope so. It would be nice to have my asthma meds refilled so that I can actually breathe normally again.

That homemade apple butter was a success, though I am still looking for a simple, good sour dough recipe that will go the distance. I am rereading the Little House series, and Ma had one that she only had to start the night before. She didn’t keep it going at all times. That is more along the lines of what I want. Any ideas?

Hope you are all enjoying your winter.

Shannon

 

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The Frugal Food Column

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If you want to take the time to check out the left sidebar on this blog, you will see a number of categories of articles and whatnot. Notice the category Shannon L. Buck on Experts123. That is me! My very own food column, called Frugal Food. I am very excited over this column, as it is helping me to market the Frugal Recipes blog, which is also mine

I already have an accumulation of column articles, as well as a question on Experts123.com answered. Feel free to check each of them out. The current column article series is about growing your own food organically and frugally, perfect reads for the homesteader.

I hope that you enjoy the articles.

Shannon

 

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Homemade Food Gifts: The Cooks’ Gift

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(This is – I think – the last article in the Homemade Food Gifts series being posted by me on the Frugal Recipes blog. I hope that you have all enjoyed the series.)

If you have taken the time to make the homemade vinegars, oils and butters that have been featured here on the Frugal Recipes blog as of late, then you have a great base for a cooks’ holiday gift. If you have made the dried herb gifts, you will be able to add them to this. All of these items, combined with some homemade baked goods, will make a great gift.

Place the a combination of these items in a large gift bag or basket.

You can add to this gift, if you have affordable ways of obtaining certain other items. For instance, why not add some homemade knitted or crocheted dish cloths to the gift. A dollar store will net you wooden cooking spoons and rubber spatulas, or even dish towels. I once found two large metal pots at a yard sale for .50 each. They were old, but looked almost new. A thrift shop may net you a hand grater for a quarter, or a couple of whisks. If you have been lucky enough to find such deals, create gifts with them.

Tips

• Combine in a container. No need to wrap.
• If you choose to use a basket, they can be found affordably at thrift shops.
• I once found four large baskets at a yard sale for $1.00 each.

 

What food gifts do you give at the holidays? Please share with us in the comments below.

Shannon

 

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