Country Living With Emma

A Facebook prepper group was asked, 'What is your most important tool?" A significant number answered that THEY were the most important tool. Do you agree?

I keep getting reminded about the importance of hospitality. If we are indeed facing challenging times ahead, the relationships we form now will be vital then.

I am constantly amazed at the similarities between today's headlines and those of the last Fourth Turning. We're exploring what was going on in the world on November 21, 1938.  New York Times 11-21-1938 MonkeyWerx

Mathilda describes life on the frontier in general and her life as a child in particular. When her mother died and her father remarried, she was sent to San Antonio to work for another family.

Many times we hear about preppers getting ready for then end of civilization. The most likely events are mundane things like a plumbing leak. If I'm prepared for a normal emergency, then I'm not likely to be able to handle a more catastrophic one. 

A stand mixer is a handy device. There are a large number of attachments that make it even more handy. 

Making a list and checking it twice! There's lots to do to get the house ready for a party. Is prepping for a party really prepping? It could be. 

None of us are completely self sufficient, but we can produce something. As my father used to say, "everything you know how to do is one less thing you have to pay to have done."

If you are learning to sew and need to purchase a sewing machine, I highly recommend watching the following video. He gives some great advice.  Best Sewing Machines Under $500

Mathilda was born in Texas to German immigrants in the Fredericksburg area. Her journal details the hardships that the early settlers experienced, including the children.  The first "executive mansion" of the president of Texas

This is the second part of the list of tools that are good to have in a basic setting kit. Before it's a link to the needle puller I described. It also has a thread cutter.  Needle Puller

What kind of items should be in a basic sewing kit? Several people stopped by my station at the living history event last weekend who were curious about learning to sew. That prompted me to consider what should be included in a basic sewing kit. I thought I could do this in one episode, maybe not.  Bernadette Banner: Sewing in the Apocalypse Book: Make, Sew, and Mend

Lots of things are going on this fall! Let's catch up on the work trip to the city, the living history event, and what I harvested this weekend. 

In this episode, we finish Ann's journal. Her story is different from the others we've read, but we can still learn from her experiences.

Friday is usually a catch up day of what I hope to get accomplished over the weekend. There's always a lot going on out here in the country!

Ann gets married and leaves Brazoria for her husband's plantation.

The beginning of the last century's 4th turning was officially October 29, 1929, when the stock market crashed. Economic problems only exacerbate other problems, like natural disasters. It's important to prepare as best we can for these challenging times.

The lowly nutcracker is a simple tool, but it makes a big difference!

The leading cause of death from injuries for seniors is falling. I'll share my own experience with falling and what I plan to do to fall less. 

First installment of Ann Raney Thomas Coleman's journal. 

I wanted a small portable project that I could work on during downtime at a work trio. I chose a fingerless glove pattern that I can wear when I'm demonstrating hand quilting at a heritage event next month. Here are links to the kit containing 11 sets of double-pointed knitting needles and a host of other knitting tools. It's definitely worth the $18.99 price tag! Double-pointed knitting needle ki...

The low this morning was 50° F this morning. Fall might actually have arrived in Texas. What kind of winter can we expect?

We continue to hear from people who are supposed to be knowledgeable that the Chinese are in not only the grid, but all types of utilities and services. Are we prepared for that?

We finish up with Mary Wightman Helm today and discuss a topic that is as old as mankind itself.

For years, we have compiled recipes in what we refer to as "The House Cookbook". Some recipes are printed, some are torn from magazines, and some of the really old ones are handwritten.  Imperial Pure Cane Sugar has taken the old cookbooks down from their site. I will post the actual recipe on a later description.