Self Reliance in 2009

Self reliance used to have a different meaning to me before I had a family of my own. I have recently found that it has nothing to do with the fact that I could make hamburger helper with out reading the directions, or that I could buy cookie mix and just add milk, slap them on a tray and call them "homemade". I have always had a love for cooking....although not always super tasty....my husband/Guinea pig.... dare say has been spoiled Rotten in more ways than one......With my Love of "homemade" I have sorta taught myself to just do things by taste and have learned by watching and experimenting.

I grew up as a only child in a family where my meals were prepared, served to my room and eaten in front of the Television. There were no dinner tables, conversations or the chance to help and learn. It was easier and faster for my Mom to just get it done herself. My mom went to the store just about every day to pick up the current nights meal and some of the "this and that's" that she may have needed. The store people knew her by name.

But as I have had a family of my own I have often thought how would you take care of a family of 7 if a emergency were to happen? If there were no grocery store to go to... and what if my husband lost his job and food sky rocketed and became scarce. Some time in my life I made a decision that my kids would grow up differently. That each of them, would learn the art of cooking, cleaning, gardening, canning and sewing.

I have recently come to the realization that canned foods just won't cut it. We will all die from sodium content.....My kids love FRESH fruit and veggies which happen to be the most expensive things to buy at the store. Meat..eggs, milk and water are things that we need to sustain a happy and healthy life. How do we get these basic things without being dependent upon stores and others?

In order to be personally prepared, I think there are a couple of key things that you need....Knowledge, of growing,preserving,sewing and preparing. I am working on my skills with most of these, but mostly the sewing one. I am a beginner...This is why I have started this blog. To share with you my trials of learning to become self sufficient in a world that we are very dependent.

My goal with this blog is to share my goals about gardening, cooking, canning, sewing, home food storage and our families personal preparedness. These are my opinions, ideas and thoughts....Feel free to comment and give any friendly advice and or ideas. My goal for 2009 to become less dependent and more self sufficient, saving money and teaching my kids a different way of living.