"From Pinterest Dreams to Chicken Dramas: Our Wild Ride into Homesteading"

The Dream Life of Barefoot Kids and Frolicking Dogs: Our Homesteading Adventure

It’s a tale as old as time… well, maybe not as old as time, but at least as old as our Pinterest boards and daydreams! We envisioned the perfect life: rolling hills tucked away in the North Georgia mountains, kids running barefoot and free without a care in the world, and our dog frolicking around the property. Picture chickens and ducks running amuck while we collect fresh eggs every morning. All of this while I sip my hot coffee, listening to the creek flow and the wind blow, feeling like I could provide for my family entirely off our land if needed.

That was the dream: to become fully self-sustainable.

Well, we found it. We bought it, and we moved. End of story.

Just kidding! Buckle up, because this journey has been a wild ride. Two years into this adventure, and let me tell you, it’s been more like “Homesteading: The Reality Show” than a serene postcard.

Garden Failures and Chicken Dramas

First, let’s talk about those gardens. Oh, the gardens. I had dreams of lush, thriving vegetable patches. Reality? I’ve had not one, not two, but three failed gardens. Who knew plants could be so finicky and weeds grow faster than literally anything else. Between the bugs, the deer, the chickens and my questionable green thumb, it’s been a botanical battlefield out here.

And the chickens. We started with a small army of them, clucking happily around. Fast forward two years, and we’re down to a quarter of what we began with. I’d like to say it’s because we became expert chicken farmers, but really, it’s more like a poultry version of "Survivor" out here. Who knew chickens had so much drama?

Cows in the Freezer and Renovation Realities

Ah, the cows. We raised two beautiful cows, and now they’re… in our deep freezer. Yes, you read that right. I didn’t anticipate becoming so attached to the cows that I now refer to as “steak” and “hamburger,” but here we are. At least our quest for self-sustainability is somewhat intact, right?

Then there’s the renovations. Turns out, I’m bougier than I was before. Who knew a quest for self-sustainability would lead to a passion for high-end home decor? My mission to turn this place into our little oasis has involved more trips to home improvement stores than I’d like to admit. But hey, if I’m going to be out here wrestling with garden hoses and chicken feed, I might as well do it in style (or hire someone else because clearly I need help.)

Lessons Learned and Laughs Shared

Through all the mishaps and the constant “what have we gotten ourselves into?” moments, there’s been so much joy. The kids running around barefoot, riding horses bareback, and having no neighbors in sight is everything we dreamed of. The farm-to-table lifestyle is as rewarding as it is challenging but I still have to get my produce at the grocery store.

So here’s to the dreamers, the doers, and everyone in between. Homesteading isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s worth every bit of chaos and every laugh shared over our failed gardening attempts and animal shenanigans. We’re figuring it out as we go, one muddy boot at a time.

Stay tuned for more adventures from the HardKnox Homestead. Who knows, maybe by next year, I’ll have a successful garden to brag about. Or at least more chickens.