52 degrees - 8:19 pm - clear night sky...
I had no idea when I started this blog that the homesteading movement would begin as a small wave that would turn into a very large one like it is now. More and more people are jumping on board and realizing the need to be more in control of their world by growing their own food and getting more self-sufficient.
Back in the days of our great-great grandparents, “to homestead” meant to go out and claim some land, make improvements on it and the land would be yours. But in the more recent years, the word homesteading has come to mean more than just one’s home and land, but instead it represents a lifestyle. A back-to-the-basics lifestyle. A lifestyle of self-sufficiency, sacrifice, hard work and satisfaction.
When we bought our property we joked that we were “homesteading it” (as in the 1800’s) – because we haul in our water and go outside to use the bathroom. The idea of the “modern homestead” never really entered our minds… we were just thinking of the quality of life for our family.
We wanted ample room for our kids to run and play, to build a tree fort should they want or whatever project they dream up. We want them to be outside and enjoy all that mother nature has to offer. To spend the days with dirt between their toes, playing make believe in the yard, and being outside from nearly sun up to sun down, doesn’t that sound like a wonderful childhood?
.jpg)
We want our children to grow up gardening and raising animals. We feel that it’s an important element of life that is missing from our modern lives. Being able to get your hands dirty, to work the earth, to raise and care for animals; they will have an appreciation for those things and a deeper sense of gratitude.
We want our children to learn the value of work. We want them to have a strong work ethic – to work hard and honestly. We don’t want them to be afraid of work or afraid of working hard. That fear only leads to the feelings of entitlement which seems to plague our society today.
We wanted to remove ourselves somewhat from the hustle and bustle and busyness that we experience in our fast paced society. Granted, we are plenty busy around our “off-grid homestead” building our home, but that busyness will keep us at home rather than pulling us away.
We want to be together. We will be working together, sacrificing together and enjoying our lives together. The family is the most important unit in society so why should we all be going in different directions?
Though we didn’t purchase our land with the intention of becoming part of the modern-day homesteading movement, we are quickly falling in love with the idea as we continue to explore options for our property.
Off-grid homesteading will be a simpler life, although not necessarily simple. We feel it is the right type of lifestyle for our family and we are working hard to make our dreams of off-grid homesteading a reality.
What are your dreams for your family? Why are they important to you?
