Thoughts About the First Year on the Homestead🏡
We began as preppers before becoming homesteaders. We talked for years about being truly free" which included not being tied to a mortgage or credit debts, so we pulled the trigger and sold our home. Vehicles are all paid off and we owe no one anything.
We purchased 10 acres (which we had to have cleared) in a rural area and with the profits from the sale we decided to hire a builder and only build what we could afford. We have a well on the property and partial fencing. The result of this decision is a home half the size approximately 672 square feet including the porch. It is a very efficient home and we have everything we need especially peace of mind.
Next came the fall and winter gardens, then the spring garden. The summer garden went kaput, if was just too darned hot! There is also a beginning of a mini-worm farm and we are raising earthworms (hmm think I'll write a post on worm farming). Worm casings are a rich fertilizer for the soil.
In April the chickens arrived and became part of the family. Nothing tastes as good as fresh eggs and vegetables grown in your own garden. The boxer-dog, 2 cats and the chickens all get along much to my relief.
Being relatively new to the homesteading lifestyle I am in constant amazement about the power and beauty of nature. I walk the property most days and at times venture into the woods. I wanted you to see what I see during my wanderings.
Oh look what I found "a Chicken in the woods", no not the shroom type🐓
That's a brave step, to sell it all and go rural. Not everyone can do it.
I know that there are homesteaders that say "Anyone CAN do it.", which is true, it just takes a lot more work for some than others. It all depends on where you are in your life.
If I was in my early 20s, just starting out, I think it would be a lot easier to give it all up than where I am at now. Not impossible, but very hard to do, at this time.
Thanks deanlogic,your comments are much appreciated. If we can do it anyone really can, we are both closer to 60 then 50! It's difficult and you must be certain, we rented a 400 sq ft cabin for a year after selling to see if we could do it. We had a hot plate, microwave, fridge, a bed, a chair, no indoor sink. Used a outdoor farm sink to wash dishes. There was a toilet, shower and a tiny RV indoor sink in the bathroom, we added a tiny hot water heater. You could spin around and hope the hot water lasted 5 mins. Haha! We had to add a portable AC in that cabin, its hot in Florida. It was difficult at times especially for me. We had a storage unit in town that we paired stuff down for a year. A pod to clear out at the property in 2 months as we settled into our new home. But we did it and here we are - free.
Well, could you have done it when you were young and had babies?
That's the big unknown.
I, just by chance, clicked on a video the other day and it was a Tiny Home couple who gave it up a few months after their child was born . What worked for them as adults, was not going to work for them as parents.
Homeschooling, while there are plenty of resources, is not for everyone. Not everyone can wear all the hates required to be a off-grid homesteader. Not that it is impossible, it is just harder for some than others.
That is the truth, we are empty nesters. So we do have the advantage of not having that worry kids at this point in our lives. 🐓
I have to agree. Many people want to do it, think it's the way of life but when they start down the road to homesteading and perhaps eventually becoming off-grid, they don't realize the hard work, the trials and tribulations and sometimes, failure.
I applaud anyone on this journey of life and wish all great success and happiness.
They make it look so easy on the TV show! ;)
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing your journey. I look forward to the worm farming post.
Thanks, I will work on the worm farming post. I had a uncle who was quite good at it🐓
Congratulations on making the journey! You sound a lot like us. We left WI to the Ozarks, looking for freedom. Bought some raw land and at last have running water and electricity and a camper on site. Have a garden, some goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits and a dog. Trying to get fruit trees going too. It's so hard when you're trying to close up past choices before you can move on. But we gotta keep pressing on!
Good for you, it takes fortitude and endurance but it's worth it the end. Love it that you're into having critters. We have some issues with the soil, it was badly neglected and needs reconditioning. It's solvable. Thanks for stopping by its nice to meet you🐓
Have you started down the permaculture path yet?
I have read some, not sure we are quite ready for that step. It requires lots of thought design wise and I would be way into if I was younger. We shall see. Are you doing it? Thanks for stopping by🐓
Your pictures come out really great! Your writing is also inspiring. It almost feels like we are there with you ☺ @mother2chicks
Thanks so much 😀glad you stopped by and commented🐓
I must agree , being a part of nature is the best part of being a preppy/homesteader! I wouldn't change it for the world!
Indeed! Love it🐓
Awesome! We did a similar thing about a year and a half ago! I have a series on how we built our home called The $20k Homestead on our blog. I'd love to see your home and read more about it!
Ooo.. just found your post where you talked about building it. Still want to see more. LOL
https://steemit.com/homesteading/@mother2chicks/tiny-house-build-or-know-what-you-want
So glad you stopped by and found the earlier post, I have done a couple. Will definately work on a comprehensive one including inside and outside photos. It is quite interesting to see from beginning to the present. We made sure the home was efficient and well built.🐓
I shall fulfill your request in the very near future😉🐓