For the past couple of years I have chosen a word for the year. I've come to realize that even when I forget my word or don't directly focus on it, it still seems to have an overall presence in my life.
For this year, 2025, I have chosen the word "rooted". I took it a step further and chose a verse to go along with it: Psalm 1:3
This year my focus is most importantly, on God. I need to be rooted in HIS word and in HIS truth. I need to be sure that everything else I am doing in life stems from HIS will for me.
I also want to establish roots by pursuing our dream of owning our own land and home, growing our homestead, and having a place for our family to join us if they choose.
That's why I chose Psalm 1:3 for my verse. It encompasses all of my hopes and dreams for the year. I need to remind myself that everything has a season. That everything in its own time is prosperous.
When I was choosing my word, this is a note I made to help me make sure it was all aligned: Rooted is the word I am leaning towards. I believe it will remind me that when I stay rooted in God, the rest of my life will follow and I will be able to withstand all that comes my way. I also like that it portrays the foundation of my homestead and relationships. Standing firm in all things that matter most.
I also took it another step further and had some help choosing a color scheme. Here's a look at the colors and what they stand for, as they relate to my theme for this year:
- Earthy Greens– Symbolizing growth, stability, and being rooted in the earth.
- Shades like sage green, olive green, or deep forest green.
- Rich Browns– Representing the strong foundation of soil, connectedness, and dependability.
- Colors like chestnut, cocoa, or walnut brown.
- Muted Terracotta or Clay – Evoking the warmth and groundedness of the earth, with a cozy, natural vibe.
- Warm Neutrals – Soft shades like beige, taupe, or sand that provide a calming and grounded atmosphere.
- Deep Blues – Representing steadfastness and calm, connecting to the deep roots of faith and spirituality.
Oddly enough, these are all colors I was already using. I love how perfectly it's all aligning for me this year. I'll make a few posts throughout the year as to how I'm moving forward with my word and theme for this year. For starters, I have come across a new Bible study aid (more on this in the next post). It's not only helping me keep my theme going, it's also helping me really grow and deepen my spiritual roots.
If you haven't chosen a word for the year yet, it's not too late! In fact, I can direct you to a help that I used (created by my sister!). It has some thought-provoking exercises to help you narrow down your focus for the year. You can grab your free workbook here!
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Homesteading can be deeply rewarding, but it’s not without heartbreak. This week, we faced one of the tougher moments every homesteader dreads—losing a kid (baby goat). Here’s what happened and what we’re learning through the process.
A Difficult Loss on the Homestead
Sadly, losing a baby animal is something every homesteader faces at some point. In our case, we suspect the mother wasn’t providing enough nutrition for one of her twins. Despite our efforts to intervene, it was too late by the time we returned with supplies.
Lessons in Monitoring and Nutrition
This loss taught us the importance of closely monitoring mother goats, especially with twins. This is something we have been trying to do, but it's easy to be misled and think all is well. Earlier in the week the kid seemed to be doing just fine, telling us it was some small sign we failed to recognize. We also realized we need to be better prepared, keeping supplies for bottle-feeding on hand in case of emergencies.
Challenges of Homesteading Without Land
One of the biggest hurdles we’re facing is living 20 minutes away from the land where we keep our animals. If we were closer, we might have caught the issue sooner and had a better chance of saving the kid. Homesteading without owning land adds unique challenges, but we’re finding ways to adapt.
Looking Ahead: Downsizing the Herd
Our next challenge is downsizing the herd. Without a truck, transporting animals to the processor or sale is tricky. We’re considering creative options, like taking a few at a time in our minivan. Yes, we’re doing this whole homesteading bit backwards, but we’re making it work.
Despite the struggles, we’re learning, growing, and taking steps toward our dream of owning land. Every challenge is a lesson, and every small victory is a step closer to the sustainable, self-sufficient life we envision.
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
