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Across the Fence:  A Self-Contained, Interior Based Household  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 03:32:59 AM
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Hi girls!
Sometime last year I stumbled across - and fell in love with - the "Granny Miller" website. Katherine Grossman's blog is subtitled "A Journal of Agrarian Life & Skills" - who wouldn't love that? Well, this morning I read her thoughtful article about "the notion of a self-contained, interior based household fueled by self-labor, traditional sex roles and frugality" and just had to share:
http://www.granny-miller.com/
I share most of her sentiments and thought you might appreciate her insights, as well! :)
What do YOU think?
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Sep 29 2014 04:42:35 AM |
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princesspatches
True Blue Farmgirl
431 Posts
arttie
iron mountain
michigan
USA
431 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 03:39:37 AM
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I loved her article. I will be following her blog.
Arttie |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 04:44:05 AM
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Oh, that`s so great, Arttie! I hope you enjoy her other articles, too! Hugs, Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Sep 29 2014 04:52:10 AM |
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kysheeplady
True Blue Farmgirl
1291 Posts
Teri
KY
USA
1291 Posts |
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notathreatinsight
True Blue Farmgirl
626 Posts
Erin
Monroeville
IN
USA
626 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 05:11:14 AM
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That was a great article! As someone who can sometimes get caught up in the prepper "hysteria" it was a great reminder that simply working in the home for the good of your family is really what it's all about. Thanks for sharing :)
Erin
Farmgirl #3762
"Autumn ~ a second spring when every leaf is a flower. " - Albert Camus
http://www.etsy.com/shop/femmepostale/
http://www.pinterest.com/femmepostale/ |
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hudsonsinaf
True Blue Farmgirl
3162 Posts
Shannon
Rozet
Wyoming
USA
3162 Posts |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6871 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6871 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 05:59:21 AM
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Thank-you for sharing this very interesting article, Nini! It certainly described my grandmother and my own mother to some extent. There does seem to be a huge Urban Farmer movement is cities and suburbs everywhere these days. While women may still choose to work because they enjoy their profession, they can still often raise a few chickens, keep a small garden, and embrace other virtues of frugality and hard work. With the huge increase in population, it is not possible for families to all live on small farms anymore. But, the creative ways that urbanites are farming rooftops, patios, community gardens and supporting CSAs, there is a very strong demand today for keeping life simple and finding new ways to unclutter lives. I would include that I do think women add an important dimension to all professions and the workplace. They bring important perspectives, leadership skills, and talents. I believe that we are all the better for the ways women make our world a better workplace that in balanced for today's needs. Women are smart, intuitive, compassionate, hard workers and those values are needed in our schools, hospitals, law offices, manufacturing, and everywhere else you can think. How lucky we are today in 2014, that we live in a country where women have so many choices and can make so many contributions to the greater society!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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Dapple Grey Lady
True Blue Farmgirl
725 Posts
Betty
Goodrich
Texas
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 08:43:15 AM
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Loved this article. Reminders of my mom and grandmas. I have always been a SAHM and housewife. I was looked down on for staying home and not holding an outside job early on in my marriage. My kids had friends who were jealous because their mom was always there for them after school. Most were at our house a lot. I was the mom that was always home. I also eventually homeschooled my kids. I came to realize though that for some, they had no choice but to go to work and I think were envious of me. The question I was most asked was "What do you do all day? Don't you get bored?" My answer was always, "Oh, I stay busy doing something all the time."
~ Betty ~
Farmgirl Sister # 5589 |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 09:30:40 AM
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I'm so glad you enjoy the article, girls.
Teri! I hadn't even realized that she raises Cheviots! How about that! :) LOVE the little pocket and the yarn I ordered from your Etsy store, thank you! It arrived the other day! I have NO idea what I'm going to do with the yarn yet - just really loving the color and texture until the right project comes along! It's beautiful!!! Thank you for the extra Sweet Annie and the card, too! Such great surprises! You made my whole day!
Erin, I get teased by family and friends for being a "prepper," but I'm not. I don't have a bunker, I don't have an amazing food or ammo store. I just try to plan ahead... like the ants, just like the Bible says. I guess what I appreciated about the article most was that she had a problem with the "prepper" label, as do I. The Hollywood portrayal is much different from the reality of what a lot of us do. There's nothing wrong with planning ahead for come what may - not at all! You just never know what life may throw at you. We do what we can to care for our families, and that shouldn't be considered weird or fanatical. It's common sense to me, as I'm sure it is to you! What's weird to me is that home- and hand- made are so foreign to people anymore. And we wonder why when there's an unexpected natural event people panic, rushing to the stores for milk, water and bread! I just find great security in knowing how to make things myself, as well as how to make do and get by in an emergency situation, that's all. If that's weird, so be it. I can't tell you, though, how many people say they're coming to my house if there's a major snowstorm or if the power goes out indefinitely. That kind of freaks me out. I wouldn't turn anyone away, but if they all do really come, all my efforts sure won't last very long! I'd much rather teach them how to be a bit more self-sufficient so they can help themselves, you know? But they're just not interested. It's so ironic to me that they can relentlessly tease me on one hand, yet see me as their emergency redeemer on the other. Crazy stuff.
Winnie, you are SO right! I have family and friends who would go bonkers if they had to live this lifestyle. It's not for everyone, and I totally respect that. And some of us simply don't have choices. I'm just sincerely grateful for what I have, and for all the options we women have nowadays!
Betty - that is so true! I swear people imagine all I do all day is sit around the house eating bon bons and watching soap operas! Seriously now!
Hugs and love -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3550 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3550 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 09:36:47 AM
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I loved reading this. Thank you for sharing Nini.
Farmgirl #5111
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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kysheeplady
True Blue Farmgirl
1291 Posts
Teri
KY
USA
1291 Posts |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 09:49:04 AM
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LOL! Weeeelllll... I do spend a lot of my spare time, which is rare time, watching YouTube how-to's and getting online to chat with all of you on MJF!!! But no, no soaps... and no bon bons, either... Now that I'm older, I realize life can be a soap opera in its own right, and of that I've had more than enough. ;) AND now that I'm older, bon bons hold no glory - they just hold onto my hips! I swear at this age just LOOKING at sweets adds pounds! LOL! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 11:41:53 AM
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Hi Nini...I just went on her Blog and she is taking it down come October. So, I don't know what I missed...
but seems like more girls are quitting The Whole Blogging Scene lately.
I had to laugh at your comment about NO SOAPS AND BON-BONS! I so agree that Life tends to be an on going
Soap Opera...and that is enough Drama Queen Mentality, for anyone's day. I can't keep up on what Life is
constantly throwing at me...as is, let alone watch fictional soaps. I keep typing soup instead of soap...
and I think that is because I decided to make a big pot of home-made soup today as it is rainy and cool
here.
Hugs and Smiles,
Peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
Life is too short to knit with ugly yarn!
Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch |
Edited by - LadyInRed on Sep 29 2014 11:43:09 AM |
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Dapple Grey Lady
True Blue Farmgirl
725 Posts
Betty
Goodrich
Texas
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 11:59:21 AM
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I hear you on the bons bons and soaps! People still get amazed that we don't have tv. If we want to watch a movie we pop in a dvd. Having planned ahead on meals and ready to thaw meals in the freezer really helps for the times we need them on short notice. Just to find this blog only to find she will be taking it down come October....
~ Betty ~
Farmgirl Sister # 5589 |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 2:37:18 PM
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OMGoodness! Noooooo!!! That post wasn't there this morning!!! Noooooo!!! She just came back from after summer hiatus! Noooooo!!!
Okay... Let me take a quick deep breath... All right... Well... We all know good things have to come to an end. I'm okay. I'm back now. :)
Peggy - if you scroll down to the post AFTER the announcement of her retirement, it's the one that's titled, "Survivor, Prepper or Housewife?" Really good. Hope you get to read it! :)
Absolutely, Betty! I love taking a Saturday and making up a few batches of some of our favorite foods to freeze for later! It really does make life easier at the end of a busy day! :) I'm not sure I'm ready to give up television completely quite yet, but it sure is off most of the time! I really like the peace and quiet. Helps me regroup and re-energize, and helps me focus on more important things in my life. Kudos to you, sister! :)
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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AFinkberry
True Blue Farmgirl
310 Posts
Ally
Kalama
Washington
310 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 4:39:56 PM
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Nini, what a great site! I wish I had seen this earlier! I guess I'll be taking screenshots for future reference before she takes it all down! I find it funny that the other day, my cousin called me a "prepper" and I felt really awkward about it. I've never felt that this was the right word to describe anything that I've learned and accomplished this year! But in the absence of the right word with such a modern reference, I've been guilty of using that phrase on occasion. She certainly has some good opinions and I's sorry to see that she's leaving, but I'll try to absorb her "lessons" as much as possible before she does! Thanks for the link!
Ally
Farmgirl Sister #5672
"There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness." ~His Holiness the Dalai Lama |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2014 : 4:52:15 PM
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Oh, I KNOW, Ally! My heart! I just spent time copying down some of her posts myself! I just can't believe it's almost over! But what wonderful gifts of knowledge, insight and wisdom she has shared.. God bless her!
You know... I just can't help thinking what a stroke of luck (blessing) it was for me to catch that post this morning... Now I can be sure to copy everything I think I might need! We all can!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Sep 29 2014 4:54:02 PM |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2014 : 06:12:59 AM
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I found the blog and y'all are right....well written and spot on. Plus, the pics of her home were so heartwarming.
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2014 : 08:52:38 AM
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I just love her cookstove, don't you, Catherine? Our aunt and uncle have a coal cookstove which I've admired for years. I'm not sure how well it would do with pressure canning, but it sure is toasty warm in their kitchen all winter! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Across the Fence: A Self-Contained, Interior Based Household |
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A Self-Contained, Interior Based Household
