Bluebirds on the Ground. Kelsey, Texas, USA.

As this series progresses I feel just amazed at the friendships I have made here.   I remember Kelsey being madly keen to have her first baby and before they moved to the ranch.   We have been on a journey together as we also moved to the farm.   We both have experienced a lot of growth!  Look at how much Kelsey and her husband have put in.   I am sure you are going to find her post a joy!

    Hello Annabel and Bluebirds!  I'm very honored to write a Bluebirds on the Ground report.  I have been reading and learning from Annabel and the ladies here for many years, and I'm happy if I'm able to contribute in any way!

   

   My husband, Colton, and I live on an acre in the middle of my father-in-law's ranch in South Texas with our two sons, ages 5 and 2.  When we first moved here six years ago, our goal was to first get set up with a garden and chickens, things we enjoyed even when we lived in town.  Besides the pleasure we get from these hobbies, our primary reason was to have our own food source, making us less dependent on the stores and therefore, ideally at least, saving money on groceries.  We set our focus on outdoor projects, as opposed to improving the house- we wanted to be more sustainable first, even if just a little.  Little did we know the global events that would transpire.

   Getting set up was no small feat, as all we had to work with was an old, dilapidated coop with a tree growing through the middle of it and an overgrown, unfenced patch of land.  We made do with what we had, planting our garden and securing the coop enough to keep a small flock safe.  Eventually, as we saved, we were able to build fences, a new coop, and a big garden shed to hold all of our animal feed and garden equipment.  Writing it out seems so simple, but it was a long process that took years and a lot of hard work, which we did ourselves.  We are so glad we were able to do all of this before lumber prices quadrupled!

   Living on the ranch, Colton is able to  hunt deer in the fall. This is a huge blessing- we hardly have to buy meat, which saves a small fortune.  We process it all ourselves.  I usually freeze it but have recently started canning it, as well.  We also have our own bees for honey.

   In addition to hunting, Colton is very handy around the house, fixing and building most everything we need.  He knows gunsmithing and winemaking, and is currently learning to blacksmith and tan animal hides.  Let's just say that if it's an old-fashioned or manly skill, Colton is interested in it, much to the benefit of our household.  He is a firefighter/paramedic for a living, and his medical knowledge has been a huge asset, as well.

   My in-laws also live on the ranch, and we are good friends with our neighbors.  We watch out for each other, help each other, keep an eye on things, and trade goods and skills with one another.  I think having a community or group of people you can trust is so important.

   We keep a well-stocked pantry, which is supplied by my garden and things we find on sale at the grocery store.  This includes toiletries and household items.  If there is a deal on something, I will buy extra for my pantry, or to freeze or can.  My pantry has seen us through many times when money was scarce or food was unavailable.

   I shop second-hand for the vast majority of our things- clothes, furniture, craft supplies, items for the home, etc. If I do buy something new, very rarely do I pay full price for it.  I shop sales and use coupons and rebates.

   I make my own gifts, largely inspired by Annabel and the community here.  This not only saves money but is a true source of enjoyment for me.  I like to sew and do papercrafts, and will often include home-canned items, baked goods, fresh eggs, honey, or saved seeds from my garden as part of a gift.  At one point I turned my paper crafting hobby into extra income, opening an Etsy shop and selling my stationery.  I've also set up at our local farmer's market to peddle my baking, sewing, or whatever else I got up to making.

   As for current events, my report is very similar to the other US ladies.  Availability at the grocery store is fair- sometimes you might not find a certain brand of something and sometimes entire sections of an aisle will be empty- but they are usually restocked in a few weeks.  I am still continually amazed at the price increase each time I shop, which hasn't seemed to stop.  The same amount of money buys less and less.  I check the sales fliers, but most of the time I pass up what is advertised as either still too expensive, or simply unnecessary.

   Our home and auto insurance each went up $80 recently, not because of anything we did or didn't do.  Prices seem to be going up across the board, and I have heard many small local businesses complain about having to go up on their customers in order to keep up with their own rising expenses.  It's not something they want to do- they simply have no choice, and as a result, they lose business because people just can't afford it.  It hurts everybody and it's sad to see. 

   

   I have no desire at all to get political here, but being a report on my area, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that our border crisis is getting worse.  Being less than two hours from Mexico, this is very real for us.  It is not uncommon for fences to be cut or driven through, or for things to be stolen, and we have firsthand experience.  I won't go into specifics, but we do have means of self defense, including big dogs to alert us should someone come on our property unwelcome.  I think no matter where we live, there are people who get desperate and we have to be prepared for those situations, though I hope and pray it never comes to that for any of us.

   I have asked Colton if he has any news on the medical front.  He said everything in our area is back to normal as far as the emergency sector goes- meds are fully stocked and the hospitals aren't crowded.  This is very good news.

   I can't end without saying that these things would be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, without my faith in God.  I do what I can, with what I have, where I am, and I know God will take care of the rest.  He always provides for his children and is the ultimate source of comfort, peace, and joy to those who trust in him, even in hard times.  Looking back, I can see God's providence in orchestrating all we have accomplished here at the ranch.  Even though we fought against it at times (it hasn't been an easy journey!), he brought us through for our benefit and our good.  I'm so thankful.

Thank you so much Kelsey!  I enjoyed this so much.  Your photos, presentation of your preserves and goods for sale are just beautiful.   There is something here to inspire and encourage everyone!

If you would like to hear more from Kelsey she has a blog here at Spring Creek Cottage.