Thursday, February 24, 2011

Freebies, and updates

Ok, so been back in my place for about a week now.  In this issue: Put new walls in pantry, built a chicken yard, Got 3 rabbits (2 I bought, 1 I got for free), Got some free Romex wire and junction boxes, bought 3 blueberry plants; 2 blackberry plants; asparagus, rhubarb; golden delicous apple tree; and several packs of seeds, bought a deep freezer, a birdhouse, some bird feeders, got a great price on about 15 bags of mulch and humus, (and got a dumptruck load of mulch delivered for free) hmmmm....I know there's probably more. lol  I've been busy, busy, busy!   

Here is a current pic of the tiered garden beds.



Looks really unlevel, but it's not

Here are some before and after pics of a little 'room' space that was in my house.  I think the previous owners had a wood heater there or something.
UGLY!


Looks really, really ugly before.

   Now, here are a few 'after' pics.  It's not done yet...still have to put the shelving up, but here's what's done so far.  The wood used for this was given to me for free :)





This is the mini deep freezer that I bought from Lowe's for under $150.  I know someone that works there so I was at least able to use a discount card
I'm building a chicken yard using panels that I'm building and rebar so that it can be easily disassembled.  I've only got a pic of one of the panels so will take more pics soon.
                                            This is made with dog wire and 2x2's and u-nails.

Bought a rabbit hutch with 2 rabbits for $125.  The female is a blue tipped Himalayan and the male is a Polish mix


"Smokey"

"Charcoal"


These are some pics of their rabbit hutch.






This is "Snickerdoodle"  He's a New Zealand mix
we got for free

Got this rabbit hutch for free.  Yeah, I know it needs a new roof
but hey, it was FREE!



Another pic of the free rabbit hutch

Cubby under counter

Smart storage for Raaman noodles

Crate full of Raaman noodles
fits perfectly!



Free small fridge that was given
to me when I realized my
fridge in my camper had stopped
working.


Some of the milk crates I bought from a thrift store 3/$1.00
I plan on using them on my shelves in the pantry to
store food in so it's more easily rotated and stays
neater on the shelves.



These are pics of the end of the house where I'm gonna be
putting the little chicken yard.



My $5.00 birdbath

$1.50 birdhouse from a thrift store


$8.00 ice cream parlor chair I bought
from and antique store
a few years ago
Coir hanging basket from Lowe's




puny strawberry plants

  

Nest box I built

front view of nest box 



Hard to see, but a blueberry bush next to both
of the white things on the ground


one of my blueberry bushes


I did pay alot for this hummingbird feeder....
almost $17.00....but isn't it just beautiful?
4 propane tanks (2 full, 2 empty) that I got
for $50.00


My washing machine tub compost bin


Some of my many bags of mulch and compost
that I got for $14.00

 free junction boxes

 Free wire

 Free wire

Free load of wood chips delivered by
Asplundh and dumped at the
bottom of my driveway

Monday, February 7, 2011

Some great links

I come across so many good links while perusing the internet everyday, so though I would share some with you.  I tested all these links at posting, but if you come across any that don't work, please let me know.

PRIMITIVE SKILLS / WILDERNESS SURVIVAL / URBAN SURVIVAL:
http://www.primitiveways.com/
http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/how_to/332203/how_to_forage_a_first_aid_kit.html
http://suburbansurvivalist.wordpress.com/
http://www.theepicenter.com/tipoweek.html
http://survival.red-alerts.com/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theprepperpodcast
http://www.bsoscblog.com/forum/
http://www.preppers.info/Free_Downloads.html
http://theperennialplate.com/the-perennial-plate/2010/12/20/episode-40-road-kill-deer-in-the-woods-deer-in-the-road.html
http://www.saveourskills.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/livinghistoryschool

HOMESTEADING / SELF-SUFFICIENCY / SELF-RELIANCE:
http://www.self-sufficient-life.com/
http://www.simplycanning.com/
http://www.wikihow.com/Bake-Almost-No-Knead-Bread
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/lee125.html
http://chickensintheroad.com/
http://www.pickyourown.org/pressurecanners.htm
http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/index.html
http://christianpf.com/the-minimalist-life/
http://www.thehumblehomestead.net/
http://www.theepicenter.com/tow1102.html
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13923/13923-h/13923-h.htm
http://www.albertahomegardening.com/an-inexpensive-hail-proof-pvc-pipe-greenhouse/
http://www.countrysidemag.com/library.html
http://www.cagefreefamily.com/
http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/
http://homesteadgardenandpantry.com/category/agrarian-life/country-life/
http://huntgathergroweat.com/food-security-knowledge-pack
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/frugalrecipelist.htm
http://www.growveg.com/freetrial.aspx
http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/
http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/
http://stumblinghomestead.com/blog/
http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/
http://www.survival-cooking.com/

MY FAVORITE MAGAZINES:
http://www.backwoodshome.com/
http://www.countrysidemag.com/
http://www.lehmans.com/
http://www.pioneerliving.net/
http://www.thehumblehomestead.net/
http://www.backhomemagazine.com/
http://www.motherearthnews.com/
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/
http://www.organicgardening.com/
http://www.grit.com/
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/urban-farm/home.aspx
http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/wilderness-way-primitive-skills-magazine/

HOMESCHOOLING:
http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/
http://www.letshomeschool.com/
http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/

WILD EDIBLES
http://www.wildcrafting.net/
http://www.countrysidemag.com/issues/87/87-2/Sam_Thayer.html
http://www.fieldforest.net/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=2&chapter=0&zenid=8ca08ee2b298da3087356a56f69dd47a
http://www.countrysidemag.com/issues/91/91-3/Samuel_Thayer.html

GARDENING / EDIBLE LANDSCAPING
http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/
http://organicgardening.about.com/od/vegetablesherbs/a/shadeveggies.htm

VANDWELLING / BOONDOCKING
http://www.themodernvagabond.com/Boondocks.html
http://freecampsites.net/
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/waters/index.htm
http://urbanvandweller.blogspot.com/2008/04/zen-of-urban-stealth-parking-part-two.html
http://www.vantramps.com/
http://cajungypsy.blogspot.com/
http://celticgypsyvandwelling.blogspot.com/2010/10/wood-stoves.html
http://fulltimeliving.blogspot.com/
http://vansteaders.blogspot.com/

Friday, February 4, 2011

My Partial Seed List and good finds

This is by no means a complete list of everything I want.  I've only gotten 4 seed catalogs so far lol and the total is around $400-$500 at least.  I REALLY need to get this list down to $200.  I would love more than anything to buy everything with the income tax refund I will be getting soon, but unfortunately I need to make some car repairs, pay off a few loans, and pay extra on what I'm behind on my little 'house'.  So, here is the partial seed list so far:

ASPARAGUS:
* Mary Washington
* Jersey Knight Hybrid
BARLEY:
* Robust
BEANS:
*(op) Cherokee Trail of Tears
*(OP) Dragon's Tongue
*(OP) Yellow Indian Woman
* Provider
* Kidney, Light red
*(OP) Bull's Blood
*(OP) Speedy
*(OP) yard long red noodle
*(OP) Yin Yang
* Dwarf Horticultural (shell)
*(OP) Henderson Bush Lima
* King of the Garden (pole lima)
BEETS:
*(OP) Early Blood Turnip
* Early Wonder Tall Top
BERRIES and Fruit:
* Goji Berries
* Honeyberries
*Dwarf Fig
* Kiwi, Hardy Issai
*Manchurian Bush Apricot
* Mulberry
* Passion Flower (maypop)
* Paw Paw
* Sea Buckthorn
* Apple, Lil big Goldrush
* Apple, lil big Golden Delicious
* Pear Honeysweet
* plum, Stanley
BROCCOLI:
*(OP) Calabrese
* Gonzales, mini
* Storgae no. 4
*(OP) Purple Peacock
BROCCOLI RAAB:
*(OP) Sorrento
BROOM CORN:
* Mixed Colors
Brussels Sprouts:
* Diablo
*(OP) Roodnerf
BUCKWHEAT:
* Common
Burdock:
* Chiko
CABBAGE:
*(OP) Winningstadt
CARROT:
*(OP) Paris Market
COLLARD GREENS:
* Champion
* Georgia Sounthern
CUCUMBER:
*(OP) Crystal Apple
*(OP) Double Yield
*(OP) Bushy
DANDELION:
* Italiko Rossa
EGGPLANT:
*(OP) Applegreen
*(OP) Listada De Gandia
*(OP) Round Mauve
GARLIC:
* Susanville
GOURD:
*(OP) Birdhouse
GROUND CHERRIES:
*(OP) Aunt Molly's
* Goldie
*(OP) Pineapple
HERBS:
* Basil,  Genovese
*(OP) Catnip p
*(OP) Chamomile, German
*(OP) Chives p
*Epazote
* Feverfew p
* Flax
*(OP) Garlic Chives p
* Goldenseal
*(OP) Lemon Balm p
*(OP) Lemon Mint  p
*(OP) Lovage "Magnus"  p
* Oregano
*(OP) Parsley, Triple Curled
*(OP) Rosemary  p
* Sage, white
*(OP) Spearmint  p
*(OP) Stevia (sweet leaf plant)
*(OP) St. John's Wort  p
*(OP) Sweet Marjoram  p
* Tarragon, French
*(OP) Thyme  p
*(OP) Wormwood  p
* Valerian
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE
* Stampede
* ?
KALE:
*(OP) Red Russian
* Green Lance
*(OP) Wild Garden kale
Kohlrabi:
* Winner
* Kossak
* (OP) Superschmelz
* Early White Vienna
LUFFA:
* Seven Happiness
LETTUCE:
*(OP) Amish Deer Tongue
*(OP) Baby Oakleaf
*(OP) Bronze Arrowhead
*(OP) Grandpa Admire's
* Vit
MANGELS:
* yellow cylindrical
MELONS:
*(OP) Amish
*(OP) Banana
*(OP) Pride of Wisconsin
MILLET:
* Hybrid Pearl
MUSTARD GREENS:
* Red Rain
OATS HULLESS:
OKRA:
*(OP) Clemson Spineless
* Clemson Spineless 80
ONIONS:
* Copra
PEA:
*(OP) Asparagus Pea
*(OP) Champion of England
*(OP) Tom Thumb
*(OP) Sugar Sprint (snap)
*(OP) Dakots (shelling)
*(OP) Canoe
* Super Sugar (snap)
PEPPER:
*(OP) Candlelight
POPCORN:
*(OP) Smoke Signals
*(OP) Tom Thumb 
*(OP) 2 Inch Strawberry
*(OP) Early Pink
*(OP) Calico
POTATO:
*(OP) German Butterball
*(OP) Purple Viking
* Yukon Gold
PURSLANE:
* Goldberg Golden
QUINOA:
*(OP) Brightest Brilliant Rainbow
RADISH:
*(OP) Cincinnati Market
*(OP) Plum Purple
RHUBARB:
*(op) Glaskins Perpetual
* Chipman's Canada Red
* MacDonald
RUTABAGA:
* American Purple Top
*(OP) Marion
SORGHUM: 
* Colored Uprights
* Texas Black
SPINACH:
*(OP) America
*(OP) Bloomsdale
*(OP) Strawberry Spinach
SPROUTS:
*Alfalfa
*Mung Beans
* Buckwheat
SQUASH:
*(OP) Pennsylvania Dutch
*(OP) Waltham Butternut
*(OP) Summer Crookneck
* Spaghetti Squash
* (OP) Banana Pink Jumbo
* Early Golden Crookneck
* Spaghetti Squash
SUNFLOWERS:
*(op) Arikara
*(OP) Mongolian Giant
*(OP) Rostov
*(OP) Tarahumara White
*(OP) Titan
SWISS CHARD:
*(OP) Five Color Silverbeet
TOMATO:
*(OP) Amish Paste
*(OP) German Pink
*(OP) Mexico Midget
*(OP) Mortgage Lifter
*(OP) Brown Berry
* (OP) Pruden's Purple
*(OP) Great White
* Honey Bunch
* *(OP) Rutgers
TURNIP:
*(op) Purple Top White Globe (root)
*(OP) Golden Ball (root)
WATERMELON:
*(OP) Golden Midget
*(OP) Moon & Stars
*(OP) Sugar Baby
Wheat (spring):
* Glenn


I'm trying to stick with as many heirloom/open pollinated seeds as possible.  My family thinks I'm crazy for spending so much on seeds.  I can see how they are viewing this, since I'm pretty much un-employed and have limited income.  But the best thing I know to do is pay down as much debt as possible while stockpiling as much as possible so that my children and I will have food, water and shelter.
  
I came across a lady on craigslist selling 5 gallon buckets of MRE's for $75 each!  (usually are around $130-$150) I may only be able to buy one, but I'm really excited about the deal. 

 

I've never tasted an MRE and I know some people say they aren't that good but I figure if you're caught in an emergency and you're hungry, then you ain't gonna be too picky lol.  Besides, they have a shelf life of like 20 years and very portable if you have to leave in a hurry.

I also found a lady selling a super nice rabbit hutch with ALL supplies and 2 rabbits for $125.  I will also be purchasing this if it isn't sold before my taxes come in.  The only thing I don't like is the 2 rabbits are dwarfs and I prefer meat rabbits so not sure what to do about them????

Also found a place selling plastic barrels with screw lids for $15.00 each.  I would love to buy some of these for rainwater cachment system, but haven't seen them yet so don't know what grade they are or what was previously in them.  Also found a 250 gallon water storage tank for $30 so may just go that route.