Homestead DIY + Steady Home Communication 🤔

In Today's Edition:

1. Homestead Tip #1 🌱

2. Personal Development: Understanding Alpha Communication 🚀

3. A Steady Family: Talking Better at Home 👪

4. DIY with The Steady Home: Create Your Own Herb Drying Rack 🔨

Personal Development

Understanding Alpha Communication

Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to set rules with people you care about? Learning to set boundaries can really help you connect better with others.

Think of standards and boundaries like parts of a house. Standards are like the roof, aiming high for what you want, and boundaries are like the foundation that keeps everything stable.

Without these, things can get pretty messy in how we deal with each other. If someone doesn’t respect your boundaries, it might mean you need to make your standards clearer.

Consider alpha communication as embracing your personal strength. This means not being entirely bossy, though, but being confident and respectful. When you talk clearly and strongly, people notice and treat you the same way.

Here’s how you can get better at this kind of communication:

• Set clear standards: Know what you expect from yourself and others. For example, decide that you won’t let people speak to you rudely.

• Make boundaries clear: Once you know your standards, tell people what your boundaries are. If being on time is important to you, tell your friends you expect to start things on time.

• Be assertive: Being assertive means being clear, not pushy. Instead of saying, "Maybe we could start on time?" say, "I think it’s important we start on time."

• Be confident: Being confident doesn’t mean being loud. It means you know what you believe and stick to it.

• Listen respectfully: Good communication means listening to others, too. Try to really hear what others are saying.

• Keep your word: If you say you’re going to do something, do it. This builds trust.

• Talk about your feelings: Use "I" statements to talk about how you feel. Say, "I feel ignored when I'm interrupted," instead of blaming someone else.

• Ask for feedback: Talk with others about how you communicate. They can tell you if your message is clear and how you might improve.

From The Steady Home Gang

Spread the Homestead Love 🏡

Got a friend who's all about that homesteading life? 🌿 Share the joy and invite them to join The Steady Home community!

Whether they're seasoned homesteaders or just starting out, everyone deserves a slice of homestead goodness. So let's grow together and make every day a little more wholesome. Share the love and spread the word about The Steady Home today!

A Steady Family

Talking Better at Home

Do you ever feel like your family is not understanding each other? Good communication is super important for a steady home. Here’s how you can make every chat really count:

Listen Well

• Pay full attention: Turn off the TV or put your phone away when someone is talking. This shows you are really listening.

• Repeat what you heard: After someone talks, say back what you think they said. This helps make sure you got it right and shows you care.

Talk Clearly and Nicely

• Use "I" statements: Say things like "I feel" or "I think." This helps keep the chat friendly and clear.

• Be clear and direct: Instead of just complaining, say exactly what's bothering you and why.

Keep Talking Open

• Let everyone talk: Make sure everyone gets a chance to share their thoughts and feelings, even the kids.

• Set time to talk: Have regular times when you all catch up and share what’s on your mind.

Understand Each Other

• Try to see their side: Even if you don’t agree, understanding how someone feels can help calm things down and find a solution that works for everyone.

• Be kind: Sometimes just saying something supportive or understanding can really help.

Stay Positive

• Look for solutions: When there’s a problem, try to talk about how to fix it, not just about the problem itself.

• Cheer on good talking: When someone tries hard to talk well, let them know you notice. This encourages everyone to keep getting better at communicating.

Start using these tips today, and you’ll see how they help everyone understand and respect each other more at home.

The Steady Home’s Giggle Chamber

Why did the scarecrow win an award?

Because he was outstanding in his field!

DIY with The Steady Home! 🔨

Create Your Own Herb Drying Rack

Project Overview: Do you want to keep enjoying the taste and smell of your garden herbs all year? You can make a simple drying rack to dry and store your herbs for cooking, teas, and even homemade remedies. It's a fun and cheap project that you can fit into your space any way you like.

What You'll Need:

• Wooden dowel or branch: Pick a strong one about 1 inch thick and long enough for your herbs.

• Twine or string: Choose a type that’s strong enough to hold your herbs up.

• Scissors

• Clothespins or small clips

• Optional: Things like paint, beads, or ribbons to make your rack look nice.

Steps to Make It:

1. Prepare the dowel: Cut the wooden dowel to the size you need with scissors or a saw. If you're using a branch, make it smooth and straight by trimming off any extra bits.

2. Attach the string: Cut pieces of twine or string about 12-18 inches long. Tie each piece around the dowel or branch, spacing them out evenly.

3. Hang the rack: Find a good spot like in the kitchen or a room with lots of air to hang your rack. You can hang it from a hook in the ceiling, a curtain rod, or hooks on the wall.

4. Get the herbs ready: Pick your herbs in the morning when they're fresh but dry. Wash them lightly and pat them dry.

5. Hang the herbs: Tie small bunches of herbs together with twine or string. Hang them upside down on the rack, leaving space between them so air can flow around them.

6. Let them dry: Keep the herbs hanging in a place without direct sunlight. They might take a few days to a few weeks to dry fully, depending on the air around them.

7. Check if they're dry: The herbs are dry when they feel crispy and crumble easily. Take them off the rack and put them in airtight containers or bags for keeping.

8. Decorate your Rack (Optional): Make your rack special with paint, beads, or ribbons.

Fun Family Activity Tips:

• Involve everyone: Make herb drying a family project. Have everyone help pick, wash, and hang the herbs.

• Learn together: Talk about why drying herbs is helpful, what each herb does, and how people have used herbs in medicine for a long time.

• Share your herbs: Give some of your dried herbs to friends, family, or neighbors as thoughtful gifts.

This project is a great way to save the flavors of your garden and have fun crafting and learning with your family!

Let’s Keep It Reel

Ever caught sight of hilarious homestead moments? Check out a few I've got for you!

1. Before locking up your coop, double-check to ensure you haven't forgotten anything or anyone! 🤣

2. Ever spotted a chicken in boots? 👢

@calliopenubz

The cuteness of this little toeless chicken just never gets old. Happy Friday everyone! Be safe and have a great start to your weekend 🥰 #... See more

3. How about a Polish rooster with arms? 🐔💪

@schmoopie40

I can’t with this 😂😭😂 #stewpidcock #polish #rooster #toughguy #iworkout #ipickthingsupandputthemdown #funnyvideo #chickenhumor

Got a great idea for The Steady Home newsletter? Feel free to share your homesteading tips, creative ideas, or questions with us! We're all ears!

Are you passionate about homesteading and have an amazing product or service to share? From essential garden tools to artisanal crafts and eco-friendly goods, we'd love to feature your offerings! Let's team up to introduce your brand to our dedicated community of homesteaders.