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Category Archives: Family Fun

Learning is fun

Posted on February 1, 2016 by vernsix Posted in DIY, Family Fun, Make Your Own, planning, Remote Living, Self-Sufficiency .

I love when I receive email from my readers and I do receive a lot of it. Last week I received an email from a man who read a couple of my articles. He had read the one about how hard it was to find good reliable help out here in the sticks and the latest one about starting with a portable building for a house cabin. He asked a pretty good question, “What if I just don’t have the skills to do the building and construction you talk about?”

I realize not everyone has been trained or even exposed to such things, but for me this is what I find the most exciting about the lifestyle. The constant learning and trial and error at skills I may not have is what keeps this lifestyle interesting for me. While I have had some training and plenty of practice in building construction, I don’t have all the answers to every problem we face out here. Continue reading →

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A roof over our heads

Posted on January 24, 2016 by vernsix Posted in DIY, Family Fun, Make Your Own, planning, Remote Living .

portable-buildingThis series of my articles has been about deciding if this self-sufficient lifestyle is right for you or not. In my “Back to the Basics” article on January 3rd, I mentioned the six things Ranae and I put at the top of our list when deciding to make the leap to be 100% in this lifestyle. Those six items are: water, shelter, food, energy, finances and community. Keep in mind, we filter every decision through the frugality filter.

Last week I talked a bit about how we were able to get internet out here in the sticks and how that provides for my ability to make a living. So, once we had all the big hurdles met, what about a roof over our heads? Continue reading →

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What is the self-sufficient lifestyle (Part 2)?

Posted on December 13, 2015 by vernsix Posted in Family Fun, Self-Sufficiency, tea .

checkboardLast week I started this series of articles to hopefully give you a road map for deciding if this self sufficient lifestyle is really for you or not. As I addressed in that first article in this series, I think frugality is very important. In fact, it was the single most important point for both Ranae and I as we embarked on this lifestyle many years ago.

One reader wrote to me with a great question/point, after reading last week’s article. I never really defined what “self-sufficient” means. I eluded to the fact that you could ask ten different people what the term means, and you would probably get ten different answers. But I never really told you what I think it means. I like this definition the best, “Living simply and efficiently; making everything we do and everything we consume stretch as far as possible.” Continue reading →

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MURS radio and the hunt for Bambi’s daddy

Posted on November 9, 2015 by vernsix Posted in Family Fun, Ham Radio, hunting, MURS Radio .

610ppxrtXTL._SL1200_Deep in the heart of Texas the only thing close to as important as high school football is the elusive hunt for Bambi’s daddy. Deer season here began this past Saturday and the woods were alive with hunters on the chase for the prize mount and a freezer full of “free” meat.

I don’t hunt much these days, unless it’s with my camera, but I certainly have and I can understand the desire to do so. Most hunters will tell you, there isn’t much they enjoy more than hanging out with a group of guys (and gals too) at deer camp on the first weekend of the season. The time spent with others, in pursuit of the biggest deer, creates some great times and usually some even greater stories about the one that walked by, just beyond the range of where a shot could be taken. Continue reading →

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Tags: deer camp, deer hunting .

Cast Iron Cooking

Posted on October 19, 2015 by vernsix Posted in Cooking, Family Fun .

according-to-vern-2015-10-19The weather where I live has been so wonderful lately. I love the fall in Texas. The mild temps and bright sunny days make me feel so happy and blessed. In the heat of summer it’s difficult to find the desire to sit on the porch and notice the little things in life. It’s so easy to miss so much of this beautiful place when it’s hot.

When fall rolls around, in addition to sitting on the porch and just watching God’s amazing critters, Ranae and I also enjoy road trips. We especially like the Sunday drives through God’s Country… Texas. This past weekend we decided to take in a bit of Texas history as well. We traveled to the Washington on The Brazos State Park.

This place is truly amazing. It’s the plantation home of The Republic of Texas’ 4th (and last) President, Dr. Anson Jones. There is a replica of Independence Hall, where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed as well. Workers wear period dress and raise a variety of crops and animals in the same way as they did back in the 1830’s. The museum, operated by Blinn College, is incredible as well. I highly encourage you to take your family to see this wonderful part of Texas History. Continue reading →

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Tags: cast iron, dutch oven, peach cobbler .

Great Quotes

"The more you know, the less you need", Cody Lundin

"Self-Reliance is the only road to true freedom, and being one's own person is the ultimate reward", Patricia Sampson

"Self-Sufficiency is the greatest of all wealth", Epicurus

"Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient", Aristotle

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