Category Archives: Homesteading Lifestyle

Self Sufficiency on a Texas Homestead

Sun Protection: Rigid Canopy for Our Mid-Size Tractor

by Texas Homesteader ~

RancherMan & I work outside every day, rain or shine. We’re either working cattle or fixing fences. There’s garden work and tractor work. Day in, day out – we’re outside working. Now we LOVE our lives here don’t get me wrong, but sun protection is something we take very seriously.

We’re careful to wear our Sun-Protective Shirts when we’re working outside. And for my small blue Ford 32 hp tractor, RancherMan made sure I had a heavy canvas canopy to protect me from the sun. But his larger tractor didn’t come with a canopy, just a ROPS (roll bar).

Now I hated that he wasn’t protected and constantly ~~nagged~~ I mean reasoned with him to get something to protect himself from the sun. But he protested mightily, saying: “I’m having trouble finding one that fits the ROPS on my tractor. Plus I’d want a rigid canopy. And since I often work around trees when I’m mowing I just don’t know if I should get one for my tractor”

Continue reading →

Homestead Hack: Separating Cream From Fresh Milk

26 Replies

by Texas Homesteader ~

As many of you know, recently I had to bring a mama cow into the barn recently. We had to milk out one of her quads since her newborn calf neglected it long enough for it to get very large. I didn’t want to risk her getting mastitis. And the longer the calf neglected it the larger it became.

Although our cows are not a dairy breed, she gave me about a half gallon of fresh milk from just that one quad! I’d never milked a cow before & I was pretty excited to get that fresh milk. So I sat out to put it all to good use. I decided to make homemade yogurt with it, but I had trouble skimming the cream easily. So I turned to my Facebook Followers to find out how they easily skimmed the cream from the milk.

Continue reading →

Homesteading Blogs Sorted By State!

61 Replies

by Texas Homesteader ~

A few weeks ago a reader suggested that since cooking directions can change based on altitude and gardening plans can differ based on planting zones, someone should compile a list of homesteading / Simple Living blogs separated by the areas they reside in.

BRILLIANT, and challenge accepted!

Such a list is helpful for not only the reader of my Texas-based blog but also for all blog readers wherever they’re located.

So below you’ll find a list of awesome blogs separated by U.S. location and there’s even a spot to list some great blogs from our Canadian friends!

Continue reading →

Preparing For The Storm – Maintaining The Storm Shelter

10 Replies

by Texas Homesteader ~

TORNADO SEASON is right around the corner so I’m preparing our storm shelter for potential late-night runs to safety. See my preparations.

Continue reading →

Don’t Belittle, But Support Others In Their Simple-Life Journey!

20 Replies

by Texas Homesteader ~

We all had to start the road to simplicity at the very beginning. So even if you’re a veteran eco-warrior, don’t belittle someone else’s humble beginnings. Let’s support each other in our path to living simply! Remember we’re all in different places in our lives.

Continue reading →

Canning Jar Storage Solution: Milk Crates & Homemade Dividers

59 Replies

by Texas Homesteader ~

Canning jars used to be sold in 4-sided cases with cardboard dividers. But they’re now sold in half boxes with no dividers to protect the glass. I don’t want to store my empty jars that way knowing that canning jars clinking together weakens the glass over time.

I came up with a solution that protects the jars as well as simplify storage. See what we did!

Continue reading →

How To Get Around HOA’s Rules For Voluntary Simplicity

14 Replies

by Texas Homesteader ~

Yes, you can still live the simple life, even in a Homeowners Association neighborhood. I’m sharing simple ways you might go ahead & live the simple life within HOA restrictions and hoping others will share what’s worked for them.