Looking Toward a Homesteading Mindset

For years Mr. G and I have researched a homesteading lifestyle.  We have focused on the work and the sacrifice not only of our time, but our resources as well.  We've researched raising chickens and milk goats for starters.  I know we will eventually branch out from those two types of animals adding in pigs, turkeys, cows--for both milk and meat--as well as horses.

What is the "allure" to this mindset that is drawing us to it?

We have been drawn to a more simple, down-to-earth type of lifestyle for a very long time.  We already can food, hunt, and garden, so the next logical step is to add some chickens, then goats and so forth.

My husband and I have watched a show Alaska: The Last Frontier on Netflix to see what the folks on that show experience.  I know they deal with a lot of hardship and the push for time is extreme in gathering and growing food as well as putting it up for the winter.

Our first move will simply occur once my husband retires.  We'll be able to buy something without debt, after selling our house, that has property.  Property will allow us to have the animals and care for them through the seasons and live off the land.

What about a house?

Right now, while we're concerned about a house, we're not concerned about a house.  Seems like an oxymoron, huh?  Well, we're finding some properties with houses that need some work and/or finishing that sit on over 20 acres.  I know that to some 20 acres doesn't seem like much, but 20+ acres is 20+ acres that we don't have for the larger animals that we'd like to have for our homestead.

We're so very blessed to have our home on a little over an acre.  We have a nice sized garden that we will be fencing in for next year's crops.  We've worked for quite a few years to build up this garden space, but when the deer, bear, ground hogs, and rabbits come along to take bites out of our produce, it makes sense to build a fence.

The day they brazenly came in to the yard to graze on acorns, they leisurely sauntered back to the brush pile, then hit the garden (outside the picture to the left) with a vengeance.  

We were able to get a few cucumbers, 3 cayenne peppers, and enough volunteer cherry tomatoes to get 9 pints of stewed tomatoes.  This coming year we hope and pray to fill our pantry shelves, much like, if not more than, the picture below.

We also grow a lot of our own herbs for usage through the winter.  This year we dehydrated basil, oregano and thyme.  My sage and rosemary didn't over winter very well, so we didn't have it to dehydrate.  We plan to re-add those as well as other medicinal herbs to our herb gardens this coming Spring.

As I have considered homesteading, I've noticed that my husband is already doing the work it takes for this mindset outside, in the garage and fixing things on the house.  

A few weeks ago we went to get firewood, the chainsaw wouldn't start, and the truck got stuck in the mud.  We borrowed a friend's van to get home to get the wench and other materials to get the truck out of the mud, then came home.  We didn't have to call a tow truck.  Working together as a family was what needed to happen and it did.

Many times when things need to happen, even if it's snapping beans, we do it together to get it done.

What a blessing it is to work together to accomplish a common goal.

God Bless, 

Beautifully Productive Busy Days

Watching my young folks rock climb at Seneca Point....while holding my water bottle...can't forget that!  LOL

Thursday began with making breakfast for the family.  A breakfast of Momma's "everything" scrambled eggs is always yummy.  Well received is another story since a couple folks have a sensitivity to eggs.  I give them the option of trying them or not.  If they feel like it for that morning, that's great.  If not, they won't hurt my feelings.  I don't make that type of breakfast very often.  Usually we have yogurt, egg rolls, or cottage cheese for breakfast with an occasional weekly oatmeal thrown in for good measure.

At the breakfast table we read the daily chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the date which moved rather nicely to our Civics lesson in God and Government.  We discussed and looked up scripture which supported the sovereignty of God.

After kitchen clean up was finished, the oldest got on to his schoolwork on the computer while the other two registered and began their Civil Air Patrol training online.

I started working on lunch which was hamburgers and a black bean, mexican diced tomato, olive and purple onion type of salsa.  Everyone but me had sandwich rounds for their "bun."  I didn't have a bun because I'm working very diligently to eradicate wheat from my diet (more on that later...ask me about it some time and I'll be glad to share).

After lunch was put away, we had to scoot out the door to take HJ, our daughter, to a Young Ladies' Book Club that was formed by one of the lovely young ladies in our home school group.  They are reading one classic a month and coming together to "report" on the chapters they were assigned.  It's usually 3 chapters, so the work isn't all that much.  They'll be having a sleep over and watching the movies that correspond to the books they've read and discussing the differences between the books and movies.  I love the opportunity for her to do this type of thing with these young ladies.

While HJ was at her Book Club, the young men and I went to the bank, then to Aldi's to get our snacks, produce, and some cheese.  They're going to a friend's house for an overnight stay and they're taking snacks to share.

Once those errands were completed, my wonderful chauffeur drove us back to pick up HJ.  We waited for about 45 minutes for her because we were done with our errands quickly.  During that time the young men read their Civil Air Patrol chapter on Leadership while I knitted on this head band.  We had an interesting discussion about Country Music, whether many are ballads, poetry or both; vs Christian Music and that  Momma no longer listens to Country/Pop/Rock Music because of the immoral messages those music types portray.  Because we're getting to an age with our young folks where they are beginning to challenge our reasons for doing things, we give more explanations for things, and we welcome those challenges.  When we discuss how things use to be when we were young, we are able to share our story of God's grace in our lives; how we're convicted to make changes and find peace when we do; because we're choosing to live a life that fills our days with listening to music that fills our ears and hearts with the love and grace of God.  That explanation was not only true for both my husband and I, but also so simply accepted that the challenge became simple acceptance.  What a blessing!

After HJ was finished, we went to Good Will to see if we could find some PT (Physical Training) shorts for the young folks for CAP.  There were no shorts suitable for them there, but HJ and I were able to find some clothes for ourselves. :0)  I found 2 nice long sleeved shirts, a corduroy skirt and a denim skirt.  It has been so very long since I've been able to find anything at Good Will that I just quit trying.  Then they rearranged their clothing racks by size and I can now find clothes!  It's amazing!  LOL

On those days when we're in town, waiting for the next thing to happen, we're trying to fill the time in between.  We decided to go have McChicken sandwiches for dinner.  I paid for all the sandwiches, while the kids paid for their own fries and/or drinks.  As hoped, having the young folks pay for their own stuff has caused them to become more careful about how they spend their money.  What a wonderful "natural" beneficial effect of giving them more responsibility for purchasing their own things!  None of them purchased french fries, but bought their own desired drinks.  Why didn't they buy fries?  They're weighing the benefits of having their drink of choice vs a smaller drink and french fries.  They're learning the value of the dollar!  Woohoo!  This is just one small way they're learning.  They are buying a portion of their own clothes and a few things for CAP and making them do this is causing them to rethink how they spend their money.  What a blessing!

While we ate our dinner, we discussed the rest of the month's activities, watched the news and talked.  Once we were finished, it was time for choir practice.  This week we had more people for choir which was such a blessing!  I love it when everyone is at choir practice.  It brings everything together and sounds so very beautiful!  I am praying for more gentlemen to join the choir so that my young men will not be alone singing their bass parts.  I know there are at least 3 more men, but honestly, we could use more.

The laughter and fun experienced when singing in the choir is spirit filled and exciting to my soul.  I know I say this often, but perhaps not often enough, I am so blessed!  God has placed me in this church with these brothers and sisters in Christ to serve Him, and serve I will, with every fiber of my being.  I've loved singing in the choir for so many years, it is hard to count.  I sang in 6th grade choir in Rapid City, SD with 1500 kids and I was hooked!  Every possible opportunity I've had since that time, I've tried to sing in a choir, regardless of public school, youth group, or church.  I'd love for my own children to experience the thrill of singing songs to God at the top of your lungs with many others who have the same love for God.  The experience is absolutely awesome!  I'm sure we've been so close to heaven's marvelous chorus on numerous occasions!

The exhilarating thrill coursing through my spirit stays with me for a very long time after practice, on the way home and well in to the evening.

What a God-blessed time of fellowship and singing praises to Him to round out a busy day!

Praise God!

In Him,

Knitting Projects Update & More

In this post I mentioned I had some knitting projects I work on while the kids are at their various activities.  The one pictured in the post linked above is a bit more completed than the last picture.

This is the progress that has been made on the winter headband.  It's about half way through the cable & seed stitch sequence.  Once it is done the end you see at the bottom of the picture will have a button on it and the other end, once it is made, will have a button hole for fastening it on to the head.

I go back and forth between working the above pattern which requires a lot of concentration for me, to the one below that is just straight knitting. 

I decided to make myself a felted purse that is lined with compartments.  I ordered more wool from Knitpicks Wool of the Andes yesterday that are solid colors of the above variegated colors.  Mr. G and I went to Erie, PA on Friday night for our date night.  We visited Michael's and Hobby Lobby, but couldn't find the yarn I needed at the price I liked, so ordering from Knitpicks proved to be the best choice.  I could shop the website and find the colors I needed at a wonderful price.

I cannot wait to finish those projects and move on to the next bunch.  I have a couple little 2 year old girl hats to crochet this week for a friend of mine, then it's back to finishing the two above.  

I'll post pictures of the crocheted hats once I get them finished. :0)

I'd like to move on to sweaters for the family, starting with my Mr. G.  I have seen a wonderful pattern from one of the knitting magazines that I subscribe to that I would like to try.  I saw it and then received my Knitpicks catalog and found the tweed yarn that I would need for the project pictured in the catalog.  It was exactly what I was looking for.   I just need to make sure I have the right needles and I'll be ready to work on it.  

The saying is so very true~too many patterns, too little time!  =0) 

What are your hands busy with?

God Bless,

Time

My last post was about my day out with my husband, sans kids, which was about a month ago.  Wow!  I am surprised that it has been a month since I posted! 

In this past month, our lives have taken a bit of a different turn.  All three of our children have joined Civil Air Patrol (CAP).  During that time we've paid for all 3 of them to have FBI clearances done, spent a good portion of a morning with their Commander and Lieutenant to try on not only dress blues, but battle dress uniforms, combat boots and dress shoes that were given to them by their unit; we've kept our eyes out for their physical training shorts (like gym shorts) at Good Will so that they can do PT in the proper attire; and since their feet are bigger than the boots offered at the CAP warehouse, we've purchased 3 pairs of combat boots. 

Why Civil Air Patrol?  

We were agonizing about this decision for quite a long time.  We had considered boy scouts years ago, but something constrained us those years ago.  We believe that God's hand was on that decision, or the constraining of that decision for a reason.  As for CAP, there are a number of reasons we've allowed our young folks to join.  First of all, it helps to reinforce the lessons we have taught all their lives about obedience, respect, helping others, and advancing in one's learning/education. 

Second of all, it helps to promote healthy peer pressure to push young folks to learn and advance because those who are at a higher level than they are, are usually their sergeants or cadet commanders in charge of them.  This positive peer pressure in this light helps these kids to understand the need to stick with those who are going to encourage them to become a better person not just for their sake, but for the sake of the squadron.  

Thirdly, there is a camaraderie that is occurring with the kids that is a good influence on them.  

Last, but not least, the educational opportunities with CAP, after aging out as a cadet, are amazing!  With adults, there are senior member benefits of taking classes online for a variety of areas to not only benefit the squadron, but also for one's own advancement.  This type of schooling is FREE as well as a resume builder.  

Now that I've told you quite a bit not enough about CAP, I'll move right along.  

I am in the process of adjusting to this new bunch of activity in each of our calendars.  I am certain that all of the activity is worth the effort of getting all of us to not only the meetings, but additional activities, youth meetings, choir, young ladies' book club, piano lessons as well as home school co-op days and field trips. I was filling in my perpetual calendar earlier today and when my Mr. G saw it so filled with things to do, he said, "Wow!  This calendar is just too full!"  LOL   

This is my calendar without all the activity:

I love being able to plan my days with this as my guide.  It doesn't matter what is going on, I can look at this calendar, see what week we're on, look to the left and see which room to detail clean.  Along the bottom are the chores for the day.  Along the right side is kitchen chores to do.  I've changed those since I took this picture due mostly to changes in diets and needs for the family, but that is how things need to flow as a family grows and changes.  

Now, I know the question is resting on your tongues/fingers/minds, "What does she do while they are at all these activities?"  Well, I have numerous knitting projects in process.  I am currently making my own wool felted purse that I will line with some lovely and wonderful fabric complete with zipper pockets and pouches. Another project I'm working on is a knitted winter headband that covers the ears for outside play. 

It's about double this size now, but it will be nice and warm for my ears when I go outside in the winter.

 These are things I work on while waiting for my kids.  If it's youth group night, I attend an adult Bible Study while they have youth group.  If we attend a field trip, I usually participate in the activities.  Then we throw doctor visits of all varieties in to the mix as well and there are lots of knitting opportunities.  

I thank God for these learning opportunities for my young folks.  Seeing them now and how much they've grown in their knowledge and walk with the Lord does my heart good.  I am excited to see what the Lord does in their lives.  In the mean time, I perfect my knitting skills to glorify God in every way I can.  

God Bless!

In Christ,