There is a quote that I have been living by the past few years. Until recently, I never knew who said it and apparently I havent been saying it correctly either.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are” Theodore Roosevelt
I think this is one of the unwritten rules that homesteaders live by. We make the most of what we have. We don’t have to have the biggest and the best (unless of course that’s what the job calls for).
Most of the homesteaders I know have a stock pile of used glass jars and egg cartons. They also have compost piles and make vinegar from their apple scraps and when the vinegar is finished fermenting they give the apples scraps to their chickens as a snack.
I know that I have so many things that I want to accomplish on our land. I have many dreams and goals for our property. But I also know that I need to pace myself and be happy with what I have. Become an expert on what I have. Improve on what I have. Once I have done the most I can with what I already have, I can pursue my other goals, when we can afford to do so.
It’s hard to have dreams sometimes. There is a lot that I would like to do to our home and property but I have to feed my family before I buy new ceiling fans (because God knows those brass ones need to go!). Until then, the lights turn on and the room feels cool. And I can always paint the brass to help ease the suffering eyes.
Being a first time homesteader I have a lot to catch up on. But I have to remind myself that in order for our homestead to thrive, I have to do what is best for it. I have to spend money wisely and prioritize my projects. I have to keep myself from comparing other people’s homesteads to my own.
“Comparison is the Thief of Joy” – Theodore Roosevelt
Photo courtesy of Karen Kastner
Homestead Heroine 
Very nice posting, a wise quotation as well – its encompasses the necessity to use materials in our possession and not waste what can be useful. Perhaps a silly question, but what is a homesteader?
Hi Zakkthomas,
Thanks for commenting.
That is a good question and I am actually going to write a post about that soon! A homesteader is someone who tries to make their home, property and life style self-sufficient. They aspire to provide their own food mostly, but also energy and water as well. That’s the short description, there is a whole different life style involved.
Wow, I didn’t realize there was a word for that definition. That describes the life still I am aspiring towards. Looking forward to reading that article !
Thanks Zakkthomas! Looking forward to your comments! Take care.
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