Great Adventure Homestead

As the changing of the seasons have purpose, so too does change in our lives.

Yet, as a rule, most people don’t like change… especially when things are good – myself included! To be totally honest, I prefer the comfort of a daily routine… however, sometimes I find that routine can lead to boredom – and I don’t like to be bored!

So, since the seasons are changing, I too have considered making some changes as well! And with this change, I am looking forward to a break from the ordinary!

For example, now that we’re putting our little garden to bed for the season, I have been giving some thought about what I will do to keep myself busy over the coming months!

Most likely much of my time will be spent indoors… however, I do not want to become a ‘couch potato!’ For this reason alone, I intend to keep my little grey cells busy by learning a new skill or three.

I will also be focusing on certain aspects of my life that are requiring some much-needed attention!

I also plan to apply more effort to my writing. Even as I write these words, I find I have a few ideas about what to write about in the near future!

Plus, there are some hobbies and pastimes I wish to explore… not to mention a book or two that I’ve been wanting to read.

And of course, most importantly, mom and I plan to take extra care when it comes to our health!

So, as we head into this new season, we are shifting our focus, hoping to bring about the necessary changes in our lives – for the better!

See, change doesn’t always have to be bad… we just need to remind ourselves that change is a good thing!

Until next time,

Peace, love and happy homesteading!

Sheri

I was recently asked the question, what change – big or small – would I like my blog to make in the world? To be honest, I had to stop and mull this question over for a while…

When I first started blogging, we were back on our traditional homestead. There, I had oodles of things to write about – especially when it came to raising our chickens! Raising chickens gave me experience to share with others just starting out.

Fast forward to 2019. Mom and I started traveling in our little homestead on wheels, so of course I shared about the places we visited! However, it all boiled down to my blog being nothing more than an online journal – nothing that would change the world!

So, chewing on this question, I wondered… what change would I like to make? Then suddenly, it hit me! Self-sufficiency!

I’m sure most would remember the huge upheaval ‘Rona made of our lives in 2020… when the world stopped!

After self-isolating for weeks on end, we were given the all clear to go shopping again… only to have empty shelves after a few scant weeks! Just finding toilet paper became an adventure in survival!

Never again, should we be caught with our (ahem) pants down!

Instead, we need to get back to our roots – doing things as our ancestors did! They grew and raised their own food… cooked from scratch… and preserved their harvested crops!

Now I’m not saying we should all go out and buy a big farm or give up modern conveniences!

I’m realistic…

However, each of us should desire to be as independent as possible – perhaps starting out with a container garden the deck or patio. If that’s not available, then a table-top near a sunny window will do!

It may not seem like much, but it’d be a small change towards this world becoming self-sufficient again!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

If you want to start homesteading but have yet to find your ‘perfect’ homestead, I urge you to think outside the box!

For instance, did you know that if you have the desire to be a homesteader, you don’t need to have your own land… or even your own house!

True, owning your own land gives you more options… but in todays market, not everybody can afford those options!

If that’s the case, take heart!

Mom and I began traveling full-time in our little homestead on wheels – a 22 ft travel trailer – back in 2019, simply because she wanted to travel while she still had her health!

However, traveling didn’t mean we wanted to give up on our homesteading way of life!

No! In fact, we have been homesteading without the use of our own land or house!

Of course, our travels mean we usually stay at campgrounds in a desired location. Usually for 6 months or so… It’s less expensive this way! However, we always get the campgrounds permission before we do any planting!

So you see, if you want to have a homestead, there’s always a way! You just start with what you have and think outside the box!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

My body is a temple, but I seem to be addicted to filling it with rubbish! Yes, I am a junk food junkie!

It doesn’t help my addiction with junk food since manufacturers make all those processed goodies taste so yummy!

Nor does it help that grocery stores seem to pride themselves on making those same foods so cheap and easy on the wallet!

However, I am resolved to eating healthy and purchasing only whole foods. So, when i went shopping the other day, I found myself reeling from sticker shock when the cashier told me the total!

Staggering from the price of the few items I chose, made my being an advocate for growing and raising your own food stronger than ever!

So, once I got home, and after putting our few, meager, but expensive groceries away, I immediately went out to check on our little garden! I want to make doubly sure that it’s being nurtured and well taken care of!

And yes, I even prayed over it!

It may not be large in size, but with the rising costs of food, we need our little patch of paradise to provide as much food as possible!

What’s more, our efforts to find a traditional homestead has become all the more urgent! But until then, we’ve planted what we can… and we’ve watered… the rest is up to Him!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

It’s never to late to plant seeds. You just need to know what to grow and when.

Here’s a good rule of thumb to grow by: In cooler regions, plant crops that mature before the first fall frost. Likewise, in warmer regions – where the frost comes later in the fall – you’ll be able to grow plants that take longer to mature. And, if you’re growing from seed, read the seed packets to see how long it takes for each veggie to mature.

Because we have limited space to grow our garden, we’ve decided to purchase a Green Stalk planter. This gives us the ability to grow up to 30 plants in a small but sunny area of our campsite.

While we’ve already planted some of our favorite herbs, we still have plenty of space to grow some veggies! However, our little homestead on wheels currently sits in a much warmer climate, so I had to do some research to find out what I can grow!

As I explored my options, I found that I’m able to start planting for a fall garden – I just need to make sure what I grow can tolerate the high temperatures that July and August will bring… Crops such as bush beans – since they mature much faster than pole beans are an option… carrots (although I’ll have to have them planted before the middle of July), cucumbers, heat resistant lettuce, radishes and squash/zucchini are a few of our favorites we hope to enjoy!

And, finally, I’ll be following these gardening tips: 1) I will be tending my garden in the early morning because it’ll be less stressful for our plants. (Early evening works too.) And 2) I will make sure our garden is well watered. Nothing ruins all your hard work like dried out seedlings!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

Here on our little homestead on wheels, we have a catchphrase – “Purposefully old-fashioned, wherever the road takes us.” The reason behind this motto of ours is because while we’ve been traveling, our goal has been a simple one: to use as many of the ‘old-school’ ways we used to use back on the traditional homestead.

True, we’re not able to raise chickens while in our RV, but we do what we can do!

I do believe there’s something to be said for doing things the way our ancestors. There was a simplicity that has been lost in these modern times. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against using modern conveniences. I not ashamed to admit that I prefer using a washing machine over a washtub where you have to wring everything out by hand! Wringing out towels and blankets is the worst chore in my book!

And take for instance the uncomplicated task of cooking…

Our ancestors used to cook the humblest of meals over an open fire. Granted, there were some who had the luxury of cooking on clay stoves – a useful device where a fire burned inside bricks that were covered in plaster. Some could even have 2-3 open holes on top for placing their pots. Of course, our modern-day counterpart is the stove!

I often find myself wondering if our ancestors ever had to face the age-old question, “What’s for supper?” From what I gather, most meals were very simple, consisting mainly of homemade bread, a stew – usually made with vegetables which was sometimes enhanced with meat – and a drink!

Yes, there’s something to be said for the old ways!

Simple, uncomplicated and easy!

Sometimes life feels like an uphill battle!

Each one of us has seasons of delight or difficulty, yet both good and bad times present opportunities.

As a believer, every day of my life is a test of my relationship with my Creator – testing my trust in Him to provide…

In January of 2019, Mom and I started traveling full-time in our little homestead on wheels – a 22ft travel trailer.

During our adventure, I’d find work at campgrounds in the places we wanted to explore. This way I could help with expenses!

Last year, due to Mom’s advancing years, we decided it was time to get off the road. We had high hopes of finding a traditional farmhouse and putting our little homestead on wheels out to pasture!

The campground where I’d been working closed down for the season, so, we migrated south to be near family! We settled into a rustic little campground in the middle of nowhere and started searching for our ‘forever homestead.’

Obtaining work in our new locale has proved difficult. So, I started a business as an independent consultant selling freeze-dried foods. But even that was an uphill battle!

It’s this testing that’s come through my circumstances that helps me know my own heart better… and appreciate Gods grace more deeply!

I have become more aware of my thoughts… my attitudes… and my emotions! And it’s through this self awareness that God has shown me where I need to yield to Him in trusting obedience!

I admit, there are still times when I want to give up… when anger, frustration and resentment rear their ugly little heads… but it’s my faith in God that keeps me going! And, it’s the uphill battles that will shape me into becoming the woman that God has created me to be!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

Our garden is much, much smaller than the one we had when we were living on our traditional homestead! Of course, this doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy ‘puttering around’ in our little piece of paradise – because I do!

I find it rewarding, knowing that I am able to provide our little homestead on wheels with at least some of the food we eat!

Traveling as we have these past 5-6 years has allowed me to meet people from all walks of like… And some of those people enjoy gardening as much as I do!

Of course, our beloved gardens come in many different shapes and sizes – all depending on what the current campground we call home will allow!

Some gardens are as simple as the little 4×4 square foot allotment that we planted last summer. While others have their campsites filled to capacity with flowering plants! And still others simply have a few containers filled with tomatoes, peppers and a few cherished herbs!

I admit, it’s interesting to see what others enjoy planting!

Some RVers plan their garden for beauty and fragrance that comes from flowers and fruit. A few plan their gardens to offer shelter, shade and protection…

Many design their ‘gardens‘ for pleasure – such as a meeting place for friends and social gatherings.

Still some, desire a quiet place to retreat from the world!

Whatever their size, shape or purpose, all these gardens have a few characteristics in common: there is of course vegetation… a water source… beauty… and usefulness!

No matter what the intent or how much effort it took to prepare, our wonderful little gardens offer us such sweet rewards!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri