Our Homesteading Journey

Sometimes it is hard to keep the dream alive when it seems like it is so far out of reach. All we can do is just keeping working toward it and try to not be discouraged. There is so much that limits what can be done and pushes the dream further in to the future. Time and money seem to be among the biggest limiting factors. This is probably true no matter what your dream may be.

My dream is to have a homestead and be as self-sufficient as possible. My property is just under an acre so I do have decent space but there is a lot of shade so the area with full sun is limited. Also, the zoning laws prohibit fowl so back yard chickens are not an option here. To be where my dream could be a reality would require moving to a bigger property out in the country. To move would require a lot of money. The majority of our money is tied up in the home we already have and still has a mortgage payment. For now we are stuck where we are and so have to make the best of what we have.

The purchase of a new property and subsequent move to that property is at least 3 years in the future, and that is a very generous estimate. Likely it is more like 5 or more years before that is a possibility. For the time being I just have to keep the dream alive. I look at available properties in the area and imagine what I could do with some of them if they were mine. Even though I know I can’t purchase that particular property, I still find it inspiring.

I continue to do what I can to work towards that dream. Growing what I can in the space that I currently have. The front yard has two small apple trees and in the back yard there is a raised bed planted with onions, cabbages, radishes, and carrots, another raised bed that will be planted with beans and peas after the last frost date, and a strawberry patch. There is also a raised bed in the garage that is built and in the process of being sealed before it can be moved outside, filled with soil, and planted with tomatoes and peppers. The material for 3 more beds is also sitting in the garage waiting to be constructed.

At the end of this year the front yard will have two apple trees, and the side yard will have two raspberry bushes, sunflowers and maybe a few other fruit or vegetable plants. The back yard garden space will have 6 raised beds and a strawberry patch. Making the best of the current situation is all I can do for now.

At times I feel like this journey can be an emotional roller coaster. From feeling accomplished and proud of the progress I have made, to feeling sad and discouraged when facing setbacks, and frustrated at how far from my goal I still am. And there are times when uncertainty starts to overcome me as I wonder if this is really a pursuit I should continue as it is not an easy road. I believe I am on the right path and so I continue to press forward and keep the dream alive.