Happy New Year (almost) 2014

I thought it was high time I write about where I'm at now with my freedom plan. Well, first off...I'm not so good at writing this blog! I will get there to consistency, New Year's Resolution? Maybe but there are so many to choose from. I have made progress though.

In the past year, I did plant a garden and put up a lot of tomatoes, beans, pickles and a few other things but I wouldn't say I could live on what I put up. It DOES make a huge dent in my grocery bill though and that is exciting! I did restock my laying flock for a great supply of eggs and I now have a rooster so I can hatch my own flock right here at home. I did slaughter half of those chicks I ordered and they are at freezer camp. Well, the ones we haven't eaten. I do have on litter of rabbits to slaughter (next weekend I think) and I have one doe that will be culled because she has now failed to produce two times. I may keep one of the babies but I am undecided on the rabbits as they DO effect my allergies and asthma so I'm not sure I can be a rabbit keeper.

I have also gained enough customers for the cleaning service to only have to work part time for someone else and I am considering cutting those hours yet again as I've just gained another couple customers. That is VERY exciting!!

What have I learned? Slaughtering your own food is hard emotionally but satisfying as well. I definitely have had days where I wonder if I'm doing the right thing for myself. This is NOT an easy path. It is however, spiritually uplifting when I look up from the grind of daily chores and headaches and realize I DO have a lot more freedom now than I did a year ago.  I learned that the raised beds I used to grow in are great but I don't really need them here as I have great soil so I plan to buy a tow behind tiller for my lawn tractor and I want my own milk. I drink a lot of it, I can use it for my livestock and pets and I can make so many products that I eat from it. I think a small Jersey will do well here as long as I supplement the hay I will have to buy elsewhere with root crops etc. and she will also provide me with a calf to slaughter for meat and lots of manure to fertilize my land for more crops. One cow will provide me with all the milk I need and I don't need a lot of fencing for her either since cows CAN be tethered.

So now with a years experience and taking small steps to freedom I feel confident that as long as the good Lord wants me here doing this, that I will continue to succeed on this path to freedom and with that freedom I can help my children and grandchildren more and as I gain more freedom I can help my community and praise God every day that He put me here.

Bring on the New Year! Cheers!

Permies: a big crowd of permaculture goofballs

Permies: a big crowd of permaculture goofballs

Just found this today...looks like an awesome site full of VERY useful info on ways for me to learn more about being FREE!