Introduction

Hi, am new to Permies... i live on a 5 acre homestead in MA, with some goats and chickens and large gardens at the edge of some woods. I also keep a horse I am boarding until I can build a proper horse barn on property, and I keep a great dane. I studied herbalism and I enjoy fiber arts. i spin and knit. I enjoy milling and baking as much of my own breads and baked goods as possible. Make my own self care products from scratch, and make my own house cleaning products also.... In my so called spare time, I facilitate and organize and host a monthly book club that meets here at my little farm. We are solar powered, on a well, with a septic tank. (true story I almost named the farm Septic Hill Farm, as a joke.) Why do I live like this? I didn't always. I am a transplant from the big city. Actually many all over the world. For about 0 years I lived as an international nomad. I returned home about 8-9 years ago. Suddenly store bought food made me very ill. I kept having to go to the hospital and final to an allergy specialist. My doctors said living like I was in the city, eventually my food issues would kill me. A major part of my problem is some off label processing chemical in a lot of stuff.... Cuz in EU I can eat anything no problems. They changed or added this chemical while I was living abroad for a decade. Always wanted to homestead. but it was one of those dreams that was just wishful thinking... It wasn't a real life goal or ambition. Not until I got sick. We sold our city house as fast as we could, found this place 8 years ago, and I began the journey of learning to do it myself. I have come a long way. I have a long way to go still though. I hope to learn a lot from all of you.

Welcome to Permies. It's always great to see another person from MA.  I have made my own liquid soap and I love the idea of only using food grade cleaning supplies. One of these days I plan on switching over from fossil-fuel clothes made of polyester/rayon/etc to just natural fibers (wool/cotton/etc).

If you look underneath my name you will see that I have some additional info about my climate/location, feel free to include that if you want. It usually help folks to better understand your question/answer with that little bit of extra context.

S Bengi wrote:Welcome to Permies. It's always great to see another person from MA.  I have made my own liquid soap and I love the idea of only using food grade cleaning supplies. One of these days I plan on switching over from fossil-fuel clothes made of polyester/rayon/etc to just natural fibers (wool/cotton/etc).

Thank you for the warm welcome. Good to see another one from my region too. :) This is a dying way of life around here. I love that idea switching clothing materials. As I said I keep goats, but I would eventually like to do some sheep and spin dye and knit my own fiber into at least some of my clothing. We came out here for 2 reasons. Because I got sick and because it was so clear that climate change was happening. In addition to being solar powered, on a well, with a septic tank, and chickens for some of our waste, I also am a stickler about recycling. I have a vindetta against single use plastics though I am imperfect I do make a concerted effort to avoid them. I also compost in the garden. My horse is my literal only means of transit. I don't have a driver's license never have had one. One of several reasons why is because of the polution cars generate. One important thing to know about me is, I am highly dyslexic. If you can't follow what I am trying to say just try to operate with my crappy spelling phonetically and you will get there. I still rely on phonetics when I have trouble recalling what a word looks like. :) The fact that I can communicate in writing at all is pretty much miraculous. I was diagnosed at 4 they told my parents I would be illiterate for life. Liars.... Mostly I do just fine, but just so everyone knows and so there isn't confusion due to my garbage spelling at times.

Hi.  Welcome, and do not fret about compost spelling.  Hope you enjoy learning as much as I do. And applying things taught has helped me to have a little more time for my long time beautiful bride.  Welcome again.