Faith Farm

New adventures in homesteading

We have made some changes here at faithfarm and are trying some new things that I thought I would share.  First big change is the electric.  Last week we decided that we would try living without using electric as much as possible.  The method that we decided to "train" ourselves on goes like this....All power goes off except for one hour a day, usually sometime in the morning we turn the power on and we do whatever is necessary in that hour.  The logic if, there is any,  is that for one hour a day we could run generators or use alternate methods of power to do what we need.  So my hour of power goes something like this....I wash a load of clothes in the washing maching(I'm not ready to use the washtub just yet...I have one just procrastinating on that), I vacume the floor, charge power tools, and I have been making a batch of dough in the bread machine for baking in the oven later(just a time saver there),  I also use as much water as I need to do dishes ect for that time.  I fill every thing up from outside to inside.  I realize that not all this is going to go exactly the same using a total solar application or with a generator but it is close.  The only exception to the rule is the fridge and freezer.  It is not possible right now for us not to have them and they are the 2 items that will be the first to go alternative source.  We are using the computer on Monday's and Friday's for now which allows us to keep up with the news/weather and DD computer school work time.  The other days of the week we do school the traditional way-ye ol' paper and pen method-lol.  I know this sounds odd but it really has improved our quality of life around here.  We are less distracted by gadgets and are able to spend more quality time with each other.  We play games at night by lamp light and it is so much quieter and peaceful.  Everyone seems so much more relaxed and we have laughed with each other so much more.  It's hard to explain.  The whole experiment seemed really odd at first and there was some adapting to be made but just what little time we have been doing it has already changed our point of view on things.  Life is more peaceful and what I thought would be hard without all the electric helpers and timesavers is amazingly simple.  Who would have thought?  It is also giving us a better idea on what a minimum useage requirement  for a wind/solar system would be. 

The other two new things we are trying here is candle and soap making.  I think I have the candle making process down and we are working on the soap making.  I am using a simple goat milk soap recipe I found.  Both items I hope to have for Christmas gifts.  Our Christmas is going to be a hand-made Christmas this year--not just for the immediate family but the entire family is doing it.  It is an exciting time for all of us to see what each one has done.  I am really looking forward to it.

Everything else is going fine here-the animals are doing well and the rabbits are multiplying fast-lol.  I'm still working on the canned meat process for storing.

Peace and Blessings>faithfarm

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{ 08:57, Monday, November 17, 2008 } { Posted by LivingSimple }

Sounds like you all are doing great! And I agree--when we get the 'gadgets' from our life--life gets more relaxed and peaceful! We are hoping when we move to do do solar or wind power at least part of the time--Blessings on your new endeavor!

~Kris

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{ 02:40, Sunday, November 30, 2008 } { Posted by OklahomaJamie }

I'm actually a little envious. It is very peaceful and good quality time for the family when you don't have all the modern conveniences. We just got a wood stove and I really like using it. We have propane heat, but have not been using it, only wood. That will save us alot of money. And we have some good quality family time while out cutting wood.

I make goatmilk soap, it's addicting.