Homesteading a quiet and peaceful way of life

Homesteading a quiet and peaceful way of life

by john and jane
(venice, florida)

We are just starting to appreciate the true peace and quiet of a slower pace of life; homesteading! Southwest Florida is a high tourist and snowbird area, is very fast paced and quite expensive.

As seniors, we want to get off the "merry-go-round" of constant activity, and have found a little "homestead" that needs a lot of
work, but the atmosphere is so different.

It is a drive 6 1/2 hours north to this restful spot, and once we get there we don't want to go back, even though we must, for now.

It is primitive as there is electricity but no well, a kitchen, no stove or refrigerator, a bath but no water, yet. Thankfully we have an older, but equipped class c RV, and it will
serve us well, until we get those things in order of priority done.

It is just plain fun, and at the end of the day as we watch the lovely sunset from the porch, the cattle in the yonder field grazing,
the stillness of the night settling in....there is breathing room, and times to just appreciate all that God has created.

We thank God that he still gives older people, dreams and plans and the ability to do much of the work.

We know our limits and when we have the funds, we have others do certain needed projects. We want to inspire others who think that being a senior ends your hopes and dreams.

That is why we have called our 14.2 acres: abundant life homestead and Bible ministry. We plan to grow miracle trees and and glory bushes.

John and Jane

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Nov 19, 2014
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Thanksgiving Thoughts
by: Anonymous

We appreciate the interest in: Homesteading, a quiet and peaceful way of life!

Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are upon us with thoughts of how to truly enjoy them to the fullest. We have found that a plan A and a plan B
is needed, thus setting reasonable expectations, yet being prepared for the unexpected.

As Christians, we appreciate Thanksgiving Day, not looking at the pilgrims, Indians, Plymouth Rock, football games, or parades as our source of joy, but rather to God who has blessed us with the best gift of all--His Son the the Lord Jesus Christ. This has given us new insight as to how to plan and prepare for the season!

Thanksgiving Day flows into Christmas, so the lights are put up inside and out, the balsam fir boughs and wreaths are set up inside and out with the fragrance wafting throughout the house!

Our living room coffee table is set up with a holiday village with 3-4 sets of trains. We have a creche spotlighted near the "church" in the "village" square. No Santa.

Our Thanksgiving Day preparations start on Monday with defrosting the turkey in the fridge, cleaning, and setting up the tables with dishes, tableware etc., chairs also.

Tuesday is baking of the pies and desserts.

Wednesday the preparation of the veggies, beverage and snack area away from kitchen (such as grapes, a cheese ball or dip, and crackers and a punch bowl or carafe with cups nearby, condiments and stuffing.

Thanksgiving Day starts at 5-6am when I stuff the turkey, dot with butter, lay face down, cover pan roast @ 325 till noon. 11 am last minute veg such as whipped potatoes and gravy,.... and dinner should be ready by 1 or 1:30pm. A cheery fireplace and a DVD with holiday instrumental playing softly in the background adds to the ambiance.

"Papa John" reads Scripture on being thankful, and then gives everyone at the table a chance to share a Thanksgiving memory. Grace is said and family begins to enjoy of all the bountiful food God has provided! (If it is a very large family, we suggest that a buffet be set up and beverages be served by the host and hostess.)

For a pleasant afternoon the men/boys can watch TV or options like frisbee, a walk around the block down Main St., a local trail, or along the lake or beach.

For the ladies/girls adding a new option, building and decorating a gingerbread house using graham crackers!Have hot chocolate available after that walk in the crisp Novembrrrrr air.

Board games are always nice, charades, make up a tray for a homebound neighbor, or relative. sing
Christmas carols around the piano, fireplace, or neighborhood. Begin a family journal. Gather all your Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day DVD's to enjoy.

The key to the best Thanksgiving Day ever is a relaxed host and hostess....and with the plans and preparations all in place, you will be ahead of the "power curve"...

With the plan that Thanksgiving Day flows into Christmas, the whole perspective is a smooth transition,keeping the main focus on God giving His Best Gift!

May all readers of Countryfarm-Lifestyle be blessed with a rich and full Thanksgiving and
Christmas season in 2014!
John and Jane

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Thank you so much Jane and John for giving us a window into your Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations! May you and your family have a blessed Christmas season, and may only good things come your way for the New Year.

Regards
Kathryn
Countryfarm Lifestyles

Nov 04, 2014
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Achieving Homesteading Goals
by: AnneMarie

How inspiring to read of John and Jane's new homesteading adventure.

We also felt the need to venture into uncharted territory 9 years ago when we purchased a piece of land in the desert to build our own house. I would have preferred living somewhere a little greener but "greener" wasn't available to us.

We lived in a little travel trailer for 2 years while the groundwork was done on our house. After inspections were finished, we were able to move into a shell of a home while we began the long process of doing all the interior work ourselves and only hiring out what we felt we could not do.

We read books to learn and drove around looking at houses being built to see how to do things the books don't tell you.

We're in our 60's now and the house is still not finished. But the journey has been amazing and sitting on our porch swing watching the beautiful desert sunsets, brings back memories of what we have accomplished.

Building a house has been the hardest thing I think we have ever done but also the most rewarding. So John and Jane...Good luck to you!

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Finally accomplishing the things that are the hardest, are indeed the most rewarding!

We bought our old stone farmhouse 8 years ago, and we are not finished either! We are paying for the restoration out of our own pockets as we feel that we are on the wrong side of 50 to start taking out large loans.

So, we know your joys and pains, but like you, would not live anywhere else!

Thank you for taking the time to share your story, and we wish you and your husband many more years to come in enjoying your home and its beautiful surroundings.

Regards
Kathryn

Nov 03, 2014
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Congratulations on your New Land
by: Marilynne

We missed you tonight at the meeting. Congratulations on your new land. I hope you find peace and happiness there.

Nov 03, 2014
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Homesteading in the Senior Years
by: Kathryn

Dear John and Jane,

How wonderful that you are traveling down a new path when others are thinking about sitting in a corner of a lonely retirement home!

You give others true inspiration, and we wish you all the very best in your adventure.

Please keep us updated with developments and tell us how you are getting on.

Kathryn

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