Wikipedia defines Homesteading as “a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. It is characterized by subsistence agriculture, home preservation of food, and may also involve the small scale production of textiles, clothing, and craft work for household use or sale. Pursued in different ways around the world—and in different historical eras—homesteading is generally differentiated from rural villages or commune living by isolation (either socially or physically) of the homestead. Use of the term in the United States dates back to the Homestead Act (1862) and before… In the UK, the terms smallholder and croft are rough synonyms of homesteader.
Modern homesteaders often use renewable energy options including solar and wind power. Many also choose to plant and grow heirloom vegetables and to raise heritage livestock. Homesteading is not defined by where someone lives, such as the city or the country, but by the lifestyle choices they make.”
We’re homesteaders. We moved to Arkansas 15 years ago as newlyweds… to pursue our dream of having some acreage, some chickens, renovating our home, growing a garden, using our sawmill, spinning yarn & weaving (or knitting/crocheting) with it. Growing some herbs… planting some fruit trees. Dyeing yarn or fabric. Making bookshelves or other woodworking items. Canning, making baskets, hunting, fishing, tromping through the woods with our dogs & grandkid.
We’re living the dream. Making things, cooking things, growing things… Baskets, furniture, boxes, tie-dyeing clothes & bags, quilting. My son makes chainmail. My husband used to make dulcimers. He’s had to give up making instruments due to Parkinson’s disease. But he‘s still the supervisor when tractor maintenance is required.
We have a wonderful relationship with our adjoining neighbors to the south… They love to hunt. They’re willing to share their bounty with us. And we will return the favor with eggs or baked goods… Pickles & jams flow in both directions. Firewood can be passed around. Making an order for bulk flour? Better ask the neighbors if they need anything. That’s the neighborly way to do it.
None of us are young (well, our son is… he just turned 40)… My husband is 71. I’m 62. We both have Parkinson’s disease. That makes life “interesting”. Our son moved here to help us back in 2012. And we are so glad to have him with us. We three work together to get all our “chores” done each day. And we each have plenty of time to pursue our own hobbies. We don’t have any large animals to care for, by choice. My husband would love to have goats. I’d love to have a pony… but our granddaughter who lives in Georgia just graduated highschool, so I’m pretty sure her pony riding days are past.
I’m hoping to make a post weekly about our current projects. Maybe a bit of our homesteading philosophy. We each love making things. Some things are given to those we love. Some things are taken to town to see if they’ll sell. We’re always busy.
