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This is our Homestead Hangout for November. It’s part of a series where we update you on all of the highlights that have happened in the last month on our own homestead. A lot of our content is “how-to” stuff while this gives you a glimpse into our world. We try to keep it real, sharing what’s going well and not so well on the homestead.

Watch “November Homestead Hangout” on YouTube >

Below are the show notes with links to additional content mentioned in the video.

Grow and Tend

When we installed our front container garden, we put in gravel pathways, primarily to deter slugs. Now that fall has arrived there are lots of leaves on the ground, which are great hiding places for slugs. Fortunately the gravel makes for easy raking. But we didn’t take the leaves far; we scooped them up and dropped them just over the fence. This way they become excellent mulch for the perimeter garden.

Back in the spring, we created a patio garden. This month we had to partially dismantle it so our house could be resided. We had some plants, like our strawberries, that still needed protection. So we did a little juggling to ensure our plants stayed safe during the project.

Outdoors and Wildlife

In November we weathered a couple of big storms. Fortunately our power outages were minimal and there was no major damage to our property. Between the storms we got down to the valley bottom to enjoy the changing leaves.

As the seasons are changing, so are the patterns of our wild neighbors. Their visits have lessened overall, but we still regularly see the deer passing through. We’ve been surprised to watch them eat the fallen cottonwood branches.

Dry and sunny days become rare occasions between now and May in the Pacific Northwest. So we use them well when they show up. On one such day we took a walk along the old rail-to-trail path down the road from our house. This time was good for our minds, bodies, and souls as we prepared for winter and Julie’s upcoming surgery.

Home and Construction

The re-siding project we have been planning for months finally began. While it was still disheartening to have to reside the whole thing, we feel good knowing that the building will be safe and sound for (hopefully) generations to come.

The silver lining is that the project has sped up our vision of turning this builder-grade 1990s structure into the farmhouse of our dreams. We hope it inspires you to view the possibilities for transforming your space.

Food and Drink

For Julie’s birthday this month, Kevin got her the All American pressure canner she’d been dreaming about for years. It might seem like a strange gift, but having the right tools makes all the difference. The thing people don’t often talk about is that homesteading can be expensive. Along the way we’ve learned that it’s best to only buy what we can afford, and wait until we can buy the best. This pressure canner will allow us to create low-acid, shelf-stable foods at home.

We didn’t spend the time idly waiting; we used it to research pressure canning, take course, and read books. So it was easy to jump in full force, and our first batch of canned garbanzo beans was a success! This is one big step toward our goal of having a years’ worth of food put on the pantry shelves.

Sew & Craft

In preparation for Julie’s surgical recovery, we did a deep cleaning of the inside of our house. Making your own cleaning products is a great way to reduce waste, save money, use environmentally-friendly ingredients and keep your indoor air quality safe. By adding essential oils, you can also create a signature scent for your home.

Planning and Mindset

Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. Since then she’s had six surgeries to remove parts in order to save her life and reconstruct the parts she lost to feel whole and functional again. It’s been a long road. We are hoping the surgery she had this month, to address some complications from her last surgery, will be the last one.

We were busy behind the scenes writing a new article and creating a new free download. The article, “What is Homesteading?” can help you explain this lifestyle those around you who may not get it fully. The new Quick Start Guide to Homesteading offers 36 simple ways to start becoming self-sufficient and sustainable, wherever you live.