Come on in and Grab a Seat

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Well folks, I can hardly believe it. Our little blog is approaching its second anniversary.

It’s this time of year that I like to ask all you folks to Come on in and Grab a Seat, meaning we’d like to hear from you. You can share a little about yourself, your homestead or your dreams of starting a homestead, give as much or as little information as you’d like. Or, perhaps you’d like to make a suggestion for the blog – topics, projects, recipes, etc. This is a way for us to see who we are writing to, get to know you a little better and meet the needs of people who stop by to read what’s going on.

It’s also a way for all of you to connect with like-minded folks in your area. How cool would that be? The internet is great, but it keeps us indoors and disconnected a little too much. It’s a tool for networking and learning to be sure, but should not replace person-to-person communication and relationships. By saying hello here you might just find a new friend right in your town that has the same wants and desires and dreams as you. It may spark a new gardening club or potluck or meet up or someone to attend that sustainable farming lecture with.

So come on in, grab a seat and say hello.



3 Responses to “Come on in and Grab a Seat”

  1. Suburban Girl says:

    Hi there! —

    After following your blog almost since its inception, I believe I have made great progress.

    I grew my first (small) vegetable garden of heirloom seeds last summer. I learned a lot and this year will be expanding my garden and growing over 20 varieties of fruits and vegetables. I harvested seeds from my Fin-de-Bagnol French string beans last year and will be planting these seeds this coming spring.

    I still don’t raise my own meat (I’ve got only a 1/4-acre of land), but I have been more aware of the source of things I eat. Therefore, I’ve been buying meat grown locally by farmers I know. The chicken tastes so much more flavorful than store-bought. And I learned to cook rabbit which I got hooked on when I traveled to Italy almost 20 years ago.

    I’ve also started cooking from scratch more (a lot more!) to the point that now packaged foods and restaurant foods taste insipid, processed and uninteresting. No surprise there. Suburban homesteading has spoiled my tastebuds — now they only want the best!

    I got a bread machine from a friend and found super-easy recipes to make. Interestingly, the dense and hearty bread from my machine stays fresh-tasting for WEEKS, whereas the
    air-puffed, preservative-laden stuff from the grocery store used to turn moldy in a week or less. The same goes for my homegrown vegetables that have ripened prior to picking — they last and last in my refrigerator. Plus, I made pickled beets and other vegetable dishes that I store in my freezer for summer garden flavor in the middle of winter.

    I also got addicted to buying used household items that I need at thrift stores and garage sales and via online bargaining sites. I can’t believe the perfectly good, often brand-new merchandise that other people just cast-off after paying top-dollar for these items then hardly using them (if ever). Call it my own personal recycling program.

    It’s been a great year at this suburban homestead.

    Keep up the great blog! I love it.

  2. I just ran across your site – I was impressed with your chock-full freezer!

    I’m not new to gardening or to cooking at home, but I’m really working to push the envelope and become more self-sufficient. While I’m quite adept at gardening in my home state of California, I’m re-learning those skills since I find myself living in the tropics. Zucchini? It doesn’t grow here very well. (Can you imagine?)

    I’ve bookmarked you; I’ll be back!

  3. Author says:

    What – no zucks! I wouldn’t know how to handle a summer without the overflow Although, my friends might consider it a blessing:)

    Welcome aboard Kris!

    Living in the tropics certainly does put a new twist on the veggie patch, but just think about all the new things you can try that wouldn’t be suitable for CA.

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