When we first met in fifteen years ago Nick and I were always on the go, working, traveling, and buying whatever we wanted whenever the desire struck. We lived this modern life-style until five years ago when we decided we needed more. Actually what we needed was less. Less of everything, and more of us creating and enjoying a more peaceful way of life.
You already know how our little backyard farm began and evolved. But, while that was happening outside, other changes were happening indoors. We stopped shopping and buying things we didn't need, we began paying down our debt and getting rid of our credit cards, second car, stopped going to restaurants 3 or 4 times a weeks, and all our other wasteful habits.
It wasn't easy, especially for Nick who had been raised in the city and was accustomed to the "always on the go" way of life. He has adapted well, very well. And by working together towards simplifying our life we are healthier and happier.
The bills are gone, except for those few things no one is ever free of such as taxes, health care, etc. Once the house is sold we will be mortgage free and living at the new farm.
Instead of buying stuff, we re-use and re-purpose materials. Pallets are to us, just as they are for many people, the most re-usable material available. The chicken house is made from wood pallets joined together, and so is the goat shelter. We are currently taking pallets apart to make them easier to take with us to the new homestead.
We will also be dismantling the arbor we built for the vining green beans, the picket fence surrounding the garden and the fencing of the goat yard. These materials will be reused at the farm.
At the farm we are making use of the remaining barns. They are being restored to be returned to their original purposes. Even the house is being restored. It was built in 1915 and the goal is to restore it to resemble as much as possible it's original appearance.
We were fortunate to be able to buy the farm out-right, so no mortgage. And the money we once used for credit card payments can now be used toward new windows, new well, etc.
When we are at the new homestead, even though there is currently no running water or electricity and we spend the days hard at work, it is a most peaceful and restful time. At the close of the day we can sit and watch the sunset while we study the landscape which is slowly coming back to life and will soon be called home.
During our first night there we were treated to an amazing display of flashing tiny lights floating just above the untrimmed broom grass. Fire-flies in the hundreds, many more than I had ever seen at one time. And the sound of insects calling out to one another, a sound seldom heard at home.
Once we have completed our move our days will be busy tending to a larger garden, an orchard, and more livestock. Our vision is to become as self-sufficient and the farm as self-sustainable as possible.
Will it be lots of hard work? Of course, but we would rather be working hard doing this than sunning on the beach or chasing a golf ball, or worse yet, wondering what we will do with our days as we grow older. The beach is nice, but we get bored after 10 minutes there, and neither of us ever saw or understand the fascination with chasing a little ball over acres of hills and sand pits, just as, I am sure, those folks who enjoy those things don't understand my excitement at receiving a free truckload of wood chips or cow manure.
~Kathleen
"Living the simple life is living the good life..."
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