Naked Llamas and Fat Cows

Last week we sheared the llamas.  They had not been shorn in so long it was almost a new experience for them.  The "baby" had never been shorn.  I gave the wool a good dip in bleach water to kill any bugs and eggs and then laid it out on fences, chicken netting and empty cages to dry.  The llamas, visibly taken aback at being suddenly naked, kept coming over to look at their former coats.  They seemed to be trying to figure out what on earth we crazy humans were planning to do with all that wool.

Meanwhile, Mabel the Marvelous Dancing Jersey Milk Cow, has finally acquiesced to breeding and is once again with calf.  I think she got wind of a little conversation I had with the butcher, but it seems to have worked.  Now to feed her for the next 9 months until the calf gets here and she starts giving her rich, creamy milk again.  Sigh.

The llamas have proceeded to soil their new coats by rolling in the dirt.  I wonder if the neighbors will do a double take when they drive by and see them without all that fluffy hair.  Now I just need to get some wool cards and parts for the spinning wheel.  I've got four 30 gallon bags of llama wool to clean, sort and spin.

Simplifying The Homestead

The Homestead is entering a new phase.  We are preparing to be more mobile for a while and so are downsizing.  How can one accumulate so much stuff?!  Especially when one is trying to live a simple lifestyle?  Once again, it is time to weed out the excess in a big way.  Where to start?  

First, the books.  We have cases of books.  I had intended to sell them online, but with Amazon selling for less than a penny, it's costing me more in gas to ship an odd book here and there than I'm putting in my pocket.  So several cases of books are going to the VA hospital, Goodwill and other various donation dropoffs.  Next up, I went to use an antique, non-electric juicer the other day and found it required more muscle than I possess to operate it.  I washed it up and will be listing it on E-Bay, along with a chocolate fountain we've never used (sniff, sniff).  As for the piles of bottles and cans we were going to recycle, since the nearest facility that takes them is over 100 miles away, they are going to be bagged up and put in the trash.  Since we do reuse a limited number of bottles and cans, we will keep a maximum of a dozen on hand.  That number will take up far less space than is currently being cluttered up.

Broken pumps, bicycles and rusty fencing are being sold to scrap metal collectors and put in the trash.  Stuff stored for grown children and friends is being relocated, shipped off to them and consolidated.  Stuff from my mom, who died last year, is replacing makeshift storage and furniture and the old stuff is being disposed of.  

This is a long term project, so I don't expect to get it all done in the next few weeks, but it sure feels good to lighten the load.  Now if we can just keep the weight off...  

Book Report

Some time back I posted about my first book, "The Working Mom's Parents' Guide to Homeschooling".  I was going to begin serializing it, as I am about halfway finished with it.  Then came the opportunity of a lifetime for a new author:  an agent has requested a book proposal!  Wow!  So, naturally, I set aside all marketing activities including the free download of Chapter 1, and completion of the manuscript to write my first book proposal.  It is certainly a learning experience.  It is nearly as long as the book itself, but the closer I get to finishing it, the more I believe in my book, and the more excited I get about finishing it.

So, apologies to all of you who were looking forward to the next installment of The Working Mom's Parents' Guide to Homeschooling, but for now, I have to finish the book proposal and get it off to the agent.  Never fear, whether my baby gets picked up by a traditional publisher, or I go the self-publishing route, this book is going to happen, I believe in it now more than ever.  Besides, I have several other titles lined up for future books, and they are pestering me to get on with it!

Thanks to all of you who participated in the free download.  Keep checking back for updates on the publishing process, and other updates about life Around the Homestead.

If You Give A Homeschooled Boy A Tire

If you give a homeschooled boy a tire, chances are he will try to build a car with it.

And if he tries to build a car, he will probably want 4 tires.

Once he has the tires in place, he'll think about installing a brake.

After the brake is installed, of course he'll want a steering wheel.

Then he'll want to spend the rest of the day doing his schoolwork in his car.

We Made It!

I love all the rich, savory holiday foods.  Gravies, real mashed potatoes, ham, turkey, eggnog, pies and baked brie all make my mouth water and my tummy rumble.  I am addicted to most combinations of butter, sugar and flour, especially if they contain chocolate as well.  But enough is enough.  My level of moderation has been exceeded and sluggishness is threatening to set in.

I am fully ready to return to modest meals of soup and bread, rice and beans, stir fries, salads and sandwiches.  It is good that we feast occasionally, our bodies crave the extra fats and proteins, especially in the cold weather.  As a daily indulgence, though, it is bad not only for our bodies - extra fat, cholesterol and unstable blood sugar - but also our budget.

homemade whole wheat bread

Eating primarily fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains may seem expensive on the surface, but when you experience the higher energy levels, better health, and increased "regularity" this type of diet provides, you begin to see that the less expensive packaged foods aren't really that great of a deal after all.  I had an episode of very painful symptoms a couple of months ago, I won't list them here, but suffice it to say, that when I completely eliminated all additives, preservatives, umm...big macs and processed foods (other than those I processed myself) my health returned.  I am hearing more and more stories like this lately, so there must be something to it.

You don't need a lot of fancy footwork to make a satisfying meal of natural foods.  Raw, juiced or lightly cooked is good for most veggies and fruits.  Whole grains and beans can be done in large batches and frozen in portions.  Here are a couple of my favorite quickie meals:

homemade cheese curds

Lunch: salad greens, chopped onion and homemade cheese curds with a drop of balsamic vinegar and a splash of olive oil, accompanied by a thick slice of homemade bread with real butter.

Dinner: stir fried brown rice or noodles with onions, carrots and brocolli, seasoned with fresh ginger and garlic.

If you need inspiration for transitioning to a fresher, simpler diet try some of my favorite websites:  www.savingdinner.com, www.hillbillyhousewife.com, www.chefantonia.com and www.thefresh20.com.

Here's to a healthier New Year for all of us!!

Holiday Chaos!

Once again, things are total chaos on the Homestead.  With the Holidays threatening to outrun me before I even get my dishes done, I will be spending less time blogging and more time cleaning, baking, sewing and wrapping.  Just in case I don't post here again until after the 25th, here's wishing everyone a 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Homemade Christmas Gifts And More - Review

Kindle Exclusive

Once again, Susanne, the Hillbilly Housewife has done it.  She has compiled a trove of frugal Christmas gift ideas, old and new, into one handy volume.  At only $2.99, this Kindle exclusive will save you hundreds of dollars on Christmas gifts, not to mention hours of shopping and stress.  

With some inexpensive yet up to date packaging - ideas included in book - cookies, coffee mixes and bath goodies become coveted gifts for family and friends.  The best part is, these don't take all year to make.  In just a couple of sessions, you can easily assemble several bath and body gifts or baked gifts and homemade mixes.  Crocheted and sewn gifts may take a bit longer, but not much if you keep it simple.  Susanne has all kinds of ideas there, too.  There are even simple gifts for kids to make and receive.

I was very happy with the recipe section for baked gifts and mixes, and also the gift basket ideas, but a little disappointed in the handmade section.  There are lots of ideas for handmade gifts, but no directions for any specific crocheted, knitted or sewn gifts, although links to other sites are included.  Also, I would have hoped for a little more in the section of gifts children can make.  That drawback pointed out, I still love the book for the price, and have plenty of other resources for kid stuff.  

I have given many of these gifts myself over the years, yet having it all there in front of me reminded me of how easy and inexpensive gift giving can be, and gave me some inspiration for those on my list this year.

For lots of frugal tips and recipes for low cost home cooking from scratch, see Susanne's website http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/.

To purchase Homemade Christmas Gifts and More, Frugal Christmas Gift Ideas for the Whole Family, (c) 2012 by Susanne B. Myers, visit Amazon.