Homesteading

Homesteading:  A weekly account of our journey to becoming off grid homesteaders.  Our path will be long as we are only paying in cash and our funds are very limited.  Mike and I have no idea what we're doing so we'll be learning as we go.  I know we'll make mistakes and that's ok.  It's all part of the process.  

We would love to read about your homesteading experiences, so if you'd like to share your favorite resources, tips, funny stories, recipes, books, website or even just a photo from the week, please leave a link in the comments.

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We have had the most fun this weekend up north, enjoying the warm autumn sun.  We spent our time making gluten free pretzel rolls as well as ordinary sandwich bread.  I couldn't find my bread pan, so I used a star pan instead!  We ended up just ripping pieces off the bread and slathering them in garlic butter.  Luke spent most of his days hanging around in the tree fort, and Cole enjoyed sleeping next to the fire.  I also finished up another pair of slippers for Luke and have started a pair for Mike ( Pattern is almost ready!).  He asked for leather soles, so I cut and tooled a piece of deer hide we had in the scrap bin.  I think it's going to work out nicely and he'll be able to wear them outside.  I may even add some to the bottom of Luke's pair, because he wears them everywhere, too.  I love that they look like shoes, don't you? 

We also have another exciting bit of news to share with you!  We have been working on our first family project for the shop!  The kids have been hiking through the woods with us, identifying trees and picking just the right fallen branches and limbs.  Jake has been helping to cut them into manageable pieces.  And Mike and I are cutting slices, sanding, drawing, wood burning and finishing the pieces.  It has been such a rewarding experience to get to this place and I hope that we'll be able to add more items like this to the shop as time and the children's interests allow.  You can find all of the new tree branch ornaments and necklaces here.

Wishing you a wonderful start to your week, I hope your weekend was fun, too!