Living Free in Tennessee - Nicole Sauce

Today, we talk about starting your garden plants from seed. We will take this from a beginners perspective and sprinkle in "Innovations" for those of you who are old hands at it. We will also cover our usual Monday Segments: Tales From the Prepper Pantry, Weekly Shopping Report from Joe, Frugality Tip, Operation Independence. Featured Event: Feb 25 RV Solar Installation Workshop, $50, Westmoorland, TN, https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/event/rv-solar-install-workshop/  Sponsor 1: DiscountMylarBags.com Sponsor 2: HollerRoast.com Tales from the Prepper Pantry Mason Jar Storage Challenges Refining the apothecary All The Meat Fat Tuesday Crepes THE EGG Weekly Shopping Report Frugality Tip from Red Fyer Media (Rebecca) For your DIY Construction projects Get free lumber, hardware, plumbing PEX, Electrical supplies & even tools!  Building contractors, especially smaller ones who build 1-5 houses at a time, have to pay clean up crews to haul off the excess lumber & they rent the dumpsters & sometimes have to pay extra by weight & to be emptied. If you see a house is being built, stop by and talk to the contractor about dumpster diving or collecting left overs. They will usually say ok, as long as you promise to go by after the crew is done for the day and they also want you to guarantee you are not going to sue them if you hurt yourself.   Every contractor I have talked to is THANKFUL that I am taking stuff away and they don't have to pay to haul off.  Here''s a short list of what I have gotten for free that way: 1/2 pex - appx 150 ft because crews don't like to mess with the last 20-30 ft of the roll stuck in the plastic. 3 strand wire (at least 150' from 4 different houses. They are short runs, maybe 2' - 7', but most DIY homestead projects use a lot of short runs and a few long ones.  Super heavy duty wire like for 220 - enough for any DIY project. Lumber! 2x4s, 2x6, 2x8, trim pieces for both indoor and outdoor - most NEW lumber that was extra at the end of a house build. Right now I have 20 20' 1x4 cedar boards that were left overs for ONE house. Other items: Insulation, pipe insulation. Door hardware, cabinet hardware, plumbing hardware, electrical boxes (like on power poles) All NEW! Operation Independence Thoughts on building yourself and your health into your schedule Main topic of the Show: Starting Seeds for Beginners First: Why try? Cheaper than buying them (But be prepared to buy plants) Increases self reliance - if you can start the seedlings, you can save the seeds and be relatively confident that you will be able to use them It’s fun Next: What can go wrong You might fail and not end up growing exactly what you want that year Pests can wipe them out You spend tons of money on equipment and fail and walk away - so dont do that About failure: Failure happens - prepare for it Have a backup plan Things to cover Seeds: Heirloom, vs hybrid and its all okay What to grow via seedlings: Tomatoes, peppers, kale, swiss chard, broccoli, lettuce, loofahs Squashes and cucumbers less good but ok Dont do peas, beans, carrots and other root veggies 1) Light, light, light. Generally a window isn't going to have strong enough light. By far, this is most common pitfall. Burrina Grow Lights - https://www.amazon.com/Barrina-Spectrum-Daylight-Equivalent-Greenhouse/dp/B0B3CM9FYK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1CVUC8DV4MO08&keywords=burrina%2Bgrow%2Blight%2Bbar&qid=1707764491&sprefix=barrina%2Bgrow%2Blight%2Bba%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1 $59-89 Lighting - and what to do if you dont have any Proper, full spectrum lighting uncomfortably close to the plants for 12-16 hours Go for it anyway and be prepared for leggy plants 2) Soil temperature. Too low, and you'll have bad germination rates and weak seedlings.  Heating source - and what to do if you dont have any The mats Stability My greenhouse story and why we germinate indoors Top of the fridge or other warm corner Seedling mats https://www.amazon.com/BN-LINK-Durable-Seedling-Hydroponic-Waterproof/dp/B08BTFNTG4/ref=sr_1_6?crid=34WCO0YTLETWX&keywords=seedling%2Bmats&qid=1707764562&sprefix=seedling%2Bmat%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-6&th=1 $13 3) Consistent moisture, not overwatering. Dampening off and failure to thrive despite good lighting is generally due to overwatering. Watertable method - redneck style Plant tray: https://www.amazon.com/Gardeners-Supply-Company-Planting-Large/dp/B07K5R8XN2/ref=sxin_14_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.92181fe7-c843-4c1b-b489-84c087a93895%3Aamzn1.sym.92181fe7-c843-4c1b-b489-84c087a93895&crid=UYTCVJM82FZP&cv_ct_cx=plant+tray&keywords=plant+tray&pd_rd_i=B07K5R8XN2&pd_rd_r=c560ef49-5e79-4c2a-abb8-04c469e3edab&pd_rd_w=EX36k&pd_rd_wg=dQrqP&pf_rd_p=92181fe7-c843-4c1b-b489-84c087a93895&pf_rd_r=GG1K073F254115Q2C4C1&qid=1707764631&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=plant+tray%2Caps%2C141&sr=1-3-364cf978-ce2a-480a-9bb0-bdb96faa0f61-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1 Pots https://www.amazon.com/Seedling-Starter-Trays-720-Cells/dp/B00BRQ3QWK/ref=sr_1_2?crid=VW5BPVA8IT30&keywords=dmarketline+Seedling+Starter+Trays+120+Trays%3B+6-Cells+Per+Tray+Plus+5+Plant+Labels&qid=1707764966&s=lawn-garden&sprefix=dmarketline+seedling+starter+trays+120+trays+6-cells+per+tray+plus+5+plant+labels%2Clawngarden%2C167&sr=1-2  Trays Deep pots (3-4 inches) Start either directly in pots or in germinating trays and how to do each Cups work and are cheap A word on watering A word on the peat pucks - they can work A word on peat pots - they suck balls 4) Potting mix. Find one you get good results with and stick to it. You want good moisture holding capacity but also a light enough texture that pricking out and potting up is easy. Potting Mix Soil mix Dont make your own soil - and a hack here Buy a good one from the store - miracle grow makes one, walmart has an organic one - get the stuff made for seedlings or get potting soil that is “small” and not filled with barkdust. Don’t make your own soil, dont make your own soil, dont make your own soil Unless your working with mike vertrees or otherwise ensuring success through testing dont make your own soil Next year, feel free to try your own soil but even then go halvsies on it to test before your commit Know that story I told you about the failed tomatoes - she made her own soil! Some first year advice: choose 1 or 2 things and just try them out. And dont be sad if you end up buying seedlings - try again next year. It will work at some point. Borrow from a friend Visit nurseries for their extras - we ended up with 100 tray carrier things that way. Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

Today, we talk about electrical fencing woes, escaping sheep, egg issues and more with the Tactical Redneck. Featured Event: Wild Foraging Class April 8, 2024 with Kerry Brown. https://selfreliancefestival.com/product/wild/  Sponsor 1: HollerRoast.com Sponsor 2: Freesteading.com Fence Charger Woes - Is it the battery? Forage Early spring flowers are starting to grow (Tulips and daffodils) Pasture is coming back Watercress is still recovering from the deep freeze Trees have buds Livestock Process Rabbits Still need to process roosters Duck Drama Egg issues - we think they are hiding eggs Sheep Escape Signs on pregnancy in the sheep Grow Winter pollarding is done There is so much to do before spring Homegrown Meals Ground Pork and Grandpa Darby’s Breakfast Sausage Hiding chicken in green curry Holler Neighbors/Community Getting the door installed neighbor style Helped a local friend with roof related projects Infrastructure Solar upgrade Glamper Planning Workshop Redo Planning New Front Door Finances Need the eggs to start happening Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

Join me for a lively discussion with Julie Wentz about preserving your freedom to choose your health care. Featured Event: Sequatchie School Trapping Class Feb 24 - Join me there. $125. Email: Sequatchieschool@gmail.com Sponsors: DiscountMylarBags.com AgoristTaxAdvice.com Show Resources Bio: Julie Wentz is the Founder/Trustee of Freedom Healthcare. Julie has an extensive background in marketing and management in big box retail management, senior living communities and technology start-ups, along with decades of event management. She received her bachelor’s at Oregon State University and spent six months in Vienna Austria at the University of Vienna obtaining her International Business degree. She was a respite Foster Parent for the west valley in Arizona and has recently moved to Tennessee to further expand Freedom Healthcare. The goal is to create the NEW healthcare system for the future of America’s real foundational health. It is time to create the New Standard of Health for humanity. www.freedom-healthcare.us https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076849533990 Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/frhealthcare/ Gab - https://gab.com/FreedomHealthcareAZ Truth Social - https://truthsocial.com/FreedomHealthcare Twitter - https://twitter.com/FreedomHealthAZ Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/freedom-healthcare-us/ Telegram: https://telegram.org/FreedomHealthcare Clout Hub https://clouthub.com/c/przbwbnd @FreedomHealthcare Living Free in Tennessee NicoleSauce.com HollerRoast.com  Main content of the show Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community FreeSteading Group: https://freesteading.com/groups/living-free-in-tennessee/ Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Twitter: @nicolesauce IG: @nicolesauce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingFreeInTN  Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and members of our community and beyond about building the life you choose, current events, building a durable life, community development, business, getting started, health and more.  Each Tuesday, we welcome a different guest to tell their story, as well as take your questions live.  Featured Event: The Self Reliance Festival, SelfRelianceFestival.com Sponsors: The Self Reliance Festival: SelfRelianceFestival.com https://selfreliancefestival.com/ Tickets: https://selfreliancefestival.com/tickets/   Homestead Apprentice: HomesteadApprentice.com Show Resources Special Operations Equipment Living Free in Tennessee TheSurvivalPodcast.com NicoleSauce.com HollerRoast.com  Main content of the show Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community FreeSteading Group: https://freesteading.com/groups/living-free-in-tennessee/ Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Twitter: @nicolesauce IG: @nicolesauce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingFreeInTN  Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

Join me at 2pm Central for a live recording of the Monday podcast. Today's topic is how to stay motivated when you just aren't feeling it. We will also cover our usual segments: Weekly livestream schedule, Tales From the Prepper Pantry, Weekly Shopping Report, Frugality Tip (if there is one), Operation Independence. Featured Event: Paul Wheaton's Permaculture Jamboure, July 1-12, $1850 : https://wheaton-labs.com/permaculture-tech?f=495 Sponsor 1: InvestableWealth.com Sponsor 2: EmpShield.com, Coupon Code LFTN Livestream Schedule: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lftn/streams Odysee: https://odysee.com/@livingfree:b Tuesday 9:30am CT: Live with John Willis and Jack Spirko Wednesday 2pm CT: Interview with Julie Wentz (Healthcare Freedom) Thursday 7pm CT: SRF Livestream Friday 9:30am CT: Homestead Happenings w Tales from the Prepper Pantry February Rsupply Bill $263 - more in operation independence Mystery paper package from the freezer 15 minute Monday: Taco Salad again Audit dry/herbal goods as I move back in Daily Bone Broth Update Weekly Shopping Report Dollar Tree. The drink coolers are still being neglected, with none of them any more than 3/4 full, and about half of them empty or nearly so. I noticed the mix of canned and bottled drinks on the shelf are becoming more unusual. There's still some Monster, but it is all coffee-flavors, and a smattering of Rip-it and Rockstar, but it's mostly stuff I don't recall that I've never seen before. Other aisles look typical. The Health aisle still has a decent mix, and there are plenty of soaps and shampoos. Home Depot was next. a 2x4x8 remains at $3.25. They have some more 4-packs of Lithium AA cells now. If you're in need of some very light-duty tools (e.g. cordless screwdrivers, rotary brushes, a few different lights), they have more of the new Ryobi USB-charged tools in stock. Aldi was last. We did see a few holes, but found what we wanted except for Masa, a corn flour mix. We asked again, and they get it in, but Mexicans are buying it by the case.  Staple prices were: eggs: $1.86 (+); whole milk: $2.93; heavy cream: $4.69; OJ: $3.29; butter: $3.69; bacon: $4.25 (low-sodium was back in stock); potatoes: $3.99; sugar: $3.09; flour: $2.29; 80% lean ground beef: $3.59 (-).  A gallon of untainted regular has stayed at $3.639. Frugality Tip Member Webinar: Marketing for Success with Sue Zoldak, Feb 15 at 2pm https://nicolesauce.podia.com/marketing-for-success-q-a  Operation Independence Pantry challenge and finances of homesteading and whole animals: $263 + $26 + $12 = $301 Main topic of the Show: How Do You Find Motivation? I have watched a telegram group of people wanting to stay motivated go nuts this past few months. People get on and share successes, learn to forgive themselves for failures, and try to stay motivated. Stay motivated - that is the key. How do you stay motivated? I get this question all the time, particularly as relates to managing a homestead and starting side hustles. Caritalees Weekend Post And there is the lesson - Staying motivated in business, on the homestead, on your chosen dietary path, in exercise - is the same formula every single time. You have the good days You have the bad days You have the meh days You have the temptations to waver But has anyone ever said, after hauling their butt to the gym when they did not want to – has anyone ever said - Man I wish I hadn’t taken that spin class, or lifted those weights? Before, and even during, you may be hating it. But when you are finished, are you ever mad you did it? This is the thing about finding your motivation - it is the wrong question to ask. I mean sure, knowing things that get you motivated is a helpful tool. But the question you really want to know is not, how do you stay motivated, it is how to you stay dedicated or disciplined. Decide Prioritize Do what it takes every day Forgive yourself if you stumble Ways I trick myself into doing things on bad/meh/temptation days. Avoid temptation - like an addict Trick myself into starting by saying “Ill just do x amount and then I can stop. Then I trick myself more by doing one more thing” Set a timer and commit to doing a set amount of time Play music or audio while getting at it Entice yourself with a reward at the end of whatever it is you must do: Bath, reading a novel for a time, playing with the dogs, calling a friend, spinning wool - find NON FOOD REWARDS Track progress in areas where you struggle with motivation - I document my exercise in my journal because it is important to my long term health. I worked out 30 minutes a day on average last week. Knowing that feels good. Build in accountability - if you are in an accountability group, it can be the push you need to do the thing so you can report you did the thing - this is why #my3things works The bad news about staying motivated? No one does. The difference in perception between people who you think do and who you think dont is that those who look motivated all the time do the work even when they dont want to. Do find your passion, do build the life you want, but now that sometimes, you just gotta go get started, even if youre having a bad day. Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

Today I am joined by Tactical to talk about priority schizophrenia on the homestead, electrical fences, preparing for spring planting and more.   Featured Event: Kentucky Sustainable Living Expo: KentuckySustainableLiving.com   Sponsor 1: The Wealthsteading Podcast, InvestableWealth.com Sponsor 2: HollerRoast.com   Forage Dandelion is already up  Firewood update Grass Update (Was looking for wild onions)   Livestock We Need Good Hay - And it is out fault Eggs are slow - may adjust feed because they really should all be laying Coop management is not working  Rooster slaughter is upon us Time to process bunnies and breed the does Retraining sheep, failing fence chargers, etc   Grow Final day of the pantry challenge: Swiss chard Time to plant peas Pollarding and trimming   February on the Homestead: Bed preparations, Pruning, Seedlings, Operations Eyesore   Homestead Meals Reverse searing Lambchops   Holler Neighbors/Community The Car Schedule   Infrastructure Fence Charger Story Spare parts are great - KH was bailed out by the collection (So how do you balance that with clutter problems?)   Finances In the midsts of a deep dive with Agorist Tax Advice and may need to make some tough decisions Scheduling Chicken P   Make it a great week!   GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift!   Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

Join me today at 2pm Central for a discussion with Brian from The Lots Project. We will discuss the Amazon Influencer's Program and its potential role in your content creation project. Featured Event: Fight Like a Girl with Sonny Puzika: https://selfreliancefestival.com/prod... Sponsor 1: DiscountMylarBags.com Sponsor 2: FreeSteading.com Show Resources The Lots Project Brian's Amazon Storefront https://amazon.com/shop/thelotsproject Playlist of Brian's Amazon Influencer Program Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhVhFByPLDZnqD7XQ82fTu2yAo6xQoK_e Main content of the show Make it a great week GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

Tuesday Live With John Willis, Nicole Sauce and Agorist Tax Advice. Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and members of our community and beyond about building the life you choose, current events, building a durable life, community development, business, getting started, health and more.  Each Tuesday, we welcome a different guest to tell their story, as well as take your questions live.  Featured Event: The Self Reliance Festival, SelfRelianceFestival.com Sponsors: The Self Reliance Festival: SelfRelianceFestival.com https://selfreliancefestival.com/ Tickets: https://selfreliancefestival.com/tickets/   Homestead Apprentice: HomesteadApprentice.com Show Resources Special Operations Equipment Living Free in Tennessee NicoleSauce.com HollerRoast.com  AgoristTaxAdvice.com Main content of the show   Make it a great week!   GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.    Community FreeSteading Group: https://freesteading.com/groups/living-free-in-tennessee/ Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Twitter: @nicolesauce IG: @nicolesauce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingFreeInTN  Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

Today, We talk about how I make decisions on what to do, and what to leave  - and why this is an important place to make purposeful decisions. It only takes 60 seconds to unload the dishwasher so why not just go for it if the dishes are in there. Even if you are running late those 60 seconds are not the reason. Featured Event: Earlybird Tickets are Up for the Self Reliance Festival, April 6-7 Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Sponsor 2: Emp Shield, Coupon Code LFTN Livestream Schedule Monday, 2PM: Should I Do It? Tuesday 12:30 PM: Tuesday Live With John Willis and Matthew Sercely, AgoristTaxAdvice.com Wednesday, 2PM: Interview with Brian from The Lots Project on Amazon Influencer Program Friday, 9:30 AM: Homestead Happenings with The Tactical Redneck Tales from the Prepper Pantry Last 3 Days of the Pantry Challenge and Tonight’s Dinner is the Problem - We are almost out of fresh greens (Thank goodness for the AP) and it is choir night so Taco Salad There was some flooding in the Prepper Pantry but nothing was hurt - best to keep things off the floor in there FWIW Mason Jar Storage Challenges Use up vs fill up - not using as many jars of canned things as usual - I think we have just really moved more into a meat based diet Canned Meats This Week Weekly Shopping Report from Joe Sorry for the hiatus. We were stuck behind 8" of snow last week and did not get out, but we returned to our usual routine this Saturday, plus a second trip today. Dollar Tree was first on Saturday. The drink coolers were in very bad shape, with maybe one of them fairly full, but the others empty or nearly so. There were plenty of drinks on the shelves though, so I'll chalk it up to laziness. I stopped in here again on Sunday, and perhaps one of the empty ones had been refilled, but not the others; slackers. Home Depot was second on both days. A 2x4x8 remains at $3.25. We forgot it on Saturday, so I returned for a snow shovel today, but they just don't stock them. I did grab one of the few remaining bags of ice melt. I will order a snow shovel; rare or not, when needed, it's needed. Aldi was third on both days. They had no Masa in stock, which Sonia uses a lot (including for the birds, who love it). I asked someone today, and she said it's a core item and should be on the next truck. We found everything else we wanted. Staple prices were: eggs: $1.66; whole milk: $2.93; heavy cream: $4.69; OJ: $3.29; butter: $3.69; bacon: $4.25*; potatoes: $3.99; sugar: $3.09; flour: $2.29; 80% lean ground beef: $4.49. Although the price of bacon had not changed, there was none of the low-sodium variety, and they added a couple boxes of the cheap stuff, which was priced at $3.99. We just got regular bacon. Finally, I stopped for gas. A gallon of untainted regular at this particular Weigel's had dropped to $3.639. Frugality Tip from Jed Froggy During covid, all Ball products were hard for me to find, especially pickle crisp. Upon researching and realizing that it is just hydrated calcium chloride, I found some in stock at a home brewing supply. That supply line is obviously more robust, the container is larger, and the larger container was actually cheaper. Pickle Crisp is just pearled CaCl2 and this looks exactly the same. Despite Pickle Crisp becoming available, I have continued to shop at the brewer instead. While you’re in there, price check other food grade chemicals, and ask if you can leave your name as someone that wants waste mash. Operation Independence LFTN 24 is sold out - Wait List Main topic of the Show: Should I do it? I was up at 5 today and sat with my coffee for an hour working on the My3Things sales copy before taking the dogs for a walk, doing a 30 minute set on housekeeping, and evaluating My3Things for the day. Along the way, I glanced over at my sink and saw last night’s dishes drying  - well really - DRY in the put away rack. I frowned at the dishwasher a few times. It was full of clean dishes. We often spend time putting off doing things, worrying about doing things, and talking about doing things while not doing them – only to discover that they take less time to do that it was worth worrying over. It only takes 60 seconds to unload the dishwasher so why not just go for it if the dishes are in there. Even if you are running late those 60 seconds are not the reason. And usually that extra minute will not hurt you any more than running late has already hurt you. On the flip side, if you do fifteen 1-minute tasks instead if heading out to your appointments, then doing those things is, in fact the problem. I often say, spending fifteen minutes in the morning deciding what is for dinner and making sure you have what you need to make that happen on time is the difference between a nourishing, home cooked meal and either eating at 9pm or getting takeout. Especially if you are lucky enough to practice homegrown cooking. So when and how, then do you decide to do something, versus put it off for another time The Underlying Problem: More to do than hours in the day. >Ask why Said yes to too many things The “messy” vs “cleany” problem (https://www.amazon.com/New-Messies-Manual-Procrastinators-Housekeeping/dp/0800757262)  It is an overly busy time No motivation/illness/etc >But why Haven’t decided what is most important Ah, now we are getting somewhere. To decide what is important, you must decide what is not important. Or said another way: If everything is important, nothing is. Goal at home: Home that empowers me AND nourishing, home-cooked food that we grow. Must haves Systems that make it so I can find things and meals happen on time Space for hyperfocus mode, my income earning endeavors, fun Animals are cared for We keep up with our food growing projects Proper supplies, few household backlogs like Laundry Mountain Not too much visual clutter Food on time, most of the time, from here Not important Museum clean “Going out” Common entertainment like movies, etc Pointless hobbies Everything the same each day Decore (Useful versus pretty) That being said, a non-healthy environment does not meet my needs. Question: When should I do it? Comes to mind. Back to the dishwasher - mine did not get emptied until lunch time - why? Because to have clean clothing, I needed to do laundry. To have healthy food tonight - a tough night for it - I had to have my plan and supplies ready to go. To make my 8am call, I needed to do the most important things first to get the outcomes I wanted and there were only 30 minutes for household stuff after I did my book session and walked the dogs. Laundry takes time to get done, but little interaction, so I knew I could start it, then be on that call. Dinner has to happen at 5pm (1 hour early), so I made sure we had everything in place for taco salad night, which includes harvesting swiss chard that gets built into my day. And Monday is pretty important here in the morning. Monday is when the discussion of who is doing what on which day happens, so we knocked that out. By the time that was all done, there was not a minute left before my first call, so I took it, then hyperfocused on work until it was time to cook lunch - and only then was there space for the 1 minute dishwasher unload. People often say women can multitask, but this is not how I work. I rapidly task - I fill the breaks with small things, like unloading the dishwasher, while I wait for other things that are not ready for the next input. Example: While waiting for onions to caramelize, I, in fact, finally unloaded the dishwasher. It takes 4 minutes to caramelize onions, so the dishwasher is the perfect thing to add into that tiny space. And it is these spaces that make the difference between keeping up, and ending up way behind. Filling the empty spaces in your day makes a huge difference. I know it sounds like a bit of torture, this filling of spaces but think about what it can give you: Less to do at the end of the day More forward momentum on important projects A healthier outlook because when you fill tiny spaces, you make big ones for rest, rejuvenation Now I know you expected me to dive into why you should ALWAYS do it as part of today’s show but that is not the point. Quite the opposite. I was thinking today how these little domestic “tweener” projects are foundational to the functioning of the Holler Homestead. And this goes beyond the homestead. In your “work mode” you also have important little maintenance things that must be done. We sit around waiting that ten minutes from calendar reminder to appointment, afraid we will miss it, when we could be sending a single email to someone, or paying bills, or sweeping the roasting shack. But in my house, I manage to fit the 60 seconds it takes to unload the dishwasher during the 4 minutes it takes to caramelize onions Why? Because I can tell at a glance that the onions need stirring so I know I will be successful at getting both done. But that call? Ah the call is a different things altogether. If I wander off to do the 5 minute sweeping of the shack while waiting for the specific call time, I may not make that call. And there is a simple fix: A second notification. Setting the calendar for the 10 minute warning AND a your need to start now alarm makes that space usable again. It is a simple fix. It works. And it gives you back ten lost minutes to add to your afternoon focus session - a powerful gift. So in answer to should I do it? I don’t know. It depends on you choosing actual, big picture priorities like I talk about in my book, My3Things. It depends on what you have set up to make yourself get the most important things TO YOU or FOR YOUR PROJECT done. Asking the question is the first step - building purpose into your answer is the answer. Here’s to a sink full of clean, drying dishes and a dinner that cooked itself while I ate lunch my friends. Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

Join us at 9:30m Central for a live discussion of managing the homestead alone, mud season, life without the grocery store, seed starting and more. Featured Event: Sequatchie School Trapping Class, $125 Date: February 24, 2024 Location: Spencer, TN Sign up: sequatchieschool@gmail.com Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com Careful what you pray for - Snow turns to rain turns to mud city Update on the truck key situation Freezer Probe Problems -  Guest form is off until April 1, 2024 Forage AP update: Plants lived and it did not freeze with a stock tank heater so we have watercress and swiss chard Brussels sprouts is still alive Rosemary is still alive Good time to trim the fodder trees Livestock Rabbit poop problem Coop Cleanout Problem Miles keeps getting out - wherever there is no electric fence - floppy fence problem Need hay Know your animals No eggs - cold  Grow Time to start brassicas, peppers, lettuce Round 1 of pea seeding Indoor peppers are still alive Longevity spinach  Homestead Meals Hamburger pizza Eating while NIcole is Away - an update Holler Neighbors/Community Mini Split Installation 3 Seats left for the LFTN Spring Workshop Infrastructure Operation eyesore next 2 weeks Overall freeze resilience feedback Finances No trips to the store yet Firewood vs electricity for heat Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift!   Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link