Tuesday, 31 October 2017

Make Your Own Macrame Curtain

The blog post Make Your Own Macrame Curtain Read more on: http://ift.tt/1Qfw8v0

Here’s an easy and cute DIY project for your home. This new tutorial made by Steffido is about how to make your Macrame Curtain using T-shirt yarn. Check out how to easily make your own DIY Macrame Curtains.

What You Need:

Trapillo

Glue Gun Kit for DIY Projects

Wooden rod or dowel

Here’s how she made it.

Macrame Curtain using T-shirt yarn by Steffido

If you don’t have time for a DIY Project, here you find to buy them.

Find it HERE…

This Article Was Originally Posted on goodshomedesign.com Read The Original Article here

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7 Reasons Canning Food Is Better Than Freezing Food

7 Reasons Canning Food Is Better Than Freezing Food is courtesy of http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

Image source: Pixabay.com

There are plenty of reasons why people prefer one food preservation method over. But individual choices aside, here are some compelling arguments why canning is better than freezing and other methods, followed by a few notable exceptions.

1. Flexible storage space. When you freeze your harvest, you are essentially using a big box to store your food. And when the box is full, it’s full. The sides won’t stretch and you can’t—or at least shouldn’t—sit on the top and squeeze it shut like an overfull suitcase. When your food is canned, however, you can almost always find a space to store a few more jars … and then a few more. When the pantry is full, there’s probably room for a row of jelly jars behind the cereal boxes or in the cabinet over top of the refrigerator. And when there’s no more room in the kitchen, jars can be tucked into a box under the bed in the guest room or even on temporary shelves behind a living room chair.

2. Storage without power. Canning food is an obvious first choice for people living off-grid. While freezers are do-able off-grid, the cost and hassle is often higher and space is therefore at a premium. Even homes which are hooked to the grid know that it’s not 100 percent certain all the time. Outages due to storms or accidents can happen anywhere and anytime. Although full chest freezers can maintain integrity without power for many hours, outages are still cause for concern. When a homestead harvest is preserved in jars, there’s no worry about losing food when the lights go out. And either way, buying and running a freezer costs money — and pantry shelves don’t.

3. Ease of use. We’ve all been there, realizing at the last minute that we forgot to take a crucial ingredient out of the freezer in time for it to thaw. Or remembering to retrieve the item and finding ourselves pawing through dozens of packages of what we don’t want to find the one thing we need.

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Rehydrating dried foods takes some time and effort, too. And even when food comes whole from the root cellar, it still usually needs to be peeled, trimmed and seeded. When food is canned, none of that is an issue. Grab a jar, pop the top, and done.

4. Better quality and taste. Certain canned foods are superior to their frozen counterparts. Many people prefer the taste and texture of canned green beans to any other. Others are swept off their feet by the intense smell of canned meats. And some homemade foods—such as potatoes, chutney, ketchup or jam—just do not freeze with results that satisfy everyone. Dehydrated vegetables often lack palatability compared to canned ones. For those times when canning yields the best results, it’s the only way to go.

5. Less waste. Many people use zip-top freezer bags to freeze foods. Bags are often my go-to because they use less space than freezer containers. I wash mine out and reuse them, but the zip-tops wear out quickly. Canning jars last for years and can be reused dozens of times.

6. Processed without electricity. Canning is not the only option when it comes to off-grid processing, but it is easily done on a gas burner. Depending upon the climate where you live, creating dried foods can be limited without an electric dehydrator.

7. Keeps well. Technically, home-canned goods should be consumed within a year. But that can be fudged a little, or a lot, depending upon how picky you are. One drawback for root-cellar storage is that their useable lifespan is shorter than other methods. Frozen and dehydrated foods can deteriorate quickly, too. But food in jars has a good shelf life.

It is true that certain foods yield a better result when preserved in a way other than canning. Broccoli and cauliflower are not considered can-able. Bread, cake and cheese are not safe for canning. Neither are pureed foods such as squash or pesto. Foods such as greens and corn can be canned, but they are so labor- and time-intensive that many folks opt for freezing. Firm berries can nicely but yield a different end-result than freezing or drying, so the ideal way to preserve a bountiful berry harvest would ideally use some of each method.

Overall, canning is a great option for preserving the harvest. It can be done without electricity, yields high-quality and long-lasting results, and minimizes material waste.

Do you agree or disagree? Share your thoughts in the section below:

This Article Was Originally Posted On offthegridnews.com Read the Original Article here

Article Source Here: 7 Reasons Canning Food Is Better Than Freezing Food

Double-decker transformed into a mini traveling hotel

Double-decker transformed into a mini traveling hotel Find more on: http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

A bright green bus with 600,000 miles on the clock has been saved from the scrapyard – and turned into a holiday cottage. The 31-year-old double decker boasts two double bedrooms, carpets, sofas, a kitchen, idyllic country views and even a log-burning stove in a creation reminiscent of the 1963 hit film Summer Holiday. What do you think?

The Big Green Bus now lives on a campsite in Wealden, East Sussex. Its creator, carpenter Adam Collier-Woods, 42, said: ‘The whole project is one massive recycling exercise. I saved it from a horrible death’

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check out the full article Here: Double-decker transformed into a mini traveling hotel

41 Days Later, Puerto Rico Is Still Without Electricity

41 Days Later, Puerto Rico Is Still Without Electricity is available on Total Survival

DoD photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Joshua L. DeMotts

Most Puerto Ricans will be without electricity for the foreseeable future after a controversial contract to rebuild the island’s power grid was cancelled.

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) on Sunday cancelled a $300 million contract to rebuild the grid after officials discovered that the contractor, Whitefish Energy, lacked the resources to do the job. It was hoped that Whitefish would quickly get the power grid back up and running. But now PREPA is back to square one.

It has been more than a month – 41 days exactly — since Hurricane Maria hit the island on Sept. 20.

“Some stores, medical centers, restaurants and a fortunate few private residences are running on generators, but most of the island’s 3.4 million people are plunged into darkness after sunset,” The New York Times reported.

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PREPA is running at only 30 percent capacity, but it isn’t known how many of the island’s citizens are without power. Estimates range as high as 80 percent or more. The contract was hurriedly signed as Maria was heading toward the island.

“Nestled down a long gravel driveway in Whitefish is a one-story wooden house that is the home of Whitefish Energy,” CBS News reported from the small town of Whitefish, Mont. on Friday. “This tiny energy company has only two full-time employees. … Whitefish has never worked on a project of this size.”

A major critic of Whitefish is journalist Ken Klippenstein, who obtained a copy of the contract and noted a number of unusual provisions, CNBC reported. One clause actually barred the government from auditing Whitefish.

Also not amused by the contract was President Trump, who was drawn into the mess because Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s home is Whitefish, Mont. CNBC reported that Zinke’s son had a summer job working for Whitefish CEO Andy Techmanski.

“I had absolutely nothing to do with Whitefish Energy receiving a contract in Puerto Rico. I welcome all investigations into the allegations,” Zinke tweeted on Friday.

Do you think your state is prepared for such a crisis? Share your thoughts in the section below:

This Article Was Originally Posted On offthegridnews.com Read the Original Article here

Original Post Here: 41 Days Later, Puerto Rico Is Still Without Electricity

Ready To Brawl | 5 Doomsday Defense Mods For Your ATV

The blog post Ready To Brawl | 5 Doomsday Defense Mods For Your ATV is courtesy of http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

These doomsday defense modifications can transform your ATV into a badass post-apocalyptic vehicle. Read on and find out the things you need to install on your quads to make them ready to brawl!

Doomsday Defense: Build the Ultimate Battle Quad

Almost every vehicle can be modified to be more useful when the inevitable doomsday occurs. However, one of the most popular picks for a post-apocalyptic vehicle is an ATV. They are quick, fuel efficient, and perfect for tackling tight, rough terrain. However, a regular ATV may not be enough to protect you from the perils of the last days. To fight your way out of a chaotic scenario and increase your odds of survival, here are some doomsday defense mods for your ATV.

1. Gun Mount

Gun Mount | Ready To Brawl | Doomsday Defense Mods For Your ATV
One of the most important doomsday defense modifications for your ATV is to install a gun mount. You want your guns to be accessible and ready to go anytime when doomsday arrives. Gun mounts will stabilize your weapon. That way, it won’t fall when you’re chasing a perpetrator or shooting at a crowd of zombies. You can build your own gun mount, or you can fit heavy-duty ATV V-Grips or gun racks to securely hold your guns.

2. Roll Cage

Roll Cage | Ready To Brawl | Doomsday Defense Mods For Your ATV
The primary function of a roll cage is for safety, but it also works great for other things. For instance, it can provide you more room to install your guns. In some cases, it’s even an ideal spot to mount your bazooka. Other than that, it serves as extra space if you want to add more lights, so you can more easily spot and shoot intruders in the dark.

We all grieve in different ways, but we all grieve. How to Deal With The 5 Stages Of Grief After TSHTF https://t.co/g6CLNmY0tp

— Survival Life (@SurvivalLF) September 28, 2017

3. Spikes and Horns

Spikes and Horns | Ready To Brawl | Doomsday Defense Mods For Your ATV
In a doomsday scenario, there could be bad guys or flesh-hungry cadavers that want to jump onto your ride. Adding spikes all over your quad can ward off your enemies, as well as any enemy vehicles. The easiest way to do it is to weld pieces of rebar to the rig. Furthermore, you can attach antlers or bullhorns at the front of your ATV. This will not only give the ride character, but it can also impale those who get in your way.

4. Steel Racks

Steel Racks | Ready To Brawl | Doomsday Defense Mods For Your ATV
You need a place to store spare gears and ammo. That’s where a rack comes in. Install a durable rack at the back of your ATV. However, make sure it is light enough, so it won’t bog down your vehicle’s power. Boosting your ATV’s carrying capacity is vital when doomsday comes, because you will need all the survival gear, ammo, and different kinds of weaponry you can get your hands on.

5. Non-Pneumatic Tires

Non-Pneumatic Tires | Ready To Brawl | Doomsday Defense Mods For Your ATV
Another cool thing you can add to your doomsday quad is non-pneumatic tires. These tires are built to withstand combat level damage without jeopardizing mobility and functionality. They work like ordinary tires that can absorb terrain and impacts, but you don’t have to worry about flats, cuts, rips or tears. With these tires, you can keep going for hundreds of miles, even if they’re hit by something as large as a railroad spike or a .50 caliber round.

Looking for more doomsday defense modification ideas? Watch this video from Mighty Car Mods and find out how to build a zombie-proof car!

Transportation is crucial in a SHTF situation. When you need to escape an impending terror attack or a siege of cannibal corpses, having the right kind of vehicle is necessary to reach a safer location. An ATV is arguably one of the best means of transportation during these times. However, there are still changes you need to do to outlast the challenges the day of reckoning throws at you. Modify your ATV to become a bad-to-the-bone doomsday defense vehicle, and you ensure your safety against anyone or anything that will get in the way of your survival.

Do you know other doomsday defense mods for an ATV? Share them with us in the comments below!

UP NEXT: Brutal and Beastly: 13 BADASS Bug Out Vehicles!

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Alpine Village Log Cabin

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Alpine Village is the ideal place to get lost and spend a relaxing week. Thanks to its middle of the woods location and closeness to the Canadian Rockies, a stress-free time is guaranteed here. Alpine Village is comprised of 48 large cabins, all surrounded by an amazing pine forest and an incredible view.

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5 Reasons To Add A Red Dot To Your Rifle

The following blog post 5 Reasons To Add A Red Dot To Your Rifle was originally seen on http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

TruGlo red dot. Photo by Eve Flanigan.

Iron sights are standard equipment on most entry-level AR-15 rifles and other firearms. There’s a lot to like about iron sights—they generally adjust for windage (rear sight) and elevation (front sight) easily and quickly, they’re durable, and learning to use them properly goes a long way in developing competence as a marksman.

Practical as they are, though, irons have limitations. Here are five reasons to consider adding a red dot to your AR:

1. Faster target acquisition

Shoulder the rifle, put the dot on target, bang. There’s no rear/front sight alignment, no mental bandwidth expended reminding oneself to focus on the front sight when our natural inclination is to look at the target. This is the greatest advantage of a red dot.

There are still purists who scoff as this concept, saying it’s the cheater’s version of an age-old skill, and reminding red dot users that someday, that battery could die at an inconvenient moment. To them I’d say yes, both these things are true, along with suggesting one of the many sights on the market that allow the user to co-witness, meaning using the irons with the electronic sight attached. Thus, a common moniker for irons is BUIS, or backup iron sights.

2. Better accuracy at distance

Along with enhanced speed at finding the target, the properly zeroed red nearly eliminates doubt as to where to aim at longer-distance targets. Whereas there’s a window of judgment regarding the position of the front sight within the rear when viewing a target through BUIS, most red dots offer a precise point of aim. Of course, there’s a point when distance shooting requires a magnifying scope and use of a reticle. But for distances up to around 200 yards, and even larger targets at longer distances, the basic, non-magnifying red dot makes an ideal shooter’s helper.

3. Compensates for eye limitations

Many shooters find it a challenge to focus on the front sight once the AR is on target, either because it’s too tempting to focus on the target or physical limitations within the eye itself which prevent objects around arm’s length from being in focus. This is often an unwelcome development in shooters, whose eyesight is undergoing age-related changes.

You Don’t Need A Firearms License For This Weapon!

Using a red dot is simple and can often reduce or eliminate psychological or physical barriers to proper aim. While a non-magnifying unit can’t make small targets appear bigger, these sights can enhance a shooter’s confidence in aiming at small targets. Many models even lend themselves to an additional optical accessory that magnifies. That advantage is not without costs in addition to the literal sense of the word. Generally, these dual accessories will consume the “rail estate” the rear iron sight occupies, and visual distortions can occur in some conditions or distances.

4. Easier shooting in dim-light conditions

Red dot optics are not capable of casting light onto a target. However, they outshine plain black BUIS in making the point of aim clear when ambient light is scarce. Since most defensive encounters and varmint hunting doesn’t occur in broad daylight, a red dot can expand the hours of your AR’s usefulness.

A sight with adjustable brightness can really prove its value in being able to move from daylight to darker conditions. A quality red dot optic will allow the user to choose among several brightness settings.

5. More good choices at entry-level prices than ever before.

For years, the electronic sight market was crowded at the far ends of expense—and price was almost always commensurate with quality. It’s pretty much still a guarantee that the $60 sight/mount combo on Ebay won’t hold zero and won’t satisfy the need for accuracy that any responsible shooter holds dear. Today, a wide range of choices are available that can provide years of service and good accuracy. Two examples that come to mind are the Bushnell Enrage, currently available at less than $150 including complete mounting equipment. Or try the feature-laden Lucid Optics HD7 for under $300.

Of course, there are premium optics and mounting gear out there, too. I’ve spent time behind bargain-basement optics, upgraded bargains like the ones mentioned above, as well as setups that cost in excess of $700. All in the latter two classes delivered performance that allowed me to put rounds where I wanted them to go, within a reasonable distance.

Get Training

Having a new accessory like a red dot doesn’t make anyone an expert shooter. Understanding a proper zero for your anticipated engagements, and knowing the mechanical offset effect of your bore/optic is a necessary part of responsible AR red dot operation. Get good training and practice regularly.

What do you think about red dots? Share your thoughts in the section below:

This Article Was Originally Posted On offthegridnews.com Read the Original Article here

Learn More Here: 5 Reasons To Add A Red Dot To Your Rifle

Monday, 30 October 2017

How to Turn an Old Dresser Into a Cool TV Stand

The following article How to Turn an Old Dresser Into a Cool TV Stand See more on: Total Survival

If you have an old dresser you don’t want to throw away, here’s a creative method to repurpose it usefully. Turning a dresser into a TV console with less than $100 is something this DIY project promises to deliver. Not to mention that a solution like this will have a positive impact on the interior design

This Article Was Originally Posted on goodshomedesign.com Read The Original Article here

Learn More Here: How to Turn an Old Dresser Into a Cool TV Stand

10 Essential Homesteading Items You Better Stockpile For Winter

The following blog post 10 Essential Homesteading Items You Better Stockpile For Winter was first published on http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

Image source: Pixabay.com

No. 1. Full tank of heating fuel or plenty of wood

Unless you depend on solar or geothermal heat, you need to plan for a full tank of fuel and an alternate heat source. Many homes in the northeast heat with oil or propane gas, and some with electricity. Homes in other areas typically heat with wood stoves, natural gas or electricity. A full tank of heating fuel should carry you over in a storm when trucks might not be able to get to you as easily. If you depend on deliveries or you buy from another source, don’t be caught in a storm with a low fuel tank or too little wood.

No. 2. Alternate heat source

Without a generator, oil or propane furnaces and boilers will not work in the event the electricity goes out. You need a way not only to keep yourself warm but you also need a way to keep any water pipes in the home from freezing.

Get Free Backup Electricity — That Works Even During Blackouts!

In the northeast, many people have oil as our primary heat source and use wood as our alternate heat source. Another alternate heat source is a kerosene-fueled heater, with a container of kerosene (typically blue in color to identify the fuel type). Propane-fueled heaters are also available. Never use a heating source that is meant to be used outdoors in a home. Carbon monoxide fumes are a very real risk and can be easily fatal.

No. 3. Wet-dry vacuum

If the water in a pipe freezes, it expands and splits the pipe or the welds. When the frozen water in a pipe eventually thaws, it drips and then it pours. We came home once to the ceiling pouring water as if it were raining in the house due to a frozen-and-now thawed pipe. It froze not due to a heating issue in the house, but the pipe wasn’t well insulated from the cold, and the outside temperature had dropped to below zero. A wet-dry vac was essential for the cleanup.

Nos. 4-7: Warm blankets, warm clothes, warm shoes, and hand-warmers.

In cold climates, you need to stockpile a warm blanket and warm clothes at home – and in your vehicle. With heated cars, many of us may not wear shoes and clothes suited for cold weather on quick trips. A blanket, water-resistant walking shoes and/or sturdy boots, mittens, hat, sweatshirt and hand warmers are good items to stash or stockpile in your car. If you get stranded on an errand or stranded at work, you will still have the ability to stay warm and walk home if necessary. Hand warmers are small packets you activate by bending or crushing. Hunters and skiers typically use them in mittens or boots.

Nos. 8-10: Sand, shovels and a way to clear your driveway

In cold climate driving, you need a supply of sand for traction on ice, a snow shovel, and a way to clear your driveway. Self-sufficient drivers in cold climates don’t usually need to call AAA. Winter tires help (not all season, but winter-specific tires). A supply of sand in the garage and the vehicle trunk, and a snow shovel for the car and the garage are necessary items, too.

You’ll also typically need a snow plow or snow blower to clear your driveway. If you don’t have your own plow, line up a plow driver to clear your drive before cold weather hits, and make an arrangement with them to clear your drive during snowstorms.

Finally, Don’t Forget the Obvious

Do you have a way to cook if the power goes out? While it’s not absolutely necessary to be able to heat or cook warm food, it’s nice in cold weather to be able to eat hot foods. Who wouldn’t want some hot cocoa? Plan for an alternate way to cook, whether by a wood stove (you’ll probably need cast iron cookware) or by having an outside grill fueled by wood or propane gas.

Stay warm and stay safe!

What would you add to our list? Share your tips in the section below:

This Article Was Originally Posted On offthegridnews.com Read the Original Article here

See Full Article Here: 10 Essential Homesteading Items You Better Stockpile For Winter

Art of Concealment | How To Make A Camouflage Suit

Art of Concealment | How To Make A Camouflage Suit is republished from Total Survival

A perfect camouflage suit will let you seamlessly blend with your surroundings. Even though you can buy camo and ghillie suits from supply stores, making your own will save you money and allow you to customize it.

Camouflage: This Ghillie Suit Will Keep You Hidden

The primary role of ghillie suits is to disguise you and keep you hidden in plain sight. Hardcore hunters, snipers, undercover surveillants, and airsoft enthusiasts use camouflage to make them invisible to their targets and allow them to move freely without difficulty. Also, wearing camouflage plays a major role in escaping dangerous and life-threatening situations. With all this in mind, if you want your own ghillie suit, put those hands to work and follow these steps to make a camo suit!

What You’ll Need:

  • Burlap (big enough to wrap your whole body)
  • Camouflage jacket and pants/coverall
  • Camouflage hat
  • Fabric Dyes (color should match your surroundings)
  • Netting (volleyball net or a fishing net)
  • Shoe glue

Step 1: Add the Netting

Step 1- Add the Netting | Art of Concealment | How To Make A Camouflage Suit
Lay the camouflage jacket, pants or coverall, and hat onto the netting. Once the suit is covered by the netting, attach the netting using the shoe glue and let it dry. Go to different spots and pull up the netting. If it goes further than two inches up, you have to add more shoe glue in there. Make sure the netting will stick well to your suit, especially on the edges. Further, make sure you still have access to the pockets you need to use. After, cut off the excess netting.

Step 2: Separate the Strands

Step 2- Separate the Strands | Art of Concealment | How To Make A Camouflage Suit
Preparing the burlap or jute fibers is the most time-consuming part of making a ghillie suit. Cut strips of burlap, then separate the strings one by one. Longer strands will go on the sleeves, while the shorter ones will overlap down the back.

Step 3: Dye the Burlap

Step 3- Dye the Burlap | Art of Concealment | How To Make A Camouflage Suit
After you have several mountains of jute, the next step is soaking it in fabric dye. Remember the color of the dye should match the environment you’ll work in. A combination of tan, dark and light green and brown will usually match well. Get a tub, fill it with water, and put in the fabric dye. Put the jute in the tub and soak it. Once the jute absorbs the dye, take it out of the tub and let it dry.

Step 4: Tie the Burlap

Step 4- Tie the Burlap | Art of Concealment | How To Make A Camouflage Suit
Now, it’s time to tie the strands of the burlap into the netting. Take about ten to fifteen strands, then fold them in half and push the loop under each square of the netting. Draw the hanging ends of the strands through the loops and pull them tight. Start from the bottom and work your way upwards. Make sure all the colors are spread out.

When all the jute are tied to the netting, your suit is done! Go out into the woods and test your new ghillie suit. By doing this, you will also figure out if there are changes and improvements you need to make.

Points to Remember

Without shelter, you won’t last long in the wild. Conquering the Cornerstones: Shelter – the 1st Pillar of Survival https://t.co/NKJgwqfN9L

— Survival Life (@SurvivalLF) October 4, 2017


Here are some points to remember when making an ideal ghillie suit.

  • If you cover too much of the front part of your suit, it will make crawling difficult.
  • More burlap means a heavier and hotter suit, but you also get more camouflage.
  • For you to blend in more with your surroundings, incorporate natural vegetation into your suit. A good ghillie suit has 65% natural vegetation and 35% burlap or jute.
  • Exposing your suit to water, dirt, and sunlight for long periods will make the individual fibers less noticeable, and your suit will become more camouflaged.
  • Use gloves, face paint, and boots with environmental colors for better concealment.

Looking for more camouflage suits? Watch this video from Ezvid Wiki and find out the best ghillie suits you can get on the market!

Wearing a camouflage suit will help you blend in with your surroundings. This will help you move freely without your target knowing you’re there, which is crucial in escaping a dangerous situation. Remember, the suit needs to be light and allow the air to circulate. Also, it should be made with quality materials to make sure it won’t fall apart when you’re in the field. You can add foliage such as twigs or leaves to enhance your suit, so you can blend in better with your surroundings.

Have you tried making your own camouflage suit? How is it working for you? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!

UP NEXT: 5 Ways To Maximize Camouflage Concealment

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Awesome Dog Care Hacks That Every Dog Owner Should Know

Awesome Dog Care Hacks That Every Dog Owner Should Know See more on: http://ift.tt/1Qfw8v0

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Our canine companions, “man’s best friend”, are part of the family! They are there at our side no matter what so, naturally, they deserve the very best in pet care. Caring for our fur babies is, at times, time consuming. Between cleaning up dog hair, cleaning up a pee stain, or protecting them during storms…it’s something that is up to us. And we do it all with love! In today’s article I will cover dog care hacks to make caring for our fur babies go a little smoother and perhaps a little quicker. These hacks will save you time and that extra time we can spend with our lovable canines!

Let’s take a quick look at some of the hacks I’ll be covering:

  • Easy ways to pick up dog hair
  • How to cure bad doggie breath
  • How to protect their paws in extreme weather
  • A DIY “no chew” spray

….And much more! Let’s get started!

Dog Care Hacks That Every Dog Owner Should Know

Awesome Dog Care Hacks That Every Dog Owner Should Know

Awesome Dog Care Hacks That Every Dog Owner Should Know

2 Easy Ways To Pick Up Dog Hair On Furniture

Constantly cleaning dog hair off the furniture comes with the territory! Here are 2 easy ways to make it go a little quicker.

Dryer sheet: Run a dryer sheet over the dog hair and it comes off with ease. It’ll also help keep your furniture static free, which is why dog hair clings to fabric so easily in the first place.

Rubber Gloves: Simply wearing a rubber glove and running your hand across the hair helps to collect the hair much easier.

Easy Way To Grab Dog Hair Off Your Carpet

Of course vacuuming is the best way to remove dog hair from the carpet. However, did you know you can use a window squeegee to grab dog hair? Just simply scrape the squeegee along the carpet and you’ll be surprised how much hair comes up!

Clean Up Pee Spots On The Carpet With Baking Soda

Cleaning up pee spots on the carpet is a cinch with baking soda! All you have to do is pour baking soda over the urine and allow the baking soda to completely soak it up. Next, vacuum over the area and you’re all set!

Baking soda can be toxic to some pets so make sure to keep pets away during the cleaning process.

How To Protect Their Paws In Winter Weather

You can use paw balm or doggie boots to protect their paws in winter weather. However, If you do not have any paw balm and/or your dog simply refuses to wear boots, smear vaseline over their paw pads as a great alternative.

How To Protect Their Paws In Hot Summer Temps

If you walk your dog on pavement in the summer, there’s a simple test to see if the pavement is too hot for them. Hold the back side of your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds. If it’s too hot for you then, it’s too hot for them. Try walking them on grassy areas during the hot part of the day.

Easy Method To Test For Fleas

If you suspect your dog may have fleas, here is a simple test to check. Lay your dog on a white towel to brush them. Look for flea dirt or fleas on the towel.

If your dog does have fleas, please check out my article 5 Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Fleas In and Around Your Home for all natural remedies for your pet and your home.

How To Get Rid Of Skunk Smell

Did your curious canine get skunked? No worries! You can remove the odor with soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda. Check out this article for detailed instructions.

Easy Way To Remove A Stinger

Removing a stinger from a dog’s skin can be tricky. Here’s an easy and quick way to remove a stinger. Scrape the stinger with something that has a firm straight edge like a credit card. The stinger will come with ease!

How To Cure Bad Breath

Does your fur baby have bad breath? Here’s an easy way to remedy that. Add small amounts of parsley to their food once or twice a week. Do not give them parsley in large amounts or on consecutive days as doing so can upset their stomachs.

How To Stop Nail Bleeding

Cutting a dog’s nails too short can cause their nails to bleed. Applying a paste made with equal parts of white flour, cornstarch, and water to their nails with light pressure for 3-5 minutes will stop the bleeding.

Easy Way To Train Your Dog To Stay Calm During A Storm

So many dogs (and cats) are afraid of thunderstorms! An easy way to train them to be less afraid is to play a sound recording of storms while going about your normal daily routine. Over time they will get used to the ‘sound’ and when the real storm comes along they may just shrug it off as ‘normal’, therefore, staying calm.

DIY Spray To Eliminate Pet Odors

Pet odors are no problem with this effective odor eliminating spray! Combine 5 tablespoons of baking and 4-6 ounces of water into a spray bottle. Next, add 5 drops of your favorite essential oil and shake well. Spray on carpets and cloth furniture to eliminate pet odors.

DIY “No Chew” Spray

Does your canine companion love to chew? Try this DIY “no chew” spray! This spray works really well due to the fact that dogs despise the taste of bitter apple. Mix together 2 parts of apple cider vinegar and 1 part white vinegar in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray on all their favorite “chew spots”!

First Aid Kit For Your Loyal Canine

We have first aid kits for ourselves but, we can’t forget that our loyal canines should have one of their own as well. Check out my article, Dog First Aid Kit For Your Canine Companion to learn how you can make the perfect first aid just for them!

**Information within this article is for informational purposes only. Read our full disclaimer here.

Do you have a dog care hack to share with us? Share with us in the comment section below.

Check out our other great articles on pet care:

Smart Fire and Electrical Tips To Keep Your Pets Safe

Basic Home Remedies For Fleas (Protect Your Pets)

15 Pet Projects & Recipes

Suggested Videos

This Article Was Found On pioneersettler.com Read the Original Article

check out the full article Here: Awesome Dog Care Hacks That Every Dog Owner Should Know

How To Build A Cozy Log Cabin For Less Than $500

The article How To Build A Cozy Log Cabin For Less Than $500 was first seen on http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

What if we tell you that you could build a cozy log cabin for less than $500? Even if it sounds like science-fiction or at least some sort of scam, the structure you see in the photo respects both of the above-mentioned conditions. A man with no experience in construction took on the adventure of building his own home.

This Article Was Originally Posted on goodshomedesign.com Read The Original Article here

Check Out The Post Here: How To Build A Cozy Log Cabin For Less Than $500

Simple And Easy Ways To Preserve Homegrown Herbs

Simple And Easy Ways To Preserve Homegrown Herbs is courtesy of http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

Image source: Pixabay.com

I’ve had an herb garden for as long as I can remember, and there are more than a few things I’ve learned the hard way. The biggest lesson was complacency with my herb harvests. The first frost will absolutely toast some herbs like basil, mint and lemon balm. The first freeze will wipe out most of the rest, although chives and thyme seem to hold on a bit better. The thing I do now is get out to those herbs, harvest and preserve for the winter to come and well before the first frost.

Preservation Techniques

We’re going to cover five herb preservation techniques. All of them include drying the herbs and wild plants to various degrees, but there are a couple of variations. What you’re trying to do is avoid mold growth while preserving flavor.

1. The food dehydrator

Food dehydrators are typically defined as a layer of trays with a heating element at the bottom and sometimes a small fan to circulate the air. You can dry various and multiple types of herbs, but you’ll find the herbs at the bottom which are closest to the heating element will dry out faster. You need to check and either rotate or remove trays as the herbs dry.

I’ll typically put more robust herbs likes chives, sage and rosemary on the bottom tray and more delicate herbs like basil and mint toward the top. I’ll also check them periodically, knowing that some might dry before others.

2. Oven drying

This is a fairly robust technique and doesn’t work particularly well, with more delicate herbs like basil and mint varieties including lemon balm. However, it works great with chives, sage, oregano and marjoram leaves on the stem; as well as thyme and rosemary. The starting temperature is as low 150 degrees Fahrenheit and the duration varies depending on the herb.

The best way to manage this approach is to cover a baking sheet with foil and distribute the whole herbs on the stem in one layer on the sheet and place in the oven. You need to check on them every 20 minutes or so and possibly turn or toss some of them to expose as much surface area as possible to the heat. Once they’re dried, get them out of the oven or they may brown. You’re trying to preserve color, not lose it. Once they’re dried, strip the leaves from the stem and crush to the consistency you like.

The Survival Water Filter That Fits In Your POCKET!

However, there are some wild plants like blackberry leaves or black raspberry leaves that are roasted at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes. The result will be a very crisp, brown leaf that is then easy to crush into a tea leaf consistency.

I also like the oven technique for natural spices like juniper berries and red sumac berries. I’ll use a low temp like 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Once they’re sufficiently dried I’ll toss the berries together and pour them into a pepper mill. In an off-grid environment, many spices like pepper, turmeric and others will be in very short supply. Using these berries as a flavor-note for foods will be a welcome treat.

I’ve also left the juniper berries on the stems and have later infused both the berries and the juniper needles to make juniper tea. Be forewarned: Your house will smell like a pine tree if you gently roast them on the stem, but some of us like that.

3. Sun drying

Without question this is the oldest technique for drying herbs and has been done for thousands of years. There are essentially two ways to approach. The best is to place the herbs on a foil-lined baking sheet and place them in a sunny spot indoors. This protects them from moisture caused by rain or morning dew and the general dust, dirt and pollen that is constantly in the air outside.

If you do choose to dry the herbs outside, a picnic table is a good surface area well off the ground and easily exposed to the sun. The standard technique is to once again line a baking sheet with foil, but you want a baking sheet with a raised lip around the edges. You then wrap plastic wrap around the baking sheet, leaving a one-inch gap on either side. This will help trap the heat, but the gaps allow the moisture to transpire to ensure the drying process.

All herbs can be used with this technique, but once again you need to check them from time to time to assess when they’re done. You also shouldn’t leave them out overnight due to morning dew. The garage is a good storage place while you wait for the return of the morning sun, and, obviously get them inside if rain is in the forecast.

4. Refrigerator drying

Simple And Easy Ways To Preserve Homegrown Herbs

Image source: Pixabay.com

This technique requires dedicated shelf space in the fridge with a layer of cheesecloth on the shelf with the herbs on top. The refrigerator is actually a very dry environment, and it’s why we store fresh vegetables in the crisper where moisture can be maintained and managed.

The downside to this technique is the need to dedicate refrigerator space to the herbs for anywhere from one to three weeks. Fortunately, I have a second refrigerator freezer in the garage and that makes it easier to apply this approach.

The upside is that this technique really preserves the color of the herbs, but make sure they’re as dry as possible. Moisture content in stored herbs can lead to mold growth. In fact, I’ll usually give any of my home-dried herbs a sniff from the jar before using. It should smell like the herb you want to use. If there is any hint of mildew, toss the contents of the jar and wash it well with hot, soapy water and a good rinse.

All herbs can be dried with this approach and it’s particularly good for the more delicate herb varieties like basil and mint.

5. Herbed ice-cubes

This has actually emerged as one of my favorite techniques for herb preservation. It’s as simple as dropping a tablespoon of freshly chopped herbs into each ice-cube compartment and then filling with water and freezing. Once the cubes are frozen, I’ll mark on a plastic sandwich bag the name of the herb and store in the freezer.

It makes portion control for recipes super-simple. If you’re making a marinara sauce that calls for two tablespoons of oregano, you just drop two of the oregano ice-cubes into the bubbling pot and you’re good to go.

Better yet, the herbs will retain all of their natural oils and flavors. It’s great to have fresh herbs in January and you can take it up a notch by substituting chicken or beef broth for water before you freeze the cubes. The broth adds a boost of flavor and the herbs will do the same.

I’ve also used this technique for things like goldenrod flower tops which make a great tea. Drying goldenrod flowers is tricky and they lose most of their subtle, licorice flavor. I just drop a handful of goldenrod ice-cubes into a pot of boiling water. Shut off the heat and let it steep while the cubes slowly melt.

Herb Storage

Storing your herbs is not complicated and there are a variety of options.

You could buy herb jars, small or medium canning jars or even save old herb packages and wash, dry and refill them. The critical thing is to know that the herbs are sufficiently dry. Moisture is the enemy with food storage, and it especially applies to home-dried herbs and spices.

An herb rack or pantry is a good storage option, but you could always keep them in the fridge if you have the space or want to ensure no spoilage. When it’s time to harvest and preserve again I’ll toss the old herbs, wash the jars and start over.

Herbs can be very expensive to buy at the store, and if we’re in an off-grid environment, pretty much impossible. Even if you only fill a few jars with your home-grown herbs, you’ll appreciate that you made them from scratch — and that always makes everything taste better.

What advice would you add for storing and preserving herb? Share your thoughts in the section below:

This Article Was Originally Posted On offthegridnews.com Read the Original Article here

See Full Article Here: Simple And Easy Ways To Preserve Homegrown Herbs

DIY Chicken Tunnel

The blog post DIY Chicken Tunnel Read more on: http://ift.tt/1Qfw8v0

Hi fellow chicken lovers. It all started with a picture I saw not to long ago……. so I want to share pictures of the tunnel I build for my chickens. The tunnel allows you to design a specific area for the chickens to walk through the garden, without getting into those pretty parts, where all the flowers and sculptures might be.

This Article Was Originally Posted on goodshomedesign.com Read The Original Article here

This Article Was Found Here: DIY Chicken Tunnel

‘They Don’t Make Things Like They Used To’: 5 Items That Are STILL Worth Paying Extra For

The blog post ‘They Don’t Make Things Like They Used To’: 5 Items That Are STILL Worth Paying Extra For was first published on Total Survival

It is my personal observation that nothing lasts as long as it did in our grandparents’ day. Clothing, cars, tools, kitchenware—pretty much everything seems to be made for our throwaway culture. It’s hard to know which came first, the chicken or the egg—are people demanding goods that are cheaper and more convenient and the market is obliging, or is the market so flooded with cheap junk that people are having to settle for it?

It might be a little bit of both. Retailers today do not encourage people to want good stuff that lasts—many of us have come to expect things to remain in perfect condition without having to care for them, to simply throw things away and buy a new one when something goes wrong, and to always seek the lowest price.

On the other hand, it is harder to find quality products even when we seek them out. And when we do, they can be so complicated that it’s difficult to maintain them. And even when we do want to have something repaired instead of replacing it, it can be challenging to find a craftsperson or professional to do so.

I get frustrated when replacing big-ticket items and it feels like I am forced to choose between one of two extremes: either goods that are so cheap they are practically disposable, or those which are exorbitantly expensive, require a lot of special care, include lots of frivolous bells and whistles, and probably sport a designer label. I would rather have a simple, solid, well-designed, and built-to-last product.

Sometimes it is worth paying more for good quality. And sometimes it is possible to get the good stuff without paying for all the frills. Here are some of the things I feel are worth spending money on, and ways I access the best possible goods without breaking the bank.

Kitchen goods. I’m a homesteader, foodie and environmentalist. That means I make all my food from scratch—most of it I raised myself and almost all of the rest acquired locally—and spend a ton of time in the kitchen. This is probably the area where I am most apt to spend whatever it takes to own quality products that won’t rust, bend, break, warp or melt. To me, a high-end heavy-duty kitchen pot is worth its weight in, well, stainless-steel-clad copper.

I own one large sauté pan which cost me more money that I would admit to anyone, despite having bought it on sale for half price. But I use it. Every. Single. Day. It’s my go-to for sautés and so much more—jams, frittatas, stews, casseroles, applesauce, roasts, pastas and braises—and I never regret having spent the money on it. If you cook a lot and can possibly justify owning one expensive piece of cookware, do it.

The next best thing—and a very close second—to brand name cookware is commercial equipment. Most of my kitchen goods came from a restaurant supply store. I am fortunate to live in an area where these types of retailers are open to the general public, but there are plenty of similar places online, as well. Restaurant kitchenware is designed for constant heavy use and abuse, and is usually the perfect combination of high quality and plain Jane. It also comes in large sizes that would be priced as specialty items elsewhere, and are great for canning and bulk storage and other homesteading projects. Restaurant equipment is more expensive than big box store goods, but about half the price you’d pay at a gourmet kitchen store.

I have good knives, too. I would rather have a few expensive knives than a lot of cheap ones, but I have put them on my wish lists over the years and have accumulated a nice collection. Mine are guaranteed for life, and I send them back for free factory sharpening every year.

‘Miracle Oil Maker’ Lets You Make Fresh Nut Oils Within Minutes!

An excellent option for buying kitchen goods is to look for them second-hand. Restaurants go out of business a lot, and all that equipment often ends up being resold barely used for pennies on the dollar. Online homesteading groups and resale websites are great places to find deals, too.

Is it possible to turn out great food without high quality kitchenware? Absolutely. My sister’s favorite kitchen pot is 40 years old, warped, missing a handle and was probably cheap to begin with—and she is a fantastic cook. But if you can and want to, spend the money on good kitchen stuff. Steer clear of celebrity endorsements and fancy gadgets, and focus on finding a solid workhorse that will make your kitchen time happier, safer and more efficient.

Sewing machines and supplies. I am part of a dying breed called “constructionists,” in a world where most people are quilters and crafters. I like to sew mostly clothing—from shirts and pants and dresses to winter accessories—and occasionally making stuffed toys and household décor. I once made and repaired most of the clothing for myself and my family, but rarely do so anymore. The reason is multifold.

First, it’s getting harder to find decent quality fabric for an affordable price, and I hate to put effort into a garment that’s going to shrink and twist and pill like one made offshore.

It’s getting harder to find the notions, too. The selection of elastics, fasteners, zippers and trims doesn’t seem to be the same as it once was. With fewer people making clothes at home, it probably doesn’t pay for stores to stock those specialty items anymore.

Sewing machines have changed, as well. They have more fancy stitches and don’t seem to handle the abuse that my kind of sewing can dish out. The last time I replaced my machine, about a dozen years ago, I ended up with a delicate model that always binds up, hates thick fabric, and refuses to do anything practical. What I wish I had done instead is to look for a light-duty commercial machine. I once worked at a shoe repair shop, where I operated such a machine—it was a mostly manual machine, could sew through multiple layers and turn and stop on a dime, and was solid and dependable—much like the home machine models of yesteryear. If I were to advise anyone buying a machine today for homestead sewing, I’d tell them to look for a good quality light-duty industrial model.

Brand name clothing and shoes. I am not one to buy or wear clothes to impress the Joneses. But I do like clothing that does what it’s supposed to do, by keeping me warm, dry, comfortable, cool, covered or appropriate. I also want it to be washable, keep its shape and texture, and have the buttons and zippers keep working. Usually the best way to get what I need from clothing is to avoid clothing from discount stores and go for higher-end brand names. I try to spend my money at retailers known for quality and stay away from designer products.

I opt for second-hand whenever I can. It makes a lot of sense to buy clothing from thrift stores, consignment shops, Goodwill, and individual resales, as long as you shop judiciously and inspect items carefully for flaws. For about the same money as buying brand new clothing that is cheap and poorly made, you can buy good quality upscale items that still look attractive and have a lot of wear left in them.

When it comes to buying shoes, I have learned my lesson. Decades of cheap stupid shoes have contributed to chronic foot pain and thousands of dollars spent on surgery and other medical treatments. I now spend whatever it takes for a pair of comfortable supportive shoes that won’t hurt my feet, and leave the pointy-toed plastic high heels for those who can afford to abuse their feet.

Major home appliances. Brand names among home appliances are now so convoluted—this brand that was once the best is now owned by that one that was known for being chintzy, for example—and almost all of them are made overseas. Even some of the expensive ones are not worth what you pay. And I have even heard it said that the same exact model of appliance may be manufactured differently for different retailers.

I have spent a lot of money over my lifetime on refrigerators that break down, dishwashers that don’t dispense soap properly, and dryers that have ruined clothing. I have finally figured out that I could have saved a lot by first consulting an appliance repairperson. By asking someone who sees a lot of units and deals with their flaws and knows which ones are the most expensive to keep up, a person buying a new appliance would do well to buy the brands and types recommended by an independent tradesperson. The washer the repairperson would buy for his or her own house? That’s the one I want.

Little things that last longer. I would rather buy better quality items and use them longer, than cheap ones that fail quickly. I think it saves money in the long run, and also conserves planet resources and reduces waste.

A simple example of this philosophy is zip-top bags. I always buy the brand name instead of the less-expensive store brand. The brand names seem to be slightly more heavy duty and the zippers work better, which allows me to wash them out and reuse them multiple times. For me, it makes more sense to use a 10-cent item four times than a 5-cent item once.

This philosophy carries over to things like hand tools and gardening equipment and many other areas of everyday homesteading.

But is more expensive always the best way to go? No. I have a $10 watch that’s 10 years old and still going strong, a hand-held calculator I paid a dollar for brand new and it works great, and a $9 pre-pay phone that does everything I need it to.

These cheap things might not be choices you would not be willing to settle for, and that’s okay. Some of the things I spend a lot of money on would not be worth it to everyone, and that’s okay, too. But the takeaway is this—it is always of value to consider the long-term cost of a purchase, in addition to the number on the price tag. In many instances, you really do get what you pay for. And although our choices today are not the same as the ones our grandparents made, we can still make good decisions when it comes to spending money wisely.

Do you agree or disagree? Share your thoughts in the section below:

This Article Was Originally Posted On offthegridnews.com Read the Original Article here

Article Source Here: ‘They Don’t Make Things Like They Used To’: 5 Items That Are STILL Worth Paying Extra For

Sunday, 29 October 2017

These cute ideas make a lovely decoration for Halloween

These cute ideas make a lovely decoration for Halloween was first seen on Total Survival

If you’re looking a home decoration idea for this Halloween , here are some of the best! A pumpkin rabbit or a Shocked Pumpkin is a lovely decoration for Halloween. Check out these ideas in the links below…

Get ready for Halloween!!!

#1. Halloween Bunny – Creepy Cute

This pumpkin rabbit is made from luxury, bright orange long faux fur. He measures approximately 17″tall, has safety eyes & nose, felt facial features and a black satin bow. Find it HERE…

#2. Halloween Bottle Lights

This bottle light gives off an iridescent glow perfect for a spooky party on Halloween night. Find it HERE…

#3. Shocked Pumpkin

The cutest pumpkin ever! Find it HERE…

#4. Cute bats Halloween

These cute bats make a lovely decoration for Halloween…they aren’t spooky at all really!! Find it HERE…

#5. Halloween Apothecary Labels

Find the labels HERE…

This Article Was Originally Posted on goodshomedesign.com Read The Original Article here

Learn More Here: These cute ideas make a lovely decoration for Halloween

9 Thrifty Pumpkin Decorating Ideas – All Under $10!

9 Thrifty Pumpkin Decorating Ideas – All Under $10! Read more on: http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

Would you like to add some cheerful fall decorations without breaking the budget? I have nine pumpkin decorating ideas that you're going to love. We'll create nine different ideas, all for under $10! You can combine fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden with common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

9 Sensational Pumpkin Decorating Ideas – All Under $10!

The key to these pumpkin decorating ideas is to use what you have on hand. Basil isn't blooming? No problem. Use pine boughs. Running low on pop corn? Replace the pop corn with dried split peas. Garden is done for the season? Use dried grasses and seed heads, trimmed branches and evergreen boughs with dry floral foam.

You can create an elegant look without spending a lot of money. I'm betting many of you won't even have to go to the store to re-create our pumpkin decoration ideas.

Getting Started- How to Decorate With Pumpkins

Ideally, you want to use a variety of textures and colors. Use a combination of soft and spiky, light greens and dark greens, tall and short. Sometimes less is more and sometimes more is better – it all depends on your personal preference.

  • When decorating with pumpkins, I always start with the star of the show – the pumpkin. Then I fill in around (or in) it.
  • Begin by taking a nature walk. Look for different color greens, browns, reds and oranges.
  • Next, grab some filler, like moss, grass, nuts or a trailing herb.
  • Find some candles. If you don't have any on hand, the dollar store carries a large assortment.
  • Finally, go shopping in your kitchen cabinets. Look for fillers like popcorn, dried beans, peas, or rice.

Preparing a Pumpkin Vase

I used a pie pumpkin, but you can use a larger carving pumpkin, a gourd or a squash. It's easy to turn your pumpkin into a vase with just a little preparation.

Directions

  1. Invert a cup or tin on top of the pumpkin and trace around the opening.
  2. Cut top of pumpkin following your outline and remove the pumpkin guts.
  3. Make sure floral foam fits in cup (trim if necessary) and soak moisture holding floral foam until saturated. (It may be helpful to place it in a sink with something heavy on top to weight it down so it soaks up water more quickly.)
  4. Add floral foam or dirt to the cup.
  5. Insert cup into hole on top of pumpkin.

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

#1 – Herbal Pumpkin Decoration

I adore dual purpose decorations. Not only is this an easy pumpkin decorating idea, it's also edible.

One Centerpiece – 3 uses

  1. A beautiful centerpiece that also acts as a room freshener.
  2. Cook with the ingredients – add to a stew or roast
  3. Feed it to your livestock for a fall treat. (Make sure to remove the cup and floral foam.) The pumpkin seeds and the antibacterial herbs are great for foul and other livestock.

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

Herbal Pumpkin Decoration Supplies

  • Pumpkin Pie Pumpkin or Larger. In addition to pumpkins, you can also use gourds or squash.
  • Cup or tin to hold flowers and greenery
  • Floral Foam
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Basil, leaves and flowers
  • Malabar Spinach
  • Lavender
  • Rosemary
  • Green or Spanish Moss
  • I added a Gerber Daisy (it was my last one)

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

Herbal Pumpkin Decoration Directions

  1. Prepare the pumpkin vase.
  2. Start by adding the tall herbs, flowers or greenery either in the center of the pumpkin decoration (if it is going to be displayed in the center of a table), or in the back if it is going to be displayed against a wall (like mine in the picture)
  3. Layer textures and colors as you move around your centerpiece.
  4. Add enough foliage to hide the cup.
  5. When you are done with your masterpiece, you can place on a plate and surround the bottom with moss.

#2 – Fall Mini Pumpkins Tray

This is so pretty, you can keep it displayed well into fall and Thanksgiving.

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

Fall Minis Supplies

  • Serving tray or plate
  • Dried beans (or peas)
  • Candle
  • Mini Pumpkins or gourds
  • Random nuts or grape vine balls
  • Moss

Directions

  1. Empty beans, peas or popcorn into the bottom of your serving tray.
  2. Place candle in the middle and surround with moss.
  3. Add mini pumpkins, leaves, gourds, vine to fill in but not completely cover the beans.

#3 – Popcorn and Pumpkins

You may have noticed I am using the same supplies but arranging them in different ways. This creates a cohesive style, but still provides a variety of pumpkin decorations. As you move from room to room in your newly decorated-for-fall home, you will have a nice flow of fall decor.

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

Popcorn and Pumpkin Supplies

  • Serving tray or plate
  • Dried beans (or peas)
  • Candle
  • Mini Pumpkins or gourds
  • Wine Glass
  • Popcorn
  • Random nuts or grape vine balls
  • Moss

Directions

  • Add popcorn into wine glass and place candle in the middle.
  • Place wine glass in the middle of serving tray.
  • Empty beans, peas or popcorn into the bottom of your serving tray.
  • Spread moss around bottom of stem of the glass.
  • Add mini pumpkins, leaves, gourds, vine to fill in but not completely cover the beans.

#4 – Pumpkins, Popcorn & China

Another twist but similar ingredients. This decoration is dear to me because I get to display my grandmother's china.

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

Pumpkins, Popcorn & China Supplies

  • Small plate or salad plate
  • Glass carafe or mason jar
  • Tapered candle
  • Mini pumpkins or gourds
  • Popcorn
  • Fall Leaves
  • Moss

Directions

  1. Insert candle into glass carafe.
  2. Pour popcorn around candle.
  3. Place carafe on plate.
  4. Surround carafe with moss.
  5. Add mini pumpkin and leaves.

#5 – Pumpkin & Plate

This pretty little fall decoration is perfect for small dinning tables or side tables. In addition to being pretty, it was the easiest to assemble.

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

Pumpkin & Plate Supplies

  • Plate- I like white to make the fall colors ‘pop'
  • Moss
  • Candle
  • Mini pumpkins or gourds
  • Leaves and or grape vine balls

Directions

  1. Place candle on plate.
  2. Add moss around candle.
  3. Arrange pumpkins and leaves on and around moss.

#6 – Pumpkins & Petals

This pumpkin decoration is absolutely stunning. The glossy greens, grays, reds and orange – just beautiful. I decorated this pumpkin so it would go against a wall. It wouldn't display as well as a table centerpiece because of the placement of the leaves.

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

Pumpkins & Petals Supplies

  • Pie Pumpkin, Carving Pumpkin, Gourd or Squash
  • Floral Foam
  • Loquat Leaves- Magnolia leaves would work great as well.
  • 2 Roses
  • Eucalyptus
  • Oregano

Directions

  1. Prepare the pumpkin vase.
  2. Add loquat leaves in the back of the cup.
  3. Fill in with eucalyptus.
  4. Add roses.
  5. Tuck in oregano around the base of the cup.
  6. Once you finished decorating your rose sensation, place it on a plate and spread moss around the bottom of the pumpkin.

#7 – Pumpkins & Beans

This simple fall decoration idea is the prime example of less is more. (See top blog post photo.)

Pumpkins & Beans Supplies

  • Mini Pumpkins
  • Dried Beans, Peas or Popcorn
  • Candle
  • Leaves
  • Serving tray

Directions

  1. Pour dried beans in bottom of serving tray.
  2. Add candle to the middle.
  3. Place pumpkins on either side.
  4. Add leaves.

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

#8 – Pumpkin Decoupage with Fresh or Dried Flowers

If you have some fresh or dried flowers, you can decoupage them right onto your pumpkin. Dried flowers will be easier to work with and hold their color better, but thin petaled fresh flowers that lay flat (or flower petals) can also be used. Click here to order dried flowers online. Deb's girls even included some feathers with their design.

Select the pumpkin you want to decorate (white skinned pumpkins will work best for this one). Make sure the surface is clean and dry.

Collect your flowers/ plant material and lay out your design in a flat surface before sticking it to the pumpkin.

Pour some of your Mod Podge water based sealer into a bowl. Start with the focal spot of the design, gluing the flowers, leaves or petals in place. Apply the Mod Podge with a small, foam brush – to the plant material for sturdy items like leaves, or to the pumpkin for more delicate flowers. Complete gluing on your design.

Allow about 10 minutes for the glue to set, then coat the pumpkin design with a thin layer of mod podge. Let dry for one hour and apply a second coat.

If you want a decoration that you can use year after year, you can use this technique with a dried gourd, or artificial craft pumpkin. You can also use this technique with fabric or paper designs.

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

#9 – Pumpkin Stencils and Drawings

Instead of using pumpkin stencils for carving your Halloween pumpkin, you can use them in combination with a Sharpie marker to make a longer lasting design. If you're a little artistic, you can also free-hand draw designs on your pumpkin. Laurie used a photo of her duck, Blue, as a model for this pumpkin. (The drawing doesn't do the duck justice, but she plans to try again next year. 😉 )

There are a ton of cute stencils available in craft stores and online, such as:

Fun and easy pumpkin decorating ideas with fresh pumpkins, flowers and herbs from your garden, common pantry and craft items to brighten any room.

Budget Friendly Pumpkin Decorations

When creating these pumpkin decoration ideas, I was fortunate not to have to spend a dime. However, I realize some of you may not have all these supplies on hand, so here is where you may end up spending money.

  • Pumpkin – you can generally buy a pie pumpkin at the grocery store or farm for around $3.00 or less
  • Candle – Dollar Tree $1.00
  • Dried Beans, Rice or Popcorn – Grocery Store $1.00- $2.00
  • Floral Foam – Dollar Tree $1.00. You can also use dirt to hold your plant stems in place of floral foam.
  • Moss – Dollar Tree $1.00
  • Mini Pumpkins and Gourds – Farmer or Grocery store $.50 – $1.00
  • Fall Leaves – I have some fake leaves that I've used for years that I bought at the Dollar Tree. You can easily use real leaves.

Do you have any frugal fall decorating ideas or favorite fall traditions? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

More Fall Goodies

You may also enjoy:

Maple Leaf Cookies Made with Real Maple Syrup and Maple Glaze (these are pretty enough that you may want to include them in your decorations)

How to Flavor Kombucha – Holiday Flavors – includes Pumpkin Spice Kombucha and Toffee Apple Kombucha

Pumpkin Fruit Leather – Tastes like Portable Pumpkin Pie

Amber BradshawThis post is by Amber Bradshaw of My Homestead Life. Amber is a environmentalist, garden and outdoor enthusiast. She is a wife, mother of three and owns a contracting business with her husband. Amber strives to get back into nature with a more sustainable and self-reliant lifestyle that fits a busy schedule and a tight budget.

She lives on the east coast with her family on a little over 1/4 acre and encourages others to do big things with small spaces.

When not out in the garden you can find her sharing her latest homestead tips at My Homestead Life, on Facebook, or on Pinterest.

The post 9 Thrifty Pumpkin Decorating Ideas – All Under $10! appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

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Everyday Carry Gear (EDC) with Blade Tech Industries

The following blog post Everyday Carry Gear (EDC) with Blade Tech Industries is republished from http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

Several factors come into play when choosing an everyday carry gear for you firearm. Whether openly carrying or carrying concealed these factors eventually affect every armed citizen. From discovering that one comfortable holster, for both open and concealed carry, to even comfortably carrying additional magazines, a lot of trial and error will be made. Unless the proper research is done beforehand. Even once a reliable holster is found for both a firearm and additional magazines choosing a durable belt will be the next hurdle.

Everyday Carry Gear | Blade Tech Industries Edition

Fortunately, Blade Tech Industries located in Puyallup, Washington is a one-stop shop for holsters, belts and firearms accessories no matter which platform of a sidearm or even primary rifle is being carried. With several holsters that offer an ambidextrous approach to carrying a firearm Blade Tech Industries offers the top of the line EDC (Every Day Carry) gear for their customers. Many Blade Tech holsters even offer an IWB (Inside Waistband) and OWB (Outside Waistband) option within the same holster allowing the armed citizen to openly carry and concealed carry when the occasion calls for it.

The Total Eclipse

The Total Eclipse | Everyday Carry Gear (EDC) with Blade Tech Industries
The Total Eclipse holster by Blade Tech Industries is an ambidextrous holster providing reliability for both left and right handed shooters. By simply reversing the belt loops the Total Eclipse holster can be placed comfortably on either side of the hip. The Blade Tech Total Eclipse holster also comes with additional adjustable and removable belt loops to allow the wearer an outside the waistband or inside the waistband carry option. Simply put the Total Eclipse holster offers every wearer, regardless of left/right hand dominant, a six-in-one carry system that accommodates both open and concealed carry positions. The Total Eclipse holster is also capable of a straight drop position or an FBI cant for individual preferences.

With many different style holsters available, very few actually offer an IWB (Inside Waistband) or an OWB (Outside Waistband) option within the same holster. This allows for wearers to focus on one holster for both open carry and concealed carry days. The various belt attachments also offer the wearer the option of sliding their carry belt through the loops located on the holster itself or simply hooking the holster on over the belt while already on. Both options offer a snug and comfortable retention when withdrawing the firearm from an open or concealed carry position. The Total Eclipse holster by Blade Tech Industries is by far one of the most comfortable and versatile holsters available on the market.

Single and Double Magazine Holsters

Single and Double Magazine Holsters | Everyday Carry Gear (EDC) with Blade Tech Industries
Blade Tech Industries offers a variety of single and double magazine holsters for individuals who carry backup magazines to their sidearm. However, one of their most popular styles of magazine holsters is the Eclipse Style single and double magazine holsters by Blade Tech Industries. The Eclipse Style holsters feature a Quick E-Loop that allows the wearer to quickly and comfortably attach and remove additional magazine holsters while their belt is already being worn. This feature is great for responsible citizens, law enforcement and of course military personnel.

Single and Double Magazine Holsters | Everyday Carry Gear (EDC) with Blade Tech Industries
While worn the Eclipse Style holsters contour well with the body regardless of positioning and movement. On the field, the Eclipse Style single magazine holsters, as well as the Eclipse Style double magazine holsters, do not cause any obstruction or interference when undergoing sidearm drills. In fact, during firearms exercises, such as FBI Pistol Qualifications courses, where 50 rounds or more are required these Eclipse Style holsters by Blade Tech Industries make for a great addition as they can be easily attached and removed per firearms training course.

Choosing A Reinforced Belt

Choosing A Reinforced Belt | Everyday Carry Gear (EDC) with Blade Tech Industries
Wear and tear tend to occur on the belt when carrying a firearm in a proper holster as well as additional magazines every day. To counter this is it is recommended to upgrade to a belt that is better than a standard leather belt. For example, the Blade Tech Industries EDC (Every Day Carry) Belt has a durable nylon reinforced BioThane construction that ensures durability for the wearer regardless of firearm type. The EDC Belt by Blade Tech Industries provides flexibility as well as mobility with a tensile strength of upwards of 4,500 pounds. The belt is specifically designed to carry additional magazines, handcuffs and all types of sidearms comfortably.

If choosing to open carry or carry concealed on a daily basis it is important to differentiate between belts designed for consistent stress and for style. Many common mistakes for individuals who carry a firearm are that they will purchase an expensive leather belt that was not originally intended for stress just for style. Instead, choose between belts with the sole purpose of carrying a firearm. This way money will be saved from not destroying a perfectly good everyday carry belt. As well as peace of mind is kept by choosing a reputable belt.

Here’s a review of Blade Tech Industries products! Including the Total Eclipse Holster, EDC Belt and Single and Double Magazine Pouches:

Have you tried any of these everyday carry gear by Blade Tech? Let us know in the comments section below.

Up Next: Bulletproof Your Everyday Carry

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This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

This Article Was Found Here: Everyday Carry Gear (EDC) with Blade Tech Industries