Hey everyone! We just wrapped up a whirlwind of activities at our barndominium homestead, and I had to share the highlights.
First things first: we tackled some overdue “boo boo fixes” around the place—like repairing Link’s bedroom ceiling. If you’ve ever wrestled with finicky cedar planks and had to do last-minute adjustments, you’ll know exactly how satisfying it is to drop that final board into place. We also re-learned just how invaluable a multi-tool can be for those odd corners and unexpected “uh-oh” moments.
But the real star of the show? Our rainwater catchment system! We finally got the 2,500-gallon tank hooked up properly with improved filtration and a new shut-off valve. After some much-needed downpours, the tank went from almost empty to overflowing in a matter of hours—proof that a solid setup really pays off. Our land drains so well that we rarely see standing water, even after heavy rain. Now we’re dreaming of lining up multiple tanks in a row for a whopping 10,000 gallons of off-grid sustainability.
In the midst of all this homestead hustle, we’ve also been experimenting with the Back to Eden gardening method (wood chips for the win!). I let one of my raised beds grow wild on purpose—yes, wild!—just to see how little intervention plants actually need. Turns out, they can be pretty resilient, but the yield definitely isn’t as high without regular TLC. Still, it’s been an eye-opening lesson in natural plant management.
On the fun side, we had friends and family come out to visit. We took them cliff jumping, fishing, and even squeezed in a hilarious Tim Hawkins show. It’s always a blast hosting guests, sharing our homestead’s progress, and exploring the Ozarks together. But boy, did that mean juggling more projects with less time! We wouldn’t trade it, though—great memories are priceless.
We also tested a new rain jacket that totally came through for us. Between working in the downpours and running around with the chickens, it stayed comfortable and kept me dry. It’s the little things, right?
Every day, we learn more about living sustainably, whether that’s collecting rainwater, growing tea plants in buckets (so we can move them indoors when it frosts), or finding time for orchard and vineyard care amid life’s busy schedule. There’s still a lot on our to-do list—like finishing more fencing, getting compost teas going, and pulling out the last of the turmeric and potatoes—but that’s the homesteader’s life for you!
If you’re into trying new methods for gardening, dreaming of setting up a barndo, or just love seeing a bit of family fun sprinkled between farm chores, be sure to check out our latest video. We’re excited to keep sharing the ups and downs of our evolving homestead—and we appreciate every bit of support from you all.
Thanks for reading and can’t wait to hear your thoughts! What’s your favorite part of homesteading right now? Anyone else experimenting with new garden methods or water catchment systems?
Stay dry (or don’t, if you love that fresh rain feeling as much as we do)!
First things first: we tackled some overdue “boo boo fixes” around the place—like repairing Link’s bedroom ceiling. If you’ve ever wrestled with finicky cedar planks and had to do last-minute adjustments, you’ll know exactly how satisfying it is to drop that final board into place. We also re-learned just how invaluable a multi-tool can be for those odd corners and unexpected “uh-oh” moments.
But the real star of the show? Our rainwater catchment system! We finally got the 2,500-gallon tank hooked up properly with improved filtration and a new shut-off valve. After some much-needed downpours, the tank went from almost empty to overflowing in a matter of hours—proof that a solid setup really pays off. Our land drains so well that we rarely see standing water, even after heavy rain. Now we’re dreaming of lining up multiple tanks in a row for a whopping 10,000 gallons of off-grid sustainability.
In the midst of all this homestead hustle, we’ve also been experimenting with the Back to Eden gardening method (wood chips for the win!). I let one of my raised beds grow wild on purpose—yes, wild!—just to see how little intervention plants actually need. Turns out, they can be pretty resilient, but the yield definitely isn’t as high without regular TLC. Still, it’s been an eye-opening lesson in natural plant management.
On the fun side, we had friends and family come out to visit. We took them cliff jumping, fishing, and even squeezed in a hilarious Tim Hawkins show. It’s always a blast hosting guests, sharing our homestead’s progress, and exploring the Ozarks together. But boy, did that mean juggling more projects with less time! We wouldn’t trade it, though—great memories are priceless.
We also tested a new rain jacket that totally came through for us. Between working in the downpours and running around with the chickens, it stayed comfortable and kept me dry. It’s the little things, right?
Every day, we learn more about living sustainably, whether that’s collecting rainwater, growing tea plants in buckets (so we can move them indoors when it frosts), or finding time for orchard and vineyard care amid life’s busy schedule. There’s still a lot on our to-do list—like finishing more fencing, getting compost teas going, and pulling out the last of the turmeric and potatoes—but that’s the homesteader’s life for you!
If you’re into trying new methods for gardening, dreaming of setting up a barndo, or just love seeing a bit of family fun sprinkled between farm chores, be sure to check out our latest video. We’re excited to keep sharing the ups and downs of our evolving homestead—and we appreciate every bit of support from you all.
Thanks for reading and can’t wait to hear your thoughts! What’s your favorite part of homesteading right now? Anyone else experimenting with new garden methods or water catchment systems?
Stay dry (or don’t, if you love that fresh rain feeling as much as we do)!