Being a mom and a homesteader means you have to have a lot patience and forgiveness. I’ve learned that just a little bit of guidance makes all the difference. Children are so willing and eager to help and learn. Giving them a simple task to accomplish will allow them to have fun, feel included and build their confidence.
So we decided to scratch that and go back to our roots and the first cattle we ever owned: Angus. And thus, we can now introduce the latest addition to our homestead: a 10 week Angus/Charlais cross steer.
For as long as I can remember, I have been in love with Soay sheep. They are a primitive breed of Scottish sheep, never having been improved for meat or wool. They are beautiful creatures who’s wool is roo’d, pulled off by hand, and have a taste unlike any other lamb or mutton.
We began our farm 5 years ago with a couple goats and some chickens. We have increased in animals by a whole lot since then.
To be honest though, most of my days are spent parenting, cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry and homesteading happens somewhere in between. Our life is messy and exhausting, but it’s exactly how we want it to be.
The actual desire to Homestead didn’t come until we bought a farm. A piece of land that hadn’t been farmed in or 45 years. We bought it thinking we could do anything we want here and maybe we will want to farm.
Chickens are where I tell everyone to start their homesteading journey if they can. I had my first flock of 12 when I lived in town, four times more than I was legally allowed to have (oops) and ever since it’s been an addiction. We currently have close to 100 chickens/ducks/Guineas combined and I never want to live without them… Well at least without the chickens and ducks.
It’s messy, it’s fun, and it’s a real childhood. On days when I’m a less than perfect mother, I try to remind myself that, at least in general, my little girl is living the way kids should live.
I truly believe that homesteading isn’t about the size of your property or the amount of food you produce, it’s a lifestyle of intentionality. It’s learning new (old) skills, making do with what you have, and sometimes creating something out of almost nothing just like our great grandparents did.
Like a lot of people our homestead journey started with chickens! Six years ago we bought 6 layer chicks and started a small garden in our backyard. We had no idea it was going to lead us to where we are today!
