How We Homestead-Week Five

The "How We Homestead" Series has been a pleasure 

in which to participate.

Thanks to Staci for including me in this project.

Make sure to visit these bloggers to read about 

their future homesteading plans.

Amber@MakingaHome

Meg@LittleHomestead

Staci@LifeatCobbleHillFarm

Tammy@OurNeckoftheWoods

Where We Go From Here

Our last installment in this series brings an appreciation

for the various roads we have all taken to get to this place.

Many of our endeavors have been similar,

although we each have our own unique methods of exploration.

In this final posting on the subject,

we share our hopes and dreams for the future,

where we think homesteading will carry us into the next ten years.

Dreams should be shared, that's the only way they can take flight.

This blog is in itself a manifestation of a dream.

Here's where I hope we end up.

"All our dreams can come true, 

if we have the courage to pursue them."
-Walt Disney

Having focused the past couple of years 

on really being present in the moment 

has met with its own challenges.

Many times I have caught myself thinking about 

what was or what isn't yet.

I'm a big believer in the importance of 

every single step of the journey,

knowing that God will only lead us to greatness,

whatever that may be in our individual lives.

The dream I have for Maple Hill is laid out there for all to see.

I felt it was vital to express this heartfelt pursuit in words 

for others to read about, ponder, and hopefully, bless with a prayer.

 Starting a therapeutic farm for kids on the spectrum

seems to be a calling, 

and I know that what happens today will help bring it to fruition.

It's a matter of trust.

Having been gifted with a child on the autism spectrum 

has given me a purpose in life that is all-consuming.

The light has been shone to me so clearly

and I continue to work toward the goals which are presented.

It may be something as simple as making bread

or learning to knit or teaching my boy how to grow his own food.

It all matters.

We should know soon if we will be relocating this year

to start our homestead in earnest.

If we are able, we will go full throttle.

If we can't move right now,

then I know that God has more for me to do right here.

And I'm okay with that.

 

The yearning to give back can be satisfied 

no matter where we call home.

The picture that I have of Maple Hill in my mind

has so many possibilities.

Nothing can stop a dreamer.

Nothing.

May you be blessed with big dreams.

How We Homestead Week One
How We Homestead Week Two
How We Homestead Week Three
How We Homestead Week Four




Wicked Good Wednesday



 

How We Homestead Week Four

We're enjoying this series on Homesteading.

Make sure you check in with these bloggers to read 
all about their homesteading adventures.

 Amber@ Making a Home

 Meg@ Bit of Life

Staci@ Life at Cobble Hill Farm

 Tammy@ Our Neck of the Woods

Today, we focus on:

Our Daily Life

Starting each day with exercise has been my practice for many years.
Yoga and walking are enjoyed each morning.
It's the gift I give myself every day,
to ensure good health and stay balanced.
It's the time when the house is actually quiet
and a gal has time to think and reflect.
It's a treasured time of day.
A morning cup of hot water as email is checked
helps to clear sinuses and aids in digestion.

As a homeschooling family, we spend a lot of time together.

It's one of the things I like best about being homeschoolers.
We can set ourselves up for success each day.

We seem to thrive on routine.

We have a schedule that helps Lil' Guy stay on track,

but it's not so rigid that we can't mix it up when we need to.

Working changes into that routine 
helps him learn to deal with change,

which is always a challenge with kids on the autism spectrum.

Pretty much everything we do has a learning aspect.

Mornings are spent with household chores.

Cleaning according to the chore schedule is helpful

so that all tasks are completed in a timely manner.

Errands are usually run in the morning as well,

if possible, to avoid the heat of midday.

Laundry has become much less of a chore 
since we now employ our clothesline

to do most of the drying.

Once outside,  we are able to see what's happening in the garden.

It's a great jumping off point for nature studies.

Afternoons are spent on projects, crafts or reading.

We can't get enough of books around here.

Baking is another activity that takes place in the afternoon hours.

Making food from scratch does take more time,

but it's the only way we can ensure that allergies won't be affected

and we eat a balanced and nutritious diet.

During the summer hours, 
I work only a couple of hours a week

in the evening as a tutor.

My current student lives right in the neighborhood,

so I can commute by bike and am home in no time.

Still plenty of time to work outside or take a family bike ride.

It seems I watch less and less television as time passes,

but I can always find something to research on the computer,

write my posts for the blog or work on my knitting.

Bedtime is early here, usually 10:00, 
as I am up before the sun most days.

Our "modified" unschooling lifestyle suits us.
It works hand in hand with homesteading
while allowing us to pursue lifelong learning
and spend lots of quality family time together.

We have more than enough flexibility to divide our work and play

to find the right balance in each and every day.


 How We Homestead Week One
How We Homestead Week Two
How We Homestead Week Three










Wicked Good Wednesday

How We Homestead Series-Week Three

This is the third installment in a 5-week series 

about the origins of our homesteading endeavor.

Today we discuss

 Real Food.

Please make sure to join these four bloggers 

who write from their own perspectives:

Amber@ Making a Home

Meg@ Bit of Life

Staci@ Life at Cobble Hill Farm

Tammy@ Our Neck of the Woods

 

 In all honesty, 

there was a time when I didn't give food much thought.

Once I started working full-time, some 30 years ago,

food was a means to an end.

I just needed to keep myself fed so that I could continue working

and doing the things I enjoyed on my time off.

Most of this time has been as a vegetarian, 

although I now eat fish.

 

 Several classes were taken along the way.

Courses on vegetarian cooking, 

nutrition and other health-related issues

were a few things that were explored in my 20's and 30's.

 

 After I had Lil' Guy, my perspective changed.

It was one of my highest priorities 

to ensure his good health by cooking from scratch.

We cut out preservatives, dyes, artificial colors and flavors

and wafted toward more organic and natural products.

Most of our meals were prepared at home by me, 

so that I could be sure we were eating as healthily as possible.

Then Lil' Guy developed asthma.

Or so I thought.

After a few years of being on all kinds of meds to treat it,

trips to the pulmonologist and numerous tests and treatments,

I finally figured out that he was actually sensitive to wheat.

Once I removed that from his diet, his "asthma" disappeared.

He hasn't taken asthma meds in over 7 years.

He still suffers from many sensitivities,

so I'm still cooking from scratch.

He must avoid wheat, dairy, soy, 

apples, bananas, coconut, white potatoes

and a few other foods.

 I had to learn a whole new way of cooking to keep my boy healthy.

I think he's the only 12-year old I know 

who's never been to Mickey D's

and has absolutely no desire to sample their wares.

 It wasn't until I watched "Food, Inc." 

that I really thought about where our food was coming from.

I forced Big K to watch it too and his eyes were opened.

It was decided then and there 

that we would make a more concerted effort

to support food providers 

who treated their animals with dignity and respect.

We started going to the farmer's market to seek out these vendors.

Unfortunately, in our town, no one was growing organic

or even selling their own produce.

I was determined to find the resources we desired.

 A small garden was started in our backyard with inconsistent results.

I had a lot of growing to do, in so many ways.

Enter Local Harvest.

It got me started on a local search for organic and humane providers.

It hooked me up with a local CSA, about whom I posted a story.

As much as I really loved what they were doing there,

we weren't able to make the monetary commitment.

The next step was Craig's List.

BAM!  

I found local free-range eggs.

I went to meet Colleen and her hens and liked what I saw.

 

Then I hit the Motherlode.

In the "farm & garden" section, I had seen a small ad stating, "Pesticide-Free Produce".

The phone number stayed on my desk for a couple of weeks 

until something compelled me to call the number.

BAM!  BAM!

The most amazing folks were on the other end of the phone.

We've been buying produce from them ever since

and we now consider them good friends.

As if that's not enough, 

 they are allowing me to apprentice at their farm

so that I can learn to be a better gardener.

All I can say is that I am so very blessed.

It's been a long journey,

but I know that every step was a necessary part of the trek.

One of the best things I started doing since 

diving into this homesteading lifestyle

is make homemade bread.

Bread is almost a religion around here.

We are big carb lovers.

If you think making bread from scratch is too much trouble,

perhaps we don't share the addiction.

Count your blessings.

But try it anyway.  You won't regret it.

I still have plans to master canning, 
hosting bees for honey and chickens for eggs,
but we aren't able to pursue those things in our present location.

When we relocate to North Carolina,

we will be using the Local Harvest website 

to aid in finding our new community.

We want to live near farms, farmer's markets 

and folks who share our concerns about food and the environment.

We are willing to work hard to lead a more independent lifestyle.

We want to know our food is safe 

and that the earth that grows it is being well cared for.

We want to live a conscious life in every way possible.

These priorities in our lives will surely lead us 

to the perfect place to start Maple Hill.

The dream is taking flight...

How We Homestead Week One
How We Homestead Week Two