aspire to a different life

If you can afford to hire out all repairs, maintenance activities, and enhancements to your lifestyle, this section may not be for you. The reality is that there is always a need for these things on a homestead, and quite possibly in your situation wherever you may live as well. Some of the things I do out here started with a kernel of knowledge based in a hobby interest over recent years, while others were the result of necessity at the time, forcing me into action either due to timing or not having sufficient monetary resources to hire the job out.

There are a surprising number of things that need to be or can be accomplished through woodworking and through gaining knowledge and skill by working with the common tools associated with it. I developed an interest in working with woodworking hand tools back in 2016 for a few reasons: they greatly reduced the noise in my (garage) shop; they greatly reduced the free flow of dust and particulates floating around in the air in my shop; and, they greatly reduced the chances of severe injury that can happen with power tools (especially when you are in a hurry). I have and use power tools, and advocate for them, but only if used in a safe manner.

Other useful skills that can be required around the homestead are: a basic knowledge of plumbing, a basic knowledge of residential electrical wiring, some knowledge and understanding of auto mechanics (I say mechanics because it takes a serious amount of knowledge and skill to navigate through modern vehicles’ electrical and navigation systems, skills that I do not possess), some skills in gardening techniques and methods, a basic knowledge of building structures, some understanding of how things are put together in general, and the mental ability and discipline to figure out possible solutions to problems.

To learn these skills, there are a plethora of books, possibly videos or other written or photographic articles out there, and, there is this website! It is our hope that as we include documentation of what we have done and what we are continuing to do, that you will begin to learn or sharpen your skills so that your frustration can turn into success.

Everyone eats!  Cooking and preserving food is not only healthier for you but it can save you lots of money.  We will share recipes for cooking, baking, canning, smoking, dehydrating, and fermenting your food.  

Gardening is a lot of work but well worth the effort.  It's not as easy has digging a hole and sticking a seed in it (thank you Mike Bloomberg).  If you really want a challenge add some livestock...that will keep you busy.  Stick with us and we will show you our successes and failures, so you might avoid some of them.

This is a work in progress right now.  Ladies, check back to learn more!

Homesteaders have always prepared. It just makes good old fashion sense. We should do what they did, it worked. Life can throw you a lot of curve balls so preparing items to sustain your physical life is wise. What happens when eventually, your physical body is no longer going to make it. Wouldn’t it be wise to prepare for the life that comes after that?  

We prepare for both and believe it or not,  these two lives do affect each other in profound ways. Check out some of our Bible studies and devotionals for preparing for the next life, because we are all going to leave this one.