What is an Urban Homesteader? It’s funny to me, the term “Urban Homesteader”. And yet, the words aptly convey the sentiment of what I am trying to live out. I desire to do at HOME all that I’m able inSTEAD of going to a store. My self-sufficiency journey began in suburbia, outside of Seattle. It…
It started out as a simple challenge. I was even a few days late before I jumped on board. Easy instructions. Whatever day of the month it was, that’s how many items needed to be purged from your home. February 1, 1 item, February 2nd, 2 items, and so forth. I climbed on the bandwagon…
I’ve never been afraid of heights, until… I had arrived at the Badlands NP in the late afternoon. Such a curious landscape and every corner turned revealed a different scene! I drove the loop to get my bearings for the next morning. If there is an opportunity to catch a sunrise, I’ll do whatever I…
For whatever reason, no one else in the swim class showed up. I’d had this student, we’ll call him Sam, only once or twice before. He was about 10, normal height, and a novice in the pool. Level 3 – learning the basic strokes of swimming. I was standing in the 3’-4’ section of water….
…or Opportunity? Life. Sometimes it just sucks.Plans we made – cancelled.Dreams we dreamed – squashed.Friendships we formed – hurtful.Goals we set – a waste of effort.Hopes for the future – dashed away with unexpected news. What am I supposed to be doing? Where am I supposed to be going? What is my purpose? Ever been…
While I was traveling, I was introduced to Treasure Phillips in Tennessee. She’s an amazing entrepreneur and has started a micro bakery in her garage. Her story is very inspiring!Mindy Fore (also an incredible entrepreneur – she owns a gourmet popcorn business and her popcorn is delicious!!) and I went to visit Treasure. While we…
I can only walk… Dawn had not yet appeared outside my window and I heard the muffled voices descending the stairs.The attempted quiet was for the sleeping baby upstairs and not for Nana who was sleeping on the couch. I’d finished my car camping around the perimeter of the United States and had stopped by…
Because…if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. There is controversy, and angst really, about setting yearly goals. I am a self-confessed goal setter. As long as I can remember, I’ve looked forward to setting yearly goals. I even set goals for my children in their formative years because I wanted to…
…but not until you own it. In 2003, I began, what I refer to as, our full-fledged homesteading. We’d purchased 6.69 acres in the foothills of the Appalachians, our closest city being Athens, GA (Bulldawg country).We now owned a fully fenced blank slate with so much potential! Since I was the first in 5 generations…
Fermented Food For several years I’ve wanted to perfect this skill. I dabbled with fermentation at the farm in GA – cheese, kombucha, sauerkraut, kefirs, pickles, even Jun (a fermented drink with honey and green tea). But I never “owned” the skill. This year, however, the Lord has planted me here in PA for an…
The obnoxious chiming of my phone woke me this morning. 4am. Not a mistake. I had certainly set my alarm for that specific time but admittedly, I was a bit annoyed cuz I was in a very sound, comfy, warm, sleep. A few under-the-cover stretches, snuggles with Piper, and my feet finally hit the floor….
My daughter texted and asked if I would come watch the kids so she could take her eldest to school. Her husband was quickly running the van to the gas station. The tire pressure was low and he was going to fill it up. My daughter and her kiddos were headed to Philly for a…