by Texas Homesteader ~ 

Many have asked how we got started in this Homesteading life. Were we born into it? Did we work our way to it later in life? Just how did we get to this Texas Homestead? And why? 

Read on, dear friends.

No Longer Feeling Fulfilled In City Life

We had the good life alright. We lived in Dallas and had a nice home, wonderful children, promising careers and all that qualifies for the good ‘ole American life in suburbia.

Our children excelled in school and had many friends. We were in close proximity to entertainment and restaurants, museums and parks, movie theaters and concert halls.

But we found ourselves in a stagnant rushed daily pattern of get up / go to work / work all day / come home / try to live life.

It seemed we were stuck on a pattern of rush – shower – sleep – REPEAT! It felt like we were doing the same thing every day and we no longer felt fulfilled. 

When our children graduated high school and went off to begin their own lives, we really began to feel even more out of place. We wanted something more.

Taking The Leap To Country Living

We began looking for a piece of property that would suffice for a weekend getaway. But when we found this piece of paradise in Northeast Texas we knew this would be where our future was to be found.

As we stood next to the cobbled-together gate and viewed the overgrown and cluttered property, the old and broken fences and the tattered 1880’s barn, it was apparent that we had LOTS of work ahead of us!

(yes, this tattered falling-down barn is the SAME BEATIFUL BARN you’ve heard me talk about after it was refurbished!)

You can take a virtual tour of this beautiful old barn HERE 

But with renewed hope for a new and exciting future we took that leap and purchased the property.

Preparing Raw Land For A Future Homestead

The first several years were a (hard) work in progress. We came from the big city on weekends to clear trash left behind by previous owners, repair the tattered old barn & remove multitudes of the dreaded Honey Locust trees.

We wanted to restore this property to its original beauty. Although it’s still a work in progress, several years of hard work had polished it beautifully.

But now that we’ve cleaned it up, what to do with it?

It’s really just a bit too large to become only a weekend getaway. Could it be possible we could actually make a living here? Maybe even move here ourselves in the future? Hummmm… 

Our First Cattle – Intimidated By Auction Process

We’d never been to an auction before and were very intimidated by the entire process.

One of our first local acquaintances was a veteran cattleman who purchased our first calves for us at a livestock auction.

Then he brought them to his own corral to immunize and pour them for us, then delivered them to our own fledgling ranch.

We were cattlemen! Now there was no looking back!

Choosing A Cattle Breed To Raise

After we successfully raised those first few mix-breed calves we wanted to expand and choose a specific cattle breed on which to focus.

We decided that we liked the old-time western look of the Hereford breed. So we contacted a breeder and purchased our very first registered Hereford pairs. We’ve built our experience from there!

We’ve gone from that timid inexperienced landowner to raising a herd of registered Hereford cows and calves. 

And now RancherMan is even certified to get them bred through the complicated procedure of bovine artificial insemination.

That not only allows us access to some of the greatest bull genetics available, but also eliminates the need for a bull to even be present in our herd unless we want one.

Simple Living Lessons Learned

Living where we do has taught me a new appreciation for the beauty God has blessed us with each and every day.

I notice the small things more – the beauty of the first tiny spring flowers to peek out from the sleeping grass, the graceful hawk that calls to her young as she teaches them to fly, and the array of colors present on a butterfly’s wings.

I try to be as gentle as I can as I tread on this land and in this life. I’ve learned to improve our garden soil so that I can produce more of what we eat.

Being Gentle On Our Earth, Providing For Ourselves

Our garden is so productive there’s enough to feed us and preserve more for later by freezing, dehydrating and canning the rest for winter meals.

We’re also able to share fresh garden goodness with friends, neighbors and community. 

I’ve learned to preserve the rainfall by capturing what flows from our roof. We have 3 Rainwater Catchment Systems we utilize now on the homestead. 

One downspout diverts rainwater into a huge 20-ft deep underground concrete cistern for garden irrigation. Two others are used for other outdoor watering needs.

I’ve learned about the price paid for convenience foods in currency, health and environmental terms. And I’ve begun to make many of those products myself for a healthier, cheaper alternative. 

I’ve learned to make cold-pressed soap as well as cleaning products, spice mixes, yogurt and pasta.

As a result I’ve become so much more aware of my environmental self. And I’m pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to make small changes that have a real effect.

Everyone has a dream but we’re so blessed that our dream has finally come true. One step at a time I find that I’m rediscovering myself.

I’ve heard the phrase “Bloom where you’re planted” and I’m so blessed to have been planted here!

~TxH~

Links Included In This Post:

• Photo Tour Of Our 1880’s Barn
• Honey Locust Trees: Useless yet Useful!
• Blessing Basket – Bounty To Share
• 3 Rainwater Catchment Systems Used On Our Homestead 
• Outdoor Water Conservation Tips
• MYO Lavender/Rosemary Homemade Soap
• Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning In Minutes
• Homemade Yogurt – Stovetop Method 
• Homemade Pasta – Just 3 Ingredients

Other Homesteading Posts

Old Homesteads/Past Lives

• Tour Our 1880’s Barn
• Evidence of A Past Homestead
• Evidence of (Yet ANOTHER) Old Homestead

Self Sufficiency

• Top 10 Homesteading Posts Each Year
• Easy Self-Sufficiency Steps You Can Take Now
• Why Bother With This Homesteading Thing??!
• Building Life With Our Own Two Hands

Animals, Chickens, Cows

• Easily Separating Cream From Raw Milk
• Teaching Free-Range Hens To Come HOME
• What I’ve Learned About Free-Range Eggs

Gardening/Food

• Vegetable Garden Planning Made Easy
• Lazy Gardener’s Plant List
• Foraging For FREE Food

Precious Resources/Conservation

• 3 Water-Catchment Systems We Use On The Homestead
• Soap Grows On TREES: Using Natural Soapberry Shampoo

See All Our Homesteading Posts

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