Living Free in Tennessee - Nicole Sauce

Today, we will talk about one way you can help people in Houston immediately, as well as 2 things you should be prepared for in your own life in case a weather disaster ever strikes your home. So, before we jump into our regular segments, I want to share with you what I plan to do to help Texas recover from the terrible damage it received from Hurricane Harvey. Some people who I personally know started an organization with a very simple mission right after Hurricane Katrina. I well remember wishing I could just rent a bus, drive down to New Orleans, and start picking people up and getting them the hell out after that Hurricane, don't you? All the while, we heard about how long it was taking FEMA to get their resources to that part of the country. Heck. Walmart was able to move water in faster than the feds and George Bush took one heck of a beating over what seemed like a slow response to we the citizens, and seemed like a fast response to bureaucrats in Washington. What followed was horrifying. Anyone who knows me at all, knows that I don't believe that the government is better at doing things than people. And while I am open to discussions on this topic over the campfire - we don't have time for that right now. The developing crisis in Houston is something that can benefit from small efforts by individuals right now - not tomorrow - while the big, bulky machine that comes under the heading of "disaster relief" gets itself booted up, deployed, and providing aid. And it just so happens that there is a small organization looking for volunteers, supplies, and financial support so that they can send small teams into Texas armed with water, food, diapers, wet wipes, and cell phone charging stations. And the best part about the organization? 100% of all financial donations go to the supplies that are being distributed, and gas to get the supplies to Texas, and the delivery drivers back out for more supplies. It's called Citizens Assisting Citizens. They are a 501(c)3. And it just so happens that one of my local Tennessee friends, Jake Robinson, is heading out tomorrow or Wednesday to begin delivering supplies. Why am I supporting this charity over others? It's because they already have people there RIGHT NOW giving out water, food, and helping folks get in touch with their loved ones. They are basically serving as the bridge between the current crisis, and the time when other aid becomes possible -- all while local officials are focusing on getting people off roofs, into shelters and rescued and alive. These guys and gals are the first wave of help the some people will see between being physically safe, and physically comfortable. So here is an interview I did with Jake right before the show. Link to Citizens Assisting Citizens: http://www.cacteam.com/ Zello Channel: https://zello.com/cacteam Article about CAC from Jack Spirko: http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/cac-teams-a-call-out-to-help-hurricane-refugees-in-texas Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store. Watercress Cucumber Salad - the recipe of the week - Tomatoes gave a second wave, as did green beans Apples! Yay! This week's Holler Stew Have reorganized canned goods for the fall What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage Apple Sauce Lemon balm Green beans Keeping an eye out for mushrooms Garden Economics project Where I share what the garden is bringing our way. Winter is Coming 17 Where we share what we are doing in the Holler to prepare for winter. Goat hay - now it is cheap - in a few months it will be expensive Rearranging the prepper pantry for winter storage Beginning putting growing beds to rest for the spring Must repair the damn greenhouse 2 ways to Prepare In Advance of a Disaster: A minimalist's list. Bug In Food Do you have enough and some to share How are you going to cook and serve it? Nice to have: spirits can raise spirits when times are hard Water Stored Filtration Heating and Cooling What if there is no power and it is too cold or hot? What is your plan Propane/kerosene/wood The Creek or a generator and window as in one room Animals Food for the animals Care/aid for the animals Nice to have: Extras for other people's animals First Aid Wounds, illnesses, medicines Hygene! Reference book Communications Cell phone Land line Radio Plan Ability to Charge Fuel Gas tanks full Extra credit: Some storage of fuel Bug Out Prepack Mobile supplies packed and ready to go that cover: food, water, communications, shelter, first aid. Plans for leaving Where you will go How you will get there Multiple ways to get there and places to go Meet up locations Transportation Access to money How you will communicate with your loved ones or way points

Today, we talk through a collection of stories from the Eclipse adventure that illustrate how sometimes spontaneous order is the best way to organize. Or said another way: How no organization at all can be the best organization if the folks involved have the same shared goal.

Today, I am joined by Whitney and John Athayde to tell us about a project they built together: HomesteadOji.com. This colorful set of emojis for iPhone tell the day to day story of a homesteader, from "Fox in my coop" to "goat kicked over the milk bucket." Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store. Corn corn corn corn corn corn Round 2 of green beans is almost here Tomatoes still trickling in SWEET POTATO GREENS Watercress is back in force and other fall wild edibles should be coming on soon Recipe of the week will be Bacon Cinnamon rolls, and here is why What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage Sauerkraut Elderberries Lemon Balm Might can corn Garden Economics project Seeds have germinated, so I pulled back the straw to let them get bigger Found two volunteer tomatoes - these are the best kind. Resources: HomesteadOji.com SfumatoFarm.com Next week we are at ground 0 here in the Holler for the Solar Eclipse, so the show will not be recorded until Tuesday. Why? Because I am going to don my eclipse glasses and check out this once in a lifetime experience! Make it a great week. Song: Strange Child

Today, I will share with you some ideas on what you can put in your fall garden - and share the fall mix of seeds that we are hoping will grow a nice fall garden here at the Holler Homestead. Along with this I will share the garden update - Because it is time to get that planted here in Tennessee. Indeed, I think I am a bit late, but usually these things work themselves out. Also today, we will hear from Samantha the Savings Ninja with a tip for all of us. And I will share with you a few recipes we are working on this week. Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store. The great freezer defrost project of '17 Watercress Cucumbers Mexican sour gherkens Hot peppers: Giardinair Holler Stew relies heavily on leftover thanksgiving turkey, fresh green beans, and fresh corn from the farmers market. What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage Basil Green Beans Sauerkraut - made the deal Lemon Balm Sage Eight things to plant in August. Song: Feed My Hunger by Sauce

In today's episode, we replay a timely episode from last year. Because squash happens. And because Nicole Sauce is traveling. Make it a great week!

The Dog Days of summer are upon us and winter is coming. Are you ready for it? Today, we will talk about what you should can do now to prepare for the winter, whether you are in the city or on a homestead like we are. Next week's show will be a replay of a former episode because I will be out of town for my grandmother's funeral. Become a Show Patron! patreon.com/livingfreeinTN Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store. It got very very hot her: Tomatoes on hold but they will probably all ripen at once when I am at my grandma's funeral. Alas. So. Much. Squash. "Where is the fruit?" I think the mild winter paired with a late frost has left us mostly fruitless around here. What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage Nothing - headed out of town :-) Handy summer checklist for winter preparation in the summer: Make a list of what you should be ready for Higher heat bills Snow Higher food bills Christmas Getting stuck in your home with no power Seasonal Affective Disorder Audit your list - and take care of the things now that are better done when it is light out, warm out, and important. Here is my list: Audit the food stored - pantry and freezers - because I am most likely to get iced in for a week or so Use up the old and plan to replenish the new The can of sauerkraut in the back Animal feed and bedding Medications Maintenance on winter technology Flashlights Batteries Backup heaters Winter equipment like snow shovels, blowers, etc Anti-freeze set up for animal's water Do the chores now that are rough in a snow storm Get your firewood going and stored Water filters in the pump house and general pipe maintenance Gutter check, paint, decks, etc Clean out the clutter Make it so you can easily access the important things Winter seems so far away right now, but it is coming faster than you think. A little care now will help your transition into the cold, dark part of the year. And in Winter is when we catch our breath on the Homestead. Make it a great week! Song: Grandpa's Song by Sauce

You're in for a good show today, it's a variety show! That's right, today I will roll through feedback and questions sent in by you, our listeners! A question on building a Wordpress business Getting a side hustle started Stinging Nettle uses and recipes How to make bacon Holler Roast Update Become a Show Patron! patreon.com/livingfreeinTN Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store. Squash avalanche - episode 8 Tomatoes are finally ripe and with them a few recipes: Smoking ribs and other freezer meats Wishing I had started meat birds a month ago because grille chickens is sooooo good, and cooking outside is the best way to beat the heat in Tennessee Inventorying the pantry and I ended up with leftover corn, beans, jams, pickles, and peaches What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage Green beans Garlic Dried bee balm Bacon Wow! Last week's podcast seemed to strike a nerve with many of you - You gave me lots of follow up questions and feedback on it. I suppose that's because most of us just want something that is ours to foster, to grow and to learn from. And with all the extra daylight right now it is a perfect time to jump in. Make it a great week! Song: Dr Feeley Dr Skinner, Sauce

Today, we will explore ideas of how to squeeze extra value out of things you already have. Because the old model of having a J O B for your whole life, then retiring into a time of RVs and margaritas on the beach is not necessarily what the future holds with the basis of how our society functions economically changing so quickly. Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/livingfreeinTN Direct Download Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store. Tomatoes, squash, beans, corn, cucumbers, peppers, blueberries, blackberries AND NO PEACHES YET - argggggg Salads have moved to more complexity with cucumber as a base and a sprinkling of nastirtium leaves and flowers. We've basically reached that part of summer where you have about too much of everything all at once, and you know what that means? Soon it will all die. What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage NOTHING - we had a bit of a production lull with all the cloud cover for the past week, though the grass is growing VERY well. Garden Economics project Nothing to report, except I am only spending $20-30 a week on groceries for two people. Because the garden is giving us food. 7 Principles of gleaning value from what you already have Take stock of what you have Take stock of what you can do Look at technological opportunities Look at your market opportunities Choose the easy/most fun ones first and systematize them Run the numbers regularly Add one at a time and leave time for recreation Make it a great week! Song: Thanks Dave by Sauce

In today's show, we will hear a bunch of reality checks for the homesteader. Summer has arrived, and there is lots to do. The animals can be grumpy when it is hot. My garden is in an interesting state. Plus we got two goats and they've been teaching me a ton, and, after years of offering, my sister trusted me with two nieces for Holler Homestead Summer Camp. Support the show on Patreon! Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store. Tomatoes are slowly starting to come on. Brisket Story Corn is at the market so we got some Elephant garlic is coming out of the ground (Slow cooked with butter) Cucumbers are here and with them: Pickling season! What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage Green Beans Blackberry Cordial and Jam No peaches yet, but it looks like elderberries will come on soon and this year I want to make some Elderberry wine! GOATS DAY 1 of goats illuminated 2 fencing issues Day 2 of goats illuminated how deeply you must set a tether Day 3 of goats illuminated what happens when you have a head goat - no need to tether the other one Day 5 of goats illuminated that if you tether the non-dominant goat, the dominant one runs off Day 14 of goats: things are under control - dogs and goats are working together again so I can leave my raccoon chasing dog back out in the yard, the yard is starting to show signs that something is eating the weeds - which is our goal, and we have discovered that goats LOVE apples. Conclusion: Don't get goats for the first time, even with Goat Knox built, unless you can be home for a few weeks until you get the hang of things. Summer is just now beginning but it feels like things are in full swing here in Tennessee. Everyone is busy so don't get too upset if you have weeds in your garden or fall behind on your canning. Snap back to your priorities, get real, and make a list. And remember - make it a great week! Song: Wolf by Sauce

Today we walk through the process of canning green beans along with tips on how NOT to contract botulism on accident, I'll share with you how the power of social capital is moving our coffee business along, and we will have an update on Hey Hey, the orphaned baby chick. But before we do that: I wanted to share with you a new experience I had: Swarm.City. What it is Why you might care The "Slack" Resources for today's show: Carey Electric Pressure Canner Gratuitous Goat Video 5 WAYS TO PREPARE SUMMER SQUASH Eating Seasonally and Tales from the Prepper Pantry This is where we share what we are eating as it comes to us - and talk about ways to use what we store. Swimming in Squash. Nasturtium are up and harvestable ALL THE VEGGIES, minus tomatoes, BUT GUESS WHAT?! Companion carrots are looking great What we are preserving this week Where we share what we are preserving for winter storage Green Beans Pickling Beets Ramping up for peach season! Should be making Jam but I am not Garden Economics project I was given a half bushel of beets in exchange for 4 jars of pickled ones I bought ½ bushel of green beans for $12 and it will yield 14-16 jars I spent $3 on pickling salt because we were getting low - I buy a bag about every 2 years Canning Green Beans What you need: All the stuff you always need: Jars, lids, jar lifter Canning salt Fresh greenbeans The process - cold pack Prepare the beans, while also sterilizing jars and making boiled water Fill jars loosely with beans that are de-stringed and broken into 1 inch long pieces. Dont cram them in Measure in your salt: Pour in boiling water with 1 inch head space Cap them Put them in your pressure canner Put the lid on and move stove heat to high Let steam vent for 10 minutes Then place the regulator on top of the steam exhaust pipe Watch as pressure comes up over 11, and adjust heat to keep it there Processing time 20/25 below 1,000 feet Turn off heat and let the canner cool until the pressure indicator drops and stays down for 5 minutes Be careful of steam upon opening the canner Remove jars and let cool overnight Any on-sealed lids either have to be reprocessed, or put in the fridge and eaten Well everyone, Make It A Great Week! Song: Tripped Out by Sauce