Don't know the etiquette of this forum but thought I would intro myself. I just started receiving the magazine and thought I would also check out the web-site. Its nice to see so many like minded people here! We are building our homestead in Nova Scotia, Canada. It's a small property(7 acres) but enough to raise our own food. At present we have chickens, turkeys, and a pig as well as huge gardens. We are not off grid, but do reduce our energy as we can. I use a wood cookstove and love it! Anyway, a big hello to everyone! I know I will be spending some time here.

-- Terri Yeomans (terri@tallships.ca), July 07, 2000

Answers

HI, Terri, and welcome! It's amazing how much you can do on a small place! This is a neat forum, hope you enjoy it! (In spite of the ocassional controversy that comes up!)

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), July 07, 2000.

Welcome! The art of cooking on a woodcook stove many don't realize what an art it is! I have owned many over the years & we sell them also--so, I give cooking lessons on a woodcook stove--if you have never done it--it is an art-to be developed! Many, we sell to have never even had a wood heating stove, so it is start from scratch on how to build your fire keep it banked--how to care for stove, etc. I loved hearing you cook on one! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), July 07, 2000.

Hi Terri, Nice to meet another "Countrysider". Sure wish we were homesteading in Nova Scotia. We have 2 acres in south east North Carolina ( way too hot and humid to really enjoy.) We have goats, chickens, and a garden. Amazing what you can produce just in a small space. This is a great forum! I hope you will feel at home here. All Best Wishes, Pauline

-- Pauline Adderley (tworoosters_farm@AltaVista.com), July 07, 2000.

Welcome Terry -- a fellow Canadian here from Saskatchewan!!!! Good luck on your seven acres! The forum is a fantastic resource and a wonderful place to meet homesteading folks. There is some incredible experience here to draw from, as well, and all from the nicest source imaginable!

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), July 07, 2000.

A warm welcome from the opposite side of Canada. I currently live in Victoria, BC. Your seven acres sounds wonderful. Between the magazine and this forum, you should be able to answer any questions and meet a lot of fantastic folks all around the world. Cheers

-- Heather (heather@bolen.bc.ca), July 07, 2000.

Thanks for the warm welcome. We have been here on this property for ten years now, but there is always something new to learn. We raise/grow about 80% of our food we also make our own soaps, cleaning products, a large herb garden supplies our flavourings, teas and some medicinals as well as decorative items. We are extemely fortunate to have an excellent root cellar(we still have apples from last fall, and I just finished the last of the potatoes) aside from that "I can what I can" I LOVE my pressure canner! We love to experiment and try new things. One thing I regret is not starting our orchards earlier although I have been trying to reclaim some ancient trees it is not working well. I would also like to try dehydrating but the humidity here is much too high for solar drying. I may buckle and buy an electric model. Other current projects and soon to be tackled include hooking the hot water into the wood stove and installing radiant hot water heating into the upstairs level. Building a smoke house. Learning to make wine. A larger barn would be nice....Life certainly isn't boring! Anyway thanks again I am looking forward to exchanging ideas and solutions.

-- TerriYeomans (terri@tallships.ca), July 07, 2000.

Welcome!!! I wouldn't say that I am a regular yet, I just ask a question that no one else can answer and I get the best results!!! I plan on becoming a regular, I am in the middle of a large move to central Maine from New Jersey and things are quite hectic!!! I am moving onto a 45 acre farm(my dreamland) and planning a large homestead. I really hope that you enjoy this forum. It has been my second home, just to read the questions and answer any that I feel that I am qualified . Would enjoy any feedback on cooking on a wood cookstove, which I am in the market for. I really hope that you enjoy this forum, I know that I do. Thanks, everyone out there!! c. lewis cnllewis@email.com

-- cara lewis (cnllewis@email.com), July 07, 2000.

HELLO and WELCOME from another Canadian in Weston, New Brunswick (not TOO far from you!)

-- Abigail F. (treeoflife@sws.nb.ca), July 08, 2000.

Welcome from Missouri.....

-- Doc (thisisdoc@aol.com), July 11, 2000.

Hi Terri, My wife and I are also new to this website, however we have been subscribers to the print mag since before the "y2 what???" (even though y2k didnt spell disaster, it honed our homestead skills). You speak of having a small place and being on grid. We can relate to that. We only have 1.3 acres , 4 mi out of town, however we grow our own veggies to eat and sell and I use this small piece as a "laboratory" to experiment with everything from solar power to compost ecosystems. Someday I hope to have a 10 acre farm , but for now, I am happy living my dream as a child (my wife laughs when I go to my two plum tree "orchard" to pick plums, but even grinning, she helps me put up a gallon of country wine or we cook down preserves). We now we are doing it right, because just after 2 years, I can smile when my boss threatens me with my job (i work in hi-tech). Matter of fact , in November I was put on reduction in force layoff and I came back to my little acre feeling like the little ant from the story. This is what homesteading means to me, self sufficiancy and the confidence to use the skills and talents aquired through sources like Countryside Magazine. Its a Godsend. And God really had the first homestead, complete with an orchard.

Jay Blair

-- jay blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), July 12, 2000.

Terri! Welcome--y'all c'mon in and set a spell. Pull up a chair and grab a BIG quart can of iced tea. We'll set in the shade and talk about the neighbors. LOL. Listen to the birds, look at the handiwork of Almighty God via these posters on here. They are a goldmine of information--some good and some maybe not so good but the intentions are always the best! As a friend once said "Good people, Good food -- what else is there"? Welcome aboard. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), July 12, 2000.

Hey Terri!

You fit right in, and I bet you can teach us all a thing or two!

I'm not Canadian, but some of my grandparents were, and I live close to BC, so does that count for anything??? ;)

Welcome to you and to the others out there, as well.

I hope you love this place as much as I do!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), July 12, 2000.