Feels like -15F

Feels like a tingly numb to me.

Skin exposure outside is dangerous right now. Everybody is bundled tight because we have to go outside. Wichita has a balmy 7F, here at the Neophyte Homestead we are at 2F. The floor is cold, and yes I am wearing socks.

I had an interesting question yesterday, I was asked if I was seeing an increase in people coming over (blogs) that were worried about the 2012 predictions. I answered it truthfully as I perceived it, but it did get me wondering, why have so many people sought me out.

Many people find me through google, my butcher posts are the most clicked on links. Some of you have come over from other's blogs, while some have found me through newspapers (ezines)


So I was wondering if you could enlighten me, as I said this question got me pondering. I know some of you have been here since the beginning, and some just for a very long time and you stay because of my looks and money, but what of the rest of you? If you don't mind me asking.

What got you looking for Homesteading or Prepper blogs? (If you feel like you will be teased for your answer, I will punish the bullies swiftly and efficiently, or go ahead and leave an anonymous comment)

Growing Indoors

I was asked what to start seeds in. I have cats too, and boy can they be a problem when it comes to your seedlings.

We utilize different spaces in our home, under the sink, counter tops and even the corners.

You can buy pre-made corner shelves or, build one or two. Rod's Wood Working Shop as free plans on building your own corner shelf. What he is lacking in his plans is how to turn it into a planter.


You need white paint, reflective white paint. You do not need to cover the entire shelf in white, only the underside of the shelves, this is where you will mount your lights. You can use specialty lights, like gro bulbs, or a mix of fluorescent and iridescent lighting. Keep your lighting at least 8 inches from your plants, and use a timer to give them the correct amount of light.



Use whatever wood you have on hand.

We also use a box, or closet that we built and have stashed out of the way. You can find all the information about it here at a post we call Phelan's Box

Light is super important and I do have a post all about light; What's Light Got to Do With It. A must read. . .

And I also have a post on converting an unused bathroom into a little green house, cats included in this one called Next step for the starters.

I hope those articles help you. Any questions, please feel free to ask.

Changing cold weather seedlings

Every day they keep changing the forecast, and it gets colder and colder and snowier and drizzlier than before. Let's keep it right there. I really don't want it to get any cold. You also have to factor in the wind and the feels like temperature. And the thing is, what ever they forecast for Wichita, it is always 2-4 degrees cooler and 2 more inches of snow here.

I bit of good news. The propane man showed up and was impressed with our amount of consumption. He told us that one of our neighbors got a full tank the same day we got a half tank, and that neighbor was down to 5% while we (on the same day) was only down to 15%. Well there is a very good reason for that. . . but we are not freezing.

Time to start the cool weather veggies. I have broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, brussel sprouts, rhubarb and onions going. If you live in zone 5 or 6, sometime this week it will be a good idea to get them going. You should put them out in your garden come St. Patrick's Day. To get a long harvest season out of these items, plant a new seed every 3-7 days.

Edit: Before I startle any more people, allow me to explain the eggplant thing. You actually have until March to get those seeds going. I have found however that because eggplants are so picky about cool temps, that if I start them in my zone when I start my first batch of seedlings, and put them in the garden come May, I don't have them dying without harvest by the time the first bit of cool weather comes.

Passing along our Skills

Laundry

The 2nd day of the rest of your

year.

Usually I am here, telling you what to expect on the Neophyte homestead this year. Unfortunately I can't tell you much. It is all still up in the air.

We will be butchering our bull, but if we will be doing it or if we will be taking it to a locker is still unknown. It all depends on money and the weather.

We will be moving to the farmstead. And all the wonders that come along with that. We found our MASH tent. GP Medium. My brother lived in one is all sorts of conditions while in the military. He gave us a few tips on how to keep the water out, and to berm it a bit to help with insulation. He says they are cozy and plenty of room for my family.

Then you have everything that has to do with living off grid. Solar showers, clothes washing, entertainment and all the jazz.

I will tell you that I will probably hurt myself over this next year. It happens.

Husband will be staying at the Neophyte Homestead with some chickens, a cow and the garden. So there will be some updates for you from there.

Also what kind of strain our relationship will end up going through living like this.

Homeschooling is on the agenda.

as is a plethora of new to me skills, like soap making, lye making, hunting, smoking meats, ice house, sewing (I am taking an online course for it)

We can expect more births this year as well. And training new moms to the milking stanchion.

2010 should be filled with new adventure and stories to pass along.

However I am disappointed, according to my textbooks as a kid, I should have my own jet pack, moving sidewalks in front ofm y house, a car that drives itself with me only telling it where I want to go. And pills for food (though we are really close to the cloned meat on market)