Woah, one year of homestead blogging!
I can’t believe that exactly one year ago (plus a day, but who’s counting), I hit publish on my first blog post. We’re just getting started in the farming world, but let’s look back on one year of homestead blogging today!
One year…
Want to know one of the best parts about homestead blogging? When we first got started, we had no idea what we were doing. The fact that we were newbies in the homesteading world was pretty much the basis of the entire blog. But something amazing happened in the past year – we actually know what we’re doing. Crazy, right?
When we first started our homesteading journey, we spent countless hours researching best practices for raising goats and chickens. After a year of trial and error, we found out what works and what doesn’t work. We figured out how to start a homestead from absolutely nothing, and we’re using this blog as a resource to help other people start their dream homestead.
Even though this year went by in a blink of an eye, it also feels like we’ve been doing this forever. I’m not sure if this will make sense, but stay with me. I’ve always struggled to find my “place.” I frequently switched majors during college, dropped out of graduate school, and finally graduated with a completely different Master’s degree.I’m constantly switching gears and directions, which is admittedly exhausting. Until now. Even though I’m always thinking about how we can expand our homestead, one thing remains constant. This homesteading lifestyle isn’t going anywhere.
Our decision to start a homestead feels so right. I never anticipated how incredible it is to watch your kids grow up alongside farm animals. Each time we collect eggs and harvest veggies from the garden, we’re teaching our kids the importance of knowing where your food comes from. We’ve grown to have a deeper appreciation for our food, and I’m hopeful that our kids will as well.
It might have taken me 30 years (and a lot of student loan debt) to figure out my “place”, but I think I finally figured it out.
…and now
Farm animals have an addictive quality. Although we started off with 10 chickens and 2 goats, our flock and herd has doubled this past year. 20 chickens and 5 goats later, we’ve officially crossed over into crazy territory. I love every second of it, and much to Ben’s dismay, I’m constantly plotting ways to add more animals to the farm. Can’t stop won’t stop, friends.
Once we decided to start a homestead, Ben convinced me to start homestead blogging. It seemed like a crazy idea, but I decided to give it a try. I didn’t realize that I would (virtually) meet such inspiring homesteaders across the nation. It’s been so much fun following along with their stories, and I hope our homesteading story has encouraged others to start simplifying their lives.
As a stay at home mom that works 3 different jobs and homesteads, life is crazy and exhausting. To be perfectly honest, these past few months have been filled with too many stressors that have taken quite the toll on our family. Starting a homestead was meant to simplify life, but it’s been really hard. Between health and personal issues, it’s been a rough few months. Homestead blogging has been the perfect escape from the anxiety and chaos of life. Goats (and my two little ones!) literally make everything better.
so what’s next?
Even though I would love to sneak another goat or a few more chickens onto the farm, we’re completely maxed out on space. Ben constantly has to “bring me back to reality” with all of my homesteading dreams, but isn’t the dreaming part kind of the best part?
Seeing how far we’ve come in one short year makes me so proud of what we’ve accomplished. Actually, let’s be honest. I can’t take any credit. Ben is the one that made this dream a reality, and I’m so grateful that he did.
Photo Cred: Lindsey Kay Photography
So what’s next? Who knows, but if this past year is any indication of what’s to come, then I can’t wait.
Happiest one year of homestead blogging, friends! You can check out my first blog post here.