Growing a Homesteading Blog Celebration

This is the story of a homesteading blog celebration that was four years in the making. Four years ago this fall I made a decision to write a farming theme blog. Not big farming, but backyard farming. The kind of farming that is now known as homesteading. A trend to a more self reliant lifestyle, characterized by a strong will to learn a healthier way of life. Main topics of this type of lifestyle include Do It Yourself, homemade vs. store bought, backyard livestock and chickens, gardening and foraging.  This lifestyle speaks to my heart.  And while much of this is clearly what I am meant to be doing, it does take a commitment that I haven’t always lent to other pursuits.

A Homesteading Blog is Born 

 I felt a strong desire to share what I learned along the way, and what I brought with me from formal learning. Tentatively, a homesteading blog was formed. On the blog and in life, growing pains were felt. Paths not meant to be traveled were tried. At times an easy comfort level was reached, only to have it washed away in the wake of a big storm, a gardening fail, or a predator attack. Kindred spirits became friends and some became friends in real life. Others are friendly faces and  part of my daily walk. 

I welcomed friends that comment on blog posts, social media links and in messages. Friends who share their successes and failure with me as we all trudge forward. We share a quest to turn to our own know-how as easily as we make trips to the stores. Sharing what works, and what doesn’t. Encouraging through those all too frequent heartbreaking days after a pet or livestock loss. Laughing together as we share stories. Praying for safety, healing, and the right answers. Learning to handle odd comments and judgement about why we don’t just go buy the food at the store. Understanding why we can’t possibly meet for dinner or happy hour at 5 pm because that’s when the chickens need to be put in for the night. I love this community of homesteaders.

Some are blogging friends, and others are dedicated and often experienced homesteaders willing to add to the conversations. Others are new to it all, trying to find their own path in the adventure. These brave newcomers seek encouragement and answers to things some of us remember all too well. How many chickens to start with. Full garden plots vs. convenient raised beds or container gardening. Pest control without poison. Creating a strong family and getting “it all done” before dinner time. And the all important question, is it possible to do it all and remain somewhat sane.  (the answer is no)

The Homesteading Blog Defines Who I Am as a Homesteader 

I grew to love my homesteading blog. The blog is now a deep part of who I am. Adding posts to the site, sharing tidbits on social media and lots of fun photos of our livestock family.  The best part of all is when I can actually help someone sort through a homesteading problem. Often I don’t even have the answer, just thoughts that “might” work. But I will always encourage you to try harder, to get up tomorrow and try again, and hopefully bring a smile to your face now and then. I may not have had a clue about what a homesteading blog is when I started this blog four years ago, but I sure am glad that I followed through.

The Celebration!

Along the way, I met a good friend and fellow homesteader. While Ann and her family live a whole continent away, we share a love for homesteading, livestock, and family.  Ann from A Farm Girl in the Making has recently reached the twenty five thousand followers mark on Facebook. We combined our efforts to bring you a MEGA Celebration Giveaway! If you are not already following Ann’s journey I encourage you to get right on that! Visit her blog and all of her social media links to keep up with her busy life.  I think it rains most of the time in Ann’s area but her personality is pure sunshine. It’s a gritty, honest lifestyle page that will make you laugh and cry and come back for more,the next day. 

So now we celebrate. Milestones are easy to pass by without a thought. But let’s stop and smell the wildflowers for a moment. Some how, some way, we all found our way here to this point. twenty five thousand people have at one time in their life made a decision to stop by my social media page on Facebook and hit the “like” button.  There may be more or less, because as we all know, social media is a fickle witch to deal with. Hey it’s a big number so lets celebrate! Some lovely generous shop owners, retailers, authors, and craftspeople have donated a huge pile of prizes that we can give away to our followers! Brinsea Products, and Pantry Paratus, headline the prize packs with amazing gifts. Take a look at the other donations in the photos. Each prize pack is absolutely loaded with prizes for the homesteading family. 

In the meantime, I will continue writing, sharing and encouraging you along the homestead journey. I thank you over and over for reading my homesteading blog.  Because of you, my small dream became my job, and so many blessings followed. 

Take a look at these prize packs!

A great big thank you to all who contributed to this giveaway. The prizes are amazing and your generosity is humbling.  

BrinseaProducts, PantryParatus, Schneiderpeeps.com, Michelle Terhune of RubyMozelles Quilts, Stacy Harris, Shaye Elliott,

Homestead Lady, Homestead Honey, Reformation Acres, Fresh Eggs Daily, Fluffy Layers, Scratch and Peck Feeds, 

Farmhouse Printables, HenfeederBeekeeper on Etsy, Chicken Fountain, GrubblyFarms Worms, Coco’s Herbals,

Wooly Doodles 4 U, 

 

Now that you have made it this far, it’s time to get to the entry form. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. 

The Small Print-

contest runs October 7 to October 16, 2016

Contest is open to any USA resident over the age of 18 years. Void where prohibited by local law. All winners will be verified before prizes are awarded. Please use a valid email address that you check regularly. All winners will be notified by email after the contest ends. If winner does not respond in 24 hours, one reminder email will be sent. After the second 24 hour period with no response, a new winner will be selected. There are many prize packs in this drawing. Each will be assigned randomly to a winner.  See Rafflecopter entry for complete terms and conditions.

We are restricted by mailing costs to offer this only to those with mailing addresses in the United States of America. 

Thank you all for entering! The winners have been chosen and we are verifying entries now. We will announce the winner as soon as they respond to the email to claim their prize!

a Rafflecopter giveaway