Our sheep were free.
All six of them.
We have five free ducks.
Two free pigs.
And free “old” grocery produce to feed the pigs.
A couple dozen free chickens.
And a couple of free feed troughs.
Free wood from old buildings being torn down.
Free pallets we made into gates.
Free seeds for the garden.
Jack was free, too.
And he came with a free halter, lead, brush, and hoof-trimming tools. He even brought his own licorice treats.
We’ve gotten free hay, free feed, free windows to make a cold frame. A free brooder, free duck boxes, and a free corn grinder. Free buckets, free tire swing rope, and free landscape ties. Free plywood, free chicken feeders, and free barbed wire. Free post drivers, free spools, and free river gravel. Free suet ingredients, a free canner, and free jars. Free ramps, free flower bulbs, and free goat milk. Free blackberries, free apples, and free peaches. Free brush hog, free disc, and free grader.
Free cats and free dogs and a free view.
Free sheep hugs and free goat kisses and free donkey cuddles.
The best things in life are free.
P.S. How can you get free stuff, too? Network! Let people know what you’re looking for. It might be the very thing they wish they could get rid of! And don’t be picky. Old stuff is good.
P.P.S. I really want an ice cream maker. (Just tossing that out to the universe here.) And an elephant. I really want an elephant.
P.P.P.S. Maybe I’m kidding about the elephant. Maybe I’m not.
Heidi says:
OMG! an elephant! LOL I second the ice cream maker!
On July 7, 2009 at 4:38 am
CindyP says:
A woman after my own heart!! There are so many things that still have life to it (uh, especially your animals!), it’s such a shame to spend money when someone has something you need and they don’t want!
An elephant, huh? 😉
On July 7, 2009 at 4:57 am
Diane says:
Networking to get stuff for free is the greatests thing!!! I have done is for a long time. All the funiture in my house was free. And its not junk either. Free computers ( thanks to a bil who can rebuild them).Clothing I got for free, Hubby has gotten free tools. The truck we drive was given to us. We just had to pay the transfer fee and plates. My dog and cat were shelter animals. Not free but rescued and great pets to have. We got small rodent pets for free. Someone is always looking for homes for hamsters, rats, mice, ect. Free plants!! Walmart is good for 1.00 plants this time of year. So almost free. Building supplies. I can not tell you how many projects, gifts were made by my dh and was made out of free wood from shelves and water beds!
People know that we will take just about anything. If we can not use it we will find someone who can. lol. Life if just grand that way.
On July 7, 2009 at 5:35 am
Sandy says:
My momma used to say, ” You better be careful what you wish for!”…and I heard there was a circus coming your way. ha :sun:
On July 7, 2009 at 5:37 am
monica says:
Lehman’s hardware will be able to hook you up with a nice ice cream maker. They have hand crank ones, as well as electric–the power to operate it could be free. LOL You are on your own with the elephant, although one of these mornings. . .it is almost expected!
On July 7, 2009 at 5:38 am
Missy says:
Hey – check your email. Invitation for some free entertainment!
On July 7, 2009 at 5:47 am
KateS says:
Oh – Ice cream! :snoopy:
I have the best recipe for homemade ice cream I will post in the right spot sometime. :hungry:
Electric or hand crank??
On July 7, 2009 at 5:55 am
lisa says:
Everything my neighbors clean out ends up at my house. 😉 I turn around and give it away to anyone who wants it, When i get too much then it all goes to a homeless mission downtown. Old jeans i cut up and make into patchwork pet beds and other goodies. I design jewlery so i trade alot of it for everyday items i need. I just recently learned to make lye soap . I can use dried herbs and petals from my garden instead of buying them from supplier . I enjoy your blog so much!
On July 7, 2009 at 6:05 am
Mim says:
I love to barter for things that I need (really want)and I have no problem letting go of something for something. My hubbie on the other hand can not let anything go…He has a hard time taking something free..he feels that he should always pay a little something…I get alot of my stuff from the back of my brother’s truck..he hauls to the dump for several older people in our little town..two really large pressure canners (that works), metal footlocker, sewing chair (side of road), 2 wood rockers, 400 ft of top rail for our chainlink fence… I LOVE FREE STUFF also…. :shimmy:
On July 7, 2009 at 6:13 am
Myrna Mackenzie says:
Suzanne, love the post on the value of free things. Are you in an area where there’s a freecycle group? https://www.freecycle.org/
I get these neat little emails in my inbox every day from people in my area who have things they don’t want (but don’t want to just throw them away). You’d be amazed at the cool stuff people are trying to get rid of. One person posts what they’re giving away, those interested email him or her. The first person to reply gets dibs, and the person giving the item or items away provides the address and (usually) leaves the item outside or on the curb to be picked up. A lot of people use it to get rid of their excess stuff after having a garage sale. It’s so much better than throwing things in the garbage. (One woman recently ended up with a piano for her daughter who was just starting lessons).
On July 7, 2009 at 6:14 am
Bev says:
Frugality rules
also check out this web site:
http://www.slickdeals.net others post things they have gotten free and great deals! Lots of free magazine subscriptions in the forum area.
On July 7, 2009 at 6:21 am
Elaine says:
Lol. I love the elephant. Ever since we moved to our farm my husband has said that he wants a Giraffe. I am just throwing that out there in the Universe. Love the blog.
Blessings,
Elaine
On July 7, 2009 at 6:28 am
Nita in South Carolina says:
What? No partridge in a pear tree??
On July 7, 2009 at 7:01 am
Nancy in Atlanta says:
An elephant? Remember, there’s usually an elephant in a room somewhere…
Love your free stuff. Right now I’m on the giving end – trying to pare things down before my move to Iowa. :heart:
On July 7, 2009 at 7:13 am
Sheryl (Runningtrails) says:
Wow! You have really done well! I thought I was the queen of scrounging, but you have me beat by a long shot! I just love free stuff! freecycle.com is great!
I also have a huge stash of raw material that I should probably clean out. Uh, my need to collect stuff tends to get a little out of hand…
On July 7, 2009 at 8:28 am
Cece says:
Life is good, huh? West Virginia is good too, huh? I miss my home state. Your view is gorgeous. Enjoy your day, Suzanne.
Cece
On July 7, 2009 at 8:33 am
M.J. says:
Suzanne–
There’s an ice cream freezer in my basement with your name on it, though you’ll probably have to wait until your fall party. I love today’s blog but would advise against the elephant.
MJ
On July 7, 2009 at 8:33 am
Dawn says:
About the elephant–lots of good fertilizer! Just pick an Indian one if given the choice–perhaps better suited to your climate than an African one! heehee!
On July 7, 2009 at 8:35 am
Melinda says:
I love free! My bestest dog ever just wandered into my yard..Lost and alone..and free!!!!
On July 7, 2009 at 8:43 am
Christy O says:
We’re starting a farm too and have gotten nothing free. It gets really expensive!
On July 7, 2009 at 9:17 am
Val says:
Just look at those faces!!! And that DUCK…with the Mona Lisa smile…how could you not ever love THAT! Anything new about the Giant Puppy lately? And where is the german shepherd you used to have at the old place? I think you need a pony…one big enough to ride. Maybe two ponies so you can go riding too! Nothing like enjoying the beautiful countryside on horseback!
On July 7, 2009 at 9:25 am
Sheila Bergeron says:
:happyflower: See? You’re blessed.
On July 7, 2009 at 10:21 am
cgReno says:
Suzanne, always remember that the Universe is listening! Prepare for an elephant………………….
On July 7, 2009 at 11:32 am
Terry says:
Suzanne, thanks for the Strawberry-Lemon Marmalade. You forgot one free thing – Mountaineers! Montani Semper Liberi – Mountaineers are always free!
On July 7, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Tori Lennox says:
You need free miniature Hereford cattle!
On July 7, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Estella says:
An elephant? Be careful what you wish for.
On July 7, 2009 at 1:45 pm
cranberry says:
I want to pet free Donkey. BAD. :shimmy:
On July 7, 2009 at 7:05 pm
SuzieQ says:
Go to – https://www.freecycle.org
You can get and give things others might need. I’ve biven away a working refrigerator and printer and various other items. People always have things to GIVE
On July 7, 2009 at 8:05 pm
SuzieQ says:
cont. excuse the spelling..got a migraine. NO money can change hands at freecycle..ALL FREE! :dancingmonster: :dancingmonster:
On July 7, 2009 at 8:07 pm
ArkansasCyndi says:
Wish you lived closer to me. I have a fig tree LOADED with fruit and NO ONE eats them. Except for the squirrels and they love them. I’d give you all you could eat! :sun:
On July 7, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Julia says:
Elephant? Be careful what you wish for! Here’s a lady that got a camel for free.
https://sweetgrace.typepad.com/the_inadvertent_farmer/gizmowhy-in-the-world-i-have-a-camel/
On July 8, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Jodie in Texas says:
I’m thinking a free cow is next on the list…. and maybe more free stuff. Adopting a new cat is great!!! Write lots of books to pay for all the pet food, or do the cats go mousing outside?
On July 8, 2009 at 9:55 pm
greensborodailyphoto says:
Suzanne: I do not see an e-mail address. You should get mine through being able to track it on this comment. Please reply to me privately about a “retreat” idea/venture.
Thank you,
Jan
Greensboro Daily Photo
On February 17, 2011 at 6:34 am
mamajoseph says:
Haha! Trust me, you do not want an elephant, no matter how cute they are…and they are. They are only good from a distance. Up close, they will eat everything in your garden and trample you if you get in the way. They’ve destroyed our ‘shamba’ (garden) a couple of times in years past. But when you see them in the wild, on the side of the road, well…nothing beats it! Should probably change my avatar now…
On February 17, 2011 at 1:23 pm