This year, I am making a list of bigger ticket items for the new year. I have loads of rice, wheat, beans, etc. I will be adding to those monthly, as usual, but there are some bigger ticket items that we need that I am going to budget for.
I have two manual grain grinders, but both are difficult to use and only work well on corn for coarse ground meal.So, I plan to get the Wonder Junior Deluxe Hand Grain/Flour Mill.
I would also like to get a decent electric grain grinder and have looked at several....I have sorta settled on this one , the Kitchen Mill by KTEC.
We have a dehydrator, but it is a very basic, inexpensive model the fella picked up at Wal-Mart a few years ago. I am looking and drooling at the Excalibur and hope to purchase one by March. I have heard from loads of other preppers that the Excalibur is the one to have!
I have looked at solar ovens online, like this one , but look at that price! Holy cow!!! I have found some project plans online to making solar ovens, so I think I will try one of those before I sink $200+ into a solar oven!
I am looking for a treadle sewing machine...Lehmans has some, but I think I would rather find an antique one.
My big purchase this year may be a loom. Amazon has this one and it looks like it would work well for a relative novice (I haven't used a loom in AGES) .
My Darlin' Man got the Boy and himself both crossbows for Christmas. I don't like them. Takes too long to reload, etc. You need way more upper body strength than I have to effectively draw the string back and cock it, even using the *bow draw* accessory the fella also got.
I want a regular, old-fashioned-Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest kind of bow! I found this bow at Amazon, and although a bit pricey, I think I will set my sights on getting it around the end of summer. I'll set my sights for the #30 pound draw.
And, of course, books and milk & cheese processing equipment and fabric and hand sewing needs.
It seems that everytime I think I have everything I need for the homestead-to-be, I find something else that is needed or very much desired!