A Solar Panel Setup for the Small Cabin

solar off grid cabin

Adding solar power to our small off-grid cabin has been one of the best upgrades we’ve made. We installed a 200-watt solar panel system connected to an inverter with two standard plug-ins, and now we have enough power for many of our everyday essentials. Solar panel kits have come down a lot in price over … Read more

What’s the best rat trap

Best Rat Traps on the Market

This year has been a really bad year for mice and rats, we have mice where they have never been before and it appears most of the neighborhood is experiencing the same problem.

Why do we have such an increase in rodent activity? I suspect it has something to do with the weather, we have had an unusually cool summer with much more rain than usual. Here is an article I found that talks about how weather can affect rodents. Home owners over run by mice

The best Traps

I don’t like to use poison as we are out in the country and who know what is going to eat that poisoned rat or mouse, so we are careful with how we get rid of these critters.

This year I found these new traps and I just love them! They are way better than the old Victors (that’s the old wooden ones grandma used) The Catchmaster traps I think are the best, they are so easy to set and to take the mouse or rat out of. They come in three sizes. I have them all!

Catchmaster 2-Pack Snapper Easy Set Mouse Trap
In the past we have tried all kinds of makes and models of mouse and rat traps, some works OK and others not at all. These are by far the best, and very easy to set and very easy to remove the mice as well. The trap is built well, not flimsy at all.

Price: $19.90 (two pack) Mouse Trap

Price : $24.97 Rat Trap

What to use for Bait?

Rodents eat mostly nuts and seeds – I think the majority of people use peanut butter to bait the traps.


I have used peanut butter before, but I found if I put two or three pumpkin seeds in the well of these new traps works very well.

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Chaga Tea

Chaga from the Birch Trees Chaga Tea is a great way to get all the wonderful nutrients from the Birch Tree Tao Chaga Wild Harvest Canadian Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) Chunk – 1 lb (454 g) Read about all the many benefits and healing properties of Chaga here 

Make your own Dandelion Wine

Dandelion Wine

Dandelions

Last May the Dandelions were out and with so man we figured we would try our hand at making Dandelion Wine. This was a first, but I had come across an old recipe in my Grandmothers book, so thought I’d give it a try.



Dandelions are the first flowers to be seen in the spring, we often add the tender young greens to our salads because of the healthy benefits this plant has. Making wine with the dandelion flower gave us a wonderful tonic, we would occasionally have a glass for its medicinal benefits.

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Tapped Birch Water

birch water being tapped from a tree

Every spring, when the snow starts to melt and the days begin to warm up, something incredible happens—birch trees start running with sap. Not far from our property, we have a grove of birch trees, and this year we decided to tap them for fresh birch water and try making birch syrup. For my husband, … Read more

Garlic Scapes: What They Are, When To Harvest & How To Use Them

garlic scapes in basket by vegetable garden

I started growing garlic several years ago, but honestly, I had no idea what garlic scapes even were. Worse yet, I didn’t realize I was supposed to remove them from the garlic plants. That probably explains why my garlic bulbs were always smaller than I expected. Once I finally learned to cut the scapes off, … Read more

Oregon Grape: A Powerful Wild Medicinal Plant (Uses, Benefits & How to Harvest)

🌿 What Is Oregon Grape? Oregon grape is one of the most useful wild plants you’ll find along the west coast of North America. Around our off-grid property, it grows naturally and is something I’ve come to appreciate more every year. Despite the name, it’s not actually a grape—but once you see the deep purple … Read more

Rocket Stove Mass Heater: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Rocket mass heater with cob thermal bench heating an off-grid cabin

Rocket mass heaters have become one of the most searched off-grid heating solutions for cabins, homesteads, and greenhouses — especially for people looking to heat with less wood, less smoke, and lower long-term costs. If you’re still comparing different off-grid heating options, you may also want to read my guide to Off-Grid Heating Options for … Read more

Off-Grid Tools Survival Axe: The Ultimate Off-Grid Multitool

axe chopping wood

If you spend any time living off-grid, camping, or even just keeping emergency gear in your vehicle, having the right tools matters. One tool I’ve come across that really stands out is the Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Multitool — and honestly, it’s one of those tools that makes you wonder why you didn’t have … Read more

Best Books to Read Before Going Off Grid

Books to Read If You’re Thinking About Going Off Grid If you’ve been thinking about moving off grid—or even just flirting with the idea—there are a few books that can help you understand what you’re really signing up for. Some focus on the practical skills you’ll need, while others share honest, often humorous stories about … Read more