Homesteading and Healthy Habits/Hobbies

Awhile ago, I talked to a man who I traded my chicken's paws (he wanted to make broth with the feet) with, for a delicious jar of fermented cabbage.  He was impressed with our lifestyle and said, "It sounds like you have some healthy habits/hobbies."  Honestly, I can't remember if he said habits or hobbies, it's the word "healthy" that made a bell go off in my head.


Sadly, I never thought of it that way, but I am taking another perspective on it now.  Such as picking berries.  We dread it ever year - heat, sweat, prickers.  This year, when I talked to Hubby about it as a healthy habit, he agreed.  He does enjoy it, especially the delicious jam I make from the berries. 

I guess, because of society and the pressure to take the "convenience" route with all things in life, I felt we were always busy (as in the negative "busy"). I let society allow me to think of our way of living as a hardship, when it is not.  

Around where we live, you don't run in to folks like us (living off the land as much as possible, avoiding chemicals, and do-it-yourself folks).

Today I am thankful for:

~the milk the goats give us and for my daughter who milks them every day (and cares for them).
~folks with the same interests as us
~Hubby and the kids for picking all the berries for me this season
~Hubby, for installing the rain barrels (and wanting another one)
~for the bounty of green beans from the garden this season
~herbal teas
~God's love
~for the strawberries our plants are producing
~for the local library 
~Sunshine 
~for produce stands when our garden faces dreadful weather

Yesterday, the kids helped clean a bushel of sweet corn (we purchased), and I blanched and froze it.  We were thankful to get a bit of broccoli and cauliflower from the garden too.  We enjoyed both the leftover ears of corn, and veggies from the garden, at dinner.  I will need about 2 more bushels of corn to stock up for winter/spring.  

We are facing more heat today, and I will not be able to do much but pick strawberries.  My youngest has her library reading program this morning, so I'll be getting a visit to the library.  I'm hoping I can find the book that has a delicious cucumber dip recipe in it.

I need about 6 more ounces of strawberries before I can try a new recipe.  By golly, I'll get something canned this season.  I'm a woman on a mission.