Homesteading Update

It's been awhile since I have given a preparedness update and really, I have been re-thinking the whole issue.  Having food, clothing and medicine put up for my family's use is not something unusual for me.  I have been buying in bulk for years, saving hand-me-down clothing for my children and buying new things on clearance for them for the next year or two.  I try to keep our medicine cabinet updated with everything we will need for at least 3 months as most of us have asthma, food and environmental allergies that must be handled on a daily basis.    

To me, having those items that my family uses on a daily basis in stock is just plain smart.  It is also extremely frugal!  If I do my bulk shopping once a month, buying what my family uses on a daily basis, then I don't have to run to town every week for groceries.  That is not only a timesaver, but also cuts down on our gas expenses and keeps me from impulse purchases as well.

Bulk shopping also means bulk cooking and that is such a timesaver as well.  With all these timesaving techniques that I use it seems I would have lots of time on my hands, but with a large family there never seems to be enough time to do all that needs to be done.

This little guy is turning in to quite the character.  His twelve year old sister allowed him to select his wardrobe this morning and, I have to say, he is a cutie-pie!

I was able to go through his clothing and eliminate some "too-small" items that I will pass on to a friend at church.  Because I have saved Jackson's out-grown clothing and have added a few clearance rack items to his stash, Caedmon is well set for this fall and winter.  I will most likely need to purchase him a pair of shoes, but then again, those boots he has on can be worn at home, in the woods and for town.  In a pinch that wouldn't look too bad with a pair of khakis for church, either.

Our six year old son has turn into our chicken organizer and is gone with his dad to purchase more layers today.  We will then have about a dozen layers, Buff Orpingtons, Cuckoo Marans and Americaunas.  We'll have a wide range of colored eggs in a few months.  We are getting another chicken tractor this week.  We will order our meat birds for the new tractor later this week.  The layers will be getting a new home as soon as their permanent coop is completed.

Our garden output was disappointing again this year.  We did have more produce than last year and will continue with our fall garden preparations with hopes of good results.  Most of the produce that we canned, froze or dehydrated was purchased.  I try hard not to get discouraged!  God provides food for us daily, whether we grow our own or not.  This morning my oldest son has pulled all the basil plants, two large buckets!  I will gather all the leaves to make one last batch of pesto for the freezer and we will try to save the seeds for next spring.

That's our little homestead update for now!  See you next time....

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