This is an overview of my vision, my dreams and my goals.

It seems trite to say that I just simply want to live… simply, because in this country in this age, it is not simple to live simple. It is hard work and alot of unlearning.
When I think of what I’d like my life to look like from a birds eye view, it would look like it fits right into the seasons. It would blend right in with the rocks and the woods. I mean that figuratively and literally. When I dream of my dream home it looks like sprawling gardens that aren’t organized and held back by little pickets, but they are free and unruly, prosperous and expansive. I think of a home made of natural materials and colors that are inspired and made my the trees, earth and roots and flowers. Our daily rhythms weighing heavily on planting, harvesting and enjoying the current season.
I long to find that perfect balance of being quiet and away from the hub of metropolitan living but still maintain deep roots in community.

As of right now some of the steps we’ve taken to further ourselves towards our ‘goal’ would be things like living without a microwave, making our own condiments and chicken stock, kefir and kombucha, cheese and butter, and when we do eat bread we try to make it. I try to purchase clothes thrifted or if they’re new I buy them from locally made companies that take pride in their craftsmanship. I feel that though my voice may be small in this economy, I can vote with each dollar. Or at least a large percentage of it.
This year we plan to grow 75% of our produce needs. A milk cow is on the horizon. We share guinea hogs (not guinea pigs, although they are pigs) with the neighbors, that we will breed for meat. We also have (meat and eggs) chickens and an angora (fiber) rabbit.
It may seem odd, but if there is a way to do something by hand, I much prefer that. I find alot of joy and peace in getting my hands dirty and enjoying the fruits of my sweat and hard work. I’ve taken up knitting in the last few years, and hope to be making all of our socks and sweaters this coming fall. A late 1800′s treadle sewing machine sits in my creative room waiting to be mastered so I can try my hand at other clothes making projects. And while I enjoy the domestic arts, I find alot of empowerment in swinging an axe, digging a hole or hauling bales of hay. It feels good to sweat and know that I am paying for most things with my time and effort and not our hard earned paychecks.

To top my ‘dreams’, I would say that I can only hope when I am aged and wise that I will have mastered the ability to cultivate meaningful and genuine relationships, because above all, it is the people and souls that matter.