Weekend Links & Updates

Spring has started on the homestead.
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I struggle a lot with feeling like there's not enough of me to go around - no more so than when it is spring. And yes, it may still be January, but on our mountaintop homestead, spring seems to be here. There's so very much to do! Lots of garden cleanup; we're trying to get a proper, large veggie garden in place, complete with a deer fence; the rabbitry needs pressure washing; the greenhouse needs caulking and paint; we're prepping a site to put up a barn; we're still cleaning up literal garbage left behind by previous owners; there's tons of indoor spring cleaning to do...you get the idea. I have to remind myself to stop and BREATHE. Prioritizing is hard, but necessary. I'm sure we won't get it all done. It's good to accept that and not get so focused on work that we forget to live!

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"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is."

Ephesians 5:15-17 

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Last week, I was inspired to share my favorite homesteading books - the ones I turn to again and again - after reading a Homesteaders of America Facebook page post on how important it is to have actual books (not just internet articles or videos) on hand. (Because you can access them for information even when the power or grid is down. Plus, it's good to help authors by supporting their work. Unless they are mega bestsellers, they are seriously underpaid for the time and effort they put in - and they don't earn a penny when you buy used or read a library book...something to keep in mind.) Since I know not all of you are on Facebook, I'm sharing the complete list here, too.

HOMESTEAD FOOD

Complete Guide to Home Canning

Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving 

How to Cook Everything

Backyard Homestead Guide to Kitchen Know-How

The Ultimate Guide to Preserving Vegetables

Pressure Canning for Beginners and Beyond

 A Vegetable for Every Season

The Ultimate Dandelion Cookbook

Easy as Pie

 

GENERAL HOMESTEADING

(If I had to pick just one book on general homesteading, I'd probably choose Backyard Homestead, with How to Live on Almost Nothing as a close second.)

Backyard Homestead

You Can Farm

Your Successful Farm Business

How to Live on Almost Nothing and Have Plenty

The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It

 

HOMESTEAD ANIMALS 

Beyond the Pellet

Rabbit Raising Problem Solver (If you buy only one book on raising rabbits, it should be this one.)

Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits

The Private Life of the Rabbit

Storey's Guide to Raising Pigs

Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep

Pastured Poultry Profits

Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens

Backyard Homestead Guide to Farm Animals

 

HERBS

(You may notice there are no books on foraging, which may seem odd, since most of my herbs are wild. But the truth is, good foraging books should be region-specific. Look for guides for your specific area. ) 

The Ultimate Dandelion Medicine Book

Making Plant Medicine

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Antivirals

Herbal Antibiotics

 

HOMESTEAD GARDENING

Propagate Your Own Plants

Lasagna Gardening

The Resilient Gardener

The Winter Harvest Handbook

The New Organic Grower

Seed to Seed

Epic Tomatoes

 

HOMESTEADING MISCELLANEOUS

Butchering Poultry, Rabbit, Lamb, Goat, and Pork

The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Vol. 1, Big Game

The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Vol. 2, Small Game and Fowl

Firefox series (A little note about the Foxfire books. While I think they document a vital piece of American history and can offer homesteaders inspiration and ideas, I do not consider them great how-to books. Still, it seems remiss not to include them when talking about awesome homesteading books.)



OTHER STUFF

 * Ever wonder why processed food is soooo cheap? One major reason is that taxpayers subsidize it.

* Rancher finds ancient pot of corn seed.

* Spring Cleaning Checklists. Better get to it before homestead spring madness starts!

* I am starting seeds TODAY! And so can you...no matter the weather. Learn how to winter sow.

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