Custom Built 1929 Ford Model “A” WOODY. This car was built by a company called Splinter Auto Works Inc., in Plymouth, Indiana.1.6 Ltr engine, automatic transmission. Comes with matching teardrop camper and a wooden steamer trunk on two wheels. The teardrop is custom made to match the Woody car. Sleeps two comfortably in full size mattress. Has cedar carry all on the roof and comes with two wooden paddles to make the teardrop look like it has wings just like the original teardrops had. How does it look ? Click on image for larger view….
If you are looking to keep your foods fresher longer – and who isn’t? – you need look no further than your freezer.
Freezing is an easy and convenient way to preserve food. By freezing leftovers and foods that will spoil before you use them, you can save money and reduce food waste.
As a general rule, you can keep fruits and vegetables in the freezer for up to a year, poultry for six to nine months, fish for three to six months, and ground meat for three to four months. Use resealable freezer bags or freezer-safe plastic containers and label them with the date of storage.
But you can freeze many more food items than you probably realized. Here is our top 16 list of foods you didn’t know you could freeze.
1. Garlic – You can freeze whole garlic, garlic cloves or chopped fresh garlic. Frozen garlic does lose some of its texture, but the flavor remains intact.
2. Corn – You can freeze fresh-picked corn on the cob for up to one year. Pack it in freezer bags — husk and silk and all. For store-bought corn, husk and blanch it before freezing.
3. Avocados – The bad news is that frozen avocados lose their consistency. The good news is that they do not lose their taste, so you can use them for guacamole or dressing. Wash and halve them before peeling. Freeze as halves, or puree them with lime or lemon juice and then store for up to eight months.
4. Mushrooms — You can freeze raw button, creminis and portabellas mushrooms for later use. Chop and slice mushrooms and then spread them on a cookie sheet. Freeze. Then transfer the pieces to bags or containers.
5. Onion – You can save chopping time – and tears – by freezing onion for cooking later. Store peeled, chopped onion in plastic freezer bags. The best part is you can just toss them into your recipes without thawing them first.
6. Hummus – Scoop your fresh hummus into plastic containers. Then drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on the top to keep it from drying out. Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before mixing and serving.
7. Bread and tortillas – You can easily freeze bread slices or loaves of bread and tortillas. If they are dry after thawing, just wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for a few seconds.
Image source: Pixabay.com
8. Chips – Potato and veggie chips can go stale quickly, so if you have extras on hand, try freezing them. They defrost quickly, but you may even like the taste of them straight out of the freezer.
9. Flour – Did you know that many bakers keep their flour in the freezer? It not only stays fresher longer, but it makes tastier baked goods as well.
10. Eggs without shells – Whether they are from your own chickens or whether you just got a good deal at the store, you don’t want to waste eggs. Did you know you could freeze eggs – just not in their shells? Crack them and scramble them. Then pour the liquid into cube trays and freeze. Next, remove the cubes and store them in freezer bags for up to six months.
11. Cooked rice and cooked pasta – You can safely freeze cooked rice and pasta in individual portions for later use in meals. When you are ready to prepare a meal, simply sprinkle the rice or pasta with a little water and then heat it in the microwave.
12. Chicken broth – You can freeze chicken broth for up to six months in the freezer. Be sure to use an airtight, freezer-safe container – not a can.
13. Pasta sauce and tomato paste – Did you only need a tablespoon of tomato paste or part of a jar of tomato sauce for that recipe? You can freeze the rest for later use. Just be sure to store it in a freezer-safe container – not a can.
14. Herbs – You can successfully freeze your fresh herbs in olive oil. Chop your herbs and place them in an ice cube tray. Then cover them with olive oil, allowing a little room at the top for expansion. You can transfer frozen cubes to a resalable bag. Then plop them right into soups and other recipes.
15. Cookie dough – It can save time to make a big batch of cookie dough at once, but you don’t save money if they go stale before anyone eats them. Your freezer can come to the rescue. Freeze homemade cookie dough in individual spoonfuls on a baking sheet. Freeze them and then transfer to a resealable bag for later use.
16. Fresh citrus – How many times have you only needed one slice of a lemon or lime? Did you know you could freeze the rest? Slice or section citrus fruits and place a piece of wax paper between each piece. Remove as many seeds as you can before freezing.
Now that you have some new ideas for freezing food, here are some basic rules to follow:
Most meats, dairy, and some vegetables should not be re-frozen after thawing.
Cool down cooked foods before freezing.
Wrap foods properly to avoid freezer burn.
Freezing retards bacterial growth but it does not kill bacterial growth.
Are there other foods you would add to our list? What freezing tips would you have included? Share them in the section below:
Let me start this out with a bit of a test for you. Try to answer the following questions:
The last time you stopped for gas, how many other cars were getting gas?
What color socks was your boss wearing today?
What did the people in front of you and behind you at the grocery line look like?
How many of your neighbors left this morning, before you did?
Were there any unusual cars parked on your street when you got home today?
If you can answer any of those questions, without it being pure guess work, you’re doing good. The truth is, though, that most of us can’t. We become used to the situations around us and then just stop noticing them. Then, when something new or different comes along, we don’t even recognize it for what it is.
Instead, we’re looking at our smartphones — checking email, texting friends, or posting pictures to Facebook.
“So, what?” you might say. “Who cares about my boss’s socks or the other people stopped in the same gas station?” If that’s your reaction, trust me, you’re not alone. Most of the adults on this planet would say more or less the same thing. But then, those same people would step on a land mine, without even realizing it until it went “boom.”
The thing is, not being aware of what’s going on around you can be deadly. Just about every dangerous situation we can find ourselves in has some sort of warning. But like the intelligence before the attack on Pearl Harbor, ignoring those warning signs can have grave consequences.
What we need is situational awareness. Situational awareness is nothing more than being aware of what is around you and what the people or things around you are doing. It is being so aware of your surroundings that when something changes, you notice it. It’s knowing what to expect, so that the unexpected stands out. More than anything, it’s seeing things that could be a threat, and analyzing that threat before it can manifest.
Without situational awareness, we’re more likely to get mugged, to get carjacked, to get pickpocketed.
I recently re-watched one of the Sherlock Holmes movies, starring Robert Downey, Jr. At one point in the story, his female companion asked him, “What do you see?” To which he responded, “Everything. That’s my curse. I see everything.” That’s part of what made Sherlock so successful. He saw things that others didn’t see. Had he been a real person, rather than just a character in a story, his situational awareness would have served him well.
Ask any soldier who has been in war, and they’ll tell you how important situational awareness is. Seeing things that can be a threat, before that threat manifests itself, can be the difference between life and death, especially in the close environment that is urban warfare.
Image source: Pixabay.com
But situational awareness goes totally against our nature. We are creatures of habit, and we normally go through life without noticing things around us. Few of us can remember details of what happened in the television shows we watched last night, let alone tell what the person in front of us ordered at our favorite coffee house. Thus, we’ll never be a Sherlock Homes and if we are ever put into a position where seeing is survival … we might not make it home.
Developing Situational Awareness
So if situational awareness is so important and is against our nature, how does one acquire it? What can we do, to make ourselves more aware of our surroundings, than we are today?
To start with, we must make a decision to become more aware — not a wishy-washy decision, but a firm one. That, in and of itself, will make a huge difference, simply because we’ll be thinking about the need to be aware. We’ll open our eyes and start looking around us, just because we know that we should.
Still, that isn’t enough. It’s just a start. Building situational awareness requires practice. We’ve got to train our mind to pay attention to what our eyes are seeing. So, we need to develop a series of exercises, which will help us to see. Things like:
Make a habit of knowing how many people are within 100 feet of you, where they are and what they are doing.
Count the number of cars of a particular color as you drive somewhere.
Look at what a co-worker wears to work every day and try to remember it. See how many days’ worth of attire you can recall, and if you can recall the last time they wore a particular shirt or outfit.
Learn what cars your neighbors drive. Then, make it a habit to look for new or different cars, every time you step out of your home. Look for patterns, to see if certain cars show up at certain times.
Once you are more aware, it’s time to start putting that awareness to use. Start looking at people to see what they are doing and try to evaluate how much of a threat they are. Use a scale from one to 10, with one being no threat at all and 10 meaning it’s time to draw a gun to protect yourself. Rate each person, even if there are many people around you. Then, keep track of those with a higher score, updating your score as you go.
Ultimately, that’s what situational awareness is all about — finding threats. Once it becomes a habit, it will help you in countless ways.
What advice would you add on becoming more situationally aware? Share your tips in the section below:
Looking for the right dog to help you outside and take advantage of a large, spacious backyard? Here are the top working dog breeds perfect for country living.
Some dogs are built for long days working with you in the field, running or hiking around your vast backyard. If you’re looking for the right working dog for country living, consider one of these five breeds that are proven perfect for living in the country.
Top Working Dog Breeds For Country Living [Infographic]
Dogs offer more than just companionship. The possible benefits of having a dog in your home are virtually endless. If you already have a dog in your home, I’m pretty sure you are well aware what joy your furry friend brings. As I was watching my two dogs frolic in my yard this morning, I thought, as I frequently do, how thankful I am to have them. I love the company of my dogs who are not just a part of my family, but also offer a great help in maintaining my homestead.
There are so many exquisite dog breeds today that it can be difficult for first-time owners to choose the right one. If you live in a rural area and are generous enough to share your life and home with a canine friend, there are specific breeds perfect for country living. Choose well and make sure your dog will not just become a plain working dog in your home but a part of your family.
Kudos to the guys of TractorSupply.com who came up with this impressive infographic that will let you know what the best working dog breeds for country living. Check it out below.
Known for its loyalty and affection, this breed may be small, but it’s a natural-born herder and can easily nip its way around horses, cattle or goats.
Great Pyrenees
With a natural guardian instinct, this breed is nocturnal and aggressive with any flock predators, yet gentle with young animals and children.
Ideal for herding sheep or driving cattle over long distances and across rough terrain, this breed is energetic and intelligent, with an independent streak.
This small breed loves open spaces, along with running and digging. They make great hunting companions, as well as catching vermin around the house or barn.
Dogs are truly the man’s best-friend! They are a worthy companion in every home but remember just like humans they also need that tender loving care, so choose the best breed that will suit your lifestyles.
Did you find this helpful and interesting? Which working dog is best for your country living? Let me know in the comments below.
You probably already know all those projects that show you how to convert a van into an off-grid camper. But what about projects that teach you how to do this in a short period of time? Here is a success story, of someone who managed to turn a van into an off-grid camper in just 17 days. This camper includes a comfy fixed bed, kitchen units and lots of clever storage spaces. The entire camper is powered by solar power, so the owner can make use of an off-grid energy source to power the camper and its features. To learn more about this small but complex van turned into an off-grid camper, watch the video below…
Water is one of those commodities that many people take for granted. Like electricity or natural gas, a lot of us are accustomed simply to flipping a switch or turning a knob or lifting a handle, and there it is. It may be that we have not had occasion even to wonder about the manner in which it traveled from its source to our homes. It is provided by a municipal or for-profit entity, and all we have to do is pay the bill.
In most truly rural locations, people are on their own for water. Typically, that means having a private well. If you have never had to be responsible for water accession, the idea of doing so can be a little daunting.
If having a private well is new to you, following are a few basic facts about owning one that might be helpful to know before you take up homesteading or country life.
1. It is possible for a well to run dry. While there are different well-drilling technologies, different climates, and different demands for water, no well is completely infallible. When that happens, homesteaders are likely to be on their own. When piped-in water fails, the onus is upon the water company to rectify the problem. When a private well fails, it is the owner’s problem.
That said, it is uncommon for good quality wells to fail or run dry. Wells which are shallow, dug (as opposed to drilled), makeshift, poorly sited, or located in an arid climate are more likely to have problems than those which are deeper, professionally drilled, or in an area with a high underground water table and ample rainfall.
2. Well water is not tested unless the owner tests it. Again, in this age of having certain aspects taken care of for us by experts, it is easy to forget that rural living does not include all the same benefits. Out in the country, the only way we know what is in our water is to have it tested.
In my region, the process is simple and inexpensive. It amounts to picking up small plastic jars from a nearby commercial laboratory, following instructions for filling them at the kitchen faucet, and returning them to the lab. If you are unsure how to proceed where you live, ask your county cooperative extension, your municipal office, a state official or even a professional realtor.
3. Water can be contaminated by fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or naturally occurring substances. Residue from a myriad of sources, from commercial crops to livestock to landfills to your own landscaping practices, can seep into groundwater. In addition to external contaminants, geology can play a large role in water quality. Toxins such as arsenic and radon are common in my region, and homeowners need to be diligent in determining levels of dangerous elements in their well water.
Many toxins are treatable. Some are as easy as adding chlorine, and others require extensive mitigation equipment.
If you are purchasing a property with an existing well, be sure to test the water before you buy the property. If you are planning to build a well on property you already own, have the water evaluated as you proceed.
4. Additives are not present in well water unless the owner adds them. This can be both a benefit and a drawback to having your own private water source. You can control any chlorine or other chemical elements in your water, but you do not have the advantage of having what many consider to be beneficial additives. Some dental professionals say that children raised in impoverished rural areas have two strikes against them—not only the reduced access to dental care, but the lack of fluoride in drinking water. Other science suggests fluoride treatment is more of a risk than a benefit. The takeaway is simply this: Make sure you know what you are and are not getting in your water, and if there is something of value missing, be proactive about attaining it elsewhere.
Image source: Pixabay.com
5. The cost of creating a well depends greatly. Primarily, it rests upon the type of soil, the presence or not of ledge below the surface, and the type of well that is best for your geography. For example, a high water table — meaning that underground water stays close to the surface — and soft sandy soil can mean that a simple point well can serve nicely. These conditions are also more conducive to dug wells than are harder soils with a higher concentration of clay and ledge. For the latter, a well probably needs to be drilled with professional equipment, especially if the best reliable source of water lies deep below the surface.
6. Do not forget codes and regulations. Many areas have strict codes regarding the location and type of wells which can be created. You may or may not need a permit for your well. Check with your local authorities before you start to dig.
7. Well water travels from the well to your faucet by way of a pump. Homesteaders who are on the grid often use an electric well pump, which can be situated either inside the well itself or closer to the interior plumbing of the home. In-well pumps are more labor intensive and often more costly to install, while interior pumps are noisier. Interior pumps cost more to run, as well, since the act of pulling water takes more energy than pushing it.
If you have an electric pump, you will lose the ability to draw water when the power goes out. If this is your situation, it is important to keep ample water on hand for possible outages. It is a good idea to keep a supply of clean water in sterile glass jars for human consumption, and larger amounts of water in plastic barrels for flushing.
Having a hand pump on your well, as either a primary pump or for use in emergencies—is an even better idea. If you can afford to add one to your existing pump setup, you are likely to someday be glad you did.
As an aside, not all rural water supplies rely upon a well at all. Some homesteaders and off-gridders successfully use nature’s power to provide them with water, utilizing such resources as rainwater, natural springs or other water bodies and harnessing gravity to move the water to where they need it. If you can get reliable water year-round without a well, go for it!
Among the many positive aspects of having your own well is the fact that you are not in danger of suffering from someone else’s bad decisions. You can be in charge of making sure there is no lead in your pipes and no contaminants in your groundwater. On the other hand, when something does go awry, it is your responsibility to correct it. But until something happens, there are no monthly bills for water, no unwanted chemicals, and often a far better taste. Once you become accustomed to the unique rewards and responsibilities of having your own well water, you will likely agree that living with a private well is worth what it takes to do it right.
What would you add to our list? Share your well water tips in the section below:
Do you have a favorite t-shirt that looks kind of old and blank? Instead of throwing it away why not transform it into a new statement piece? You can easily transform your favorite shirt into a side gathered shirt that will match a lot of your clothes. You don’t need to be a professional designer for this project, as you can simply use some elastic thread and basic sewing skills. The end result will be a shirt that you can wear to work, school and even a hip party at a club. To learn more about this project, the supplies needed and the steps to make a side gathered shirt, visit the link below for details and pictures.
Looking for some cold weather hacks to make it through the winter? Warm up with these ingenious ideas. Being too cold for winter is a thing of the past with these life hacks. From insulation to mittens, you’ll find an idea that will have you feeling warm in no time!
36 Cold Weather Hacks to Keep You Cozy This Winter
If winter weather is getting you down, try out these cold weather hacks to keep you nice and toasty even during the coldest winter storms. Repurpose things on hand or find super cheap items to use for these winter hacks. Learn how to de-ice your car and outdoor steps naturally, keep the chill out of your home with household items, and other little tips and trick to keep you warm and cozy this season.
Use these old tips and new techniques to keep warm and safe during the cold.
Don’t let frosty air get inside your house by using pipe insulation to fill in the gaps. It’s so easy I keep on wondering why I didn’t think about it first. Instructions here.
Use ‘dead’ alkaline batteries’ last bit of energy as a hand warmer. Create this awesome low powered hand warmer with this tutorial. Don’t forget to take note of the safety warnings!
This may seem like a no brainer, but sometimes even we homesteaders forget to try the simplest things first! Utilizing natural energy is the cheapest way to keep warm during winter.
If your house heater is a wall-mounted heater or radiator, put a layer of tinfoil against the wall to help reflect the heat back into the room. Be careful not to use anything else that would be a fire hazard!
8. Open the oven door after baking your Christmas goodies
Better yet, make thermal curtains! Thermal curtains are energy-efficient window shades that insulate against the cold around your windows. Get full tutorial here.
Make this easy DIY wool insoles for toasty toes all throughout winter. You won’t have to worry about getting frostbite or cold feet again. Not unless you’re getting married. lol
It’s hard to heat up a room if all the doors and windows are open, right? Use the same concept with this cold weather hack. If your whole family’s just staying in just one room, close everything else up.
By facing east, the sun will melt the frost and do a lot of your snow removal work for you. That’s letting Mother Nature take care of you.
18. Waterproof your socks by putting a sandwich bag over them
image via www.tn.loljam.com
I bet I’m not the only one who hates the feeling of having wet socks. This hack will take care of it. Who knows you may even try this idea even if it’s not winter.
Now that you know how to properly use your shovel, here’s another one. Sweep light snow away with a broom rather than a shovel. Why? It will be less the effort and the broom will also ensure you get all the light snow.
22. Place a double layer of tin foil across the bottom of a fireplace or wood grate before lighting a fire
If you run out of salt but need to de-freeze your steps or driveway, mix together one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and half a gallon of hot water, and pour over sidewalks and driveways to melt ice.
Orange peels are great fire starters due to the oil in the orange’s skin. To use, dry its peels on a sheet pan and toss them in a paper bag, with a silica packet to maintain freshness.
Locks can freeze during winter too. Ensure you won’t get locked out by doing this little trick with your lock and key.
28. Fight off common winter cold and flu bouts the natural (and frugal) way
Don’t go to the pharmacy just yet. Get to know some effective remedies for cold and flu from this list. They’re all natural and won’t even break the bank.
29. Keep warm with a cup of delicious hot chocolate
Anyone who has ever tried to use their bike in the winter will tell you the snow can be very slippery that’s why they sometimes just don’t use it at all. You don’t have to do the same with this winter hack.
31. Maximize the use of your water after you shower
Don’t let your warm bath water go down the drain. Keep the water in the tub until it becomes room temperature to keep your place warm and add much-needed humidity.
32. Light up some candles to add add heat while cutting down the electric bill of your house
Need more winter life hacks? Get more here from HouseholdHacker!
Keeping warm and toasty this winter doesn’t take a lot of money and effort. With these cold weather hacks, you’ll have a better time at home or at the road. Just keep these tips and tricks in mind and if you have some time, go ahead and get started with the DIY projects!
Do you have any other cold weather hacks you’d like to share? Leave them below in the comments!
