Tag: homesteading

No Thyme For Bugs?

If there is one thing about warm weather that I dislike and makes me start itching for the cold, it’s mosquitoes. With a pond nearby, a stream on the property, and a wetland down the road, we can get more mosquitoes than you can shake a stick at. Or your hand.

After our flood earlier this year, we had clouds of biting pests so thick that someone actually put their vehicle into the ditch trying to swat them out of their face.

Needless to say, bug repellent became a top priority. No one enjoyed being a buffet for bugs while feeding the dog or working in the garden or checking the mail.

So I did what I do. I started researching and experimenting. I found the essential oils that are supposed to repel mosquitoes and went to work. I diluted them with carrier oils and water and added some vanilla to emulsify them or help them all mix together. Then we sprayed it on and ventured into the fray.

A vicious fight ensued in which we came out the losers. Maybe even sore losers. We retreated indoors to apply lavender to our wounds and discuss strategies.

Now, if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s coming up with ideas. I don’t guarantee them all as good ideas, but they are ideas, nonetheless. So, a few days later, after the itching calmed down some, I tried again.

This time I took three of the essential oils most known for repelling mosquitoes, mixed them with non-scented lotion, and applied the concoction liberally. The kids and I noticed a definite difference. We could now boldly leave the house and work outside while the mosquitoes kept a respectful distance of 6 inches or so. This blissful triumph lasted about 15 minutes. Once the lotion was all absorbed, we were right back to square 1.

So far, it was Mosquitoes 2; Rachel 0.

Then, to add insult to insect injury, Tim noticed a definite difference, too. Everywhere he used the anti-bug lotion, he had broken out in a rash. Apparently, he can’t handle essential oils on his skin unless they are extremely diluted. This brought the score to a lovely Mosquitoes 2; Rachel -1.

That put an effective stop to my experiments with bug repellent for a while. And thankfully, the majority of the flying hordes moved off or disappeared, making life much more manageable.

But then, Tim started taking walks almost every morning and night. He’s been given permission to even do some off-road exploring in the wetland, which opened up a slew of new opportunities for him and his camera. This brought insect repellent right back to the forefront though, since he and sometimes the kids were tramping through brush and weeds. So something had to be done for the bugs.

I tiptoed back to my research, unsure if I could find anything that would help without causing side effects. Finally, I found a recipe that looked promising. It called for beef tallow as the main part of the base since that stays on the skin longer than lotion or water. It also didn’t rely on just essential oils for its potency.

No Thyme For Bugs Cream

2 T Tallow

1 t Beeswax

1 T Vinegar (White or ACV)

1 T Thyme Tea*

10-15 Drops Lavender Essential Oil

1/4 t Ground Clove

Melt the tallow and beeswax in a double boiler or heat-safe bowl over simmering water. Once it is all melted, remove from heat and let cool 2-3 minutes.

Stir in remaining ingredients and pour into a jar or sealable container.

Shelf life at room temperature should be 6-9 months.

*To make the thyme tea, put 1 t of dried thyme in 1 c of boiling water, and let steep at least 5 minutes. The longer it steeps, the more potent the tea.

Now, I know I said Tim cannot have essential oils on his skin, but that does not apply to lavender, which is how it made it into this recipe. If you know you’re sensitive to oils, feel free to test this on just a small patch of skin to see if it’s safe for you.

I’m sure there will be more posts in the future about the efficacy of this anti-bug cream and any tweaks I make. But, I’d love to hear what worked for you and, as always, thanks for stopping by.

July 15, 2025
A Day In My Life
Welcome back, friends!

If you’ve ever wondered what a typical day looks like on our not-quite-finished, not-quite-animal-stocked, not-quite-quiet homestead… well, buckle up. You’re about to get a peek behind the curtain—and spoiler alert: there’s laundry, compost, and coffee remembered about three times.

Notice: the following depiction may have been slightly exaggerated for comedic purposes.

Mornings around here start early(ish), usually with me waving Tim off on his morning walk and photoshoot while I head upstairs to get breakfast started for his dad and sister. Somewhere in that blur, the kids start waking up—some happily, some like grumpy little trolls—and I herd them into clothes and conversation while eggs sizzle and the baby kicks me in the ribs.

By the time our own breakfast is ready, it’s usually 9:30. We gather around the table for food and family devotions before diving into the day. That’s when I:
- Make the bed (if I remember)
- Start the first of several loads of laundry
- Empty the composting toilets (yay homestead life!)
- Make Pinterest pins
- Scribble out a to-do list that may or may not survive contact with reality
- And get the youngest three down for naps (on good days)
Then comes the rapid-fire rhythm of more laundry, snacks for hungry monsters… I mean, kids, and checking in on the garden. Right now, we’ve got tomatoes, peas, peppers, cucumbers, melons, and okra growing—but so far, only the peas are ready to pick. There’s watering to do and never-ending weeds to fight.

The afternoons are a whirlwind of:
- Cleaning and organizing, aka moving it somewhere else
- Discussing house ideas with Tim
- Remembering to get supper prep started
- Project planning
- More laundry (because of course)
Then it’s supper for ten people, followed by handing out chores, circling back to make sure those chores were done properly, blog work, finally getting the bed made, and helping Tim list eBay items. Somewhere in there, we wrangle kids into pajamas and try to end the day with everyone clean(ish) and in their beds.

After that? Tim and I usually sink into our chairs for a bit of breathing room, chat about the day, and maybe split a snack before he heads out for his evening photo walk. Then it’s finally, finally, my bedtime.

And we do it all again tomorrow.

It’s a season full of noise, motion, hope, and chaos. The garden’s growing (slowly), the peaches are ripening, the house is still half-finished, and the baby is… well, overdue.

But somehow, this wild in-between is where life is happening. Right here, in the waiting and the working and the wrangling, the dream is already unfolding.

Thanks for walking through a day with me. 💛

Homestead Hilarity

“Mommy doesn’t really work, Daddy does” –Multiple kids, multiple times

(Clearly all the compost-emptying, meal-making, chore-wrangling, and laundry-mountain-slaying doesn’t count. 😅)

Disclaimer: This only shows the day from my point of view. Tim could write his own post, or three, about what gets included in his days.

Disclaimer 2: At the beginning of the post I mentioned that this is what a “typical” day looks like. Currently, Tim has even more to add to his days as he has stepped in to take over multiple parts of my responsibilities until the baby comes.
July 3, 2025
This Isn’t the Garden I Imagined

I had big dreams for this year’s garden. Rows of thriving vegetables, plenty to can and freeze, a handful of Instagram-worthy harvest baskets, and maybe even one of those adorable pictures of a toddler holding a sunflower twice their height.

Instead, I have crabgrass that’s warring with horseweed over prime acreage, tomatoes that can’t decide if they’re dying or just being dramatic, and pea plants that look like they got in a fight with a thunderstorm.

Things started off so well. Tim and I were finally going to be able to work on the garden every day without spending 20 minutes loading kids in the van for a 7 minute drive. We had planned the work in detail and were all set to work the plan.

And the plan took off beautifully. We got our seeds, starter trays, and starter soil mix ordered in plenty of time, and were ready to go. In one day, we planted 80 tomato seeds and when it came time for the first transplant, a whopping 75 tomato starts were healthy enough to move into something bigger.

Things were looking so hopeful. We had a plant shelf set up with heat mats and grow lights and our peppers, tomatoes, and basil seemed to be taking off.

That’s when things started to change. First it was too much water so I cut it back. Then things started wilting from drying out. To start hardening the stems off, I would carry all the trays outside to sit on the deck. Then one of my helpers tripped on the stairs and spilled a tray of tomatoes and the cat dug up our starter sweet potato.

Meanwhile, out in the garden, radishes, turnips, and beets were popping up like weeds. That alone was enough to keep us going. If we could just get these plants in the ground, surely that would fix a lot of the problems.

Only nature had other plans. Rain set in like you wouldn’t believe, and before we knew it, the river had moved from a quarter of a mile away into our backyard. A new record for flood levels here. We literally had ducks swimming in our garden. Only they were wild ones, not ours.

Finally, everything dried out enough to put plants in the ground outside. Our dirt here is terrible with high clay content, but we mixed in fertilizer and shredded cardboard. Things were looking hopeful.

Sadly, there weren’t 75 tomato plants to put outside by that point, but we planted what we had. Over the next several days, we planted 3 kinds of tomatoes and 5 kinds of peppers. We also slowly gave up on any kind of harvest from our beets, radishes, and turnips. I think the heat was too much for them this year.

The cucumbers seem to be thriving, but I haven’t even planted beans yet, and if weeds could run, I’d probably see some doing victory laps around the garden. It’s been humbling, honestly — all the things that didn’t go according to plan. The truth is…this isn’t the garden I imagined. But maybe that’s okay.

Some things are growing. Some things are struggling. And so am I. At 40 weeks pregnant and counting, some days I feel wider than I am tall. (Thankfully, feelings can be deceiving.) But buried in the weeds and bug bites and lopsided rows, I’m starting to find a few quiet lessons — ones I didn’t plan to plant but probably needed anyway.

I’m learning that just like in life, we don’t always get the season we planned for. Sometimes we plant in faith, water with tears, and wait — not sure what will come of it. But God isn’t just after straight rows and full baskets. Sometimes He’s growing patience, trust, and perseverance where we only see crabgrass and chaos.

Maybe the real harvest this year won’t be measured in jars or baskets, but in grace — grace for the process, for the setbacks, for myself. Every weed I pull and every crooked row reminds me that growth isn’t always pretty, but it’s still progress. This garden might not be picture-perfect, but it’s real, it’s ours, and it’s still doing its work — in the soil and in me.

And thankfully, there’s always a fall garden — and next year.

June 26, 2025
Family of Tortilla Fans
Tortillas, Anyone?

I don’t know about you and yours, but in this house, we like tortillas. And I mean like tortillas.

If I want kids jumping up and down while screeching in delight, all I have to do is casually mention that we’ll need tortillas made for supper. Whether it’s tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, or burritos, those tortillas are always a big hit.

In fact, with how much Tim and the kids (and I) love tortilla-based meals, you’d think he had Spanish roots instead of Italian.

We started out always buying our tortillas, because making them seemed too daunting. While we really enjoyed fresh tortillas when we went out for Mexican food, it made my eyes cross and my brain itch to even think about making them.

Then, health problems started pushing us to switch from buying everything to trying to make more food from scratch—especially things like bread and tortillas.

Bread felt like the easier place to start, but one can only go so long without tacos or fajitas. Right?

So I went hunting and digging and found a tortilla recipe that I decided I’d try. I gathered the ingredients—and my courage—and dove in.

While the recipe wasn’t difficult, I worried the whole time that it wouldn’t work. And talk about time-consuming!

Mixing the dough was easy; separating it into portions was trickier. Letting them sit, covered, for an hour or so was simple, but I stressed about them the whole time.

The hardest part by far was rolling them out and frying them up. That first batch took over an hour—maybe two—before they were even ready to eat!

Were they worth the hassle?
Yes, definitely.

One thing I struggle with is the temptation to balk at trying anything new. And for whatever reason, tortillas just seemed like one of those things.

Now? Tortillas feel like one of the easiest things to make. Funny how it works like that, isn’t it?

Except… I hardly ever have to make them anymore.

Alayna, our oldest daughter, has done her best to establish herself as the “bread-maker” of the family. Whether it’s sandwich bread, hamburger buns, or tortillas, she practically begs to be the one to make them.

She’s pretty pleased with herself for being able to make tortillas from memory now—and I’d say that’s not bad at all for an 8-year-old!

I still do all the rolling myself. Micah and Alayna have both tried, but between not enough height and not enough upper arm strength, it just works better if I handle that part for now.

They do, however, claim the job of frying the tortillas—and they do a pretty good job of turning out lightly browned deliciousness every time.

What happens to leftover tortillas, you ask?
Well, they rarely get left. But when they do, one of two things happens:

Either the kids decide they want a snack and clamor to eat them plain, or Tim gleefully makes himself a cheesy quesadilla.

Either way, tortillas around here have a short life—but one joyfully dedicated to making our family happy and full.

Our Go-To Tortilla Recipe

I don’t remember where I found this recipe, but it’s become a staple in our home. One batch never cuts it for us, but it’s a great place to start!

Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/3 cup lard (or oil or butter)
Instructions:
1. Mix the dry ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer or by hand.
2. Add the water and lard, and mix until well combined.
3. Knead (in the mixer or by hand) for at least 5–7 minutes—longer kneading makes better tortillas.
4. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Flatten slightly on a lightly floured surface.
5. Cover and let rest at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.
6. Roll out each piece on a floured surface.
7. Fry in a dry skillet on medium to medium-high heat until bubbles form and the underside has golden-brown spots. Flip and cook the second side (it takes less time than the first—usually about 30 seconds).
8. Keep warm in a low oven (we use the “Warm” setting) on a cookie sheet until ready to eat.
June 17, 2025
A Glimmer of Dragonflies

Welcome back!

I mentioned a few posts ago some of my ideas on decorating the house. Today, I thought I would tell you my plans for the garden adornment. After all, it wouldn’t do to neglect the garden. Once again, ceramics will play a big part in decorating the garden area. They will not all match, but each one is a piece that caught our eye and felt worth keeping.

One piece is a large raccoon that Tim recently painted.

Didn’t he do an excellent job? And it only took him a few hours, too. Since it is life-size, I’m sure it’ll look great tucked away somewhere out there and be sure to snag the attention of passers-by.

I also have a fox figurine that looks pretty realistic. It’s curled up with its tail over its feet. After seeing how well the coon turned out, I told Tim he could paint the fox as well. It might go well in the orchard under a peach tree. Definitely not too close to either the rabbit hutches or duck coop, though.

A sleeping bunny will be sure to find a cozy little spot to nestle. I’m not entirely sure where, though. Maybe in the carrots? Or the lettuce. We’ll have to see.

Since we are starting ducks, and hopefully a few geese, we thought we should keep a pair of geese we came across while sorting ceramics. They aren’t really detailed, more country goose-style, but I think they’ll look really neat anyway if done right.

A ceramic frog and turtle would make charming additions too, don’t you think? The frog was already nicely glazed when we got it. Actually, I have two large glazed frogs. One is tan with light green and orange spots, and I call him Puddleglum. The other is a mottled purple and cannot lay claim to any name.

The turtle is rather large and detailed and I’m really looking forward to painting it. Alayna has painted a small snail, but we might not want it in the garden—I don’t want it to sneak off and nibble the tomatoes! If we still have any of the alligators we had listed at one point, I might keep one of them too. Thankfully, they aren’t life-size!

We even found a squirrel willing to sit under our rambling rose bush and look cute. Maybe having a nut to hold makes him more docile, you think?

Besides different animal figurines to work into our garden layout, I also plan on using some large planters, like the owl and raccoon ones I mentioned in the other post. They will have to be treated carefully to avoid breaking them, but I think it is doable. I can use them for herbs and such that have to be brought inside for the winter.

Then I found this tile or stepping stone and just had to have it. I adore dragonflies and I am thrilled with how this turned out.

It has four small holes in the back to allow for easier anchoring to a fence or something similar. I also have a small glimmer of individual dragonflies to place around it once they are painted.

While it might seem silly or childish to some to take the time and effort to decorate a garden I see the garden as an extension of our house in some ways. It’s a place the whole family can spend time in and makes up an extremely vital part of our livelihood. I’m interested in having the garden be a fun place to work and not just a bunch of boring plants and pesky bugs like it was to me when I was little. So these are some of my plans to make the garden my own and give it some pep and character.

These quirky little touches turn our garden into more than just a food source—they help make it a space where memories are made, laughs are shared, and beauty grows right alongside the veggies.

June 5, 2025
Choosing Joy

Hey There!

Welcome to one of my musings—thanks for stopping by!

Ever have one of those days where you can’t quite decide if it’s a good day or a bad one? When the pendulum swings wildly between frustration and happiness without warning? Well, I had one of those days.

One of the best things about a wood stove? On cold mornings, you get to start a nice, blazing fire and make everything toasty. One of the worst things? On cold mornings, you have to start a fire just to get things toasty. The latest cold snap made for plenty of chilly fingers and toes while waiting for the warmth to catch up.

Then there’s running water. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve lived with and without it, and I definitely prefer with. But when temperatures drop, pipes can freeze. Thankfully, we installed PEX piping in our new house, so they expand without breaking. Still, waking up to no water is… well, waking up to no water. Not exactly the best start to the day, even if it was confined to the upstairs and not our living area.

To make matters more interesting, my washing machine must’ve taken offense to the cold and flat-out refused to run. And when you’re cloth diapering, laundry isn’t just a nice thing—it’s a must. But today? Nope. Not happening.

And as if that weren’t enough, most of the kids must have secretly conspired to wake up on the wrong side of the bed at the same time.

So I did what any mom of six kids does in a crisis. I kicked it into SuperMom Gear, ready to conquer the chaos with lightning speed. In my mind, I was about to whip up gourmet breakfasts, negotiate peace among the grumpy troops, fix the laundry situation with a single touch, and maybe even defrost the pipes using sheer willpower. It was going to be legendary!

Only… not exactly.

I did manage to get breakfasts made for all concerned and that did help out childish dispositions. But there was one more issue—a truly dire one. Coffee. Or rather, the lack of it. In a well-intentioned attempt to save money and cut back on caffeine, Tim and I had decided to limit coffee to Saturdays and special occasions. This decision, unfortunately, affected not just us but also Micah and Alayna.

So there we were, facing a morning of freezing temperatures, broken appliances, grumpy kids, and—perhaps worst of all—no coffee. The realization hit me like a cruel joke: This was a special occasion if I’d ever seen one.

Well, I looked around and surveyed things and decided something had to change. No day goes well when everyone is feeling depressed and discouraged.

Somehow the conversation got onto nutmeg and I decided to see if there was a way to make nutmeg tea. So I whipped out my phone and sure enough, a delicious-sounding nutmeg tea recipe!

Out came the mugs, the tea kettle, the grater, and the fresh nutmeg. Soon all four mugs had a quarter of amazing-smelling grated nutmeg and the tea kettle was whistling on the wood stove. We all crowded around the stove to watch impatiently as the tea steeped. Then, after adding a little cream, we each had a steaming mug of liquid joy. Finally!

It honestly didn’t take very long for the mood-boosting qualities of nutmeg to kick in, and we all started feeling like we might actually make it through the day. All too soon we finished our mugs, with even the kids drinking the dregs so as not to waste a single drop. As I was cleaning up the mess, I read the rest of the recipe article and down at the end, you know, where everyone puts the disclaimers, it said that nutmeg tea is not to be drunk by pregnant women.

To be completely honest, I got a little miffed at that. I mean, who were they to tell me I couldn’t drink this wonderful, mood-saving potion? I had just discovered a cheaper, tastier alternative to coffee—a rare thing in the world of budget-friendly life hacks—and now, apparently, it was a forbidden elixir of doom because I was pregnant. Of all the nerve!

So I started researching to see if nutmeg was harmful to pregnant women. The first five or so articles all said that nutmeg in excess was indeed harmful but didn’t give any reasons why or even explain what they meant by excess. Finally, I found an article that said nutmeg contains something called “myristicin,” which can cause nausea, hallucinations, and in the worst cases, miscarriage. Well, there went that excellent idea. Now the day felt worse than ever. I stared at my empty mug, mourning the loss of what could have been my new morning ritual. With a sigh, I determined not to let the day completely unravel and decided I needed to find something—anything—to lift the mood again.

That’s when I noticed them. Not one, not even two, but three little bursts of unexpected joy.

The day before, while shopping, we found that the cut flower arrangements were all one dollar. So I grabbed three and put them in vases around the office area. When I say vases, I mean my style of vases. One beautiful bouquet was in a glass pitcher, and the others looked stunning in two vintage silver-plated ornate footed teapots. They might have seemed inconsequential to some, but I love flowers and beautiful things and even knowing I had managed to arrange them so nicely helped. I made sure I noticed them every time I walked past my desk for the rest of the day.

And just like that, the day took a turn for the better. Did the washer magically fix itself? No. Was everyone else in a more encouraged mood? Again, no. But I realized that having a “good” day or a “bad” day was not based on circumstances but on my choices. How I reacted to frustrating things made the difference in how the day went.

That was honestly pretty eye-opening. I knew it in my head, but knowing a thing and putting the thing into action are two very different things. Intentionally choosing to have a good day regardless seems to go a long way toward making any day work smoothly.

Two verses from my devotions that morning really stood out and helped me keep my focus where it should be as well. I had just started the book of Psalms and the fifth chapter ends with these two beautiful verses.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.

For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield. –Psalms 5:11, 12

By taking these verses to heart, I found joy in God’s loving care—even when circumstances offered little else to be thankful for. And God’s blessings are an awful lot to be grateful for. Tim and I often try to run through every blessing we can think of. In just the ten years we’ve been married the number is staggering.

At the end of the day, nothing about my circumstances had really changed. The pipes were still frozen, the washer still wasn’t working, and we were still coffee-less. But my perspective had shifted. Instead of focusing on the inconveniences, I had chosen to focus on the little joys—flowers on my desk, a warm wood stove, and the simple fact that despite the chaos, we were making it through.

Life on the homestead (and life in general) isn’t always smooth sailing. But I’m learning that joy isn’t found in perfect circumstances—it’s found in gratitude, in choosing to see God’s goodness even when things don’t go as planned. And hey, if nothing else, at least I got a great story out of it.

May 8, 2025
Homestead Dreams

Hello Again!

Taking up just under half an acre in Southwest Indiana, Tim and I are still in the early stages of building our homestead. If you’re like me, you might see a homesteading family on YouTube or read a blog post and assume they must have grown up as country kids. But that’s not always the case! Tim spent his childhood in various cities across the United States, and I grew up in a closely packed neighborhood in Japan—so neither of us had a traditional country upbringing. However, at heart, where it truly matters, we both feel a deep connection to nature and the homesteading lifestyle.

Over our ten years of marriage, Tim and I have developed a deep longing to return to a simpler, more self-sufficient way of living—one that echoes the past. Progress has often been slow and measured, but we hold tightly to our vision of creating a thriving homestead.

Today, we share our property with Tim’s elderly father and disabled sister, making this homestead not just a place of growth but also a home filled with family. While there is some existing infrastructure, much of what we envision will be built from the ground up.

The property itself is shaped like a triangle, bordered on one side by train tracks and on the other by a quiet dirt road, frequented by turkey and deer. A small stand of white pines adds a touch of charm to the landscape. Originally, Tim’s parents and younger sister bought the land, settling into the doublewide trailer that came with it. As our own family grew, my mother-in-law encouraged us to build a home here, hoping to keep us all close. We had plans in motion, but heartbreakingly, she passed away before we could even break ground.

Now, we are living in the house we built—a home filled with love, determination, and a story of faith and miracles that I’ll have to share another time. There is still much work to be done before it’s truly finished, but moving in last October before the cold hit was a huge milestone for us.

We were recently given some used rabbit hutches, and after a bit of repair work, we’re gearing up to welcome our first small flock of meat rabbits. Raising rabbits will be a new experience for us, but we’re excited about the possibilities—both for sustainable meat production and for their rich compost contributions to our garden. We’re researching the best feeding practices, housing setups, and breeding cycles to ensure we provide them with a healthy, well-maintained space.

Meanwhile, progress is coming along on our duck and chicken enclosure, though we still have a lot to do—especially building the coop itself. The area we’ve designated for the birds has a small creek running through it, which will provide a natural water source, particularly for the ducks. We’re planning to dig out part of the creekbed a bit deeper, creating a more reliable water source year-round. To keep our feathered friends contained and safe from predators, we’re considering anchoring chicken wire into the streambed, ensuring that they can enjoy the water without wandering too far.

Tim’s dad planted a few small fruit trees, and we’re now taking over their care, hoping that with time and attention, we’ll see some fruits from our labors. Literally. It’s a simple but meaningful part of our homestead—one that connects us to the past while nourishing our future.

A large garage on the property currently serves as a storage space, filled with Tim’s dad’s tools, extra supplies, and shelves stocked with Tim’s eBay inventory. Nearby, a small cinder block foundation sits waiting for its purpose—originally intended to house goats, though every time we revisit the idea, we find ourselves considering something different. Perhaps it will become a feed storage area, a workshop, or even a small greenhouse. Plans evolve as our needs change, and for now, it remains a blank slate waiting for inspiration.

Another small shed is set aside for garden storage, a space that will soon be filled with shovels, seed trays, and bags of compost as we prepare for the growing season.

Overseeing it all is our ever-vigilant German Shepherd, Willow. With sharp eyes and a keen sense of duty, she takes her job as protector seriously—alerting us to every visitor, whether it’s a squirrel scurrying by or a delivery driver pulling up. She’s not just our guard dog; she’s a beloved part of our homestead, always eager to be a part of everything we do.

Each step forward comes with its share of challenges—learning what works, what doesn’t, and how to adapt. Homesteading requires patience, creativity, and perseverance, but the rewards are worth it. With time, effort, and a fair bit of trial and error, we’re slowly shaping a thriving setup that will provide eggs, meat, and natural fertilizer for our growing homestead. We dream of expanding even further—adding goats, bees, and more fruit trees—gradually creating a space that not only sustains our family but enriches our lives. The road ahead is long, but every small step brings us closer to the dream we’re building together. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this journey!

Homestead Hilarity

Trying to casually hint that he wanted some, 2-year-old Micah did his best to read the yogurt container. “It says, ‘All good kids should get yogurt.’”

May 5, 2025
Meeting The Family

Hello, dear readers and new friends!

Welcome to my blog—a little part of my life where I’ll be sharing everything from funny stories and family adventures to the lessons we’re learning along the way. Along with my husband and our ever-growing crew of six kids (soon to be seven come July!), we’ve got lots to share! I’ve always loved storytelling. As our family grows and we embrace homesteading, I felt called to document our journey—not just for us, but for anyone who might find encouragement, inspiration, or even just a good laugh along the way.

Here, you can expect a blend of heartwarming recipes, honest reflections on biblically raising a big family, and stories from our day-to-day journey. Some posts will be lighthearted and fun, while others might get a little deeper. But my hope is that something here will resonate with you—whether it sparks a smile, inspires you to try something new, or simply makes you feel a little more connected to the crazy, beautiful journey we’re all on.

I’m so honored to have you along for the trip. Let’s dive into life’s joys, challenges, and flavors together!

I’d love for you to meet the people who make this homestead feel like home. I’m not sure if there’s a correct or best way to do this, so I’ll just start.

Tim

At the head of the family is Tim. He’s 29 years old and runs an eBay business from his basement office. What started as a fun side hobby quickly became our family’s livelihood when sickness suddenly changed everything.

In a matter of days, Tim went from being completely independent to needing a wheelchair, unable to button his shirts or cut his food. The shift was overwhelming, but in the middle of it all, we watched God move in miraculous ways to provide for us. What started as a side project on eBay was soon our only source of income. We are incredibly thankful for his complete healing last February.

Now, his shop focuses on ceramic slip molds, keeping him busy all week (and sometimes even on Saturdays!).

Tim enjoys reading, gardening, researching things that spark his curiosity, cooking, working with his hands, and teaching the older children. He may seem like the quiet, serious type at first, but don’t be fooled—his sense of humor keeps the kids rolling their eyes as they try to hide their smiles.

Rachel (Me!)

Older than Tim by nine months, I like to think of myself as the voice of maturity in the family. Or not.

I’m the second of four girls and somehow ended up with a slightly sarcastic personality that thrives on making people laugh. A born storyteller, my imagination has a mind of its own, which isn’t always helpful when you’re a full-time stay-at-home mom. Let your mind wander for too long, and—boom!—chaos unfolds in a blink!

According to my family, I have a knack for cooking and baking, and judging by the lack of leftovers, I’d say they’re right.

I’m also passionate about foraging and using herbs for natural remedies. There’s still so much to learn, but I get a thrill every time I can use “weeds” from the yard or essential oils to care for our physical ailments instead of relying on medicine. It’s incredible to discover all the healing plants God has provided for us!

My next big adventure? Helping Tim get our homestead off the ground.

Micah (9 years old)

Micah’s mind and mouth rarely stop running, and he devours books the way some kids do candy. He loves helping and working with Tim, is fascinated by taking things apart, and—thankfully—is learning how to put them back together, too! It’s hard to pin down Micah’s exact interests because he wants to learn about everything. His zest for life is both inspiring to watch and exhausting to keep up with.

Alayna (8 years old)

Our blue-eyed bundle of energy, Alayna, has a warm, bubbly personality and is always looking for ways to help—whether in the kitchen or with her younger siblings. Her love for gardening runs deep, and she jumps at any chance to tend to the plants. She also seems to have inherited her daddy’s quick wit and she’s learning to dish it back just as well as she gets it!

Micah and Alayna seem to be locked in a never-ending contest to see who can read the most. At this point, there’s no clear winner!

Kaitlynn (6 years old)

Kaitlynn is our go-getter with a face full of freckles and a giggle always at the ready. She does her best to keep up with the older two and is determined to be big, taking on tasks that often require a little ingenuity to finish. If I need something cleaned, Kaitlynn is the first to roll up her sleeves and dive in—no hesitation, just pure enthusiasm. She has a huge love for animals and is eagerly awaiting the arrival of our rabbits, ducks, and chickens.

Harold (5 years old)

Harold could hardly wait for March when he could turn that “measly” 4 into a great big 5. As the self-proclaimed clown of the family, Harold keeps life interesting! Lately, he’s been testing the waters with some bigger-kid jobs, like helping with dishes and hauling wood. Though he may not move as fast as Micah, Harold is his own person through and through, always holding his own opinions. He is far more likely to do his own thing rather than simply follow the crowd.

Elsie (3 years old)

Elsie proudly announces to everyone that she’s “free” now (she means three). With a head full of bouncy blonde curls, she throws herself enthusiastically into everything—including eating and teaming up with Harold to make plenty of noise. She loves snuggling, coloring, and “helping” the others with their chores. She’s also working on learning her letters and numbers and already enjoys “reading” alongside her older siblings.

Niel (2 years old)

For now, Niel is the baby of the family—at least until July! He’s a happy little guy, always eager for new adventures. With his growing vocabulary and deep love for playing with his siblings, he’s quickly finding his place in our lively family dynamic.

Thank you for taking the time to meet our family! I hope you stick around as we share more about our homesteading journey, the projects we take on, and the lessons we learn along the way. If you’d like, drop a comment and introduce yourself—I’d love to hear from you!

April 28, 2025