Urban Homestead action day plus a BOOK GIVE-A-WAY

Today the Denver Based group that's Facebook page was shut down because of the new trademark is hosting a Take back Urban Homesteading action day.

Video's, story's and photo links can be found here> > > Action Day Videos.

To show my support I am giving away a copy of Urban Homestead By Erik Knutzen and Kelly Coyne. Google received a complaint and a Legal form letter stating that the title of this book is trademark infringement. Their Blog can be found here at Root Simple.

Just leave me a comment telling me why your are a homesteading Junkie (and just cuz does qualify, but I wouldn't mind hearing more) and your name will be placed in a hat.

The winner will be announced Wednesday morning.

A wee bit of advice

Never buy a meat bandsaw blade, a tarp, knife sharpener, lye, and bleach while wearing leather pants and muck boots.

The cashiers are hesitant on cashing you out. And customers sure do give you a look.

Shopping List for Parker,or anyone else wanting a from scratch St. Paddy's day meal

phew, that is a long title.

These items you will need before the 7th of March. It takes 10 days to make a good corned beef.

4-6 lb Brisket (trim excess fat, though leave a bit on)

Kosher salt

black peppercorns (cracked or a way to crack them)

allspice

thyme

paprika

Bay leaves

The rest needs to be on hand the day before

wholemeal flour

unbleached white flour

baking soda

buttermilk

eggs

whole milk

bread crumbs

ground almonds

sugar

cumin

saffron

a soft cheese of your choice (shredded)

oatmeal

honey

a stout ( like Guiness)

Cinnamon or nutmeg

cabbage or brussel sprouts will work

new potatoes

your choice of carrots, rutabagas, white turnips, small onions or parsnips (you can have more than one)

See you Monday to tell you what to do with that Brisket

Post removed

I decided to remove the last post. It was too rambling and might be misunderstood.

It breaks down to 2 things,

Monday I will have another give-a-way.

and

I am seriously thinking about retiring A Homesteading Neophyte blog this year. I haven't yet decided, but it has been on my mind lately. No promises.

Trademarked, legal orders, and generic terms (edited)

Edited for links

I have been quiet on the Church of Urban Homesteading for various reasons. And to be honest I am surprised I haven't received one of the letter telling me to stop using the now trademarked term, as I have articles and blog posts using it. (technically it is not a cease and desist order, but the wording is very very close to it. read it here)

I have been reading blog posts since this all came out, fellow bloggers that are hurt and concerned about this. The Church of UH or the Institute trademarking this term reminds me of when Paris Hilton attempted to trademark "That's Hot". It is very silly.

I had planned on writing out an editorial of what I think about all of this, but I happened to read an article in the telegraph, and feel that 1 paragraph explains why they are doing this,

Jules, who has been listening to his children talk excitedly about the new venture, says he is considering buying 600 acres 'somewhere in South America, somewhere safe but isolated’. The financing of the project, which Jules estimates at several million dollars, will come from the 'villagers’ or future residents, who will each purchase their own individual homestead. The family’s income is currently about $40,000 (from sales of their produce and items on their websites plus donations to the Dervaes Institute, set up in 2006 to support the Dervaeses’ mission), but not nearly enough to finance a utopian vision

Read the entire article here>>>> The Dervaeses of Pasadena: poster family for greener living

So you have been asking why they would do this, it is all about the money. In my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I see nothing wrong with earning money to live and to make your dreams reality. The problem is that too many people are feeling alienated. The legalees is confusing. It is a generic term coined many many years before this family began their own journey. There are references to it from the 1930's, Mother Earth News used it in the late 70's. If what I read is correct, it sounds like only the usage of the all uppercase lettering is trademarked.

Be sure to check out this Facebook page Take back Urban Home-steading(s). It is from a Denver based group that was shut down because of the trademark issue.

A lawyers view of the situation from EFF Riding the fences. . .

LA Weekly, updated the latest information about this

Some interesting thinking in the justification in this article.

How the Dervaes family stole my victory Garden ~Michael Nolan. Interesting article about how the family is being hypocritical.

Wow, that's a heck of a lot of mistakes!

In May I will have been blogging here for 5 years. And in October we will have been at the Neophyte homestead for 10 years. That's a lot of thing to record and talk about.

I have decided to have random give-a-ways. To thank my readers and just cuz. But you will have to be on your toes, and pay attention.

Ashley in Nebraska won my Jelly and Jams recipe book in yesterday's contest. "Jam on the Range" Congrats! What? there was a contest? Yes there was, it was listed in the comments section. Told ya, you got to pay attention ~insert evil laugh here~

The Year of the Y (now with photo)

Uma had a bull calf yesterday. All black except for the very tip of his shaft. Sorry about the lack of photo but I am having a hard time locating the cord for the camera. He's a quiet little thing, doesn't bawl all the time. Husband found him sprawled out in the middle of the field, no other cows around him. Husband thought he was trampled after birth and was dead, until he touched the calf. They both jumped in surprise.

This is the year of the Y name. Suggestions?

Also found a lamb yesterday, a little girl. We are not naming the lambs.

The starter seedlings are doing well, and here in two weeks we will begin planting our cool veggie garden. Our lost ranch hand showed up the other day and is finishing up my truck, getting it running again. So much I need to do with a truck, will be great to have one again.

Hope everyone faired the nasty weather last night.