Spring Things

Hi everyone!! It's a beautiful day in northern Illinois! I hope it is in your part of the world, as well.


It's rhubarb time! If you've got rhubarb, I'm sure you're harvesting right now. I wrote this post last year about rhubarb, which included a few recipes and my favorite tip for growing great rhubarb! Check it out if you need some rhubarb inspiration. I found a new rhubarb recipe I'm going to try out: Frosted Rhubarb Cookies! Mmmmm. Sounds yummy! I'm always looking for ways to use the foods I grow. I also put lots of rhubarb by in the freezer (in packages sized for future uses) so that I can enjoy this sweet veggie even when it's not in season.


It's also dandelion season, if you don't weed-n-feed. Here's last year's post on a few things to do with dandelions.


Did you plant seeds indoors for plants to put in your garden? I did, and it's just about time to put those plants in the ground. Some of you in the south may have already put your plants in, if your ground has dried enough. For those of us up north, it's time to start 'hardening off' our tiny seedlings. Hardening off is taking them outside for a bit of time each day to get them used to the 'harsh' outdoor conditions they will soon endure full time. I usually bring my plants out for an hour or two the first day and put them somewhere where they can have a bit of sun and a bit of shade. I place them where they're protected from too much wind, as well. Everyday, I bring them out for a little more time, and a little more 'harsh' weather. After 5 or 6 days, the plants should be ready to put in the ground.


I believe that what's happening in the government around us is an indicator of what kind of future we'll probably have. That knowledge allows us to prepare correctly. On that note, here's an article explaining how the Indiana supreme court is shredding the 4th amendment. And, here's a video of Judge Napolitano talking about the same situation and more dangerous activity that's happening at the federal government level. Let's stay alert, folks!


Prep On!
Gen-IL Homesteader

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A few great reads!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to pass along 2 quick links today for those of you who don't read the APN blog.

First, here's an article with a link to a Public Servant Questionaire that you might want to print off and keep by the door in case you're visited by a census worker (or any other government employee.)

Second, here's another great article from the APN. The Survival Mom and our own Tom Martin are interviewed for an article in the Arizona Republic. It's really a great article! The reporter did a great job! If you're just starting out prepping, or if you enjoyed the 'regular family' posts, I think you'll really enjoy this interview with a regular mom! I'm linking to APN instead of the Arizona Republic site, because Tom has a few 'inaccuracies' that he corrects. Good job, guys!

Prep On!
Gen-IL Homesteader

May I rant for a moment?

I hope you don't mind, but something is really annoying me and I just want to get it off of my chest!

So, hubby and I had a wonderful time visiting with our son in FL last week. Everything about the trip went smoothly, until we landed in Milwaukee airport. We picked up our suitcase and there was a plastic zip-tie holding the two ends of our zipper together. 'Hmmm', we thought. 'That's strange'. But, we were excited to see our daughter and son-in-law, so we loaded the case and jumped in the truck. When we got home, hubby broke the tie and opened the suitcase. There inside, we found a piece of paper, part of which is pictured above. The paper informed us that our baggage had been one of many that were randomly checked by the TSA, to protect us and our fellow passengers.

Um, excuse me? So, my baggage was rifled through without my knowledge, by some who-knows-who? You know, this is what happens when we (including myself here) put up with practically stripping down to our skivvies to have to walk through airport scanners. This is what comes from us putting up with small infringements on our rights. The TSA doesn't believe in the 4th Amendment which protects "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures," If the airline themselves wanted to look through my baggage, that would be their right. They own the planes that I'm about to fly on. They have a vested interest in protecting their goods. The government, as far as I'm concerned, has no interest in it and should be concerned only about protecting my rights. They are prohibited, by the Constitution, from rifling through my baggage (unless I was suspected of wrongdoing and a warrant was obtained).Obviously, we know our rights are of no concern to most in govt, but this is one more way they showed it.

When hubby and I went to Jamaica years ago, the airport (don't know if it was govt or not) chose random folks and went through their baggage IN FRONT OF THEM. They didn't do it secretly in some backroom, and then leave a note after the fact informing the baggage owner. At the very least, the TSA should have the common courtesy to handle things the way they were handled in Jamaica. (Even though I still believe it's not the govt's job to do it.)

I see this whole situation as another proof of the whittling away of our rights, the silent erosion that is happening which will one day lead us to serfdom or revolution. This whole thing annoys me to no end, and I'm planning on expressing my views to our elected officials and the TSA. (I know, they don't care. But, I have to do something!)

End of rant. On to better things.....Our house sitter didn't finish the milk that was in the fridge, so it got dumped because it was outdated. I washed it out and now have one more greenhouse for my spring planting! Woo-Hoo! We ran to the 'big box building store' today and I bought a few more of the garden seeds I needed. (They were on sale, too!) I think I'm finally set. All the seeds, except one package, are in the freezer so that I can test Upinak's theory (AK Preppers). I'll leave the seeds in the freezer for another week, then take them out for a few days, and then start some things under lights! Oh, I can't wait!! I've got a number of extra seed packets for future years, and will go and get even more. Seeds are one thing you don't want to be without!

Prep on!
Gen-IL Homesteader