Friday, October 20, 2006

Trying to Keep Up

It's heading toward the end of October, and I am still canning! We have an interesting time trying to figure out where to store all the jars of produce. We've used up all the good spaces, and now it's time to get creative. I think we plan to build up our bed and use the newly created space for storage of boxes of canned goods. I think I better detail on paper just where we have stored the various fruits and vegetables so I can find them when we need them!

Our son Jonathan and I decided we should try to write a book entitled, "Improvisational Homesteading." Maybe we could tell others what we have done -- due to a lack of materials, finances and knowledge -- with the hope that it would help others to not repeat our mistakes!

One thing I would recommend is if you plan to have a big garden and want to attempt to grow enough produce to last your family for a year: first construct a root cellar! We grew approximately 1200 lbs. of potatoes, and they are now sitting in a friend's root cellar. However, that cellar was constructed of railroad ties which are saturated with creosote, so hopefully they will be okay. We also are working on processing 3 barrels of carrots, and Jim worked hard to rig up something in our semi trailer that will keep them warm enough until we either eat or can them. I have a feeling they won't survive a night of -30 weather, so we'll have to do something to help us out for next year's harvest. I have to keep in mind that we not only processed food from a large garden but also roughed in our house this harvest season, so hopefully we will never have another fall that would be quite as hectic.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Lynn!

Interesting post as always!

I think that the idea of writing a book or at least a series of blog posts on "Improvisational Homesteading" would be a great idea. Most new homesteaders are coming from an urban background so almost everything relating to country life would be a new experience. So much to learn.

Basically all the 'how-to' information out there is from people with a long history of experience. This blinds us to the view and perspective of a person or family that is just beginning.

Like trying to grow and put up a whole year's food supply right away in the beginning without expanding towards that goal over a period of years to learn and adapt to all the effort.

Best wishes to you and your family!

Emily said...

Hi Lynn! I second the motion for a book! What an excellent project to keep you occupied this winter, and it would be a blessing to many people I'm sure. Another lifestyle of learning homeschool endeavor for the boys! I can relate to the creative use of space having lived in a small apartment for so long before moving here. We used to have our boxspring up on crates which then became book/magazine holders plus we had the entire underbed area stuffed with boxes of you name it. Any available wall space is a place for shelving. Even now that we live in a house, it's still a small one, so again the walls are filled with either bookshelves or furniture that serves double-duty. We love bureaus, and have even stacked shelves on top of them and on top of desks. The older the better because they are sturdier. I'm still looking for a coffee table that is either a trunk or has drawers and/or shelves. Thanks for sharing what you've been up to! God's blessings to you all! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Lynn

That book would be interesting for sure. If you need a few e-mails before you started blogging I know where you can get them.

I always figure celing space is the last place most people look for extra storage.

Take some of the foam insulation and doubble it up. Form a large box the size that you would need and put in the newly built shell (up stairs) with a 25 watt light bulb and nothing will freeze inside. Put a thermometer inside so you can keep checking to be sure.

Good to hear from you.

Gp B