Feel Good Friday
When working on a dream or goal, the first place it comes true is in your mind. In your belief that you can accomplish it. That you will live the life of your dreams. Create so much abundance that it spills out and uplifts others to believe in their dreams.
Have a beautiful day.
Homestead Update: Wayyyy more progress on the main house in the last week. Mud sills and rimm joists are all done in the kitchen, and the new beam and floor joists are installed! Brand new roof and brand new HVAC system are scheduled for the next few weeks! We’ll be continuing on over the next few weeks framing the new walls that we need and replacing/ relocating all of the windows and exterior doors! So stoked!!!
Busy couple of days working on the website here. Cleaning up, updating the URL and adding a store front page. Stay tuned and thank you for being along for the journey.
Shane has been super busy around the homestead.
His hard work hard work is really pushing progress forward.
“Homestead Update: Shwew! What a busy/ productive few weeks it’s been! Got the garage storage loft built and did some more moving in/ organizing. Installed lights and got most of the garage wired and new sub panel installed. Got the upper garden fencing project completed finally. Took down two small closets in the main house. Built a new bedroom wall and standard size closet. Took out two brick chimneys (One was buried in a wall) rebuilt two major sill plates that were 100% rotted, returning structural integrity to the kitchen. Finished removing all of the old water pipes and drains. Built a Chicnic Table for the chickens and celebrated harvesting our first ever chicken eggs! We’ve harvested about a dozen this past week! Pretty exciting, forward movement!”
First batch of Fire Cider is done to add to our Stay Healthy winter arsenal. Saved the discards and made a chutney.
Have you made fire cider?
If so, do you save the discards? How do you use them?
Now that Christmas is over I can share a project I have been working on and am so excited to see where it goes.
I have always been interested in learning about herbs and there medicinal properties.
Once were on the homestead I was able to start growing several varieties.
I am now taking a Master Herbalism Class and after an amazing session with Legacy Home and Garden at Farm Where You Live to learn how to make healing salves, I have been busy making my own salves and butters for special people in my life to help with specific needs.
I also did a special lip balm for my granddaughter, and I am so happy she has edible lip balm free of toxins.
The RV we lived in when we first moved here is now my little workshop until my She-Shed/Apothecary is done.
I am now perfecting recipes, partnering with a local coffee roaster and a honey farm to have the best quality, local and sustainable ingredients possible.
Stay tuned……
A few years ago, instead of setting resolutions, I picked a word to focus on. To shape my year. The last 2 years it has been abundance. Not just financial but love, happiness, connections. For my marriage, for my family.
With this move across the country and the new adventure my husband and I are on, as I meditate and reflect, I feel strongly that I am connecting to my purpose.
I have raised 3 amazing kids who are happy and healthy, and have 3 grandkids who have all the love and support any child could want or need.
I have been fortunate that my work in the world to provide for my family has always been fulfilling and I have truly enjoyed the connections I have made and the small difference I have made in the life of others through my work.
I am at a place where I feel all that I have learned, all the things I have been passionate about are coming together.
This coming year is about being intentional. In my marriage, in my connection with family and friends, in how I spend my time, and how I make a difference in the world and community around me. To be connected and aligned to my purpose through being intentional with my day to day habits and interactions.
I am excited for this coming year as our homestead continues to grow and I continue to learn and grow.
I send you positive energy and prayers that you find your word for the year.
If you have a word for the year, please share in the comments.
The hardest part of homesteading is when you lose your animals to predators. Unfortunately, we lost our 2nd chicken to our rescue dog that we are training to protect them. I came home to find Ursula in the yard. She was our trouble maker and last one in each night, the girls were quite upset tonight. Tomorrow we add overhead netting to out smart the ladies from getting out.
Yesterday I spent some time harvesting some herbs from the greenhouse and foraging dandelion and wild radish leaves from the garden. Taking the time to connect with nature and to have the gift of nutrient dense food from my own yard is such a blessing. To be able to grow herbs not just for flavor but also as medicine to heal and strengthen our bodies is allowing us to enjoy this beautiful life we are creating to it’s fullest.
Taking time to make our health, both mental and physical, our priority is the best gift we can give ourselves. Turning to nature and plants nutures our bodies and helps us avoid illness and disease. Yes, the grocery store is quicker, but a quiet morning of cleaning, chopping and preserving food from my own garden is time and energy that is a joy to spend.
Do you make laundry soap?
What is your favorite recipe?
Today I used:
1/2 bar grated Fels-Naptha soap
Full bar grated Zote Soap
3 cups Borax
3 cups Super Washing Soda
2 1/2 cups Baking Soda.
Small scoop for light loads, slightly soiled.
Big scoop for big jobs.
Store in container of your choice.
As I have been reflecting on our move across the country and starting this new adventure into homesteading, what I am realizing is that I am more mindful in my day to day life. Cooking from scratch, learning new skills, it requires you to be in the moment. Canning, bread making, infusing oils, waiting on chickens to start laying, none of it can be rushed. It all happens on it’s own time. I spent the last week making presents for family and friends and the simple joy, knowing it came from my heart and my hands has truly made me connected, even though they are far away.
Coffee Peace N' Homesteadin 