I have some exciting news! I am starting a new Homesteading series on this blog that will last though the summer and maybe even longer. I am calling it Happy Homesteading.
Why am I doing this series?
I have always enjoyed looking back at my early roots, and like most Americans my family emigrated here from another county. From my pictures you can probably guess which county (blonde hair, blue eyes…last names like Olson). I’m very proud of their hard work and the lives they led.
Today most of us live in towns or cities and love the fact that we can just drive down the road to the store to get what we need. However, there is a certain self fulfillment that comes from being self reliant. Don’t worry this isn’t the time I start talking about moving to the forest and leaving it all behind. I’m talking about learning new skills and doing projects that bring me happiness and maybe even save some money.
I actually laugh when I see this picture. Family history runs deep..we never were the most photogenic bunch… 🙂
Over the next few months I will present a series of posts on self reliant living, learning how things worked and were made from scratch. I will be sharing pictures of my family from long ago that inspire me today. I may fail miserably sometimes but I’m hoping some of my pioneer roots will come out to help me.
Some of the topics that will be covered are:
- chickens ( my kids are super excited)
- making homemade soap
- bees & honey (hopefully)
- washing laundry by hand
- natural remedies
- making cheese, butter, and even greek yogurt
- sewing projects and quilting
- canning and preserving food
- plus many other fun topics.
I Live in the City
Although I dream of having a real farm, reality is that I live in the city. Neighbors all around me without a glorious view of a river or fields. While I won’t be able to raise goats, sheep, pigs or cows right now, I can take on some chickens and figure out how to make things from scratch. I am a little bit nervous about trying these new adventures, but I think it will be worth it and fun. Plus I want you to join in with me doing some of these things…not just watch me do it!
How will this series work?
You can expect posts on Mondays and Wednesdays every week now through the summer. Happy Homesteading will be one part learning/trying new things, one part DIY projects, one part sharing about my family/ancestors, one part cost comparisons and the rest just a whole lot of fun. Hopefully you will be inspired to try some of these things yourself, learn new skills, enjoy the simple life, save money and be more grateful for the modern conveniences we enjoy today. Check back tomorrow for the first post in the series!
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Brad Benson says
The barn/farm in the photo was lost to the bank sometime before the depression. I never did exactly know their farm was ( Swan Emil Olson and his brother Herbert Olson) lost it but in 1971 the barn was struck by lightening while owned by the Stegemans. My Grandfather would chuckle when he drove by it on the way into Chappell.
Herbert died in a cave in on a job site.
Kate F. says
Hello there! I just found your blog and am really enjoying reading the Happy Homesteading series!! I have similar interests and it is so refreshing to read about a “real” person doing these things. I love your honest, down to earth, and sweet writing style. 🙂
Regina Partain says
Hi Karrie
I just found your site and love it. You are one of the features on my blog today. It should post by about 8:00 a.m. You can find it at http://www.reginaatthelake.com. Thanks for sharing everything that you do.
Colleen says
Yay, you have done a really great job, this looks so good, with lots of great info and I love the pics. I will be following this and getting lots of good ideas and seeing how you are progressing! Always so full of positive energy! Love ya
Sue M says
Will be interested to know how those new chicks like their new digs. You’ll never be the same after hearing (and smelling) baby chicks near your kitchen… It’s really not that bad, just can’t help smiling and remembering the fun we had with a variety of baby critters in the house. There’s a book all you current homesteaders should read called “The Egg and “I by Betty MacDonald. It was published in 1945 so might be a bit tough to find. (If you live in the Olympic peninsula area of NW Washington State you will see some familiar names on roads there since that’s where it took place.)
Trish says
Karrie looking forward to your posts. I moved to a farm 4 years ago (apparently the engineer I married while living in a subdivision was a farmer deep down) and started raising cattle. It has been a blast. I just got a run of baby chicks and they are in my office growing away. I have a coop and a chicken run built and have found some great diy auto watering and feeding projects. I love to can and have gotten back to sewing (aprons are on my list as I want seprate outside aprons due to germs). I make my own laundry soap (thanks for the posts on that),love freezer meals and am currently looking to make my own goats milk soap. Good luck on your adventures and I am so looking forward to what I can glean from your posts. 🙂
Karrie says
That is so cool Trish! How neat that your engineer husband was a farmer..I keep thinking maybe my Canadian accountant husband has that in him as well..but ahem..I don’t think that’s gonna happen. ha! Thanks for your comment.
Trish says
It could happen….? Our 5 kiddos (all girls) love being out here. And since we are still technically “kennewick” I can have the farm but get a mall and starbucks fix too. Excited to hear more about your chickens. I have 3 laying hens outside (just got them 4 days ago from my FIL) and they are laying pink and light blue large eggs, the kids call them…Easter Chickens 🙂
Karrie says
Easter chickens, how fun! We just brought home an Americauna which will lay colored eggs too – course we have to wait 4 months or so…but oh well. Its fun to raise them from chicks.
Karrie says
Oue Ameracauna is one of our favorites already. She lets us hold her without squirming as much as the others. 🙂
Denice says
This is so awesome. I love my family’s American story, too. Looking forward to more of these!
Karrie says
Thank you!!
Rachelle Benson says
Hi Karrie.. I have opted in for any new tricks we may find. We have been homesteading for almost a decade. When my health got bad we did a 180 and left the suburbs and our processed life to get back to the real life. We are happy producing 75% of our food source. I am good about doing, bad about documenting! My folks have to stay on me to keep up our blog… we raise chickens, rabbits ( yes they are healthier than chicken) grass fed beef, turkeys, muscovy ducks, and our gardens take up almost an acre of our land. We have a small orchard and can EVERYTHING! This past year we have taken it up a notch and have nothing in the home not natural… we make our own laundry soap, lip balms, shampoo, conditioners, you name it we make it ( or its in the works to replace this year)… this past week I have taken up keifer… lol You will never regret homesteading. We started in the suburb with a handful of chickens and a couple ducks ( who still swim in the kiddie pools until we dig a pond)… we have bees coming, and life is always an adventure… our bathrooms double as mini greenhouses and my kids are always in dirt… and I wouldnt have it any other way… feel free to ask away… I am hoping your soaps dont include lye… I am ready to tackle soap making, ( right now we use castille bar soap) but I hate to have lye around with lil ones… kudos to you! Looking forward to the adventure… 🙂 ps… the hoop house is ready for the next season… let the planting begin….
Karrie says
Hi Rachelle, that is so awesome! It sounds like you are living the life I am dreaming about. I would love to have an orchard and grow/can most of my own food as well, but for now I am lacking in space (smaller yard in town). But someday…someday.. (dreamy sigh). I am planning on making lye soap but will do it all when the kids aren’t home for safety. Those melt n pour kinds of soap I feel like are lame – where is the challenge in it ya know? You are getting bees soon? Woo hoo!! Awesome, we are gonna have to chat more girl, and I would love to have you share some of your tips on here too!
Hillary says
We have a treeful of honeybees if you’re looking for some. We don’t know anything about them or how to get the honey. Just that they’re always there and there must be a lot of honey to get out of that tree………
Karrie says
Oh my goodness, yes I would LOVE them..well, maybe. I have to check with my bee helper (that’s going to get me started…) and see if its a good plan to do. I will email you, thanks!!
Sue M says
Just wondering how Comet will fit into the chicken dance 🙂 We did the complete “back to the land” thing a few years back and though we now live just across the street from you in the suburbs are still very much involved in self-reliance. My library and fading memory are yours to pick.
Karrie says
Thanks neighbor Sue!! I might take you up on that offer.
Karrie says
Thanks so much!
Becky E in Yakima says
Sounds great! Can’t wait to learn and share:)
Karrie says
Thank you so much! This will very much be a learn-with-me-as-I-learn-it type of adventure. 😉 But so far I am having the time of my life. Can’t wait to show you all what I have been doing!
Brittany says
I will definitely look forward to this series! We started raising chickens last year and added to our feathery family this year so we have a total of 6. My adventures in canning have been just that-adventures. I’ve had mishaps and successes but no matter what it is SO FUN! Especially opening up a jar of green beans from your own garden. There’s no better feeling! Good luck!! 🙂
Sara says
I am very excited about this series. I don’t have chickens, but would love some. My husband refuses to let me. I am an avid canner and would love to find different recipes for different vegetables.
Karrie says
Thanks Sara! I just convinced my husband after a year of talking about it to do it, and for now its a go! 😉 My advice..be persistant..ha ha ha!