New Beginnings

It is with the happiest heart that I announce the beginning of a new adventure in our lives.  Andrew and I are in the process of purchasing my dream: 12 acres of beautiful pastureland with an adorable little farm house.  We have been looking for such a property for nearly 7 years and it is finally within our grasp!  There are so many things that I have hoped to do with my life that will be possible here.

• As a knitter, spinner, crocheter, weaver and all around fiber junkie, it has always been my dream to purchase land to own sheep, goats, and alpacas.  I am currently trying to source fine wool breeds within a day's drive of the metroplex. Ultimately, I would love to start a fiber CSA in my region, as the two "local" CSAs are each nearly 2 hours from my home.  Twelve acres is enough to fence into several small pastures to rotate the animals as needed. 
• Chickens!  I have been waiting impatiently for the last decade to own chickens again.  As a vegetarian, I cannot stand purchasing eggs from battery chickens, and yearn for the fresh, nutritious, cruelty-free eggs that my own pets produce.  Besides, who doesn't want a dozen or more quirky hens roaming in their yard?  We will certainly have extra eggs, so I will likely sell these to help cover the hen's expenses. 
• Next year, we plan to add a significant garden to the land.  It is our goal to eat as much as possible from the land during the summer, then can and freeze for the winter months.  I am so thankful that the previous owner agreed to let us have the tractor, so we have the equipment ready to till the land.  Ideally, we will have the money to add a cistern to the house site by this time for watering.  The previous owner has already set up an extensive compost, and we will be moving both the compost and the grown plants from our other house when we move.  By next year, we should have plenty of compost tea for fertilization.
• The previous owner shares many of the same ideals and philosophies that we hold, and has already started on a small orchard.  I intend to expand this over the next few years to replace species he lost in the drought, as well as ones we particularly enjoy.  Currently there are wild plums, crabapples, apples, jujubes, and pecans.  I would like to add peaches, cherries, almonds and walnuts to the small collection of trees around the house.  There are both green and mustang grapes on the property, to which I would like to add a thicket of blackberries and a strawberry patch.  This will give us an abundance of homemade jams and jellies to sell or share with family.  
• As ovo-lacto-vegetarians, we currently do eat cheese and butter, but rarely drink cow's milk.  Eventually we would like to replace our normal intake of soy and almond milk with a dairy goat.  We could then make cruelty free cheeses and butter to enjoy and become fully vegan outside of our own production.
• It is our long term goal to place a windmill on the property.  We seek to be as self-sufficient as possible and this is an important step in that direction.  The house is located on the highest point around for miles, and has a spectacular breeze at all times.  Not to mention the fantastic view afforded by the elevation!

 So please, follow along and learn with me as we begin this journey.