Cute story: I’ve been following you guys for a few years and kept trying to get my husband on my bandwagon but he rolled his eyes (a lot). So when we moved to Arkansas last year we bought property that we didn’t necessarily have to do anything with (I am still crossing my fingers). Tonight my husband tells me “I know you watch all these Homestead/prepper videos but I found this prepper woman who is doing it the right way”. He goes on to tell me all these things that this woman says and does and I’m like “I agree, who is this person?” It took him a bit to find the “woman prepper” and says “here, this is who you should be watching”. I take his iPad and guess who it was? You, Carolyn. I said “yes I know who that is, it’s Carolyn from the Homesteading Family out of Bonner’s Ferry Idaho. I told you all about them when we were in Oregon.” ( 🙄 My turn to roll my eyes now). I hope watching you guys changes his mind. I just went through cancer surgery a few weeks ago and will go through chemo and radiation in a couple more weeks and want to get into better eating habits. I feel that in order to do that we need to be growing a lot of our on veggies and fruits at least. I know I’ll get through this stronger than ever so I have it in me. Thanks for inspiring my husband, Carolyn. ❤️❤️❤️

@HomesteadingFamily

2 жыл бұрын

That is a great story! Thank you for sharing! Many prayers for a speedy and complete recovery! ❤️

@juliabrown5948

2 жыл бұрын

I love this so much and it's what I pray for my husband. We are still in Oregon ourselves, and live on a large family hazelnut orchard (so yay for land and family but boo for being in Oregon and family not interested in diversifying into growing crops/having animals) but sadly my husband does not have the desire to homestead. I love reading this comment and am praying for you! I too am a cancer survivor.

@catherinecunningham7126

2 жыл бұрын

@@juliabrown5948 we moved from Aurora, Oregon. Are you close to there?

@catherinecunningham7126

2 жыл бұрын

@J Hemphill Ha ha ha, no one brow beats my husband, he does what he wants to do hence the not homesteading comment. He thought he was steering me in the right direction only to find out that we were both there following The Homestead Family. I don’t believe cancer makes me righteous but I could use some healing prayers and I know Josh and Carolyn are believers along with many of their subscribers. Praying for you too J Hemphill.

@mistyhamblen649

2 жыл бұрын

Catherine I finished my surgery, chemo, and radiation last year (breast cancer). It was was definitely a roller coaster but the Lord got me through it He spoke to me all the way! May I give some words of wisdom in love! Do small things that you can manage as you go and grow through this season. Some moments I had the energy to do stuff and many other days I had no energy at all. Give your self grace and be patient with yourself! Grow something pretty so you can go look at it on the the bad days. I don't have a farm but I have some chickens and a small garden in a neighborhood and I'm learning lots while I wait for a bigger piece of property! Lord touch Catherine's body and give her healing! May she recieve Your peace and know that you will care for her and her family, that You are trust worthy, oh God! Also give her the desire of her heart of wanting a homestead if that be your will! I pray all this in Jesus's name !

The joy of eating a meal, entirely grown on your own farm, is something else that's hard to express to those who don't grow their own!

Nr. 2 resonated the most with me. So my tip for every beginner is to buy a big freezer chest. Because there is nothing more frustrating then spending a whole day harvesting your garden bounty in the scorching sun, and then watch it turn bad on the kitchen counter because you were too exhausted to can it. I learned the hard way 😢. Keep what you can eat fresh and put everything else in the freezer and rest. You can cook that tomato sauce when you have the time or you can organize some help (invite your best friend and cook their favourite sauces too!) Learn your gardening in season, canning in winter. One step at a time. I wish everybody great success 🌞

@loygreen

2 жыл бұрын

Wow ! Thank you! I have been trying to figure out how not to do this again. God bless You for sharing !!!

@rayyg786

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, totally!..my dad is a Wine grower, very busy in summer. He lives in a great climate and Always plants a garden. That practically grows by itself. On weekends he harvests, washes, blanches if necessary, puts in freezer bags and freezes everything. He has tons of fruit, Tomatos, beans and polenta and other in his freezer all year round and uses it up slowly. He lives alone and every part of the process is reduced to maximal simplicity, including the cooking. Not in the spirit of "prepping" since you do rely on electricity to conserve your food, but the most practial and easy.

@cherylanon5791

2 жыл бұрын

Instead of a single giant freezer, get 2 or 3 smaller ones; easier to move them and find space for them, and if one goes out you haven't lost everything.

@bren8652

2 жыл бұрын

Don't forget dehydrating as well, minimal prep and the machine does the rest.

Completely agree with responsibility. I find it mind boggling that so many students I teach have zero chores at home, it is almost all. I find that responsibility also helps teach resilience and homesteading is an amazing method to teach resilience without explicitly teaching it. Whereas I have to teach my students resilience because children these days just aren't resilient.

That which is easy, is seldom excellent That which is excellent, is seldom easy

Thanks for keeping things real. This is very insightful. I used to like watching cottage core videos and after I started homesteading I quickly realized how deceiving those videos are. Working with nature is a constant struggle and not as bucolic or as aesthetic as it may appear on certain channels. This is why I’m glad I found your channel, although I do wish I found it sooner as I would’ve been more prepared for my homesteading journey. Your videos keep me motivated though so I’m very grateful for your uploads. Thank you. 🙏

@Melshed

2 жыл бұрын

Had to pull out the dictionary for bucolic. Good word, now I have to use it and impress me kids 🤣

@CassieDavis613

2 жыл бұрын

Kaia, so true!

Try not to wait until you are too old (different for everyone). My husband & I waited until we retired. Oh, how I wish that we had done this 20 years ago!!!

Excellent, Carolyn. Homesteading has ruined "going out" for a meal for us. First to go? Breakfast. Factory eggs have no flavor compared to home-grown eggs.

I tell my students to set an alarm to work on their courses for at least 15 minutes (to ensure some progress). I was so glad to hear you talk about the same thing on a homestead. Battles are sometimes won 15 minutes at a time. It's about keeping on, not conquering everything all at once. Thank you for sharing!

It would be so nice to join your kitchen classes and learn homesteading skills. I did join another homesteading membership group last year and it cost everything I was able to save for the last two years. Frankly we being in our seventies and living on a pension is very difficult these days. It has always been my dream to have a small farm like my grandparents had, and now that I’m older it’s probably too late to start. The ten things you wished you had known prior to homesteading, I agree with. I could add that knowing to start while young, and making sure your spouse was on the same page would also be a good idea. I do have ten chickens two gardens and a small orchard I planted four years ago, and will have to realize my homestead dream with that. It keeps me plenty busy. Thank you for your KZread videos, they are so helpful. Blessings, Janet

@darlenechaney6989

2 жыл бұрын

I'm 67 and just starting. I retired from trucking and moved to MO ( no family here 😊 ) to try living in the country and gardening.

@reneebulkley1333

2 жыл бұрын

I also took a Cold and Flu Class from here. It was pricey for a few recipes that can be found on the tube. I enjoyed it and wanted to take the Bread Class but, couldn't afford both classes.

"A little bit every day goes a really long way. It's actually more powerful to spend a few minutes a day doing something than to do it all in one big rush." Thank you, you've changed my life!! God bless you.

Homesteading is very hard but very rewarding

I think I’d rather put that physical labor, time, energy, etc into my own life than that plus the added and multiplied stress of the mainstream food/hospitality/retail industries today. This lifestyle is so damn appealing.

I fermented pickles yesterday. My homegrown cucumbers, dill, garlic and grape leaves. That same size jar of pickles went from about $4 to over $9 at the grocery store. Mine cost me pennies for the sea salt and water and for me my labor is free. Yes, it's a lot of work but the satisfaction is overwhelming. Others buy cars and TVs. I buy/build chicken coops, sheds and seeds! 😆

Number 4 is a big one for me. I read a great book called "The Slight Edge" that really clarifies how effective the concept of being consistent with the little things everyday can really be.

@justyna.1979

2 жыл бұрын

Read that book and loved the concept! Thank you for the reminder 😀

@Romans828girl

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the recommendation. I just requested it from my library.

@letsgrowtexas7391

2 жыл бұрын

This is a GREAT BOOK written by Eric Worre. I met him in Utah. I need to re read it, as life has gotten a bit more complicated now.

@Romans828girl

2 жыл бұрын

@@letsgrowtexas7391 I love your user name! I'm a Texas girl, and I miss home so much. Every reference to God's Country makes me smile!

You & your family will be the people that save Western civilization.. 🙏🏻💪🙏🏻

While the goals of individual homesteaders are as varied as individual snowflakes, your point on importance of infrastructure cannot be overstated. We’ve had our little farm for almost 30 years, which by definition means I was a lot younger when we started than I am now. Good reliable lower maintenance and well sited infrastructure lightens the load significantly and is essential to keeping things going as you age. Doing upgrades every year is important in your younger years, since maintaining your independence in later years depends on having an efficient operation. Some simple things like running power and water to out buildings makes life so much easier and really aren’t hard or expensive to do when establishing a homestead, but are more of a pain to add once you’ve laid out gardens, driveways, whatever that would be in the way later……and hauling buckets of water for the livestock gets old well before you do. Similarly the adage of working from dawn to dusk is way optimistic. Homesteading is a 24/7/365 commitment to your livestock and family. While working by lantern may seem reasonable, turning on an overhead light is much nicer and considerably safer. Just as each season involves getting ready for the next one, aging is the same way. Plan in your younger years on how you can maintain your homestead into your 70s and 80s.

Start small......grow big....so that you don't burn out at the beginning...

Thank you Carolyn for this video. I have been urban homesteading for a few years but hopefully soon will have a real life homestead. Nothing grand just a few acres. I want to dive in to everything that I haven't been able to do but you put a great perspective on things and I will be starting things at a much slower pace. Lol. Thanks for all the information that you and Josh provide, it is priceless!!

I think the thing that I'm struggling with o much is the transition. Still needing outside sources of income makes it so much harder.

Wow, so encouraging! Thanks!

Glad we love to see homesteading across the America in 50 States. Good wishes. For good natures & away boycott of bad natures. Love to visit there when 🕙 & chances thanks

Also thank you for your honesty!!

You are soooo right. Thank you for speaking truth.

You’re so calm and collected and have it all together. I admire that in you. So many things to learn and so excited that I have you to guide me. Thanks for the lessons I’ve learned so far. Been a canner/preserver of food for many years but had never tried pressure canning until after I started watching and following your channel. Now I’m trying other things that I have never done before. Thank you!

I really appreciate your honesty sweetheart 💕

This is hands down the best homesteading video ever! Much thanks!

I literally just said that a few weeks ago, " homesteading is not for the faint of heart" ! Exact words...this whole video is exactly what I said to someone who asked why more people don't homestead...it's a lot of work and it's not for everyone...it can be for anyone if you are willing to go through the ups and downs.

Thank you for your video. I applaud you and your family this is alot of work.

So inspiring. Just getting going on homesteading basics. Starting with canning and preserving from our own garden and local farmers. Watching your videos really inspire me to take it one step at a time, and start where we are, and work toward where we want to be. (Instead of just waiting) absolutely love your content!

Thank you. Your words of encouragement means so much.

Your family is precious..🙂

Thank You! I've found some of these out the hard way!

Wow.... Lots of kids too! Amazing

Good video, keep them coming.

What a wonderful video and information! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. For someone working towards this lifestyle a little bit at a time, this was very encouraging!

Once again, very helpful and informative. Thank you Caroline.

This was brilliant - thank you for sharing your perspective from farther down the path!

I thank you for this little chit-chat. I value the information you have shared.

Thank you for all of your informative and instructional videos. You are such a blessing.

Thank you!

Thank you!! I have experienced all of the things you mentioned, so now I know I’m not crazy. Loving life. 🐢

This info will keep me going on while we begin our homestead. It feels like such a struggle some days. Thanks for the encouragement

You are so right, I'm on journey of homesteading and I'm already feeling what you said, too exciting and burn out. Thank you for sharing this.

Grew up and educated as a mechanical in NYC, left in 1975, now retired in mountains of SW Virginia. 100% agree, adopt “life long learning “ early in life & you will attain the skills to learn fast & understand its process. Very good advice. Here is a thought...After you die GOD will ask you...have you read MY book?

Enjoyed your story, know that it's not a lifestyle many people want but wishing they could. Thank you for sharing.

Love this video! Because it's my goal but I've seen I don't have actual routine or system in my home. And when I got off work I went and got a few items and started a few simple things tonight and and starting simple to build habits and skills. Thank you for your encouragement ❤️

I appreciate all the links. I didn't know if you plan to include them in future videos, so I saved this video.

Thank you for all the great tips. I am in the learning phase of homesteading, living in the city with my two boys and looking for acreage. I appreciate your straightforward and honest approach.

What an incredible location you live in! Amazing!

Awesome video, Thanks for sharing.

Watching your videos makes me feel like I have the best aunty in the world teaching me all these stuff thanks so much for doing this videos.

What a wonderful video. Thank you so much! Wishing you an abundance of Blessings in the coming year.

Best homesteading account I’ve found so far. So much wisdom. Thank you guys for sharing!

Thank you for this! Big fans here in southern Michigan. ☺️

Oh my goodness this has been so helpful. Me and my husband are trying to move out of the city and wanting to homestead. I know it won't be easy but just seeing this video makes me believe it brings so much happiness to a family 💕

Just what I needed to hear THNX and Blessings xxx

Everything you said I can relate to. I too was surprise at how much my children have learnt just by working beside me. Thank you for sharing these life lessons. It is nice to know I am not alone.

This is great information! Thanks for sharing!

It took me forever to figure out "a little bit every day", especially with the garden. Spot on!

Love these thoughts. God bless you For sharjng For sharing.

God ...I want this life soo badly... Thank u for this inspiration!!!!

Inspirational, keep doing this I admire and love your dedication love your family, thank you so much ❤️

Thank you Carolyn for this video. A number of the things you mentioned were good reminders for me. I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed and exhausted lately and your 2nd point was a good reminder to me. I've also been working on trying to get some of my friends interested in homesteading or aspects of it. Although I live in the city and do what I can I have come to realize that community is very important and being able to talk with individuals who have the same interests in homesteading as me. I'm an introvert but I'm going outside my comfort zone to talk with other farmers and homesteaders in my area to build my network and community.

Thanks for sharing. This is awesome to know these little tricks.

I absolutely love the membership! I've learned and am learning skills and have met truly amazing people. 💜💜💜

Ma'am, your family is so beautiful

So much valuable information for someone who is considering homesteading! THANK YOU!

I feel SO many of us watched one of your egg preserving videos early in our homesteading journey

GREAT video

wonderful video, thank you.

Thank you! Thinking of attempting to homestead. Appreciatevyou

Thank you so much for this video! We just started our homestead in VA and I am finding things a bit overwhelming as far as the learning curve goes. I truly know nothing about homesteading (city girl) but have been willing to learn and am seeing the benefits with my children! I love seeing all you have done and pray I have vegetables like you one day 😁

Wow.... These are super great trips...I feel like I could maybe actually do this one day

Wonderful words and examples of wisdom. Love it. Thumbed up and subscribed.

@HomesteadingFamily

Жыл бұрын

Thanks and welcome

Looks so easy to grow your own food, and animals, living in open area, but most people don't realise how tough it can be as well and mistakes u can learn from. Food in groceries stores are always the healthiest. Best thing I've learnt today is how the family has bonded over chores.

SUCH good advice. Thank you so much 💜

Yes, a little bit does go a long way. I go out to my space in the morning for watering before I go to work then when I get home I go back out to look for damage, weeds and then towards dusk I harvest what I can. Weekends I spend more time on cleanup, mowing and compost work.

I grew up on a homestead and I cherish those memories. It is the BEST life for a family and especially for kids. I look forward to returning to that in the next couple of years. Bless you for all the you do.

absolutely loved hearing about the impact homesteading has had on your children. I am on year #1 of building our life on a homestead, and I have a young toddler. He is starting to understand that we are growing food, and I am so excited to see how he experiences the garden as he grows :)

@amykruse6887

Жыл бұрын

My kids are all teen and preteen now. All the years of gardening with them are memories we will cherish forever: Music and dancing while harvesting and quiet mornings talking about life while snapping beans. I wish you so many wonderful memories with yours.

A little bit done every day. Yes.

Interesting

My number one goal of 2023 is to be completely off grid and homesteading. Been prepping, studying, learning, practicing, hoping for the past 3 years. We are in slow motion SHTF. Nice video :)

Agree with so many of the comments! This was a great video once again! ❤️ y’all, Kristy in Missouri zone 6b 😃🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

@puppylover8991

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Kristy! Also in Missouri and trying our best with our small homestead (10 acres), much smaller than what is happening on this video. Good luck with your home.

This is the most beautiful video I have ever heard! Thank u so much, I just love the way this has formed ur wonderful children and I’m in on the classes! I’m gonna try to do it. 🌻🌾🌼🌸🌷🌺🐑🐶🐰🐔🐥🐝🦉🦅🦆🦋🦋🦋🐝🐝🐝

Made your cobbler recipe , best I’ve ever had🙏🏻🦋♥️

@HomesteadingFamily

9 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it!!

What a beautiful shot, summer is so wonderful. Thank you for sharing this list, I just posted one this past week about “homesteading surprises!” There is a lot i did not predict :p

SOOO Helpful, Carolyn--especially the need for interdependence. I have begun this alone and even with years of prep on some levels when I lived in the city, now actually starting my own garden and not having someone to go through the process with is isolating. I wish I knew of any homesteaders physically near me so I could offer myself as a working apprentice to learn while helping someone else out. Currently I do this at a local community garden, but homesteading itself is a whole other level.

@JanineMJoi

2 жыл бұрын

Truly, it is a wholly different thing doing it alone. I'm there. Have a roommate, but they work full-time. Neighbors are non-helpful, non-friendly. Online is NOT the same as face-to-face.

@lovenotes5299

2 жыл бұрын

@@JanineMJoi I do it alone and have been doing it for decades , you have to take some wellness breaks- deep freezers allow you to be able to rest and store food till later

@kathymcmc

2 жыл бұрын

Research gardening classes in your area. Mostly to make a friend.

@lovenotes5299

2 жыл бұрын

@@kathymcmc Thye dont have that here, i did go 2 towns over(1 hour away) and joined friends of Master gardeners class, met people but classes and everthing was mostly about flowers and everyone was from the lake- rich people around estates is what they worked on, doing free landscaping.

You guys have taught me so much while starting my homestead. I’m actually in North Idaho right now on vacation from Iowa, it’s so beautiful here. We are in Bonners Ferry for lunch and headed to Montana for the night.

@JanineMJoi

2 жыл бұрын

Montana in summer is THE most beautiful State there is. The fields are beautiful.

@pamdore9292

2 жыл бұрын

The gathering place is great for lunch!

Your family is fabulous. I've learned a lot from your utube channel. Watching from Southern Iowa

We are the same way about eating out!! It isn't very tasty compared to home grown and overpriced. My kids learned to cook with food from the farm. They feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much good food.

I always say that as long as we could bite off one little chunk at a time and work on that other than overwhelming our self trying to get everything done at once it's better just to work on little pieces at a time and work towards a goal

WWOOF is a great option for people considering homesteading to try it out anywhere in the world💚💚💚

Wise words. ❤ "Never a problem, only a solution" ... I try remind myself of this daily when the farm poop hits the fan. 🤣

Great video and great advice. I have a small suburban garden in Adelaide Australia but this video above all your others has been so helpful.

@melindaedgington9925

2 жыл бұрын

I think urban homesteading is great. I grow food in both front and back yards and the other people on the street don't seem to mind.

@melindaedgington9925

2 жыл бұрын

I do have to fence my gardens to stop the cats digging up my seeds and pooing on them.

Will consider joining next year (though it's pricey) after our new home is built but in the meantime I'll be living in a travel trailer w 3 goldendoodles 😬🤪 1st goal is to figure out which part of the 60 acres to build my garden 😀 and keep the deer out.

today we had Chile I canned 2013 It WAS AWESOME

@donnabushek8882

2 жыл бұрын

cleaning pantry got hidden in back forgot to rotate

Carolyn, I’m really enjoying this new series of videos you are doing. The topics and tone are like hearing from a friend. I look forward to the release of each one. Thanks for all that you, Josh and your family do, and for bringing us along

This is a great video! Not just because I agree with everything you said. Great edits. Change of scenery. Video clips of what you are talking about. I have improved my skills by being part of this community and dont feel like Im the only one doing it. Makes it easier to keep moving forward. Thank you for the inspiration and community. Oh, I really like your recipes. You seem to like the same things I do so if you have something different from what Ive tried before Im more willing to try it. Because of you we are pressure canning meals. Baking bread. Learning more about herbs. Watching too much KZread- but I guess that is my community now and fermenting. Your recipes on how to use those ferments are very important- without those they just sit on the shelf- no sense wasting time preparing food no one knows how to use or will eat. That fermented lemon chicken has become a family favorite. Im attempting to grow ginger to make more fermented ginger carrots. Im making cheese again. More hard cheeses even though I dont have an animal to milk - thats ok when I have one again I will be ready Sorry so long but wanted to say thanks for sharing and creating this community. It gives support and encouragement to carry on Life is not simple or easy. It is the organization and breaking down in to steps that gives the appearance of simple. Homesteading or farming isnt harder than any other “job”. Can be so rewarding, so much more creative. So life affirming so much healthier mind, body and soul THANK YOU

Yes mam I had no idea how hard it was this is my first year garden and I jumped in full force and I knew zilch it’s a huge learning experience and a little overwhelming, I wish I had little hands to help and learn with me . Even though I had several fails I refuse to give up, just read up ask others and try again. This heat has been hard, critters,bugs, it’s a constant early morning dedication, and the chickens come first at 5:30 once all fed and watered I am watering my garden, picking our what’s ready along with any weed doing it every day it’s easy waiting for once a week? Oh heck no! By 10a it’s over 100 and I have to get inside! This was a great vid and wish I had seen it back in Dec I would have started sooner and planed my garden better so my garden had some afternoon shade so not getting burned up in this texas summer heat