Where Did You Go

Almost 3 months has passed since my last post. We have been busy and have had lots of changes take place with our family. We had been working on our land and cabin faithfully every chance we could. We were living in a small apartment/home and we were renting out our home in another state. June came and our renters decided they couldn't pay rent and wanted us to let them live there free. We couldn't do this, so we had to get them out. We had the home up for sale and had lots of showings but no offers. So we had to make the decision to move back or keep waiting to see if it would sale. We couldn't afford to keep both places. If we sold the home we would make decent money. We bought the home when the market was down and it was a bank owned home so we got it for a really good price. We are not in a position to move to our land and cabin full time yet. So we made the decision to move back to our home in Utah. There are a few positives moving back:
1. Weather :)
2. The home has more room.
3. We have 1/2 acre so we can start gardening and building our animal collection :)
4. We love living in Utah more than Nevada
5. We have a foster/adoption license in Utah- we would love to add to our family.

Those are a few of the positives.

So, the renters moved out and we begin cleaning up the mess they left. Then we started moving back in. One thing we needed and wanted was for the yard to be grassed. So we first got grass planted in the front yard.

 

 

BeFoRe

AFTER

I love what a difference the grass has made. Now we have to work on the grass in the back yard for the dogs.

 

We are still moving, lots in storage. But this is a slow process since it is the busy time of year for my husbands work.

Last week I had surgery and was on complete rest no weight on my feet at all. When you have a 2 year old that is a lot of work for my husband. But he has been a rock star.

Its very hard for me to be patient and rest. Especially when I see things that need to be done.

If we weren't busy enough, we got a call Tuesday about am 8 year old girl. They are looking for a foster family to adopt her. Since I has laid up they brought her by the house so she could meet us and we could get to know each other and see if it would be a good fit.

Our family grew by one on Thursday. We are now a family of 5. She is amazing. We love her already. In the next few months more exciting things are coming our way.

So our move back to our home in Utah was definitely the right one for our family.

Sorry for the long break, but as you can see we have been busy:)

 

Work In Progress



We spent the day out to our property, and accomplished a few things. We got the flooring installed in the front entry. We got some insulation in, and started working on the back door outside entry.

The water lines around the outside yard area are in and running, and grass is coming in. Thank goodness, this helps with the dust.

We have a busy weekend ahead of us, as this will be the first time we stay the night. We will be camping, since there is no electricity, no running water inside, and no bathroom. We are hoping to get the bathroom sink in, and running water set up inside. I cannot wait!!

I found this picture on Pinterest, and this is the idea we will be using for our shower.

 

 

MOVING>>>>>>>

I'm trying to move our blog over to our new website. Join us there-
www.ourhomestead16.com

Its a work in progress, and I am new to this. Until I figure it all out you can see posts on both pages.

Thank You.

Working On The Water

Getting water to the house was first on our list. So we have trenched the water lines to the house, and for sprinklers around the house. We can tap into these lines later for water to the animals.

We will be hooking water up to a AQUAH 12L indoor liquid propane gas LPG tank less water heater.

 We will be using a REMCO ProFlo Aquajet 5.3 GPM 12V Fresh Water Pump

Once we have the water to the house we will install the bathtub, bath sink, and kitchen sink.

Next, we will work on running the grey water from tubs, and sink to the trees.

Until we decide about a septic tank.

 

 

 

I Need A Magic Wand.......

I am not a very patient person, I am the type of person that likes to just get it done. So as you can imagine this process is going to be hard for me. Last week it rained both days that my husband was off, and so no cabin work took place :( This week my husbands days off work

 do not allow for a trip to the cabin.

Yesterday my Dad came for a visit. Love visiting with him. My Dad retired last October from working as a Superintendent for a Construction company. He has worked in the construction field his entire life. He was the BEST.  I do not just say that because he is my Dad. He worked in Las Vegas the majority of his career. If I gave you his name and you asked around in the construction field they can verify his talent. Things are done right no questions asked, and if you don't do it right you do it again.  During our visit yesterday my husband took advantage of his knowledge to ask a few questions. I am thankful for my Dad and his knowledge. My husband is very good at researching how to do things, and he is definitely a fast learner when its shown to him. YouTube will be used greatly during this process for us. As my Dad was getting ready to leave, he said "let me know when you are going out to the cabin and I will come out and help." This offer really means a lot to us. I hate to ask him for help, cause he has already helped me so much in my life. He worked so hard for so many years, and now that he is retired he deserves to do those things that he wants,

and not take care of the rest of us. I love him for his greatness.

In the mean time, I will continue to dream of my Homestead, and work on being patient ;)

We are currently living in what we call our SHACK, and we call it this because we had a 2000 sq ft home, and we are now in our SHACK that is  700 sq ft. It's a huge adjustment for us. We got rid of a lot of stuff, and we also have 2 storage units full of the rest of our stuff. There was a lot of stuff we didn't want to get rid of yet. We need to wait and see what we will need out to Our Homestead first. Even with most our stuff in storage we are still busting at the seams in this little SHACK. I would like to start some of the simplifying now, and I know there are many things that I can do.

 One step at a time.

These are the things I would like to get in my routine:

Homemade Cleaners

x Homemade Laundry Detergent

Homemade Bread

Non Electronic Family Entertainment

Learn to sew, and crochet (not just one link)

Creating Meals and Cooking with what I have (no grocery store runs)

 



Building a Community Online

 

Since I am not full time on my property yet, and live 2 hours from it. I am not in a position to build a community of like minded people in the area. So I am building a community of like minded and very knowledgeable people on line thru Insta Gram, and Twitter.

These are some of my favorites so far:

Twitter

Survival At Home @survival_atHome

Homestead Bloggers @homesteadblogs

The 104 homestead @ 104homestead

HomesteadMama @homesteadMama

Survivor Medicine @survivorMed

Doug @homesteadMentor

montana happy @montanahappy1

Homestead Basics @Homesteadbasics

Arid Acres Homestead @aridacresHomest

Hope Nurtured @HopeNurtured

Old Grandma's Garden @Oldgrandmagardn

Cheese Acres Farm @cheeseAcresFarm

Tenth Acre Farm @tenthacrefarm

Lisa Theriault @petitplanatation

 

Instagram

Wandering Springs  www.wanderingsprings.com

Our Country Farmhouse

Northeast Homestead

Boots_And_Hooves_homestead www.bootsandhooveshomestead.com

Rowdy With 4 Farm  www.rowdywithfour.com

Project No. 3 Outdoors www.projectnumberthree.com

Red_Barn_Chicks

Our Country Oak Life

Redhead.Homestead

Smokey_Hollow_Homestead www.smokeyhollowhomestead.com/

Pioneer_Sustainable_Lifestyles  www.pioneertimberworks.com

country homesteads

and many more check them all out clicking on followers of

Our_homestead_16



And So It Begins

 

 

Our day started very early. We were up and on the road at 5am. We headed to meet the company that was delivering our Cabin/Home. We set off before sunlight, and this was our amazing view. There are definitely good things from rising early. Something I do not see very often.

 

When we got to our property, I got to stand back and take pictures. I let the men do

the setting and leveling :)

 

After that was all done, we were able to sit down and smile. That only lasted a few minutes. Then our brains kicked in....this needs to be done and that needs to be done. What should we do first. "Overdrive"

So we sat and had lunch, and talked about what we wanted first WATER.

We measured where the lines will go, and made our material list, and next time we come out we will have our materials, and rent a trencher. While Curtis puts in the water lines. I will work on the seeding and water for grass.

Step by Step. One thing at a time. Simpler life in process.

 

 



Pavement Ends

 

This is one of my favorite signs for a couple reasons.  It tells me there's only 15 miles to our property and that we are away from the busy life.  No cell service,

no traffic, and no hustle an bustle of everyday life. The only thing you might have to wait for is this train.

You can see in this picture the train along the base of the mountain. I am taking the picture from our property. Our home will face this mountain and the train tracks.

Some might think, oh my gosh, I don't want to listen to a train. Well, this track is about 350 yards from our property. Let me tell you, its not that loud and it doesn't come thru a lot, maybe 3-4 times a day. I actually get excited when I hear the train in a distant blowing its horn. When you are not living in the city always in a hurry and do not have the time to wait for a train, it's actually enjoyable to listen to it power thru and blow its horn.

 

As we went out to lay brick for the delivery of our home, the clouds rolled in, the thunder began, and then came the rain. It is always nice to have some rain to calm the dirt and feed the land.

It was also a bit chilly and I was not prepared. Last time we were out working, it was cool,  the sun was out and it was perfect.

 

One thing I have learned running out these past few weeks is that I am not prepared.  As we are packing up the truck to leave, I think about the things I might need and about grabbing those things. Then when we get out to the last town I think, wait, I don't have this and I don't have that. So we end up at the store and spending money on things we have at home. It makes me so mad cause I like to think I am more prepared then that. Why does my brain not think of these things. Grrrrr

So, on our way home I started a list of all the things that we need and all the things we might need. Planning for cold and hot weather, long stays and shorts stays. Today, I am going to pack some bins with these things and hope that our next trip out in a couple days will not end with, OH CRAP, I forgot this and why didn't I think of that. :)

 

 

Starting From Scratch

Starting from scratch. This excites me and frightens me all at the same time. I think I truly enjoy taking things that are new to me and redoing them. Maybe that is why we have moved 7 times in 14 years of marriage. Every new place was a clean chalkboard waiting for me to change. I always repainted the inside of each home, to make it my own. I love to redecorate and create our cozy home where ever we go.

This time starting from scratch takes on a whole new meaning. It isn't just walls to be painted and decorating. It is STARTING FROM SCRATCH, from the dirt up. That's exhausting just thinking about it. I'm excited to get things moving, and begin this new journey. Right now we are stuck in between. Lets get the BALL rolling.

One thing that I am most excited about, is all the animals. I love love love animals. I am excited to create our homestead and map it all out. All the animal shelter, and next spring I will get my garden ready for planting.

This will be a chore for me, and I have a great teacher and example. My Dad has the perfect garden.

Perfectly set up, everything is perfectly lines up, and perfectly planted. My Dad is a perfectionist. I wish I inherited some of that :)

I will definitely be seeking his advice, and knowledge when I start my own garden.

 

Other things that I am interested in STARTING from SCRATCH will be soaps, and most of our foods. Maybe one day I will learn to sew ;)

Last week I made laundry detergent for the first time. I love it, and wish I would have started that a long time ago. Little things that seem like too much, so I skip trying and chose the easier route. Now that I have made it myself it really isn't hard at all. The best thing is I get to choose the scents :)

Check out this list of 100 things to make from scratch.

 

http://www.blisstree.com/2010/06/04/sex-relationships/100-things-you-can-make-yourself/

 



Shed Options Easy to OH MY GOSH

We currently do not have a shed in place. All of our tool and stuff are in storage. We need a shed as soon as possible, so we can have all our tools and supplies on our land. We have looked in to all avenues. Build ourselves, move an already built one, or one that can be built and delivered, and our last option, buy a used one that needs to be put together.

Look at this nice looking shed from LifeTime Sheds.

 http://www.lifetime.com/gallery/storage/outdoor-storage-buildings

 

We found a person selling their lifetime shed due to HOA not allowing it. So they took it apart and sold it for half what they paid. Good deal right?? So we jumped on it, it was bigger then what we had been looking at, and priced lower than our other options. We drove and loaded the shed pieces, and when I say pieces look at the hardware bag.

 

The Assembly instruction book is 41 pages long. Here we are trying to find a fast and easier solution. This was not it. My husband says its gonna take him a week to install. He cannot take vacation time from work right now to build a shed that is literally in a million pieces.

I took to craigslist to try and find a person that could assemble the shed for us and not break the bank. So far I am not finding this to be the solution either. I hate to see the shed sit and never get put together.  Here I sit trying to figure out what we do now, we have two weeks til our Cabin/Home will be delivered and our hope was to have a shed in place.

The cheaper easier(so we thought) route has turned out not to be the best plan.

I think we can build something much easier ourselves and not try assemble the lifetime shed that will take a week to read and figure out how to assemble a million pieces. Maybe someday we can have this nice looking shed. When we have the extra time.

 

Moving Dirt and Other Business

This weekend we started a few projects. First we picked up a shed, and it was in a million pieces. This really discouraged Curtis, but I know he can do it!!

We hauled the shed parts ;) to our land. When we got this all unloaded, our next goal was to 

MOVE DIRT  and get the area ready for our Home/Cabin shell. It will be coming around the first of April. While Curtis moved dirt, me and the baby played in it. She loved it. She tried to eat every rock. The weather was perfect. It was nice to be on our land.

 It was exciting to start getting things in motion.

As we were driving home. Talking about everything that needs to get done. I said STOP we cannot start this route of thinking. We need to take one step at a time. We are already overwhelmed, and this is not the way to go. So this weeks goal is to finish the area for the cabin. We need to haul out cinder blocks, and then we are going to start the shed while we wait for the cabin. We need the shed to store all our tools. The tools are currently in storage 2 hours away from our land.

 

We have a plans to live as though we are camping for now. We will add and finish the cabin as we go, with the goal to have it insulated and ready for winter. We will be doing solar power, and propane, and a wood burning stove for heat. Our land has water, the well is right by our property line. I think we have figured out the Potty business ;) its temporary. Curtis would really like to eventually put in a septic tank. I think that will get move up on the list after dealing with the stinky stuff for a few months. Like I said ONE project at a time. The grand picture is overwhelming. So for now I am going to enjoy roughing it in CAMPING style.

 

 



The Count Down Begins.....

The Count Down Begins. We are on a schedule now. The delivery of our Cabin Shell will be delivered any where between March 29- April 5. We are so excited. We have so much on our plate during these 3-4 weeks. We are downsizing and moving a lot of our stuff into storage. I have been selling lots of stuff. We have to get the land ready for the Cabin. We have to get a shed to the property to hold tools and supplies. Busy Busy Busy. I like to stay busy and this will definitely be a busy month. I'm so anxious to get started and begin this new journey our family is about the enjoy.

If you want to follow our journey to Our Homestead, you can follow us here and also on

Instagram

our_homestead_16

 https://www.instagram.com/our_homestead_16/

Twitter
Our Homestead 16

https://twitter.com/shasta_98

Please share. Thank You!!



Chickens.....Cows.....Goats.....Pigs.....Rabbits.....Sheep

 

I love animals, and I am so excited to have them on our land with us. Trying to decide which ones to get first. I know it wouldn't be smart to jump in and get all of them at once.

We have had chickens for many years.  We had a pet pig for about 3 years. We have had a goat for a year. This was all over 3 years ago. Currently we only have dogs.

As I research breeds, and look for advice on the this subject. This is what I have come across:

 

"Why Raise Chickens In Your Backyard? The Many Reasons & Benefits Hens will produce eggs that are fresh and nutritious, not to mention great tasting. Backyard eggs are also much healthier than their store bought counterparts. Backyard eggs contain: 1/3 the Cholesterol of store bought eggs 2/3 more vitamin A 1/4 less saturated fat 2 times the amount of Omega 3 fatty acids 3 times the amount of Vitamin E 7 times more Beta Carotene"

 

 

Pros and Cons COWS & GOATS

http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2010/11/goat-101-cow-vs-goat.html

 

http://104homestead.com/buying-nigerian-dwarf/

 

General

 

http://www.offthegridnews.com/how-to-2/6-livestock-you-can-raise-on-just-14-an-acre/

http://www.livinggreenandfrugally.com/top-5-livestock-to-keep-at-your-home-and-why/

 

 

Rabbits

 

http://theelliotthomestead.com/2015/05/raising-rabbits-for-meat/?utm_source=Homestead+Newsletter&utm_campaign=aa26125fc9-MayWeekOne&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_88cb99fbd5-aa26125fc9-66098673

 

 

I would like to eventually have all these animals. I will be smart and start with one at a time. I have already raised chickens for many years, and so I will start with them. Since I am familiar with chickens, I would like to start another animal shortly after. Goats?? or Sheep ??

 

 

 

 

Losing A Loved One

Last night I lost my Grandpa. He was 94. He lived a long happy life. He never went to the doctor. He believed that bananas and graham crackers for breakfast everyday was the key to long life ;) He also gave us a large spoon full of honey to help with whatever ails you. He was the grandpa who make chocolate malt milk, always had the best cereal, family pancake tosses, and more. He had a memory that went back to his childhood, he knows names and stories from all those years. He was also very funny some might say  a smart a**. That is hereditary :). He lost his wife my Grandma 18 years ago. The reunion I am sure was amazing. He truly missed her, and was ready to go to the other side. He was a very Godly man. Always serving others, and the kindest man around. He will always be remembered for his SILVER DOLLARS. As a child he always gave us silver dollars on birthdays, and Christmas. Later in his life he started giving them to all the high school graduates at his local high school. He also carries them where ever he goes, and hands them out generously to people he comes in contact with. At church on Sundays he always gives a dollar to each family member that sits in front of him. He's not a rich man when it comes to the dollar. But he was a rich man in so many other ways. He has 7 children, 35 grandchildren, and over a 100 great grandchildren. His posterity is worth more than anything. He leaves behind a huge legacy and a huge desire for me to be more like him.

As I reflect on my Grandpa and the life he lived, it was simple, it was exactly what our family is working towards. My Grandpa worked a farm for many years, he ate simply, he didn't need things. As his children and I were around him after he passed, it was easy to me to see those children that learned from their Father. They were so caring to him, even though his spirit was gone, and all that remained was his earthly body. They still worried if he was cold, and comfortable, and that he could see his picture of his lovely wife. I love this man greatly, and will miss him greatly. Today I have a renewed energy and desire to be more like him. I want my children to be kind, loving, and hardworking. I want them to think of others, and take care of those around them. I want them to know who they are and how important they are to so many people.

As we take our new journey to our new life and land, I will take my Grandpa's memory with me and think of him daily, and strive to be more like him in so many ways. Til We Meet Again. Love you always Grandpa.

Mommy Medicine Cabinet

Mommy Medicine Cabinet

I have been thinking a lot lately about my

“mommy medicine cabinet.”

I know there are different types of things people use to care for themselves and their families.

Oils, Healing Herbs, Acupressure,

and I am sure there are more avenues that I am not aware of. Here’s what I have come up with so far.

 

First I listed my families main medicinal needs:

Allergies-oregano, Evening PrimRose, Green Tea, Omega 3's, Skullcap

oils- lemon, lavender, peppermint

Headaches-feverfew, peppermint

oils-thieves, capaiba, balsam fir

Colds/Flu-sage, elderberry, licorice root, olive leaf, lemon
oils-lemon , oregano, carrier oil

Anxiety-chamomile, lemon balm, st johns wart, lavender, poppy, valerian
oils-valor& peace and calming
     stressaway & peace and calming

Menstration Cramps-oils joy & panaway

Heart burn- oil- di-gize

Cold Sores- lemon balm, elderberry
oils- pepper mint

Ear infection- Garlic
oils- thieves, purification, lavender
      basil, lavender, melaleuca

Immune- Astragalus Root, Spriulina
oils-thieves, lemon, oregano, melaluca, carrier oil

Lower Cholesterol- cinnamon, hawthorn
oils-lemongrass clove, omega gize, and ning xia red


This is just a start, I am sure many of you have other remedies, that work for you and your family. Please share. I would love to hear what works for you.

 

 

"UnStuffed" A huge step in our plan

As part of our plan we are downsizing from a 4 bedroom to a 2 bedroom. Let me tell you this is hard for me. I have a lot of  "STUFF". Important "STUFF", memorable "STUFF", and what if I need that one day "STUFF". Over the years you get things from grandparents and other relatives, and feel like you have to keep those items, no matter what. I have lots of those items. I also have lots of craft supplies a whole shed full. That "STUFF" is expensive and I could need it one day.

One day I received and email from Ruth Soukup about her new book coming out. The email was looking for people to be apart of her launch team. Guess what I was picked. So this book is on my desk as we speak. I have read the first chapter,

and this was exactly what I needed right now in my life.

As I read this book, I will share "STUFF" from the book that might encourage you to buy this book, and "UNSTUFF" your life!!

In Chapter ONE- I love this-

"Becoming unstuffed, truly unstuffed, is much more than that.

It's changing the way we look at our schedules and the stuff that fills our time.

It's changing the way we look at our relationships and the stuff they are made of.

Its becoming purposeful about the stuff we let in, because the reality is that nature hates the vacuum, and if we are to become unstuffed, we better spend some time thinking about what that really means before our unstuffing stuffs us with new stuff we don't need or want. "

http://www.amazon.com/Unstuffed-Decluttering-Your-Home-Mind-ebook/dp/B010R5PUNE


Tired of feeling overwhelmed by clutter? Get @RuthSoukup’s new book ‪#‎Unstuffed‬ ($75 in free bonuses too) -> Unstuffed.com

"Camping"

So as we start our journey we will be living in "camping" mode for a while. I am excited because I love to go camping. I have never really camped for more than 7 days. So this will be an experience that we are not familiar with. So I have started my "lists". I have a month to get things prepared and into bins. Here is the start to my lists:

Kitchen

bowls/plates/cups
trash bags
ziplocs/tinfoil
napkins/paper towels/tissue
matches/lighter/
dish soap/hand soap/hand sanitizer
cleaning wipes/baby wipes
dish towels/cleaning rags/sponges
Tupperware
cooking oil/non stick spray
seasonings
cutting board/knives/scissors
skillet/pans/dutch ovens/camp stove
mitts/hot pads
measuring sups/mixing bowls
wash tubs
table/table cloths
spatulas/cooking utensils
wooden spoons
can opener/knives
cooler/drink cooler/ water container washing

Sleeping/Bathroom

deodorant/lotion
chap sticks
hair supplies/brushes/bobby pins
toilet paper
pop up dirty clothes bin
shampoo/conditioner/bath soap
toothbrush/toothpaste
tweezers/first aid kit/safety pins
lotion
medications
bath towels
razor/hair trimmer
bug spray/sunscreen
aloe vera
rubbing alcohol/peroxide/itch cream
spray bottles

Other

plastic grocery bags                                  flipflops/shoes
duct tape                                                   sippy cups
notepad/pens                                            binoculars
coloring books/crayons                             card games/board games
glowsticks/flashlights                                drawing pads/puzzles
walkie talkies                                            camp chairs/sheets/pillows/bedding
rope                                                          tables
clothes pins                                              camera
bug candles                                              swim stuff
radio                                                          fishing stuff
work cloves                                               charcoal/lighter fluid/
hats/ visors                                                magazines/books/how to books
fire extinguisher                                         
tarps

Homestead Home Sweet Home

 

Just Jump....is in the process!! We have ordered our Home/Cabin and it will be delivered in 3-4 weeks. I am so excited. This is just the outside, we have to finish the inside. Our plan for now is to spend the spring and summer in camping mode. So that we can work on our Home Sweet Home. We will be able to work 3-4 days a week when my husband is off.

The last 2 weeks I have been cleaning house. We have sold lots of furniture. I have made 3 trips to donate lots of bags of stuff. We are down grading now from a 4 bedroom home to a 2 bedroom home. This is part of our year plan to get the land ready for the move to our homestead.

My hope is to not have to store much furniture. Right now we have couches, dresser and my childhood piano that will need to go into storage. I am looking to have a garage sale in the next couple weeks to sell odds and ends. I have lots of multiples and extras I have not used in a long time. So I am going to have a $3 or less yard sale. That will be the last of everything I do not need. What doesn't sell I will donate. It feels so good to rid yourself and your home of so much stuff. The clutter is disappearing. I do not want to take all the clutter with me. I want simple. I want to take care of children, the land and our animals, not things and stuff.

 

IF you are interested in the Cumberland Sheds/Cabins look here

https://www.facebook.com/cumberlandbuildings

 

 

Let's Just Jump

Why is change so hard?  I just want to jump and go for it, and then I get cold feet. Our whole marriage we have been sitting back and waiting for things to happen. We are not the risk takers. Curtis is very level headed, and thinks thing thru, and sometimes

over thinks things:).

Now we are to a point that if this is what we want we need to just jump. We need to stick to our plan, and not get scared and give up. Yesterday we went to bed with the unknown, of what our plans were going to be when we woke up today. After a nights rest, we woke this morning with clearer heads, we sat down and recommitted ourselves to our plan. Forward HO!! We went this morning, and went thru our storage unit and cleaned out everything we need to take to our land to start prepping the land for our home, and our storage shed/barn. Who likes cleaning our a storage unit...... not us!!

As we went thru out STUFF the excitement came rushing back, and our motivation. Sometimes you just need to let your mind rest. Today we made some definite plans, and we are moving forward. In 4 weeks our Cabin/home shell will be ready and moved to our land.

Ready or not here we come.

Love this Sign

Creating a Community of Neighbors

One of the things near the top of my list would be to have a community of people that you can barter, trade, learn from, BBQ together, visit, kids play, and know if in an emergency there is a community to come together and help one another out.

I don't want a neighbor over the fence ;) so to speak. I also don't want at this time to be isolated from everything and everyone. So as we begin our off-grid Homesteading transition, I am trying to recruit. My best friend and her family would love to make this transition. So I am plugging all that is good in her ear, and hoping our transition will inspire them as well. I know of one other family that is working towards a move to the same are. There are two small towns near us about a 45 minute drive.

I also would like to find or maybe I will have to create an online community for those in the area with the same goals. I am apart of a Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/OffGridandHomesteadLadies/

that I love, but I have not found anyone that lives with in the same state in this group. Finding people and creating friendship through common interests is important. I hope that through my journey of Creating a Community of Neighbors, I can share my experience with you so that my community of neighbors can grow online as well.

How To Earn Money On Your Homestead

There is so many opportunities out there, and everyone has different talents and skills.

Here is a list of thing to look into and explore.

 

 

Create Your Own Website
http://www.wix.com/stunninglybeautiful/fb-acquisition-a?pp=0&utm_campaign=fb_pp%7Cp_pinterest_us_build_gardenred&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=pinterest

Create Your Own Blog
http://www.blogger.com/

Sell Your Home Grown Things
-eggs, garden veggies, milk, beef, pork, chickens, goats, fish, honey, fresh herbs,
-Make homemade baked goods and sell them at your local farmers market. Homemade french bread, buns, or cinnamon rolls, jams, jellies are always a hit!
-incubate eggs
-worms
-soaps, lotions, balms, candles
-refurbish furniture
-cut and sell fire wood
-pumpkins, orchards

Use Etsy to sell your homemade items
http://www.etsy.com/

There are so many things to make and create. If you can create a business doing things you love, I think that is the best option. Maybe you will have to try a few things, and really see what you are good at. You should look into the market in your area as well and see what is needed.
These are just a few ideas. There is so much out there. Now I need to find my "talent" so I can work to earn money when I am on my homestead.

Homestead Help Books

I love books, and YouTube videos to help learn the many things that I do not know about. Here are just two book I have and look to for help in our preparing for the big move.

 

 

Keeping chickens is a popular and growing pastime, so find out all you need to know in this must-have book. * Covers everything from egg-laying to ease of keeping for over 70 different breeds * Discover how to set up and maintain a healthy hen house to keep your chickens warm, dry and safe from predators * Practical advice on hygiene, disease and healthcare ensures that your flock is always in pristine show condition * Learn about broody birds and egg incubation, and rear a new generation of chicks to brighten up your garden .

http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Chickens-Getting-Best-From/dp/0715336258/ref=cm_sw_em_r_rdptod_vaFWwb00ZHPTY_tt

The Weekend Homesteader is organized by month—so whether it’s January or June you’ll find exciting, short projects that you can use to dip your toes into the vast ocean of homesteading without getting overwhelmed. If you need to fit homesteading into a few hours each weekend and would like to have fun while doing it, these projects will be right up your alley, whether you live on a forty-acre farm, a postage-stamp lawn in suburbia, or a high rise. 
You'll learn about backyard chicken care, how to choose the best mushroom and berry species, and why and how to plant a no-till garden that heals the soil while providing nutritious food.  Permaculture techniques will turn your homestead into a vibrant ecosystem and attract native pollinators while converting our society's waste into high-quality compost and mulch. Meanwhile, enjoy the fruits of your labor right away as you learn the basics of cooking and eating seasonally, then preserve homegrown produce for later by drying, canning, freezing, or simply filling your kitchen cabinets with storage vegetables. As you become more self-sufficient, you'll save seeds, prepare for power outages, and tear yourself away from a full-time job, while building a supportive and like-minded community. You won't be completely eliminating your reliance on the grocery store, but you will be plucking low-hanging (and delicious!) fruits out of your own garden by the time all forty-eight projects are complete.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Weekend-Homesteader-Twelve-Month-Self-Sufficiency/dp/1616088826/ref=cm_sw_em_r_rdptod_EdFWwb1W3XCQD_tt

Working List of Tools and Supplies

One thing we have started is working on a list of things we will need to have to start building and working on our land. Here is what our list looks like, the red is what we still need. I am sure this list will grow.

ATV                   Utility Trailer

Winch                Chainsaw

Axe                    Water Hoses

Generator           Kerosene Heater

Work Gloves       Tape Measure

Ladders              Sawzall

Circular Saw        Wood Burning Stove

Crates                 Extension Cords

Table Saw           Cordless Drill extra Battery

Bar Clamps          Staple Gun

Wood chisel Set    Socket Set

Wrench Set           Allen Wrenches

Utility Knife           Solar Battery Charger

Wire Strippers       Hammer

Drill                     Pliers

Water Barrels       Nails Screws

Pipe Wrenches     Rake

Rope                   Crowbar

Shovel                 Leveler

Sander                5 gal Buckets

Hoe                    First Aid Kit

Hacksaw             Tarp

Duct tape

Electrical tape