Small Scale Life

What is Square Foot Gardening? S2E13 Do you remember the days of old when your parents or grandparents had a garden in the backyard?  Do you remember how the weeds used to pop up and eventually overwhelm the garden?  Did you ever have to try to weed a garden like that (and how much you absolutely hated it)? What if you could create a garden that didn’t suffer from this weed problem?  What if you could create an organized garden that maximizes your yield? This is exactly what Square Foot Gardening does for you! LIVE FROM KANSAS CITY!  This is Season 2, Episode 13, and in this episode I talk about our experience with Square Foot Gardening and discuss the advantages of this gardening system. You don’t want to miss this one! This podcast is brought to you by Small Scale Life without any commercial interruptions!  Instead, I wanted to give you an update of our lives before I start talking about Square Foot Gardening! May is Gone; Hello to June Things are progressing at the house.  Julie and I are pushing forward to get us ready to move in mid-July.  That means we have been following the teachings of The Minimalists and getting rid of things using the following criteria: Does it bring us joy? Will we use it at the future condo or compound? Can we replace it quickly and for less than $20? We have been donating things at the Goodwill and selling items on consignment and on e-bay.  I can’t believe how much we have sold already!  It has been pretty amazing, really. That money is being used to pay off some credit card debt and replenish our emergency fund. Strange Graduation Why would we need to replenish that, you might ask?  Well, we recently had a number of activities and things going on that ended up being more expensive than we planned.  Our son Ryan recently graduated from high school (YAY!), and we had a graduation party for him on Memorial Day Weekend.  It went REALLY well!  I mean it went well at the party.  Graduation was a bit strange.  Between the 5 valedictorians that spoke, the near riot that broke out and an award-winning alumni talking about cervical cancer and pap smears, it was the STRANGEST graduation ceremony I have ever attended.  Yes, you did hear me correct: pap smears and riots at the graduation ceremony.  Good grief.  It makes a guy wonder what world we are living in these days? We had a great party, and we were blessed to have friends and family in town for it.  We really enjoyed their company and all the fun we had with them! Selling or Renting Houses Life has gone back to normal, and we have settled into the new normal: work and get ready for the Management company to show the house.  It seems that we have had a steady stream of showings, and we are all praying that someone rents it soon. Why, you ask? The simple answer is that getting the house, and the rooms of the young men that live with us, cleaned up does take its toll.  The house needs to be ready for showings on a 24-hour notice.  The same is true if you are looking for new renters or folks to buy your home.  Once the home goes on the market for sale or for rent, it is no longer your home.  Yes, you are paying the fees and the mortgage or rent, but it has become a model on the market. It needs to look AND smell good.  No one wants to buy or rent a house that smells like: A locker room Pet smells Cigarettes Mildew/Molds or Other nasty smells Here is a pro-tip for you: make your house SMELL good.  You can do this by using a Scensy wickless candle or even boiling a mixture of vanilla and water on the stove before the showing.  Just make sure the smell from the Scensy wickless candle is pleasing and not overwhelming. Probably the most powerful smell is chocolate chip cookies.  Ever notice how car dealers or home builders have chocolate chip cookies around?  That smell sells! I know because the architects I hired in Chicago used freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies to sell houses. Believe it or not: it worked!  Smell is a POWERFUL sense, so do not overlook this when trying to sell a product!   What is Square Foot Gardening? The Good Old Days Do you remember your grandparent’s, parent’s or even your gardens from years past?   Do you remember how they would devolve into chaos as weeds choked out your vegetables and herbs?  Can you remember how much you hated weeding those gardens? I do.  I remember it like yesterday.  My parents would be gung ho to plant in the Spring, and over the next few weeks, the plot would look like it had been invaded by every type of weed on the earth.  My dad would use grass clippings to mulch the paths and around the plants, but it usually ended up looking like a chaotic jungle towards mid to late summer.  It probably didn’t help that they were busy during the week with jobs and us kids, and on the weekend we would be gone at the cabin in Northwestern Wisconsin. There were times when my mom would assign us kids to go out into the garden and weed it.  It was the WORST job we could actually get.  We didn’t know what was a weed and what was something worth saving, and the cloud of mosquitoes coming out from the jungle would feast on us as we tried to work.  It was a horrendous experience, and frankly, that experience was a reason I never wanted to garden until I was much, much older.  Little did I know that I would return to gardening in my late 30’s. Epiphany My first Square Foot Gardens in Illinois – 2010 Back in 2008, we were living in our beige prairie palace in a far west suburb of Chicago, Illinois.  It was a stressful time in our lives: the Crash of 2008 was in full swing, and one-by-one my clients were telling me that they were pulling projects and keeping their own people employed. I was stressed out to the max. Meanwhile, Julie had gotten a set of the Little House on the Prairie books, and she was reading them to Ryan each night.  On more than one occasion, I had a chance to listen to the stories and marvel at how self-sufficient those people actually were.  They didn’t have material wealth, but they could survive in a number of horrendously harsh conditions. Skills and Self-Reliance Those stories made me think how soft and dependent modern people have really become.  I marveled and commented to Julie that we just don’t know how to do anything to sustain us if things REALLY got bad with the economy.  We couldn’t afford our house if I lost my job, and I wasn’t sure how we could even FEED ourselves if times got really bad. Trust me, folks, I lumped myself in with modern men.  I really didn’t know much about anything beyond my work in the office.  I felt a sense of sadness that my grandparents, who could forage for food, fish, hunt, garden, preserve food and make wine and alcohol from berries, had passed away without passing those skills on to my brother or me.  The old ways of my family and ancestors had lost, and we had become drones in cubicles, doing busy-work to create wealth for others. I knew I had to do something to change that, but I really didn’t know what to do about it. One day our neighbor was raving about the amount of veggies she was getting from her garden, and she was giving away extras to everyone on the block. Julie and I were stunned and asked her how she could grow that much produce in our terrible clay soils. Our neighbor replied that she was following Mel Bartholomew’s Square Foot Gardening book, and it was really easy to follow. She lent us her copy, and we had to give it a try! Square Foot Gardening Revolutions start one garden at a time – Square Foot Gardening book from 1981 Square Foot Gardening is a garden system that maximizes yields by meeting three basic criteria: Well-organized Easy to maintain Attractive all season long This system was developed by the late Mel Bartholomew.  He published his first book in 1981 and subsequently had a show on PBS.  Mel was focused on small garden beds, measuring 4 feet by 4 feet (4’x4′).  He would divide these small 4’x4′ beds into 12 inch by 12 inch (12″x12″) squares.  These would be intensively planted. Well-Organized The advantage of these smaller, organized beds was that the gardener could organize the garden to maximize growth.  Instead of planting a long, spindly row of seeds, the 12″x12″ square could be seeded with just a few seeds.  The strongest seedlings would be kept in the garden, and the smaller ones removed.  Instead of maintaining rows, the gardener could concentrate efforts on the plants in each 12″x12″ square.  By defining strict size limits for these beds, gardeners could maximize their efforts while limiting the time spent maintaining the beds. Easy Maintenance Speaking of maintenance, Square Foot Garden beds are easy to maintain.  This is a key advantage of the Square Foot Gardening method.  Mel knew from his experience at a community plot that people tend to get busy and have less time to maintain their larger plots.  By creating a new 4’x4′ raised bed with new, manufactured soil, there weren’t any weeds to worry about.  When you plant intensively in each 12″x12″ square, the flowers, vegetables and herbs will naturally crowd out any potential weeds.  Since we manufacture the soil using vermiculite, compost and peat moss, i is easy to pull any weeds that might grow.  In addition, watering plants with a hose is efficient since these gardens are very compact and intensively planted.  I will show you how I maintain these new Square Foot Garden beds in future posts. Attractive All Year Finally, Square Foot Gardens are really attractive all year long.  Since you have a smaller, organized space, you can really concentrate your efforts on that making that space shine. This is where you can dress up your planting area with a nice looking trellis, gravel in the walkways and fencing around the beds.  This is where I developed my ideas for going vertical with my plants. In addition, you can create hoops or cold frames for your beds to extend the season.  Because these beds are 4″x4″ you really can get creative with your systems and accessories to make these raised beds produce! Resources If you want to know more about this method, you should read Mel Bartholomew’s Square Foot Gardening Book. I have the 2005 edition, but he did publish the All New Square Foot Gardening book in 2013.  I do not own this version yet. Looking at Amazon, they are offering the 1981 version of the book.  I had a chance to look at this version at my mom’s cabin in late May of this year, and it was very interesting (the earlier picture was my mom’s copy).  I say that because Mel experimented with a lot of techniques that I have thought about or tried.  The saying is true: there is nothing new under the sun! What’s Next? As I mentioned in Season 2, Episode 11, I have completely removed my garden.  I just planted two 4″x6″ Square Foot Garden beds on Sunday of this week, and those are going to be my gardens this year.  There will be regular garden updates for you all, and I will show you the power of the Square Foot Garden this year.  Of course, I will be modifying the trellis systems to handle my 10 tomato and 10 pepper plants! Let me know how your gardening efforts are going.  Did you get everything planted in your garden?  Have you tried Square Foot Gardening?  How did they work out for you?  Feel free to ask questions, and we will get answers for you! Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll be back soon with another episode.  This is Tom from Small Scale Life; remember to learn, do and grow! The post What is Square Foot Gardening? S2E13 appeared first on Small Scale Life.

Moving Forward in Difficult Times with Todd Ehrhardt – S2E12 Have you ever felt like the odds are stacked against you?  Have you ever felt like the challenges and obstacles were too great for you or your family?  Unfortunately, I bet a lot of us have been there, done that and gotten several t-shirts.  I know I have, especially over the last two years.  The question is: what methods can you use to keep you moving forward through the difficult times in your life? In Season 2, Episode 12 of the podcast, I talk with Todd Ehrhardt, a  husband, father, entrepreneur, gardener, bodybuilder, martial artist and a diver.  Todd has been at the top of the world and deep in the sea (figuratively and literally), and in today’s episode, I talk with Todd about how he and his family were able to move forward in challenging times.  This is a good one with really great information, you will want to check out the show notes. The post Moving Forward in Difficult Times with Todd Ehrhardt – S2E12 appeared first on Small Scale Life.

Growing Grass, Not Food – S2E11 “Life moves pretty fast; if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it!” The opening monologue in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off could not be more correct!  Life has been moving pretty fast over the past month, and it is time to pull back the curtain and tell you what has been happening.  Regular followers of Small Scale Life on Instagram, Facebook, the Podcast and here at the Blog have probably picked up on a thing or two that something big has been going on in the background.  Not to spoil the fun and suspense, I will just say that I have been growing grass by the square foot, and I don’t mean the fun stuff that people grow in California, Colorado and other states.  No, I have been growing some nice turf in the yard, and growing grass was the first major step towards accomplishing our overall plan.  To learn more and find out why, you’ll just have to listen to the podcast! The last picture of the Small Scale Life Garden at this location – 4/23/17   The post Growing Grass, Not Food – S2E11 appeared first on Small Scale Life.

Travis Swanson’s Bee 52 Honey – S2E10 Time to focus on the bee, a gardener’s best friend!  I know many of you have been wanting to hear this one, so it is long overdue!  Recently, I had the pleasure to interview a local beekpeer named Travis Swanson.  We discussed how Travis started beekeeping as a hobby, a full time position at a commercial operation and starting his own business.  In addition, we have several listener questions from the MN-WI Regenerative Agriculture Facebook Group and the Small Scale Gardening Facebook Group.  Since I am a newb when it comes to bees, I am glad my friends and listeners had questions!  I learned a lot about Travis Swanson’s Bee 52 Honey, and I appreciate the samples and Travis being on the Small Scale Life Podcast! If you want to connect to Travis and buy honey, pollen or ask questions, feel free to e-mail him at travis@bee52honey.com! The post Travis Swanson’s Bee 52 Honey – S2E10 appeared first on Small Scale Life.

My friend Mr. Tactical is back on the Small Scale Life Podcast!  We discuss a yuuuuge armada of Practical to Tactical Skills and Topics ranging from Hawaiian vacations (and engagements), gardening, hunt for rural property, minimalism, and tactical training (grappling and gunning) at Tim Kennedy’s Sheepdog Response class.  This is an information packed episode, so I hope you have as much fun as we did recording it! Podcast Topics and Links   In this podcast, Jay and I discuss the following topics and links: Practical Skills Hawaiian Adventure – Mr. Tactical is engaged! Health and Sleep Contrasting Showers – Wim Hof Benefits of getting more sleep – Kevin Michael Geary’s Rebooted Body Gardening Potting Soil Challenge Mason Jar Kitchen Gardens Mr Tactical’s Three Alarm Garden Soil Amendments Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew Direct Sowing vs. Buying Plant Starts Fencing a Garden Rural Property Jay’s Condo to Compound Blog Saving Plan Debt Reduction Spending Reduction Plan The Minimalists – Podcast and Website Tactical Skills Tim Kennedy’s Sheepdog Response Class Who is Tim Kennedy? Course Elements – Guns and Grappling Why Train?  Does this matter? Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman On Killing – Sheepdog philosophy Hard Times Creates Hard Men Training with the Best Hard Times = Strong Men Friends of Small Scale Life As I develop friendships in online communities and in real life, I have seen really great people doing great work.  For some, I will be setting up affiliates and memberships as this blog and podcasts grow.  Please check out these friends and take advantage of their offers below: Nature’s Image Farm – For a LIMITED TIME ONLY (until 4/24/17), Nature’s Image Farm is offering bundles of orchard products for your urban homesteaders, farmsteaders and preppers!  Check these links out for more details! Urban Homesteader Bundle  Farmsteader Bundle Remember: when you place orders using the code “SSL,” you will receive a 10% OFF all nursery stock plus FREE shipping.  It is time to plant, so why not order something from Nature’s Image Farm?  Even if you do not buy anything, this is a going to be a great resource for new homesteaders like me.  Check out the Homestead How-To Page for more hillbilly homesteading information. Join the Small Scale Life Facebook Community today! Small Scale Life Facebook Group – This group will get you a backstage pass and access to other members of the Small Scale Life Community.  We will discuss gardening, healthy lifestyle, frugal living and having adventures along the way! This is also your chance to see what is coming up on Small Scale Life, see some content not shared on the blog, and ask questions of future guests.   Subscribe and Rate on iTunes If you are a subscriber to the Small Scale Life iTunes Channel, please provide a review for the podcast, consider giving a few stars (not going to lie: I want five stars) for the Podcast.  I really appreciate you as a listener and your feedback. To leave a review, simply follow these simple steps: Click on this link or the image above. Go to ratings and reviews. Click on the number stars (five would be awesome) Subscribe to the podcast (optional, but appreciated)! You can also write a quick review or some words of encouragement (optional, but appreciated) You can also write a longer review, though it’s not necessary. Again, thank you for listening and your review! The post Mr. Tactical: Practical to Tactical Skills – S2E9 appeared first on Small Scale Life.

Learning, Doing, Growing – S2E8 April is off and running, and we are already approaching the middle of the month!  Last week was pretty busy, and I did not post a podcast.  However, I was busy working on updating the site and streamlining the user experience!  I was inspired by a book by author, podcaster and blogger Ravi Jayagopal.  He wrote an e-book called Confessions of a Wannabe PodcaSTAR, and after reading his book, I found that I could improve the site and podcast.  It is learning, doing and growing in action!  You should notice those changes right away. In addition, I launched a new Facebook Group dedicated to Small Scale Life.  I am hoping to grow a community that is engaged in blog and podcast topics.  My plan is to let you see some behind-the-scenes items and content.  Who knows?  Maybe community members will get some other special perks as we grow!  Please join our new community by clicking on this link and continue to learn, do and grow with us! Podcast Topics and Links Flash wins first place at the 2017 Goldy 10-Miler! In this podcast, I discuss the following topics and links: Danny wins First Place at the 2017 Goldy Run – Congrats! Updates to the Small Scale Life Blog Ravi Jayagopal’s Subscribe.Me Blog and Podcast Learning, Doing and Growing – Ravi Jayagopal’s Confessions of a Wannabe PodcaSTAR Updates to the Small Scale Life Podcast Introducing the new Small Scale Life Facebook Group! Small Scale Gardening Facebook Group MN-WI Regenerative Agriculture Facebook Group Going forward….Plans, Ideas and Next Steps Small Scale Life YouTube Channel Friends of Small Scale Life As I develop friendships in online communities and in real life, I have seen really great people doing great work.  For some, I will be setting up affiliates and memberships as this blog and podcasts grow.  Please check out these friends and take advantage of their offers below: Nature’s Image Farm – If you are planning on buying some fruit trees for your yard or comfrey for your herb garden, please check out Nature’s Image Farm!  When you place orders using the code “SSL,” you will receive a 10% OFF all nursery stock plus FREE shipping.  It is time to plant, so why not order something from Nature’s Image Farm?  Even if you do not buy anything, this is a going to be a great resource for new homesteaders like me.  Check out the Homestead How-To Page for more hillbilly homesteading information.   Join the Small Scale Life Facebook Community today! Small Scale Life Facebook Group – This group will get you a backstage pass and access to other members of the Small Scale Life Community.  We will discuss gardening, healthy lifestyle, frugal living and having adventures along the way! This is also your chance to see what is coming up on Small Scale Life, see some content not shared on the blog, and ask questions of future guests.   Aaron Clarey’s Reconnaissance Man – Written by local Minnesotan author, blogger, podcaster and economist Aaron Clarey, Reconnaissance Man is the book that guarantees you live life right the first time or at least ends your wandering in the desert. By perfectly and clearly explaining the process by which a person figures out who they are and what they want out of life, Reconnaissance Man provides the reader a clear road map to life, ensuring you don’t waste precious decades on worthless degrees, careers you hate, and people you don’t love. Subscribe and Rate on iTunes If you are a subscriber to the Small Scale Life iTunes Channel, please provide a review for the podcast, consider giving a few stars (not going to lie: I want five stars) for the Podcast.  I really appreciate you as a listener and your feedback. To leave a review, simply follow these simple steps: Click on this link or the image above. Go to ratings and reviews. Click on the number stars (five would be awesome) Subscribe to the podcast (optional, but appreciated)! You can also write a quick review or some words of encouragement (optional, but appreciated) You can also write a longer review, though it’s not necessary.  Again, thank you for listening and your review! The post Learning, Doing, Growing – S2E8 appeared first on Small Scale Life.

Preventing Damping Off Disease – S2E7 There is nothing like the excitement of seeing your tender seedlings popping through the soil in your indoor garden area!  You immediately have visions of future harvest from these beautiful plants.  This will be the best year ever in the garden!  Then, something starts to happen: fuzzy mold appears on the soil surface, the stems become thin and weak, and the seedlings wilt and die.  You add more water to the tender seedlings because they might be drying out.  Instead, this seems to have the opposite effect: more seedlings are wilting!  Soon, the entire tray looks horrible and is a complete loss.  This, my friends, happened to me last year!  It is most likely damping off disease, and if you garden indoors, you eventually will have to deal with it.  In this episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I discuss 9 steps for Preventing Damping Off Disease. Podcast Topics Damping Off Disease attacking a tomato seedling in 2016   In this podcast, I discuss the following tips for Preventing Damping Off Disease: Plant seeds in containers, and then place the containers in trays Water the tray, not directly on the soil (bottom up, not top down) Sterilize containers, tools and trays for 30 minutes before reusing them Use warm water to water your seedlings Do not overwater! Only add enough water to fill 1/4″ to 1/3″ high in the tray Use a heating pad to start seedlings Use good draining potting mix. Do not use your garden soil or compost! Do not fertilize your seedlings Provide 12 to 16 hours of light from your grow lights. BONUS TIP: keep the lights 1-2″ from the top of your seedlings when they first germinate  I finish the podcast by giving you what I think are the most critical steps to Preventing Damping Off Disease. Links While initially looking healthy, this tray of tomato seedlings is doomed – 2016 I discussed the following links on this podcast: University of Minnesota Extension – How to prevent seedling damping off How to Garden Indoors 8 Steps to Starting Plants Indoors Winter Care of Indoor Succulents Friends of Small Scale Life As I develop friendships and communities online and in real life, I have seen really good people doing great work and will be recognizing these people on Small Scale Life.  For some, I will be setting up affiliates and memberships with them as this blog and podcasts grow.  In the meantime, please check out the work friends have completed and take advantage of their offers below: Nature’s Image Farm – If you are planning on buying some fruit trees for your yard or comfrey for your herb garden, please check out Nature’s Image Farm!  When you place orders using the code “SSL,” you will receive a 10% OFF all nursery stock plus FREE shipping.  It is time to plant, so why not order something from Nature’s Image Farm?  Even if you do not buy anything, this is a going to be a great resource for new homesteaders like me.  Check out the Homestead How-To Page for more hillbilly homesteading information. Small Scale Gardening Facebook Group – Share your gardening stories, questions and ideas with over 200 fellow gardeners!  Join today! Aaron Clarey’s “Reconnaissance Man” – Written by local Minnesotan author, blogger, podcaster and economist Aaron Clarey, “Reconnaissance Man” is the book that guarantees you live life right the first time or at least ends your wandering in the desert. By perfectly and clearly explaining the process by which a person figures out who they are and what they want out of life, “Reconnaissance Man” provides the reader a clear road map to life, ensuring you don’t waste precious decades on worthless degrees, careers you hate, and people you don’t love.  Subscribe and Rate on iTunes Please consider becoming a subscriber to the Small Scale Life iTunes Channel.  Subscribers and ratings from listeners help us grow the podcast and the blog.  As you know, people look at subscribers and reviews before they listen.  Few subscribers and few reviews mean that no one cares to listen or rate the podcast.  Please click subscribe, and you will get notices when a new podcast is available. If you provide a review for the podcast, consider giving a few stars (not going to lie: I want five stars) for the Podcast.  I really appreciate you as a listener and your feedback. To leave a review, simply follow these simple steps: Click on this link or the image above. Go to ratings and reviews. Click on the number stars (five would be awesome) Subscribe to the podcast (optional, but appreciated)! You can also write a quick review or some words of encouragement (optional, but appreciated) You can also write a longer review, though it’s not necessary.  Again, thank you for listening and your review! Listen We have several options for you to listen to the Small Scale Life Podcast.  You may listen in the following locations: iTunes Stitcher   The post Preventing Damping Off Disease – S2E7 appeared first on Small Scale Life.

I have been successfully growing seedlings inside for the past few years, and there are a ton of Lessons Learned from my own successes and failures.  In this podcast, I boil it down and focus on 9 Lessons Learned from Gardening Indoors.

HELP Episode 9: Restarting My Engine 2017 is flying by a light speed.  January, February and March are rapidly fading into the history books.  How are you doing on your health goals? I have to be honest: I am restarting on my health goals for 2017.  I really haven't written about my health goals or talked about them at all in 2017.  As I discuss in the podcast, I punched out after Halloween last year and just tried not thinking about exercise, tracking food and pounds on the scale.  As I look at how the year ended and new year started, I failed to achieve my big goal, and I just decided to punt and regroup. Restarting my engine is critical to getting back in the fight.  I have change from always being on defense to rolling forward on offense.  You cannot do that sitting on the couch, behind a microphone, or writing blog posts.  It is time to move and get active.  This podcast summarizes my four point plan to restart my engine for 2017 and the rest of my life. Disclaimer I am not a licensed health care or fitness experts.  I am not a doctor.  Please be sure to consult your doctor, dietician or other health care professional about health, fitness or other medical issues.  All information shared on the Healthy Lifestyle Podcast and Small Scale Life are for informational and inspirational purposes only. Topics For Restarting My Engine I discussed the following topics in this episode: Wrapping Up 2016 HELP Episode 7 - Interview with Kevin Michael Geary Restarting My Engine in 2017 Signing up for and bowing out of a 12-Week Weight Loss Challenge Starting the Rebooted Body program Listening to Rebooted Body Podcasts Restarting Regular HELP Podcasts and Blog Posts Keeping Perspective Going Forward Links During the podcast, I discussed a few different sites, podcasts, videos and blogs.  The following is a list of those links:. Free 12 Week Weight Loss Challenge Back Up Fitness Group on Facebook Episode 7 of the HELP Podcast – Drew and I interview Kevin Geary about what we are doing and about the three pillars to healthy living: Eat, Move and Live Kevin Geary’s Rebooted Body – Kevin Geary's Blog and Podcast. Check out his site to “get a body and life you love” Kevin Geary’s YouTube Channel Subscribe and Rate on iTunes Please consider becoming a subscriber to the Small Scale Life iTunes Channel.  Subscribers and ratings from listeners help us grow the podcast and the blog.  As you know, people look at subscribers and reviews before they listen.  Few subscribers and few reviews mean that no one cares to listen or rate the podcast.  Please click subscribe, and you will get notices when a new podcast is available. If you provide a review for the podcast, consider giving a few stars (not going to lie: I want five stars) for the Podcast.  I really appreciate you as a listener and your feedback. To leave a review, simply follow these simple steps: Click on this link or the image above. Go to ratings and reviews. Click on the number stars (five would be awesome) Subscribe to the podcast (optional, but appreciated)! You can also write a quick review or some words of encouragement (optional, but appreciated) You can also write a longer review, though it’s not necessary.  Again, thank you for listening and your review! Listen We have several options for you to listen to the Podcast.  You may listen in the following locations: iTunes Stitcher

Taylor's Celebration of Life on February 20, 2017, David and Julie did an excellent job writing and delivering a powerful eulogy in remembrance of their mom.  They used quotes from family and friends on Social Media and cards to create a beautiful tribute for their mother.  Both spoke, and they delivered it with grace and love. I posted the text of the eulogy below.  The sub-headings below are the sections written and spoken by David and Julie.  On the podcast, I used MercyMe's song "I can only imagine" as the final song because it was part of the eulogy.  For information about Barb Taylor, please see Part 1 of this series. David Taylor Bobbie, Barb, mom, grandma, wife. These are just a few of the names people called you during your time on  earth, but the truth is you were so much more, to more people than we can even list. You touched so many groups of people in your 66 years on earth, and though you may not know it you were a caretaker and mother to far more than the three of us. You were a loving woman full of deep compassion towards everyone who crossed your path. When someone passes, the typical response is that there are no words to describe how much you will be missed, but through social media those words are there, and we want to share them with you, Mom, and everyone who is here to celebrate your life. After pouring through memories, cards, emails, letters, and Facebook posts, we can sum up how everyone feels about you with their beautiful words of remembrance. "I love you Barb" - Nad Julie Domres That name is a little inside joke between mom and dad, but It is obvious that the first person we should talk about is dad. 48 years is a very long time to spend every waking moment with someone, and you and dad were the epitome of true love. Karen, David, and I have always looked up to both of you, and your solid foundation of marriage has given us a guide to how our marriages should look. I think we can truly say that you and dad were not only spouses but best friends.  We know that dad is going to miss you more than anyone in this room, but don't worry mom, we will take care of him. David Taylor “True beauty bubbles up from the kindness of your heart, and reflects smiles onto those you love… you, my dearest Ya-Ya sister, were the definition of true beauty… and will be missed.  But Grandma Jean needed our Ya-Ya love, and you brought that to her today.  I am so lucky to have the family I do, and my Ya-ya sisters.  We are all bound together and will always be here for you and your family. #chachayaya #yayasinheaven #missingyoudearly.  – Love, Adriana Julie Domres So mom, we can’t talk about your life without talking about the importance of family. You always put family first and have taught us to do the same.  In the last few weeks we have all spent a lot of time talking about the past, and we have learned so much about your life.  We knew that you were born in Phoenix and that you moved around a lot as a child, but we had no idea that you attended 42 different schools before you were in 9th grade. Grandma and Grandpa truly lived a vagabond lifestyle, and you guys were along for the ride.  You didn’t have a lot of money or material things as a little girl, but you always had your siblings.  Uncle Donny, Aunt Patty, Aunt Mary, Aunt Jean, Aunt Judy, Aunt Karen, Jimmy, and your favorite cousin Jan… you were always there for each other.  Jim was so lucky to have you as his guardian, and you handled that responsibility with grace.  You loved him and raised him like one of your own. As Aunt Karen and I were sitting up with you in the middle of the night last week, Aunt Karen shared a lot of stories about your childhood.  She said to me, “I never had many friends when I was little.  But that’s OK, I never needed a friend, because I always had your Mom.”  You were her best friend right up until the end.  We never realized how tough it really was for you when you were young, because you always put on that beautiful smile and looked at the bright side of life. David Taylor “God puts people in your life for a reason.  She took a chance on me and hired me to work in her shop.  I am beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to be part of her life.  She taught me so much and I will be forever grateful.  And because of her, I have so many people that I can call my friends, my “flower shop family.” Barb, you fought a hard battle and now you have found peace.  I am certain that you are having an amazing reunion.  God has welcomed you in Heaven’s most beautiful garden.  Love you always Barb.” – Love, Erica Julie Domres Because family always came first, instead of putting family in front of your friends you turned friends into family. To name a few of the many groups of people you have touched: Your St. Kevin’s friends and your Card Club, your “Flower Shop Family,” The Dakota Court Gang, all of our friends, your Army friends, and your high school friends. I don’t think you realize how many lives you have truly impacted.  I know all of my friends consider you a second mom, and Karen and Dave’s friends can say the same.  When you made a friend, they were a friend for life. David Taylor “My beautiful mom lost her battle with cancer today and went to be with the Lord.  We are heartbroken and cannot imagine life without her, but will be strong the way she raised us, and make her proud.  I love you mom.” – Love, Karen Julie Domres Mom, how do we put into words what you meant to us?  How do we go on without you to guide us?  Who are we going to call every day on our way home from work, and who is going to remind us how to make your delicious beef burgundy recipe?  These are just some of the thoughts that are swirling around in our brains.  I don’t think you ever realized how much we loved you mom. Do you know that when my boys and Abbey were little, they would rather be with you and Dad than anywhere?  You were such a great Grandma, and Danny, Ryan and Abbey love you so much.  We will be sure that Dave and Jenny’s future kids know what an amazing woman you were, and that Grandma Barb loves them and will always be watching over them.  You taught us to be strong, you taught us to be compassionate, and above all, you taught us to love God.  We will continue to do everything we can to make you proud. David Taylor Since we have been full of quotes today, we thought we would end with some song lyrics by MercyMe. I am not the musical talent in the family so I will read the lyrics. “Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall; will I sing Hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine.  I can only imagine." Mom, we can only imagine what you are doing in Heaven.  We are going to imagine you dancing for Jesus with your mom, your dad, Aunt Jean and all of our other family and friends, with Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline singing in the background. We can’t imagine what life on earth will be like without you, but we will envision the day we meet again in Heaven and all dance for Jesus together.  We will forever hold you in our hearts. We will forever love you, Mom. Thoughts I am posting these words to stand as a tribute to Barb Taylor.  The idea is that those who could not attend the funeral could hear me reading the eulogy.  I hope that these words will comfort you in the future. It was difficult for me to record this.  I recorded the eulogy a couple of times, but I went with the original recording because it was the best.  I felt compelled to record this podcast in the hope that if one person benefits from this podcast, it was worth it. We love and miss you, Barb.

February is over, and we are exhausted and drained. It has been a brutal month, as my mother-in-law Barb Taylor completed her final journey in her battle against lung cancer.  My wife Julie, her dad Dan, her sister Karen, her brother David and her aunt Karen worked around the clock to help her on this final journey.  Spouses like me were home, trying to keep "normal" household operations going.  Unfortunately, small cell lung carcinoma is an aggressive cancer, and it finally took Barb's life on February 16, 2017.  This is the first of two articles and podcasts dedicated to Barb Taylor.  Part 2 can be found here. On this podcast, I used MercyMe's song "I can only image" as the final song because it was part of the eulogy. Barb Taylor's Kindness  I have known Barb Taylor for more than half my life.  I met Julie's parents when I started dating her when I was in 10th Grade.  She was there for friends and family in good times and in bad times.  She always had a smile on her face, even when she was telling you that something "wasn't her favorite" (meaning she hated it). Barb was so giving, so loving and so helpful.  As I look back on my life, she has been there for so many different and significant events: Barb organized and planned our wedding while creating all the flowers She watched Danny at her home daycare when he was young Barb came to Florida and helped us when Ryan was born She let us stay in her basement while we save money and purchased our first house Barb helped us renovate our first house She introduced Julie to floral design and the wedding floral business that eventually became Julia's Blooms Barb was there for us in our darkest times looking for Danny in Colorado, even though she had been diagnosed with small cell lung carcinoma We will carry that legacy forward.  I am proud of the hours and work Dan, David, Julie, Karen and Aunt Karen put in taking care of Barb.  We will help and be there for Dan, and Julie and I are reaching out to family to reconnect and forge new relationships.  The time for temporary living and autopilot living are over.  Our time on this planet is too short. Barb Taylor's Strength Barb Taylor was diagnosed with cancer during our darkest hours looking for my oldest son in Spring of 2015.  It was devastating leaving her in Minnesota and going to Colorado looking for Danny, but Julie, her dad, David and I all went.  We had to find Danny, and those that stayed behind tried to help Barb however we could.  Those were difficult times, especially when the original diagnosis did not give her much time. Barb was a strong woman.  She beat the original diagnosis and fought cancer for almost two years.  She rarely complained.  Even at the end, we asked her how she was doing, and Barb would smile and say, "I'm good." Because of her strength, she experienced life: Seeing Danny returning home, run his first marathon, become Assistant Manager and go to college Trips to Florida, Georgia and California Seeing her grand daughter Abbey graduate from high school and attend college Celebrating her birthday and other events with family Watching her grandson Ryan play High School Varsity Basketball and Traveling Basketball (her last outing was to Ryan's basketball game against Richfield High School) for two years Barb Taylor was an exceptional woman.  We love her, and we miss her dearly.  We know, however, that she is here in spirit and lessons learned over time.  I hope that gives you some comfort. Listen We have several options for you to listen to the Small Scale Life Podcast.  You may listen in the following locations: iTunes Stitcher

On his character James Keziah Delaney, Tom Hardy said, "All progress lies in the actions of the unreasonable man."  If you watched the first episode of the FX's show "Taboo," you will indeed see the actions of an unreasonable and mysterious man. In this episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I review this new show and dive into the characters, plot and reviews for this new show.  While I do not watch much television, I found this show interesting because I am a Tom Hardy fan.  I really liked his Bane character in the The Dark Knight Rises, and he played a great antagonist in The Revenant last year (which I reviewed here on Small Scale Life). While reviewing a television show is a bit out of character for this blog, I enjoy that period of history, and who doesn't want to see Bane stomp around London and kick some 19th century butt? Keep in mind that this is a fan show, and any images, music or story are not my own.  I am simply commenting on the show and characters as a fan of the show.  The images are from the FX, and the piano theme song is from artist Lunar Black's piano cover song.  Please frequent their sites! Podcast Topics for "Taboo" In this podcast, I discuss the following topics: Why am I talking about a television show? The Jist of the Show Characters House of Delaney (and Others) East India Company Basic Plot - Building a Foundation Mystery and Intrigue London in 1814 Comments from other Reviews     Rate on iTunes Since we are now on iTunes, please rate and review the Small Scale Life Podcast.  Ratings and reviews help us grow the podcast and the blog, and I appreciate your reviews. You can leave a review by following these simple steps: Click on this link or the image above. Go to ratings and reviews. Click on the number stars. Subscribe to the podcast (optional, but appreciated)! You can also write a quick review or some words of encouragement (optional, but GREATLY appreciated)! You can also write a longer review, though it’s not necessary.  Again, thank you for listening and your review!

Deep in the woods in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Ohio roams a bearded hillbilly man. He is carving out his existence on his homestead, providing for his family and growing a community of like-minded families.  This man is Greg Burns.  He is a dedicated husband, dad, homesteader, promotor of Old Ways and leader of tribes called the Lumbersquatches and Get Stuff Done Crew. I have been looking forward to this interview.  Greg, his wife and his family have boldly gone where Julie and I want to go: to a homestead in a rural location.  Through trial and error, they are learning the Old Ways of how to rear great kids, raise animals, grow food, and develop a sustainable homestead.  Greg is practical and straightforward, and I really appreciate his honest insight.  He has been there and done that! I am also honored to announce that this podcast is also tied to the launching of  the Brand New Nature's Image Farm Webpage - CHECK IT OUT!  When you place orders using the code "SSL," you will receive a 10% OFF all nursery stock plus FREE shipping.  It is time to plant, so why not order something from Nature's Image Farm?  Even if you do not buy anything, this is a going to be a great resource for new homesteaders like me.  Check out the Homestead How-To Page for more hillbilly homesteading information! Podcast Topics for my Interview with Greg Burns In this podcast, Greg and I discuss the following topics: Introduction - Who is Greg Burns? Why homesteading? Gardening Hunting on 5 acres Homesteading Livestock (moo, oink and cluck) Trees and Tree Farms Plans and Dreams for Future Homesteads Building Small Community and Tribe The Gift of Time The Old Ways Hogtoberfest Living in Small Spaces with Big Hearts and with a Purpose Working with Spouses as a Team Making and Enjoying Homemade Mead and Wines Butchering and Preserving Hogs using the Old Ways Prosciutto Head Cheese - Terrine vs. Sylta (Yes, Domres' family, I went there) Hog Testicles Tribes/Small Communities Get Stuff Done Crew Lumbersquatches Family Tips for Buying Rural Land [caption id="attachment_1578" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Lumbersquatches Greg Burns and Drew Sample - Real Food, Good Men and Good Friends![/caption]         Links [caption id="attachment_1182" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Hogtoberfest 2016 at Nature's Image Farm[/caption]   Greg and I discussed the following links on this podcast: Brand New Nature's Image Farm Webpage - CHECK IT OUT!  Remember, any orders using the code "SSL" will receive a 10% OFF all nursery stock plus FREE shipping.  It is time to plant, so why not order something from Nature's Image Farm? Nature's Image Farm on Social Media Facebook Instagram YouTube Sample Hour Podcast with Drew Sample and Greg Burns 114 - Nature's Image Farm 124 - The Hilbilliness of Hillbillies 125 - Hogtoberfest 2016 - This is a great episode!  I really enjoyed this one. Kevin Geary Rebooted Body Podcast - RB099: Epic Food to Nourish Your Body with Taylor Collins Subscribe and Rate on iTunes Please consider becoming a subscriber to the Small Scale Life iTunes Channel.  Subscribers and ratings from listeners help us grow the podcast and the blog.  As you know, people look at subscribers and reviews before they listen.  Few subscribers and few reviews mean that no one cares to listen or rate the podcast.  Please click subscribe, and you will get notices when a new podcast is available. If you provide a review for the podcast, consider giving a few stars (not going to lie: I want five stars) for the Podcast.  I really appreciate you as a listener and your feedback. To leave a review, simply follow these simple steps: Click on this link or the image above. Go to ratings and reviews. Click on the number stars (five would be awesome) Subscribe to the podcast (optional, but appreciated)! You can also write a quick review or some words of encouragement (optional, but appreciated) You can also write a longer review, though it’s not necessary.  Again, thank you for listening and your review!

Happy birthday, Small Scale Life Podcast!  Happy birthday to me!  Yes, the Small Scale Life Podcast is a year old, and I am also a year older.  It is always difficult having a birthday right after Christmas and New Years, but that is a topic for another episode!  As we celebrate the year anniversary of the Small Scale Life Podcast, my good friend Jay returns to wrap up 2016 and talk about 2017 Goals and Plans. Jay is looking to move from urban environments to the country, so we have a good conversation about how we will get there (along with timelines).  We also talk about working out and dealing with injuries.  In my case, it is "Inflammation of Motivation" that must be dealt with in the next week or so.  I need to get back into the gym and pool! We also talk about Jay making Cranberry-Jalapeno Jelly, modifying the recipe and providing it to others who had parties to attend and gifts to give.  Finally, we go back to Small Scale Life Podcast Season 1  Episode 3 where Jay and I talk about "Slingshot Week."  Sometimes the more things change; the more they stay the same! Podcast Topics for 2017 Goals and Plans [caption id="attachment_1465" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Trees Under Glass - Rural Minnesota in 2017[/caption] In this podcast, Jay and I discuss the following topics: 2016 Wrap-Up Condo to Compound Update Changes at Small Scale Life Slingshot Week Definition What do I want to keep doing? What will I stop doing? What will I continue? Links [caption id="attachment_1464" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Homestead Goals - 2017[/caption]   During this episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I mention the following links: Jay's Condo to Compound Blog How to Make Cranberry-Jalapeno Jelly Aaron Clarey Captain Capitalism Blog and Podcast Healthy Lifestyle Podcast Episode 7: Interview with Kevin Geary Small Scale Life Podcast Season 1, Episode 3: Three Questions for 2016 Small Scale Gardening Facebook Group MN-WI Regenerative Agriculture Facebook Group   Rate on iTunes Since we are now on iTunes, please rate and review the Small Scale Life Podcast.  Ratings and reviews help us grow the podcast and the blog, and I appreciate your reviews. You can leave a review by following these simple steps: Click on this link or the image above. Go to ratings and reviews. Click on the number stars. Subscribe to the podcast (optional, but appreciated)! You can also write a quick review or some words of encouragement (optional, but GREATLY appreciated)! You can also write a longer review, though it’s not necessary.  Again, thank you for listening and your review!

In this episode, I wrap up Christmas 2016. This was a lost track that I am posting as a listener appreciation podcast. I talk about what is important during the holidays.