Our 1st year on the farm

We have now been on the farm a full year. The last year has been full of beginnings and endings. We have left friends and our church family to embark on this journey to the country. This is the last year in review.

One of the things I remember about moving in was the heat. I forgot how hot Oklahoma can be in June. I am not sure I prepared the kids for the heat either. We spent a lot of time that summer at the lake or in the house.

When we moved in we had the neighbors horses on our land. I loved to look out the window and see them munching on grass or running together. I also enjoyed the beautiful wild flowers that grew in our fields. I remember one day looking out and we had the most beautiful sunflower growing by the back fence. I looked forward to doing dishes and looking at my flower. One day I looked out and Patrick, a large white stallion, had my lovely flower hanging out of his mouth, eating it.
 

In the fall, we built a compost bin. I did some research on the Internet to figure out how to get the process started. We mowed the yard and planned to put the grass clippings in the bin for our first contribution. About an hour later I looked out and the horses were eating my compost. Apparently, they though I built them a new feed trough. We tried to put chicken wire over the top to keep them out but they just pushed through it.

Our youngest son with the new calves

In November we got our first baby chicks. In January, we acquired 3 Holstein calves. By the beginning of 2010 it felt like we had a real farm. I really thought that would be all the animals we would get until spring 2011. I was happy to learn how to care for the animals and get to watch them grow. Then in March, Matthew suggested that we get bees. He was so excited that he read books without being asked (that is a big achievement for an 11-year old boy). Consequently, in the spring we ordered two hives to start our aviary. In April, Jim had a patient who had 3 Alpine-Nubian cross doelings. He wanted to sell them and knew we had a farm. I felt a little overwhelmed having so many animals come so quickly. So far, all our babies are doing well and growing.

Our new baby goats

We have had more then our share of problems with our house. It seems like every time we get one problem fixed two more pop up. We are on first name basis with our plumber. My kids run up and give them hugs when they pull in...they are just like family now.

Our older kids, hard at work building fence

We have our land fenced now. The horses are on their own property and we have our steers and goats in their own areas. We got out and worked together to get the building done and had a lot of fun as a family in the process.

We have had many adventures this first year. I am hoping year two is a little more quiet but I am not holding my breath. With five children and acres full of farm animals there will always be some comic relief somewhere.

Homestead ideas for the suburbs

Long before we ever moved on to our own land we were starting to implement some homestead ideals. Basically, these ideals center on being more self-sufficient. I thought I would pass on some things we started doing when we were still in the suburbs.

1. Grow a garden: Anyone with the smallest piece of land can grow a garden. We started in a flower bed that was unused and put a few tomato plants in. Our garden this year is in a small spot that use to be a dog run. We have peppers, tomatoes, green beans, watermelon, cantaloupe and okra. You can borrow or rent a tiller and start today.

2. Hang out your clothes: Not only will this save money ($30 or more a month for us) but it is better for the environment. Plus, you will love how your clothes smell. We bought a small umbrella-style clothes line for $50 at a local hardware store. I love it, it is easy to use and doesn't take up a lot of space. Even if you only used it a couple of times a week, you will notice a savings.

3. Have a chicken in your backyard: Perhaps even 3 or 4 hens would be nice. They help keep your yard free of pests and provide you with eggs. If you had 4 chickens you could have 20 eggs a week. Check local codes and talk to your neighbors. More and more cities are starting to allow small flocks.

4. Get out of debt: This is the real secret to self-sufficiency. It might take some time but sit down and work up a plan to real financial freedom. You will never regret it.

City girl turns country

Showing off our new "cowgirl" look.

A year ago I would not have thought I would be writing this declaration, but here it is...I am now a country girl. I love to hear the rooster crow and I don't care what time it is. I have found great amusement in watching animals. I like hanging clothes out on a line. I enjoy being in the garden in the cool of the morning and picking the bounty of what is to be found there. I even enjoy hearing the bees buzzing in the distance.

Last year at this time, we were moving from Kansas City looking for a quieter, simpler life. We were shocked when we moved into our "new" house. What a mess it was. It was left dirty and uncared for. Once I recovered from the shock, I set into making this house a home. I cleaned for two days before I felt comfortable unpacking. We went through our belongings to weed out what was unnecessary, to move us closer to that "simpler life". It was healing to be able to live with a little less.

This whole adventure started as my husband's dream. He was a farm boy and had spent our whole married life trying to get back to the country. I have to admit, I didn't embrace this dream for a long time. I wasn't apposed to living in the country but it wasn't a burning desire in me like it was in my husband.

Now, here I am, a reformed, former suburbanite. A city girl who loved going to dinner theater and having every form of entertainment right around the block. I have traded the convenience of close shopping for the peace we have on our little homestead. I have exchanged Starbucks for Folgers. There are usually many days in a row that I never leave our property. I am happy with that. What I get in exchange is worth it...a simpler, quieter life.