Vintage Homesteading

While we're not living out there yet, we have made steps to make such a notion somewhat comfortable...I've even started 'nesting', so to speak. My sewing machine is glad, as it's been well loved, the end of which is not soon to come (note the curtains).

Sorry I don't have a before picture, but here's the outside & imagine all the cushions covered in the lovely 'before' upholstery. Not the worst I've seen, but there was a lot of unidentified staining....ew.

thoughts on what should replace the hunter green? goldish yellow? off white linen? avocado green (the color of the "appliances")

Fourth of July Fatigue

First: Happy Fourth! Hope you're all having fun watching parades (no matter how stingy on candy throwing they might be) & fireworks (even if you're struggling to figure out which night the show is like we are).
The following pictures have everything to do with the 4th and little to do with what's being written...

Whew. There has been little relaxation around here. The girls are all twisted around and what an important thing regularity is for a 1.5 year old. Poor Leviah is like a crazy person--I'm sure she feels uprooted and unsure. We've been running around for almost 2 weeks and while we've accomplished a TON, as a mother I'm feeling really irresponsible. Naomi is actually thriving on the activity in many ways, but in others I think we're all feeling emotionally drained & discombobbled.

What have we been up to? well, there will be more on that here shortly. This week especially the line between farm & home has been criss-crossed--someday, when the distance is smaller and babies can nap through many of the daily chores this criss cross will be our dream come true. For right now, we are in a transitional place that is far from comfortable. Several projects this week will be dedicated solely to establishing a rhythm for our family that helps us keep up beat. ;)

There's some relief in knowing that that day will come & in seeing what progress has actually been made. That strip of land is taking a very loose shape. Some outline of our 'vision' is already visible & it is encouraging. Alas, MUCH is to be done, but there are so many ideas we can't WAIT to share with everyone.

Right now we're considering our orchard. We want: Peaches, Plums, Cherries, Figs, Pecans, Pears, Apples, Pomegranates, Persimmons and more as we come to it. Any varieties you've all had experience with? We want to get fairly local & completely GMO free plants. Suggestions welcome!

My Moosewood challenge is going a little slower, due to all this running around, but I did whip up the Fudge Brownies (I added the optional instant coffee) the other night & no more boxes for me. These are SO good. I love boxed brownie mixes--a downfall of mine, but with this recipe I don't need them! I just need a good stock pile of unsweetened chocolate squares on hand for whenever the chocolate craving sets in...

The Weekend in Pictures

Although we did fit in some extra nice napping, it's been a CRAZY weekend. There'll be more about what we accomplished at the land here, but we're a tid-bit sunburned & ready for a slower day tomorrow.

note: There's a great new local blog, up & coming. Follow it for upcoming events, local artists, great articles & more.

we HAVE it!

For those of you on the edge of your seat with regards to our future...we've got land!
With the help of my inlaws, we are the proud caretakers of 24 acres just south of Homeland Creamery in Liberty, NC. What a real secret I have kept. This little parcel has been in the works for a little over a month, but to avoid the ups & downs of getting too stoked, we kept it to ourselves. Well, no more. it's official & we are anxious to have everyone out for a little extravaganza. The closing was today, it's official. (the banner pick was a sneaky way of sharing before papers were signed). This weekend will be play-day/clearing out a spot for campsites day/more thanking the Creator time.

Are vision for our future farm is broad, but we hope that the community at large will be interested in visiting, helping, creating & offering ideas. We are certain that without the support of the local folks we won't be successful, so--here's our plea! (even if that just means you'll buy honey or tell your friends!)

An open 'land' party will be planned, hopefully about 4 weeks out. Keep your summer schedule clear ;)
There's not much there--a field & some forest, but we have visions full of potential. Of course, I'll give more details later, but we're tuckered out. It's been a fun & exciting day. Our very first order of duty, after thanking the Lord for such an amazing prayer come true, was to hang a swing in one of the very old Oak trees at the tree line. Here are a few shots of that excitement--purely blissful.

don't forget the give away!