Little Heathens Ranch

Hello Homesteaders!

Welcome to 2021! Here’s to hoping it is a gentler year than 2020 was. With the new year I always think about what I learned the previous year, maybe set some goals for the coming year but it’s not any kind of resolution so to speak. This past year was so different in pace than any other we’ve had recently… so many changes in one small time frame. It’s times like these that being a homesteader is that much more of a blessing.

What did 2020 teach us? We learned that in hard times your neighbor is more trustworthy than the government. The food supply can be disrupted nationwide in the blink of an eye, being able to grow your own food is becoming a lost art. Toilet paper really is just one option out of several for personal cleanup, technically the military taught me that but it was a surprise for many this year. We were reminded the stressors and dangers of city living versus the calm of the country life. Above all else this year.. we learned that people can still come together to help each other, which we thought was a dead ideal.

What do we hope to see in 2021? Many things on the agenda for us this year, we will be hard pressed to make it happen but try we shall. We want to find another Mastiff female, probably a Bullmastiff, to add in to our breeding program. Our sheep herd has gotten a bit large for the space we have and what we want to keep so some culling will be done this year, hard choices to be made. Heather is looking at taking some web design classes. Shawn is brushing up on his aquaponics knowledge and set on doing some upgrades on the Nissans this year. Most importantly we want to keep up the relationships with those we’ve connected with over this pandemic, not really our particular strong suit but we hope to better that trait.

BIG CONGRATULATIONS are in order for some loved ones; Heather’s sister, Hillary, and Shawn’s daughter, Shawna, both have big news going into 2021. Hillary & Chris will be married this year in a Florida beach ceremony! We wish them much happiness in their coming nuptials and marital life. Shawna & Michael announced their engagement late in 2020! We hope for many blessings on them as they plan their life together. In addition both Shawna and Hillary had big academic achievements. Shawna finished her Bachelor’s degree out and Hillary has entered into nursing school. Much respect to you both, we are so proud of you ladies.

The house in Texas will be finished this year, come hell or high water it will be done. Starting with roof trusses, exterior walls, roofing, windows, and doors. Then its electrical, plumbing, insulation and interior paneling. Most of the appliances have already been purchased and are awaiting install, the rest of the furniture will be carried over from the old house with exception to maybe a new couch set. There will be a big wrap around porch with ramp in front of the house for family gatherings, possibly a small greenhouse to the right side on the deck, nice open space in the main area, open kitchen with pantry, crafting area, large central bathroom, spacious closets for all her clothes… we tried to meet all the things she mentioned being important to her. We hope this house will suit her needs until she decides to move on. Here is a basic mockup, fairly close to scale, of what we want it to look like in the end.

When that is done we can head back to our homestead in Arizona. The Ranch needs some attending too, so many projects when we first get there that must be done post haste. The plan is to get back early to mid summer so that we have the rest of the season to get the cabins finished out with plumbing, wiring, and insulation at minimum. Then there are fire places to install, fencing to put up for the home yard and initial livestock pen, building in the bathroom. Luckily we have a brand new generator, an empty 20′ container on the property, and feeding the sheep there will be significantly less expensive… alfalfa in Dallas is $20-35 per bale whereas in Arizona it is $12-16 per bale. Small positives.

We will leave this session on that note, lots to think about and work on in the coming year… some big things to accomplish. Happy New Year Homesteaders! Bless your homes and works.