Amishway Homesteaders

We were thinking about just this topic................... When we get to where ever we are going Lori and I where thinking of opening a General Store / Rental Center. Seeing it looks like we have a lot of the things needed to start out a 'new life'. Being there is no Walmarts? come the the HOMESTEAD GENERAL STORE for all your needs.. By the way THAT plow is for rent so sign up early ! Only $100.00 a hour and you have to have your own horse. LOL no for the most part we will barter and help our neighbors! sillt people.

OK so here we go..................... let see now - People:….. Michael and Lori a.k.a. Rusty and Emma Nailes Skills: ......... Lori works at Library and loves reading and can cook. Some sewing and gardening skills. Michael ….. well lets see? what can't he do? Good with hands, loves working outdoors, Homestead Gardening (all hand tools and home made supports, fences, garden Benches, things like that) and Homesteading anything to do with Homesteading. Animals and supplies: ........... 2 big ox plus 1 spare yearling, riding horse (Michael rides –Lori don't), all the harnesses and hardware needed (Michael can and has fixed before), 4 chicken, 2 cats (please), 1 cow (just freshened), 2 goats Kitchen: ..... Small wood stove and portable oven that sits on top, the right kind of pots and pans as well as all the spoons, flippers, cooking thingies. Hand cranked bread maker (Michael make bread in it every week) Everything we will need to cook and prepare food we have and use on a daily bases- most of the stuff in our Kitchen is non- electric : coffee pot, coffee grinder, can opener, eggbeaters, cooker, bread machine, etc. Have a oldtime Colman Kitchen- big wooden box that has a dropdown front and lots of space inside for all your camping cook stuff (like a little chuck wagon).Canners (both water bath and Pressure Canners) and 1 big oval one that sits over 2 burners and can do 18 qts. at a time. Health/sanitation..... For the most part we are Health and don't take any pills other then vitamins WELL Lori said she is TAKING her 'chamber chair' (yes we have used it before) we also have chamber pots (2) and Michael has a glass urineal. Homemade soap and Lots of T paper (will use it for packing material on the way. Medical... we will do OK as we never go to Doctors for just a cold or things like that. Have a few supplies like ace bandages, creams for burns, well a first aid full of stuff too. Shelter.... Quilts, feather pillows, blankets, sleeping mats Big 2 room tent for when we first get there with all the supplies needs to set up camp (table, chairs, cookstove, solar lights, extra tarps, etc. Lots of rope, and extra poles (PVC) just in case) [/color] Clothing..... We will have all our 'pioneer clothes' and Michael can sew anything we need when we get there. We wear nothing 'fancy' now just simple dresswear – so nothing to give up? *Michael's Treadle sewing machine (yes he uses it all the time) extra bolts of fabric and all kind of stuff to make things 3 sewing buckets ( Michael's, Lori's and one for heavy work), Knitting stuff and crochet things Lori's head coverings and bonnets. (Michael can make more if needed) Tools... all hand tools needed to cut lumber and built things with - as well as hand drills, planers, chisels, basic woodworking tools, etc. Lighting.... Lanterns, rayo lamps, solar lights (oops), lamp fluid waterproof box matches (strike anywhere), flint stick (square of stone and flint piece?) Food/water...... the right kind of pots and pans as well as all the spoons, flippers, cooking thingies. food wish we are set with both dried, bulk and canned food. Plus all the basics - flour, sugar, salt and all the pails to keep them safe on the trip. Other Stuff: we both have pocket watch (in case we need to know the time). Our portable hand cranked Victrola and 78's (packed well) Music will keep us happy and healthy Our wooden ironing board and 2 flat irons. 2 large wooden drying racks that fold flat. hand crank wringer washer and wash tubs (6) (packed now with stuff to take) *also can be used as bathtub (yes done that many a time) For when we arrive...... Hand plow, cultivator, hoes, and pitchforks. rakes, shovels, pickax, axes & hatchets, hay rake, etc. wheelbarrow, pails and buckets (another place to pack things and hang from the side). Seeds form the 2009 Seed Exchange we just did plus lots of seeds for growing flowers, herbs and vegetables.

OK so here we go..................... let see now - People: Michael and Lori Skills: ......... Lori works at Library and loves reading and can cook. Some sewing and gardening skills as well. Michael ….. well lets see? what can't he do? Good with hands, loves working outdoors, Homestead Gardening (all hand tools and home made supports, fences, garden Benches, things like that) and Homesteading anything to do with Homesteading. Animals and supplies: ........... 2 big ox plus 1 spare yearling, riding horse (Michael rides –Lori don't), all the harnesses and hardware needed (Michael can and has fixed before), 4 chicken, 2 cats (please), 1 cow (just freshened), 2 goats Kitchen: ..... Small wood stove and portable oven that sits on top, the right kind of pots and pans as well as all the spoons, flippers, cooking thingies. Hand cranked bread maker (Michael make bread in it every week) Everything we will need to cook and prepare food we have and use on a daily bases- most of the stuff in our Kitchen is non- electric : coffee pot, coffee grinder, can opener, cooker, bread machine, etc. Have a oldtime colman Kitchen- big wooden box that has a dropdown front and lots of space inside for all your camping cook stuff (like a little chuck wagon) Health/sanitation..... For the most part we are Health and don't take any pills other then vitamins WELL Lori said she is TAKING her 'chamber chair' (yes we have used it before) we also have chamber pots (2) and Michael has a glass urineal. Homemade soap and Lots of T paper (will use it for packing material on the way. Medical... we will do OK as we never go to Doctors for just a cold or things like that. Have a few supplies like ace bandages, creams for burns, well a first aid full of stuff too. Shelter.... Quilts, feather pillows, blankets, sleeping mats. Big 2 room tent for when we first get there with all the supplies needs to set up camp (table, chairs, cookstove, solor lights, extra tarps, etc. Lots of rope, and extra poles (PVC) just in case) Clothing..... We will have all our 'pioneer clothes' and Michael can sew anything we need when we get there. We wear nothing 'fancy' now just simple dresswear – so nothing to give up? hand crank wringer washer and wash tubs (packed now with stuff to take) Our wooden ironing board and 2 flat irons *Michael's Treadle sewing machine (yes he uses it all the time) extra bolts of fabric and all kind of stuff to make things 3 sewing buckets ( Michael's, Lori's and one for heavy work), Knitting stuff and crochet things [/size] Tools... all hand tools needed to cut lumber and built things with as well as hand drills, planers, chisels, basic woodworking tools, etc. Michael like to use hand tools even when building things at home most of the time. Lighting.... Lanterns, rayo lamps, solar lights (oops), lamp fluid waterproof box matches (strike anywhere), flint stick (square of stone and flint piece?) Food/water...... the right kind of pots and pans as well as all the spoons, flippers, cooking thingies. food wish we are set with both dried, bulk and canned food. Pluse all the basics - flour, sugar, salt and all the pails to keep them safe on the trip. For when we arrive......(like seeds, plow,) Hand plow, cultivator, hoes, and pitchforks. rakes, shovels, pickax, axes & hatchets, hay rake, etc. wheelbarrow, pails and buckets (another place to pack things and hang from the side)

I guess we have it a bit easier then most as we ARE living that way already for the most part. And we also have a area set aside for things like: Our wooden ironing board ans 2 flat irons A small wood stove and portable oven that sits on top Hand cranked bread maker (Michael make bread in it every week) hand crank wringer washer and wash tubs (packed now with stuff to take) Quilts, feather pillows, blankets, sleeping mats Lanterns, rayo lamps, solar lights (oops), lamp fluid waterproof box matches (strike anywhere), flint stick (square of stone and flint piece?) Things for when we get there: Hand plow, cultivator, hoes, and pitchforks. rakes, shovels, pickax, axes & hatchets, hay rake, etc. wheelbarrow, pails and buckets (another place to pack things and hang from the side) *Michael's Treadle sewing machine (yes he uses it all the time) extra bolts of fabric and all kind of stuff to make things. 3 sewing buckets ( Michael's, Lori's and one for heavy work), Knitting stuff and crochet things all hand tools needed to cut lumber and built things with as well as hand drills, planers, chisels, basic woodworking tools,etc. OK I will stop for now but as you can see we will be fine!

OK first off yes we got your books packed along with Lori's Library and a few others that people gave us for the trip. Even had some room for a few boards (used to stack books) so we can make shelves when we get there. Now about those [5' long?] iron 'I' beams ? at first I thought that they may weigth to much to take? but then as we were packing the books the wagon started to c r e e k and make all kinds of noises? so I was thinking maybe we could tie those beams under the wagon to help support the floor? also help with the balance seeing we have boxes stacked high on the sides and more 'stuff' down the middle. About the guy we met................ His name is Bill (and DON'T call him billy!) Armstrong. Which is funny as he is 'arm strong' as he used to work for the railroad laying ties and repairing track before the great layoff. With no Family he just wants to travel but with little money in the bank - times are hard. If you want him to drive the Library wagon or the Blacksmith wagon he's ready. Lori already has plans to help him read better so he can get a better job out west. I have some tools, heavy apron, gloves,small billows,some scrap metal and of cause my small anvil and 3 books so I can make a forge.

sounds like we are getting ready to head out? any date yet or is it a secert to keep us on our toes? Saw a guy hanging around the station that may be a good driver for one of the special wagons. All he wants is to "get away from here" and said he is handy doing anthing that may need to be done? I tell you this - he is a Big man so any lifting that needs to be done........ he's your man. * sidebar - this is my 2,500 post on here ! so that gets us back to about where we were before the last crash.

That 'gentleman' is ........................... ME! LOL and this is a smaller one that they might use in reenactments and / or Parades? But it is COOL! We got to follow it back to the shop one day and I tell you it brought back some memories of all the stories we have read. But you are right as he (Amish Carpenter) started with a farm wagon and built it from that. <--- does this look like the guy in the photo? LOL

So it only took 2 hours but I did it! Here is our wagon all ready for the trip! This is a wagon one of our Amish Friends made for a Auction. Wish it was for us! So now we will need to load it up . Hope to add more photos as we pack things up seeing we own most of what we will need.

must be a brain dead monday............. camera wouldn't upload photos &%^$#*&%!!! so I made a copy and scanned it in. Now I can't find out how to put a scanned image up??? C:\Documents and Settings\IBM User\My Documents\My Pictures\wagon trip I know it's here soewhere????????????????? sorry folks

Did You all leave without me? nobody has posted for 4 days! I have a photo I am tryiing to post that will let you know what we have been up too?

idea.................... Can we find someone who can't read but can drive? if they promise to drive the Library Wagon Lori and I will teach them to read (and write their name) along the way. Maybe someone homeless near the starting point of our trip? The rest of the company can take turns feeding them (drivers) i

No problem as Michael is packing our 'hand cranked' record player and a stack of 78's so we will have some music on the trail.

can do ! I done that kind of thing before. Even made some out of tin cans and nails(hinge pins) for smaller projects. S hooks, door handles, pot spiders,boot scrapers,etc. I'm your man. I love making things for around the homestead here out of 'found' objects. PS side bar- when people ask me if I could time travel where do I want to go? I always tell them just this side of the big moutains on the Oregon Trail with a empty wagon heading east. Why? so I can pick up all that great stuff people left behind by the side of the trail and bring it home - to use!

Driver? where you thinking lori would drive? well thats out. and the totes can be turned on their sides when we get 'there' as 'Library book shelves' until the school/Library/Church get built.

want to learn a little bit about your covered wagon " before you buy one"? go here: http://library.thinkquest.org/6400/wagon.htm just chick on any letter and it will tell you alll about that part of the wagon. lots of other information too.

ain't nothing to right home about , but I can get by as they say with what we may need to get people back on the road. Only made a few shoes and at the time I would not have put them on a horse but? ya never know. Have to get a new forge so we will be ready. There willl be enough 'metal' on the side of the road (busted wagons and stuff) that we can use for spare parts.

Well I can't drive it as I will have my hands full but Lori wants to be the Librarian! And if you do take a wagon full of books that will help me out as she wants to take along her "Childrens Library" she has here (well over 100 + books). Seeing she works as a Librarian now it will be a good fit.

Thanks mother for the list. We have most of what is on the list on hand. Good thing we collect and use the 'old things'. the animals we share own or can bater for from the Amsih - (and we both can hand milk a cow or goat) - so we are set there too. We are also lucky that Michael likes to do things 'the old ways' as he has blacksmithed, plowed with a team of horses (1,2,4 and even 6!), can fix almost anything that may go wrong, even has some of the tools we will need to fix the wagon and wheels. More hand tools (and he uses them ) then you will ever need. One of the Amish shop owners is even building a covered wagon for someone. We tried to get a photo but they couldn't pull it out of shop yet (we will keep tring) So count us in - we are ready and packing things up for the trip.

You do know back then most of the family WALKED all the way. The wagon was used manly for suppies. can you just imagine having most kids do that today, or even some of the adults.

OH! we are sooooooooooo in on this one. :-) People: Michael and Lori (aka - Rusty and Emma) Skills: .........WOW, you name it Michael can do it (other then hunt). Animals and supplies: ...........2 oxen, 1 horse, 1 milk cow Kitchen: ..... coleman wagen Kitchen (we own one), Dutch oven, Coffee pot, cooking grate Health/sanitation..... our wooden comode chair (yes we do use it now and then) Medical... some pills mosty herbs (packed) and herb book (gift from church when we starteed this trip) Shelter.... The wagon both in and under, feather tick mattress, Canvas (for whe we get there) Clothing..... Michaels treadle sewing machine, cloth, buttons, sewing kit. We make our own anyway) Tools... WOW! Michael has all hand tools and a box to keep them in - we are all set. Lighting.... our Lanterns, matches, flint/striker (own 2). fuel Food/water......canned jars of food, 1 barrel of water (to start), dried beef,beans,etc. For when we arrive......(like seeds, plow,) Hand plow (know how to use) and shovel (2), scarrett runner beans, some seeds given to us by friends when we left. axes and saws, *this is just a part of what we can / will take with us. Hope you know that is is just what Michael and Lori like to do. When we role play at the Museum or are doing 'pioneer weekend" here at home we are known as Rusty and Emma Nailes. So for the most part we are set to go.

and I was just thinking I better get off this thing and get some sleep before 4 am come and I HAVE to get up ! Thanks.

wow! good testing and thanks for the heads up on radishes.

all I can say is WOW! that was a lot of information !

Thanks for stopping by................. I had hopes of putting the story I wrote here in a new blog but just couldn't get it to work? So you have to go to the fireside forum and look for it? SUMMER DAYS by Michael Sarah Johnson's Story about the summer of 1881 at the Family farm on the Prairie Mainly a book for kids but you all will enjoy it - only 7 short chapters long.

Hello Granny, Thanks for posting and thanks for asking questions for that is how we learn. OK, in the old days when you tapped a red maple tree you would drill a hole (3/4 inch) 2 feet up from the ground and then put in a tap ( metal cones thingy) and then hang a bucket from that and the tree sap would drip into it. Then you would collect all the sap from the buckets and put into the evaperatore to cook down to make maple syrup. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of male syrup! Well with 800 + taps this year it was easier to 'run lines'. That is after they tapped the trees and put in the plastic cones (taps) they then hook up a plastic hose to it and run that from tree to tree (with T's) and then into a big 250 gallon tank, and ffrom that tank into a big 100 gallon tank by the sugar house. If you have ever had a fish tank at home the plastic hose you use to add air into the water is what it looks like just bigger? Most trees can take up to 3 taps but this year they/we did 2 per tree in most cases and some were just 1 as the tree was smaller. The Sugar House is just a outbuilding that you need to keep the evoperator in, with a top roof to let off the steam. the evoperator (cooker) which is mostly just a big square pan (3 feet wide and 16 feet long) that you have over a firebox. The sap comes in one end and as it moves along the pan gets cooked and the water evoperates off and the maple syrup is left. some days you are 'cooking' all day long and on into the night when the sap is running good. Then you drain off the syrup when it is boiling and put into jugs or jars. As of now we are done for the year with a little over 145 gallons of finished maple syrup put up. Most will be sold at Farmers Markets with some being sold right at the Amish Farm. I'll bet you could google maple sugaring for lots of sites that did it this year (but no Amish ones as no picture taking). Hope this helps,