Our fenced Georgia pasture with green grass, a wire gate, and tall pines behind it

the fence is up

Homesteading from scratch, one desperate measure at a time.

Two late-start homesteaders, one quaint farmhouse, and a pocket-sized pasture in Georgia. No experience, small budget, and we're building it all from scratch. Come along for the homestead projects, the budget farmhouse finds, and every flop in between.

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Homestead status report

We have the home and the stead. Everything else is a work in progress.

We fly by the seat of our pants. Right now we're making small improvements to the house and the pasture while we save for a barn and a chicken coop. The goats, the donkey, the chickens, and the garden are all coming. Someday.

A house done
A fenced pasture done
A barn saving up
A chicken coop saving up
Goats, a donkey, and chickens someday
A garden someday
Any idea what we're doing pending

Building the homestead

Starting a Homestead Later in Life With Zero Experience

We have the house, the land, and a fence. That's it. Here's where we're starting and why we decided not to wait.

A small red barn with white trim beside a fenced pasture

Homestead for Beginners

Small Barn Ideas We're Saving Up For

The pasture is fenced and the barn fund is growing very slowly. Here's what we're looking for in a small barn for a few goats and a donkey.

A small wooden chicken coop with a ramp and nesting box in a grassy yard

Homestead for Beginners

Beginner Chicken Coop Ideas We're Considering

Chickens are next on the list, right after the coop money shows up. Here's what we're looking for as total beginners.

A flat lay of ergonomic garden tools, a folding garden kneeler, and a rolling cart

Garden Tools That Save Your Back

Tools That Save Your Back When You Start Homesteading Late

We are not 25, and our backs remind us daily. These are the tools on our list for doing more with less strain.

A tidy pantry shelf with clear bins, airtight containers, labels, and mason jars

Farmhouse Kitchen and Pantry Ideas

Pantry Organization Ideas for a Future Homestead Pantry

Someday this pantry will hold home-canned tomatoes. Right now it holds cereal and good intentions.

our backs said please

Homesteading later in life means working smarter, not harder.

We don't have decades to figure this out, so we look for the shortcuts, the budget finds, and the tools that do the heavy lifting for us.

See the back-saving tools

Making the farmhouse feel like home

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A cozy fall vignette with faux pumpkins, a plaid throw, a wreath, and a rustic lantern

Fall Farmhouse Decor Ideas

Budget Fall Farmhouse Decor Ideas Under $30

Fall decor without the fall-sized bill. A few rustic touches make the whole house feel like autumn.

A farmhouse kitchen counter with glass canisters, a wood cutting board, a wire egg basket, and a utensil crock

Farmhouse Kitchen and Pantry Ideas

10 Farmhouse Kitchen Finds Under $50

You don't need a renovation budget to get a cozy farmhouse kitchen. These budget pieces add warmth without the price tag.

A cozy farmhouse front porch with rocking chairs, outdoor pillows, lanterns, and planters

Front Porch and Outdoor Living

Cozy Front Porch Ideas on a Budget

After a long day of fixing fences, the porch is the reward. These budget ideas make it the best seat on the property.

A small farmhouse bathroom with a new shower curtain, black hardware, a countertop tray, and a plant

Budget Bathroom Makeover Ideas

Cheap Bathroom Upgrades That Look Expensive

When the budget says no but the bathroom says help, these are the small swaps that make the biggest difference.

Follow along on Pinterest

Eight boards of beginner homestead ideas, back-saving tools, and budget farmhouse finds, updated every week.

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