The Dance of Homesteading and Running Your Own Business (and how I learned to love them both)

Today has been a great example of the dance of homesteading and working from home.  For the first couple of months or so, I struggled with this.  I felt as though I needed to be working solely on the business, and doing the housework, keeping up the house and the animals were all taking away from that.  But recently, as I reexamined what it was that I had hoped to achieve with the business, I realized that one of the things I wanted most was self sufficiency, creating a homestead in our little slice of the world.  And to do that, I needed to also focus on how much money I can save by being at home, which creates a more self sufficient and environmentally friendly household.

I think it is engrained in us that we should work, pay bills, buy stuff, repeat.  And I knew deep down that was not what I wanted.  I wanted to break that cycle, which is where I thought starting my own business fit in.  The first steps were very hard.  Depending on just the hubby's income to live, still having bills to pay, and still very much getting caught up in the hustle and bustle and expectations that we should be making more to do stuff and buy stuff with.  And just the doubt that comes along with the slow growth that happens when you start any business.

I began to think about getting a part time job to supplement and I began to crunch the numbers.  Since we live a little outside of town a few things became apparent.  My being at home allowed me to make almost all our meals from scratch, which saves us a lot and keeps us healthier.  Us having one car cut down on expenses and gas, and if I had a job, too, we would, at the very least, have to pay more for gas, and at the most, would have another car to keep up, pay for and insure.

It started to dawn on me that part of what I love is being able to provide good meals, grow food (when the critters of the area aren't eating them), put food up for later, and generally take care of the homestead that we are building.

And it is a dance.  All this could easily be a full time job, so fitting the business in at the same time can be tough.  I'd say, in all honesty, that I can't give 100% to either.  But I think that is okay.  The business (or the vegetables) may grow a little slower, but I am building on a bigger vision.

And so, today has been a great example.  This morning I got the hubby off to work, then fed the animals, took the dog for a walk and watered the garden, including our new batch of greens I have planted in pots and have covered in wire.  (Humans 1, critters 0.)

After everyone else was taken care of, I started dough for some french loaves, and got the crockpot all ready for potato chowder, with several vegis from our CSA box from Talley Farms.

Then I set to work.  I have an exciting project we are doing with Birch Fabrics for this year's Quilt Market.  Only a littler spoilers...it is going to be a cozy quilt from some brand new Birch fabric.  But more on that soon.

At lunch time, I set to soaking some dried beans for future meals, and baked up that bread.  Then it was back to cutting fabric for work.

After the brain felt nice and melted from cutting as close to perfectly similar quilt pieces, I figured I'd share a few (or more...hehe) thoughts with you.

I hope for all of you starting something new in your life, you allow yourself the time to grow into it.  It is hard, and if you ever need to talk about it, don't hesitate in emailing me here or leaving a comment below.  But if you are anything like me, things will start to fall into place.  Believe me, it is still going to be hard.  But I am learning so much, and am finally starting to really enjoy the ride. (Well, except the dishes.)

Ash

Give a big welcome to Mountain Rose Herbs!

We are super excited to announce that Mountain Rose Herbs as our new affiliate!  When the hubby and I talked about whether or not we would have advertising on our blog, we realized that the only way we'd do it is if was with a company we really believed in and trusted.  And that, of course, matched our values.  I immediately thought of Mountain Rose Herbs.

Mountain Rose Herbs is back in good the ol' Eugene, OR area, where we moved from.  (And I am sure all of you from back home know a bit about them. But I am super stoked to introduce them to all those who have not checked them out yet!) I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the folks that work with them, and they are great.  I know they give to good causes, as well as do the right things for people and the environment in their sustainable business practices.  For example, I love this quote from their site:

"“The frog does not drink up the pond in which it lives.” From our commitment to Zero Waste, carpool program, eco-friendly packaging, and dedication to protecting wild plants, defending the Earth is paramount to who we are."

So what do they do? They make pretty much any herb or spice you can think of, essential oils and other aromatherapy goods, really cool health products (including bitters...mmm....) and much more.  Oh, and all you DIY'ers out there...check out their selection of ingredients like butters, carrier oils and beeswax and their neat containers to put it all in.  Oh, did I forget to say they have a crazy selection of teas, too?

So I bet you can guess how very excited I was to get the email back from them that we could join their affiliate program!  Here was the very company that I thought of when we talked about advertising....and we got them!

I hope you will click on any of our links and check them out.  If you are planning on making a purchase and you got to their website via one of our links, both Fiberton and Mtn Rose Herbs benefits.  Oh, and of course you do, too, by getting really quality products that are good for the earth and for you and your family.

Thanks so much!

Ash