The Natural Pest Control Manual: Your Complete Guide to Getting Rid of Insect Pests, Bacteria, Mold and Much More Without Any Toxic Chemicals or Pesticides

The Natural Pest Control Manual: Your Complete Guide to Getting Rid of Insect Pests, Bacteria, Mold and Much More Without Any Toxic Chemicals or Pesticides (Organic Pest Control Guidebooks) was a free book for your Kindle survival library.

How To Kill Any Insects, Bugs or Pests Without Pesticides or Toxic Chemicals

Learn The Secrets of a Pest Control Expert Who Knows The Power of Organic Pest Control

Everything you've been taught about killing insects and pests is wrong! Learn how to:

Create Effective Traps in 5 Minutes To Kill Ants, Termites, Cockroaches and More!

In 5 minutes and for less than $5, you can create a baited trap that will kill almost any insect pest crawling in your home - without harming you, your family or your pets! For pests like ants and termites, where killing everything in the nest is necessary to stop the infestation for good, nothing will work better than these home-made pest traps which kill the pests without harming you or your family.

How To Kill Bugs Fast With Dish Soap and Other Detergents

Did you know that your household detergents were developed during World War II and when mixed with water will effectively kill almost any household bugs and pests including insects and arachnids?

How To Use Diatomaceous Earth To Kill Insects Fast

Did you know that the remains of 50-million year old Diatoms (algae) can be purchased for less than $2 a pound - enough to kill millions of ants, cockroaches, centipedes and other insects? Furthermore, Diatomaceous Earth is safe and effective (just don't inhale the dust).

Other Amazing Natural Pest Control Solutions

In addition, you'll learn how to use hair dryers, dust, dehumidifiers, charcoal, caulk, boric acid, bug juice cocktails, lights, natural insect repellants, salt, soap, surfactants, talcum powder, and dozens of other natural pest control strategies to protect you and your home from pests!

Homeschool Minute - Learning Fractions

I am trying to make fractions fun!  I got these fraction magnets and some tiny fraction flash cards. Little Man is basically just matching them up right now. Just trying to get him familiar with them before we really get into them.

List Of Items To Go Into A 72 Hour Kit

Surviving has always been the concern of almost every person who has braved every natural disasters and calamities with the help of a 72 hr emergency kit. It is undeniable that people are no match for what nature can bring upon him. With every hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, pandemic, power outage and severe winter storm, people have witnessed how defenseless they can be when nature unleashes its wrath. People don't even have the tool or equipment that can accurately detect every happening of these natural disasters.

Going through all the challenges that you would have to go through, not to mention staying alive, from all the possible natural disasters that might strike you and your family will not be very easy. Being able to do something about the disasters-like stopping it from happening - is always considered a futile attempt that people will not find any victory over them. But this should not give people the reason to just suck it in and succumb into the effects of what Mother Nature has to give.

Even if natural calamities and disasters have already claimed millions of lives and plowed through every place or country it finds in their paths, people have shown the ability to survive. With the help of some determination to continue living and some 72 hour packs for survival, people can have better chances of surviving different disasters of nature.

72 hour emergency survival kits are there for people to easily and quickly grab when disasters like earthquakes and tornadoes would hit them. Having a 72 hour survival kit or what other people would call as bug out bag or grab-and-run packs, contains the essential items for a person to survive in at least 3 days. People, who were able to bring with them their survival kits during emergencies while waiting for the rescue and medical teams, had better chances of surviving the calamities.

There are people who have dismissed the importance of 72 hour survival pack and would not want to go through all the trouble of getting one. They may not be aware that the need may have not come for them to have a use of the kit but it is always better to be prepared than be sorry later. Based on the reactions and experiences that people would have during emergencies like fires, typhoons, and earthquake, people would panic and just grabs almost anything that is readily available and nearby. Most of the time, the things people could grab are not the things they would need to survive.

People who know better prepare for these unexpected disasters with an army survival kit or any survival pack they can buy in stores. Those who find those survival kits on sale not unaffordable would just create or prepare their very own survival kits.

What You Need To Have in A 72 Hr Emergency Kit

If you are not like other people who would buys their survival kits in stores or online, you can make a list of essential things that you must have in your grab-and-run kit. Once you have your pen and paper ready, go and browse through the many sites and articles that you can find online which talks about survival during calamities and disasters. Most of these sites will give you pointers on how you can prepare your own survival kits and what should not be missing in the package.

You can find here some of the very important items that you should have in a 72 hour survival kit.

1. Food is important for survival. You don't have to put in the backpack every food you can think of just so you have plenty. Be smart in choosing the right types of food. It is ideal to have canned foods in your survival kit instead of foods that easily spoil.

2. Water is another basic need that you should not go without. You may choose to bring water purifiers too to be able to use whatever water source you will have during the disaster.

3. Don't forget to put some clothes in your kit. Pick some clothes that are comfortable and can allow you to move freely.

4. Bring a flashlight. Headlamps are actually more recommended since it will allow you to move your hands freely.

5. Have a map and whistle with you. When you are already weak and not able to scream for help, a whistle might come in handy for you.

6. If what you are preparing is an apocalypse survival kit then make sure to bring with you multipurpose tools or knives. You can also include a handy axe just in case the need arises.

There are many types of survival kits that you can prepare yourself to have or just purchase from stores. What matters is you will be safe and have better chance of survival with your 72 hr emergency kit.

Rey Baguio is an excellent article writer and researcher for different niches.

Drone Survival Guide

http://www.dronesurvivalguide.org/

This is really interesting. You can print off posters etc, also. Best to be informed. Learn everythinv you can about everything going on in the world today!

survival items to keep in car

As with any emergency or survival kit, you can't be prepared for everything, but you can be prepared for many things.

< >Below is a nice list of equipment that should serve you well in a wide variety of potential situations:

Extra pair of shoes, good walking, hiking, running shoes

1 - Medium backpack or soft zipper case (to keep your emergency gear in)

1 - Jumper cables

1 - Basic First Aid Kit

1 - Quality Rain Poncho

1 - Fleece Blanket

1 -quality multi-tool

1 - Duct Tape Roll

6 - 8" Cable Ties

3 - 24" Bungee Cords

1 - Road Safety Triangle Reflector

1 - Lighter

- Extra Batteries for Flashlight

Granola or Energy Bars (furthest date out you can find)

- Bottles of Water (take these out prior to winter)

1 - LED Headlamp Flashlight (this goes in vehicle)

1 - Survival Knife (this goes inside the vehicle)

A small camping stove and sterno packs

A few mres and survival food

Instant coffee

You can add anything else that you think you might need that will fit in pack. I also have a solar powered cell phone charger and radio in my kit.

Pack everything but the LED headlamp and survival knife in your backpack. Store the pack in your trunk.

Food Storage Recipe - Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

This is something quick to make. Prepare it and go do your shopping or go to work. Come home to a yummy meal.

NEED;:

4 boneless chicken breast

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

3/4 cup frozen chopped carrot

3/4 cup frozen green beans

Dump all in your slow cooker and let it cook for about 8 hours. Add 2 cups of minute rice about 5-10 minutes before serving this.

Food Storage Recipe - Slow Cooker Beef & Gravy

This is so yummy served over mashed potatoes or pasta.

Slow cooker beef & gravy

2-3 pounds roast that has been cut into bite sized pieces

1 packet of onion soup mix

2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup

Place the roast pieces in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the meat. Cover it all with both cans of cream of mushroom soup. Let cook about 8-9 hours, stirring it about half way through.

Homeschool Minute - Homemade Pretty Paints

Let your kids be artist for the day with this easy to make paint!

What you need:
3 tablespoon sugar

1/2 cup of cornstartch
 
2 cups water

Mix the sugar and cornstarch in a small pot. Stir in the water and stir while warming over low heat. Do this until it is mixed well.

Pour equal parts of the mixture into small jars , baby food jars, great to use because of the lids for storing paint.

Add food coloring to each jar. Each of different colors. Stir them up and add more color to reach the color you want.

You can also add a small drop of soap detergent to each pot to make the paint clean up easier.
Now your kids are ready to paint. You can also add sparkles to the paint. Just have fun with it.

Food Storage Recipe- Pecan Pie

We have to have pecan pie during the holidays. It is just not Christmas without it. This is a easy recipe. Pecan pie is really not that hard to make.

Pecan Pie

Mix the following ingredients together very well...

1 cup dark corn syrup

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup melted margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla

Add 3 slightly beaten whole eggs.

Pour the mixture into an unbaked pie shell and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shelled whole pecans over all of that mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

Food Storage Recipe - Frugal Homemade Condensed Milk

A lot of recipes call for condensed milk. You can make your own for a fraction of the cost using items from your food storage. This is a great recipe to know for if you're in need of condensed milk for a recipe and can't get to store. This makes a quart.

Condensed Milk

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup butter

2 cups sugar

2 cups powdered milk

Stir until smooth everything in the boiling water. Beat until smooth. It will be thin, but will thicken up. You can do it in a blender to beat it up.

Food Storage Recipe - Orange Delicious

My little man has been wanting this all of the time. Ever since his big bubby made one last week. I have to agree, it is very yummy. I have been using powdered milk to make this also. Still very good.

Orange Delicious

1 can frozen orange juice

1 1/2 cups cold water

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tray ice cubes

Mix this all up in blender adding the ice slowly. Yum!

Natural Dyes From the Backyard

Natural Dyes From the Backyard (Techniques from Lakeshore Textiles) Was a free book when this post was written. A very basic introduction to dyeing wool yarn or fleece with natural dyes. Gather flower blossoms,berries, nuts, lichens on fallen wood and weeds to dye yarn in awonderful pallet of color. A short booklet with color photos for the crafter, home dyer and anyone working with children using aminimum of supplies. Photos of dye plants and yarn in the dye bath may inspire you to try the simple techniques yourself.

Can, Preserve, Survive: The Prepper's Guide To Canning, Preserving, and Food And Water Storage

Can, Preserve, Survive: The Prepper's Guide To Canning, Preserving, and Food And Water Storage was free at the time of this writing.

The Prepper's Guide To Canning, Preserving, and Food and Water Storage

Free Today Only! Join The Crowd And Download Now!

This is a box-set of three best selling food preservation and storage books.  This box-set includes:

Canning is a process where we seal food or drinks in jars, then heat them to destroy microorganisms that cause spoilage. It's the same concept that the food industry undertakes to put food, such as soups or vegetables, in cans and sell it to the consumer. With home canning, you are in charge of all the ingredients as well as the taste and quality of your food.
This book will cover: 

• Canning Safety
  Methods and types of canning 
• Canning Equipment
  Types of food to can 
• How to Prep your food for canning 
• The canning process
  and much, much, more 

When we say canning we actually mean jarring, but the conventional method of canning gets its name from a food preservation method introduced by the French in the 1800s. We see this applied today, all over the world, to canned soups, peaches, beans, and so on today. The home method of canning differs in some ways, but the main principle is still the same. 

 Good preparation means being ready for an unexpected shortage in basic necessities. This makes home food preservation techniques as important as ever in today's uncertain climate. Learning these practical and easy to learn methods will ensure that you're prepared for months up to years with a wide range of nutritional foods.
But being prepared isn't the only reason to preserve food; there are several economical, nutritional, and fun reasons to join this movement. Whether you've never considered food preservation or if you're drying food right now, there's something in this book for you. We'll cover food drying and dehydration methods as well as freeze-drying and pickling techniques certain to change the way you look at food.

This Guide Will Cover: 

• An in-depth primer into food preservation 
• The awesome benefits of drying, pickling, and freezing 
• Step by step methods and strategies
•  The best foods to preserve at home and why 
• And much more!  

Our world is becoming more volatile each and everyday.  Large scale natural disasters, economic collapse, and terrorism are real world situations that threaten our way of life.  Preppers are prepared for any type of disaster, ranging from common natural disasters to unlikely large scale events. By being prepared to survive in an environment where our every necessity is scarce, preppers understand how to take action. How much you decide to prep is up to you, but having an understanding of this information and being able to utilize these techniques could mean the difference between life and death. This book covers food storage and techniques that could determine you or your family's survival should a disaster occur.

This Book Will Cover:

•  Why everyone should have a food storage system in place
•  Common mistakes to avoid
  Different ways to store survival food 
• Comprehensive list of food you should stockpile
• The pros and cons of different survival foods 
• Water storage and filtration
  Food storage for those who lack space 

Download this crucial guide today and learn how you can start your own food storage system even if you are on a budget or lacking space.  Join the crowd and download now!

Worst ever homeschool law

http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/oh/201312170.asp

This is just scary! There is just so much that could go wrong with a horrible law like that.

Basket Making

Basic Basket Making: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started (How To Basics) Was a free book for kindle when this post was written.

Step-by-step instructions complete with detailed color photographs

Includes a chapter on dyeing reed at home 4basic basket projects for the beginning weaver

The art of basket making is described in detail for the beginning or experienced weaver. Complete with a chapter on tools and materials to get started, this easy-to-use guide explains and illustrates how to weave reed, incorporate premade handles, finish basket rims, and a host of other basket-making techniques. It also contains achapter on dyeing reed, a simple and cost-effective way to obtain desired colors and results. Complete instructions for making a Flared Bun Basket, Small Market Basket, Napkin Basket, and Easter Basket teach necessary skills.

Food Storage Recipe - Hearty Lasagna Soup

Hearty soup for sticking to your ribs.

Hearty Lasagna Soup

Need:

1 pound ground beef

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

3 1/2 cups beef broth

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

1/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

1 1/2 cups uncooked mini lasagna noodle shaped pasta or can use spiral shaped noodles

1/4 cup parmesean cheese

Brown the ground beef with the garlic powder, then drain real well.

Stir in the broth, tomatoes, and italian seasoning into the skillet with the beef. Bring it to a boil.

Add the noodles and drop the heat to medium. Simmer and stir for 10 minutes or until noodles are done. Stir in the cheese.

Serve! Yummy with garlic bread.

Food Storage Recipe - Slow Simmered Chicken Rice Soup

This is a yummy soup that really is great to eat on a cold winter day!

Slow Simmered Chicken Rice Soup

1/2 cup uncooked wild rice

1/2 cup uncooked regular long grained white rice

1 tablespoon veg. Oil

5 1/4 cup chicken broth

2  teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 stalks of celery, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 pound skinless and boneless chicken breast, cut into cubes

Stir the rices and the vegetable oil into a slow cooker.  Cover and cook on high for about 15 minutes.  Stir in the broth, thyme, red pepper, celery, onion, and chicken into the cooker with the rice. Turn the heat down to low, cover and cook for 7-8 hours or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve it up hot!

Homeschool Minute - Homemade Flash Cards

Do you need a quick way to teach math
?  You can grab a deck of cards that you have laying around and use them to teach addition, subtraction, and even multiplication and division of small numbers. 


Remove all of the face cards from the deck. To 
"play" the math game, shuffle the cards and deal 2 cards facing up and ask your child to figure the problem out, by adding, subtracting, or however you decide. 


The good thing about this game, is that you can keep a deck of cards with you or in your car to play it anytime and anywhere.

The Ultimate Quick & Delicious NO-BAKE DESSERT COOKBOOK

The Ultimate Quick & Delicious NO-BAKE DESSERT COOKBOOK - A Collection of 70 NO-BAKE easy dessert recipes ) Was a free book for kindle when I wrote this post. The Ulitmate NO-BAKE Dessert Cookbook 70 delicious quick and easy recipes to choose from - without using your oven! This book contains 3 series of Quick & Delicious NO-BAKE Desserts. You will definitely find many favorite recipes that you and you family will enjoy! Choose from Pies,Cakes,Cheesecakes, and little desserts including; Fudge, Truffles, Frozen Bites, Mini Cheesecakes, plus many more to choose from!

Turtle Tuff Shelters

http://www.turtletuffshelters.net/index.html

These look awesome! Might be something to look into this spring when we go to buy some land.

Foreign Invaders: An Autoimmune Disease Journey through Monsanto's World of Genetically Modified Food

Foreign Invaders: An Autoimmune Disease Journey through Monsanto's World of Genetically Modified Food Was a free kindle book when this post was written. Whether or not you have a chronic illness or you are caught up in the autoimmune epidemic, genetically modified foods are a health risk. After being diagnosed with autoimmune disease and being disappointed by doctor after doctor, Dara Jones set off on a mission to recover her health with real food. In the footsteps of Robyn O’Brien, author of The Unhealthy Truth, Dara takes you on her journey through Monsanto’s world of gmo foods. After reading it, you’ll be empowered to take the reins of your own health and will never look at your grocery store shelves the same way. In this personal account of her ongoing health recovery from autoimmune thyroid and Lyme disease, Foreign Invaders takes a practical look at the role of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the healing process. How does a veteran of the business world and scientific layperson sort through the controversy and hysteria surrounding genetically modified foods? Are they helpful or harmful when trying to bring the immune system back into balance? Do they add or subtract from the body’s toxic burden? Are GMOs friend or foe to the chronically ill? Foreign invader or familiar and recognizable? The stakes are high. There are currently 100 different autoimmune diseases identified including type-1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, Graves disease, Hashitomotos and lupus. 50 million Americans, or 1 in 5, have one of these diseases and 75 percent are women. Autoimmune disease is now one of the top 10 leading causes of death of women under the age of 65. It is responsible for more than $100 billion in direct health care costs annually in the US. In this engaging, honest and informative work, the determined and pragmatic author presents her experience navigating the healthcare system, research into what constitutes a healing diet and conclusions about consuming genetically modified foods. Topics covered include autoimmune disease, inflammation, food intolerance and food allergies, the health risks and food safety issues of GMOs, the process of creating genetically engineered food, the impact of pesticides on the immune system and a brief discussion of sustainability, environmental and social justice issues.

Prevent Electrical Fires

Winter time, it is cold and a lot of us pull out electric heaters. Our house has one bedroom that will not get warm at all. So, my son has to use a electric heater in there. I worry about it all of the time. We make sure it is unplugged when he isn't in there. Here are some other tips to help you stay safe.

Never overload a electrical receptacle with extension cords or adaptors to make it a three-way. If you need to plug in more items to a certain receptacle, use a power surge strip.

Never run the cords under carpets or rugs.

Never use an extension cord for a major appliance or any heat producing appliance.

Don't use a bulb that has more wattage than a lamp is rated to use. It can overheat.

Call an electrician if your lights flicker, if appliances run sluggishly, or you have a fuse that repeatedly blows or a breaker that trips often. Could be a sign of the system being overloaded.

Freshwater Fish Recipes

Freshwater Fish Recipes Made Simple - 99 Classic Recipes for the Homecook This was a free book at the time this post was written. Looking for simple and mouthwatering recipes for freshwater fish? A void has been filled with Freshwater Fish Recipes Made Simple by fisherman and best selling author, George T. Gregory. This cookbook covers a wide variety of fish pursued by the average recreational fisherman and easily prepared by the everyday cook. Recipes are included for: • Bass • Catfish • Crappies • Northern Pike • Trout • Salmon • Walleye Too many people simply resort to purchasing a store bought batter mix and frying their catch. Not only is this not always the healthiest choice but it also eliminates the numerous delicious alternative recipes available. George has accumulated a great variety of fish recipes over the years covering frying, baking, grilling,broiling, and soup preparations. This selection of recipes is sure to please the taste buds of you andyour family.

Leftovers Can Be Yummy!

Keep one of those couple gallon buckets from having ice cream around. Whenever you have leftover vegetables and meat. I usually try and just add leftover roast or steaks to mine when I have some. Put all of your leftover vegetables in this and keep it in the freezer. When it gets filled up take it out and thaw it. Add it to a can or 2 of tomato juice and you will have a yummy pot of vegetable soup!

Clean the bucket out and start over!

Christmas Gift Idea - Homemade Wooden Bead & Maze Toy

Little Ones love these so much. My Little Man still has his Wooden Bead & Wire Maze Roller Coaster that he got when he was about 2! He will not let me get rid of it for nothing. You can make one for a toddler that you know for very little money and very easy.

Use A piece of hardwood for the base. It can be any shape you want to make it. Drill 6 holes into the bottom of it that are the same size as your heavy gauge wire. The wire needs to have one end put into one side and secured on the bottom. Put some brightly colored wooden beads onto it and then twist it around , like a roller coaster or maze. Put it through one of the holes on the other side and secure it on the bottom. Repeat this with 2 more wires. Make it fun and twisty. Use bright colored wooden beads. Which come in all kind of styles! They even have some that are painted with the ABC's. Maybe put the child's name. That would be neat. A personalized, homemade gift. Something that will be loved.

Some Ways To Save At The Grocery Store

Just takes some strategy and organizing to find ways to save at the grocery store.

1. Bulk buying is a great way to stock up on things that you use a lot.  Purchase them when they are on sale. You get more items and it will carry you longer.

2.  Eliminate all non-nutritious foods, like soda, candy, junk food. Saves you a lot of money and is healthy for your family. We cut out soda in our house a year ago and don't miss it at all. I had some bad headaches when I stopped drinking coke, but it only lasted about a week. Now I feel better and it has saved a lot of money.

3. Eliminate any convenience type food. Single serve pudding cups etc.

4.  Choose the less expensive alternative. Generic brands are just as good as other brands and save you money.

5.  Buy marked down items. The deli in our local store always has bread, cookies, pies, etc marked down. Fill the freezer.

6.  Compare boxes for portion sizes and per portion cost. Etc

7. Prepare all of your meal from scratch. It doesn't take too much more time. Saves money and is better for the family.

8.  Eat more casseroles, soups, etc.

9.  Have a couple of meatless meals a week.

10. Waste nothing.

The Last Soldier

The Last Soldier: Nature of the Beast was a free book for the kindle when this post was written. Something different. I usually share non-fiction books for your survival library, but this is a fiction book for us to all read while stuck in the house during this awful winter weather.

A MEDICAL MIRICLE HAS CURED ALL DISEASES

Jason Randal finds himself in the middle of civilization’s collapse, wanting only to get out of the way with his wife Catherine, and survive if they can.Betrayed and imprisoned, he has little hope of reaching her or safety, until the beginning of a revolution offers a chance for escape. His perilous race to reach his wife, brings him in contact with a group of young people, considered fugitives by the military government. With their help, he rescues Catherine from the brutal leader of the rebels, liberates hundreds and escapes with enough supplies for them all to start over somewhere safe. Carley Ross and her lover Boone, accompany them into the mountains in search of a safe place to weather the coming storm. The young couple’s skill in the wilderness proves invaluable, but Carley’s headstrong attempt to return home, brings Jason and Catherine back to the front lines. There they discover the government’s horrifying plan to bring the population to a sustainable level.

Power Out! Use Your Fireplace For Heat

Winter means bad weather in many parts of the United States. And bad weather means power failure for many people. In cold weather be prepared to use your fireplace or woodstove to keep your home warm until your power is restored. What do you need to do to be prepared? Here we will review what you need to do in preparation along with what to do in the midst of the power failure and also after the power has been restored.
Be Prepared! Long before you lose your power you need to be ready for it. You never know when the power will go out (or how long before you get your power back). Here's your To Do List for preparing your fireplace before the power failure:
1. Stock up on whatever fuel source you use in your fireplace or woodstove. If it is wood, make sure you have split and stacked it properly allowing for good air circulation while keeping it dry so it will age properly. This will allow your fire to burn hotter and minimize the buildup of creosote while making it easier to start and maintain your fire. Also have a good supply of kindling on hand such as Fatwood.
2. Make sure your fireplace or woodstove is in good working order. If you are not sure, call in a professional to have it inspected. You may have to use your alternative heat source non-stop for many days.
3. Have quality fireplace tools, fireplace screen and fireplace accessories. You will be using them ALOT! If you don't have them, invest in them NOW! They will make your job significantly easier and fire building safer. Here are some key fireplace items and why you need them:
a. Fireplace Tools (Shovel, Poker, Tongs and Brush) - helps in the ease of building and maintaining fires and the cleaning of the fireplace after use. Much safer than trying to reposition burning logs with your hands!
b. Fireplace Screen - critical item to prevent embers from flying out of the fireplace and still allow that necessary heat to flow into the room. You want to prevent starting a house fire caused from a spark flying out of the fireplace and landing in the room.
c. Fireplace Bellow - building a fire is critical when you have a power failure and you do not want to be struggling to get it started. Fireplace bellows easily provide the oxygen rich air that helps to get that fire going. A good flow of air is critical for a successful fire.
d. Fireplace Andirons - It was discovered many centuries ago that if your fuel material is up off the ground the fire burns better and with less smoke. Andirons keep your logs off the floor of the fireplace and the vertical front piece of the andirons hold the logs in place and prevent them from rolling out of the fireplace. Fireplace grates can also accomplish this task.
e. Fireplace Log Holder - this will allow you to keep extra logs by the fireplace. The fewer times you have to op en the door to the outside to get more wood the better. Every time you open the door you are letting cold air into the house. Keep it to a minimum by stocking logs in your fireplace log holder.
Get these items stocked and in place before a power outage so you can build the easiest, best fire possible when it is critical to have one.
4. Practice building a great fire before the power failure:
a. Make sure your damper is open
b. Place tinder (crumbled paper perhaps) on the fireplace floor between the andirons. This is material that will catch fire instantly.
c. Place kindling such as Fatwood on top of the tinder. This is material that will catch fire from the flames of the tinder.
d. Stack several fire logs on top of your fireplace andirons or fireplace grate making sure that everything is spaced about 1/2" apart to allow for good air circulation. Your burning kindling will start the logs burning.
e, Light the tinder with a long match If you have a problem with back draft (smoke flowing into the room instead of up the chimney), open a window a little before you start the fire to create a flow of air from the outside to inside and up your chimney. Once the fire has started and the smoke is going up the chimney close the window.
f. If the flames are not taking off don't forget to use your fireplace bellow to help the fire get going
g. Keep it going by adding wood from your fireplace log holder as needed and keep the burning logs stacked properly by using your fireplace tools to reposition the logs as they burn down and shift. When not working on the fire keep your fireplace screen in place to prevent fire embers from entering your room.
Your power is out. Now what?
1. Close off rooms you do not need to use. The more areas closed off the better. Let the fire heat only the rooms you need.
2. Build that fire and keep it going.
3. Fill containers with water and place on your fireplace hearth near the fire. This is a great source of hot water for multiple uses while your power is out and your water pipes are running cold. If you are using plastic containers make sure they are placed where they will not melt.
When the power comes back on:
1. You may want to continue your fire as your heating system begins to heat the whole house. Keep in mind if you have only one thermostat and it is in the heated area then you will want to open the doors to the closed off rooms so the heater will kick on. If this does not cause your heater to start you may need to raise the setting on the thermostat to above room temperature to get it to start.
2. Once the need for your supplemental fireplace heat has ended let your fireplace cool completely (this may be longer than 24 hours) before you clean your fireplace using your fireplace tools and prepare it for its next use.
There you have it. With some good preparation, the next time you have a power failure you will be prepared to use your fireplace to stay warm. Whether it is a few hours to over a week before you get power back on (depending on how wide spread the outage) if you have prepared properly you will have heat.
CAUTION!! Do not bring into your home or garage BBQs, gas fueled generators, or any other heat generating devices that are designed for outdoor use. People have died from the undetected gases given off by some of these devices. Please use caution and be safe when you lose your power and need heat.

Terri Young
terri.young@ToolsForFireplaces.com
Fireplace Tools at ToolsForFireplaces.com
Fireplace Tools, Fireplace Screens, Fireplace Accessories

Grandmas Guide To Raising Chickens

Grandma's Guide to raising backyard chickens (Grandma's series) was a free book at the time of this blog post. This is a guide for beginners who want to breed a few chickens for their backyard, be it for meat or eggs or both! We cover everything you need in the book :- * Buying chicks * Choosing which breed is best for you – depending on your needs * Building a correct size coop * Buying and making your own chicken feed * Emergency chick feed * Breeding * Rearing baby chicks * Dealing with problems and disease * Learning chicken behavior * Increasing egg yield * Keeping your chickens happy * Butchering and much much more

Potato Battery

I remember my dad doing something with a potato when i was a kid. Lit up a light bulb with it.

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/ideas/2013/12/a-potato-battery-can-light-up-a-room-for-over-a-month/

Winter Storm Warning!

We are under a winter storm warning. It has been raining all day and the temps have fallen fast. Prepared as well as can be. Plenty of food. Extra kerosene in case power goes out and have to pull out the kerosene heater. The local weatherman said to be prepared for power outages because of all of the ice that we will get on top of the ,maybe, 6 to 8 inches of snow!

Hope everyone is safe and prepared!

Keep warm!

Practical Prepping

,Practical Prepping: Be Ready For Disaster Without Driving Yourself Crazy Was a free book when this was written. ok Description Publication Date: June 5, 2013 People say that “you can never be too prepared” for a disaster – and while that is true, I do believe there is such a thing as over-preparation. If preparing for a possible disaster in the future significantly impairs your family’s quality of life today, you might need to reassess your priorities. Living in a constant state of terror and paranoia is not something I am particularly fond of. I’m not one of those people who has built such an incredible fortress for myself that I’m almost giddy about the idea of getting a chance to use it. If you find that lifestyle appealing, this guide is not for you. But you probably guessed that already from the title. I believe in practical preparation. Being smart and ready, but also being rational about the risks and rewards involved. In this mini-book I will seek to address some simple steps that everyone should take to stay prepared. ==================================== SOME TOPICS INCLUDE... + Building a "Ready Bag" (a.k.a. "Go" or "Bug Out" Bag) + Creating a Sensible Stockpile + Having a Basic Disaster Preparedness Plan + What if you have Children or Pets? + Prepping on a Tight Budget + BONUS: Canning and Preserving Food

Food Drying - How To Dry Vegetables

Food Drying vol. 2: How to Dry Vegetables was a free Kindle book when this post waswritten.

Book Description Publication Date: October 17, 2013 Are you looking to learn how to safely preserve vegetables by drying them? Food Drying vol. 2: How to Dry Vegetables covers exactly that, giving detailed information on how to prepare and dry more than 30 different vegetables. From artichoke hearts to zucchini, this handy guide has you covered. The following topics are covered in this vegetable drying guide: Why learning to dry vegetables is important, even in this day and age. The vegetable drying process: What happens to vegetables as they dry. How to pretreat vegetables by blanching them to prevent enzymatic browning. Drying trays. How to dry vegetables using the sun, your oven or an electric dehydrator. Conditioning and pasteurizing dried vegetables after drying is complete. How to safely store dried vegetables. The following vegetables are covered in-depth: Artichokes. Arugula. Asparagus. Beets. Bell peppers. Bok choy. Broccoli. Brussels sprouts. Cabbage. Carrots. Cauliflower. Celery. Chili peppers. Collard greens. Corn. Cucumbers. Eggplant. Garlic. Green beans. Lettuce. Kale. Mushrooms. Okra. Onions. Peas. Potatoes. Tomatoes. Zucchini. and more . . . Detailed drying information is provided for each vegetable type, including the following information: A brief description of the vegetable and its health benefits. How to select the best vegetables of that type for drying. How to prepare the vegetable for drying. How to blanch the vegetable, if necessary. The drying temperature range that works best. Approximate drying times for the oven, the dehydrator and sun-drying. How to tell when the vegetable is dry. Conditioning, pasteurizing and storing the dried vegetable. How to rehydrate the dried vegetable before use, if applicable. In addition to detailed instructions on preparing and drying vegetables, there are 20+ bonus recipes included. The following recipes are included in this helpful guide: Beet chips. Bell pepper paprika. Bok choy crisps. Dehydrated Sauerkraut Crisps. Dried carrot chips. Cauliflower crunch. Celery salt. Collard green crisps. Popcorn on the cob. Dried cucumber chips. Cucumber powder. Eggplant jerky. Cajun spiced green beans. Spicy kale chips. Kale powder. Dried pumpkin powder. Spinach chips. Spinach powder. Chard chips. Sun-dried tomatoes. Zucchini chips. Buy this book today and learn to preserve your harvest by drying vegetables.

Garden all year round

Month by Month Gardening Guide / Free Resource Guide Included was a free book when this post was written. A useful book to have in your Kindle survival library for becoming self-sufficient.

 Garden all year round. Month by month guide to large and small vegetable gardening to enjoy your garden year-round. Includes a valuable free Resource guide. 

Black Friday Sales Were Down

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/black_friday_2013_first_spending_decline_since_2009.html

I have never went shopping on black Friday. I usually am the one on Christmas Eve flying around looking for some kind of gift. I really am not surprised that sales on black Friday were down. Everyone I know and others that I have talked to just out have said they just don't have money this year to even get any Christmas, let alone go out and fight over tvs and games on black Friday. I know we are not going to be spending this year. We are having family at our house for Christmas - that is what is important!

Anyone who did fight over a tv or something else on black Friday, I'm not judging you, but is that really what is important in your life?

Increase The Heat Radiation Of Your Wood Stove

Increasing Heat Radiation...
You can improve the heating performance of your wood  stove by doing these simple things :
1. Keep the oven damper closed.  The stove's surface will heat up and radiate the heat out into the room.
2.  Place a large screen of crinkled up aluminum foil behind the stove to reflect the heat out in all directions.
3.  Place a long shallow metal container that is filled with sand under the stove. This will absorb heat and add extra warmth into the room.
4.  A small fan installed behind the stove will cause awesome circulation of heat. I have also seen fans that sit on top of a wood stove.
5.  Leave the stove door open to send out more heat.
These easy tips should help you keep warm!!

Food Storage Plan To Survive The Food Shortages In The Coming Economic Collapse

Food Storage Plan To Survive The Food Shortages In The Coming Economic Collapse
By Mike Kuykendall
If you want to know the best way to prepare for the economic collapse that is coming our way, then you need look no further than your pantry. History shows that when there is a currency crisis or a total economic collapse, then the price of food skyrockets.
While we are likely to experience food shortages and food riots with the economic collapse, by no means does that mean that the food in our country will suddenly disappear. There will still be plenty of food for everyone, but it will be scarce due to panic buying, hyperinflation and supply chain issues.
The fact is that the grocery stores rely on daily deliveries to keep the shelves stocked, and if there is a panic, the shelves can empty out in a matter of hours. The distribution centers can then resupply the stores, but every major city has only a three-day supply of food.
When inflation skyrockets and banks close and suppliers begin to worry about getting paid for their shipments if stores go bankrupt, then they slow down or stop their deliveries until things calm down. Unfortunately, that means fewer deliveries to stores just as panic buying has emptied them out.
The crisis actually feeds on itself and makes the food shortages a self-fulfilling prophecy. As soon as the stores are at the point where they are waiting for the trucks to make deliveries so they have something to sell, the sale prices stop and the regular prices climb.
These "food shortages" are eerily like the famines in Third World countries that have people starving while food from relief agencies is rotting on the docks after being unloaded from the ships. The corrupt governments won't allow the food to be distributed in certain areas, as that is where the "rebels" are in their civil wars, so starvation ensues.
Not that we will have a civil war here in the United States, but the principle is the same. Plenty of food, but just not being distributed. Only here, the problem will be one of economics instead of civil war.
So if we understand what is coming and how it will all shake out, what do we do to prepare for an economic collapse and food shortages?
The first thing is to approach your food storage plan with a sense of urgency. Each and every week when you do your grocery shopping, double up on all personal items and non-perishable goods. Do the same with frozen foods until your freezer can hold no more.
If you do this each and every week, then 8 weeks from now, you will have an extra two months' of food stored up. The advantage is that you will have done it slowly, and not gotten overwhelmed with it all at once and given up. You will have steadily built an insurance policy that will cost you absolutely nothing, as you will eventually eat all the food you purchased.
After you have, at a minimum, a two month supply of food, then you can turn your attention to stockpiling staples like wheat, oats, rice, beans and other long-term food storage items. These can be incorporated into your weekly menu one day each week so that you become familiar with how to cook from scratch using these food storage items.
Long-term food storage items like these are very inexpensive, can be obtained in #10 cans that are packed to have a 20 year shelf life, and are easily stockpiled to extend your "food insurance" to 12 months or more.
By the way, do you want to learn how to get started with an easy Food Storage plan? If so, download my free MP3 HERE.
And to learn what 5 things you should always have in your car to be prepared for any emergency, you can go HERE.
Mike Kuykendall, Prepping Consultant

How to Optimize Your Wood Stoves: 8 Great Ideas You Don't Want to Miss!

Wood stoves are back! And from the looks of it, they're going around for a long, long time!

Well, fair wood stoves have never been gone, actually. It's just that for many years their sales have seen a decline mainly due to emergence of gas or electric fireplaces. In recent years, however, their popularity has returned, gaining more followers than before, making wood stoves hot properties, literally and figuratively speaking.

 The return of wood stove popularity credited to escalating fuel bills. In the face of soaring gas prices and with economies all time low, people blamed for looking for ways to save a few extra dollars. And they found this in wood stoves whose main attraction is undeniably its financial benefit. It is now an acceptable low-cost home heating alternative to fireplaces. Aside from being energy-efficient it is also environmental-friendly. It doesn't hurt that it adds a charming look to your home interiors especially when placed with practical wood stove accessories. Speaking of accessories, here are 8 great ways to accessorize your wood stoves. Don't be fooled with the term,though. Despite being labeled as mere decorations, like fireplace accessories, they do more than just accentuate your interiors. Read on and find out.

 1. Ash Bucket- Probably the most practical and important stove accessory that you buy. It is very convenient when starting a fire, especially when you don't have much time to start fire from scratch. An ash bucket is where you put live embers or coal and keep them smoldering.

 2. Fire Starter- To prevent backlash which can severely injure you, avoid making use of kerosene or gasoline to start your fire. It is safer to use commercial fire starter.

3. Stove Gloves- Stove gloves are not your ordinary gloves. They are specially treated to withstand harsh condition particularly extreme heat. When buying a pair, a welder's set of gloves offers the most protection. Make sure that you get a pair that is long enough to protect not just your hands but also your arms. You need them when you have to place a new log inside your stove or if you need to grab a burning log and shift it around. Using your bare hands is not only extremely dangerous but is also known to potentially damage cells in your hands. It is wise to protect the part of your body that is unfavorable condition by wearing a proper gear like in this case, a pair of stove gloves.

 4. Cast iron cookware- One of the great features of a wood stove is that it provides you with a space to prepare and cook your food. It makes perfect sense if you get cooking cook wares made of cast iron since those meant for gas or electric stoves are far too flimsy. Nowadays you can get these set of cook wares in different shapes and sizes.

5. Log carriers and carts- These accessories make it more convenient for you to bring in fuel from the pile outside. If you just need a few, you can make use of a log carrier instead of staking them in your arms. Popular choices are those made of wicker. If you want a wicker basket or carrier, choose one that is the sturdiest and strongest. On the other hand, if you need to stock up a lot of fuel to last you through the long winter, a wood carrier comes in handy. It is sturdy enough to carry more woods than a log basket is capable of carrying.

 6. Log Holders and Rack- Once the pile of woods is inside, you need something to keep them off the ground or floor. This ensures that your woods stay dry and free from insects. A log holder or a rack is responsible for this task and at the same time provides a pleasing vision to your interior. If you get one, consider the space need for positioning, though.

7. Stove Thermometer- You can't afford to forget a stove thermometer. It helps you keep track of the temperature of your stove and at the very least keeps you safe in your own home. Monitoring the heat produced by your stove makes it possible for you to refrain from producing heat that is way more than you actually need. This enables you to conserve on fuel. Aside from your wall, thermometers can now be conveniently attached to your stove-pipe or your stove.

8. Tools- To guarantee that your wood stove is in perfect working condition, you need to get tools to help you keep your stove nice and clean. Basic tool set includes an ash shovel, a brush, a poker and a rake although stove tools are not limited to these four only. Aside from the few things you can do to make sure that your stove is clean and safe, it is also important to have it thoroughly inspected by a certified sweep at least once a year. Admittedly, investing in wood stoves doesn't come cheap. But with the proper care along with a few handy wood stove accessories, it will be a proven worthwhile investment which can last you a lifetime. Click here for Wood Stove Accessories and Stove Pipe.

Food Storage Recipe - Potato Pancakes

Yummy breakfast this morning. Had these with some leftover fried ham. Easy to make and everyone loves them.

Potato Pancakes

Vegetable oil

1 bag of thawed hashbrowns

4 eggs that are lightly beaten

1 cup pancake mix

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Heat up your large skillet that has been lightly coated with vegetable oil.  While that is warming up, combine everything in a large mixing bowl. Drop the mix by large spoonfuls into the skillet. Cook them until they are browned, flipping them once. Serve them hot. 

I Have Been Writing More On Here...

I hope that I haven't been over posting on here, but I got my Little Man a Zeepad 7'' Android a while ago for doing school work on , games and watching movies for school work. Well,I was looking around the Google Playstore one day and found a Blogger APP!! Now I can write a post, add photos, and such anytime I want to. So, when I get an idea for a post I can write it - AT THAT MOMENT. Which, is real good for me, because there have been so many times that I have had an idea and since I was not able to write the idea down, I totally forgot about it. This Zeepad 7'' Android was a lot cheaper in price than an Ipad or Kindle fire and works great. We have 2 of them now. We just love them. You can do anything on them and now I can keep my Blog up to date!