I love a homemade life too! Its such a miracle to start a tiny seed and see it mature into a huge plant. My friend asked me why I planted 30 tomato plants and I told him, "Because I can." It brings such joy to witness God's abundance and blessings. We have to pay attention or it passes us by without notice. What a tragedy to pass through life without appreciation of the beauty all around us.
This has been my manifesto for the last several years. I had a similar experience during the pandemic -- I think a lot of us did! Church around a bonfire, more dinner parties and game nights than ever before, honing skills and smelling flowers. Your words are inspiring and I really enjoyed reading this. :)
Your words make me smile, Emma! It’s joyful to know that so many people had a similar experience - that’s how culture gradually shifts. All the experiences I wrote of occurred while I was living in a rented city apartment without a garden. I now live in the countryside but interestingly my life didn’t change significantly - the homemade life can be lived in any environment.
I find myself moving toward this type of lifestyle as much as I can now. I've started using only red lights (Himalayan salt lamps) and beeswax candles to light my home every night once the sun sets. The effect has been absolutely magical for me. I realized how absolutely disconnected from REALITY my daily life is. Fake wood, fake lights, fake food. I'm trying my best to start encountering the REAL again as much as possible, but I'm at the beginning of my journey.
How did you make such a big transition when you started? How did you learn to make medicines from plants, forage, etc. etc.? Did you escape your regular job? How, and still afford to live? Where do you find time? Did it take an absolute reorganization of your entire life at one moment, or did it happen gradually?
Right now I'm just now starting to learn to garden vegetables, dehydrate food, make things from scratch, etc. But I work a full-time job and have a toddler. I'm doing stuff from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. I want to live as you've described, but I'm quite lost on how to really start given the demands of life. Any tips or wisdom is greatly appreciated :)
I was nibbling on huckleberry flowers and cedar tips camping/hiking near Baker quite recently. So pleased to encounter your inspiring reflections via Peco and Ruth.
A local also seeking to live an unconformed life! Im so glad you’re here David. Welcome! The top photo was taken in the Baker wilderness at Aster Butte.
Hi Alissa, thank you for sharing this with me. There is so much deep truth in your words. A homemade life, acknowledging the Creator in everything we do, is the deepest peace I have ever experienced.
Have you come across Slowdown Farmstead here on substack. I am a paid subscriber of Tara’s. I think her words and essays have had the greatest impact on my life in the past 4 years.
I hope we cross paths more and more in our homemade lives.
Thank you for reading Diana! I have a sense our paths are going to cross more. I have read slowdown farmstead (although not for awhile). Tara had wonderful insight.
Deep, happy sigh. "While the human world had been shut off to everything except what they deemed “essential,” Mother Nature kept right on going with her birthing, rebirthing, blooming, buzzing, growing, flowing, flowering, and serenading. She beckoned me to join her. Unknowingly, I did. And found my humanity." Yes, yes. Thank you.
I love a homemade life too! Its such a miracle to start a tiny seed and see it mature into a huge plant. My friend asked me why I planted 30 tomato plants and I told him, "Because I can." It brings such joy to witness God's abundance and blessings. We have to pay attention or it passes us by without notice. What a tragedy to pass through life without appreciation of the beauty all around us.
Tragedy is the correct word indeed.
Gorgeous! Inspirational!
This has been my manifesto for the last several years. I had a similar experience during the pandemic -- I think a lot of us did! Church around a bonfire, more dinner parties and game nights than ever before, honing skills and smelling flowers. Your words are inspiring and I really enjoyed reading this. :)
Your words make me smile, Emma! It’s joyful to know that so many people had a similar experience - that’s how culture gradually shifts. All the experiences I wrote of occurred while I was living in a rented city apartment without a garden. I now live in the countryside but interestingly my life didn’t change significantly - the homemade life can be lived in any environment.
I heartily agree! It's a heart posture and perspective that transcends place.
I find myself moving toward this type of lifestyle as much as I can now. I've started using only red lights (Himalayan salt lamps) and beeswax candles to light my home every night once the sun sets. The effect has been absolutely magical for me. I realized how absolutely disconnected from REALITY my daily life is. Fake wood, fake lights, fake food. I'm trying my best to start encountering the REAL again as much as possible, but I'm at the beginning of my journey.
How did you make such a big transition when you started? How did you learn to make medicines from plants, forage, etc. etc.? Did you escape your regular job? How, and still afford to live? Where do you find time? Did it take an absolute reorganization of your entire life at one moment, or did it happen gradually?
Right now I'm just now starting to learn to garden vegetables, dehydrate food, make things from scratch, etc. But I work a full-time job and have a toddler. I'm doing stuff from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. I want to live as you've described, but I'm quite lost on how to really start given the demands of life. Any tips or wisdom is greatly appreciated :)
I love your questions and I'm going to answer them in a private message! Thank you for reaching out Ren :-)
Thanks for taking the time to answer my barrage of questions :)
I was nibbling on huckleberry flowers and cedar tips camping/hiking near Baker quite recently. So pleased to encounter your inspiring reflections via Peco and Ruth.
A local also seeking to live an unconformed life! Im so glad you’re here David. Welcome! The top photo was taken in the Baker wilderness at Aster Butte.
This was absolutely beautiful 🌿
I'm glad you enjoyed it :-)
I love this article! Very inspiring and just perfect!
I'm so glad it was inspiring :-)
Hi Alissa, thank you for sharing this with me. There is so much deep truth in your words. A homemade life, acknowledging the Creator in everything we do, is the deepest peace I have ever experienced.
Have you come across Slowdown Farmstead here on substack. I am a paid subscriber of Tara’s. I think her words and essays have had the greatest impact on my life in the past 4 years.
I hope we cross paths more and more in our homemade lives.
Thank you for reading Diana! I have a sense our paths are going to cross more. I have read slowdown farmstead (although not for awhile). Tara had wonderful insight.
Deep, happy sigh. "While the human world had been shut off to everything except what they deemed “essential,” Mother Nature kept right on going with her birthing, rebirthing, blooming, buzzing, growing, flowing, flowering, and serenading. She beckoned me to join her. Unknowingly, I did. And found my humanity." Yes, yes. Thank you.
Yes yes! And now you're living closer to the earth too and braving the heat in the Arizona summer. Wow!
It was amazing, edifying, strengthening, and too hot! I won’t do it again like this, but I’m glad I did.