Welcome to this week's newsletter. We've passed the middle of the year already!

Are you new to Steem? I didn't find many newcomers this week, but I know it can be easy to miss people. So if you're new, give us a shout in the comments and let us know you're here. I know you can feel a bit lost and ignored when you first come here, but many of us do want to get to know you. However, it can get busy and we don't always get around to reaching everyone and, unfortunately, may forget to check in on you. So pay us a visit, drop us a comment and remind us you're still here. It's sad to see some introduced accounts which are still going, but remain very quiet. So don't stay quiet, speak to us and remind us you're still here. We really are a lovely bunch in the homesteading community.

There is an invite for the discord of Homesteaders Co-op at the bottom of this newletter and this is a great way to find who is active in this community and say "Hi!"

Things happening in the community.

The latest question is up from @ecotrain; Do our emotions dictate our lives or do our lives dictate our emotions? Everyone is invited to have a go at answering it if they feel the urge.

The @naturalmedicine story challenge had it's week one wrap up, but don't worry, if you're hoping to get something in you still have until 6th July.

It's lovely to see activity building up at @wildhomesteading's weekly homesteading and gardening contest. Don't forget to drop your own gardening post links in the comments there for a chance to win.

Over at @minismallholding I have the For the Love of Comments contest currently underway. Redfish (those with less than 500 SP) can win a 200 SP delegation for a month and runner up prizes of SBI shares go out to any level account.

Contests and challenges are great ways to build up your account, in several ways. If you're struggling for ideas on what to post, they can kickstart those ideas. They usually attract some extra eyes to your account and what you're doing, so you might pick up some more followers and votes. Then if you win a prize that's the icing on the cake! So with that in mind, I invite you to check in on the @contestkings account daily to see what verified contests they have going. These are all contests which don't require upvotes, follows or resteems and have a specific prize on offer.

Welcoming Newcomers

@yabshire joined us on Steem in April. Here is someone who, by the look of it, likes to get their exercise gardening!

Some highlights of the week

If, like me, you live in a harsh, low rainfall climate, then you'll probably get excited by the mention of any plant which will grow well in it. When it comes to sustainable gardening, you really want to go with the plants which require the least input and not need to constantly be trying to adjust the climate for them. Walking onions have been written about before, but @scottyt illustrates just how tough these plants are!

When it comes to permaculture, those practicing it often get adventurous and think outside the box a bit. So when @papa-pepper decided to plants carrots instead of seeds last year, one might wonder what on earth he was thinking! Have a look for yourself and find out.

If you're a bit of a crafter, you'll probably love this post as much as I did! @neumannsalva has been experimenting with dying wool skeins using food colouring, with rather lovely results in my opinion.

I have to admit, I'm not the most adventurous with smoothies in this house. There are lots of great things I could add to them, but if it makes the flavour a bit too unusual or turns it a funny colour, then the chances are that I'll get filthy looks from the family and they won't drink it. So I like to come across new ideas which will add the good stuff without altering the flavour or taste too much. @kindredacres gives us some great tips for different flavours and explains why they put flowers in smoothies. Now I'm eyeing up the flowers in my urban garden.

Thank you for stopping by. This week's newsletter was brought to you by @minismallholding.

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