My Custom Homestead: Step 14

As I travel along in Jill Winger's Your Custom Homestead (www.theprairiehomestead.com), I am finding myself a little discouraged.  It happens I suppose, but I want a farm now.  While making the best of my current city life is challenging and rewarding, it still falls short of the peace and serenity of the country life I long for.

Perhaps if I work on Step 14, "Know your local resources," I will find support during these times of feeling the longing of a Barnheart (Jenna Woganrich).  Jill suggests a few starting points for connecting to local resources:  becoming a regular at your local farmers' market, checking Craigslist for homesteading ads, or starting/joining a club.  These are all great ideas, and if I did them myself I would probably find come good company on this trail I am blazing towards my destiny.

Manhattan Farmers' Markets

Asparagus, chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner. 

Melt-in-your-mouth strawberries

Beautiful

Gorgeous radishes

Crispy lettuce

Ahhhh, chamomile

Country Living Fair: Rhinebeck

The first thing I noticed when my sister, my daughter and I stepped out of the car at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, New York, was how quiet it was.  Ahhhh, peace.  No sirens, no trucks, no car horns, no people yelling on the street.  Just the rustle of leaves in the trees and birds chirping.  My ears were ringing from the silence.  It was good to be home.

This is the second year that Country Living has hosted their fair in Rhinebeck.  Since I missed it last year, I was determined to go this year.  We were not disappointed!  So many treasures and ideas, artists loved and new artists discovered.  Only 364 days til the next Country Living Fair!