The Self-Sufficient Skills thread (new name, old thread!)

[valmom]

Well, I have my worms in their bin and I can't wait to see the resultant compost in a few weeks. I have to keep resisting the temptation to look in on them- I know I won't see anything unless I disturb them and I want them to be able to settle in their new home and get to work eating!

So, one thing on my summer "to do" list is done. The chickies will have worms this winter to liven up their diet!

 

[valmom]

Oh, one more skill I thought of as I sit eating my waffles for breakfast- I made my own maple syrup this year! No one came by to ask to tap our trees, so we decided to do a few and try it out. It worked, and it is absolutely delicious

 

[big brown horse]

Oh, one more skill I thought of as I sit eating my waffles for breakfast- I made my own maple syrup this year! No one came by to ask to tap our trees, so we decided to do a few and try it out. It worked, and it is absolutely delicious

That is really cool!! I love mapel syrup, but it is soo expensive! Good for you!!! I wish I had something to trade you for some! How about some rain?

 

[freemotion]

My latest skill, that I forgot to add here, is sharpening my scythe for the first time with a peening jig and hammer. I'd used the wet stone in the field, but this is the first real sharpening.

The updated list:

1. I learned to milk!!
2. Made yogurt
3. Made ricotta cheese
4. Made mozzarella cheese
5. Made "Fabulous All Natural Face Cream"
6. Made laundry soap
7. Made goat's milk soap
8. Made the best ever deodorant
9. Dried nettles and raspberry shoots for tea
10. Made cheddar, cheddar, and more cheddar and waxed it, and built a mouse-proof crate to age it in, in the cellar
11. Made hydrosol (distilled flower water....lilacs don't work, but I know how to do it now, the process worked great)
12. Made a cheese press
13. Made jam and waterbath canned it
14. Peening a scythe with a hammer and jig
15. Trimming a goat's hooves

Almost forgot that last one, too.....so, guys and gals, make sure to update your lists now and then!

 

[big brown horse]

Wow!

 

[KarbonCinq]

I taught myself how to fix a water softener this year.

We have very hard well water and a softener is a must. When the last one died I just bought a new one. Those days are over.

I went through the diagnostics and ordered the parts online. It would have been fun if the pressure weren't so great. A week living with hard water while parts were in transit was a little rough.

 

[big brown horse]

 

[freemotion]

Wow!

Don't be overly impressed....many of those skills overlap and build on each other.

Most of those skills require only the ability to measure accurately, read a thermometer, and boil water!

 

[KarbonCinq]

Thanks, bbhorse.

I like it here.

My DW is lurking around as 'puppyfeet'.

 

[big brown horse]

I like it here too. I have made a few good pals and learned sooo much!! I am doing things that I attempted to do in the past but had no support, so my efforts failed. Now I have the support and the inspriation to accomplish a more self sufficient life. Welcome to puppyfeet too!