Self Sufficiency

Self Sufficiency is expensive when starting from scratch! Pricing generators, fencing for live stock, building materials, the tools for food preservation like dehydrators, pressure cookers, canning jars etc. adds up!

It can be overwhelming when you come from a family that stepped away from knowing how to live off the land for a few generations and has nothing to pass down to the next.

Well, were breaking that cycle of not having the tools to take care of yourself when the rest of the world goes nuts, prices go sky high and the leaders of this country seem that  they could care less.

I was given a pressure cooker (thank you Anna!!) and I've been investing in jars the last year or so as we could afford them. Took a class on using the pressure cooker so I wouldn't hurt myself and put up over 120 jars my first canning season. Hopefully we'll triple that this season with the addition of a real garden.

After much stress considering the best method given our rock laden soil and lack of expensive tools like tillers and tractors, God literally dropped the idea of straw bale gardening into my hubby's lap. We had a delivery of 40 Rye bales today and if we're successful then we'll go much bigger next year.

We're thinking about fencing for small livestock like pigs or lambs to add to our flock of chickens. We've been trying to price it all the way around to see if there would be any savings or at least to break even and have food if the grocer prices continue to climb.

The rapid rise of groceries the last few weeks really gives one something to think about. Hunting will definitely be something the boys will learn in season. We've learned we like venison ground like hamburger along with some other recipes we've tried.

The situation in the world today should make one stop and think. Just what would you do if you had to rely on yourself on to feed your family???? What if there was a natural disaster that left stores empty or unreachable?? We've seen time and time again the government fail to reach people in cases like this, for really long periods of time. What would you do if there were food shortages or if grocery or gas prices rose to unaffordable heights??

Something to think about..........