"Stocking Up Challenge" Vacuum Sealing and Canning

When it comes to stocking up, no matter if you are a newbie, worrier or brave, you NEED to look into buying a vacuum sealer, pressure canner and Lots of jars and lids!

I have used several different brands of vacuum sealers and they all work pretty well. You can buy them online and at wal-mart and a lot of other stores.

I recommend buying rolls of the vacuum sealer bags, online at ebay. You can get 4 Big rolls for around $60 (shipping and all). And that is enough bags to pack several hundred pounds of food, etc!

When buying a canner, look for the All American canners! We have found them on ebay. We have the 15 1/2 quart, which holds 7 quart jars or 10 pints.

And for canning jars, I recommend having at least 300 jars on hand. And at least twice that amount of lids.

I think everyone should have around 1,000 jars, but for some reason people are just not like they use to be, or need to be.

Use to be, you were crazy if you did not have all this stuff stocked up for your family, and now they think you are crazy if you do!

Who cares?

I would rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it!

"Stocking Up Challenge" Shopping List #4

Shopping List #4!

toilet paper
paper towels,
feminine products,
razors & shaving cream,
bath soaps,
dish soap,
laundry soap,
diapers,
school supplies (if you have children, homeschool, or use a lot of paper & supplies)!

Get a first aid kit, or pack your own!

Buy extra bandaids, gauze, pads, tape, peroxide, rubbing alcohol, etc.

Vitamins

Herbal teas
(I recommend having at least red raspberry, chamomile & peppermint!)

A healing herbal cream, for bumps, nicks and bruises, is also good to stock up on, and echinacea tincture!

Best Advice for Women

We recently had a friend loan us a book. And first thing, he wanted to read a certain part to us. The whole time he was reading it, I was thinking, (and laughing to myself) because it was something that husband and I talk about a Lot! Lol!

Since I have it worded good, right out of a book, I want to share it with everyone! I hope you will take the time to read all of this and share it with others! It is VERY important!


It is from the chapter,
"Women and Guns" from "Boston's Gun Bible" by Boston T. Party

"While often dissatisfied with men, women don't realize that they themselves are the solution. Men don't make men, women do. Women determine the quality of men. As Louise told Thelma, 'You get what you settle for." if women would quit having the children of oafs and morons, then they'd die off. Women are the lifeguards of the gene pool, and they should start choosing quality mates, as critters have always done. (Women have been debased so as to give oafs better odds. The question is, why have women allowed their debasement?)

Ladies! Do not speak to, date, sleep with, or marry a hopelessly substandard male. Don't encourage him with the slightest of smiles. He shouldn't exist- so treat him that way. Above all, do not have his children! If he can't catch an introspective clue, then let him die alone-let his shoddy genes be lost forever. Do not feel sorry for him. This is not cruelty- this is quality control. You're responsible because men will sleep with almost anybody. We're the seed-sowers and it is not in us to be picky. You're the child-bearers, so you have to be selective.

When women refuse to civilize men, men become Al Bundy from Married with Children. Why? Because inside every man is a potential Al Bundy, and it's the women's duty to encourage that he never sees the light of day. Although men can, with rare and great effort, single-handedly keep their own "Al" locked up, what's the point if women no longer seem to care?
Believe me, we can tell if women care. They don't, and they are reaping the cruel justice of getting the lazy, irresponsible worms they deserve. Ignore genuine courtesy, honor, and responsibility in men- and women get prissy, whining, amoral cowards. Fill up a nation with such males, then a country is left with only bi-gender women, and the predators begin to take over. Courting Darth Vader, the feminized society then cries for a hyper-masculine police state to restore order. When gentlemen are gone, government thugs fill the vacuum. This is the trend that has been accelerating in America since the late 1960's:

'There was a time even in my remeberence when American men were manly, heads of their houses, and respected by their wives and children. They were rugged and hard-nosed and not swathed in a soft pink jello. A thief was a thief to them, and not a "disadvantaged, underprivileged, culturally deprived" weakling. I've seen men beat up other men who attempted to snatch a woman's purse on the public streets, or who kicked a dog or punched a child.....
When men are unmanned, spiritually if not physically, then a country because depraved, weak, degenerate, feeble of spirit, dependent, guideless, sick. Such a sick country can never resist authoritarian despots, tyrannies, the men on horseback, Communism.
Our Presidents are always talking about out image abroad. I have news for them. Our "image" is a surrogate Mama, in an apron, with a baby's bottle in his hand. Surrogate Mama to a laughing and contemptuous world! Bottle feeder to ravenous "infants" to proclaim themselves heads of some obscure state in some backyard continent!
This is our image abroad. Does it make a nice picture to you? Then do something about it. Start in your own house, and then with your own local government. Unseat your emasculators in Washington. Drive them from your schools and your courts. Proclaim to the world again- and again- that you will stand for no more nonsense, and that our flag is to be honored wherever it flies over any embassy; that you have the power and are quite willing to use it, in the name of freedom and justice, tempered only slightly by masculine mercy.
Then perhaps, America will be honorably feared and respected, and peace might really come to a mad and disordered world. The center that "cannot hold" might tighten and become iron and invincible, and Doomsday thus averted. (p. 00-101)
Remember this: The strongest sign of decay of a nation is the feminization of men and the masculinization of women...The decay and ruin of a nation always has lain in the hands of its women. So does its life and strength, its reverence for beauty, its mercy and kindness. And above all its men. (p. 116-117)
-Taylor Caldwell; On Growing Up Tough (1971)

Men will be responsible, honorable, and even heroic- if women encourage and respect us for it. We need it, for we cannot forever run on our own meager batteries. (Granted, no man is emasculated without his assent, but we cannot fight the relentless onslaught on manhood without women's help.) A dime's worth of respect and approval from ladies gets a dollar's worth of effort from us. Men are the draft animals of the human race, and we work cheaply. (We are built that way and don't mind shouldering the yoke of human existence.) But we do need at least that dime, and we're getting pennies.

Ladies are not silly froth. Gentlemen are not brainless brutes. We are made to complement each other. But until men are respected for their manhood so that they clean up our streets, American women, sadly, should carry a handgun."

My new "purse"!

For my birthday, my extra super husband bought me a new "purse"!!

Well it is not really a purse! It is a gear bag, like a small duffel bag, but I thought it would make a perfect purse for me! And so far, it has!





I found it online at Cabela's (one of our favorite online stores=))! It cost around $16.00. It has 6 zippered pockets and is supposed to be sturdy and waterproof! Guess we'll find out!

I think it will make a great emergency handbag, diaper bag, overnight bag, etc. I like how much it holds and hides!

I hear that they do not have this bag in camo anymore at Cabela's but they have black and green.

"Stocking Up Challenge" Shopping List #3!

This week, you will be getting more of some of the things you should have already, and then some!



The things you should get more of are:

beans,
rice,
flour(s),
oats,
and whatever grains you use!



Here is the rest of the list! =)



baking mixes (if you use them),
your favorite cooking oil, lard and or shortening,
sugars, (sweeteners, honey, molasses)
baking powder,
baking soda,
dry yeast,
salt,
pepper,
bay leaves,
coconut,
nuts,
raisins & other dried fruit),
pastas,
cakes mixes (if you use them),
powered milk,
dried cereal,
crackers,
apple cider vinegar,
lemon juice,
fruit juices,
gatorade and or sprite (if you use them when your family is sick!).

If you are a newbie or worrier stocking up, I would recommend at least two of each item listed.

If you are a brave stocker, get 4 or more!

Remember to look for bulk since these are usually cheaper for stocking up! =)

"Stocking Up Challenge" Shopping List 2!

Hey ladies!


Okay I gave ya'll two weeks instead of one for the first shopping list! =) So I am sure you have it all by now! ;)

So this week I have a big list for ya!

This list is just recommended items, as usual. You should get the ones that your family uses the most, but remember this is stocking up too! you want to get foods that will keep for a while and that your family can live off of! Don't get just treats, or things that will not fill your family's belly's!

Here is the 2nd shopping list challenge.
Buy it all canned, jarred or good plastic containers.
I recommend getting about 12 of each item that you need. If you are on a tight budget maybe 6 would be better to start out with.

Tomatoes,
Tomato sauce,
spaghetti sauce,
tomato juice,
salsa,
corn,
greenbeans,
carrots,
peas,
greens,
canned milk,
soups,
tuna,
salmon,
chicken,
jellies & spreads (if you use them & do not can your own)
canned fruit,
applesauce.

This may also be a good week for you to stock up on this list:

baking cocoa,
vanilla,
coffee,
tea,
hot chocolate,
lemonade mix,
peanut butter,
ketchup,
mustard,
mayo,
salad dressings,
seasoning sauces,
and any seasonings you use (or check the shopping list HERE!)!


Okay! Get to it!
You should be feeling pretty good about your stocking up, by the time you get this brought in!

Look forward to whatever you have to share in the comments!

"Food Storage - Maximizing Shelf Life" Guest Post By Laurie!

I am so excited to share my first guest post with you today!!! My good friend Laurie (who is one of the best on food storage, stocking up, preservaing food and growing stuff! =)) is sharing some wonderful and Very helpful advice for the Stocking Up Challenge! I hope you enjoy and visit her blog for more advice and encouragement, etc! =)
Thanks so much, Laurie!
~Hannah



"Food Storage - Maximizing Shelf Life

When I think of “food storage”, I think of stocking up on food items that I know my family will use. This includes seasonal storage of garden produce, bulk purchases of basic items (grains, beans, fats, etc.) and buying “extra” when things are on sale.

“Emergency preparedness storage (EPS)” is a little different. While I may purchase some of the same items for both, EPS also needs to take into account the emergency conditions you may be in when the food is needed, such as power outages, freezing, flooding, etc. EPS also extends beyond food, to survival type gear. Hannah has inspired me, and I’ll be doing a series of posts on EPS over the next several months.

One of the biggest hurdles we can face with food storage is how to store things properly to maximize shelf life. Let’s discuss the storage environment.

Avoid Heat – Heat is one of the worst enemies or stored food. Avoid locating your long term food storage near heat producing appliances (like a furnace, stove or powered clothes dryer) or in direct sunlight. If you must store food in a warm area, put the food there that you rotate through the most quickly.

Avoid Moisture – Unless you’re talking about a root cellar , which needs some moisture to keep veggies non-wrinkled, moisture is generally a storage enemy. It rusts cans, and promotes the growth of molds, bacteria and insects. I repackage items in mason jars (such as bagged dried beans) and suck the air out with my vacuum sealer. I have also repackaged bulk items such as dried coconut and oatmeal (purchased through my natural foods buying club in 25 pound heavy paper bags) into roughly five pound vacuum sealed bags. (This also covers the next item on our list.) I use large vacuum seal bags to slip over ten pound bags of sugar. Keeping the sugar in its original bag (inside the vacuum seal bag) keeps the sugar from being sucked into the vacuum sealer and damaging the unit. Dry goods can also be stored in well sealed glass, food grade plastic or metal. Don’t just leave dry goods in the sacks they came in, unless you want to be feeding critters other than your family.

Avoid Oxygen – While essential for our lives, oxygen also feeds the critters, microscopic and otherwise, that will damage our food storage. Use a vacuum sealer if you have one, don’t break factory seals until necessary, and use airtight containers. Non-saturated fats (such as liquid oils, and the fats in nuts and grains like brown rice) can go rancid very quickly when exposed to air. I prefer saturated fats for home use and for long term storage. Their carbon atoms are already “saturated” with hydrogen atoms, so they are more stable.

Avoid Light – Light inhibits mold growth, but it also causes the breakdown of many nutrients. Just think about what happens to garden tools or children’s playsets left sitting out in the sun. You don’t want the nutrition bleached right out of your food. Keep your storage area dark (preferred), or use opaque containers.

Avoid Odors and Dust – If your food storage is in your garage, utility area, laundry room or other strongly scented/dirty area, watch out for odors and dust. Grains, flours and milk and other dry goods are particularly affected. You do not want to eat oatmeal that taste like soap or motor oil. Certain contaminants also present health risks (although hopefully you use primarily non-toxic substances in your home). These areas are probably best used for canned goods, or non-food items. If you must store in these areas, try to use multiple barriers between your food and its surroundings.

The author of “Dare to Prepare” gives a good overview of the shelf life of many basic food items (link HERE). Remember to plan for rotation and using the food you store. No one really wants to eat 20 year old home canned chicken - it might even be dangerous. Years ago I knew a couple that had their laundry room overflowing with canned goods, but it was so poorly organized that they wasted a LOT of money. Food went in and it never came back out. I know most of us can’t afford to do that.

How and where do you store your food? Do you have any tips you’d like to share?


Laurie is a homeschooling mom with a background in engineering and a passion for natural healing, homesteading and gardening.

She blogs at Common Sense Homesteading , and writes a weekly article for Living Well Moms ."

Stocking Up Challenge Step 3 The 1st Shopping Challenge!

I think I finally have the first shopping challenge for you!

No matter what you already have, I think these list will be very important to getting you stocked up!

I have three list. Pick the one that works better for you and your budget, copy it off and as soon as you have the money gathered up, get out and get it! Food prices are going up right now, so the sooner you get this stuff, the better!



If you have extra money, get extra stuff, or use it to get some other things you use a lot and need to stock up on!

You do not have to stick to these list to the T, but I highly recommend getting as much as you can of everything on these list!



I am going to post the second shopping challenge next Friday, or as soon as I can. You do not have to do them every week that I post, if you cannot afford it, but save the list to do as you can!

When you get done stocking up on these list, I would love to hear you comment on how it went! you do not have to post everything you got! As a matter of fact, it is best not to tell anyone else what you have stocked in your house! It is for you and your family.

1st List

3 kinds of flours, grains, dry cereals (i.e. flour, cornmeal, oats, rice),
1 kind of sweetener (sugar, honey, etc.)
2 kinds of beans,
2 kinds meats
4 different kinds of condiments/seasonings
24 cans of food
1 treat (cake mix, chocolate chips, pie filling, coconut, hot chocolate, etc)
1 large package toilet paper,
1 large package paper towels,
1+ feminine products (per female in family),
1 diapers (if you use them),
1 each bath and hair soaps,
1 dish soaps,
1 laundry soaps.

2nd List

4 kinds of flours, grains, dry cereals (i.e. flour, cornmeal, oats, rice),
2 kinds of sweetener (sugar, honey, etc.)
3 kinds of beans,
3 kinds meats
6 different kinds of condiments/seasonings,
48 cans of food
2 treats (cake mix, chocolate chips, pie filling, coconut, hot chocolate, etc)
2 large packages toilet paper,
2 large packages paper towels,
2 feminine products (per female in family),
2 diapers (if you use them),
1 each bath and hair soaps,
1 dish soaps,
1 laundry soaps.


3rd List

5 kinds of flours, grains, dry cereals (i.e. flour, cornmeal, oats, rice),
3 kinds of sweetener (sugar, honey, etc.)
3 or 4 kinds of beans,
4or 5 kinds meats
10+ different kinds of condiments/seasonings,
60+ cans of food
3+ treats (cake mix, chocolate chips, pie filling, coconut, hot chocolate, etc)
2+ large packages toilet paper,
2+ large packages paper towels,
3+ feminine products (per female in family),
3 diapers (if you use them),
2 each bath of hair soaps,
2 dish soaps,
2 laundry soaps.


Hope you enjoy your stocking up shopping!
I think you will find some joy and peace and satisfaction in stocking up for your family!

"Stocking Up Challenge" The Pantry List!!!!!!!

Okay ladies!

I hope you have your piggy banks filled and a lot of money saved over the past week+!
If you don't, keep saving! you will have it in no time!

Now it is time to get your list ready!

You can find some good shopping, goal, and inventory list HERE at Chart jungle, if you would like to copy some off, or start you a notebook.

Get an idea of what you want to start out with. I would recommend that if you are a Newbie or Worrier you start out with getting at least 25 lbs. of beans and 25 lbs. of rice on your first stocking up shopping trip. These are essentials to pantry stocking! =) Everyone can and will eat them, you can use them for TONS of dishes, and they are staples, so if that is all you have to eat, you will be okay and it will fill you up better then crackers and mac'n chesse!
If you want to/or have the money to get more, go over the list below and a list of what you use on a weekly and daily bases around your home.
If you are Brave on stocking up, make a list of as much as you can afford! =) You may want to get large amounts of a few items at a time, or you may want to get 4-6 items of everything you need! Remember you are stocking up. you want things that will keep for a long time, and you want enough to last you and your family a long time. So when making your list remember to get enough to hold your family size, or how many people you think you will be feeding in the future!!

Here is a kind-of "main pantry food list":

beans (pinto, kidney, white, black, and whatever your family prefers, but make sure you get pinto! You can make more foods with pintos!),
rice,
flour(s),
baking mixes (if you use them),
oats,
your favorite cooking oil, lard and or shortening,
sugars, (sweeteners, honey, molasses)
baking powder,
baking soda,
dry yeast,
salt,
pepper,
cumin,
chili powder,
red pepper,
cinnamon,
bay leaves,
baking cocoa,
vanilla,
coconut,
coffee,
tea,
hot chocolate,
lemonade mix,
peanut butter,
nuts,
raisins & other dried fruit),
pastas,
ketchup,
mustard,
mayo,
salad dressings,
seasoning sauces,
cakes mixes (if you use them),
powered milk,
dried cereal,
crackers,



Canned goods:

tomatoes,
tomato sauce,
spaghetti sauce,
tomato juice,
salsa,
corn,
greenbeans,
carrots,
peas,
greens,
canned milk,
soups,

tuna,

salmon,

chicken,

jellies & spreads (if you use them & do not can your own)

canned fruit,
applesauce


Household/Personal Products

toilet paper
paper towels,
feminine products,
razors & shaving cream,
bath soaps,
dish soap,
laundry soap,
diapers,
school supplies (if you have children, homeschool, or use a lot of paper & supplies)!

Other:
Apple cider vinegar,
lemon juice,
fruit juices,
gatorade and or sprite (if you use them when your family is sick!)

Health/Wellness:
(I think we all need to have a good supply of first aid handy at all times, and I believe in living/healing naturally, so I keep some herbs, vitamins, salves, tinctures, etc. on hand too! I Highly recommend this!). Here are some things you can start stocking up on, and as usual, make a list of what your family needs/uses/may use!

So.....get a first aid kit, or pack your own! And have extra
bandaids, gauze, pads, tape, peroxide, rubbing alcohol, etc. stocked up!

If you take vitamins, stock up on the ones you use.

Stock up on herbal teas.
I recommend having at least red raspberry, chamomile & peppermint!

A healing herbal cream, for bumps, nicks and bruises, is also good to stock up on, and echinacea tincture!


It is very handy to keep a list of what you have and how much, so when you start running low, you can start restocking it.
For those who are Newbies and Worriers, this is a great way to get a pantry over flowing over time, without stringing you out too thin!

Once you have your pantry stocked with essentials, you can slowly or quickly start adding extra things, and treats!

For example, if you have beans, rice, flour, cornmeal, oats, baking mixes, canned goods, in your pantry and some meat in the freezer (or canned), then you can add things like canned fruit, etc!


The important things to remember when you are stocking up...
1.
STICK TO YOUR LIST AND BUDGET!
If you do not stick to your list, you are sure to go over your budget, or get things that are not essential.
2.
Shop (or if you are Brave, Order!), from a store (company/coop) that is least expensive!
3.
Buy in bulk if you can. Things are usually cheaper in bulk.
4.
Remember to keep a look out for sells on the things you need to stock up on.

Okay! I think that should get you going! Now I am going to post on a few challenges for each "Stocking up" level, and you can get to it!
There is much more to come on how to store your stocked items, a freezer stocking challenge, canning challenge, etc!

By the way, I know I have not listed a lot of things so if you come up with a few that you would like to share, please mention them in a comment!
And as always, look forward to what you have to say and share!
God bless!
~Hannah

Stocking Up Challenge Step One Update

Hey ladies!

Sorry I have not posted more this week! Been busy here!
Is everyone ready to start stocking up?
Have you been saving up your money over the past week?
I hope so!

Would love to hear how it has been going for you and if you are ready for some more steps and encouragement?

~Hannah

"Stocking Up" Challenge Step 1

Hey ladies!


I am so excited to see that ya'll are interested and want to do this! Good for you!

I am not going to rush this challenge! I have no "day to finish" and have not planned on having one! I want to get you started and then you can grow from there!

Also for anyone who is on a tight budget, you may need 5 or 6 weeks to stock up on things that some one else can get in two or three weeks. So even if I lay it out to say so many weeks, you make your own plan on paper, and STICK TO IT AS BEST YOU CAN!

Okay, the FIRST STEP:

I want you to save every penny that you can for the next week!

Save your eating out money.

Stay home as much as you can. When you go out, you spend money!

Roll your change that you have around the house.

Get your spouse and your family involved! Tell them your plan and see if they can pitch in to help save money!

Spend as little as you can, and please save up!

Your stocking up money is the most important money for your families future! They can cut back on a trip to the movies, going out to eat, and just shopping around for "things"! Give it a try! I think you will be amazed at how much you can stock up on and things you can get that you couldn't before. And most of all, when you are done stocking up, you will feel so good about yourself and what you have done for your family! It will give you peace!

Also,

Get the local grocery store papers and find out what is on sell for next week.

And Collect some coupons if you want.

Well there you go! Short and simple! For the next week, SAVE MONEY!

I wish I could give you more then a week, but as I said, this is just to get you going! After this challenge, and during, I hope you continue on your own, to save and spend WISELY!

~Hannah

P.S. I will be posting more tips and ideas for stocking up over the next week, but I will probably not post the big step(s) 2 until the 28th!

Would You be Interested in a Stocking up Challenge? (Two Polls for this week!)

I have been debated about holding a "Stocking up/ Preparing for the future" challenge on my blog!
I think everyone should be working on stocking up for their families future.
We always bought in bulk and planned ahead when I was growing up, and all our great grandmothers and their mothers planned ahead and stocked up. I think it would be a good idea to get back to those roots!

So I am wondering if anyone would be interested in joining me for a stocking up challenge? Or maybe you just want to follow along or do your own challenge! The more the merrier!

I am thinking about doing three different levels of the challenge.

1. For the people completely new to the idea of stocking up (newbie)!

2. The people who want to stock up, but has a tight budget (worrier)!

3. The people who are serious about stocking up (brave)!

So please vote in my poll and let me know if you would join,and if you did, which level would you participate in?

My New Year Resolutions and Plans

I love new years and new months! It seems like a great time to start fresh, start something new, make plans, and dream new dreams!


I am pretty worried about the future of our country and our children's futures, but I am still pretty excited and hopeful for what the future holds! We may be facing some really bad, dangerous and down-right ugly times, but my faith will not let me give up, and I believe that God always takes care of His children, His own, even if it is not what we think is best or good and we may have to hurt and walk thru valleys at times.


So with the beginning of the new year, I have been pretty excited and making some plans, setting some goals and dreaming dreams! Sure I know God is the one who is in control and I am happy to let Him have control of my life, and family's lives! I love the Bible verse that says "man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9)! I guess I find comfort in knowing that God is in control!

Another thing is, (and it is a Big thing!), I am a mother! I hope, and plan, and dream and set goals, because I am a mother! It is just that simple to me. A mother never gives up.

Here are some of my goals for at least the next few months:


1. Read stories to the children everyday.

2. Take time for personal reading everyday.

3. Have a devotional/quiet time to spend with the Lord everyday. (I really need to work on this!)

4. Work out on the Bowflex at least 3 days a week.

5. Give husband a back rub at least three days a week!




Here are some of my goals for this year:


1. Help oldest graduate 1st grade in homeschool. And get started on 2nd grade!

2. Set up a lesson plan for the youngest for pre-K and help her get thru pre-K this year!

3. Help husband finish the add-on to the house (adding some bedrooms on).

4. Paint the walls in the bathroom, washroom and above the kitchen counters.

5. Grow a big garden! And save a lot of seeds, Lord willing!

6. Can a Bunch of vegetables, meat, etc! And I would love to get more pint jars and some wide mouth jars.

7. Make herbal salve, and grind/mix up more of my herb formulas.

8. Keep a journal, or at least notes of what we do everyday!

9. Go camping and start a natural journal/scrapbook with the kids!

10. Find some good deals and make more clothes for the family for next year.

11. Fix up a place for some milk goats and get at least two milk goats!

12. And last, because I dread it and I am putting it off, get my driver's license. UGH!


Some of my dreams for the year?

1. IF the country some how straightens out to where people can buy and sell things and I can find some good sources for material (yeah, I know, too many if's), I would Love to start an Etsy shop, or some sort of online store!

2. You know I do Not use birth control and leave my family size up to God. For some reason He has seen fit that we have not had a baby for 3 years now. It may be that we are going to face tuff times in the near future. I do not know. This is an area that I am so torn in! I want a lot of babies and children! But I also know that if times are hard, it will be Extra hard if I am pregnant or have a small baby. So I just continue to pray that God's will be done!

3. An amazing dream, that really is a far out there dream for me! lol! Would be that I stick to reading books thru this year and actually finish some books! lol! =)

4. That the girls "Nonnie" and "Papaw" will get their house finished this year and get moved in! I really look forward to having them live next door! Especially now that "Nonnie" has been having tons of back troubles and we could help her more if she were closer!

5. I pray this will be the year that my parents will try to make things right and we can start working out a relationship with them. I want to see my younger siblings and my parents again. =(



That is all I have for today! But it is still the first of Jan! I am sure I will add to my list!
Now I need to get to work and play! =)
~Hannah

Starting a Farmers Agricultural Cooperative in TN.

Wow! A lot has been going on here! Besides preparing for winter and doing Fall projects, homeschool, etc., I have been helping a little with a huge project that my husband has been working on for several months!
This month that project is in full swing and Praise The Lord it is starting out really well! The project is to start a Farmers Agricultural cooperative in this county that will give tons of jobs to this county and surrounding counties and maybe take off across the country! It really amazes me to think about all the people who have a job, by just having a processing facility in the area and anyone who wants to grow stuff can grow as much as they can handle, and sawmills can make crates and pallets, and it just goes on and on! Really, anyone who wants to work Can!
We hope to have a processing building where produce can be delivered by the farmers/growers, it can be crated and then shipped to farmers markets, wholesalers, etc. The processing building would be run off of a solar energy, which we would install since we happen to be in the solar installation business! We have already installed a lot of solar stuff and one big system for a house, my husband has the experience in electrical, and a lot or engeinering etc. I am really enjoying learning about the solar and believe that it will play a huge part in future energy. The prices for solar systems are very high, but if more companies made and distributed solar, I think it would go down a lot.
Anyways, last Thursday night was the first meeting. It was just husband and I who set it all up, which was a lot of work! We introduced this idea and the effort to the people of the community. About 50 people were there and they were very excited and engaged! PTL! By the end of the meeting 4 people volunteered as the steering committee and we picked one as the head chair of the committee. My husband had a meeting with the head chair yesterday, they are having another meeting Mon. And we hope to have a huge Charter membership drive over the next week or so and another meeting for gathering members and signatures of support. Right now we have to have all the support that we can get to make this happen!
Prayers that this all works out the way God wants it to are appreciated!
And if you know of anyone near this area who would like to support this effort please let them know about it!
Here is an article that my husband got published in the local paper for the last meeting, if you would like to read it!

Preparations For Winter

With the cool weather starting so soon, and fall it seems is already on some of us and gaining on the rest (!), I was wondering how everyone is preparing and getting ready for the Cold weather ahead?!

It feels to my husband and I that everything is a little ahead this year. Our dog-days of summer where back in July, instead of Aug. and we have been having nights around 50 degrees here.We hope to get some firewood stacked up, even though we have central heat and air! You never know when you may get a lot of ice and the power be out for a while. So we want to be able to use the wood stove! For heat and cooking.

I hope to start filling our freezer and canning jars with meats, this fall. Husband hopes to do some fishing and get some turkey, venisen, etc.
I would also like to can some apples!


So I was wondering if anyone else is "winterizing" ??

Are you cutting/buying and stacking up a lot of firewood?Buying a wood cook stove?

Planning a fall garden?Saving seeds from this years garden?
Buying your seeds for next years gardening?
Buying/building a greenhouse?
Planning out your greenhouse?

Stocking up on beans, and rice, wheat, cornmeal, oats, peanut butter, coffee, sugar, honey, nuts, herbal teas, spices, oils/fats for cooking, baking supplies (vanilla, baking powder, soda, salt, etc.) etc?

You may even want/need to stock up on bottled/barreled water.

Don't forget that canning jars and supplies are usually seasonal, so get as many of them as you can, now before they are out of stock!

Stocking up on paper goods (paper towls, toilet paper, feminine products, diapers, wipes,etc.)

Other things you may need like:
School supplies,
cleaning supplies,
washcloths, towels,
bathing/body and first aid supplies,etc.

A lot of candles, some kerosene lamps and lots of kerosene and lamp wicks!

And do not forget the winter clothes! Don't wait to long to get the boots/shoes, socks, coats, etc!
And buying sewing supples and fabric, so on the cool days you can do some sewing!

Also with all the talk of flu and sickness, and the regular winter colds, it would be very wise to stock up on echinacea, red raspberry, garlic, onions, horseradish, lobelia, and your tinctures, teas and formulas for the immune system, colds, flu, etc. I try to have a lot of Emergen-C drink on hand and it is good to have juices stocked up too!

I hope this is helpful and encourages you to start preparing for your families winter days ahead!
I know there is a lot more and it is a little different for each family, but start with your basic, everyday uses and foods and after you have that stocked up, you can start getting more of the "extra" things you would "like" to have!

God bless! Keep looking to Him!