Spring Ahead?

We're going to be expecting a warm spell soon, here in the frigid northland known as Minnesota.  A whole week's worth of high temperatures above freezing!? YES PLEASE!

I am so excited to get started in our garden. Oh the things I want to grow! This warm spell means we're one step closer! It's going to be a while still before we're able to actually start planting anything outside and I don't have the best set up for seed starting in the house yet. So, for at least one more year, I will limit what I grow to plants with shorter growing seasons or that have been started by someone else.

As we've started to transition into growing or raising more of own food I have felt so much more in control of my (personal) life. (I am still trying to get a handle on my professional life.) It is so refreshing to know where my family's food comes from and how it was cared for. I know our food is fresh to the table and more nutritious because it's fresher than what I can get at the grocery store.

We've made a lot of progress towards our goal but we still have a very long way to go. One day I will be able to grow my own groceries, or will know other local farmers to purchase from, and won't have to go to the grocery store at all.

We've been growing more food than what we can eat in one time so that we can freeze, dehydrate, or can anything we can't eat. This way we can have our own foods throughout the winter.

I can't wait to get started with planning my garden and will be working as the days get warmer. I love having a mix of old favorites and new varieties of foods we've never tried before. Tending to my garden gives me something calming and fun to do after a long, and occasionally rough, day at work. I am able to teach the kids about where food actually comes from and about responsibilities. Plus they love picking the fresh food from the garden.

I will share the plans, progress, and photos of our garden as we get going with everything. What are your favorite foods to grow? What would you like to try growing? Any advice or tips for me as I expand my garden?

Evolution

All through high school and into college I had grand plans for myself. I was going to get my Ph. D. or Psy. D. in clinical psychology and I was going to specialize in abnormal psychology and counseling. I had step-by-step plans and deadlines made for myself.

At the same time I always had a love of the arts; especially drawing, painting, jewelry making, and sculpture. I attempted to find a balance between my two interests. And for a while it worked.

As I went along I learned that, while I enjoyed psychology and helping people, I wasn't sure if I wanted to be a counselor or therapist anymore. I found a job that I was passionate about. I took a job as a Mental Health Worker. I spent, and currently spend, nearly all week helping individuals in an adult foster care home learn how to manage and cope with their symptoms. The wonderful feeling of seeing my clients make progress and reach their goals is amazing.

At the same time I continue to enjoy making artwork and being creative. I started doing crafts sales and met some really interesting artists and crafters. However, I am currently at a point where I need to shelve the art. At least for now.

I don't know how to balance a job that I love, but is incredibly demanding, with raising animals, growing food, cooking from scratch, and creating art all at the same time. So for now I am going to focus on a couple areas in my life while I learn how to find that balance. Then I can learn how to do more.

And I'm actually at peace with stepping back. I am feeling more in control of my life. I still feel stressed, but I am not stressed all the time like I was before!

What have you been doing to feel less stressed? How are you learning to balance your life and goals?

Where did we begin?

I come from a "small-town" family. That has done a lot to shape who I am, and probably who I'll become. I grew up in a fairly small town, there were about 93 people in my graduating class. Small enough to know everyone but large enough that you didn't have to be "best-friends" with everyone.

My older sister moved out of the house when I was 4 years old, which kind of makes me the oldest child while still being the middle child. It's an interesting family dynamic. My younger brother is almost 4 years younger than me and a computer whiz. And all three of us are sassy people with a sarcastic sense of humor. Family gatherings get fun because of it.

My parents let me grow up on 10 beautiful acres and continue to support me as I grow and figure out my goals. I don't know who I would be without them, but I can guarantee I wouldn't be this well adjusted!

My new little family is just as fun, and occasionally challenging. My boyfriend, Mr. Farmstead, is a hardworking farm boy with an eye for details. He grew up on a massive farm and is an inventor, too. He supports me and shares my dream of having a farm that allows us to provide for our family.

Mr. Farmstead also brought two sweet, yet stubborn, kids into my life. His son, Junior Farmstead, and daughter Little Miss Farmstead. They love the idea (in theory) of having a farm, but are fast learning that its a lot of work.

These wonderful, influential, and challenging people in my life give me a lot to think about. How will my choices effect them? How do their choices, thoughts, and suggestions effect me? This struggle is constantly in the back of my mind. Is what is best for me best for them? Is what's best for them good for me, too? Where is the balance and how do we all stay happy?

Dream a little dream...

I've had a lot of dreams in my life. Big ones and small. Where do I want to go to school? What career do I want to choose? What is the perfect vehicle? What tattoo do I want?

And the best, and worst, part is that my dreams are always changing. So that's where this blog comes in.

As my family and I figure out what our dreams are I am going to share our story. This is going to be a sounding board, a confidant, and a journal all rolled into such a fun little package.

Today our biggest goal is to become as self-sufficient as we can. To be able to provide for ourselves, and loved ones. To rely less on others. To not have to buy much at the store.

There isn't any roadmap for us right now. It's definitely trial-by-error. It's scary, but awesome at the same time. I have loved the journey so far and can't wait to see where it goes next. I know it won't always be fun (so I've learned) and it's definitely going to be a big challenge.

But the rewards will be amazing. And hopefully we'll all learn a lot from it.

Dreaming is easy. But you can join us as we move forward! What are some of your dreams or goals? How are you going to reach them?