| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Colleen Easlon |
Posted - Dec 09 2010 : 2:34:22 PM
If I could build my dream home, it would be a self sustaining homestead. With enough land to grow wheats, grains, and enough food, to be completely self sufficient. Cattle and pigs for meat, sheep for wool, goats for milk, and horses and donkeys for transportation and plowing.
I would have a couple of houses set up for people to live in, who are in need of help and/or interested in the same goal. Though there would be no electricity, and just a well & creek for water.
Each person would have different interests they'd like to pursue like; bee keeping, gardening, metal working, cooking, carpentry, medicinal herbs, etc.
This is my lifetime dream. 
Colleen |
| 22 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| montanafarmgirl |
Posted - Jan 19 2011 : 07:34:05 AM
Oh Emily...that is such a beautiful dress...where did you get the pattern?
Farmgirl Blessings
Farmgirl # 2554
Vickie |
| alterationsbyemily |
Posted - Jan 14 2011 : 4:13:20 PM
Colleen, I was surfing through some historial plans trying to get ideas for my dream home and I found this book for FREE on Google Books http://books.google.com/books?id=b_gEAAAAYAAJ&pg=PT5&dq=villa+designs&hl=en&ei=eeQwTfiaNcOC8gbEvv3sCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CFoQ6AEwCTge#v=onepage&q=villa%20designs&f=false Its all about small houses, the book dates to 1800 so lets talk simple living!
As for Pregnancy dresses I have made only one so far its an 1850 wrapper (robe) it ties in the front and is expandable for new bellies. Doing the tours I needed a dress that was period. There is a short corset built into the top of it so things now are a bit more "lifted" than the picture.
Edit:
So I was pondering around online and found this neat site http://twinoaks.org/ it is a self sufficient community and you can go for tours and overnighters to experience it. Always best when starting something like this is probably to go and experience it somewhere else.
--
See my custom costumes, download free patterns, and hear some spook EVPs from Gettysburg, PA on my site, www.alterationsbyemily.com |
| Colleen Easlon |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 5:59:53 PM
Emily the dress is gorgeous. I thought I'd use the time while I was pregnant a few years ago, to make a dress for my daughter. I make quilts, so I thought it would be relatively simple. Boy was I wrong. I ended up becoming frustrated, and unable to complete the project. I admire your talent, it's just wonderful. |
| alterationsbyemily |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 5:21:09 PM
Could I reserve the dress shop?!
Seriously, that is the most wonderful idea in the world to have a selfsufficient community (down with the WallyWorld!). Its a great dream....
--
See my custom costumes, download free patterns, and hear some spook EVPs from Gettysburg, PA on my site, www.alterationsbyemily.com |
| Colleen Easlon |
Posted - Jan 02 2011 : 7:41:45 PM
Thank you Sherrye,
I just moved from Redmond 2 years ago. Loved the area. Because of the economy, we had to move close to family. So glad to meet you.
Colleen |
| missgive |
Posted - Jan 01 2011 : 10:05:01 AM
We moved onto our land and are finishing the addition to our cabin here in the mountains in July 2010. Working on our compost for next Spring's BIG garden. That is also when we will build our chicken house and enclosure (to keep them safe from predators up here - but it will be a BIG enclosure for our 6 chicks - eggs is what we want). I started preserving and canning foods this summer and will do more next. We have a local country store who carries the produce of local growers, most of which is organic. We have electric our own well and I work to pay the bills, but we are working to be as independent as possible. We started our orchard planting last Spring and will continue more this year - plums, pears and blueberries as well as blackberries. You can do this - just take one step at a time and don't let yourself get overwhelmed with the details! Basics first. I eventually want to build one of the platform tents down below us for our adult kids to stay in when they visit....best wishes for success....
Kim (aka missgive)
Proud Farmgirl Sister #927
A Farmgirl Sister who made it to my mountain home and farm! |
| sherrye |
Posted - Jan 01 2011 : 08:16:47 AM
howdy farmgirls, i just popped in to read this great thread. wow welcome to you new farmgirls. what fun this MJF is. yipee i have a new oregon farmgirl. colleen i am in central or. redmond. lets be farmgirl buddies and share and teach eachother. i just love all the fruit that grows in your area. i grew up in coos bay. we also have jewel in bend. then in your neck of the woods their is patti ann and her daughter sabrina. they are setting up a web site to sell farmgirl products. wow lets talk farm. welcome to all you new ones. looking forward to knowing you better. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| Colleen Easlon |
Posted - Dec 30 2010 : 10:22:21 PM
Hi Karen,
My first step actually was in interest in medicinal herbs. My husband built me a cold frame from wood we found laying around and clear plastic I bought from the hardware store. He built a 15' wide, x 4' deep, x 41/2' high. We were able to make this for 65.00. I then started with basic herbs like chamomile, angelica, wormwood, basil, mint, catnip, etc. Then we got chickens, they are easy to maintain, and don't take a ton of room. I visited neighbors who had large gardens, and volunteered to help them with their gardening, and in return learned a lot from them. I learn easier from doing than reading lol. Then started doing experiments on easy, cheap things like making candles, and canning. We have a lot of wild blackberries, huckleberries, raspberries & wild strawberries that grow around here, so I spent a lot of time picking this summer and making jams, jellies & syrups. Most of the information I learned was from ehow.com. Still have a lot of projects to learn but am having a lot of fun, doing so. Hope this helps, and good luck with your projects. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.
Colleen |
| Room To Grow |
Posted - Dec 30 2010 : 3:12:13 PM
That is what I am planning for. I am not sure when that would happen. I hope that I wont be to old to keep up with all the chores. A dream and a hope that the Lord will provide what we all wish and dream for.
Deborah
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
| Lady Woodworker |
Posted - Dec 29 2010 : 1:32:23 PM
Dear Colleen,
You said, "I have been researching and practicing self sustainability for 5 years now. I still have a lot to learn but it has been an interesting and exciting adventure so far."
How did you begin? I live on a small patch of land (1 3/4 acres) and don't know where to start. I have a small garden with some room for expansion. I won't be able to have many animals here but could grow more of my own food and maybe could work toward utilizing solar and/or wind power.
What were your first steps toward self-sustainability?
Echoing someone else in this thread--I too require electricity.
Thanks for your advice and thanks to all for sharing your wealth of experience,
Karen
Farmgirl Sister # 2419 |
| Rejena |
Posted - Dec 29 2010 : 06:14:11 AM
I really wish we had a wrap-around porch...that is one thing we are still working on. We have a 1/2 of a wrap-around. Maybe in the next 10 year's we'll go the whole way round. I so LOVE being able to run all the way around the house! Miss it!
We've got the farm dream...almost....our animals are at my father's barn two miles away....BUT.....we just ordered the first fencing set for OUR HOUSE! That means...all the males goats are moving to our house NEXT WEEK! I can barely stand it...I am so excited. That means we are well on our way to getting our animals up where they belong.. HERE! It will make our lives so much easier when everyone is living up here...that is almost 70 animals to build shelters for and move, but will be SO WORTH IT! We are going to move all goats first (that is 30 right now.) and then work on building the poultry homes. Problem with them is: BIRD DOGS...we have 4 of them that are NOT trained to NOT eat the birds. Big disappointment, but the right electric fence will teach them in a quick fashion!
Anyhow...Keep dreaming, planning, goal setting, and saving. IT WILL HAPPEN!
Rejena
quote:
Originally posted by tatersgirl913
So yeah - I'm in! Although I think I'd like to have electricity. We have 5 acres and we're working toward our dream place. We stared with a small garden this past year and plan on adding more. I'd like to eventually grow most of what we'd need. The rest I'd buy locally.
Our next step is chickens both for meat and eggs. I'd then like to have maybe some goats or sheep so that we can pasture the chickens.
Our current house is from the early 1900's an is very small -I'd add on and have a wrap around porch. A partially fenced in yard for the dogs and the little one....ahhhh!
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;.." Jer 1:5a
Motherhood is a sweet, sweet moment that lasts an eternity and an eternity that lasts but a moment.
www.violetacresfarm.com
"Kid Run Boer Goat Farm" |
| vintagecon |
Posted - Dec 16 2010 : 08:03:52 AM
now that, sherry, is dreaming. we would make you the best kitchen/herb garden in the universe!
"To thine own self be true." will shakespeare |
| chicken necker |
Posted - Dec 15 2010 : 8:22:17 PM
Want a chef? 
FarmGirl Sister #123
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| vintagecon |
Posted - Dec 15 2010 : 6:01:07 PM
i'm happy to see so many of us sharing the same dream. my dream has always included a big house or two for folks who need a place to live to come and learn and share. i too, would like to use wind or water for electricity, but also dream sometimes of doing without. i started my own version of "living off the grid," at least the laundry room grid. i live in an apartment and started doing my laundry by hand and using my own detergent. it's a small start, but it helps to do smaller things that make me feel like i'm at least starting down that road to my dream farm. like turning off the lights and using candles and lamps. and raising veggies and herbs on my balcony. dream on, farmgirls, i'm going to pray that each one of you realize those dreams.
"To thine own self be true." will shakespeare |
| tatersgirl913 |
Posted - Dec 15 2010 : 10:58:26 AM
So yeah - I'm in! Although I think I'd like to have electricity. We have 5 acres and we're working toward our dream place. We stared with a small garden this past year and plan on adding more. I'd like to eventually grow most of what we'd need. The rest I'd buy locally.
Our next step is chickens both for meat and eggs. I'd then like to have maybe some goats or sheep so that we can pasture the chickens.
Our current house is from the early 1900's an is very small -I'd add on and have a wrap around porch. A partially fenced in yard for the dogs and the little one....ahhhh!
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;.." Jer 1:5a
Motherhood is a sweet, sweet moment that lasts an eternity and an eternity that lasts but a moment.
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| Ann2144 |
Posted - Dec 11 2010 : 8:50:15 PM
Colleen, I think a lot of farmgirls would "like" to make something happen, or daydream about it, but very few really ever "do" it. There are some who actually have farms, and we envy those greatly, then there are the rest of us, like you and I, who don't have enough by ourselves to make it happen but would really like to. Good luck on your grant, are you applying as an educating facility?. We are looking here in the northwest. I found 10 acres here in Washington, in a great area, if God wants it to happen we will find the perfect family or couple to go in on it with us.
Love Each Other
Ann Farmgirl #2144 |
| Colleen Easlon |
Posted - Dec 11 2010 : 8:07:04 PM
That is a great idea Ann. I have been researching and practicing self sustainability for 5 years now. I still have a lot to learn but it has been an interesting and exciting adventure so far. Unfortunately we only have a limited amount set aside so far so it will be quite a few years before we accomplish our goal of buying our dream property. Though we are interested in the Weaverville area in CA. and; are currently researching grants to see if we can make this dream possible and help out others either in need or wanting to learn. I'll keep you posted if this happens. |
| Ann2144 |
Posted - Dec 11 2010 : 3:18:56 PM
Are any of you girls doing something towards this besides dreaming of it? Do any of you have goals to make it happen? My husband and I are going to start Saving half of my income this next year towards doing this very thing. We are going to make sacrifices to make it happen. We would like to know of other people who want to make the commitment with us so we can make it happen together.
Love Each Other
Ann Farmgirl #2144 |
| Simply Ann |
Posted - Dec 11 2010 : 2:48:47 PM
Count me in too, this is what I dream of also. I will cook, bake, clean, garden and make rugs. Also think sun and wind power is the way to go.
There is no set path, follow your heart stay the course. |
| Annika |
Posted - Dec 10 2010 : 3:22:34 PM
Oh please add me too! It is just what I want! Very close anyway...maybe in my dream farm we would use wind and sun for power ...Oh ! But I would love to live on your dream farm!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Palouse Prairie Girls Chapter
http://palouseprairiegirls.blogspot.com/
http://prairiegirlsjournal.blogspot.com/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| Ann2144 |
Posted - Dec 10 2010 : 3:19:08 PM
ME TOO!!!! me too!!! Can we three do it together?
Love Each Other
Ann Farmgirl #2144 |
| amomfly |
Posted - Dec 09 2010 : 6:22:50 PM
I love it, very close to mine!
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
