This year has been a busy year for us here at The Bent Barbell Ranch. Our entire purpose here is to raise our family from our own land, relying less on the government and more on our own hard work.
Food from our homestead, joy in the time spent together here. Raising animals with love and respect, growing all the things possible in the garden. And praising God while doing it.
Self-sufficiency isn’t for the lazy. It’s hard, it’s time consuming, it’s joyful, it’s frustrating, but it’s woven into the innermost parts of my soul. The smell of soil brings me peace, cleaning animal pens is humbling, growing plants is my favorite art. I was set apart to be a mother, wife, and a homesteader.
My manicured hands in dirt, plants growing, animals making all the noises, the smells of fresh homegrown food emanating from my little kitchen.
This is the music of my soul.
The very fulfillment of my existence, raising my kids with my sweet husband, surrounded by possibly too many animals and all the plants I can possibly grow. Homesteading is where God has led me. And what a blessing it’s been.
This year we have raised goats, chickens, pigs, turkeys, giving them all the most loving environment we can. Respecting them for the creatures they are all the while enjoying the fruits they’ve given us.
Our garden produced over 1,000 pounds of food for our family, our animals, and neighbors.
Our harvest dryer worked overtime to help us store our food long term.
Our skincare business has been a pleasant addition!
When Boone isn’t guarding the livestock you can find him on his couch! A sweet, overly fuzzy addition our homestead was in need of. We haven’t seen a coyote since he’s moved in.
We’ve learned to be grateful for what grows and thrives here each year.
To be self-sufficient is really tough and I can’t say we are quite there yet, but we are closer than we were the year before.
The reward of self-sufficiency is far greater than the struggles that come along with it.
It’s been a beautiful year for us on our homestead and I’m so grateful.
I’m not one to set New Year’s Resolutions, but I’d like to head into the New Year reflecting on this last year and the blessings, all the while looking forward to what God will be doing with us in 2024 whatever that may look like.
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9
The hardest thing for me in 2023 was setting healthy boundaries and maintaining them oh and carrying bucket after bucket of water in our winter tundra! The easiest thing for me this year has been snuggling all the animals here on our homestead, and raising my two children.
What about you what was hard/easy in 2023?
May you reflect on your blessings this New Year’s Eve and look forward to what is to come in 2024.
Happy New Year!
Danielle
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Alethea!
Thank you!