tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post4024677922526579615..comments2024-03-26T10:01:18.135-04:00Comments on Living the Frugal Life: New Year's Resolutions & the 2010 WishlistKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-81567506694269479932010-11-21T11:42:26.307-05:002010-11-21T11:42:26.307-05:00Dmarie, welcome! My list for next year will be up...Dmarie, welcome! My list for next year will be up in another month or so.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-5848501918441347422010-11-19T16:02:57.313-05:002010-11-19T16:02:57.313-05:00looking forward to seeing your 2011 Resolutions!!looking forward to seeing your 2011 Resolutions!!Dmariehttp://bettermebetterworld.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-55564366302750221272009-12-31T17:00:07.880-05:002009-12-31T17:00:07.880-05:00Jen, thanks very much. I too found that many of t...Jen, thanks very much. I too found that many of the plants in that book would not work in my zone. But it's certainly worthwhile to peruse the possibilities. Toensmeier co-authored the big books on Forest Gardening with Jacke, if I'm not mistaken.<br /><br />Chiot, thank you for the good wishes. I have nothing at all against hunting for food. I would be willing to learn, provided it doesn't involve too much suffering in the cold, and also provided it didn't interfere too much with my other priorities. Frankly, what I'd really like is for Mr. Frugal to learn to hunt well, and then take me along from time to time whenever I have some spare time.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-66218584238788668542009-12-28T08:44:34.435-05:002009-12-28T08:44:34.435-05:00Good luck to your husband and his desire to get in...Good luck to your husband and his desire to get into hunting. I'd suggest trying to find someone locally that's into it. I come from a long line of hunters (I got my license when I was in 7th grade). My husband just got his and went hunting with my dad this year for the first time. He really loved it and is now hooked. <br /><br />It's not bad to have guns around children, it's really good for them to be taught proper gun safety. We always had guns in the house growing up, and my dad always make sure we knew how to handle them safely. Because of that we would have never played with one as a toy. We learned proper respect for them. He taught us to shoot them at a young age so we knew the damage that they could do and the power that they had. <br /><br />Good luck on all your goals!Chiot's Runhttp://www.chiotsrun.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-42025006991443470972009-12-24T07:39:35.148-05:002009-12-24T07:39:35.148-05:00There is a book called "Perennial Vegetables&...There is a book called "Perennial Vegetables" by Eric Toensmeier (2007, Chelsea Green Publishing Co, VT) that suggests many options for edible plants that grow in wet and/or shady areas, as well as other conditions. Many are not hardy to my zone 4 but would be great options further south. He also has lots of tips for the kind of care that harvested perennial plants need, as well as polyculture ideas. He offers some really great ideas for turning a small space into an edible ecosystem.<br />Your blog is always an uplifting read.Jenhttp://www.bearswamporchard.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-89540464329088444782009-12-24T06:27:25.944-05:002009-12-24T06:27:25.944-05:00Mike, yes, my husband made our first rain barrel f...Mike, yes, my husband made our first rain barrel from a food grade plastic barrel. I expect we'll continue with them for the larger system when. Thanks for the suggested link.<br /><br />Nick, you said: "You'll get many shades of opinion on this." Of that I have no doubt at all. But I thank you for the suggestion nonetheless.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-72829094618028719912009-12-21T11:20:14.115-05:002009-12-21T11:20:14.115-05:00Purchasing a firearm for personal protection at ho...Purchasing a firearm for personal protection at home. Consider a short barrelled, 5-shot .357 revolver.<br /><br />Compact<br />Good knockdown<br />Mechanically simpler than a semi-automatic.<br />When it's loaded, it's ready<br />Takes .357 and .38 ammo<br /><br />You'll get many shades of opinion on this.Nick Stuartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-62995033503029962352009-12-18T00:18:21.001-05:002009-12-18T00:18:21.001-05:00Sounds like you're going to have a very busy y...Sounds like you're going to have a very busy year. You know if you're thinking of setting up a rain water collection system Rain Barrels are really easy to make yourself from recycled plastic barrels. I made two myself and if you like you can download eBook about how I did it.<br />http://www.plasticrainwaterbarrels.comMikehttp://www.plasticrainwaterbarrels.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-88003923732076404932009-12-17T09:00:20.984-05:002009-12-17T09:00:20.984-05:00Ivy, thanks. I liked your post too. It's so ...Ivy, thanks. I liked your post too. It's so encouraging to me to see others on similar journeys.<br /><br />Hickchick, 20 acres is huge compared to what I'm working with. I would like a little more room, but honestly I'm not sure I'd trade my 2/3 acre for that much more space. Even if I hadn't already put in so much effort on this little lot. There's something to be said for small-scale. Though limited, it also feels like an amount of space I can really manage effectively.<br /><br />Sarah, thank you for the suggestions on the herbs. Elecampane sounds especially suited for our space. Unfortunately we don't have the space for a quince or medlar at the moment, but I'll see about some other early bloomers for the bees.<br /><br />Mavis, I usually think of myself as more foolhardy than brave. (As El would say, "How hard could *that* be?") But thanks for the vote of confidence! And yeah, scout out the oak trees for your chickies!<br /><br />THM, I kept my list short for this year, but then found that I'd mostly blown through it by the time summer was in full swing. So I thought I'd give myself more to do this year throughout the seasons. We'll see how it goes...<br /><br />Ghost, congratulations! Chickens are the gateway livestock, as Novella says. It's true. They're remarkably easy to care for, and sure to lead to more species.<br /><br />Amy, lemon starts are very small. So you could get one and move it if you need to while it's still pretty manageable. As for multiple hives, yes, we found the same advice. So we plan to start with two and see how it goes. I don't think I'll ever want much more than that, though who knows how addictive beekeeping can become?<br /><br />Thanks, Ali.<br /><br />Ria, I'm glad to provide a nudge. I agree that it's baby steps all the way. We all have to start where we are and work with what we've got.<br /><br />Debbie, well, there are a few things on this list that aren't directly about gardening. But food production and debt reduction are my main points of focus. So, no, I wouldn't say that I have some other wishlist aside from this one. Unless it's just paying off the mortgage entirely.<br /><br />Siegfried, interesting suggestion, thank you. I'll look into that, though we're not really in an area with good wind resources. <br /><br />Dave, I had not heard of Front Sight. It's probably not for us since we can get free training from an NRA certified instructor - my uncle. He teaches basic gun safety as well as concealed carry classes. So it would be foolish not to take advantage of that free training. He's also a great source of advice on firearms in general, of course.<br /><br />Tammy, thanks for the suggestion. I'll check that out!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-48526119746104759062009-12-16T14:54:47.806-05:002009-12-16T14:54:47.806-05:00You might enjoy following along the one herb a wee...You might enjoy following along the one herb a week herd study at the Down to Earth Forum in 2010. They will post about one herb a week taking information from the community about is growth habits, uses and care to build a file on it.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00881965816018645999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-10672555833697034802009-12-16T13:54:35.814-05:002009-12-16T13:54:35.814-05:00That is a VERY impressive list! I will have to com...That is a VERY impressive list! I will have to come up with one of my own. Th problem is... my list is probably endless :) I do want to continue buying non-GMO / non-Monsanto seeds and drink more raw milk. Less processed food, more homegrown food.<br /><br />In regards to guns. Smart idea. I too wihs to do something about it. Have you heard of Front Sight?<br /><br />https://www.frontsight.com/free-gunnrs.asp<br /><br />I've heard about them before on the radio. Pretty good deal. I think I read $1200 for a 5 day training course on how to use a gun. Its a down to earth training place, not a boot camp mentality and they treat you with great respect. From grannies to military people go there for training. <br /><br />After training, you get a free handgun (a .40 or .45 cal), some free junk like hats and shirts as well as a 30 state concealed hand gun permit. Sounds like a good deal and one that I'll do with my wife if we ever do a training course.<br /><br />-1916home.netjakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09528926838891372189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-26039440422249591442009-12-16T12:16:55.256-05:002009-12-16T12:16:55.256-05:00nice list!
you guys should try to build wind turbi...nice list!<br />you guys should try to build wind turbine (VAWT version) - check it on youtube, it's not very complicated.<br />RegardsSiegfriedhttp://rosetta.null-zero.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-5961698837382407152009-12-16T11:59:44.399-05:002009-12-16T11:59:44.399-05:00I love making Wish Lists! Yours is quite impressi...I love making Wish Lists! Yours is quite impressive. Do you have another Wish List for things other than gardening?debbie baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02479699000203333679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-60743225099625094512009-12-16T11:42:09.949-05:002009-12-16T11:42:09.949-05:00Seeing this post has made me want to make a blog p...Seeing this post has made me want to make a blog post of my own about my goals for the coming year. I'm rather new to taking this big step to living more sustainably and frugally, and don't have the resources that many bloggers do, but I think that making a list will help me take stock of the resources I do have and will help remind me to keep up with those goals.Riahttp://ontopoftheworldblog.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-71604816222537840012009-12-16T11:37:14.040-05:002009-12-16T11:37:14.040-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-88659986914931666492009-12-16T11:36:54.644-05:002009-12-16T11:36:54.644-05:00Hey, Kate I have some good info from a chemist I w...Hey, Kate I have some good info from a chemist I work with on rainwater/roof runoff I can e-mail you if you want. You can reach me at henbogle@gmail.com<br />AliAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-70001826522667476502009-12-16T11:22:54.499-05:002009-12-16T11:22:54.499-05:00That is some list! I agree that making a list gets...That is some list! I agree that making a list gets you closer to the end goal than if you didn't make a plan at all.<br /><br />My heart skipped a beat when you mentioned the lemon tree. I've wanted to do this for years! I think I'll make this a goal for 2010. <br /><br />We have River Rock Cottage up for sale in order to downsize our house, but gain more useable acreage since what we have is mostly mountainside. It will make it hard to do any homesteading and setting of goals, but I probably will try. By the way, I started researching and purchasing bee stuff last year and one great suggestion was to do two or more hives in case one fails. Hope it's a success for you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564840073358020600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-15952498706365292722009-12-16T10:33:47.939-05:002009-12-16T10:33:47.939-05:00in 2010 I am finally, finally getting chickens. Th...in 2010 I am finally, finally getting chickens. That's as far as I've gotten with planning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-9098602520322512272009-12-16T09:32:55.524-05:002009-12-16T09:32:55.524-05:00This is an admirable list. I too would like to gro...This is an admirable list. I too would like to grow Meyers and Figs which also means bringing them indoors. I too would like to do solar cooking, so my daughters and I will hopefully build a solar oven, after doing some fun reseach at the libraries. I have a shorter list of Goal, but I know if I put to much on it I will be overwhelmed. For me its baby steps.Tree Huggin Mommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08473115182978929738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-21064915077297978852009-12-16T09:32:51.146-05:002009-12-16T09:32:51.146-05:00Good Post! I'm all for digging up more of the...Good Post! I'm all for digging up more of the lawn for growing edibles...and bee keeping sounds like an adventure in itself... consider yourself brave... Also, I had no idea that chickens eat acorns... I'll have to be on the lookout for those.It's me ...Mavishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10142676037397375704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-43445801809453625332009-12-16T08:45:46.617-05:002009-12-16T08:45:46.617-05:00Shade tolerant herbs include lemon balm, elecampan...Shade tolerant herbs include lemon balm, elecampane, valerian, sweet woodruff,solomons seal, wood sage and all those who grow in wooded areas. Give yourself time to get to know your valerian - people react differently to fresh and dried root extracts and you may be one of the unfortunate ones who go hyper instead of being sedated! If you're going to keep bees, think about quince and meddler trees for early blossom, they go mad over marjoram and mint flowers and michaelmass daisies, ivy flowers in the autumn. Good luck with all your plans - remember grape leaves and hops can both be used medicinally!Sarah Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08975928642943693605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-53768488869554018972009-12-16T08:05:01.858-05:002009-12-16T08:05:01.858-05:00That is an impressive list-love it! I think you h...That is an impressive list-love it! I think you have me motivated too, we are in a little different place though-starting with a 20 acre field next spring and building a homestead. I am gleaning all kinds of ideas right now. KrisHickchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09569529847455539317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-25793639858564339242009-12-16T07:58:06.324-05:002009-12-16T07:58:06.324-05:00Loved this post! It really boosted my flagging cr...Loved this post! It really boosted my flagging creativity and planning energy this morning. I'm in the process of blogging about it right now, in fact! Thanks for sharing.Ivy Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00520550664876932553noreply@blogger.com