I understand the historical definition of homesteading but I think it has also taken on a new meaning to many people. For me, it means taking care of ourselves as much as possible without having to rely on others very often. I regret to say that we are a far cry from being self sufficient. My husband still has a job outside the home and it's likely that I will as well when school is finished. Ideally, we would love to stay home, raise everything we need and be able to survive fairly well. We do have a home business but as of now, it is not self supporting due to the fact that we have minimal time to tend to it.


My goal is to be much more self sufficient than we already are. Currently we raise much of our own meat and grow a good deal of our veggies. We have 24 hens and have an abundant supply of eggs.
I can do some simple sewing and am working on learning more. We heat with wood and have some solar panels to try out as a means of alternative energy. It all happens in slow steps, learning as we go.

As far as getting older and how all that works....good question. We are both in our 30's so we have lots of time to figure all that out. In the meantime, it's relaxing, it's hard work, it's a learning experience, it's fun and it's interesting. It feels wonderful to make a meal knowing that we raised it....veggies/fruit/meat..whatever.

Yeah, we go to the store and buy groceries but as time goes on we are finding that we can provide more and more of our own.

Friends and neighbors are a great resource and help contribute to our success. Just this weekend, we were given a truckload of manure to fertilize the garden. I know it might sound weird to be excited about a truckload of doo...but it was a VERY welcomed gift! In return, we will share our veggies and eggs with those fine folks. In the fall, or whenever we butcher pigs next, we'll share some of that as well. It's all give and take.....and I prefer it that way.

Anybody else?

Michelle