This past fall and the Holidays have been a blur–I seriously wanted to skip Christmas this year. Is anyone else with me?!? With everything else going on it became pretty stressful (and I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately on why we celebrate it in the first place). A new year always prompts me to reflect upon what I want to change and improve for the future. How is it that several of my New Year’s goals from years ago are still yet to be fulfilled? Living a simpler, healthy lifestyle while attempting to homestead is so much harder now that I have children. Perhaps now that our big move is completed and we are setting our sights towards the spring garden, our homestead goals will be easier to reach (hopefully).
Still, it feels like we are often overwhelmed with work, kids, activities, church, and day-to-day life (even with me working part-time) and keeping on top of trying to produce and locally source our own healthy farm-to-table food becomes a burdensome task. I so easily fall back into my old ways when I need to get in the habit of planning and preparing nourishing and seasonal foods. Baking my own bread weekly, preparing fermented foods and drinks, soaking nuts and legumes prior to use, canning and preserving seasonal produce, and finding local sources of grass-fed meats and organic dairy are some of my top priorities for the new year. Other priorities include exercising more often in a way that fits in at home and more time for not just Bible study but longer, dedicated periods of prayer and fasting. I’m also hoping to observe the Biblical feasts that are set apart as the Father’s holy days this year!
But where do I find the time for it all? Sometimes I can fit it in on the weekends, sometimes at night, other times during the day when the girls are napping or otherwise occupied. But during busy weeks or months it’s awfully easy to fall behind. I usually don’t get everything done that I aim for. Basically, I have huge, never-ending to-do list (does this sound familiar, anyone?)
As I’m sure you have been able to tell, I’ve neglected this blog (yet again), and I’m afraid I won’t always be posting regularly in 2018. I still hope to provide updates on the house (room tours for sure!), the homestead, and the garden, but the blog is not something high up on my to-do list and I’m not quite sure when or if I will find the time to update as often as I’d like. Unlike so many lovely blogs out there, it is not a source of income for me and I purely engage in blogging for personal enjoyment and to keep my family and close friends informed of what’s happening in our little corner of the world.
So here’s to a brand New Year! May the Lord Bless you and keep you in 2018!
I am a grandmother and have retired and it seems i still can't get everything done. Just do what you can when you can and it will all come together in the end. God does tell us to take one day at a time. He loves us and understands. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you for your wise words of advice—I need to remember that!!
Thank you for your wise words of advice—I need to remember that!!