Making a living on your homestead? | Pantry Chat

[@nellieblighhill4575]

Yep, has been 22 years for us and we are still figuring out better ways of doing things. It takes time, perseverance and a lot of sacrifice. For all you young ones out there,it is all worth it. The sense of peace you get from watering a carrot can save you thousands in therapy bills. Also having beautiful spots where you can defuse. That can save your relationship. Just bend like a reed and when life gives you too much input...water a carrot.

[@tommyheard3092]

"Butter on My Mind" Verse 1: Woke up this morning, sun shining bright, Got my coffee brewing, feeling just right. But there's something sweet I can't leave behind, Golden and smooth, yeah, it's butter on my mind. Pre-Chorus: Spread it thick, melt it slow, On my toast, watch it glow. It's the little things, baby, that I find, Can't shake the taste, it's butter on my mind. Chorus: Butter on my mind, like a dream so sweet, Soft and smooth, every bite's a treat. From the first taste, I was hooked for life, Butter on my mind, it's my heart's delight. Verse 2: From pancakes to popcorn, it's always there, On everything I love, with a tender care. It's golden magic, with every bite, Butter in the morning, butter late at night. Pre-Chorus: Spread it thick, melt it slow, On my toast, watch it glow. It’s the little joys that are hard to find, But I know for sure, it’s butter on my mind. Chorus: Butter on my mind, like a dream so sweet, Soft and smooth, every bite's a treat. From the first taste, I was hooked for life, Butter on my mind, it’s my heart’s delight. Bridge: Ooh, it’s golden sunshine on my plate, No need for fancy, just something great. From dawn till dusk, it’s always the same, Butter’s the love I can’t explain. Chorus: Butter on my mind, like a dream so sweet, Soft and smooth, every bite's a treat. From the first taste, I was hooked for life, Butter on my mind, it’s my heart’s delight. Outro: Yeah, it’s butter on my mind, And I’m feeling fine. Every little moment, every little time, I’ve got butter, butter on my mind.

[@bettypearson5570]

I grew up on a subsistence style farm years ago. We used an outhouse with the sears roebuck catalog and a tarpaper shack. The house was built on a bit of a slope which provided space to create shelves between the support posts for our canned food once enclosed. At the entrance on the south side was enough space for us kids to easily walk which transitioned into crawl space. It was a fairly drafty home. As we could afford it we got pieces of linoleum to put on the floor to help reduce the draft since the floor consisted of floorboards with small gaps more similar to what you would have on a deck with gaps than an interior floor. In our bedroom for instance we had linoleum on our floor to cut draft but not on the floor of our closet since we could shut the curtain to the closet and it slowed the flow of cool air. One night we were busy elbowing each other to get better viewing of our 13" television when we smelled a skunk under the house which meant one of us kids hadn't shut the door under the house when getting some veggies for dinner. Mom told my oldest brother to get down there and shoot that skunk because she was sure it was the pregnant one she'd seen around lately. My brother grabbed a 22 rifle and went outside to do what he'd been told and very quickly dispatched it. Specifically he chased it to the crawl space under our closet and yes, it emptied it's scent sac when killed. It would have been unrealistic at that time to replace 3 girls clothing. We began washing that night which didn't help a lot. It seemed like forever before anyone at school would play with us because of that smell. Definitely don't want your skunk hanging around any buildings.

[@CedarSpokeFarmstead]

What a great story! I know you kiddos didn't think it was great at this time but thanks for sharing! 😂

[@annadavis6322]

Feeling incredibly thankful this harvest season! Five deer and forty two chickens in the freezer! And over 100 quarts of fall green beans!

[@HomesteadingFamily]

That's amazing!!

[@Kazwellian]

Our biggest reasoning for starting a homestead was to get out of debt and learn how to "do more" for ourselves. We are past our prime (seniors with health issues) so we knew we needed to get in a better position for our retirement years. I was too young to learn much from my Grandparents, but the were share croppers and worked hard at being able to provide for their family. Never wealthy monetarily, but overflowing with wisdom and usable knowledge. Now I have some of that knowledge to pass on to my kids & Grandkids.

[@denisemusicnut]

The song that ran through my head was “You Were Always on My Mind.” as recorded by Willie Nelson.

[@sarahburke8955]

This conversation was very edifying; I look forward to the next installment!

[@rosehavenfarm2969]

Thank you, Carolyn, for mentioning the legality of selling stuff from the homestead. There are state and county regulations, and perhaps city regs if you are in the city limits. We wanted to potentially sell vegetable seedlings in the sping. Our county actually has a reg that the plant nursery must be inspected yearly. We put the seedling idea on the back burner for a couple of reasons. One, we're very private people. Two, we practice a high level of biosecurity, because we don't want just anyone walking on our property with shoes and boots that have gone who knows where. We are almost retired, so we are revisiting the seedling idea (and other ideas) to prepare. Another thing to think about: if you want to sell produce, at what venue? You want a stand at the farmer's market? Most markets require a commitment to be there every day it's open, which typically means at least the full weekend, and maybe a weekday. If you are a church or synagogue goer, that's a non-starter. More food for thought.

[@CedarSpokeFarmstead]

You might look into forming a PMA, a private membership association

[@CedarSpokeFarmstead]

I always enjoy your videos! I found you quite a few years ago when I did a search on how to water glass eggs. I've been doing it ever since And so many people are amazed that that's a thing! So thankful for you guys 🧡

[@HomesteadingFamily]

That's awesome!

[@shannonjensen9915]

Love the pantry talks! Would you do a pantry, fridge and freezer tour? I always learn and add so much to my pantry when you share yours!

[@jenniferrawles2989]

Love the pantry chats! We had a good winter squash as well, the most this suburban homesteader has grown, 22. Thank you for all the content you have we learn so much.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

That is awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@laurabenway4918]

One thing I have noticed with watching Josh and Carolyn and some the other homesteaders is that most topics is about food in some way... Old days they did do a lot of their own clothes making, quilts/afghans, yarn if had sheep(wool spinning), weaving, etc,. But i love watching you all and with being close to home (Eastern Washington).

[@karynellinger769]

Skunks and k9s... Dawn dish soap with baking soda make a thick paste. Rub EVERYWHERE on dry pet. Using a squirt bottle spray hydrogen peroxide to JUST suds a LITTLE. Continue to wash adding H²O² as needed. rinse WELL! This is very drying to skin (H²O²) but works VERY WELL!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

A great "homesteading" business is growing and selling edible plants... blackberries, blueberries, fruit trees, etc. HUGE demand.

[@carlynsykes6053]

I work remotely from home while I’m starting my homestead and the biggest issue I’ve found is reliable power and reliable internet. Satellite internet is generally not reliable enough plus even with regular internet if power goes out to your area then the internet goes out even if you still have power because the substation might be out.

[@countrylivin3633]

thank you for more information. we will be working on being able to supply 75% of our food on our property and maybe some to sell as a side gig

[@martyvandy5154]

I love the color of your pressure cooker❤️

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Me too!!

[@ourquiltedhomestead1395]

We are trying!!!

[@karenheider4138]

I live with no power like the Amish. The first thing I had to buy was a pressure canner and jars for storing my food without refrigeration.

[@bhavens9149]

ACV - refrigerator pickles, like my red onion pickle that I always keep going for salads, tacos, etc. I use ACV in that because its tasty. also for the odds and ends pickle jar.

[@carolynparker7007]

Great video. Puts everything in perspective. You are right were it's consumed consumed consumed! People spend more than they make, then blame it all on economy rather than them not wanting to save up for something.

[@user-nw5cr1tl6j]

I love watching your videos and learning from you both.. Thank you . God bless you.

[@marthasundquist5761]

Acidity meters are cheap and reusable, but ph paper is cheaper...bet you can test your vinegar or tomatoe sauces, canning stuff, etc. if you are concerned about it. I have that on my Christmas wish list...the electronic version. I already have ph paper straps, but want those as a backup. They are harder to read in higher colored products like spaghetti sauce.

[@irishgirl937]

What a great video, thank you

[@maryglover8283]

Thank you!

[@nicoleheppner4397]

I want Carolyn's ACV dressing recipe!

[@captainkim3643]

Great Chat! Very motivating - which I need to start again...as I sit in my 10 by 20 travel trailer that I had to buy. I'm in Florida and we have to gut the house from Helene. What little survived in my garden was finished off by Milton.

[@MorningSunHomestead-n9b]

Love the video ❤

[@marcellaharper849]

Love your flannel. Where do you get it? I’m having hard time finding good.

[@haileybowman2958]

When selling eggs is over-saturated in your area, consider using more yourself to offset some other food cost you have.

[@languagelynnie]

Warning at Homesteading family: I think KZbin is screwing around with your subscriptions. I was unsubscribed without me unsubscribing. Watch for that.

[@kaylapilon1447]

We got the extra large freeze dryer right when they came out. There has been something wrong with it since we purchased it , it doesn't work It Burns food on the bottom shelves. Only freezes on the top shelves, and it has taken over a year to try to figure out what is wrong with that. They're saying they know what's wrong with it now. But they said because we are no longer in our one year warranty. We have to pay them to fix it even though it has been broken since the day we bought it. We have all the tickets stating that we are having an ongoing problem With it not drying food and if it dried anything, it takes 4 to 5 days and that is ony one or two Shelves done And the rest is still frozen or burnt to a crisp.They gave us stuff to download and that didn't fix it.But now we have to pay to ship our entire shelving unit to them in the hopes that that is what's wrong with it And we also have to pay them to fix it. One of the bottom shelves gets so hot that it completely melted and warped the heating Mat.Attached to it and melted the plastic insulation , so it's dripping down towards the bottom of the drum.

[@mommabecky83]

Almost didn’t recognize Josh without a hat 🤣 🧢

[@lj2070]

So in the current country that I live in there is a lot of paperwork government databases and other issues that would need to be dealt with so for something as simple as making jams and pickles to sell you would need to have a current kitchen setup that is approved by our local console and your business also needs to be approved by the government as well, with soap making you got things like waste control and you've got things like the chemicals that you're holding on your property, with selling eggs again not only do you have to be on all the relevant databases within the government but you also have to be making sure that everything is weighed at labelled according to your government standards, however where there is a will there is a way and if you want to create a potential income from your homestead you will find a way to make it happen whether that be you know that little bit of extra paperwork and registration or whether that be just generally dealing with yeah It really isn't as simple as hey I'm going to make a little bit of extra money. But it would be worth it in the end I guess I'm not currently at that stage but it is something that I have looked into

[@susangriffith7546]

Can you trade not sale?

[@Nenea1970]

I’d love to make a leaving and sale stuff from my future homestead. What are some of the things that you produce are selling? I’m in Texas.

[@waynemensen4252]

Driving time and the vehicle expenses are huge. I have an extra vehicle. Just in case one breaks down, we have back-up.

[@Thomson12345]

We've got bumper crop of rowan berries here in alberta = ...deep snow 😅

[@ouisie99]

There's a phonk song called Murder in My Mind and that's exactly what I heard in my head when Josh said butter on my mind.

[@DebbyKillebrew]

So with all the extra butter, do you make ghee or freeze what you have?

[@HomesteadingFamily]

We freeze the butter. More on it here: homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-make-butter/

[@renamaemcdonald2075]

We have had a snowstorm for the last few days here alone the BC/Yukon border in northern Canada 😂

[@bhavens9149]

Homesteaders were also required by law to plant some of their land in a profit crop.

[@lindastritzel4729]

Good morning from rural Missouri. I’m curious how you store you extra butter? Also I so enjoy spending time with you two ❤

[@karenheider4138]

I use a rebel canning method to can my extra butter. I use the method from Homestead Heart.

[@joelsheilajohnson1409]

Freeze it or make ghee

[@HomesteadingFamily]

We have several ways to store the butter here: homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-make-butter/

[@justbychance7012]

I don't trust others. As much as this would be fun.... People ruin it. Freeze dryer is awesome!! Just got mine back from repairs.

[@HarvestingFaithHomestead]

My goal is not to make a living off my homestead, but to make my homestead just pay for itself.

[@julienasett499]

Question... Have you seen your electric bill go up when using the freeze dryer?? We bought a small freeze dryer in August this year and used it nearly every day for a month. But the electric bill really was high, $40.00 more every week.😢 We were disappointed. Any suggestions?? Is that normal

[@JaniceCrowell]

Good morning.

[@PatsyMellen]

We had a rabid skunk in our field and my husband shot it, but where did it go to die but under the shed? Yes the shed didn’t smell good for quite awhile.

[@valeriejohnson3831]

How do you store your butter?

[@HomesteadingFamily]

More on it here: homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-make-butter/

[@desckUgah000]

14:00 difference between a farm and a homestead.

[@racheledwards726]

Do you have a video about making butter and storing it?

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Yes. Here it is: homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-make-butter/

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

I'd be happy to feed myself (& others), but would enjoy enough extra to add to savings)😊

[@JulietsJourneys]

A while back you mentioned a gentleman that teaches or offers a course in homeopathy… can you share that information again please? Thanks

[@ernestoale7256]

We just watched what looks like an AI generated video titled how the Amish preserve eggs for 15 years and I’m pretty sure they ripped off a clip from one of your videos of Carolyn standing in front of the pantry doing some thing with eggs.

[@robertadunaway7030]

Does apple cider vinegar go bad? I have some that smells a little "winey".

[@annejennings8568]

I have opened bottles 8 years past sell date and it was still great- so no

[@FineFeatheredHomestead]

It can turn winey. Just replace it.

[@robertadunaway7030]

@@FineFeatheredHomestead yeah that is what is smells like LOL guess I don't use it enough.

[@yodathecatttttt]

Josh continues to talk over Carolyne too much sometimes!