Month: August 2022

I’ve Become a Part Time Prepper

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

Canva - Part-time Prepper

If you’ve ever been in the scouts as a young kid, then I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘Be prepared!”

In essence, a prepper is someone that is prepared.  A prepper creates a plan for emergencies by gathering resources such as food and medical supplies.

They’ll even gain skills in case they don’t have access to power and water… or even a grocery store… remember 2020 when all the grocery stores were empty?!?

Basically, what it all boils down to is that a prepper will try to reduce their reliance on others for their survival in a crisis situation!

To that end, I have become a part-time prepper.

Although living in a small 22 foot RV, it’s difficult to have a large stockpile of supplies at the ready, but I do what I can!

When I go to the store, I will purchase an extra can of veggies, or fruit… or those bags of dried beans, peas and lentils…

However, when traveling, I need to be conscience of the weight our truck can haul, so I have begun to rely on freeze-dried foods.

Thrive Life

They’re lighter in weight, therefore I have access to more food, and less water weight in canned goods from the store. Want to know where I get my freeze-dried foods? Click here!

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I’m also honing my skills so that I can preserve the foods that come from our container garden… and I cook from scratch whenever possible! Would you know how to make your own pasta?!?

I’m always willing to learn a new skill, so that I too can be prepared in a crisis situation… to that end, I am doing what I can as a part-time prepper!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

I think I May Be Obsessed with Old Barns

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

Red Barn

On my days off, mom and I like to go exploring!

One of the things I like to do, is drive through ‘farm country’ in search of old barns!

I think I may be obsessed with them!

Unfortunately, as we explore, I am seeing the traditional wood and stone barns going by the wayside.

Gradually, I see newer barns being built of aluminum or steel… for this reason, I am always pleased when I come across an old barn – especially one that is still in use and well taken care of!

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Barns come in all shapes and sizes! Some big, some little…

Like this little yellow barn I christened ‘the happy barn!’

The Happy Barn

Or this lovely white barn I found…

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Barns are used by farmers for a number of things… housing for livestock… storage of food, such as this big ‘dehydrator’ that is used to cure tobacco after its been brought in from the field.

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As I explore the local area in search of these old, beautiful barns, I can’t help but think about the families that live on the farm… the memories that are being made… and the stories they hold…  yes, I truly do think I am obsessed with old barns!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~Sheri

Changing My Mindset

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

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What’s the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning?

As you lay in bed, do you think things like:

  • I have to get up.
  • I have to go to work.
  • I have to make healthy meals.
  • I have to exercise.

I know I am certainly guilty of this!

And to be quite honest, by saying such things, I have procrastinated… so much so, that I have had to rush out the door to get to work! And I live at the campground!

Moreover, I have ignored the whole exercise thing completely!

But what would happen, if instead of saying “I have to…” we started saying “I get to?”

  • I get to wake up in the morning.
  • I get to go to work.
  • I get to make healthy meals.
  • I get to exercise.

By using the words ‘I get to,’ we can start to see how truly blessed we are, and how much we have to be thankful for!

So, what do you get to do today?

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

Home Sweet Home…?

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

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We live in an RV...

Although our homestead is on wheels, it’s just like any other home. Sometimes, things need to be fixed!

Faucets leak or get clogged… sometimes you need to change out washers so the water runs smoothly from the faucet…

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An despite our best efforts to keep the black tank from backing up, sometimes they need to be cleared out!

Even the screens on our doors and windows needed to be replaced from time to time… especially after the cats have a field day and start climbing on them!

Mom - Fixing Screens - 2020 - Hershey KOA (6)

So, there you have it… living in an RV is not all glitz and glam!

Stuff needs to be fixed, just as it does in a more traditional homestead.

Until next time,

Peace, Love and Safe Travels!

~ Sheri

Where Do We Go From Here?

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

Canva - Aging

With mom having turned 80 this year, we decided it’s time to get off the road… but looking for a more traditional homestead has been daunting!

Even with the possibility of a full-time job, I don’t think we could afford to stay in this area… The prices have been astronomical!

Staying in our RV in this area would also prove to be a challenge as well. Not all RVs are created equal, and ours is not winter-worthy!

So, the taxing question that remains… should we stay or should we go?!?

We’ve decided we are going to head out at the end of the season to warmer climates.

But even this too is proving to be a challenge.

As a single workamper, jobs are getting more and more difficult to find. Campgrounds want couples… one to work in the office, while the other works outside! And the one place we did get an answer from, the monthly fee is the cost of a traditional homestead that actually has land and a house! Seriously?!?

When did being a workamper become so difficult and so expensive?!?

It doesn’t help the situation as I’ve been talking with my fellow workers. I am finding that everyone else has somewhere to go, while we are still at lose ends…

Worrying…? A little.

But… we still have two months. And while we do plan to head out, we just don’t know where that will be!

So, let’s see where the road takes us!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

Positive Mind… Positive Life!

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

Canva - Believe it - Achieve it

Each morning, I have a time of quiet… that time before anyone else gets up… a time that is just mine… a time where I can think about the future and what it holds.

We’ve been looking into the possibility of staying here, in our home state, even after this campground closes for the season!

However, as I’ve been looking at homes for sale, I find I am astounded by the prices! Even the cost of a small apartment is outrageous! My mind is reeling, thinking we will never be able to afford this!

During my morning quiet times, I have been reading the book, The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. I have come to realize that I can be a very negative person.

I’m one of those people who sees the glass have empty… instead of half full!

I can look at a home that has been beautifully designed and find that one piece of wall paper that has a wrinkle in it!

I always seem to be able to find the flaws… I always seem to look at the negative…

Yet, I am told that positive minds produce positive lives… whereas negative minds produce negative lives.

Who wants to have a negative life?!? I certainly don’t!

It’s in the negativity, I find that I am afraid to hope for that big traditional homestead. I’ve been working part-time at this campground and the prospects of a job in the fall looks dismal!

But ever since we decided to live life on the road, God has always provided a job for the next season! Sometimes, it just seems to come at the last minute, which is frustrating for a negative minded person!

Matthew 8:13 tells us that ‘it will be done for us as we have believed.’

Does this mean I can get anything I want just by thinking about it? No! But God has a perfect plan for our lives, and I can practice thinking positively about my life and what the future holds!

Instead of thinking I won’t get a job for the new season…  or we’ll never be able to afford that homestead… I can think that God has always provided a job, and a new place to go to in the past, and He will continue to do so!

Even though the prospects are looking a little discouraging right now, I can expect God to bring good out of it!

Until next time, think positive thoughts!

~ Sheri

(Thank you for using my affiliate links. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you! Mom and I appreciate your support! ❤)

In Search of the Elusive Camel Milk

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

Bright Full Photo Sunrise Camel Desert Phone Wallpaper

With an unexpected day off… and a beautiful day to boot… mom and I decided to go in search of the elusive Camel Milk… and of course, camels, too!

About a week ago, mom and I had been out and about exploring farm country, when we came upon a sign that nearly took of off the road!

I was coming around a bend when we saw a sign that said ‘Camel Milk.’

Camel Milk

When I think about camels, I think Egypt… I think Saudi Arabia…. but Pennsylvania?

And after turning around and going back… there it was on the sign…. ‘Camel Milk.’

I’d taken a picture just to prove I wasn’t seeing things!

But alas, no one was around, and the farm store boasting this unusual elixir, was closed.

Back at the campground, I did some research, and found an Amish farm about an hours drive, that not only sold Camels Milk, but also had 3 camels on his farm!

With an unexpected day off, and beautiful weather, we hit the road!

Our drive took us through some really beautiful farm country, making my longing for life on a traditional homestead all the stronger! But unfortunately no camels!

We saw cattle…

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We saw goats in the front yard of an Amish homestead…

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We even found some chickens…

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Unfortunately no camels…

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Then, out of the blue, I saw a tour bus coming in my direction. It stopped alongside one of the farms! Out of curiosity, I stopped to take some pictures! As I did, I realized that one of the cows in the background looked a little different!

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There is was! A Camel, joyfully, frolicking in the field behind the cows! I zoomed in for a better photo! Looking around, I found her two field mates! One has peeking its head out of a small building that provided shelter from the heat of the day! And the third one, I found resting in the barn.

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Apparently, the camels hang out in the same barn as all the cattle!

After taking this all in, we headed to the farms store to get some camels milk!

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It looks just like regular milk, but tastes like skim milk! And, it’s very expensive! $16 US, for a pint of milk! At that price, I think I will stick to cows milk… or goats… but at least we finally found the elusive camels and their precious milk!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

Lemon Artichoke Pasta

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

TPC - Lemon Artichoke Pasta

Between my schedule at work, taking mom on outings, writing, working on my photography, and all the other ‘stuff’ that needs doing, I am as busy as a beaver!

With all that I have to do, and still take care of myself, having time to make a healthy meal can be challenging! Therefore, I am always on the look out for quick meals that are not just healthy, but also quick and easy to make!

This Lemon Artichoke Pasta not only fits the bill, it can also be made in the microwave! For me, this is a no-brainer! Not only is it quick to make, it also keeps me from heating up the whole camper! With all the muggy, high temperatures we have been having lately, this is a win in my book!

Lemon Artichoke Pasta

Here’s what you need:

  • 12 oz. uncooked spaghetti, broken in half
  • 4 cups chicken stock/broth
  • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 cup fresh parsley, loosely packed
  • 1 can quartered artichoke hearts in water, drained
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 1/2 tsp Lemon Garlic Rub
  • 4 garlic cloves, pressed
  • 2 medium zucchini
  • 2 oz. fresh Parmesan cheese, finely grated (roughly 1/2 cup)
  • salt, optional

Let’s put it all together:

  1. Add the spaghetti, broth and lemon juice to a microwave safe dish. I use my Pampered Chef 4 quart Dutch Oven. Microwave covered for 8 minutes.
  2. In a food processor, finely chop the parsley. Add the artichokes, oil, rub and garlic. Process again, scraping down the sides of the bowl until the artichokes are coarsely chopped.
  3. Carefully remove the Dutch Oven from the microwave and stir. Return to the microwave, covered, for an additional 8 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
  4. Trim the ends off the zucchini and cut into 3 inch julienne strips (about 2 cups).
  5. Add the artichoke mixture, zucchini and parmesan to the Dutch Oven. Toss to coat, Let stand, covered for 5 minutes. Season with salt if you want, and serve.

Kitchen Tips:

  • If you would like to make this recipe vegetarian, substitute vegetable stock for the chicken broth.
  • For added protein, serve with grilled chicken, shrimp or cannellini beans.

Hope you enjoy this recipe!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels,

~ Sheri

P.S. Thank you for using my affiliate links. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you! Mom and I appreciate your support! ❤

Thick & Hearty Tomato Sauce

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

Thrive Life - Thick and Hearty Tomato Sauce

Lately, I’ve had a hankerin’ for some spaghetti, but our container garden has yet to bring in enough tomatoes to make my favorite recipe! So once again, I am experimenting with the freeze-dried foods in my pantry!

I prefer a thicker sauce… and, when I want to bulk it up, I add in some of my favorite veggies! The usual peppers and onions can be find in my recipe, but I will sometimes add in carrots as well! Got to get my veggies in!

This particularly satisfying recipe includes ground beef! Making this dish so thick and hearty! But if you don’t do meat, simply leave it out!

The farm stand where I usually get my meats isn’t open today, but I just so happen to have some freeze-dried ground beef on hand in my pantry!

I really love this recipe because it’s so quick and easy, and kid-friendly to boot! You can spread this sauce over your favorite pasta… use it in lasagna… or simply dip your favorite crusty garlic bread into this tasty sauce!

Thick & Hearty Tomato Sauce

Here’s what you need:

Let’s put it all together!

  1. First, heat a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat with a small amount of oil.
  2. Briefly sauté’ the ground beef, mushrooms and onions. (remember, I am using freeze-dried foods from my pantry, so this part doesn’t take long)
  3. Add water and beef broth.
  4. Slowly whisk in the tomato powder then add in the tomato dices, and seasonings.
  5. Let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Pour onto your favorite pasta and serve!

There you have it! A great dish that is easy to make for the kids, and for the whole family!

Okay, eat now, talk later!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

(Thank you for using my affiliate links. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you! Mom and I appreciate your support! ❤)

A Day of Rest…?

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

Canva - Get Some Rest

As I was sitting at the front desk, I started feeling really flushed and nauseous…  needing to head to the loo, I asked my manager to take over!

She called in the owner, who also happens to be the campground nurse.

She asked me if I was pregnant! Being a woman of a certain age, that is no longer an issue! She chuckled with me and simply said, “That’s what the hospital would ask if you were to go to the emergency room!”

After checking my vitals, she told me that everything seemed normal.. however my blood pressure was elevated…

After a few more questions, it was decided that I was either coming down with a bug of some sorts, or I was simply a bit dehydrated due to not drinking enough water…

It has been unbearably hot and muggy here… and I really haven’t been drinking enough water lately!

I was sent home and told to drink plenty of fluids and get some rest!

Rest… what is that?!?

My schedule is all over the place, and because of it, my days off are usually spent running around doing all the errands I don’t get to during the week!

Even now, as I sit here writing, I see the pile of dishes needing to be done… the laundry that needs to be washed… the trash that needs to be taken to the dumpster… and in the background, I hear one of the cats scratching in the litter box, reminding me that it needs to be emptied!

When do I get to rest?!?

But rest I must! So in spite of everything that needs to be done, I am at least taking the morning off, getting back under the covers to watch some telly… and drink some much needed water!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels,

~ Sheri