They say that firewood warms you twice--once while chopping, and then again when you actually burn it.
Are you all in the Ozarks too? That's where we ended up. I LOVE cooking over the fire, and any "hardship" my husband and I are facing just bolsters our excitement and teamwork, really. I love seeing other couples face challenges with that same game face. It sounds like you had a lot more useful skills than we did, starting out! We were both suburban-raised (which means that so much in this lifestyle has been very new), so our first rounds of animals (we got chickens/ducks/goats) has really been a wonderful and HUGE learning experience.
Did you end up getting goats? What breed did you settle with?
We are in the Ozarks! Moved here just less than two years ago. And that is what we live for!! The struggles of living off-grid and helping and encouraging others. We have a facebook group and previously a page called Cold Mountain Homestead. We have developed an amzing support sytem and barter and trade network. We continually work to expand that network if you're interested. We did get goats!! We are currently breeding mini-alpine.