On the way to the Community Garden I stopped at a park to watch the geese and ducks because I was too early.

I drove back for the 0930 class, there were almost 20 people there. Only a few permies, a variety of Gardeners, teachers, and others. More people came then I was expecting. After the class, we transplanted some starters. I planted some basil but had to stay away from the peppers. We weeded and learned about the different plants and the history of the Community Garden. We moved around the water storage tanks
After the finishing the work, we had a potluck lunch at around 1230. It was good, as well as the companionship. They meet up every 2nd Saturday the work on the garden, I'll have to go back and help more often.

I'm continuing to work on my raised beds. I just added dirt to my compost in place beds (leaves, pine straw, pine cones and branches). So far I have two large beds, this box, 2 potato boxes and multiple containers.

I bought composted garden  soil from Bees Ferry Landfill, Home Depot and Lowes. On Wednesday there was a huge sale and I bought 40 dollars worth of composted garden soil to help cover the rest of my first and second raised beds and most of a flower bed along the front porch.

 This weekend I planted multiple store bought and home sprouted plants. Now I have a variety of flowers and vegetables and am starting more. This is my inventory so far: dwarf tomatoes, bush tomato, cherry tomato, avocado tree, lemon tree, celery leeks, green onions, white onions, carrots, curled parsley, asparagus, cabbages, lettuce, broccoli, heirloom yellow squash, cucumber, white potatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydew melons, american dock (plantain), mint, a variety of flowers, succulents, ground cover and ornamental grasses.

I am currently watching a webinar about why you should buy, raise and save seeds as part of your survival preparedness. Last year I helped Kickstart a program for Fruition Seeds in Naples adn Branchport, New York. They grow and sell heirloom seeds, guaranteed GMO free.
I am preparing my garden right now to plant my first crop from these seeds. I would have started earlier, but we have been having crazy weather. This is a work in progress, I am  building raised beds in my backyard and they are constantly under improvement. Right now I need to get compost and dirt to cover them.

I went to a wonderful conference called Fruitmania at Cypress Gardens last Saturday.

I had a good time. There were many good speakers, presentations, as well as plants and books to buy.

Everyone got a chance at various door prizes and got to vote on the best jelly/jam presented for blind taste testing.

I will definitely go again next time. It was well worth the money and my time.

This is my second attempt at a hat on my circle loom. I like the color and fit. I'll be making a few more for sending to relatives for Christmas.

I finished my first e-wrap knit hat. I made a few errors but it was my first. My first attempt was a little too long and tight. My next one should fit me. I love the colors. This book has many patterns from basic to intermediate. If I finish a few more in time, I will send them to my nieces and nephews for Christmas. 

I so happy, I paid for this Kickstarter last year and the rewards finally came in. I was able to order 50 seed packets worth $200 for only $2.95  shipping. I will start planting these in the spring. I need to get another greenhouse and make more raised beds so I can start growing my crops. I can't wait until I have plants I've grown to can and add to my slowly building food storage.

I will finish my rain barrel tomorrow, so will have a supply of water for my plants without affecting my water bill. I will gradually get more barrels, but need to keep within my budget to build up my savings.

In other news, I just sold my first book on my Amazon store, The Lord of Greenwich, I'll mail it tomorrow. I also will start my new job with DAV Force as an auto mechanic on the Charleston Naval Weapon Station.

I am working on my 1st canning experiment with 3 acorn squash in 4 pint jars. I probably should have done something simpler to start with, but had some squash that needed to be used. I had to search for the directions to can it at 15 psi though, because the instructions in the Home Preserving manual (came with my Fugor Duo pressure canner) said to can it at 10 psi, my pressure canner only has a Hi (15 psi) and Lo (8 psi) setting.
Thankfully I found some instructions on someone else's blog where they used 15 psi for 55 minutes and it turned out fine. Currently, I have 20 minutes left and then will test the seals.
After depressurizing and letting everything cool off, I found out that 1/2 the fluid in each jar had leaked out. and one of the jars didn't seal. Thankfully the manual said that everything was fine, except for the one that didn't seal. That one went in the fridge and will be used soon. Overall, not a bad experience.

     I am getting so disillusioned with society and the government lately. I just want to buy me some land that is out of the way and go off the grid. I know it will be a gradual process considering that I have a husband and son as well. They probably wouldn't be happy about it because they love being on the X-box or computer and with a little planning they wouldn't have to leave it behind.
     My plan right now is to:

• save money while contracting here in Kuwait. 
• take some classes on how to start and run a business.
• start a business with my husband; to make more money.
  
• practice the skills that I will need to homestead in my current house.
• buy some land, build a house ran by alternative energy and start homesteading

    I know it will be hard to start with, but I am sick and tired of living in a crowded community and having to follow ridiculous rules, many that don't even make sense or aren't need if you even have a little common sense.

     I have recently rekindled my interest in this topic. I helped a co-worker from Idaho buy a Back to Basics book from Amazon.com and we have been pouring over it when we are not busy at work. Another co-worker has a similar interest, but his leans more towards the survivalist than a homesteader lifestyle.
    Some of the subjects that have been coming up are:

1. House styles
   

• hobbit hole either as a stand alone house or as the lower floor of it. 
  
• earthship
• cabin
• house
• yurt/tepee

2. livestock to raise

• cattle
• goat
• chicken and other birds
• ostrich/emu
• llama/alpaca

3. crops

• vegetables: corn, potato, tomato, celery, squash, etc
• grains: wheat, barley, quinoa, etc
• fruit: apple, pear, peach, plum, berries, etc
• legumes: beans of all types, peanuts, etc
• rushes: reed, papyrus, cattail, horsetail, bamboo, etc.
• cannibus in the states where it is legal or soon to be. I am not a smoker, but this is an extraordinary plant. It produces the most oxygen per acre of any plant on the earth. Can be used for may things including: rope, twine, cloth, food, medicine, fuel, etc. Hopefully it is legalized soon, it is not a dangerous plant and can be turned into a taxable crop to help with income for farmers and the state alike.

4. alternative energy

• wind
• solar
• water
• geothermal

5. Income

• crafts: beading, pottery, knapping, bowyer/fletcher, carpentry, weaving, etc.
• farming, food production (drying, canning)
• hunting
• holistic medicines

     Whenever new subjects or expansions on these subjects come up I will update this post or add a