Hi! Ive been reading the forum for a while now, its so much fun! Really love all the frugal ideas, and the Christmas gifts question! I live in Southern Wis., we live on a 120 acre cash crop farm. My husband is a trucker to pay the bills, and I stay home with my kids, who are 12, 10 and 7. Been reading Countryside since forever it seems, and always loved the stories of al the homesteaders in different areas of the country. We try to live as simply as possible, we have a garden and many pets. No livestock, yet. Would love to do that, but we dont have a barn or anything, so thats somewhere in the future. I like to read, sew, needlework and quilt, garden, spend time with the kids, and the new one, read the internet forums.(New on the computer, but having fun learning!) Speaking of learning, I have learned a lot from you guys...thanks! Carrie in Wis

-- Carrie Wehler (carriew@ticon.net), September 15, 2000

Answers

Hey Carrie! Welcome to the forum!!!! As you probably know by now, there are some hillbillys on here and I'm probably the chief. Since the politikens raised the stakes I now give my $2. worth rather than .02 cents worth. Post often and enjoy yourself. hoot "hillbilly" gibson. Matt.24:44

-- hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), September 15, 2000.

Hi, Carrie...WELCOME! We're a pretty friendly bunch, most usually. Feel free to contribute yer two cents' worth!

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), September 15, 2000.

Hi Carrie welcome to the forum.ill bet you like it here. were a pretty friendly bunch. except for politics. best regards BOB IN S.E. KS.

-- Bob Condry (bobco@hit.net), September 15, 2000.

Hi Carrie, and welcome. I'm relatively new here, too. Are you the same Carrie who asked about goat milk. If so, hello again!. Lots of good questions, good answers, and mostly friendly banter. Come see us and enter in often.

-- melina bush (goatgal1@juno.com), September 15, 2000.

Hello! I have only been here a short while but I love it! Welcome and hope you'll join us on the forum questions and answers!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), September 15, 2000.

Welcome Carrie, I just joined this year myself but find this forum a wealth of helpful information that you can get a quick answer when you need it. Of course, I also subscribe to the magazine and love that even more. Glad to have you and I'll have to get more info on your quilt making as I have just started making quilts. I just finished my first one and have started my second one which I plan to give to my Mom.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), September 15, 2000.

Welcome Carrie--I'm a wife, Mother,& Grandmother, & have been a business person for about 35 years! My hubbie & I sell-- new/ used & abused--ya name it & we got it--buy/ sell & trade ---in Ks. We are Christains & I enjoy each person on this forum --if we agree or not as I learn from each person!!! Again welcome--Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), September 15, 2000.

Hi Carrie! Welcome! I look forward to getting to know you beter. I havn't been here that long either. To tell the truth I can't remember how long. Seems like I have known some of these folks forever.Every person I have had the pleasure to talk with here so far has been REAL NICE. It is so neat to know folks that have things in common with you. And I have learned so much here.

My husband and I have two kids ages 8 and 13. We homeschool.( our first year ) We have chickens,1 rabbit and 2 dogs. Hope to get a couple of goats in the spring. Still working on the fence.I like to garden and do needle work. I would love to quilt. I have been collecting scrap velvet and other lovely fabrics. Going to try my hand at a crazy quilt soon.

-- Bonnie (josabo1@juno.com), September 15, 2000.

Hi Carrie:

I'm married, with cats. Working for Americorp/Habitat for Humanity right now (ahh.. construction!) and my husband is a "whatever's paying" contractor. Been on the forum for a little while, they're a pretty neat bunch of folks - if you don't let Joel get under your collar (I think he's sweet, even under all that ranting!) Been renting a "homestead" in Central NC for past 4-ish years, doing okay, still learning (who isn't!). Welcome to the Bedlam Inmates Homeowner's Asociation.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), September 15, 2000.

Thanks for the warm welcome you guys. Like I said, Ive been reading for a while, and you all seem like a real nice bunch of people! Soni, cats are my favorite pets. I just got done bottle feeding a couple of kittens whos Mom was hit by a car...thought I was gonna give them away, but....perhaps since they are such little sweeties... Oh, and yes, Im the same Carrie who was asking about the goats. Son has a lactose intolerance, and I wondered if goats milk had it. Anyways, Im on my way up to read the Christmas present post, just loved reading it so far. With 3 kids and a farm, we HAVE to be frugal! Cant wait to read more. Take Care, you guys, Carrie in Wis

-- Carrie Wehler (carriew@ticon.net), September 15, 2000.

Hi, Carrie, Yes, isn't this GREAT, I'm new to the net, but been a Countryside reader for years! I have 3 lactose intolerant and thats the main reaon we have the goats, we do fine on it. Are you going to rubberband those tomcats you rescued? Ha Ha! Isn't the conversation just lovely! I love it! Carol

-- Carol (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), September 15, 2000.

Hey Carrie! I too have been reading Countryside it seems forever and am new this year to the forum. Seems like an old friend come alive! We have a homestead farm, dairy goats, Border Collies, chickens, mule and pony. Maybe you could tell us about your CASH CROPS and how you do it. We have 12 acres that grows only grass. I would be very interested in what you grow and how it works. See ya

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), September 16, 2000.

Welcome Carrie ! I love to read and garden but I'm not much on needlework or sewing. I'm just your neighborhood anarchist but if I don't say it ? Who will ? Have fun !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), September 16, 2000.

Hi Carrie, pleased to meet you. I'm a wannabe...sigh. (I just don't like the idea of being a homesteader in the city.) Anyway, I homestead in the city for now, huge garden, lots of dogs and cats, love to cook and bake. This forum is such a joy. I'm learning so much, and feel like part of a community or family here. It's wonderful!

-- Cathy Horn (hrnofplnty@webtv.net), September 16, 2000.

Hi, Carrie, welcome! Just a thought for those of you who mentioned lactose intolerance. My family has a number of food-related problems, and in my research, one of the things I learned was that often a seeming lactose intolerance is masking the real problem, which is gluten intolerance. Often, if all gluten is removed from the diet (permanently, unfortunately), after a while dairy products can be successfully reintroduced. It's worth looking into, because gluten intolerance causes or is associated with some very serious health problems. You can do a web search to turn up more information that you will have time to read! Good luck!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), September 16, 2000.

Been here for over a year..LOVE the folks on this forum, even the ones I violently disagree with..it's that kind of "place"...Husband and i dreamed of real homesteading for 30 years +, and three months ago finally got a homestead in Northeast Alabama.We are thrilled...spent many years quilting,sewing on my treadle machine, canning,soap & cheese making,etc. while living in the burbs with a small garden..now have ACRES to play with and learning how to garden in the South...lots to learn!Welcome, and enjoy..God bless.

-- lesley (martchas@gateway.net), September 16, 2000.

Hi and welcome. My wife and I have been following this forum since July. Its a great group of people. The folks here and the magazine helped us do so much with 1 acre of parched N. Alabama red clay we can't wait till next year to try more of their advice. If you have any ideas on tomatoes, please share. As you have seen already , this is a jump in kind of place, theres plenty of us to keep you afloat.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), September 16, 2000.

Welcome Carrie, Enjoy!

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), September 16, 2000.

Greetings! From Niagara F a l l s New York! Sorry it's late. I couldn't resist.

-- Ed Weaver (edzreal@postmaster.co.uk), September 16, 2000.

Hello Carrie, and welcome! This is a great place to learn, debate ideas and be encouraged! I truly enjoy everyone. And as someone already stated, even when I really, really, really, disagree, I relish the ideas & passion flowing from those beliefs. There must be something about "Homesteaders" because those here at Countryside are witty, knowledgable, articulate & SO helpful! Glad you found the forum! God Bless! Wendy

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), September 17, 2000.

Hi Carrie! Welcome, from one of Chief Hoots' tribe. (hillbilly). Loved that one, Hoot! All the people are so nice and helpful on here, it's a great "fence" to talk across.

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), September 17, 2000.

Welcome Carrie, I also live in S.W. WI. I have 6 children 5 boys and 1 daughter ages 24,20,18,13,3,1 and I milked goats because of intol to milk. This group is great and has an answer for most any question. Kim in WI

-- Kim baker (kbaker@mhtc.net), September 18, 2000.

Welcome! I love this forum, too, and have learned a lot. You mention in your post that you are new to internet forums. A previous post on this forum related the problems experienced with unwanted pornography as a result of unauthorized internet usage by a housesitter. Since you have children at home, this is probably a good time to consider internet filtering software, etc. Just my 2 cents, as a concerned mom of three children myself....

-- Liz Rhein (merhein@shentel.net), September 18, 2000.

Hi, up to 2 years ago I lived in N W Ill, the corner of Wis., Iowa & Ill., pretty close to the Miss. Loved the area would go to if could, but my husband was transferred. Of course up there the land was very very high. For what we sold a few acreas and nice house for we bought almost 300 acreas here in OK with a nice house., and no it is not flat, infact my property and area is very hilly. Were in Eastern Ok., I have learned alot on this forum now I have received alot of feedback on my coyote problems which I will do something about real soon. Have fun and get your animals slowly. We started out with a barn up north so it was a little easier. But looked like hillbillies when driving all those animals down here.!

-- Debbie Wolcott (bwolcott@cwis.net), September 19, 2000.

Welcome home, Carrie! At least that's how I feel - like we're all members of a big Countryside family (Sis in background making gagging noises). I have one child, a teenage daughter; also Hubby and Pop (my Dad) in this household.

Garden, chickens, dogs, cats, rabbit. Unc is talking mule and I am talking calves and Mike from work is trying to get me to talk pigs (he sells them!). Pop is talking having us all committed! Hubby is a city boy who has discovered an affection for chickens, home canned food and living "out back of beyond". I caught him organizing the pantry the other day - "Do you know what honey?" said he. " I believe we could eat for six months on what's in this pantry." He's getting the point!!

I like to sew - current project is making a uniform jumper for work (RN). I've been working on a bow tie quilt for a while, using clothing from thrift shops for the bows ( small florals). Thinking about making a nine-patch double or triple Irish chain, but haven't decided a theme for the fabric yet. Also crochet afgahns. Have a huge box of old wool clothing that I want to make into a braided or crochet rug some day.

I also love to read, getting most of my books through inter-library loan from the local community college. What types of books do you read? A young neighbor came over the other day ( 8 or 9) and thought she had discovered a treasure - she found Sis's books on the shelves! Do your children like to read, also? Any children's books that you'd like to recommend?

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), September 19, 2000.

Hi Carrie! Welcome to this great forum. If you have a question about anything, you can probably get an answer here. We're just like one big family ...mostly getting along, but sometimes having a spat or two! The best thing is the respect we show for each other!

I have been gone for a week and missed my daily fix of Countryside conversation. Glad to be back to see what's going on!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), September 20, 2000.

Hi Sheepish, been wondering where you were (hoped you had not taken your ball and gone home, he-he!). Glad your back! God Bless! Wendy

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), September 20, 2000.

Thanks Wendy! I went to a friend's wedding in Napa Valley...so had to take a few days on either end of the date to do the wine tasting and culinary thing, as well as visit my husband's aunt. It was 103 there the last couple of days! Came home to 60's and leaves all over the ground. Sigh. Summer's gone!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), September 20, 2000.