Old fashioned living on the homestead

[Old fashioned mamma]

Today I did a couple of things that reminded me of old fashioned living on our homesteads. What have you done of late thats reminded you of the same.

~I've been taking apart a skirt dd didn't wear anymore. I've saved the lace and have saved all the material. I want to make dd a blouse out of the material, but I don't think I'll have quite enough. If not, I plan on using the material in a quilt, something I haven't done before. I've always purchased new material but I've decided I can use some newer "used" material as well.

~I had picked up an "old" quilt for 50¢ at a yard sale this past fall. I took the back apart and threw it away. It was all torn and I couldn't save any. Today, I fixed the one triangle that needed to be replaced, and even though its a new piece of material, you can barely tell because its similar in color to the old one. I then found a piece of material I had been given from the neighbour. Her mother has used some of the same material to make quilts back in the 50's. I had enough to use this material for backing. I also had enough batting from other quilting projects to use for this quilt. The quilt is now pinned and I've decided to hand quilt it. I'm not sure what I'll use for binding, but it will have to be older type material. Once finished, I'm going to use it to put over my treadle sewing machine.

It just made me feel good to do some "old fashioned" type things today, while homemade bread was baking in the oven.

[paelthom]

Nothing much comes to mind except that I did do some hand washing in the sink for some sweaters and then hung them in the bathtub to dry. I have also spent a lot of time reading the last few days. Just seemed to need that quiet time. It's been really cold (to me at least) and we've been busy just keeping the wood stove full and with Mel having to cut more wood. I would have to say that just the solemness of the time of year brings to mind a homesteading lifestyle.

[SusieJD]

I'm up just about every morning at 4AM. I get my first cup of coffee and then out to lett my doggies out for the day, depending on the temp. It's just like I used to do with my horses and fowl. I've never gotten out of this habit. Drives my DH crazy sometimes.

I still manage to gather firewood, even though we don't use it much anymore. You can never tell when the power is going to go out and you need to build a wood fire.

I make my own bread, once a week and I also make dougnuts on Saturday mornings. My grandmoter and Hungarian Aunty got me into this habit. Every Saturday they would make dougnuts. Just about every kind that you can imagine. I loved the filled ones best, képviselőfánk in Hungarian.

Guess I don't do as much as I did on my farm, but I'm a "Homesteader" at heart.

[Kare_Bear]

Hi Everyone! Now that Spring has sprung, what is everyone doing on the 'homestead' at this time of year? We had a pretty good winter, not as much snow as before and can't believe we are having 'summer temperatures' in early April......very rare indeed in New Brunswick, Canada. Looking forward to hearing from you!!

[Capt Quirk]

I spent two days busting clay for our field, and getting the beds in now. Also working on cutting out another 1/2 acre for vineyard and fruit trees, and another 2 1/2 acres for crops, barnyard, and pasture. All this while trying to finish the outhouse, and build a battery shed.

[billowbeard]

All I've done so far is plant seeds in the greenhouse. (which are coming up nicely, even the one's I saved--well, except for the trees I am trying to sprout).