Everybody’s idea of what homesteading is, is a little different. That’s ok. It’s like when someone says their favorite color is blue. We have an idea what they mean, but there are so many shades, tones, translucencies…we each like what we like.
I started writing a book about homesteading and I realized that I should look at my average day. Then I realized that really there is no average day, but I could write an example of two, “mostly normal” days. I am, what many people call, a Hobby Homesteader. I do not expect to be completely, or even mostly, self sufficient. I do have a garden, we do have chickens, we do hunt, we do make much of our own foodstuffs and stuff for the home, we do cut, split, and burn firewood. We also buy a lot of things if we decide we cannot or do not want to “make do” or do without. Here are two of my average days, if there is such a thing:
Summer schedule
4:45-5:00a wake up for no particular reason.
5:10a listen to the oldest child leave for work
5:35a first alarm goes off. Time to snuggle with the hubby or chat, or fall back asleep.
5:50a second alarm goes off. Assist finding any clothes or supplies needed for him to go to work. Pack his lunch. Open up the chicken coop and feed the hens (and goose). Feed the cats.
6:30a go back to bed to check blog social media, email, freelancing apps
7:00a rest my eyes, possibly fall back asleep
7:45a acknowledge that I need to get up.
8:00a my breakfast, call any offices for appointments etc. then fun social media mixed with blog and homestead media/
8:30a If it rains, continue with my computer work until close to lunch.
If it’s decent weather, hang the first load of laundry outside to dry, continue the laundry intermittently.
Clean kitchen to begin canning, baking, or whatever homesteading project needs to be done.
11:00a Collect eggs. Prep dinner stuff by making sure meat is thawed, or running errands and collecting what we need for dinner.
12:00p Garden work – usually weeding. Some years the weather actually feels like summer and I would do gardening early in the morning when it’s cool. This year has been cool and overcast almost all summer, so noon is actually comfortable outside.
2:00p more canning or crafts
3:00p housework or crafting
4:30p prep dinner*
5:30p eat dinner & clean up. Or, if the next day is market day, wash and prepare the veggies and eggs. Pack up and load as much as possible in the vehicle (everything except that which is temperature dependent.)
6:30p hang out with hubby and work on the computer, book review, or crochet.
7:30p prep stuff for the next day
8:30p (or as it gets dark) lock chicken in the coop, bring in the feeder and fill it for the next day.
9:00p go to bed
10:00p typical mom fashion, almost ready to go to sleep.
*sports throw this for a time change and food needs to be prepped before practice and a heavy snack eaten, but actual dinner will be eaten later. In which case times are for prepping, transport to practice, work on some project in the vehicle while he plays, then dinner and clean up at home, then time with hubby while computering (it should be a word!) or crocheting.
Yes, it’s a full day.
Winter schedule
4:45-5:00a wake up for no particular reason.
5:10a listen to the oldest child leave for work
5:35a first alarm goes off. Time to snuggle with the hubby or chat, or fall back asleep.
5:50a second alarm goes off. Assist finding any clothes or supplies needed for him to go to work. Pack his lunch. Open up the chicken coop and feed the hens (and goose). Feed the cats. Stir up the woodstove.
6:30a Wake up one child. Pull out foods for school lunches. Start laundry, dishwasher, etc.
7:00a Wake up youngest child. (During Covid we did temperature checks and daily health questions at this time) Drink coffee.
7:45a Bring youngest to school, potentially run errands next.
8:00a If not running errands, my breakfast, call any offices for appointments etc. then fun social media mixed with blog and homestead media/
8:30a Housework
9:30a Clean kitchen to begin canning, baking, or whatever homesteading project needs to be done.
11:00a Collect eggs. Prep dinner stuff by making sure meat is thawed, or running errands and collecting what we need for dinner.
12:00p Computer work
3:00p housework or crafting, knowing that the youngest will soon be home and interrupting
4:30p prep dinner*
5:30p eat dinner & clean up. Or, if the next day is market day, wash and prepare the eggs. Pack up and load as much as possible in the vehicle (everything except that which is temperature dependent.)
6:30p hang out with hubby and work on the computer, book review, or crochet.
7:30p prep stuff for the next day
8:30p (or as it gets dark) lock chicken in the coop, bring in the feeder and fill it for the next day. Bank off the stove for the night.
9:00p go to bed
10:00p typical mom fashion, almost be ready to go to sleep.
*sports throw this for a time change and food needs to be prepped before practice and a heavy snack eaten, but actual dinner will be eaten later. In which case times are for prepping, transport to practice, work on some project in the vehicle while he plays, then dinner and clean up at home, then time with hubby while computering (it should be a word!) or crocheting.
No wonder I’m so tired. I find that I am grateful that I don’t have animals that have to be milked at a certain time. Gardens, chickens, canning, and crafts are pretty flexible – that’s why I chose this life.
Now while these may be typical days, there are plenty of exceptions. Appointments change them of course. Market days are 5-6 hours away from home. Game days and scrimmage days change everything. …
I tend to eat as I’m working on tasks, and I tend to check social media and email a few times a day. There are a couple of times that I fall into a rabbit hole with that, but overall I’m pretty good. I also listen to audiobooks during any task that I can (if I won’t be interrupted).
How do you spend your days?
Your schedule is very cool but super busy. Having said that I have six weeks off and mine currently is more relaxed than usual.
Six weeks off sounds awesome.
When I was teaching I had that, but I found myself to be just as busy as during the school year!
Enjoy your time!!
Your eldest child leaves for work at ten past five in the morning? Is it a long commute or something? That’s super early to go to work unless you work in public transport to get commuters to work. Do they work in public transport? I hope I never have to get up that early, I don’t normally fall asleep until 02.00, although I do tend to wake up at 05.00, but I just try to get a few more hours sleep when I do.
Kinda weird to know you pack your husbands lunch, I don’t think I’ve had anyone do that for me since I was five years old.
So the drive for my child is only about 30 minutes, but they work four long days then have three off. He hates mornings, too.
My husband could pack his own lunch, but he has trouble finding things in the am so it’s easier and quieter if I just do it. Lol
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!
I love that you have a summer and winter schedule! Posts like this are always so interesting to read, it’s fun to get insight into other lives. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed the insight!
My hubby wants to start homesteading. Your schedule is busy, but isn’t everyone busy with something? You’re enjoying a healthy life with your family. What more could anyone ask for really? Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by!
Remember, there are many levels to homesteading from hobby to self-sufficiency. I’m sure you can find a balance that works for you!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading😁😁
Sadly because covid I cant do my hobby 🙁
I’m so sorry!!
Can you try something new?