My grandmother taught me to think of "chores" as blessings. Washing dishes meant that we had food to eat. Laundry was a blessing that showed we had clothes to wear. Cleaning my house proved I had a happy, healthy, messy family. When I felt like maybe I was being blessed to death by the epic huckleberry year, or the tomatoes are on hot and heavy, I can just think of her smiling at me and count the joys of being able to do this.
Love this, i try to always remember those things as well. Each day is a gift, an opportunity to live life fully, to bless someone else. You are fortunate to have had your grandmother ❤
That has been the Major Issue/Problem with us having a successful homestead. My hubby never made the shift in his mind set from city life to homestead life. Very VERY difficult to be successful in this life style if you or your spouse didn't make that shift.
Keep trying your best with what you yourself can do. I’m in the same boat. But as my husband sees me have success in certain areas, he is having a few mindset changes.
So, this is a mixed bag for me. I'm VERY grateful I have no spouse or partner for MANY reasons. However, it's exceptionally difficult to singlehandedly do things around the house (trailer in my case), and on the property. I do have physical challenges, so just mitigating a leaking roof on my own is more difficult. I also don't have a different perspective to help shift my mindset if/when there's something I could do differently or better. Environment counts for a LOT. Here in the desert, most plants that are not incinerated, are devoured by rodents- and composting only goes so far when the only other substrate is sand.
Here’s a homeschool tip from a homeschool and homestead mom. In case you have a tough year and find yourself stressed out. Always fill out your letter of intent for the full 365 days of the year. For instance July 31, 2023- July 30, 2024. This gives you 365 days to homeschool 180 days. This schedule has helped me when things come up that need my attention on the homestead. Of course keeping the children involved in life skills and extracurricular activities. Give yourself Grace y’all! 🤗
The biggest mindset shift I had to learn to make was to not waste resources out of FOMO or a belief that you need all the skills all at once. It took a really long time for me to get a handle on this. I'm thinking of wasting money on the early versions of fermenting lids, carboys (I made wine exactly twice), trying to put up electric netting for chickens in an unsuitable area, putting in a swale that immediately killed my fruit trees....I have a list of those. And, while there is actually a lot to be said for learning what not to do and being brave in trying new things, it's really expensive. I doubt I am alone in having wasted significant resources early on trying to get a foothold. So, one thing I would recommend for your summit is encouraging people to not feel overwhelmed by wanting to try everything. There's plenty of time. Learn a skill, incorporate it in your life style. Then learn another skill and weave it in. Over the course of a year, this can feel slow. Over the course of decades, it's a game-changer. Great pantry chat.
I did something risky about a year ago, had a bunch of pomegranates that were getting ready to spoil so I took all the seeds out and put them i na gallon glass jar, and covered them with honey. Then I stirred them every day for a month. And then I ran the seeds through a strainer and mashed them out like you would do for jam or jelly, to strain out the hard little seeds. Put a loose canning lid on the jar and stashed it in my pantry away from the light, and checked it every so often to make sure it wasn't going moldy... It never did get moldy, but it did get some brown stuff sunk to the bottom. I've been drinking it slowly though the year to see how it changes, and to see if I would get sick from it. I never did get sick. It stayed sweet and just continued to ferment. I drank the last of it a couple weeks ago, the brown stuff in the bottom even which I think maybe was "the mother" I always hear Apple Cider Vinegar purists flavor about. So maybe I just got lucky, but I never followed a recipe or anything and this year I'm planning to do the same thing but with blackberries to see if it will work, and try again with poms when they show up - if they show up, with the sketchy supply chain these days - to see if I can duplicate my previous results.
I just wanted to share that January/February 2023 I started watching your homestead chanel. I was drawn in by your academic approach to food preservation. And appreciated 4 bits of advice. 1. Do not start out trying to do ALL homestead projects at once. 2. Preserve what you WILL eat. This was in reference to flavors. I also applied this thinking to volume. 3. Develop a plan. 4. Do what you can afford. Been an adult for a long time. I know these principles from other life applications. The refresher on these simple bits was so helpful. I found a recipe for canning zucchini in pineapple juice to make the zucchini taste like pineapple. I thought through this matrix. And though it brings out curiosities but, I'm a pineapple once a year kinda person. So when I want pineapple I want the real thing. I would eat one jar of pineapple zucchini to see what its like. A batch would be a waist of time, money and shelf space in my pantry. Had an opportunity for a second round of peaches. After putting up one round decided I didn't need a second batch of peaches. Saved money. Between April and now have put up 43 recipies in over 300 jars and the freezer. Next steps: Apples then pressure canning meals in a jar. So with all the preserving food the lawn gets mowed once every 3 weeks instead of weekly. I'm ok with my lawn being overlooked because I have food set aside for winter. As my pantry stands now, I could literally eat peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches for a winter and be fine. Naturally, there is more to the long range plan. And security is always in God first! But there is a level of security in knowing there is some shelf stable food stored away. Thank you for your topics at hand. I am literally a life that is transitioning toward homesteading in place. A brighter future! Thank you! :)
Nice job, you’ve accomplished a great deal! I agree, Josh and Carolyn have some very practical recommendations that always encourage thinking and planning first.
I have had difficulty with change and God is taking me through that now. I am not homesteading now but have been going through a lot of uncertainty. Keep being reminded to count my blessings. Which I have needed to be reminded. Thanks guys
For us its fitting in homeschool until October 😊 there is so much to do. Also, outside family and friends and even sometimes our kids (8) ask 'why' why make all this from scratch when u can get it from the store and stock up that way? Why do you work so hard.....and some days i begin to wonder too! When you get tired its easy to hear those voices and get really down. Thankful for two other faith filled homesteading families to go to to remember our why.
I’m such a beginner (2 years) on a half acre. At 70 I was pretty set in the modern lifestyle and the mindset topic is exactly what I am struggling with. Thanks so much!
I live in Colorado and having the same problem. I usually get 3-4 pickings on my beans, I only got 2 and then they shut down. My pumpkins already ripened a whole month early. Crazy! So yes, the weather is out of whack.
You hit the nail on the head with your mindset of observation. It is the number one way to integrate your skill set, saving money AND getting real PEACE and JOY from your work. As an example: When I’m doing a chore, say feeding the animals: I use knowledge and skills to feed each animal the proper food and ration at the same time I observe and assess their health and general demeanor (early identification of problems will save me time and money) is everyone acting normal, is everyone eating, are there any concerns I need to check up on later, meanwhile they are interacting with me as I do this and right there is the JOY! That joy keeps me coming out to the barn at the crack of dawn every day, preventing burnout and doubling the reward for my work: food AND purpose AND joy. This is the real stuff that keeps you homesteading year in and year out for the long haul. Thanks you guys, can’t wait for the Summit!!!
I live in Utah and have been retired from a Architecture Consulting Firm and great career. I’ve decided to use my energy to build an homestead with prepping for 1.Food Storage 2.Water Storage 3.Power/Energy Storage 4.Financial/Security Storage 5.Medicine Storage You all are at a different awesome level and I’m just in awe with the real professionalism and presentations that you demonstrate. I’m too basic while you all really inspire me so much more than other channels. It’s probably because you are in Idaho and snow as I have 4 acres on a ski resort in Utah not far off and same zone as you and am overwhelmed with how do I expand. We got almost 10 feet of snow here at the Ray Cabin last year. Thank you for your delivery on your vision. I hope I can progress
Urgency and lack of balance...100%. I get so overwhelmed by all that needs done in a day, and the learning curve means things take so much longer. I'm also intentional about bringing my kids alongside and teaching skills, which also takes more time. That's an investment! I've started using the notebook, which helps, now it's about being okay with there always being an ongoing list.
My mindset changed a few years ago and watching the Skills Summit last year confirmed for me my mindset choices. It’s slow going in practice but I’m getting there, Looking forward to this years summit
THANK YOU for the whole episode, but especially for the book recommendation. I just bought it for my husband for his 40th birthday. I think it will speak to him as former military, current police officer, and a generally reflective and stoically masculine individual. He’s currently reading Marcus Aurelius’ meditations and enjoying the Daily Stoic guided journal that is based on it. Love that you focused on the importance of mindset, it truly unlocks everything in this life in my opinion ❤
You guys are right!!! I’m from Thailand but I have been here for almost 20 years but I understood more than some people were born in America 🇺🇸. Thank you so much dear friends. I am leaving in ND.
meal planning has been a thorn in my side... (watching this in the future, after the summit) Watching your piece in the summit has really helped with mindset... very helpful! Thank you
I am very excited about the summit. I follow most of the speakers coming and looking forward to learning about the home butchering and Carolyn's. I have been learning canning from Carolyn for quite a few years now. This year I started my garden and have a long learning curve yet on it. I also started growing a little herb garden as well and want to expand more on it. I have grown up doing a lttle of everything to do with homesteading but got busy with life raising my daughter's on my own after my husband passed away when we where in our 20's now that I am in my 60's it's time to change my mind set back to the things that I love doing and maybe be able to help my daughters and grandkids change their mind sets to different ways of living and raising their children. See you all at the summit this week. God Bless you Josh and Carolyn and your beautiful family.
I can’t wait for the summit to start. You’ve assembled some remarkable folks. Sometimes I need to rein in the mind and ponder some on reality lol. You are both a wonderful blessing!
I feel I got a good lesson in mindset shift. I did an allergy test and it came back with 30 negative reactions. Things like ALL grains, tomatoes, garlic, pepper, ect. I've had to do a complete overhaul of my food. I've found myself taking the time to cook things properly, I caramelize the onions fully, I roast the veggies even before pureeing for sauce. I've been forced to make my own condiments, but since I have so much other things to do I did fermented condiments, which in the long run is healthier but is proving tastier. I'm ignoring my grandma who keeps whining about how I'm stuffing our freezers and where am I going to put the produce im bulk buying. But if I don't buy for the year I won't have food for the winter, I can NOT eat the store bought ANYTHING, they all carry something in them I have a negative reaction to. But I'm finding my freezers more full this year than the last 3 years cause I'm ignoring her and standing my ground. I'm now looking at the last 3 years (the time I started calling myself a homesteader) as learning the skills, this summer is me applying it ALL. I feel there was so many shifts that had to happen because of the test results, I can't even list them, bet there are others I'm not even aware of. But I know your family and the School had been a HUGE part in me learning HOW to do what I need to start thriving and not slowly poisoning myself with foods I thought were healthy but just not for me.
We have a family friend who got freezers to put there cabbage in . Old dead ones they have real good insulation. The shed was insulated then the freezers. Worked for them 😊
Good morning Josh and Carolyn. Great pantry chat. Mind set can make or break you no matter what you're doing. I'm looking forward to teaching my son the ability to stop and look at what needs to be done, observe while you are doing the task and review to make sure it is completed thoroughly. Oh and I need to model this better😊. I so wish I could come to the conference. Maybe next year. Have a blessed week.
It’s virtual so you don’t physically have to be there. If you can’t do the class at the time it’s given, they will email the link for the replay. But you have to register to get the link.
I am a full time caregiver to two of our adult children who have signigicant disabilities and also the adoptive mother of an 18 month old. We feel passionate about our calling, but the reality is that 3 of our 8 children still live at home and all 3 require my care. My husband still works full time out of the home and so I struggle with a desire to be more self sufficient while being honest about the time and energy I currently have available to me. I have not found other full time caregivers with the desire to live this way and I would just love to have someone to bounce ideas off of. If anyone out there reads this who is in a similar position or knows of someone who is, please respond and perhaps we can connect! The journey can feel lonely without people who understand! Thank you both for all the wonderful content you put out...your skills and love for what you do empower many I am sure!!
I just love this pantry chat. I’m so deep in harvest and preserving and as much as I love it, it’s consuming all of my time and it’s a lot. But these chats really help me thru. Love you and your wonderful family! Thank you! Also, I have your canning course and make those recipes over and over! Love love love the veggie puttanesca!!!❤
I love this post. I loved hearing that there will be a class on how to create an efficient kitchen and the financial class too!! My husband and our older children are definitely working towards our homesteading goals. Sometimes, I get burn out because I still have to work at my regular job. So time is limited. Also, I keep feeling like time is running out to learn all the skills I am not strong in. The last few years I have become more confident in food preservation, working with our chickens and ducks, and learning to garden. Though this year was a total bust because it rained so much. I live in Vermont so it feels like we didn't really have a summer. Though I am thankful my home didn't flood. It looks like it will be a warm fall. I am taking advantage of that to prep my gardens for spring. I have been slowly building my medicinal garden and knowledge in Herbal medicine but also medicinal plants that grow naturally like dandelion and plantain. This has been a slow process. I do not retain information well so I take tons of notes (which makes the process longer). Anyway thanks for all that you and your staff do to teach and support us!
I feel like my biggest struggle is feeling like I have to wait until we get land before I can start learning skills. Feeling stuck in the city and not being able to fully explore these skills I want to learn holds me back from trying out the ones that are available for me to pursue right now. I so appreciate your videos and encouragement to break through these unhelpful mindsets and habits!
I read and studied and took notes and tried just a few seeds in pots until I was able to actually have a small garden. Just start with where you are, you can do this! :-)
Start learning before you have land or you will be overwhelmed. Get a small herb garden and tend it in a sunny window. Buy batches of produce at the farmers market and can it at home to practice for when you have mass amounts of things coming in. Take a permaculture design course or an animal husbandry course, a carpentry course, a plumbing course etc. Talk to local farmers and volunteer to come experience their farm and learn in exchange for getting your hands dirty for them. Read books, watch videos and form a plan on your priorities so when you get that land, you have a plan in place of where to start focus on and know that that can change on a dime! But it's so worth it. It's the most fulfilling lifestyle I've ever lived.
Take this valuable time to learn skill sets of what to do with the production. Ferment sauerkraut, make wine, or whiskey, learn all about foraging plants and mushrooms, you can grow mushrooms on a small scale, start seeds and sell plants to meet other people that are already growing gardens. Learn to render fats to condition things like: cast-iron, cutting boards, leather boots and gloves, even make bar soap. Make laundry soap from the bar soap. Find a local source of milk and make your dairy products. Yogurt, kefir, cheese, caramel, ice-cream, butter etc. Buy dried herbs in bulk and learn to use them medicinally. Time is a precious seed with a short shelf life, sew it now. If you can order from Azure standard you might meet likemjnded neighbors at your local drop site.
Well and we are doing little things, I just mean the mind set holds me back. We do have a small garden and I'm slowly learning to can. We are able to have a few hens for eggs and we tried raising meat rabbits for a good year before we realized that was not for us... I just don't feel like mentally I'm all in yet because there are so many conveniences at my fingertips. Thanks for the tips and encouragement! We will continue to take baby steps!
City/suburbanite convenience thinking is almost like a crack addition to break. Grew up country and have done this for awhile, and I still had to make big mental changes after COVID to really get back to a homestead perspective more like my ancestors had, that I grew up around as a kid. 'Fluidity' is exactly the right word for things. Observing is very key, every time I work in the garden I take 10 minutes or more to look at things and what's coming down the pipe. Planning is important, but preparation and managing is way more important, no flying by the seat of the pants, and just walking out and doing. It's a yearly cycle where one feeds into the next.
Thanks for the wonderful subject, perspective and the little reading from the book. That book is now on my book list que. Much love from the Midwest US 💖
Great discussion! I missed the Traditional Skills Conference, but I just signed up in hopes of watching the replays. Am I too late? Re. "Slow is fast and fast is slow." Sounds like I could fit very comfortably in the homesteading world. 😉
Do you ever take your Crab Apples and make Jelly & Crabapple butter, I was given 2 garbage bags full of crabapples once and I cooked them all up and took the juice & made jelly, then I milled up all the fruit and made Crabapple butter using the apple butter recipe & my whole family loved all of it.
this is going to be great! Getting your head around the process is just essential. I will be watching and listening. Thanks for all you both do to help us.
Many years ago a grandfather bought land right on the Panama City Florida beach. His father said to him " What did you buy that for? You can't grow nuthin in sand! Cabbage-freeze dry it. Great in vegetable soup and your inventive stir fry's.
I’ve never seen so many apples on the crab apple trees, I don’t really want to waste ingredients making jelly what else can you do with these? My husband and I grew up with farm and garden, so have always sort of been homesteaders in a small way I suppose but I’m expanding my knowledge in herbal uses dehydrating, and canning things we never thought about before. Love your videos and am learning so much more . Many blessings to you and your family
Great video I definitely feel the pressure of needing to harvest EVERYTHING all at once! It seems that the garden is ready with ALL the different veggies AT THE SAME TIME 🤪 The pressure is, to not waste any food because we don't know what next year will be like! I don't want to look back in regret knowing stuff wasn't preserved because of a lack of time. ( I work a sales job too, so that requires effort if I'm to have income) The extra veggies can atleast be gifted and donated.
my grandfather use to spin the cabbage in place so a lot of the roots broke off. He said it would stop it from growing and use its energy to grow more roots. I have not done it but it might be worth a try.
The one thing I consistently run into is people thinking they must follow the "rules". For instance, with cooking/baking people consistently ask me for the recipe. I tell them I never use them. Do I have recipes? Of course, but for the most part I just think of what tastes go together and what we like together. It is like bread, go with the feel of the dough not the required amount of flour stated in some recipe. There has been an effort to create a "science" to cooking/baking which in the end has furthered the cookbook/product/tools/food industry. People just have to think outside the box.
I may sign up just for your three-meals a day discussion. We eat a good dinner almost every single night. Breakfast and lunch? (sigh) This is exactly the area I am trying to improve.
I would love to see some woodworking workshops. As a woman I just never thought that would be a skill I would want. My husband is great with woodworking but he just doesn't have time to show me. I would love to know how to build a coop, or pig pen or garden fencing.
I'm having a hard time of setting the mindset of getting up at the same time every morning and getting the chores done before I go to work. Then on my days off still getting up at the same time because the livestock is on that schedule. Or that I can't just take a day off and not do anything but relax.
huh years ago, Robin talked about the Warrior Poet Way, I think he wrote a book on it as well? Robin, Revival in Belfast, Robin. And I cannot think of Robin's last name. I'll reply to my own comment when I figure this out!
As it is we have a homestead of 8 but only 1 homesteader... so where does one find the time is the question to do all they want to do :) I know the answer is probably prioritize, and combining steps... but any hints will be appreciated :)
I know I am nagging - not going to apologize for it - LOL :-) But SYSTEMS!!! What is a System? How do we wrap our minds around systems - AKA Mindset! - Then how do we approach systems. and avoid analysis paralysis??? Then how do we integrate successfully all these systems??? Like Josh said, avoiding burnout. The frustrations are real - like the Fire Marshal closed our local Tractor Supply, (and around 8 other businesses too, for about a week, due to a private fire water line under control of the Aronov Realty a Montgomery Alabama based Retail Leasing company. It has tested the SHTF in terms of getting supplies, having a back up to sourcing, and a back to the back-up. These things distract us, in our ability to move forward and stay on track, as Carolyn has stated - being Fluid in our mindset, easily said, but not easily done. LOL :-) So SYSTEMS!!! What are they? and how to approach, and implement them???
I just came across this video, so unfortunately, I missed the summit. Was it taped? Can I still watch it? Some of those topics I can really apply to my life.
I am so bummed that I can not make this years summit. I’m hoping for next year though. I’m wondering what happened to the root cellar you were building? I don’t have the option for a root cellar here. So I’m considering getting a refrigerator without the freezer unit to set as a root cellar. I wish you all the best for the summit.
Question: do u feel an outside root cellar would b better for a warmer fall? We’re considering either a basement storage area or an outdoor root cellar and would love your input. Thanks!
What I am missing in the context of the read out text is an acknowledgement that the “new” land was not a void that was inhabited but every homestead build for the freedom of the escaping Europeans meant a disaster for the native people of the land that was colonised. In particular that the Europeans never asked and just took, never respected natural and man made frontiers or sacred places. And unfortunately I see no reconciliation.
There will never be reconciliation when people bring up the past, blaming and shaming. Mistakes were made in history, resentments of the past are still there and we if we don’t forgive and move on then the whole human race is doomed.
Natural gas or diesel generator ?? Following this mindset of preparedness …. Which one would be the best option? Also; what are the best brands from experience? We will be buying one soon and would appreciate any feedback !! Thanks😀
Depends on access and cost. It isn't the same answer for everyone. Diesel may make more noise, if that's a concern. But having a solution in an outage is the bigger issue, and both work.
Culture shock is a real thing when moving from the city to the country. You have to acknowledge things are different and figure out how you are going to acclimate.
Ok you just said it for me. How do we make all this work. I am struggling to balance my NEW full time job and my homestead. I feel like I am failing. I had to take a job because of the economy. My husband's check wasn't covering all our expenses. Where at one time it was. I need to work on time management and probably remove some clutter in our lives just need more time. Help!!!
I am a newbie here, which with no garden, in an apartment and i want to learn to canning foods at age 69 and 70 in December. do you have water bath stuff or can you cann everything? I got an new Denali canner 23 quarts. What do you suggest i do first?
So sorry for your health issues this year. Blessings 🙏 on your recovery! With back challenges, if you like dehydrating, cooking and freezing meals for later, making herbal elderberry syrup, infused oils or tinctures, making baking mixes in a jar, or just adding a bit more meat and veg to an order to freeze for later...lots of great things can still be done that don't require back strength. It's easier to cook sitting on a stool for some. Sourdough starter and breads can be therapeutic and delicious, or making a couple jars of fermented pickles, salsa or sauerkraut can be tasty and last a while in the fridge. Knitting or crochet, etc can be wonderful to pick up when feeling good, and set down for later. So, it's more a matter of choice, than anything else.
Praying for your recoveries, for you and your husband. In your situation, you can still buy groceries? Stock up on canned meats and veg, or whatever you can buy already preserved, and start building a pantry that way. God's speed.
Ok, I believe that this question has been asked already, but I'm gonna asking again....how will You and Caroline deal with the government if come for your land? They have been buying up land all over the place
My grandmother taught me to think of "chores" as blessings. Washing dishes meant that we had food to eat. Laundry was a blessing that showed we had clothes to wear. Cleaning my house proved I had a happy, healthy, messy family. When I felt like maybe I was being blessed to death by the epic huckleberry year, or the tomatoes are on hot and heavy, I can just think of her smiling at me and count the joys of being able to do this.
Your grandmother had a great attitude. 🙂👍. I'm going to work on thinking of chores in that way also. That'll make them easier to do.
Amen!!❤
I'm going to steal that phrase, "blessed to death." So much more optimism than "buried alive"!! ❤️
Beautifully said!
Love this, i try to always remember those things as well. Each day is a gift, an opportunity to live life fully, to bless someone else. You are fortunate to have had your grandmother ❤
That has been the Major Issue/Problem with us having a successful homestead. My hubby never made the shift in his mind set from city life to homestead life. Very VERY difficult to be successful in this life style if you or your spouse didn't make that shift.
Wow you can say that again. It is such a struggle 😢
For sure!! To point I'm not even sure we will/can continue. Breaks my heart and hurts my soul.@@cheerio9119
Keep trying your best with what you yourself can do. I’m in the same boat. But as my husband sees me have success in certain areas, he is having a few mindset changes.
So, this is a mixed bag for me.
I'm VERY grateful I have no spouse or partner for MANY reasons. However, it's exceptionally difficult to singlehandedly do things around the house (trailer in my case), and on the property.
I do have physical challenges, so just mitigating a leaking roof on my own is more difficult. I also don't have a different perspective to help shift my mindset if/when there's something I could do differently or better.
Environment counts for a LOT. Here in the desert, most plants that are not incinerated, are devoured by rodents- and composting only goes so far when the only other substrate is sand.
@@FuriosaSonoran that’s gotta be tough!
Here’s a homeschool tip from a homeschool and homestead mom.
In case you have a tough year and find yourself stressed out.
Always fill out your letter of intent for the full 365 days of the year. For instance July 31, 2023- July 30, 2024. This gives you 365 days to homeschool 180 days.
This schedule has helped me when things come up that need my attention on the homestead. Of course keeping the children involved in life skills and extracurricular activities.
Give yourself Grace y’all! 🤗
The biggest mindset shift I had to learn to make was to not waste resources out of FOMO or a belief that you need all the skills all at once. It took a really long time for me to get a handle on this. I'm thinking of wasting money on the early versions of fermenting lids, carboys (I made wine exactly twice), trying to put up electric netting for chickens in an unsuitable area, putting in a swale that immediately killed my fruit trees....I have a list of those. And, while there is actually a lot to be said for learning what not to do and being brave in trying new things, it's really expensive. I doubt I am alone in having wasted significant resources early on trying to get a foothold. So, one thing I would recommend for your summit is encouraging people to not feel overwhelmed by wanting to try everything. There's plenty of time. Learn a skill, incorporate it in your life style. Then learn another skill and weave it in. Over the course of a year, this can feel slow. Over the course of decades, it's a game-changer. Great pantry chat.
I did something risky about a year ago, had a bunch of pomegranates that were getting ready to spoil so I took all the seeds out and put them i na gallon glass jar, and covered them with honey. Then I stirred them every day for a month. And then I ran the seeds through a strainer and mashed them out like you would do for jam or jelly, to strain out the hard little seeds. Put a loose canning lid on the jar and stashed it in my pantry away from the light, and checked it every so often to make sure it wasn't going moldy... It never did get moldy, but it did get some brown stuff sunk to the bottom.
I've been drinking it slowly though the year to see how it changes, and to see if I would get sick from it. I never did get sick. It stayed sweet and just continued to ferment. I drank the last of it a couple weeks ago, the brown stuff in the bottom even which I think maybe was "the mother" I always hear Apple Cider Vinegar purists flavor about.
So maybe I just got lucky, but I never followed a recipe or anything and this year I'm planning to do the same thing but with blackberries to see if it will work, and try again with poms when they show up - if they show up, with the sketchy supply chain these days - to see if I can duplicate my previous results.
I just wanted to share that January/February 2023 I started watching your homestead chanel. I was drawn in by your academic approach to food preservation. And appreciated 4 bits of advice. 1. Do not start out trying to do ALL homestead projects at once. 2. Preserve what you WILL eat. This was in reference to flavors. I also applied this thinking to volume.
3. Develop a plan. 4. Do what you can afford.
Been an adult for a long time. I know these principles from other life applications. The refresher on these simple bits was so helpful. I found a recipe for canning zucchini in pineapple juice to make the zucchini taste like pineapple. I thought through this matrix. And though it brings out curiosities but, I'm a pineapple once a year kinda person. So when I want pineapple I want the real thing. I would eat one jar of pineapple zucchini to see what its like. A batch would be a waist of time, money and shelf space in my pantry.
Had an opportunity for a second round of peaches. After putting up one round decided I didn't need a second batch of peaches. Saved money.
Between April and now have put up 43 recipies in over 300 jars and the freezer.
Next steps: Apples then pressure canning meals in a jar. So with all the preserving food the lawn gets mowed once every 3 weeks instead of weekly. I'm ok with my lawn being overlooked because I have food set aside for winter. As my pantry stands now, I could literally eat peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches for a winter and be fine. Naturally, there is more to the long range plan. And security is always in God first! But there is a level of security in knowing there is some shelf stable food stored away.
Thank you for your topics at hand. I am literally a life that is transitioning toward homesteading in place. A brighter future! Thank you! :)
Nice job, you’ve accomplished a great deal! I agree, Josh and Carolyn have some very practical recommendations that always encourage thinking and planning first.
I love this, I would have written the same thing if you had not already done so.😊
I have had difficulty with change and God is taking me through that now. I am not homesteading now but have been going through a lot of uncertainty. Keep being reminded to count my blessings. Which I have needed to be reminded. Thanks guys
For us its fitting in homeschool until October 😊 there is so much to do. Also, outside family and friends and even sometimes our kids (8) ask 'why' why make all this from scratch when u can get it from the store and stock up that way? Why do you work so hard.....and some days i begin to wonder too! When you get tired its easy to hear those voices and get really down. Thankful for two other faith filled homesteading families to go to to remember our why.
I’m such a beginner (2 years) on a half acre. At 70 I was pretty set in the modern lifestyle and the mindset topic is exactly what I am struggling with. Thanks so much!
I live in Colorado and having the same problem. I usually get 3-4 pickings on my beans, I only got 2 and then they shut down. My pumpkins already ripened a whole month early. Crazy! So yes, the weather is out of whack.
Exactly - Real freedom is not just doing whatever you want, its a path to bondage....deep thoughts with Josh and Carolyn. So true! Thanks for sharing
"Where real freedom is..." YES! So well said! Thank you for this.
You hit the nail on the head with your mindset of observation. It is the number one way to integrate your skill set, saving money AND getting real PEACE and JOY from your work. As an example: When I’m doing a chore, say feeding the animals: I use knowledge and skills to feed each animal the proper food and ration at the same time I observe and assess their health and general demeanor (early identification of problems will save me time and money) is everyone acting normal, is everyone eating, are there any concerns I need to check up on later, meanwhile they are interacting with me as I do this and right there is the JOY! That joy keeps me coming out to the barn at the crack of dawn every day, preventing burnout and doubling the reward for my work: food AND purpose AND joy. This is the real stuff that keeps you homesteading year in and year out for the long haul. Thanks you guys, can’t wait for the Summit!!!
I live in Utah and have been retired from a Architecture Consulting Firm and great career. I’ve decided to use my energy to build an homestead with prepping for
1.Food Storage
2.Water Storage
3.Power/Energy Storage
4.Financial/Security Storage
5.Medicine Storage
You all are at a different awesome level and I’m just in awe with the real professionalism and presentations that you demonstrate. I’m too basic while you all really inspire me so much more than other channels. It’s probably because you are in Idaho and snow as I have 4 acres on a ski resort in Utah not far off and same zone as you and am overwhelmed with how do I expand. We got almost 10 feet of snow here at the Ray Cabin last year. Thank you for your delivery on your vision. I hope I can progress
Urgency and lack of balance...100%. I get so overwhelmed by all that needs done in a day, and the learning curve means things take so much longer. I'm also intentional about bringing my kids alongside and teaching skills, which also takes more time. That's an investment! I've started using the notebook, which helps, now it's about being okay with there always being an ongoing list.
There will always be an ongoing list. Remember, it’s not about the destination but the journey ❤. Mom of 5 homesteading in Canada
My mindset changed a few years ago and watching the Skills Summit last year confirmed for me my mindset choices. It’s slow going in practice but I’m getting there, Looking forward to this years summit
THANK YOU for the whole episode, but especially for the book recommendation. I just bought it for my husband for his 40th birthday. I think it will speak to him as former military, current police officer, and a generally reflective and stoically masculine individual. He’s currently reading Marcus Aurelius’ meditations and enjoying the Daily Stoic guided journal that is based on it.
Love that you focused on the importance of mindset, it truly unlocks everything in this life in my opinion ❤
Thank you so much for everything you share with your followers. You have no idea what a blessing you both are. GOD bless
Carolyn thank you for the essential step of observing. I often am in the rush to the finish line.
I try to be adaptable but I'll explore fluidity.
I was late to the party. I just signed up. I hope I get to see all the speakers.
You guys are right!!! I’m from Thailand but I have been here for almost 20 years but I understood more than some people were born in America 🇺🇸. Thank you so much dear friends. I am leaving in ND.
meal planning has been a thorn in my side... (watching this in the future, after the summit) Watching your piece in the summit has really helped with mindset... very helpful! Thank you
So glad you found it helpful ❤️
I am very excited about the summit. I follow most of the speakers coming and looking forward to learning about the home butchering and Carolyn's. I have been learning canning from Carolyn for quite a few years now. This year I started my garden and have a long learning curve yet on it. I also started growing a little herb garden as well and want to expand more on it. I have grown up doing a lttle of everything to do with homesteading but got busy with life raising my daughter's on my own after my husband passed away when we where in our 20's now that I am in my 60's it's time to change my mind set back to the things that I love doing and maybe be able to help my daughters and grandkids change their mind sets to different ways of living and raising their children. See you all at the summit this week. God Bless you Josh and Carolyn and your beautiful family.
I can’t wait for the summit to start. You’ve assembled some remarkable folks. Sometimes I need to rein in the mind and ponder some on reality lol.
You are both a wonderful blessing!
I feel I got a good lesson in mindset shift. I did an allergy test and it came back with 30 negative reactions. Things like ALL grains, tomatoes, garlic, pepper, ect. I've had to do a complete overhaul of my food.
I've found myself taking the time to cook things properly, I caramelize the onions fully, I roast the veggies even before pureeing for sauce. I've been forced to make my own condiments, but since I have so much other things to do I did fermented condiments, which in the long run is healthier but is proving tastier. I'm ignoring my grandma who keeps whining about how I'm stuffing our freezers and where am I going to put the produce im bulk buying. But if I don't buy for the year I won't have food for the winter, I can NOT eat the store bought ANYTHING, they all carry something in them I have a negative reaction to. But I'm finding my freezers more full this year than the last 3 years cause I'm ignoring her and standing my ground.
I'm now looking at the last 3 years (the time I started calling myself a homesteader) as learning the skills, this summer is me applying it ALL.
I feel there was so many shifts that had to happen because of the test results, I can't even list them, bet there are others I'm not even aware of.
But I know your family and the School had been a HUGE part in me learning HOW to do what I need to start thriving and not slowly poisoning myself with foods I thought were healthy but just not for me.
I planted 3 diff cabbage plantings. They all failed for diff reasons. I found a greenhouse with cabbage plants. I am going to try it one more time.
Can't wait for the summit! Also always a good reminder about the mindset. I've been in it for over a decade and need reminders often. 😂
Dehydrated the Cabbage, wonderful to rehydrate and stir fry or dehydrate as chips with salt
I think that God is sending harvest early due to things happening on the horizon. He is good and his mercy endures forever
im excited for the summit!
We have a family friend who got freezers to put there cabbage in . Old dead ones they have real good insulation. The shed was insulated then the freezers. Worked for them 😊
Great Chat ! Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
If I could make it, I'd want to show up at your session just to sit and soak up your sweet spirit. ❤
Great conversation; thanks for sharing! A lot of great advice! Blessings to everyone 🤗💗🇨🇦
Good morning Josh and Carolyn. Great pantry chat. Mind set can make or break you no matter what you're doing. I'm looking forward to teaching my son the ability to stop and look at what needs to be done, observe while you are doing the task and review to make sure it is completed thoroughly. Oh and I need to model this better😊. I so wish I could come to the conference. Maybe next year. Have a blessed week.
It’s virtual so you don’t physically have to be there. If you can’t do the class at the time it’s given, they will email the link for the replay. But you have to register to get the link.
I am a full time caregiver to two of our adult children who have signigicant disabilities and also the adoptive mother of an 18 month old. We feel passionate about our calling, but the reality is that 3 of our 8 children still live at home and all 3 require my care. My husband still works full time out of the home and so I struggle with a desire to be more self sufficient while being honest about the time and energy I currently have available to me. I have not found other full time caregivers with the desire to live this way and I would just love to have someone to bounce ideas off of. If anyone out there reads this who is in a similar position or knows of someone who is, please respond and perhaps we can connect! The journey can feel lonely without people who understand! Thank you both for all the wonderful content you put out...your skills and love for what you do empower many I am sure!!
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
Great mindset.
Did not expect one of the gun tubers I watch to ever pop up or be referenced here. Awesome.
I just love this pantry chat. I’m so deep in harvest and preserving and as much as I love it, it’s consuming all of my time and it’s a lot. But these chats really help me thru. Love you and your wonderful family! Thank you! Also, I have your canning course and make those recipes over and over! Love love love the veggie puttanesca!!!❤
Wonderful!
I’m with you. Harvest time is tiring especially when you have children and animals to care for as well!
I love this post. I loved hearing that there will be a class on how to create an efficient kitchen and the financial class too!! My husband and our older children are definitely working towards our homesteading goals. Sometimes, I get burn out because I still have to work at my regular job. So time is limited. Also, I keep feeling like time is running out to learn all the skills I am not strong in.
The last few years I have become more confident in food preservation, working with our chickens and ducks, and learning to garden. Though this year was a total bust because it rained so much. I live in Vermont so it feels like we didn't really have a summer. Though I am thankful my home didn't flood. It looks like it will be a warm fall. I am taking advantage of that to prep my gardens for spring.
I have been slowly building my medicinal garden and knowledge in Herbal medicine but also medicinal plants that grow naturally like dandelion and plantain. This has been a slow process. I do not retain information well so I take tons of notes (which makes the process longer).
Anyway thanks for all that you and your staff do to teach and support us!
I feel like my biggest struggle is feeling like I have to wait until we get land before I can start learning skills. Feeling stuck in the city and not being able to fully explore these skills I want to learn holds me back from trying out the ones that are available for me to pursue right now. I so appreciate your videos and encouragement to break through these unhelpful mindsets and habits!
I read and studied and took notes and tried just a few seeds in pots until I was able to actually have a small garden. Just start with where you are, you can do this! :-)
Start learning before you have land or you will be overwhelmed. Get a small herb garden and tend it in a sunny window. Buy batches of produce at the farmers market and can it at home to practice for when you have mass amounts of things coming in. Take a permaculture design course or an animal husbandry course, a carpentry course, a plumbing course etc. Talk to local farmers and volunteer to come experience their farm and learn in exchange for getting your hands dirty for them. Read books, watch videos and form a plan on your priorities so when you get that land, you have a plan in place of where to start focus on and know that that can change on a dime! But it's so worth it. It's the most fulfilling lifestyle I've ever lived.
Take this valuable time to learn skill sets of what to do with the production. Ferment sauerkraut, make wine, or whiskey, learn all about foraging plants and mushrooms, you can grow mushrooms on a small scale, start seeds and sell plants to meet other people that are already growing gardens. Learn to render fats to condition things like: cast-iron, cutting boards, leather boots and gloves, even make bar soap. Make laundry soap from the bar soap. Find a local source of milk and make your dairy products. Yogurt, kefir, cheese, caramel, ice-cream, butter etc.
Buy dried herbs in bulk and learn to use them medicinally.
Time is a precious seed with a short shelf life, sew it now.
If you can order from Azure standard you might meet likemjnded neighbors at your local drop site.
Well and we are doing little things, I just mean the mind set holds me back. We do have a small garden and I'm slowly learning to can. We are able to have a few hens for eggs and we tried raising meat rabbits for a good year before we realized that was not for us... I just don't feel like mentally I'm all in yet because there are so many conveniences at my fingertips. Thanks for the tips and encouragement! We will continue to take baby steps!
I resonate with that! On the other hand when I learn new skills it feels so good, I recently learned how to make vinegar and it's so fun!!
City/suburbanite convenience thinking is almost like a crack addition to break. Grew up country and have done this for awhile, and I still had to make big mental changes after COVID to really get back to a homestead perspective more like my ancestors had, that I grew up around as a kid.
'Fluidity' is exactly the right word for things. Observing is very key, every time I work in the garden I take 10 minutes or more to look at things and what's coming down the pipe. Planning is important, but preparation and managing is way more important, no flying by the seat of the pants, and just walking out and doing. It's a yearly cycle where one feeds into the next.
Hey Carolyn! If I'm not there for the live, I will definitely be watching the replay.
Thanks for the wonderful subject, perspective and the little reading from the book. That book is now on my book list que.
Much love from the Midwest US 💖
This mindset theme is what I need to study right now. Thank you for all of your education. We follow you closely.
Great discussion! I missed the Traditional Skills Conference, but I just signed up in hopes of watching the replays. Am I too late?
Re. "Slow is fast and fast is slow."
Sounds like I could fit very comfortably in the homesteading world. 😉
Do you ever take your Crab Apples and make Jelly & Crabapple butter, I was given 2 garbage bags full of crabapples once and I cooked them all up and took the juice & made jelly, then I milled up all the fruit and made Crabapple butter using the apple butter recipe & my whole family loved all of it.
My hubby thinks of my efforts to grow our own food a “hobby”, something to keep me busy. He sure likes the food though 😅
this is going to be great! Getting your head around the process is just essential. I will be watching and listening. Thanks for all you both do to help us.
What a valuable video. I am SO looking foward to your week of training!!!! Thank you so much!!!!
Many years ago a grandfather bought land right on the Panama City Florida beach. His father said to him " What did you buy that for? You can't grow nuthin in sand!
Cabbage-freeze dry it. Great in vegetable soup and your inventive stir fry's.
Give some save some and sell some!
I’ve never seen so many apples on the crab apple trees, I don’t really want to waste ingredients making jelly what else can you do with these?
My husband and I grew up with farm and garden, so have always sort of been homesteaders in a small way I suppose but I’m expanding my knowledge in herbal uses dehydrating, and canning things we never thought about before. Love your videos and am learning so much more . Many blessings to you and your family
Great video
I definitely feel the pressure of needing to harvest EVERYTHING all at once! It seems that the garden is ready with ALL the different veggies AT THE SAME TIME 🤪
The pressure is, to not waste any food because we don't know what next year will be like! I don't want to look back in regret knowing stuff wasn't preserved because of a lack of time. ( I work a sales job too, so that requires effort if I'm to have income)
The extra veggies can atleast be gifted and donated.
"Normal" is the setting on the dryer... that's all the 'normal' there is 🥰
"Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought." Pope John Paul II
Great topic. Keeping ahead of homestead management is so hard. Logging current & future needs is a necessity.
my grandfather use to spin the cabbage in place so a lot of the roots broke off. He said it would stop it from growing and use its energy to grow more roots. I have not done it but it might be worth a try.
WPSN!
The one thing I consistently run into is people thinking they must follow the "rules". For instance, with cooking/baking people consistently ask me for the recipe. I tell them I never use them. Do I have recipes? Of course, but for the most part I just think of what tastes go together and what we like together. It is like bread, go with the feel of the dough not the required amount of flour stated in some recipe. There has been an effort to create a "science" to cooking/baking which in the end has furthered the cookbook/product/tools/food industry. People just have to think outside the box.
Cooking is art. Baking is actually science.
I'm so excited about the Skills Summit! I hope I can watch them all! If I can't, will there be a replay?
What about creating an old style sawdust icehouse? Little House on the Prairie style.❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤
I am interested in the classes this week
homesteadingfamily.com/school-of-traditional-skills-summit/
You are awesome !, nice informative pantry chat.
Excellent Pantry Chat!
Great chat.. thank you so much
Looking forward to the summit.
Love all your info❣️
I may sign up just for your three-meals a day discussion. We eat a good dinner almost every single night. Breakfast and lunch? (sigh) This is exactly the area I am trying to improve.
Make double the dinner so you have lunch for the next day!
I would love to see some woodworking workshops.
As a woman I just never thought that would be a skill I would want. My husband is great with woodworking but he just doesn't have time to show me. I would love to know how to build a coop, or pig pen or garden fencing.
I'm having a hard time of setting the mindset of getting up at the same time every morning and getting the chores done before I go to work. Then on my days off still getting up at the same time because the livestock is on that schedule. Or that I can't just take a day off and not do anything but relax.
huh years ago, Robin talked about the Warrior Poet Way, I think he wrote a book on it as well? Robin, Revival in Belfast, Robin. And I cannot think of Robin's last name. I'll reply to my own comment when I figure this out!
As it is we have a homestead of 8 but only 1 homesteader... so where does one find the time is the question to do all they want to do :) I know the answer is probably prioritize, and combining steps... but any hints will be appreciated :)
I know I am nagging - not going to apologize for it - LOL :-) But SYSTEMS!!! What is a System? How do we wrap our minds around systems - AKA Mindset! - Then how do we approach systems. and avoid analysis paralysis??? Then how do we integrate successfully all these systems??? Like Josh said, avoiding burnout. The frustrations are real - like the Fire Marshal closed our local Tractor Supply, (and around 8 other businesses too, for about a week, due to a private fire water line under control of the Aronov Realty a Montgomery Alabama based Retail Leasing company. It has tested the SHTF in terms of getting supplies, having a back up to sourcing, and a back to the back-up. These things distract us, in our ability to move forward and stay on track, as Carolyn has stated - being Fluid in our mindset, easily said, but not easily done. LOL :-) So SYSTEMS!!! What are they? and how to approach, and implement them???
Have u done a show on how to store food
I just came across this video, so unfortunately, I missed the summit. Was it taped? Can I still watch it? Some of those topics I can really apply to my life.
buy a window unit A/C for the root celler ?
How to homestead while working full-time (2 days from home, 3 away from home). Is it possible, and please give insights into that mindset.
Clarification: 2 at home, 3 away but home every evening and weekends.
Chickens, quail, garden
I am so bummed that I can not make this years summit. I’m hoping for next year though. I’m wondering what happened to the root cellar you were building? I don’t have the option for a root cellar here. So I’m considering getting a refrigerator without the freezer unit to set as a root cellar. I wish you all the best for the summit.
Question: do u feel an outside root cellar would b better for a warmer fall? We’re considering either a basement storage area or an outdoor root cellar and would love your input. Thanks!
My Mom used an ice tray to freeze eggs. Then she would store them in a ziplock bag.
What I am missing in the context of the read out text is an acknowledgement that the “new” land was not a void that was inhabited but every homestead build for the freedom of the escaping Europeans meant a disaster for the native people of the land that was colonised.
In particular that the Europeans never asked and just took, never respected natural and man made frontiers or sacred places. And unfortunately I see no reconciliation.
There will never be reconciliation when people bring up the past, blaming and shaming. Mistakes were made in history, resentments of the past are still there and we if we don’t forgive and move on then the whole human race is doomed.
My wife and myself have been homesteading for many years but now we don't feel like doing it anymore
Want to start can and what would be the easiest thing to start with Pickles? Do you have a good pickle recipe to can?
Yes! homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-make-pickles/
Natural gas or diesel generator ?? Following this mindset of preparedness …. Which one would be the best option? Also; what are the best brands from experience? We will be buying one soon and would appreciate any feedback !! Thanks😀
Depends on access and cost. It isn't the same answer for everyone. Diesel may make more noise, if that's a concern. But having a solution in an outage is the bigger issue, and both work.
Culture shock is a real thing when moving from the city to the country. You have to acknowledge things are different and figure out how you are going to acclimate.
Do you guys have well water ?
Ok you just said it for me. How do we make all this work. I am struggling to balance my NEW full time job and my homestead. I feel like I am failing. I had to take a job because of the economy. My husband's check wasn't covering all our expenses. Where at one time it was. I need to work on time management and probably remove some clutter in our lives just need more time. Help!!!
Some more on that here: homesteadingfamily.com/how-i-manage-our-home-household-management-series/
Where to buy organic garlic? What is the best garlic?
Pop some cloves in the soil and in 6 months you'll have the best.
We like www.rareseeds.com/
I am a newbie here, which with no garden, in an apartment and i want to learn to canning foods at age 69 and 70 in December. do you have water bath stuff or can you cann everything? I got an new Denali canner 23 quarts. What do you suggest i do first?
Have you taken our free canning course? classes.homesteadingfamily.com/meals_on_your_shelf_sign_up
No nt yet...
@@HomesteadingFamily
Hi Carolyn, what is your opinion on steam canning compared to waterbath?
Waterbath canning is tested and approved. The steam method isn't.
@@FineFeatheredHomesteadactually it has. Look on Oregon State University extension for the information. There is a print out on it.
I believe steam canning has now been approved for water-bath recipes that process under 40 minutes.
I am recovering from 3 surgeries this summer. 2 on my back. What do I do? I am 67. My husband is due to have back surgery in November. What do we do?
So sorry for your health issues this year. Blessings 🙏 on your recovery! With back challenges, if you like dehydrating, cooking and freezing meals for later, making herbal elderberry syrup, infused oils or tinctures, making baking mixes in a jar, or just adding a bit more meat and veg to an order to freeze for later...lots of great things can still be done that don't require back strength. It's easier to cook sitting on a stool for some. Sourdough starter and breads can be therapeutic and delicious, or making a couple jars of fermented pickles, salsa or sauerkraut can be tasty and last a while in the fridge. Knitting or crochet, etc can be wonderful to pick up when feeling good, and set down for later. So, it's more a matter of choice, than anything else.
Praying for your recoveries, for you and your husband.
In your situation, you can still buy groceries? Stock up on canned meats and veg, or whatever you can buy already preserved, and start building a pantry that way. God's speed.
How do I sign up? Where?
More on it here:schooloftraditionalskills.com/summit/?uid=10&oid=1&affid=3
Link please
homesteadingfamily.com/STS_HF_n
What does "came up open" mean lol?? 🤔🤔
They thought their cow was bred( gonna have a calf) but she wasnt.
She didn't get pregnant when she was supposed to i.e not bred.. so no pregnancy no calf = no milk.
Have you ever considered raising rabbits as livestock?
First
plz explane cow coming open ,,,???
When you thought it was bred, but uterus/womb is 'open', i.e. not pregnant
sorry I have to ask ....y don't men take their hats off when in the house,not just here but everywhere.....????? love show best wishes
Right?
In my house they do. I think it has a lot to do with how and where you were raised.
Animals, cows , other 2 is 1, 1 is none...
Ok, I believe that this question has been asked already, but I'm gonna asking again....how will You and Caroline deal with the government if come for your land? They have been buying up land all over the place
No, they have not. Private buyers have bought up lots of land. However, the government is not going around seizing peoples farms.