Staying safe and warm this winter

snow storm

Staying safe and warm this winter

Being prepared and weather aware is so important. It can literally save your life!

Ensuring your safety and warmth during the winter months is crucial. Being prepared and staying informed about weather conditions can truly be a matter of life and death.

Unfortunately, I experienced a heartbreaking loss a couple of winters ago when a dear friend lost her life in a tragic accident. During an ice storm, my friend's only heat source was lost due to power outages. Stranded at home without heat, she made a fatal mistake by attempting to use an old butane heater with a small tank inside. The resulting explosion took her life and destroyed her home. This devastating incident serves as a reminder of the dangers we face during winter emergencies.

To prevent similar tragedies, it is important to avoid certain actions during winter emergencies:

- Never bring butane tanks inside your home.

-Exercise caution when using small butane cans in camp stoves or portable heaters, as manufacturing flaws can lead to explosions, gas leaks, and overheating.

- Avoid sitting in a running vehicle inside an enclosed garage for extended periods, as this can cause a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide.

Additionally, it is essential to protect yourself by checking gas lines for leaks. Listen for hissing noises around fittings, as this may indicate a gas leak. If you suspect a leak, use soapy water to identify the source.

By following these safety precautions and remaining vigilant during winter emergencies, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from potential harm. Stay safe and warm this winter.

Homemade pasta dough

Homemade pasta dough

It's extremely easy and so satisfyingly fun to make this homemade pasta dough. It's a simple no egg, no milk dough that requires only flour, water, and garlic salt (for seasoning). You can use the pasta dough to make homemade spaghetti noodles, linguine, fettuccine, lasagna, ravioli, and pot pie squares, etc.. The dough can be created by using a manual or electric pasta machine, or rolled out thinly (with a rolling pin) and cut with a knife, pasta cutter, or pizza cutter.

If you don't have a manual, or electric pasta machine, don't run out and buy one just to make this recipe. Pasta can easily be made in your kitchen by hand in little time, with little effort, and for a lot less money. Today, I will show you how I make pasta by hand.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour

• 1 cup of warm water, plus a little extra (should your dough get dry)

• ½ teaspoon of garlic salt

Pasta ingredients for a larger family:

• 6 cups of all purpose flour

• 2 cups of warm water, plus a little extra (should your dough get dry)

• 1 teaspoon of garlic salt

Instructions:

Add the all-purpose flour, water, and garlic salt to a large bowl. Mix with a large fork; combine well. The mixture should form into a ball of dough. (Sprinkle a bit more water on the dough if needed. If it is too wet, sprinkle a little more flour over it.)

Cover the dough. Allowing it to rest for twenty-five to thirty minutes.

Now knead the dough for a few minutes. Then lightly flour your countertop. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out as thin as you want it. (I just eyeball it, I don't use a ruler, but you can.)

Cut your pasta into the size of noodles that you prefer. To make spaghetti, fettuccine, linguine noodles, dumplings, pot pie squares, etc.. 

Now, lightly dust your noodles with flour and let it dry for a few minutes before cooking it. 

Fill a pasta pot with water. Allow the water to come to a rapid boil and transfer your fresh pasta in the pot. Cook for about eight to twelve minutes. (The cooking time will vary depending on how you cut your pasta.)

Or hang your pasta up to dry on a pasta rack, dehydrate it, or place it into freezer bags and freeze it.

Get Ready for a Cozy Country Christmas at Your Homestead

Image by Albertfotofilms

Get Ready for a Cozy Country Christmas at Your Homestead

Are you ready to bring some holiday cheer to your homestead this Christmas? With a few simple touches, you can create a cozy country Christmas that will make your home feel warm and festive. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Decorate with Nature

Instead of buying expensive decorations, why not bring the beauty of nature into your home? Gather pine cones, branches, and berries to create simple but beautiful decorations. You can also make your own wreaths and garlands using materials from your own backyard.

DIY Ornaments

Get creative and make your own ornaments to decorate your Christmas tree. You can use salt dough, cinnamon sticks, or even old mason jar lids to create unique and personalized ornaments that will add a special touch to your tree.

Cook Up Some Holiday Treats

What's Christmas without some delicious treats? Spend some time in the kitchen baking cookies, pies, and other holiday goodies. You can even make homemade gifts like jams or flavored oils to give to friends and family.

Hot Cocoa Bar

Set up a hot cocoa bar with different toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and peppermint sticks. It's a fun and festive way to warm up on a cold winter day.

Cozy Up Your Home

Add some cozy touches to your home to make it feel warm and inviting. Use blankets, pillows, and candles to create a cozy atmosphere. You can also play some holiday music and light a fire in the fireplace for extra warmth.

DIY Stockings

Make your own stockings to hang by the fireplace. You can use old sweaters or fabric scraps to create unique and personalized stockings for each member of your family.

With these simple ideas, you can create a cozy country Christmas on your homestead that will bring joy and cheer to your home this holiday season.

Guide to Creating Chicken Diapers

Guide to Creating Chicken Diapers

Have you ever wondered why someone would need to know how to make chicken diapers? Well, in the unfortunate event that one of your chickens falls ill or gets injured and needs to be brought indoors, chicken diapers can be a lifesaver in managing the mess. They can also be beneficial if you have a special needs chicken that requires indoor care. These instructions can also be adapted for creating diapers for ducks or any other bird with special needs. Simply measure your bird and determine the appropriate size needed. I trust that this guide will be both informative and practical.

The chicken diaper pattern provided here is for a one-piece slip-on design. If you prefer a diaper that is easier to put on your bird, you can modify the back piece by cutting it in half and attaching velcro for a quick fastening solution.

Please note that this diaper pattern was specifically designed for a gentle and docile Black Australope hen.

In developing this pattern, my goal was to create a durable double-sided diaper. Each piece of fabric was cut in duplicate and sewn together to ensure longevity. All edges are seamed to prevent fraying, and the design accounts for frequent washing. I hand-sewed this particular diaper, but it can be stitched up even faster on a sewing machine. 

Measurements:

Base of tail to base of neck:

• Back piece: 5 inches in length, 2 inches wide

• Upper chest to vent: 10 inches in length, 2 inches wide

• Width of tail: 3 inches

• Width of neck: 3 inches

The chest piece and back piece should each have a width of 2 inches, but cut them slightly larger to accommodate seam allowance. Adjust the size accordingly if you have a bantam or young chicken. Cut each piece of fabric in duplicate, ensuring that the design sides are facing each other when sewing. Leave an inch unsewn to allow for turning the pieces inside out, then stitch the openings closed.

To create the poop pouch, cut two 3 to 5 inch square pieces of fabric, sew them together with right sides facing, and then flip them right side out.

When cutting fabric for your bird diaper, be sure to include a seam allowance for each piece to ensure they can be sewn together properly.

To create a bird diaper, you will need the following materials:

• 2 pieces of stretchy elastic ribbon, each about 4 to 6 inches long (length depends on the size of the bird you are making the diaper for).

• 1 chest piece (2 pieces of fabric cut the same size, approximately 10 inches long, allowing for seam allowance and measuring your bird's size).

• 1 back piece (2 pieces of fabric cut the same size, about 5 inches long, allowing for seam allowance and measuring your bird's size).

• 1 poop pouch (approximately 5 inches x 5 inches for a larger bird).

• 2 thin feminine pads to criss-cross inside the poop pouch. Consider using a waterproof material as the inside liner for easier maintenance.

• 1 15-inch long x 2-inch wide piece of material or wide ribbon to create a ruffle on the poop pouch. Hem the sides of the ruffle, stitch, and gather the top edge before sewing it onto the backside of the poop pouch. (Optional)

• 1 fabric or ribbon bow for decoration on the back piece. (Optional)

Instructions:

To assemble the bird diaper, sew the poop pouch onto one end of the chest piece, creating a shape resembling a dipping spoon or shovel.

Attach the elastic pieces to the back piece by slip-stitching them onto the fabric's edges.

Sew the back piece onto the chest piece by sewing the elastics onto the two front corners.

Line the pouch with thin feminine pads in a criss-cross pattern or sew a waterproof liner inside for easier cleaning.

To properly secure the garment on a chicken, begin by placing the chicken's head through the middle of the front piece of elastic. Then, bring the back piece over the head and secure it around the tail, ensuring the poop pouch is positioned through the legs and covering the cloaca.

It is normal for the chicken to fuss with the garment initially, but it is important to ensure there is enough room around the neck for comfort. You should be able to easily slip two fingers underneath to check for proper tightness. If the garment is too loose, adjust it accordingly for a snug fit.