It Has Been a Busy Summer…. and waste water update

It is hard to believe we are already in December! Where has the year gone?

Stress-filled for sure, but things are finally looking up….somewhat.

Let’s begin with an update on the waste-water situation.    From what we’ve been hearing around the area, the waste-water/septic issue has also been rearing its ugly head to those who had previously been “grandfathered” in with their ancient systems and emptying their laundry water out onto the ground are no longer saved from these environmental laws.

They also must go through the evaluation/inspection/design and most of all, the expense of replacing their old systems and meeting the new codes.  Many of these folks are hardworking, blue-collar people who do not have the means to go through the process without re-mortgaging their homes.

We finally reached the conclusion that by the time we completed the process to get an approved system we would have spent half the money we had saved up to restore the farmhouse.

By chance, while we were exploring the nearby town, we came across a new on the market, estate sale home.   In a good neighborhood, with an acre of land, and a once elegant home we decided buying it was our best option.

We were able to purchase this home with the funds we had saved up to restore the farmhouse so, no mortgage and ready to live in.   Being an estate sale there are of course repairs and updating to do, but they are few.

The farm is only a few miles away and we go there every day to tend to the animals and do chores.   Our farm life hasn’t turned out the way we had dreamed, but it isn’t all bad either.

We replaced the chicken flock six months ago, and we are still waiting to

find an egg.  The new flock consists of Star Spangled Hamburgs, Aracanas and Black Astralorps.  Four hens and one rooster of each breed in the hopes of increasing the flock.

We also raised a dozen meat chickens.  This year we tried raising Red Rangers and they are wonderful!  We are never going back to the Cornish X.  The RR are big, beautiful and friendly chickens.   They are great foragers and taste great.

There was no garden at the farm this year, sadly.  Even the raised garden I attempted did not work out.   I believe our luck will improve next season as our land in town is better for growing a garden…. there is even a section where I may be able to plant a small orchard.

My long dreamed hope to raise goats for milk is coming to an end.  Since breaking my ankle last year I have been having a difficult time tending to the goats.  After trying all these months to “make it work” I have come to the painful realization that my sweet things would be better off on a farm where they can receive the proper attention.  So it breaks my heart, but I am re-homing my herd as soon as I can find a suitable home for them.

Well, this has been what has happened since my last posting.  Not good, but not all bad either.  Through the next few months I will be re-thinking our situation and the farm, and develop a new plan for going forward with our homestead dream.

As I’ve advised so many people who have asked how can they homestead:  Homesteading isn’t a matter of where you live,  but, rather, how you live.  We still have our farm, and will continue our “Simple Life” homesteading lifestyle.  After all evolving means changing and adapting and we are getting pretty adept at it.

Until next time….. thanks for visiting.

~Kathleen