Montana Homestead

Montana Homestead: How I Built My Bugout Homestead Off Grid In The Wilderness was a free book for the kindle when this was posted.
The author takes the reader on a journey from his first awareness of the need to prep and survive to his eventual decision to move off grid into the wilderness of Montana and start a bugout homestead.
Not a “How To” manual, but more of a journal outlining the events and the readying of the new homestead. With dozens of photographs and detailed explanations of methods, he narrates how he built an 800 square foot cabin with the help of only his wife and kids and a few simple tools.
Featuring sections on grey water discharge systems, installing a well pump, how to supply water off-grid, and calculations on how much land is needed and what kinds of food to grow on it.

DIY Fire Starters

Firestarter #1

Use cotton balls. Completely cover a lot of cotton balls with petroleum jelly. Store them in a ziplock bag. Put the bag in your survival kit. When you need to start a fire , take a few strands of the fiber out of one of the cotton balls. Place it in a pile of tinder and wood. Light the cotton ball. Instant fire starter!

Firestarter #2

Melt some broken, extra crayons in a tin can set in a put of water. Wrap a pinecone loosely with string and then roll it in the melted crayon. Pull out a tail of string to serve as a wick. Let the crayon wax soak into the pinecone, then let it cool and harden on some wax paper. To use it , arrange twigs and tinder over the pinecone, add some logs, and light the string(wick).

The 5 C's of Survival

1. Cutting Tool. The most important external tool you can carry in a survival situation is a knife. Even a small pocket style knife is handy to have. It is an essential tool.  I always make a point of carrying a knife. My hubby thinks it is funny that I carry a knife in my purse, but there have been many times that we have been away from home and had to pull it out. 

2. Combustion Device. The means to start fire is the next most essential item to carry, even above shelter. A shelter can be fashioned with outdoor materials, even in the most crude fashion, and still be a life-saver. When faced with a survival situation, when you need to start a fire, then you must have a dependable means to start a fire. Learn the many ways there are to make a fire. Have a small mirror in your kit. Waterproof matches.



3. Cover/Shelter. Your first line of defense against the elements; cold, heat, rain and snow; is the clothes you are wearing. An inexpensive poncho can be carried in your mini kit and used as a make-shift shelter or sleeping bag.








4. Container. In order to collect water for drinking, as well as for boiling and cooking, you need a dependable container. In order to boil water in it, your container needs to be metal. A small camping cooking pot works perfect.



5. Cordage. In many instances where you need to build a natural shelter, cordage is a necessity. The ability to make a structure stable is something that cordage can provide. Rope, paracord or some type of twine can be used for countless chores and is a valuable item to have in your kit. Always wear a paracord bracelet.

DIY 72 hour Kit For Baby

If your family includes a baby , meeting the needs of them during a crisis is a top priority. They can pick up on the stress of their parents during a hard time. It will be much easier to be able to reassure your child if you are already prepared for any situation and have items on hand that will make them more comfortable and things that they are used to you having. Have everything ready and on hand for your child , like their favorite blanket, toys, and foods.

Here is a sample list of some other things to have in your 72 hour kit for your baby:

Disposable diapers or cloth diapers.

Wet wipes.

Baby lotion and diaper rash ointment.

Garbage bags for any used disposable diapers.

Way to clean any cloth diapers. I used a EasyGo Washer when I cloth diapered my son. It worked great.

Blankets and extra clothing.

Baby formula.

Evaporated whole milk.

Powdered milk.

Karo syrup.

Bottles and some extra nipples.

Baby food and juice.

Baby spoons.

Any medications that you think they might need.

Toys.

Snacks.

Books.

Games.

coloring books and crayons.

Their favorite stuffed animal or doll.

This is just a sample list. Every child is different and should be prepared for individually.

A Tealight Candle Oven...

I seen this on Pinterest and about jumped out of my chair. I have to try this out soon. Looks like such a great idea and it doesn't cost a lot. I bought my toaster oven at the dollar store , but I see them all of the time at thrift stores. Need to stock up on Tealight Candles !!

http://www.thebusybhomemaker.com/diy-tea-light-oven-off-grid-cooking/