In today's episode, we replay a timely episode from last year. Because squash happens. And because Nicole Sauce is traveling.

Make it a great week!

The Dog Days of summer are upon us and winter is coming. Are you ready for it? Today, we will talk about what you should can do now to prepare for the winter, whether you are in the city or on a homestead like we are. Next week’s show will be a replay of a former episode because I will be out of town for my grandmother’s funeral.

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Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry

• This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store.
• It got very very hot her: Tomatoes on hold but they will probably all ripen at once when I am at my grandma’s funeral. Alas.
• So. Much. Squash.
• “Where is the fruit?” I think the mild winter paired with a late frost has left us mostly fruitless around here.

What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage

• Nothing - headed out of town :-)

Handy summer checklist for winter preparation in the summer:

Make a list of what you should be ready for

• Higher heat bills
• Snow
• Higher food bills
• Christmas
• Getting stuck in your home with no power
• Seasonal Affective Disorder

Audit your list - and take care of the things now that are better done when it is light out, warm out, and important. Here is my list:

Audit the food stored - pantry and freezers - because I am most likely to get iced in for a week or so

Use up the old and plan to replenish the new

The can of sauerkraut in the back

Animal feed and bedding

Medications

Maintenance on winter technology

Flashlights

Batteries

Backup heaters

Winter equipment like snow shovels, blowers, etc

Anti-freeze set up for animal’s water

Do the chores now that are rough in a snow storm

Get your firewood going and stored

Water filters in the pump house and general pipe maintenance

Gutter check, paint, decks, etc

Clean out the clutter

Make it so you can easily access the important things

Winter seems so far away right now, but it is coming faster than you think. A little care now will help your transition into the cold, dark part of the year. And in Winter is when we catch our breath on the Homestead. Make it a great week!

Song: Grandpa's Song by Sauce

You’re in for a good show today, it’s a variety show! That’s right, today I will roll through feedback and questions sent in by you, our listeners!

• A question on building a Wordpress business
• Getting a side hustle started
• Stinging Nettle uses and recipes
• How to make bacon
• Holler Roast Update

Become a Show Patron! patreon.com/livingfreeinTN 

Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store.

• Squash avalanche - episode 8
• Tomatoes are finally ripe and with them a few recipes:
• Smoking ribs and other freezer meats
• Wishing I had started meat birds a month ago because grille chickens is sooooo good, and cooking outside is the best way to beat the heat in Tennessee
• Inventorying the pantry and I ended up with leftover corn, beans, jams, pickles, and peaches

  What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage

• Green beans
• Garlic
• Dried bee balm
• Bacon

      Wow! Last week’s podcast seemed to strike a nerve with many of you - You gave me lots of follow up questions and feedback on it. I suppose that’s because most of us just want something that is ours to foster, to grow and to learn from. And with all the extra daylight right now it is a perfect time to jump in.

Make it a great week!

Song: Dr Feeley Dr Skinner, Sauce

Today, we will explore ideas of how to squeeze extra value out of things you already have. Because the old model of having a J O B for your whole life, then retiring into a time of RVs and margaritas on the beach is not necessarily what the future holds with the basis of how our society functions economically changing so quickly. Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/livingfreeinTN Direct Download

Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store.

• Tomatoes, squash, beans, corn, cucumbers, peppers, blueberries, blackberries AND NO PEACHES YET - argggggg
• Salads have moved to more complexity with cucumber as a base and a sprinkling of nastirtium leaves and flowers.
• We’ve basically reached that part of summer where you have about too much of everything all at once, and you know what that means? Soon it will all die.

What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage

• NOTHING - we had a bit of a production lull with all the cloud cover for the past week, though the grass is growing VERY well.

Garden Economics project

• Nothing to report, except I am only spending $20-30 a week on groceries for two people. Because the garden is giving us food.

7 Principles of gleaning value from what you already have

• Take stock of what you have
• Take stock of what you can do
• Look at technological opportunities
• Look at your market opportunities
• Choose the easy/most fun ones first and systematize them
• Run the numbers regularly
• Add one at a time and leave time for recreation

  Make it a great week! Song: Thanks Dave by Sauce

In today’s show, we will hear a bunch of reality checks for the homesteader. Summer has arrived, and there is lots to do. The animals can be grumpy when it is hot. My garden is in an interesting state. Plus we got two goats and they’ve been teaching me a ton, and, after years of offering, my sister trusted me with two nieces for Holler Homestead Summer Camp.

Support the show on Patreon!

Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store.

• Tomatoes are slowly starting to come on.
• Brisket Story
• Corn is at the market so we got some
• Elephant garlic is coming out of the ground (Slow cooked with butter)
• Cucumbers are here and with them: Pickling season!

  What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage

• Green Beans
• Blackberry Cordial and Jam
• No peaches yet, but it looks like elderberries will come on soon and this year I want to make some Elderberry wine!

GOATS DAY 1 of goats illuminated 2 fencing issues Day 2 of goats illuminated how deeply you must set a tether Day 3 of goats illuminated what happens when you have a head goat - no need to tether the other one Day 5 of goats illuminated that if you tether the non-dominant goat, the dominant one runs off Day 14 of goats: things are under control - dogs and goats are working together again so I can leave my raccoon chasing dog back out in the yard, the yard is starting to show signs that something is eating the weeds - which is our goal, and we have discovered that goats LOVE apples.

Conclusion: Don’t get goats for the first time, even with Goat Knox built, unless you can be home for a few weeks until you get the hang of things.

Summer is just now beginning but it feels like things are in full swing here in Tennessee.  Everyone is busy so don’t get too upset if you have weeds in your garden or fall behind on your canning. Snap back to your priorities, get real, and make a list. And remember - make it a great week!

Song: Wolf by Sauce