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| Spring has started on the homestead. |
I struggle a lot with feeling like there's not enough of me to go around - no more so than when it is spring. And yes, it may still be January, but on our mountaintop homestead, spring seems to be here. There's so very much to do! Lots of garden cleanup; we're trying to get a proper, large veggie garden in place, complete with a deer fence; the rabbitry needs pressure washing; the greenhouse needs caulking and paint; we're prepping a site to put up a barn; we're still cleaning up literal garbage left behind by previous owners; there's tons of indoor spring cleaning to do...you get the idea. I have to remind myself to stop and BREATHE. Prioritizing is hard, but necessary. I'm sure we won't get it all done. It's good to accept that and not get so focused on work that we forget to live!
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"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is."
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Last week, I was inspired to share my favorite homesteading books - the ones I turn to again and again - after reading a Homesteaders of America Facebook page post on how important it is to have actual books (not just internet articles or videos) on hand. (Because you can access them for information even when
the power or grid is down. Plus, it's good to help authors by supporting
their work. Unless they are mega bestsellers, they are seriously underpaid for the time and effort
they put in - and they don't earn a penny when you buy used or read a
library book...something to keep in mind.) Since I know not all of you are on Facebook, I'm sharing the complete list here, too.
HOMESTEAD FOOD
Complete Guide to Home Canning
Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
Backyard Homestead Guide to Kitchen Know-How
The Ultimate Guide to Preserving Vegetables
Pressure Canning for Beginners and Beyond
The Ultimate Dandelion Cookbook
GENERAL HOMESTEADING
(If I had to pick just one book on general homesteading, I'd probably choose Backyard Homestead, with How to Live on Almost Nothing as a close second.)
How to Live on Almost Nothing and Have Plenty
The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It
HOMESTEAD ANIMALS
Rabbit Raising Problem Solver (If you buy only one book on raising rabbits, it should be this one.)
Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits
The Private Life of the Rabbit
Storey's Guide to Raising Pigs
Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep
Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens
Backyard Homestead Guide to Farm Animals
HERBS
The Ultimate Dandelion Medicine Book
HOMESTEAD GARDENING
HOMESTEADING MISCELLANEOUS
Butchering Poultry, Rabbit, Lamb, Goat, and Pork
The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Vol. 1, Big Game
The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Vol. 2, Small Game and Fowl
Firefox series (A little note about the Foxfire books. While I think they document a vital piece of American history and can offer homesteaders inspiration and ideas, I do not consider them great how-to books. Still, it seems remiss not to include them when talking about awesome homesteading books.)
OTHER STUFF
* Ever wonder why processed food is soooo cheap? One major reason is that taxpayers subsidize it.
* Rancher finds ancient pot of corn seed.
* Spring Cleaning Checklists. Better get to it before homestead spring madness starts!
* I am starting seeds TODAY! And so can you...no matter the weather. Learn how to winter sow.
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