Jamie Efaw’s Post

So what did you do this weekend? For me and Valerie and out cat, we have to vacate our place because management had to re-glaze our bathrooms in order to pass City of LA inspection. Rather than just stay at some lame, nearby hotel for around two hundred bucks a night, and basically do nothing. Decided to something much more interesting. We went to a farm. In a treehouse. Really. Turned out to be a great idea. Like a lot of us here, we’re all pretty stressed out. I’ve been working a lot and haven’t had much time to destress. This trip did that. We stayed on a farm in a city called Fillmore, which was just an hour away from LA, and nothing like LA. Got to hang out with chickens, hens, roosters, goats, a pig and even a turkey. Came back feeling much more relaxed and ready for the weeks ahead with three new clients on board in just the past week. Not to mention we came back with lots of avocados, oranges, lemons and grapefruit and about twenty warm, pasture raised eggs we picked. This was the best vacation we’ve had in five years and this might become an annual thing for us. Maybe not this farm necessarily but certainly another farm we’ll find on AirBNB or VRBO or wherever. I can’t tell you how great this trip was for stress relief. Now if just the WiFI was better…. BTW, that’s not our cat. That’s one of the four cats surrounding the premises. #staycation #venturacounty #farm #treehouse

When it comes to prepping, a little wisdom can go a long way. It ain't just about stockpiling food; it's about being smart with what you got and the skills you can learn. Here are a few tips that'll help you get started or tighten up your prep game. First off, start with what you need. No sense in buyin' a bunch of fancy gear that you don’t know how to use. Focus on the basics: a good water filter, some sturdy containers for food storage, and seeds for growin' your own grub. You can bet a garden will be your best friend when it comes to food security. Next, get familiar with your local resources. There’s a wealth of food in your backyard if you know where to look. Get into wildcrafting and learn about foraging—there’s plenty of wild edibles out there that don’t mind freein’ themselves from the ground. Just be sure to do your homework on what’s safe to eat. Another thing, consider investing some time in learning skills like canning or preserving. Ain’t nothin’ better than harvestin' in the fall and putting away jars of goodness for winter. Plus, it’s a great way to keep your pantry stocked and feel a little more self-reliant. And let's not forget about community. Connect with your neighbors, start a skill swap, or join a local group focused on prepping or gardening. There’s power in numbers, and you can learn a heap from each other, making your prep journey a whole lot more enjoyable. Lastly, keep a level head. Prepping ain’t about livin’ in fear; it’s about being prepared and confident in what you can handle. So take a breath, ground yourself in nature if you can, and remember that it’s an ongoing process. Stay smart, stay grounded, and keep on prepping! #PrepWisdom #SelfReliance #SustainableLiving

It's #ZeroWasteWeek, so we've got a great tip for you which prevents waste AND drain blockages, and also helps the wildlife around you. You've enjoyed a tasty sausage sandwich, and are left with some fat in the pan. Don't rinse it down the sink - it will congeal and block your drains. You could use some kitchen paper to absorb it - but then you are creating waste. Instead, add some porridge oats to the pan, wait for them to soak the fat up, and then squish them into an empty yoghurt pot. Chill it for a couple of hours in the fridge, then remove the pot (recycle it!) and hang your homemade bird feeder from a tree in your garden. Add birdseed, dried mealworms and grated cheese to take it to the next level! Happy birds (especially as we approach the colder months), no waste, and no drain blockages - perfect! #TWCDrainCare #DrainCare #BirdFeeder

Going away on holiday and need to work out the care of your houseplants? 🪴 We love to surround our work spaces with plants, but when it’s time to shut our screens and pack our swimwear for a sizzling summer break, who will care for them? Don’t panic! I’m here to help you with this 4-Part series on prepping houseplants for a vacation 🏝️ Let’s make a start with lesson number 1! Summer holiday houseplant care 👇🏼 PART 1 - WATERING 1) leave your houseplants to dry out for 1-2 weeks before you go away. 2) Water the day of your holiday or the night before. 3) When you water, give your plants a good soak. 4) After 30-60 minutes, empty any residual water from pots and saucers. Keep an eye out for Part 2 on pests 👀 Later today I’ll be posting a blog on my website with all the top summer holiday houseplant care FAQs in case you have burning questions 🔥 Oh, and, if you need extra help with your houseplants then drop me a DM. Let’s have a chat about what’s going wrong! 🧐🪴 #houseplants #houseplantconsultant #plantcurator #plantcare #plntcaretips

Is beekeeping right for me?: Part 2 of 5 in our ultimate guide to getting started in beekeeping. Find out if you are the type that loves it. https://bit.ly/3v4Ioeo #foxhoundbeeco #beekeeping #beekeepingtips

Alright, y'all, let's dive into some good ol' prepping wisdom. It's all about being prepared and self-reliant, just like how folks in these parts have been doing for generations. Now, prepping might sound like a mountain of work, but it's really just about taking small, smart steps to make sure you're ready for whatever comes your way. First things first, always have some basic supplies on hand. We're talkin' food, water, and first aid essentials. Canned goods, dried beans, and rice are your best friends. They last a long time and give you plenty of meal options. Don't forget about water—having a few gallons stored up is a real lifesaver. Next up, know your land and what it can offer. Even if you're in the city, there's room to grow a few herbs or veggies. A small garden or even some pots on a balcony can give you fresh produce and a sense of independence. Plus, gardening is mighty good for the soul. Another tip is to learn a few essential skills. Know how to start a fire, mend a torn shirt, or keep your home warm without power. These life skills build confidence and connect us to simpler times. Lastly, community matters. Get to know your neighbors and local community. We all got skills to share, and a little helpin' hand goes a long way in tight situations. Stay ready, and you'll stay happy. #Prepping101 #SelfReliance #BackToBasics

Embrace Simple Living: A Lesson from My Overgrown Garden Ever wonder if our grandparents knew something we didn’t? Maybe their simple living taught simple yet profound lessons. Perhaps, it’s time we return to simplicity. This weekend, I faced a harsh reality: I’m not the best gardener. I had high hopes for my home-grown veggies, diligently preparing the beds, planting seeds, using plant food, and watering well. But I failed to weed. Weeding is messy, tedious, and frankly, not fun. As weeds began to sprout, I kept postponing the task, thinking I’d wait for cooler weather. Missouri’s July heat is relentless, even in the evenings. So, I didn’t weed. We went on an eight-day trip, and when we returned, the weeds had taken over, overshadowing my hard work. Determined not to lose my spring’s efforts, I spent the weekend weeding. It was grueling, taking hours to clear each bed. Though I finally saw the fruits of my labor, the time and muscle soreness were overwhelming. Isn’t life like that? We often put off the “weeding” in our lives because we know it’s hard. Whether it’s making a phone call, mending a relationship, tackling a project, finishing a degree, or taking a risk, we all have “weeds.” The problem is, procrastination only makes it harder. So, choose your hard. Weeding early would have still been challenging, but the labor would have been lighter, the soreness almost non-existent, and my veggies would have thrived. I often wonder why I make life harder for myself. I know what needs to be done; sometimes I just don’t do it. The knowing/doing gap…that’s another post.

Money is like a colony of honey bees. If you give it the right environment, it will grow and prosper. It will grow all by itself, so long as the beekeeper makes sure the environment stays right for growth. If conditions are right for long enough, one colony can send out extra bees to start a new colony. Over a very long period of time, a careful beekeeper can have many colonies of bees. This organic, natural growth takes time. This slow, organic growth of the hives doesn’t require a lot of effort on the part of the beekeeper. Many beekeepers are hobbyists and have day jobs that pay the bills. They don’t fret about the bees while they are at work. They check on them in the evenings and after work and on weekends. The bees are doing all the real work; the beekeeper just has to put in a little effort to keep the environment right for the bees to do what they naturally do.

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