About Why We Are Doing What We Are Doing

Okay so here goes, my very first blog post! My husband and I and our three children moved to the middle of nowhere Virginia in August of 2010, away from the gated community life, to live on a farm. Yes, we are crazy. Yes, sometimes I wake up at night in deep sweat trying to remember why in the world I thought this was a good idea. But alas, we made the decision to move, and here we are, and so far, the good Lord has blesses us in our adventure.

I guess I'll go back to the beginning. Three years ago my husband and I bought a home in a gated community by a lake. It was going to be great for the kids, there were numerous parks nearby, many amenities, my mom and step-dad had relocated to the area, and we could get more house for our money than in Charlottesville. But, after a few years of living there with neighbors in very close proximity, we decided we wanted more room to be free, and have land, and become more self sufficient. Given the current economic situation, we did not even attempt to sell our house, we merely rented it out, and picked up this glorious farmhouse with 21 glorious acres.

So here we are. Further away from my husband's job. Further away from our family, and friends (but we've made new ones!). Further away from a church we adored. Further away from local conveniences. But somehow it's okay. Actually, it's been amazing. It is sadly a smaller, older house, and it needs quite a bit of work. Luckily my huth-band is very handy, and I have a contractor for a father, so the house will someday be a dream.

We are currently raising a Miniature Horse, Rottweilers, Angora Rabbits, Havana Rabbits (for meat) Nigerian Dwarfs, Mini Alpines, Guineafowl, American Guinea Hogs, ducks (for fly control), three barn cats, and various breeds of chickens. Cattle is in the near future as well as a few bee hives in the spring.We have a garden. We have numerous fruit and nut trees on our property, and I also have a small herb garden. I can/freeze/dry foods. I cook most things from scratch. I bake (a lot). I paint. I crochet. I spin. I farm. I blog. We have a lot to learn about sustainable living, but this is an adventure worth taking and we are looking forward to it.

This blog is the story of a San Diego native turned farm girl. I'm still adjusting to life in the country, but the kids are loving it. I guess that means so far so good? Well I hope you enjoy the ride along with us. :)