Homesteading

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OK, I am going to talk about my homestead. I will probably post the same information on the Hudson Family Farm Blog, since the point of that blog is to talk about how we build our buildings, and the way of life we will be choosing to live.
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I should start from the beginning-
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I have dreamt for several years about living "off the grid." Of course the term "off the grid" means so many things to so many people. My definition is going to be no running water, or electricity, which means no A/C, no central heat, NO TV!! Now I know there is a whole "green" movement going on right now, but I am not doing this to be "green" but to get back to a more simple time of life. Granted, it will not be simple. I will talk about several things that "city folk" start to panic as I talk about how it will be...
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HOW WILL YOU STAY WARM AND COOK WITHOUT ELECTRICITY??!!
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Our 16x24 A-Frame cabin will be heated by a wood cook stove. This wood stove will also be the stove throughout the winter. These cook stoves are so incredible!! It is almost like a regular stove that you would find in any modern American home. Not only can you cook on it, but also bake, and have a hot water reserve (aka water heater).
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NO RUNNING WATER??!!
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Speaking of hot water, the water reservoir has a spigot that you would be able to get hot water out. We will haul it to the "stock tank" tub, where you would also add water from the hand pump for the perfect temperature. So since I am speaking of water, there will be "running water" in the cabin via a sand point into the bathroom, and a sand point into the kitchen. These sand points would have a hand pump, where you would pump the water into the sink/bucket/whatever.


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WHAT ABOUT A REFRIGERATOR??!!
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Well they do make a propane refrigerator, which I may look into, but I am far from sold from the idea. In the winter, mother nature provides all the refrigeration I need. Just stick whatever you need cold outside for a bit, and voila - cold!! In the summer we would take advantage of the good ol' root cellar. Another option is we have a creek right through the property that we can set up a system to hold food in the cold water, which would also keep it cold.
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WHAT WILL YOU DO WITHOUT A TV OR COMPUTER??!!
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Luckily, TV has not been around for too long, that we are able to look back and see what people did before this "home invader" took over our lives. I am so glad that we will be able to have Family Home Evening again, as well as play games, and have quality family time!
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As for a computer, I will have a computer since I have the home business that I market online. For this I have a laptop that I can charge with the car's cigarette lighter, and the computer's battery gives me about an hour of use which I will use 1-2 times per week.
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Well, now that Rachel is getting up from her nap, I will have to answer more questions later. If you have some specific questions, e-mail me!! farmstand@hudsonfamilyfarm.com
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Schooling Choices

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For almost a year I have been playing on the idea of homeschooling the girls.

Recently finding out that some friends, and family members are homeschooling their kids, I looked more seriously into the subject.

After bringing Sarah home from church (Nursery) last Sunday, she decided to start acting like the kids in nursery (meaning she has to whine and cry about EVERYTHING, takes toys away without hesitation from her little sister Rachel, and has recently started arguing - although I think she has learned that from her grandpa, who thinks it is funny to see her argue). My mom is one of the nursery teachers, and she said Sarah has 99% of the time been in the top percentile of well behaved kids, but has noticed that Sarah is a great follower - she copies everything good and bad.

So the decision is now that the girls will be home schooled. Hopefully by the time the snow melts in the spring, I will have enough money to build a second A-frame which will function as the schoolhouse/business office.

Oh, and the girls will be wearing school uniforms like this adorable dress. Aren't they cute? From everyone I have spoken with, they are all for school uniforms, so that when the girls are in their uniforms, it means it is time for school. When they are done with school, they change their clothes, and then proceed with the day.

Mommy's Birthday - October 10

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So yes, it was my birthday on Friday. 27 years old..... Where has the time gone?! It feels as though my 18th birthday was not too long ago. Well those who know me well, are well aware that I avoid pictures like the plague, and hence, there is not a picture. Just to let you know, I am sucking it up to have Christmas pictures taken in the next month or so!
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