As a family we have made huge steps in the past 3 years.
We have a large vegetable garden where we get the majority of our veggies. I have planted several fruit trees, so in a few years our fruit situation will be much better. This spring all of the compost for my beds came from my own pile, this is the first season I’ve had enough.
We raise chicken, turkey, quail, rabbit, lamb and pig for meat, along with venison from hunting.
We have rain water collection, however, I need more barrels.
We are working hard to become debt free. We were doing much better until that new car — oh well a work in progress.
We have improved in the amount of things we buy, but still have a long way to go.
I’ve been adding more blogs to my list that are dealing with being more self sustainable. One blog I recently found practicingresurrection had some words from Granny Miller, another big self-sustainable blogger. There is a list of things you need to do, the most important being giving up your television. Wow! I am really not ready to do this, but I can see why it is true.
There are so many things I’d like to do, but I don’t have enough time. My house is too messy, but I just don’t have time on the weekend. I just didn’t make it to the gym, or I really should get those seedlings started. I should go to the grocery store, make homemade bread … the list goes on.
I’m thinking if I just cut back on my TV til after 9pm, I could get a lot of things done. I am thinking of putting a list together of things I’d like to try.
Make venison jerky (The seasoning just arrived from amazon)
Learn to Knit (not counting the unfinished scarf in the tv room with a giant hole in it)
Try making cleaning supplies
Make candle melts, lip balm (once bees/beehive arrive in May)
Grow more flowers from seedling (so far I’ve only done veggies)
Fruit canning (aside from preserves)
Start making my own granola (this looks so easy and way better than store bought)
Start growing fodder for poultry/lambs
Make my own tea (really need to start using that dehydrator)
I hope to check things off the list and add more.
My husband suggested we do a project a week. First I’m thinking granola.
Here’s the one I’m thinking (minus the candied ginger)
From onehundreddollarsamonth
willsfamilyacres 
It’s really interesting how much of this lines up with the advice given to people trying to create more art while having a day job. I’ve found taking the hour between 8pm when the kids go to bed and 9pm to tackle something creative has been really productive.
What have you created? (Coming from a complete non-artist)
Laura, you are such an inspiration of sustainability. You do so much on 2 acres. Kudos! Let me know how the bees go. I’ve been thinking about raising bees myself. I’m just not sure I’m ready for pets that bite š
Thanks Ally, you are too sweet š
I will definitely post once the bees arrive. I need to get my bee suit quickly.
I applaud your continued efforts! Giving up television can be easier than we think. We cancelled cable a few years ago and now only watch shows on NetFlix a couple of nights a week. I have found the extra time valuable and it is more fun to learn new things than to be a TV drone š
I think it is a habit more than anything. It has become part of my before bed routine, and I feel strange without it. Guess it is time to make a new habit. Thanks for the encouragement!
I’m so impressed with your list–I wish you much success. I’m also hoping that (finally), I’ll get going with bees this spring. My pick up date is in April. I hope you’re able to conquer this list. The only problem is that there’s always more to add.
You do such a great job with this!!! I am sure you will have a lot more time in a year and a half to tackle the whole list š
I had a test run this week with her in virginia, and yes more time but I missed her š¦