At Home in Georgia

An Afternoon on a Homestead

I had a wonderful afternoon yesterday.  Through just "chance" I was directed to a homeschooling family 6 miles from us.  I knew they had goats and chickens and that their youngest daughter is my oldest daughter's age.  Other than that, I didn't know anything about them.  Well... when we got there, we were greeted by 3 of the 6 children and welcomed by 2 dogs and a cat.  The girls whisked my three children off to see the goats and chickens, and I had 2 hours to visit with a "real life" mom with so many of the same ideas as I have.  AND she is a true, true, true homesteader.

It took 2 hours to tour their home and "grounds".  It could have been in "Homesteader Magazine" if there is such a thing.  My younger daughter got to collect a just-laid, still-warm egg, ride a shetland pony, pet goats and ride a tire swing.   My older daughter made an instant friend, and my son was mothered and taken care of by everyone.  He got to ride the pony too. 

This woman has learned it all in 5 years.  She has a complete garden, divided into raised beds.  Herbs, divided into medicinal, Italian and poultry to make it easy for children to collect herbs.  They have two calves, bought from a dairy (they don't want the "boys" of course) for $60 that they can sell for beef and keep enough for themselves.  They have several goats and 2 sheep.  She has bags of wool in her basement, waiting to have "something" done with them... spinning is the ONLY thing she hasn't done yet!  They have a horse and a pony, raise a pig or two for their own meat, and have started a small orchard.  Oh, and she keeps bees! 

The reason it all works is that each of her children have an area that they enjoy.  The 17 year old pretty much takes care of the chickens, the 11 year old loves horses, etc.  Her husband works from home, so he's available.  At least three of the children also have begun or are in the process of beginning a business.

Anyway, it was just amazing.  I felt like I was absorbing so much information.  When the 17 year old daughter found out that I know how to knit, she was sooo excited.  There's ONE thing I can teach them!  :)  I was pretty excited too, to know that there's something I can contribute to this already self-sufficient family. 

So, it's possible that we may be able to learn together how to turn all this wool into yarn! 

~Michelle

Untitled Comment

12:30, Saturday, February 9, 2008 .. Posted by blessedmomof10

michelle ~~

How wonderful that you have made such friends! It sounds like you hit it all off great! Wonderful!

Blessings~~
gloria

Michelle,

01:50, Saturday, February 9, 2008 .. Posted by leighannwhitten

It sounds like you had a great visit. I'm glad you've been able to find someone with similar likes to yourself.
Blessings,
Leigh-Ann