My Minimal Hoarding Life - 2021 Resolutions

 

I make four resolutions, or goals, to accomplish each year. Some years I make it with all of them, some years I don`t. Usually two are easy and two are hard.

I make a word, or phrase, of how I plan to be for the year and this year I have chosen "Easy and Wonderful." The reason being my life changed so much in 2020, that I know this year will be easy and wonderful so I speak these words over my life. 

1- Practice The Three R`s

The three R`s are  1- reduce , 2- recycle, 3- re-purpose. I used to be very strict about following the three R`s but when I was working with cancer patients I let much of this go because of the fact they did have cancer and most everything could not be reused.

Now that I am no longer a caregiver I am going back to me and using the three R`s. 

2-  Books - Read More - Write More

Over the past year I have been rediscovering myself and I have not read as much, however, I did start two new books.

I want to finish those books, one will be a series of books, that on going story line so I want to write that one as well.

Rad more? Yes I have slacked on reading, you have to read to be able to write your own.

3 - The Bucket List

I want to work on getting much of my bucket list accomplished, not so much dangerous things I want to do but things that have intrigued me for years.

4 - Spend Less - Earn More

This one is another thing that I have let slide, I used to be the coupon queen, and I used to be the super blogger. I always got more for less and I was always making money in everything I did daily. 

I want to find that happy medium and make a go at it.

There ya go! that is what I want to for this year. What are your resolutions/goals?

By Andria Perry

Getting Off The Grid - 30 Days Of No Internet

 

One day I was told " I bet you can`t go 30 days without being online, being on the computer, living that fantasy life." Well!  The challenge was on!

Now, I want to share with you what it felt like to have computers and phones but not use them at all, well the phone was for calling and not anything of social media.

The ups and downs, the withdrawals was there, oh yeah, better believe that.

But, I am always talking about getting off the grid but I never once gave up my addiction, the internet, social media and that the realization of " I need to practice what I peach" and I mean all of it came to mind. How can I talk about being off the grid with internet being the monkey on my back?

This year I did backslide, right back to just doing and never even thinking about what I have been working toward for so many years, 30 day without internet was one of the hardest things I have done in a very long time.

I seen me and I did not like what I seen. Change is needed and I will get back to my dream of getting all the way off the grid, but doing it in todays world and that would be being online. Being online and learning from others that has already been down the road to "off the grid" can help me. 

There is no doubt that I can make this dream come true but I am not alone now so that makes life 100% better.

So, here it is, the raw truth......

The first week was hard so hard that I realized I had my phone in my back pocket off and I still looked at it, and it was not turned on.

I walked around the house wondering what the hell do I need to do and accomplished nothing at all on some of those days. However, I do have this wonderful man in my life and that is where I went to for this 30 days. Learning to live life once again. Residing in my husband. 

A few of those days we took long walks in the woods, discovered many things that we did not know and even seeing a deer. I found the place I needed to find, the place that will make life better here and that was an amazing wakening. I seen how to reroute water to better suit me.

With the next few blogs I want to share with you how much I enjoyed and hated being without internet for 30 days.

By Andria Perry

Photo by Andria Perry

Getting Off The Grid - 2020 Homestead - What Is To Come?

The year of 2019 I learned more about the homestead. More than just growing food.

I did try new methods of growing and some worked and some didn`t, lesson learned.

If I am to get off the grid I have to make enough money off the homestead to pay for some needs. Property taxes is one of those "you have to have money" needs.  This is what I have been doing the year of 2019, I am discovering how and what, I am learning how to be established as a selling homestead. Yes, it took a whole year. No one said it would be easy.

As far as getting off the power grid, I am now looking at several options instead of solar as the only option and I will discuss those with you as the year progresses and I try each one out.

Now to the water, Yes I want a well. No I have not contacted a well digger, yet. Why? I gave my all to help someone suffering with cancer that did not have any help, God called him home so I will be looking into getting a well here, that would save around $600 a year and hopefully the water not leave scale behind on everything.

While some homesteaders hold on to everything, in case they need it for a future project, I just can`t.  I don`t feel right inviting people here to buy my jelly and it looking like a dump. I have been very busy cleaning up "the I might need it later hoard."

The year of 2019 I added much more to the online store "Sunshine`s homestead creations." not only body products but healing salves and homemade ink. Art will be added soon.  As far as the physical store, I will see how that goes in 2020, I do have plenty to stock a store, now that I learned more about my homestead, so that will be up to God to lead me into a new way of life with a store to sell my goods.

I have a goat but I have not gotten her here, yet. I plan for laying chickens in the spring.

The people I have been conversing with the past few week may be what I need. Time will tell.

Goodbye 2019. I welcome 2020 with open arms.

By Andria Perry

Photo by Andria Perry

What To Give Anyone For Christmas!

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When you run out of ideas and you still have so many people on your Christmas list, think about the small businesses online and local. 

Homemade gifts for everyone!

Lotions and soaps that makes the skin feel and smell so special. Or the no added scent lotions and soaps for those with sensitive skin or breathing problems.

Body Sprays!

Scented to perfections for everyone in the family.

Beards are in!

Beard oils are not to much for the beards as they are for the itchy skin underneath. Bread balms for those who would like to have a style and control a wild beard.

For the kids too!

Kids love the wild berry scent, more like grape kool-aid scent, and the sweet almond are perfect, lotions and body washes.

The Outdoors People!

Yes! lotions with natural sun protection and lip balms for the lips, hey and don`t forget the insect repellent.

Got hunters? We have them covered! No added scent or chose the cedarwood.

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We have gifts sets, singles and many items for stocking stuffers, plus free shipping with orders $35 or more!

So when you are looking for that homemade gift, no added dyes ever! just stop by, I will be glad to serve you.

At  Sunshine`s homestead creations

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By Andria Perry

Photos By Andria Perry

Getting Off The Grid - Fall Upkeep

Living on a homestead there are always chores to get done, each season has a different set.

I make myself a list of chores to get done, it makes life easier for me.

1 - Mow grass so the homestead looks nice and neat.

2 - Cut down any over grown bushes, if possible root for new plants.

3 - Clean the dead plants out of vegetables beds and flower beds.

4 - Trim lower limbs of trees, cut for fire wood or use wood chipper if possible.

5 - Stack and store tomato cages.

6 - Rake pine straw and bag up for later use.

7 - Start herb cuttings for winter use in kitchen windowsill.

8 - Plant new fruit and nut trees.

9 - Take houseplants inside for the winter.

10 - Wash and clean all your mowers and digging tools.

That is how I do October on the homestead, how about you? Do you have certain things that you want done?

By Andria Perry

Photos by Andria Perry

Getting Off The Grid - Its Pepper Time

This year my garden did not make it so I took what the land had to give me naturally, and the gifts of friends, and added to the home canned stockpile.

The past week it was peppers, mostly Jalapeño peppers, I did five pints of whole green pickled, one half pint of sliced and then I went out of my comfort zone, I made my own red hot sauce. (think of Frank`s or Texas Pete) It was easier than I thought it would be, I got two liters, and the dried peppers I picked are now hanging for next years seed.

Home canning any peppers has been easy for me and I was taught how to do this back when I was just 13 years old. So, Here I will share with you how I can mine.

Always clean your jars with soap and water, then sterilize them. I heat my lids and seals in boiling water and keep them hot. 

I use pints for whole and half pints for sliced.

Pickled Peppers

I wash the peppers, making sure no dirt is on them. 

I pack the jars with the peppers leaving 1 inch head space.

In a large stainless steel cooking pot I add:

1 part water

1 part vinegar

1/2 teaspoon canning salt to each jar

1 tablespoon sugar to each jar

With this recipe you can make one jar or 12 jars. 

Red Hot Sauce

Wash the peppers to make sure they are clean of any dirt.

Put on steady plastic gloves! Make this in a well ventilated area!

You will Need :

25 red jalapeño peppers - chopped

1 small onion chopped

5 cloves of garlic or 7 teaspoons of minced garlic

2 tablespoons of lime juice

2 teaspoons of canning salt

1 teaspoon of paprika

1/4 cup sugar

Slice off the ends of each pepper and chop in a couple pieces, it doesnt have to be pretty. Chop onion.

Put all ingredients  in a large stainless steel cooking pot, bring to a boil, Lower the temp and cover, allowing a slow boil for 20-30 minutes, the peppers will be soft.

Set off the heat and allow to cool.

In a food processor, or blender, puree till smooth. 

Use a mesh screen to remove the seed, pouring through into a large glass or plastic bowl.

Pour your hot sauce into jar of choice, using hot lids, and process to seal, using a water bath.

This made 1 liter.

NOTE :

If the consistency is to thick, add a little vinegar at a time till its just right for you.

There! Do you think you will make your own pickled peppers or red hot sauce? 

That is what is going on at my homestead, what is happening on yours? 

By Andria Perry

Photos - Pixabay