So, I Read My Own Book Today

I spent today reading my book out loud. Ya, about that. I found a few errors as I went along. Most are grammatical, but they are still there. So, if you have bought a copy of my book, tomorrow, delete your copy off your device and re-download it. It will not charge you to do so, but the corrections will be in the updated download. Sorry about that. 

If you haven't bought a copy yet, please do. It helps generate income to keep Tiny House Homestead going. Also, this spring book 2 of the Black Haw Mystery series will be published!! Stay tuned!!

Ice Storm in a Tiny House

Courtesy of KFOR.com

All week forecasters had been calling for an ice storm that would butt up against Oklahoma City. I am an hour east of Oklahoma City as the crow flies, so I had a good idea that storm would impact us as well. No matter what the forecasters say, it is best to be prepared just in case. Wednesday I did a little extra food shopping for some fresh, not frozen food, so I could avoid opening the freezer if the power should go out. I double-checked to make sure I had enough propane for the grill so we could cook, and I made sure the kerosene heaters had fuel. I have plugged all my electronic devices in to make sure they have a full charge. I got the homestead prepared for power failure and am just going with the flow at this point. 

10 Great Dice Games That Don't Take Up Storage Space

Live in a Tiny House, small home, or apartment? Looking for a gift for someone who lives in a smaller space?  Sometimes fun comes in small packages.

Let's face it, one of the first things to go when you are downsizing is board games. So, for those of you who live in a Tiny House or have limited space, here are 10 great (and cheap) games that just use dice and sometimes paper and pencil. These would also make great stocking stuffers or gifts when there is a set budget. 

Thanksgiving in a Tiny House

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers and to everyone around the world. Today in a America we give thanks for all the blessings we have. We spend time with family and friends, and sometimes friends who are like family. 

A Beautiful Fall Day on the Homestead

 I took the puppies out for a walk this beautiful morning and thought I would share the beauty of my property on a crisp fall day. 

We have had a lot of wind as a cold front moved in and the trees are being stripped of their leaves.

Look inside my Shed Made into a Tiny House

Lot's of folks email asking for what my Tiny House from a prefab shed building looks like inside. I thought today I would share some pictures. These pictures were taken at different times, so some things have changed such as adding photos to walls, finishing out parts of the rooms, etc. However this will give you a feel for the Tiny House life I lead. 

The kitchen is very functional.
The antique cook stove has become an island
and I have since added a traditional range/oven. 

Skirting a Tiny House - Why and How

Two days ago we had a storm front move through Oklahoma that has brought high winds. The trees are being stripped of their golden leaves and acorns make a pitter-pat on the roof as they fall out of the trees. The temperature has dropped and this morning temps are in the low 40's. We are facing our first hard freeze this weekend. Last year we had our first snow at this time, so I am not complaining about just getting rain. 

Heated Mattress Pads are Better Than Heated Blankets

Oh my gosh. I just have to share about my new heated mattress pad! My Shedroom is not yet insulated and weather has turned colder. I have been using a kerosene heater to warm up the room at night, but the bed has remained cold. No matter how many blankets I threw on the other night, I just could not get warm. So I began the search for a good heated blanket. 

Finding or Buying a Place for your Tiny House

Follow any of the blogs or Facebook pages for Tiny Houses and one of the most common problems tiny house folks face is finding a place to park your Tiny House on Wheels or to build your tiny dwelling. There are several roadblocks commonly face, but the biggest one is code. 

Picking Where to Set Down Tiny House Roots

Lots of folks build their tiny houses with the intention of parking in exotic places and traveling here and there. I, however, wanted a large piece of land without others around. I wanted to grow food and have animals and see the seasons change the landscape. I wanted to put down roots and finish out my life living in the home I built myself.

Woods Stoves for the Tiny House

The weather has started to shift and mornings are cold here in Oklahoma. That means it is probably cool where you live as well. Are you considering a small wood stove for your tiny home? There are so many out there, so I started looking around at options. 

The stove I covet is this one on the left. Isn't she beautiful? 

Constipated? Have you heard of the Poop Button?

Surfing social media comes with inherent risks. One of them is Click Bait. You know, the suggestive post with no real information that forces you to click the link to see what the hullabaloo is all about. This one was worth the click.. Check it out...

8 Electric Heater Styles that are Actually Attractive

Finally the weather is beginning to shift here in Oklahoma. Tonight we have our first frost warning. How exciting, right?  Living in a tiny house things need to be practical for sure, but shouldn't everything be attractive as well? That got me poking around investigating electric heaters that will work well in a Tiny House. 

Here are 8 electric heater styles for your Tiny House that are both practical and attractive. They vary in cost from under $50 to around $500.  Each of these is available on Amazon for easy ordering and shipping. Just click on any of the pictures to learn more about it such as cost, measurements, and energy usage. Super easy shopping via Tiny House Homestead. Can't beat that, right?

Here we go...

Spinal Surgery Scheduled

I went back to the Neurosurgeon the other day. As you may or may not know, I had a sudden onset problem with pain in my neck and arm. Well, the news is not good. I have to have two of my discs removed from my cervical spine and a third will need to be done within the next ten years. The surgeon and I discussed the pros and cons of taking care of that third disc during this upcoming surgery and he told me it is a longer surgery requiring longer sedation and a significantly longer recovery period. We decided together to take care of the two discs that are impinging on my spinal cord at this time and taking care of the other at a later time as it is not as significant. I will be having surgery on December 16th and will have a two week recovery period before I can return to work.

Stinky Cat

Remember the song from the television Friends Smelly Cat? Ya. I got to experience that first-hand last night. Seems my cat, Boots, has met the business end off a skunk. Boy does he stink. When I got home last night the smell of skunk was very strong. I carefully looked about since I certainly did not want to surprise a skunk in the dark. My cats always meet me at the front door when I arrive home and while I did not see a skunk, I could definitely tell the scent was stronger. I commented to my son that I thought one of the cats might have gotten sprayed. He was bold enough to get close and take the sniff test. Oh yes, poor Boots reeked! Pee-yew!

Needless to stay I made him stay outside last night. I poked around on the web for ways to get rid of the smell. All of the information I found said to give him a bath. Ya, that is so not going to happen. I had visions of Boots clawing his way out of the water and I know that is just not an option for that farm cat. So, outside he will stay until the scent wears down and is more tolerable. The temperatures outside are still in the 70's during the day and 50's at night, so he is perfectly fine to hanging around the yard and sleeping on the porch for a couple of days.

Let's hope this is a first and a last for Boots!

**UPDATE:  Well, it is just one day later and I don't know how he did it, but Boots is skunk stink free. I am guessing he spent most of the night and part of today rolling in dirt and cleaning himself. Let's hope he learned his lesson and doesn't attempt to romance anymore skunks!**