With the introduction of the Homestead Act of 1862, previously unsettled land in the western portions of the United States became an attractive option to thousands of people. These pioneers were looking for a new way of life, but in order to attain it, they had to have certain skills. Traveling in covered wagons, grouped …
For all those familiar with bees, we all know the value of smoking bees when we work with them. The smoke keeps the bees calm, which means less chances of you getting stung by them. What is a Bee Smoker? A bee smoker is just a small container that you put fuel into to create …
Homesteading is not the idealistic, blissful lifestyle that magazines and news articles make it out to be, at least, not all the time. Realistically, it requires a lot of good planning, researching, preparation and maintenance of land, finances, resources, crops (big or small), and livestock. Before you take the plunge into homesteading on a large …
If you’re anything like me, your washing machine is probably your favorite appliance in the entire house. I use my washer and dryer practically every day, but that’s not exactly something I’m proud of. After all, the average washing machine uses several dozen gallons of water per cycle, and more soap and detergent than I’d …
The 14 Most Effective Non-Electric Washing Machines Read More »
When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time on hiking trails and in campsites. A major part of those experiences was the wood fires that we used to burn. As a kid I never considered which types of wood are used. I didn’t know what type of wood we were using; all …
If you have ever bought a purebred animal, you will know that they are expensive. Expensive may just mean a greedy breeder, or it may mean a quality animal. My first medical service dog was a purebred golden retriever. I got him as a pup, and paid a whopping $969 for him as a potty-trained …
I think it’s safe to say we know what paperclips are; some of us use them on a weekly or daily basis. So, what if I told you that there were more uses for paperclips than just clipping paper? Would you believe me? If not, well, prepare to have your minds blown! We’re looking at …
As we all gear up for the cold winter months, heating oil is used in more homes worldwide than any other heating source. It is more affordable and safer than gas. Because of the very big job it does, we buy it by the barrel loads. But how long will heating oil last? Provided it …
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have easy access to an abundant wood supply that, with the help of a chainsaw, can be turned into firewood. For many people who need firewood for their log burner, there is only one option: to find a local supplier. Now, not everyone needs a whole cord of wood, …
Today, more people than ever are planning to be food self-sufficient. Many others have spare garden areas that they want to grow crops on and hence avoid buying expensive store produce. Growing seasonal produce makes it difficult to maintain supplies throughout the year. I have a patch of potatoes that are growing at the moment …
