Our First Week On The Land, part two

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The first half of our week was a bit more of a challenge than the second half, but we are learning daily what it means to throw off all previous expectations and learn from the process.

Day Five:

We get up early and I crank up the propane stove for what will be our first home-cooked breakfast (or meal, for that matter) since we arrive. After breakfast I wash up the dishes using dishpans and water heated on the stove. Then my six hour rendezvous with the laundry commences, with help from some cutie pies of course.

There are, of course, breaks for helping little ones, making lunch, and other things but by the afternoon I realize that something’s going to have to change for this to be sustainable.

While we plunge away on the laundry, the papa sets up the clothesline, secures the solar panel, and gets the water filtration started.

Day Six:

We sleep in past sun up, which is 7:30 right now, and thank God for the sabbath. We spend the day resting, reading, and staying out of the (October?) heat. You really appreciate this day so much more when you truly need it by the end of the week.

Day Seven:

It looks like the basics – outhouse, water, and cooking ability – are all set up so we move on to other projects. I sort through all of our clothes, pare way down, and vow to keep working clothes and nice clothes separate in an attempt to cut back on wash time. Then I wash some more laundry.

The Papa is making deck preparations, securing the outhouse, and is constantly helping me by carrying water buckets for laundry, lifting all those heavy things I’m not supposed to and generally fixing all of the things that need fixin’.

It has been a busy first week on the land and we breathe a sigh of relief as the absolute bare necessities are in place. There is always work to be done or a project to start, but it feels more like life than work. And we are so thankful to be doing this together.

I may continue to share updates of our progress here on the land so if y’all are interested let me know in the comments.

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116 Comments

  1. Please keep updating! I’m especially excited to hear about your pregnancy and birth on a homestead! 🙂

  2. Thank you so much for sharing with us your family life! It’s so interesting, and something I might have done in my younger days. Where do you get the kind of equipment and know-how that you are using for off-grid electricity, etc? Please keep us informed–we’re addicted to the adventure!

  4. Definitely interested in reading more about your new adventures! Please keep sharing. We hope to have an off-grid house one day, so this is especially interesting to me!

  7. Yes, please continue, I am sooo intrigued by your journey. Our family is on the road to being more sustainable and reducing and hopefully eliminating our connection to the grid system, etc, etc. This is very inspiring and amazing! :o)

  8. Please share! This is a blessing to see how you are beginning your new journey and sharing with us along the way. Thank you.
    Rhonda

  10. I recently started following your blog and am fascinated with your journey. Please continue to share on a regular basis. I am curious how you came to the decision to move off the grid. Is there an older post you can point me to?

  13. Praise God. What a wonderful busy week! 🙂

    As if the 40 other comments above mine weren’t enough encouragement – yes, please! Of course continue to share about your journey! <3

    Many, many blessings to you! I will be praying for you.

  16. Please keep sharing! And I would love more detail – how are you doing the laundry right now and what would you like to change? How are your little ones handling the readjustment? etc.

  19. Shannon, yes keep sharing how you and family are adjusting to being off grid,
    love your honesty and will be praying for the birth of new one to come.

    Pat Tolbert

  21. PLEASE keep sharing!!! I love hearing about your journey and want to live off grid one day with my family as well. God bless you all!

  23. Yes, Please continue to share if you can find the time sweetie. We miss you all so very much and your sharing allows us to remain a part of your lives. You are deep within our hearts and are truly an inspiration to all.
    Our thoughts Prayers and Love are with you always……..

  25. Loving the updates! I was wondering if you were moving to the place that you are. I will be very curious to see how it goes for you all and what the up and downs are of the whole experience.

  27. Please do keep updating! I want you to know how much you have inspired myself and my family. Your blog led to a 3-hour discussion with my husband last night. We have been discussing many issues regarding our life, and the possibility of living off-grid, particularly when it may become a necessity for all of us – but it was your blog that led us to some serious, concrete ideas and plans. I started reading your blog because of your recipes and food posts, so, it’s amazing to me how God led me to you with one topic only to open my eyes to much more. I just wanted you to know you’ve made a difference in our lives, and I hope you’ll let us know how you’re doing – to inspire us to be as courageous and you and your family!

  28. I love reading your story and how you are doing this! Please keep the updates coming! wow!!!

  30. I really enjoy hearing about your new adventure! I can’t wait to hear more. What a wonderful journey. 🙂

  31. I could hardly wait for the second post of your life journey. How very exciting it must be for you and your family. Thank you for sharing it with us.

  32. Please keep me on your list for future updates on your new adventure.
    Susan Pesotski

  36. I discovered your blog about a month before your big move. I am fascinated by you and your husband’s convictions and courage. I definitely want to follow your progress. Please update us when you can!

  38. Yes, definitely keep writing and posting pictures of the your updates. Keep up the good work! (is laundry going to get easier? I hope so!)

  39. Please keep sharing. It’s very good to learn of the day-to-day small details as you transition to off off-grid. God bless you all!!

  46. Thank you for the window into your life! I truly enjoy reading about your adventures and progress. Please continue writing when you can. I look forward to the coming days. My daughter has told me multiple times I should have been born 100 years before I was. I think post Civil War would have been early enough. I think I would have enjoyed living on the outskirts of an Amish or Mennonite community. I don’t agree with some of their beliefs but I think the fast pace of life is killing all of us. I would much prefer returning to an agricultural society. I do however enjoy my computer and definitely a hot bath. P.S. I have used an outhouse many times and even a cornfield on a few occasions. May the LORD smile on you!

  50. I am enjoying reading about your adventure & would love your updates to continue! I hope you have a wonderful week
    Blessings
    Renata:)

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