Prepped Living Blog

We haven't posted an update on projects since last summer - 9 months! - so we thought it past time that we made a post. The list will not likely be complete since it has been so long, but here are a few highlights from the last nine months: Food Preservation Canning -  Condiments -  Mixed Berry Jam, BBQ Sauce, Hot Sauce, Cowboy Candy Fruits, etc. - Apple-Pear Juice, Apple Juice, Pears, Spiced Pear Sauce, Apple Sauce, Tomatoes, Cranberry Juice Meals - Turkey Pot Pie Filling, Kung Pao Chicken, Beef Bulgogi, Beef Cubes, Turkey, Meat Broth Freezing - Plums, Berries, Meat, Bone Broth, Onions, Hot Peppers, Green Peppers, Herbs, Celery Dehydrating  - Onions, Microgreens, Plums, Apples, Herbs for Tea, Culinary Herbs, Celery, Celery Leaves, Tomatoes Sewing/Knitting - Child's Cloak, Potholders, Baby Quilt, Knitted Stocking Cap, Modifying Clothing Extracts and Liqueurs  - Coffee Liqueur, Lemon Extract, Vanilla Extract (both vodka-based and bourbon-based), Maple Extract Fo...

I have been learning to darn socks using YouTube videos as teaching guides.  Why bother darning socks? You have probably discovered for yourself that when most socks develop holes in the heel and toe, the rest of the sock remains in good shape. Two of my favorite pairs of wool socks are wearing thin in the heel and toe.  In spite of being more than eight years old, the toe and heel are really the only worn part of the socks.  I didn't want to purchase new socks, so it was time to learn a new skill. I tried two different methods. I can’t say that my first attempts were beautiful, but they are functional, and I am hoping to improve with practice.  This page contains affiliate links. As an affiliate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.  U sing our links helps to support this blog at no extra cost to you.  The Weave Method I used a weave method f or the holes in my wool socks using  this video  as a guide. I didn't have wool thread in the same colo...

We live in a very old house with doors that have gaps underneath. While this is not a problem for the bedrooms, it is an issue for the basement door, under which the cold tends to creep in the winter-time. We have a cold spot at the front door as well. While we have been keeping out drafts with rolled up towels, no matter how you fold or roll them, they do not fit well. There is always a spot where there is either too much or not enough towel. Invariably, the towel gets kicked, it unravels, and then it is in the way. Since these older towels are also used for setting our canned good on when we take them out of the canner, we decided it was time to make something that fits better under the doors. Style 1 - Single "Baffle" I first experimented with a single draft stopper for the front door. It only required measuring the door and sewing a rectangle in the right length. I used the leg of a pair of pants that was stained and worn through near the seat. I made the rectangle five i...

It has been a while since we have done project updates. Here are some of the things we have been up to since the last update in early October. It is a bit of a long list since it has been so many months: Canning Turkey Beef Potatoes Pineapple Juice Cranberry Juice Beans Broth Pears Pear Sauce Apple Sauce Apple Pie Filling Hot Sauce Tomato Sauce Butternut Squash Mixed Berry Jam Dehydrating  Microgreens Green Peppers Calendula Blueberries Freezing Butternut Squash Spaghetti Squash Ham Broth Diced Ham Applesauce Other Homestead Projects Baby quilts Dinner Napkins Knit Baby Hats, Scarf, and Gloves Draft Stoppers Rendering Lard Rendering Tallow Vacuum Sealing Dry Goods Emergency Oil Lamps Candle Painting Homemade Christmas Ornaments   New Website Articles Your Go Bag Tom & Jerry Mix Homemade Chai Spice Mix Hot Cocoa Mix Emergency Lamps Canning Fruit Juices Our Experience Canning Cranberry Juice What projects have you been working on since last October? We would love to hear you...

Homemade gifts blend your time, talent, and treasure to create a unique gift made with love. Whether you are on a budget and need to use what you have or if you simply want to create something unique, making your own Christmas gifts can be a great option. Here are a few homemade gift ideas our family has enjoyed: CRAFTS Christmas Tree Ornaments The girls and I made angel ornaments by upcycling old pant pockets. We found a photo on the web for inspiration. We used the legs of the pants to make quilts some time ago and cut out the pockets thinking we would eventually find a use for them, and we did! Angel ornaments made from pant pockets There are many other great ideas for DIY Christmas ornaments out there. Here are some other ideas you can check into: Ribbon Ornaments We made something similar to this several years ago. They turn out beautifully and are so easy! Clothespin Ornaments  Here is a site that lists 5 ways to make ornaments from clothespins. More Ornament Ideas The Pion...

The idea behind Prepped Living does not equate with building a bunker and filling it with MREs. It is meant to be a way of life. It can incorporate aspects of homesteading, homemaking, preparedness, self-sufficiency, gardening, foraging, DIY, and yes, even survival skills. It means doing what you can when you can to develop essential skills and improve your health. It is meant to be woven into your everyday life, not to be an all-consuming burden to your time or resources. In reality, it is nearly impossible to be completely prepared for all potential emergencies. If you would like to read about why we developed an interest in living a bit more prepared, see our " About Us " page on our website. Each family's version of prepped living will look different. You may raise livestock on a large piece of land. You may have a container garden on your apartment balcony. You may have neither, but perhaps you make your meals from scratch and do a bit of sewing. All of these skills ...

With the arrival of Baby S. anticipated soon, it seemed a good time to make a few baby items - some for the girls and something to have on hand at our house. Burp Cloths I made several burp cloths for each of our daughters. This was a quick and easy project to complete and the first one I did this winter. For burp cloths, all you really need to do is sew two large rectangles together. I made a few different sizes and shapes for the girls to try out. I look forward to hearing feedback on which size/shape works best for them. If you want to venture into sewing or even just get back into it, this is a great project to start with. Baby Bibs Youngest daughter was wanting a couple more soft baby bibs to have on hand. It seemed like a simple enough project to try so I offered to make her some. I first made a pattern from the two bib styles she had and then purchased a set of soft receiving blankets in colors she likes from the local second hand children's store. It cost a total of $2.50 f...