Kamis, 30 April 2015

Merry Christmas!


Were unplugging and spending the day today with family, friends and of course our beloved animals, so well see you all back here tomorrow. We hope you all have a very  Merry Christmas!

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Pinterest Twitter and Facebook!

There are so many wonderful ways to communicate and we want to start giving you more opportunities to connect with us! Connect with us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter! Homestead Revival is more than a blog, it is a community of like minded people and we want to hear from you!

On Facebook...

is where we announce all of our posts and find out what you are interested in. You can message us, post on our wall, and talk about our posts with other homesteaders. Here it is easy to share your favorite posts with your friends and tell us what you want to read about!


 On Pinterest...
We have almost a thousand posts and it is easy for useful and helpful content to be buried under years of material. Pinterests simple beautiful format enabled us to link about two hundred posts by category. Every category and label we have used has its own board. Enjoy browsing through our posts on beekeeping, goats, chickens, and home tours!


 On Twitter...

We have had a Twitter account for a while, but I have started my own page to share my apartment homestead. Because tweets are so fast I will be able to talk about everything from blog post prep to my current projects. These will inspire future blog posts and be the most interactive of all of our pages. is where I want to hear from you and see your plans. 

We cant wait to see how our community grows!

Follow @kateshomestead


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Kitchen Goals 2012

I dont think Ive ever set up Kitchen Goals as a specific New Years resolution or challenge, but Im doing so for 2012. Of all the items on my budget, the food category seems to be running away from me lately and I really want to get a handle on it. I may not succeed in all of them, but at least Ill be focused on a goal and hopefully meet most of them.


2012 Kitchen Goals

Eat 20 of 21 meals a week at home. Were doing pretty good in this area, but I want to nail it this year! No getting caught by surprise. Ha! Well, surprise really isnt the right word. Perhaps I should say, "caught without a plan". is where Im thinking the Plan To Eat site will pay for itself. I figure if I eliminate even one more meal out a week, the savings would pay for the monthly Plan To Eat fee of $3.25-$4.95 (depending on how you pay - yearly or monthly). Im taking the money for this out of my food budget linie item since its related to meals.

Simple Meal Planning - Plan to Eat

Buy even more items in bulk and on sale. Ive been a bulk purchaser for years, but there are things that I have never quit buying one at a time which I could easily buy in multiples and save money. Time to do so. Like frozen organic corn. Yogurt (until the goats kid). And I seldom check to see what Azure Standard has on sale in order to stock up when prices are better. Must do better on this!

Make more crock pot meals. I just dont use this kitchen tool enough, especially on Sundays and Wednesdays. {Sigh... } may be the biggest challenge since my cuts of meat are not typically what the recipes call for. I get about 90%+ of our meat/fish from our own sources/hunting, or from a friend who raised/hunted for the meat. We dont get boneless, skinless, chicken breasts or even a large package of just chicken breasts for that matter (but I do have lots of chicken feet!). And I havent seen too many venison crock pot recipes. Any chance you have?

Eat more bean or vegetarian dishes. We usually eat at least one vegetarian dinner a week, but Im thinking two or three? That would leave four days a week, one each for beef, chicken, venison, and fish or wild boar (just depends on what the Lord provides).

Make all my own salad dressings. I finally quit buying mayonnaise last year - yahoo! No more GMO soy stuff or expensive organic. I make my own and after several experiments, Im very happy with the results. Thanks to the link up last year, several of you gave me some fabulous salad dressing recipes. Only problem, there was almost always a major ingredient missing from my kitchen. Im resolved to keep those items on hand so that I can offer my family a variety of great dressings and save money! (I might get really committed and stop buying ketchup, too!)

Keep better tabs on my pantry/freezer inventory. Again, I hope to utilize the Plan To Eat site to help me track my pantry and freezer items and actually use them (not my emergency food storage unless Im rotating items in to eat them). Its typically the unusual stuff I seldom use, but need for a recipe once in a while that I overlook. Once loaded, I can click "Cook From My Pantry" when Im in a pinch (but of course, I hope Ive planned ahead!).

Feel free to share your own kitchen goals for this year!


NOTE: Anyone who clicks my PLAN TO EAT link and signs up, Ill "friend" you so you can see my recipes!
Per FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I am an affiliate and am paid per sign up.



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ice whales and airplanes

Heres the story I wrote about Thursdays meeting of the climate commission.

JUNEAU—The head of the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation said Thursday the state would start looking for ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming.

Larry Hartig told members of the Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission during a two-day public hearing in Anchorage that Gov. Sarah Palin was putting together a sub-cabinet on climate change that will include the commissioners of environmental conservation, natural resources, commerce, and likely transportation, as well as a representative from the University of Alaska and Palin’s representative in Washington, D.C.

Hartig said the purpose of the sub-cabinet was to increase the state’s knowledge about the impacts of climate change and opportunities to reduce emissions. He said the state was still gathering information and wasn’t recommending any action now. But he mentioned a recent study of sources of emissions within the state and suggested the state could join existing regional initiatives to reduce emissions.

“The fact is, Alaska’s a little bit behind the curve,” he said.

Hartig said the sub-cabinet hoped to work closely with the climate commission, local communities, and other groups.

The 11-member climate commission was formed last year by the Legislature to study the impacts of climate change and recommend ways to deal with them. It has held public hearings in Fairbanks and Juneau, and is scheduled to meet in Kotzebue in June.

On Thursday, the commission took invited testimony from state and federal agencies, university experts, and the public.

Two officials from the Department of Natural Resources talked about how changing weather patterns were affecting travel on the North Slope and the ability to build ice roads for tundra travel.

“We’ve seen a real reduction in the length of the season for the oil companies to explore,” said Wyn Menefee, chief of operations for the Division of Mining, Land, and Water. “What we have is less exploration, less development of wells, and less oil down the pipeline, and that’s going to affect our economy.”

Menefee and Gary Schultz, a natural resource manager, acknowledged that regulations have changed as well as the weather, but said the season for winter travel has dropped from about 200 days 30 years ago to 100 days now.

Schultz said there’s been a trend in the last decade toward heavy snows early in the winter. The snow insulates the ground and prevents it from freezing, delaying the tundra opening. Before 1996, he said, snows came later, allowing the ground to freeze solid.

He said the department has teamed up with the industry in recent years to find ways to lengthen the season without harming the land.

James Partain, who oversees the National Weather Service in Alaska, said he never paid much attention to climate change until he got to Alaska, where the changes are visible and significant. He described how changes in sea ice were affecting everything from hunting whales to flying airplanes, and suggested the consequences of climate change were little understood.

Thirty years ago, a pilot flying along the shore in early winter could fly into a cloud if he had to and know it wouldn’t ice up his plane because it was made of ice crystals, he said. Now the clouds might contain water droplets, and could cause icing, but not everyone knows that.

“We’ve got pilots that are using old paradigms based on old climate,” he said.

Other invited witnesses talked about potential impacts on agriculture, engineering, and fisheries.

About two dozen people, including Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, testified during the public comment period.

Begich argued the state should work now to slow climate change rather than suffer even greater consequences later, and he urged the commission to take action.

A handful of women from around the state spoke on behalf of a group called “Mothers for Alaska.”

“Mothers have that natural polar bear instinct to protect their young,” said Lori Fickus of Fairbanks.

Fickus described a handful of unusual nature-related events, including intense forest fires and the recent discovery of a beluga whale near Nenana, and said the whole thing frightened her.

Kathleen Carroll of Fort Yukon described how the permafrost was melting in her village.

“Global warming we see in our own backyards,” she said.

Carroll urged members of the commission to educate young Alaskans about the issue and consult Native elders when coming up with recommendations.

Others described the changes they had witnessed and called on the commission to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.

“Climate change is hurting our economy and it’s hurting our Alaskan way of life,” said Scott Anaya of the Alaska Building Science Network.

The commission is scheduled to hear from the department of transportation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Arctic Research Commission when it continues its hearing today.
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Rabu, 29 April 2015

Make your own Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar


Did you know that you can make your own apple cider vinegar pretty easily and very inexpensively,with just some apple peels and cores and water...and a bit of patience? I didn't know either until I started doing a bit of research.

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juneau climate report

The city and borough of Juneau last month put out an 86-page report titled "Climate Change: Predicted Impacts on Juneau," drafted by the citys scientific panel on climate change.
Among the projected impacts:
-Air temps increasing about 10 degrees by the end of the century
-Shrubs and trees taking over alpine and tundra areas
-A decrease in growth and survival of salmon
According to the report, Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, recognizing the "substantial concerns" of climate change, asked the University of Alaska to put together a scientific panel to gather information on present and future impacts on Juneau; host a public forum on the issue; and make recommendations to the Assembly, including involvement in regional or national initiatives.
is something like what the state is doing with its Climate Impact Assessment Commission, except that the states panel is not heavy on scientists and is not invited to recommend emissions reductions.
Ill post the report as soon as I figure out how. In the meantime, you can find it on Juneaus Web site.
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Christmas Bedrooms Simple Transformations!

Yes, you too can easily transform a bedroom from everyday into HOLIDAY! Frugally, I might add.

Most people pick their decorations FIRST and THEN try to make them fit the room, which is why many find it hard to achieve "the look" they are after. The key is in working with the scheme that already exists in your room and selecting the right accents to switch out.

Ill agree... my semi-monochromatic bedroom palette, may make it a bit easier. But by removing a few accents and replacing them with something that coordinates, and yet adds a touch of Christmas, you can convert just about any room in the house so that it has a holiday feel.

The Master Bedroom

Heres a "before" and "after" side-by-side photo so you can see what the room typically looks like and how it looked afterward (at least the bed, anyway).



I only did 4 simple things that impacted the room in a B.I.G. way.

1) I switched the one accent pillow from a tan plaid to a solid red pillow. Actually, its not even solid red. Look at the back of the pillow...


I picked this up at T.J. Maxx for next to nothing! (was the only money spent on the room other than the plants - but those dont count, do they?). After bringing the pillow home, I tied a ribbon around it to make it look like a package. (Perhaps Ill use the other side for Valentines Day?)





2) I switched out the quilt at the foot of the bed. one is borrowed, but Im on the look out for the same quilt. I can see me using a red quilt like this a LOT.



3) I added some greenery to the antique watercolor above the bed.



4) I switched out the flowers on the night stand, adding the red Poinsettia and red foil paper.



Thats it. Nothing more. Can we all agree that this is simple?

Later I did add some greenery and a couple of things from around the house to the dressers. Oh, and the antique angels of my grandmothers.






Again, the key here is two-fold...

1) Be willing to remove some items so as to keep the room from becoming crowded or cluttered. also helps eliminate items that will distract from the holiday accents you are adding.

2) Be willing to match the accents to the room, not force holiday decorations that you "like" into a room where they wont work well.

Apparently our little friend, Tiki (visiting for the week), liked the rooms, too.


Okay, so maybe it was really just the soft bed and the fact that SHE got to get up on it!




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immediate action group takes action

A work group of Gov. Sarah Palins sub-cabinet on climate change is meeting today in Anchorage and hoping to flesh out its recommendations to the whole sub-cabinet. Theres lots of info on the groups Web site. I havent read enough to know whats planning and whats action, and where the $1.1 million budget request plays in and what other kind of money the state will ask for. Another work product is analyses of the needs of six communities identified as being in serious trouble.
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Selasa, 28 April 2015

A Week in Farm Photos September 14th 20th

Photo: Race for the pressure!   Whee!!!

What a wonderful week! The weather was perfect: cool and sunny - so I was able to get the garden prepped for my fall crops of broccoli, kale, chard, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, spinach - basically a duck's dream garden! Enjoy these photos of our week!
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CB100 Combo Plans Chicken Coop Plans Construction Insulated Dog House Plans Construction

CB100 - Combo Plans - Chicken Coop Plans Construction + Insulated Dog House Plans Construction
It can comfortably hold 20 chickens
It can comfortably hold a dog

...
Units: Inches - fractions
Dimensions Gross: 11 11 1/2" x 14 7" x 10 3 7/8" (height)
Construction area: 173.894 Feet ²
Ground area: 12 x 8 (= 96 Feet ²)
Dog House: 4 x 8 (= 32 Feet ²)
Chicken Coop: 6 x 8 (= 48 Feet ²)
Total volume of wood: 300378 inches3 (173 5/6 feet3)
...

CB100 - Combo Plans: Chicken Coop Plans Construction
+ Insulated Dog House Plans Construction
...
Building according the actual dimension
Dimensional lumber sizes:
a: 4"x4" (Nominal) = 3 1/2"x3 1/2" (Actual)
b: 2"x4" (Nominal) = 1 1/2"x3 1/2" (Actual)
c: 2"x2" (Nominal) = 1 1/2"x1 1/2" (Actual)
d: 1"x2" (Nominal) = 3/4"x1 1/2" (Actual)
f: 1"x4" (Nominal) = 3/4"x3 1/2" (Actual)
g: 1"x6" (Nominal) = 3/4"x5 1/2" (Actual)
k: 1"x1" (Nominal) = 3/4"x3/4" (Actual)
h: 1" thickness (Nominal) = 3/4" thickness (Actual)
m: 2"x8" (Nominal) = 1 1/2"x7 1/4" (Actual)
n: 1"x8" (Nominal) = 3/4"x7 1/4" (Actual)
p: 2"x6" (Nominal) = 1 1/2"x5 1/2" (Actual)
...
Units: Inches - fractions
...
The functional component - the build step guide - Table of Contents:
0.0 - 0.8 - Concept design
1.0 - Building the Axis and Column
2.0 - Building the Main Frame Structure
3.0 - Building the Nest boxes
4.0 - Building the Interior Wall
5.0 - Building Perches for chickens
(6.0) 7.0 - Building the Frame of the Door, Windows - Vents
8.0 - Building Vents
9.0 - Building Roof beam
10.0 - Building Fiberglass Insulation for Wall
11.0 - Building Exterior Wall
12.0 - Building the Doors and Windows
13.0 - Building RAMP
14.0 - Building completed roof
15.0 - Perspective - The building was completed
...





















































CB100 - Combo Plans: Chicken Coop Plans Construction
+ Insulated Dog House Plans Construction
...
See more   Concept Plans
...
Detailed Plans for Construction
(PDF file; Excel file
Units: Inches - fractions
More than 216 drawings in this document
- printed on A4 or A3 size paper)
18.6$

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Payment Instructions and Guarantee
...
Link to download certainly appears at Step 4: When you complete the payment.
Please click "return to frankvanhnguyen@gmail.com" to go to the product download page
...
In each link:
1. The detailed drawings for construction in the file:
- Name - Detailed Plans for Construction.pdf - (pdf file formate)
2. Materials list in the files:
- Name - The statistics table for woodworking - Excel file.rar - (excel file formate)
- Name - The statistics table for woodworking.pdf - (pdf file formate)
...
Whether you download the product on my automatic system payment?
I will send you a download link by email as soon as I see you have paid! 
I want a way to make sure that you will download the product!
...
Thank you for holding this design!
When completed your work. Please send photos to us.
We will give you gifts to express gratitude
Please frequently visit our Blog for seeing new design and get the design useful and free
Step by step instructions for specific, detailed, easy to understand, easy to build.
is a perfect guidance of an architect has over 10 years experience designing.
Ive worked hard to get this design. I did it after hours, evenings, weekends.
I made ​​it some weeks. So I loved it. I am very grateful to you if you love it.
I am very happy if it is useful to you.
I am very grateful to you if you comment on it so I completed it, so I better do the design in the future, for you ...
And I was very happy and thankful when youre holding this design, tracking my work and are reading these lines!
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CB100 - Combo Plans: Chicken Coop Plans Construction
+ Insulated Dog House Plans Construction
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