Homesteader or Homemaker?

I’ve been thinking about my page and blog a lot lately. I haven’t lived up to what I wanted to do. Post-partum depression, difficulty with two children alone for the most part (military family), discovering my eldest has special needs, not being able to find a home that meets what we require, etc. I see that my work is that of a homemaker and not a homesteader quite yet. Though, I came into this as an aspiring homesteader and made that clear to start. I had expected to be where I wanted within a year of when I started this blog but it hasn’t happened yet. Luckily, it has helped me make friendships and connections, pushed me to work harder, opened doors to more writing, etc so there are positives! This year has been rough and left me with a few health issues to end the year with. I keep moving forward and trying not to let them hurt the life I want.

Currently, we have started working on finances for a home and have been actively looking for and viewing homes. There isn’t much this time of year but I now know that things will open up around the start of Spring. Our toddler gets daily therapy for autism and will attend a program/preschool developed especially for autistic children next year and a move too far away from services has become a new issue for us. Before we saw a bit of a commute into nature more our style. Funny how life changes things. How we have to adapt to things that come our way. Though I always knew I’d put my family first.

I’ll keep promising a better blog to share and a future for us until I get it. For now I hope you can find inspiration in the small things I have to share.

Checking In – Life Update

Though I have decently kept up the Instagram and Facebook page for “The Heathen Homesteader” I have completely neglected the (this) blog (and the accompanying Twitter and Tumblr. Oops.). I got pregnant with my second child last year and my brain power and energy went down the drain. I thought that once I had the baby I could get back to work but now I’m even more tired. Parenthood is no joke! It’s difficult but worth it. 

I wanted to take a moment to check in however. To let you all know I am still here and don’t plan on abandoning this project of mine. I just need time.

Also, meet Wilhelmina “Mina” Johanna! She was born on January 3rd and weighed 10lbs 14oz. 

She’s about 16lbs now at a little over 2 months old. 

Her big sister Dagmar absolutely adores her and smothers her with love. 

So you can see I have my hands full! Literally. 

Working on a recipe today for an oat bread and I hope to be able to share it as soon as I can. Thank you all for your continued interest in my work and your support. 

Mother’s Day Weekend

This weekend was a special one for us. Before we had our daughter we didn’t go all out for most holidays or even celebrate them all (meaning most holidays celebrated by the majority of Americans). Our truly special days that were of upmost importance were days that meant something to us. They still are. The day we met and fell in love, the day we officially started dating, the days (we may have done it a few times in different spiritual ways) we got engaged, the day we conceived our first child, etc. You get the point. Those are our real “holy-days” other than some purely spiritually based days of the year and a few conventional holidays. 

This weekend was both the anniversary of our official dating date (we celebrate everything it feels like!) on Saturday and Mother’s Day on Sunday (it’s still Sunday in our part of the world but it may be past midnight where you are). We’re not big into Mother’s Day but both years I have been a mother my husband has bought me roses and we have gone on a nature walk at least. This Mother’s Day I was excited to use a coupon for a discount on buying some makeup that also got me a free gift at a beauty store. I rarely buy myself anything except for craft supplies but I can’t pass up on saving the amount I did when getting items I already “needed.” Makeup is a great personal pick me up. I used to wear it daily but have almost stopped completely since I left my job to be a stay at home mom. Other than that my husband bought us a rare “bad food” treat for lunch, we caught up on a few shows, I had an uninterrupted nap alone (crazy right?) and we went for a nature walk as a family. A nice and simple way to spend our first entire day together as a family in almost two months. 

Saturday my husband had to work at night but the day was really special. We woke up and shared the news of my pregnancy with everyone (our parents and a few close friends already knew). I took some quick photos of our toddler the day before and put this together kind of last minute. 

Her necklace is actually a Thor’s Hammer teether from “Helles Teeth” on a cord. Her garb is a pillowcase and a quickly crocheted belt. For not spending a dime and less than an hour of time I think it turned out decently! 

After we shared our joy I started on food. The night before I had baked my first homemade Kransekake (Norwegian Wreath Cake) based off the one we had at our handfasting. We may have eaten that for an indulgent breakfast.

I also made homemade pretzel rolls for our Saturday lunch. I ended up making so much food we skipped the rolls. I made buttery spaetzle with champignon sauce, roasted asparagus and local-ish wild salmon with a German dill fish sauce. 

Shortly after that my husband left for work and my toddler and I went to play with friends at the park.
I may not have gotten everything done that I set out to accomplish but it was a fulfilling and loving weekend that I won’t soon forget. 

We feel so blessed by the gods and our ancestors with the growth of our family and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us. 

Family Adventures – Ravenna Park

Yesterday, my family ventured to Seattle to acquire some new body art. While I was with the artist my husband took our toddler out to explore. We both are not fond of the bigger cities other than the variety of shopping that can be done there. So it didn’t surprise me when he stumbled upon a giant park and forest. After my appointment he took me there to see the glory of this natural gem. 
  

The area surrounding Ravenna Park has gorgeous houses that are in the perfect style I have dreamed of owning. The neighborhood also reminded my husband of one of his childhood neighborhoods. He even found a tulip tree he had grown up with and that we had been wanting to grow here when we have property. It was perfect. Though not perfect for our homesteading plans and being so close to the hustle and bustle of Seattle.
  

When we got to the park I was amazed by the play area. The biggest sand pit I have ever seen, a large tree with many branches that although it had been stripped clean was a fun place for the kids and full of joy, swings of all types to accommodate more ages and abilities, et cetera. 
  

The trails were the best part. There was a hidden pool, streams, fungi, many different trees, moss on everything, flowers blooming left and right and another fun park for children at the end. It was amazing. 
  

It was also very magical. I have never felt so many active land wights in one area in my entire life. One area was filled with a massive being that although my eyes could not see it I could feel so strongly. I was hesitant to near the entity but sensed no bad intent from it. Living here has opened up my senses so much more for the other beings of this world. Back home I could sense things but was very skeptical of my own experiences at times. Here it is much harder to be skeptical. Silly as my experiences may sound to other skeptical and non-believing sorts. 
  

It was a truly wonderful day. I am still in awe of the fact that everything in this part of the world is so beautiful. I am thankful to the gods and ancestors for their guidance and our placement here. 
  

Fresh Squeezed – Using An At Home Baby/Toddler Food Pouch Kit

We have had several types of these pouch kits on our Amazon wish list since I was pregnant (my toddler is now 14 months old). For some reason we kept pushing off purchasing one. Recently, we have seen how often we hand our daughter pretzels, crackers or other easy to clean up snacks when on the go. Mostly, because she is a normal kid and loves to make messes and we want to avoid her being sticky or filthy when we are not home. Like most parents we want her to be consuming more nutritious food when we are out and about (we love to take a lot of mini road trips). She already eats well at home for the most part. So this idea came backup to help when on the go.

Our daughter was left to do baby led weaning. She wanted to eat earlier than what we had researched was a good time to start solids but our concerns were put to rest by two doctors we consulted who were familiar with and in support of BLW. So she ate with us for the most part. To this day we rarely make her separate food and just watch our food choices so she can eat with us. The only difference is now we often give her her own plate/bowl and utensils instead of always allowing her to eat straight from our plates. She’s never had any issues and if she doesn’t like something she simply doesn’t eat it. She also continues to breastfeed on demand so she has that nutrition as well. 

I have wanted to try the pouch foods for half her life but my husband and I had decided not to feed her store bought baby food other than some crackers and dried treats we tried out. So no jars of food, formula or any other pre-made baby food other than crackers and yogurt drops. Though, I don’t judge anyone who uses those things. A happy and healthy fed baby is all I really care about. You do you. I also feel like I’m a little late in introducing my toddler to these squeeze pouches but better late then never. A squeeze pouch full of vegetable purée is better than a handful of popcorn. 

It’s pay day so we are low of veggies until we can purchase more food. I did have some carrots, rhubarb and sugar snap peas so I chopped those up and lightly steamed them. 
  

Then I put them in a blender with a dash of homemade coconut milk kefir for the probiotics. 
  

Afterwards I used this super simple machine to fill a pouch for her to try out the goodies. 
   
   
  

Verdict? Not mess less. Just less messy. She spit out her first mouthful then started working on it more a little unsure. She might enjoy a cold fruit pouch better. 
   
 
This kit also comes with a handy reminder to let you know how long food can be kept. These pouches are disposable (we researched reusable but I was not comfortable with the issue of keeping them properly sealed and more importantly cleaned after use without bad bacteria building up) and can be written on just like milk storage bags. 
  

Making your own baby food is easy and cheap. If you can get a little kit like this one I highly recommend it. And no, I am in no way endorsed by this company to promote their product. 
  
  
  

Spring Blessings

I woke up early today from the suddenly sweet scent and taste of the air coming in from my window. It was as if Spring had come to visit and was gently encouraging me to wake with it. The more I left sleep behind the more present and solid it became. Soft sunlight, warmer breeze and birds chirping. I watched my child in the light from the window sleeping peacefully and laid next to her to drift off once more. When I woke the second time my husband was home from work and coming through the bathroom door after a shower. We laid together as a family and bliss filled me. These sweet moments keep me going through the hard times when anxiety overpowers my senses. When I think I can’t take anymore. Today I feel blessed beyond measure. 

These moments relate more to my home rather than homesteading. They give me encouragement to keep working hard for the future we dream of together. To live a simpler life in our home with our gods and the local land and house spirits. Having something to push you to continue…something to inspire you and fill you with the drive you need to go on is something we all desire and require. Cherish each loving moment. 
  

Madrona Fiber Festival 2016

I am working on a bunch of yarn related things today that I want to share soon. So I felt I needed to get on some blog posts to cover old stuff first! Even though I have posted I believe 6 blogs since last night. 

Haha! In this post I want to talk about Madrona Fiber Arts Festival in Tacoma, WA! I found out about the event from a local fiber related group just a few days before the event. Too late to register for classes and workshops but the marketplace would be open. We went on a Sunday so we found parking easily and there weren’t any crowded booths to deal with. It was nice! I found a really cool vendor who creates mini wheels, I got to see electric wheels up close, there was an amazing variety of yarn and of course what I really came there for. The fiber. Most was a little too fancy for a beginner but seeing it excited me! I bought three different undyed Shetland and Targhee wool top rovings from “Island Fibers.” They all still smelled slightly of the animals they came from which made me happy. Odd thing to say I suppose. However, it reminded me that it comes from a creature of the earth and that someday I will have my own fiber animals to spoil silly in a trade for their precious wool. After that I roamed around, bought some rainbow handspun plyed with black to make something cool with and then finished the day at the “Wool Gatherings” booth and bought a brightly colored wool/silk braid of top roving. My husband bought a Finnish braid of wool. The event had about 40 vendors and was free to enter. It was only an hour away from our home and the perfect way to start Valentine’s Day with my love. Crafting is a big part of our life that we bond over and it was a blessing to share this experience together.