This year is starting to look

like it will be a good one.

Some things are falling into place for us. And I feel great about it all.

Suddenly there is a lot less stress in my life.

I truly hope that the rest of you are feeling it.

It's Elvis' Birthday!

Happy Name Change Day!

It only happens here 3 times a year here.

Today, Small aka my 5-year-old, shall be called, Small my 6-year-old.

My has my Famous little man has grown. (no, my son's name is not Elvis. Today is also Elvis Presely's birthday. Famous is an inside joke)Many of my Live Journal readers remember when I found out I was pregnant with him. I was working 3rd shift, and found out in the middle of the night. I had no one to tell, so I blurted it out on one of the boards. And now he is 6.

Yesterday He was walking passed me, and I asked him if he would like to cuddle up and watch a scary movie (40's horror flick, tamer than the prime time drama's). He kept walking and said "No, I have coffee"


He did indeed have a cup of milk and sugar with enough coffee to color and warm the milk. I guess it makes him feel more grown up.

Now that I am sufficiently feeling older. it is currently -3F feeling like -20F, but I couldn't really tell you the difference, it's just plain cold. The boys room is nice and toasty though. And now I must go wake them and throw them out into the Arctic. Oh, it it's as though I don't get the pleasure of going out to work in it or anything.

Happy Elvis' Birthday everyone. Spend it with someone you love.

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