Introduction

Hi my name is Willowpigbelly. Actually that's one of my nicknames for my dog but I thought it would make a great pen name. I have been interested in self-sufficiency for a long time, but my journey to where I am now has taken many twists and turns. I bought a house in 2007 close to the urban center of Salt Lake City but with a large yard. At the time I was interested in Urban Homesteading.  I ripped out my lawn, planted corn in my front yard (Daria reference anyone?) and even briefly dabbled in chickens (my neighbors were not thrilled) and was plugging a long when I was thrown my first major curve ball.... Jack.