Living simply at Maple Valley Farm

The Maple Cottage is getting a up-do..

2012-01-26T09:03:00.001-06:00

More "sophisticated-agrarianish"...

This complete design process is taking place by the extremely talented designers of R. S. Lucas Scott and Co. Of Holland, Michigan.

Check out their amazing website and stay tuned for the after pictures!

Http://rlucasscott.com/

A free give away from Maple Valley off-grid Farm

2012-01-25T07:47:00.001-06:00

Friends and family, we have a wonderful giveaway honoring the 3 year anniversary of Maple Valley off-grid Farm!

A DVD of unseen footage of the farm, our off-grid life, family and more!

To enter, please leave a detailed comment below of your most favourite blog post that we wrote about our off-grid life and how we may have inspired you. This is open to overseas readers as well as it will be easy to ship. We will hand pick the best and most interesting comment as the winner.

The contest is open until January 31st, 2012 midnight our time.

Happy writing!

Meet The Sophisticated Agrarian... HomemakerAng's New website with exciting announcements!

2012-01-15T22:02:00.000-06:00

check out the new website here

In where she answers only some of the why's on hooking up...

2012-01-12T09:12:00.000-06:00

Date: Thu, Jan 12, 2012 8:19 am

I wrote this post many times in my head… Truth be told, we were go for launch this past May 2011 to get electricity to the farm house after my serious residual effects from my months with the severe H1N1 this last April. After the flu, a hospitalization, coming home with a walker with partial paralysis of my right lower leg and left lower arm, then blood clots in my lungs from resting due to chronic pericarditis from the H1N1 and another hospital stay, the decision was made that I needed much rest the spring and summer of 2011. However, when the sun came out, the perennials came back, and the animals gave birth to spring time babies I threw a large fit to “STOP the PRESS” on hooking up to the electric company… After all, it was now summer and everything just seems easier on a farm in the beautiful summers of Michigan…

I took a much needed rest from the farm. Gardening only for our family, putting some canning to the wayside, closing the CSA, slowing down beef sales, stopped the classes and farm tours plus more… It was tough to see some of the fruits of our labours go to the wayside. As you already know, I really do not have a lot of sit in me. But, per doc’s serious orders, I needed to really take it easy. It still really did not seem enough for the chronic pericarditis to wane and waves of extreme leg weakness to subside… Even a couple week vacation didn’t really do the trick. All was partially fine until I came back to the farm and started lifting large kettles of water and doing wringer laundry again for all 8 of us… I was a fairly permanent fixture on Tuesdays at our local Laundromat, just ask Robin whom has become a friend of mine as she helped me fold quite a bit of laundry this past summer and into this current winter.

So, after almost 3 and ½ years without any electricity, (read that again if you think we threw in the towel to quick) 6 children, 1 born since the move, laundry for 8 on a farm and more, the family literally drug me kicking and screaming to today… Truth be told, this off-gird life rocks, it really does, when you are in 100% good health. I always said this, it works great until you are not 100% up to par. I still am not 100% up to par but I am gaining lots of ground.

I do not want to be the one that was the cause for us to go “on the grid”. I would be the last one of all 8 of us to have made this decision. However, I know God is still driving this thing and I am along for the ride, I am not the driver, He is…

Currently, we have a washer and dryer and 3 outlets and 1 light bulb hanging from the ceiling. We do not have plumbing yet, as I type this I am sitting under a leacock pressure lamp but our daughter is trying to curl her hair from a wand she saved . I was extremely ornery today, over joyed and very heart broken of today’s events as the waves of all of these emotions came over me. I am truly in shock as I write this as I am sure some of you loyal readers are as well. I couldn’t do this tough decision without a strong faith in a Lord and Saviour that leads my life, leads our life to where He knows we should be…

We have big news...

2012-01-11T21:16:00.001-06:00

Hoping this link works better...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=920484YxPwk&feature=g-all-u&context=G28c01acFAAAAAAAAAAA <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=920484YxPwk&feature=g-all-u&context=G28c01acFAAAAAAAAAAA>

Thank you Emily Zoladz for this sweet photo

2012-01-11T16:46:00.001-06:00

I have been busy creating...

2012-01-10T21:01:00.000-06:00

Inside and out of this farmhouse...

And, I discovered Annie Sloan Chalk Paint...

Need I say more?

They are calling this winter???

2012-01-10T14:13:00.001-06:00

It's a beautiful day in out neck of the woods for a pony cart ride! Almost 50 degrees...

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T10:20:00.000-06:00

Winter is making a late arrival this year, but that is ok with us.

We miss you all!

We love a clean slate and fresh start for the new year. How about you?

Any big plans or hopes?

We have some big announcements coming up... Stay tuned and Happy New Year. God bless you and yours.

I think this is the last year I can get him to wear an outfit like this!

2011-12-19T19:01:00.001-06:00

I have been sewing all day for our party tonight...

We love these precious little people!

There is a method to this madness I began this morning...

2011-12-19T13:42:00.001-06:00

Stay tuned...

Maple Valley Farms with Anderson Cooper October 2011 New York City

2011-12-17T14:59:00.000-06:00

Come and take a sneak peak inside and out of the Maple Valley Farmhouse at Christmas...

2011-12-10T08:31:00.001-06:00

Come in and smell the winter aromas

off cookies baking in the wood cookstove

with a hint of fresh greens

and wood smoke filling the walls of the farmhouse

lit by oil lights and candles for a truly old fashioned feel!

the doors of the shoppe haus are adorned with wreaths...

the rooms decked with vintage trims and more...

handmade by our daughter's eye

the wind blows with snow in the air...

Its truly an old-fashioned Christmas at Maple Valley Farm!

Morning snuggles...

2011-12-08T09:58:00.001-06:00

With chubby little hands

Did I ever tell you...?

2011-12-06T15:02:00.000-06:00

That we cook, heat, bathe, bake and wash with wood 24/7 and 365? Some days you may see five chimmneys going...?

Winter is taunting us from a distance but we are prepared... For about a month...

We better get back to work :)

He keeps popping up!

2011-12-06T08:47:00.001-06:00

We have been gathering at the farm...

2011-12-05T10:21:00.000-06:00

Now we just need some snow for our horses, jingle bells and sleigh!

20 years and still learning to grow strong...

2011-11-30T00:01:00.007-06:00

November 30, 2011 Grand Rapids, Michigan

in 1988 God had a plan to introduce to young people to each other... He knew the plan all along... He knew they could get through this hard, crazy and at times impossible life together with Him. He knew who would know me through my ups and downs, good and bad and some times crazy ideas with Him. He knew we would have ups and downs, good and bad and what seemed like some crazy ideas to most with Him... God's plan had 9 children waiting for us after walking down the aisle... He knew this couple could take this huge leap of faith and move to this run down farm and create a life together for a family and turn more towards Him. It has not been all roses. But if you are married for any length of time, you too can only understand to what I am referring too...

You do not fail the race even if you end of slowing down, going on bumpy curves or cruising in the fast lane... You lose the race if you quit. We have always chosen (love is truly a decision sometimes) to continue on in the race, to get back on our horses if you will, to reinvent ourselves from God's hands to bend for one another. As hard as that can be sometimes... You win the race if you finish...

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:14 KJV

Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us"...

Here is to many more years to reach the finish line, to press on toward the mark and to run with patience! In God we truly trust...

ps. and who would have thought that the Gentle Giant would have married this city slicker girl that can castrate and butcher hogs like nobodies business? BONUS!

November 30, 1991 Grandville, Michigan

May 1989

2011-11-24T20:23:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving

It's that kinda day...

2011-11-23T14:02:00.000-06:00

2011-11-22T18:25:00.000-06:00

And our creativity takes wings again but with a different twist. More time for inside artwork, singing with the auto harp and long reading nights...

What creative things so you cherish in your neck of the woods during winter?

Do tell us...

Ps. I lied... We Did not stack that wood today...

Thank you!

2011-11-21T19:16:00.001-06:00

Thank you Luke Gryzbowski for uploading the Anderson Cooper show were our farm, Maple Valley off-grid Farm was featured.

If you are interested in watching the show, please email us for the Google drop box information: Angela@maplevalleyfarms.net It is free if we invite you.

Just think...

2011-11-21T15:12:00.000-06:00

Of all the $ you could save on your gym membership if you lived here :)

Stacking wood is on this weeks agenda at the farm between school, hunting and oh yes "Thankfully Giving" the Gentle Giant's word...

In where she hunts for real... Not just for a photo op...

2011-11-21T11:58:00.000-06:00

As what Sarah might do...

And, I am learning from the best!

Maple Valley off-grid Farm at...

2011-11-19T15:32:00.001-06:00

8th St. Downtown Holland, Michigan...

One of our favourite spots!

Where is a favourite spot of yours to do a day trip with the Fam? Do tell...

Country Mice go to the city again!

2011-11-19T12:46:00.001-06:00

Guess where?

Family hunting highlights from the Leelanau northwoods!

2011-11-18T19:13:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for the relationship between father and son...

No deer this trip but no loss...

Many memories made!

What do you see here?

2011-11-18T16:20:00.000-06:00

Besides some ramshackle buildings we love...? :)

One more I forgot to mention...

2011-11-16T14:41:00.001-06:00

A visit with a dear friend... A kindred spirit...

2011-11-16T12:59:00.000-06:00

Although I did not get a photo with my dear friend Cary from Serenity Farms, I did get some photos of the goodies she brought us...

But first I must say how thankful I am for the many friends I have met through Local Harvest since we have moved to our farm. There are so many other like minded farm wives "out there" and Cary is one of them. Check out her blog at: http://www.serenity-farms.blogspot.com/ but first check out her awesome lamb wraps grown at her farm, gingerbread apple cake and what she knit from her wool!

Xo
I am coming your way next Cary to your wee house!

Our cottage guests are pleased!

2011-11-15T10:44:00.000-06:00

They traveled to hunt and this morning they scored a 7 pt. Buck from our farm!

Congrats to the V family!

Xo
Maple Valley off-grid Farm

No faux foo-foo farm here...

2011-11-14T14:44:00.000-06:00

I love the romanticism of farming.... The barn, the carriage and the brown eyed milking cow... However, this is a real farm...

We casterated 5 pigglets here today...

Now that's real farming... Not just all "pretty and perfect" pictures doctored up...

:)

Just sayin'

Time to get the woolens out...

2011-11-14T10:46:00.000-06:00

Temps are dropping. It is hinting of snow... Wool and I, well all of us and wool are good friends here at Maple Valley off-grid Farm.

How bout you? Do you have some favorite winter attire? Oh yes, and my shearling sheep slippers too...

We are still harvesting from the garden!

2011-11-14T10:38:00.000-06:00

SLwiss Chard, mixed with our own chicken foot stock, our venison, garden herbs and homemade bread with our honey EQUALS farm fresh goodness at its finest!

A wonder Sunday dinner...

Our blog header photo...

2011-11-13T14:01:00.001-06:00

This photo of the mama pig and pigglets plus our son was taken by Emily Zoladz, a photographer deom the Grand Rapids Press.

Thank you Emily!

He is popping up everywhere...

2011-11-13T09:33:00.000-06:00

Did you know there is a hamburger named after him...

"The Buddy Burger" - served at O'Tooles on Grand Rapids West side

Angela Kuncaitis

Thank you Emily Zoladz from the Grand Rapids Press-photographer

A young man's grocery list for deer camp

2011-11-11T12:14:00.000-06:00

I found this in his math work. Corn dogs? Cute! This is all things not eaten here, cute :)

Surprise! We still live in a free country...

2011-11-08T07:14:00.001-06:00

And thankfully our family serves a mighty God that has our backs.

We are still enjoying our off-grid life as always and will continue to do so freely.

Thanking God tonight for our liberties and freedoms here at Maple Valley off-grid Farm!

When you serve Him you are protected. To God be the glory alone!

Love, The Matts

More photos from the Grand Rapids Press if you are interested...

2011-11-03T15:16:00.004-05:00

It was a privilege to greet Tom Rademacher and Emily Zoladz at the farm for their recent article in the Grand Rapids Press about our farm... I love these candid photos taken of our real life by Emily Zoladz...
You can see more of her photos while at our farm here...

And Mr. Rademacher...

Why were you so intently interested in looking in my kitchen cupboards? (smile)... Ha!

Seriously, thank you so much for coming out to Maple Valley off-grid Farm! You both are always welcome here...

In the spirit of farming, family and faith,

The Matts.

30+ years ago...

2011-11-03T13:43:00.004-05:00

My Momma would like you to think she isn't part of my love of farming...

Well lookey here!

I beg to differ Momma!

You got me started by taking me summer after to summer to Aunt Nancy's farm and let me adopt one of her horses... And you would ride them!

So there you have it...

I love you for this Momma... Just one of the many reasons...

When special people visit Maple Valley off-grid Farm

2011-11-01T19:44:00.000-05:00

What we consider "normal" around here probably isn't normal to mostt. Like, say a baby pig in the house.

Today we were blessed by visitors, "Aunt and Uncle"... It's fun to talk about hubby's Lithuanian heritage and hear some of the stories of days gone by. They brought a special gift today, an Amish farm set with animals and the people! How cool is that!!

These family visitor's were not "put off" by our ways. She told the stories of balancing on barn beams and trips to the outhouse. It didn't seem awkward for them to be introduced to one of our 15 pigglets wrapped in a shabby chic pillow case! She still cooks farm style like no ones business. Lithuanian style of course.

A great time was had by all. They are a blessing to have in our lives... Thank you for visiting today...

Off-grid cooking... It is done with wood and time...

2011-10-31T16:27:00.000-05:00

Truth be told, while you are preparing tonight's supper, we are preparing tomorrow's... In fact, I just started our morning coffee and it is about 4:30 pm here.

Wood stove baking and cooking is really not that hard. You'd be surprised how quickly you learn when it is your only option. Kinda like the sink or swim theory! You figure it out.

The first thing I learned was to plan way ahead, like 24 hours. This way you are not nervous things will be cooked properly. My confidence is better now but if company is coming I always cook ahead...

The second thing I learned very quickly is the hottest heat is at the top of the oven and can place cookie sheets and pans right on the bottom of the oven for more slow cooking.

A 18x24 cake takes about 45 minutes when the oven is heated to the right temps... How do I know the right temp? The tinkering the stove makes, the pots boiling a certain way and more... I can tell by the "sound" of the stove a room away what it's temperature is.

Honestly, I cannot explain it all. I just know now. I didn't always "know", but after 3 years, now I know... It is one of life's daily chores that now seems to just "happen" naturally -like riding a bike, milking a cow or swimming - you had to learn, it was hard- once you have got it, you've "got it"...

Another truth be told, while on vacation last year I almost burned the place down while cooking on the electric range. For real...

I truly now am a wood cook stove cooker and baker... I am officially crossed over. And any meal here wouldn't be complete without everyone pitching in, young or old, boy or girl... Our 10 year old daughter can cook and bake on/in a wood fired cookstove like nobody's business... People ask us how we teach the children these types of things? Another truth, we engage them down to the youngest (safety first of course) in age to start helping so this all seems natural to them when the time is right...

Here is our 4 year old carving out squash for tomorrow's supper.

You must know that things were not always this way. 3 1/2 years ago it was much different in our kitchen. But, I do not miss my Bosch electric range... Ok, maybe a tad in the heat of summer. But more on that later...

(Pictured, garden squash -we will eat 6 whole!- and tomorrow morning's coffee)

The calm before the storm...

2011-10-29T20:01:00.000-05:00

So they are saying this is a winter for the record books... As in, starting in about 2 weeks...

Michiganders can pretty much take old man winter like champs. However, this seems a bit early.

I wasn't always a lover of old man winter... But, I truly have embraced all 4 seasons as nature's call brings me outside all year long.

We are looking forward to cross country skiing here on our 40 acres and I would love a pair of snow shoes for Christmas.

Talk to me in February... But for now, we are excited for old man winter's arrival and we greet him with respect so he hopefully will be a little merciful on us Michiganders... Yes, we are champs but...

So what about the adorable off-grid cottage featured on the Anderson Cooper show? Would you like to come stay with us too?

2011-10-28T19:05:00.001-05:00

We would love to have you here as our guests!

Check out all the details about our off-grid Maple Cottage here: http://www.maplevalleyfarms.net/MainMenu/OffGridCottage.aspx

A baking day...

2011-10-27T19:24:00.000-05:00

So glad to be back on the farm these last few days...

We are back in the swing of things like wood cook stove baked bread, making soap and today we made butter cookies in the stove with ooey gooey frosting!

It is night fall here, 8:21 pm here. Lights are dim. We are all ready for bed. But first some cookies and milk.

How about you? Do you take a bed time snack for you and yours?

Thank you Mlive for hosting this story about our farm!

2011-10-26T12:32:00.002-05:00

MLive.com: Grand Rapids : West Michigan family who chose to ditch suburbs, live on farm without electricity impresses commenters
http://mobile.mlive.com/advgrapids/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=XINeUgwh

So proud of this moment on national TV

2011-10-26T09:42:00.000-05:00

Kuncaitis Teens Don't Know Kardashians, Anderson Celebrates | AndersonCooper.com
http://www.andersoncooper.com/2011/10/25/kuncaitis-teens-dont-know-kardashians-anderson-celebrates/

Happy our girls don't follow these folk as role models!
Homemaker Ang

Thank you Mr. McCausey for this interview!

2011-10-26T08:27:00.002-05:00

Christian Devotions Daily Bible Devotions
http://christiandevotions.us/2011/09/27/christian-devotions-speak-up-with-angela-kuncaitis-2/

Thank you to the Tom Rademacher for this article in the Grand Rapids Press!

2011-10-26T05:35:00.002-05:00

MLive.com: Grand Rapids : West Michigan family that lives on farm without electricity to be featured on Anderson Cooper's show today
http://mobile.mlive.com/advgrapids/pm_29287/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=D7OUFTZB

Thank you WZZM13 for having us on your program!

2011-10-26T05:34:00.002-05:00

Family gives up technology to live off of the grid wzzm13.com
http://www.wzzm13.com/rss/article/183643/14/Family-lives-off-of-the-grid?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Here is a link to the Anderson Daily Show "trailer" for tomorrow

2011-10-24T20:04:00.008-05:00

***The show airs on CBS and will feature our Maple Valley off-grid Farm! Check out the link to the show here.***

The Anderson group was here for 2 1/2 days filming on the farm and then we went to visit Anderson Cooper in New York City!

We had a wonderful time as you can see. Mr. Cooper is the most down to earth and friendly guy! He made us feel so comfortable as well as his entire staff... They treated us like royalty! These country mice had a memorable experience in the Big Apple!

Thank you to everyone at the Anderson Daily Show for this wonderful experience for our family!

To God alone be the glory! "He is still driving this thing"...

The Matts

The word is out on the "lane"...

2011-10-23T10:30:00.001-05:00

Words out!! Maple Valley off-grid Farm will be featured on the new Anderson Cooper Daily Show this Tuesday, October 25 locally on CBS at 4 pm and nationwide!

Check out WWW.andersoncooper.com to see where it airs in your neck of the woods! Spread the word! Posting t on your blog's would be so appreciated.

Xo
Matt and Angela Kuncaitis

WWW.maplevalleyfarms.net
616.566.8481

We came home from our NYC trip and...

2011-10-22T14:29:00.001-05:00

She had 15 pigglets!

Country mice head to...

2011-10-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Big Apple!

Any New York readers?

Mama's ready!

2011-10-19T12:13:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th Birthday

2011-10-18T19:40:00.000-05:00

To "The Great Him"

Off-grid bed time stories...

2011-10-18T08:17:00.001-05:00

Little ones reading in the evening...

October 14, 2011

2011-10-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Maple Valley off-grid Farm!!! 3 years!!!

Love,
The Matts

The eve of our 3 year anniversary...

2011-10-13T15:40:00.000-05:00

God has truly blessed us at Maple Valley off-grid Farm... To Him be the glory!

Fall is in the air...

2011-10-10T14:25:00.001-05:00

The farm is radiating all its beauty!

Ready to walk the aisle...

2011-10-08T15:46:00.001-05:00

Between farm chores, this weekend is a family wedding!

I love teaching my children...

2011-10-04T10:18:00.000-05:00

Don't kid yourselves... It is challenging teaching 3 grades and with what we call "The Tibble Twins"... But I wouldn't trade it for anything.... We all miss our oldest as she is in the workplace and studying nursing. "Hi Sweetie"....

Lots and lots of winter preparations going on here at the farm..

2011-10-03T17:41:00.000-05:00

From cleaning chimneys (pictured), to a little more insulation via winter doors and readying the animals in there winter nests!

Are you preparing for winter? Do tell us. And thanks for reading friends.

Today's radio show!

2011-09-27T21:34:00.001-05:00

Click on the link for September 20, 2011 to hear tonight's radio show!

Thank you to Scott McCausey and Christian Devotions Speak Up for the opportunity!

To God be the glory!

Tuesday a radio show for MVOGF

2011-09-27T11:17:00.001-05:00

Don't forget today's 1 hour radio show by Scott McCausey, from Christian Devotion's Speak UP with yours truly (HomemakerAng-if you haven't had enough of me already)! At 6 pm eastern time.

The link to the show is 2 posts down. Click on the link for more info!

HOPE to "see" you there. I will be broadcasting live from a-top of the windmill...

xo

I am having a hard time gettin' going this Monday...

2011-09-26T09:10:00.000-05:00

After a weekend in beautiful Leelanau... How bout' you?

radio broadcast link from post below

2011-09-20T19:29:00.001-05:00

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christian-devotions/2011/09/27/christian-devotions-speak-up-with-angela-kuncaitis

See you all next week at 6 pm at Christian Devotions Speak UP!

3 year off-grid anniversary and a radio show!

2011-09-20T18:54:00.001-05:00

Like time in an hour glass… “These are the days of our lives”…

Can you really believe we are on the eve of our 3 year anniversary here at Maple Valley Off-Grid Farm? Wow, time surely flies if you will…. I would, we would like to personally thank you from the bottom of our huge hearts for reading here, for going along with us on this journey, for your interest and your encouragement… It has been a truly incredible ride and “God is still driving this thing”… I used that phrase at the beginning of this trip and I still am using it now. We always want to be right smack dab in the middle of His will, no matter where that may lead us.

I have done my best as the writer of this blog to keep it real, to share our world, to keep it up beat and to be an encouragement to you to pursue your God given dreams. I want to agitate you to dig deep into your soul and wonder and ask yourself some deep questions in your heart and to get some answers to the “what ifs” in the dreaming and faith departments… Whatever that might be…

We have some exciting things coming up to celebrate our 3 year anniversary of living off the grid! We will be having another birthday party as a family to celebrate our journey, complete with a store bought cake! We work hard cooking with wood all year so we will reward ourselves with a store or bakery bought cake again on this October 14^th Anniversary! Oh…the irony of our lives… But we do have candles and believe me, it lights up the kitchen of this farm house just a little brighter mixed the oil lamps.

***We want to invite you to a ONE HOUR LIVE RADIO BROADCAST that all of you should be able to tune into to listen to a live interview with Scott Mc Causey of “Christian Devotions Speak Up” with yours truly, HomemakerAng! We will be doing the show live a week from today, September 27, 2011 at 6 pm if the Lord tarries… Please tune in and you can get a real personal feel of this journey as Scott and I discuss the NUMEROUS challenges and WONDERFUL rewards of this lifestyle that our family lives.

Back to the honesty part… I have not mentioned much here about a residual illness and more that I have been stricken with since February 2011. This has truly made my life much more challenging to live these past months. However, per the medical doctors mixed with homeopathic remedies and my strong faith that Jesus truly is my healer, I will beat this. But in this case they all have stated that “time truly heals all” and this is what I will need is time and more time with Him. There may be some changes for me which means us as a family here. But, be rest assured that “God is still driving this thing…”

And now, let us get on with this PARTY!!!! Won’t you help us and join in to celebrate 3 of the best years of our lives on this beautiful earth so far??? You all have been a special part how we live and we thank you! To God be the glory!!! Lets PARTY!!!!

Autumn evenings on this story book farm...

2011-09-19T08:17:00.000-05:00

Real farm kids...

2011-09-17T09:50:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again!

2011-09-16T18:11:00.000-05:00

Buddy's deer from the farm, early doe season! Looks like we will be pressure canning tomorrow.

Book school is in session...

2011-09-13T12:41:00.000-05:00

Some napping and others out to work... Our first year without all 6 kitty cats

Friends...

2011-09-13T08:21:00.000-05:00

In memory...

2011-09-11T16:13:00.000-05:00

Some gave all...

2011-09-11T13:28:00.000-05:00

Running!

2011-09-10T07:18:00.001-05:00

Our son running to enjoy these last summer like days!

Friday night "off-grid Little Ceaser's Pizza"

2011-09-09T17:16:00.000-05:00

Ok, not quite but better...

Fresh garden pizza, wood fired, off-grid style...

Meet our new baker and chef in residence...

2011-09-09T07:28:00.001-05:00

At just 15 she taken over the kitchen ropes although she has been making some wonderful homemade bread for 2 years in our wood cookstove. Here is applesauce fresh from our trees and herbal tomato soup from the garden.

Our school starts Monday. What are you up to this weekend?

Be blessed today... Life is short.

Acts 16:31 "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and though shalt be saved"!

It really is that easy... Don't wait, why not call on Him today?

Xo
Homemakerang

Need help, just ask!

2011-09-08T08:08:00.000-05:00

Where were you on that fateful day?

2011-09-07T07:57:00.000-05:00

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
Psalm 34:4

What are your fears?

It's a rhubarb-coconut bakeover breakfast mornin'

2011-09-06T09:34:00.000-05:00

What are you having for breakfast? In where she successfully blog's off-grid from her Droid!!!

Off-grid summer nights are winding down..

2011-09-05T22:07:00.000-05:00

There is a chill in the air!

In where she threads a treadle bobbin...

2011-09-05T15:32:00.000-05:00

Finally, our own little corner of Leelanau...

2011-09-05T09:29:00.000-05:00

You can make everything new...

2011-09-03T11:54:00.007-05:00

Tuesday January 11, 2011…

I was just going to sit down. Things finally seemed to slow down after a small chimney fire in the farm kitchen on that cold Saturday winter evening. We had readied up the home for Sunday, things were winding down after bath time… A cake in the oven for the next day, clean kitchen floors and we looked and small flames streamed into the farm house above the cook stove. I tried my best to turn the stove down. I wanted to stop the flames from coming in… I thought I had succeeded but when I went outside to see the chimney with a rocket jet appearance I figured it was now beyond me and I called for help to the local fire department.

After a few hours of bright lights into the home and numerous firemen helping, we had put the small fire out. We were left with thankful hearts for local help and a messy kitchen and pantry. That night could have been worse. The firemen said if we were not home the farmhouse would have burned to the ground. But God had other plans for us…

And now it is Tuesday… a cold and blizzardy January day. Weather is coming in fiercely as the day drags on. We had help shooing the Belgians today. Lots of winter chores to be done, emptying manure from the barn and spreading it to the fields. Bringing wood to the house as these January days seem to be sunny but the temperatures dropping lower still. After school at the kitchen table I brought out homemade Rueben sandwiches to the men in the shoppe haus that were shooing the Belgians. The girls and I tidied up the kitchen and I seemed to just be “sitting down” for the day making a short phone call when the eventful barging through the kitchen door happened.

I had noticed the gentle giant calling in when I was on the phone but I was finishing up some farm business and could not answer his call. I found it strange that he had called twice so I decided I should hang up now. As I reached for the local paper and my hot tea the kitchen door came bursting open.

I could tell by the look in her eyes, the color in her cold face that something was dreadfully wrong… She looked at me breathing heavily and much too bravely said, “Mom, there has been an accident, I need warm blankets now!”… My heart literally was in my throat and with a faint and weak voice I could barely stand and asked my sweet and innocent daughter, “What is wrong”? I was not sure I could handle what she was going to tell me next but this was the moment of truth… The moment every parent never wants to have, where we need to hear some terribly bad, possibly life changing news… I had to hear her answer…

“Buddy is lying in the field, he cannot get up and was injured and we need to cover him up, Dad has already called ambulances”. “Is he hurt I screamed” she said “We do not know but find the blankets now!” I could barely function; I could not keep my head about me as I went to the cedar lined closet to reach for the woolen linens. My first thought, “I knew we shouldn’t have learned to drive horses, I should have listened to all of the concerned ‘naysayers’…” I still had not even known what was wrong with my dear Buddy, our precious 13 year old son. But at that moment in time I promised God I would reevaluate everything (whatever that could possibly be); please God, just save our son! “And they were taunting, “there is a price to pay, I told you so, there is a price to pay I told you so…” I pushed back the evil and threw the blankets to our daughter. I prayed… I grabbed my phone and my long wool coat, head lamp and boots and I started running east for what seemed like hours. As I trudged along I was slipping on the icy and blizzardy road. I could not see even 2 ft. in front of my face with the blowing and drifting snow coming down. I was thanking God that I was not pregnant as I would have been 34 weeks if not for the sad loss but now was finally comforted and healed from the snatching of the tiny life earlier inside my womb. There would have been no way I could even walk out here if not so. I didn’t even call my husband yet; I called 911 and told them to meet me on the road by the back of the 40 so I could flag them down. They would have to “find” our son lying in the middle of the field and I knew that no vehicle or ambulance was going to be able to get to him.

After calling and running for what seemed like forever I reached the gentle giant on the phone. He was out of breath and was holding our son and telling me to wait for the ambulance in a yelling tone. I could not, I ran out to the field to see my precious Buddy lifeless, to find our daughter delivering the blankets on horse back to my husband and my son… Covering Buddy to keep him from shock. He could not stand and hardly talk… “GOD, I need you now” “I need you more than ever to come through for this family NOW” “Please GOD, let our son live”! I could barely ask, “What happened”… I really did not want to know, I just wanted our son back to the way he was… The how or whys didn’t seem to matter at this point… Just get us back to how we used to be God!

The Gentle Giant told me what had happened… At this moment we were sure our sweet Buddy had internal injuries and we knew nothing more. But we prayed and we prayed and we screamed out to God to save our son!

I could hear the ambulances faintly away… the sounds of sirens would come closer and then grow fainter. I kept calling and calling 911 and giving them directions! Why couldn’t they find us? They stated they were lost, LOST!!! And the roads were so horrible they could not navigate fast lest they go into the ditch… I prayed again, I prayed harder and I wondered if “this was it” every parent’s worst nightmare. Is this what “it” feels like? I was ready to vomit, I would never drive a horse again, I wanted to be safe, I wanted us to be safe… Like we used to be… We only did all of this for good, for God…

I was abruptly taken from my fears by a friendly face pulling up from our local fire department. He rolled his window down and said without any ‘introduction’, “We won’t be able to get back to him there”… He radioed into dispatch and told them to be ready for a backboard rescue at this time and possibly aero med. I told him we needed to cut the fences now. He handed me a tool while readying a backboard and gear and I cut into raw steel and cut my cold and frozen hand on barbed wire.

The ambulances pulled up and confirmed they would try the backboard rescue first if that would even work. The Gentle Giant was telling them Buddy’s pulse and breaths per minute and stated he believed our dear Buddy was going into shock. Between the rural setting and the horrible blizzard Buddy had laid in that field unmovable for much too long…

After a treacherous rescue mission through frozen furrows and small icy hills, Buddy was delivered to the back of the warm ambulance and hooked to IV’s and oxygen. They wouldn’t let me in the back of the ambulance… They would NOT let me hold Buddy, and I told them that under no circumstances was I letting them take Buddy from this farm without me. They put me in the front of the ambulance to warm me up. I looked and opened the tiny window to the back of the ambulance to see my son. I tried to put my arm through the window to touch his hat.

He was telling them not to cut his Muck Boots. “Do you know how much these cost my dad”? He said… That was all he said… He cried out in pain as they removed the boot. I numbly told Buddy we would get him new boots just as soon as we could. He wouldn’t talk to me… He just cried in pain. I cried to my God to save Buddy, to save this “family”… The blizzardous drive to the hospital took forever. The Gentle Giant following behind…They took an odd route to get our son to safety and Matt let them know kindly but firmly when we finally arrived. Buddy had now been almost 2 hours damaged from the accident.

They wheeled him in to the room and I finally could get to Buddy. His eyes full of fear and he reached out and grabbed me so hard I almost fell over. He held on tight, he was scared and I kissed him from my salty tears and told him he was going to ok… I prayed with him again for complete restoration… and He said, “I love you Mom, so much”…

HomemakerAng

September 3, 2011

summer nights from the porch...

2011-08-19T19:09:00.002-05:00

I wish you could here what these summer nights sound like from our porch... I wish you could smell the fresh air from this farm... I wish you could sit and talk a while with some tea with me from this front porch at Maple Valley off-grid Farm...

3 wonderful years...

I have had some challenging hoops to blog lately due to what one would call an upgrade in technology... Please stay with me as we figure out how to take a droid to blogger... if you have any hints or helps, they would be greatly appreciated... If not, stay tuned and don't get as frustrated with technology as I am...

HomemakerAng

it has been too long...

2011-08-14T15:07:00.003-05:00

This summer has been 1 in a million for sure. We have had so much fun yet we have also worked hard side by side on the farm! I think we are finally getting in sync with the rhythm of the farm with the fine balance between work and play… That has taken us a true while.

Off-grid summer nights on the farm are indescribable (see an inside shot in this post from a summer’s evening in the farmhouse with our oil lighting.) From the smells of fresh flowers, (our oldest daughter has created these beautiful arrangements to grace the farm house tables and porch) the views from our front porch, a sound of a distant clip-clop of a buggy in the distance, to the crickets chirping and bull-frogs burping… I could sit here on this porch forever…

We are coming upon our 3 year anniversary of living off the grid!!! Can it be? October 14, 2008 was the first day of our humble beginnings here… The first year seemed to be long but very exciting with everything new and fresh. The second year flew by as we felt we were gaining ground. The third year, yeah this one… This has been one of the hardest years here yet. Tears have been shed as we have taken the thorns with the beautiful roses of the blessings that that God has bestowed upon our family. Some of you were used by Him to deliver these blessings and we thank you for that. Just when we felt we might not be able to take much more God would always step in, even if it seemed at the last minute. I wish He was a little quicker sometimes but I truly know I find Him more during these daunting times… In the waiting…

I am feeling and healing slowly and even this week seemed to jump leaps and bounds in the healing department as I take in this beautiful summer and just do a little more watching from a distance than engaging. And He is always faithful…

SUMMER FEATURE a magical place Cherry Republic, Glen Arbor, Michigan

2011-07-20T20:08:00.004-05:00

First the 2011 Cherry Republic Talent Show:

and now for the cherry pit spitting contest:

Stop # 8: Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, Michigan is truly a magical and fun place to take the family! As you can see we really enjoyed ourselves.... Almost everyday we made a stop there, ahem...

The children entered the talent show too!

SUMMER FEATURE a magical place Reporting Live from fishtown

2011-07-18T09:39:00.001-05:00

SUMMER FEATURE a magical place children fishing in Leland, Michigan gan

2011-07-18T09:20:00.001-05:00

Stop #7: Fishing in Leland/Fishtown

SUMMER FEATURE a magical place Lake Michigan

2011-07-17T16:38:00.002-05:00

Stop # 6: Lake Michigan - Glen Haven, Michigan

SUMMER FEATURE a magical place Glen Arbor Park in Leelanau and On becoming 40

2011-07-16T22:25:00.006-05:00

I laughed so hard I cried! Then had to take it easy :)Stop # 5: a new one for this year, The Glen Arbor Park... remember the part in the post where I said I dare to do just about anything...?

Sometimes that can get me in trouble! Our 2 year-old daughter was yelling at the top of her lungs, "You stop that Momma, NOW!" I love surprising the children with wild antics! ha

SUMMER FEATURE a magical place D.H. Day Farm and Sleeping Bear Dunes

2011-07-16T06:54:00.004-05:00

Stop # 3 and 4: D.H. Day Farm and Sleeping Bear Dunes I have climbed these dunes for years... I once happened upon my cousins from a long distance away climbing as well when I was a child... Peter and Kristi... And now our children love climbing the dunes. We have even spent a few days here with our Amish friends... They loved seeing and climbing the dunes... They wrote a message in the sand with their address and received a post card later. It truly is a magical place. I have not climbed them this year as I should not at this time but I am enjoying watching others and my dear children discover their mystery!
And words canNOT describe the farmhouse and barns that D.H. Day built right across from the Dunes. If our barn looked like this, well I would reside in it!

The skies here have been unbelievably gorgeous while we have been here!

I have been tempted to ask the new owners of the D.H. Day Farm if they wanted someone to homestead their place with our beautiful Belgians and bring it back to a working farm in days of old! I know we could do it... But I probably won't becuase I dare do just about anything no matter how impossible it seems. What if he actually said yes?...

I know we would love every minute of it and cherish the time but for now the views are amazing and good enough for a lifetime...

SUMMER FEATURE a magical place Fishtown aka Leland - all 5 senses

2011-07-14T18:13:00.012-05:00

Stop #2.Leland, Michigan aka Fishtown is pretty much indescribable...

Don't let a few photos fool you as they seriously do not do Fishtown its proper justice or place... You will leave with the longings of your 5 senses fulfilled with a little bit of your heart left behind. From the moment you arrive you will be drawn in by the smells of smoke from the smoker at Carlson's Fisheries and fresh Lake Michigan air... These smell drift through the dear little wharf all the way up to beautiful Main St.
The quaint shops and boutiques will draw your eye but the sound of the water fall near Falling Water's Lodge will tune you in to find the peaceful noise you are hearing... Where is it coming from? Oh, here it is...

I love feeling the old wood that held the nets for fisherman of years gone by...

I never leave without some fresh smoked Lake Michigan fish from Carlson's... My choice: Smoked Chub, a favorite of mine! We go grab some aged cheese and local baked bread and find an outdoor picnic table and reward our taste senses of these fresh and marvelous local treats!

The action does not stop here... Manitou Transit will take you to N. and S. Manitou Islands... One of my family homestead is located on S. Manitou Island... "The Tobin House" For real... My ancestors photo resides there at the house... They were a lighthouse keeper (John Tobin)and post mistress (His wife)... I will make it to that island someday... I truly will. My relatives also worked for the USLS (United States Life Saving Service) back in the old days. Could this be my love for Leelanau? I was born with Leelanau in my blood...

The shops sell a lot of local crafts and artisan wares! I always am a sucker for the new local history books written... After all, they have photos of my family in them... You could say my dear Uncle Jack Phillips (Married to my father's sister "Tobin") lost his life while heading to S. Manitou Island to unearth more of our family roots...

S. Manitou... I will meet you... I will, just wait a little longer

SUMMER FEATURE a magical place... Leelanau

2011-07-13T19:17:00.018-05:00

Growing up you would not have considered us “rich” in monetary means. A family of 5 living in a beautiful home, a one car family at times with one income mostly and very blessed. Picnics packed of P B and J for the backyard in our “wood” where our bunnies resided for summer fun. Homemade tents from the clothes line with marble brownies to nibble on made by Mom. Dad working long hours to provide a great living for us in a nice neighborhood while we rode our bikes playing “CHiPs”! We never traveled to Disney World (not that there is anything wrong with that) because we didn’t have the money to put it frank.

My mother especially still feels bad about this and mentions it to me now. But, I never felt as if I missed a thing. What should be noted and always remembered is each summer a **magical** vacation in Leelanau… Glen Arbor, Maple City, Leland… Oh Leland I do love you so! The water in Glen Haven is like no other for beautiful Lake Michigan!

Glen Haven, Empire and Northport… All magical places in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I remember when Sleeping Bear Dunes was free to enter and not maintained by the NPS.

I remember the mystery of the drives on the back roads… Visiting Lund’s Scenic Gardens when I was very young and meeting Mr. Lund that has now passed away. Driving to Tower Rd and watching my father climb the match stick tower –most likely not the best idea (is this where I get some of my crazy antics from?)

Climbing Sleeping Bear Dunes more than I can remember. 669 beach swimming, a cottage stay many times but I remember staying at a quaint cottage on Little Traverse Lake as my favourite visit to Leelanau with my dear cousin and friend Wendy. My parents even brought up a second car so she and I could gallivant around…

Visiting Aunt Ethel and Uncle Frank (an interesting highlight), always a stop at the Cherry Republic and a stop at the ice cream shop at the end of the narrows. Maple City Community Church and Uncle Tom and Aunt Toni’s a huge hit for sure!

The funny thing is now that we are all adults, my brothers and I, not one of us has taken our families to Disney World, nope… The minute we get some extra time and a few summer nickels in our pocket we find a way to head straight away to where our parents always took us each summer, **a magical place** Leelanau…

And I am most certain my children haven’t missed a thing…

Leelanau, Leelanau, how I will always love thee...

Where is your favorite spot to vay.cay.shun? Do tell!

SUMMER FEATURE a magical place... Glen Haven

2011-07-13T11:30:00.004-05:00

Stop #1. Glen Haven, Michigan The children and I have been frolicking this week and not in the work frolic sorta way...
just some beautiful sun, greenish blue waters of beautiful Lake Michigan and fresh air... Play all day, eat great food and sleep all night with the cool air blowing through our windows... I have been in a bathing suit all week!

This winter I had some seriously health conflicts I have not mentioned here. I still am struggling with some of them. I am gaining strength but had another set back this past few weeks so this is just what the doctor ordered...

and I am enjoying every minute of this and she is too!

The summer that keeps on givin'

2011-07-12T06:35:00.003-05:00

This week I will feature some of our true summer loves... Just a few... Summer just seems so easy! Beach dresses, easy and fresh food, way cute and fun vintage purses, good weather, sand, sun, garden foods, late nights and family memories...

What could be better right now?

much needed rest yesterday...

2011-07-10T08:24:00.004-05:00

I sat all day, yes all day on a lawn chair where the Gentle Giant served all of us some wonderful foods he cooked right on the sand with a fire! Children playing in the water, fresh local strawberries with wind, sun, waves and a little sand in our food...
We only saw 4 people... A private area on beautiful Lake Michigan.... we are relaxed...

Thank you to a friend of ours for blessing this family!

God continues to miraculously take care of this family, one day at a time...

and summer in Northern Michigan, well...

There is nothing like it...

a change up...

2011-07-10T00:46:00.004-05:00

a red sky at night truly is a farmer's delight... a view from our front porch...

Thank you God for these free gifts from You!

they both wore the same little red dress..

2011-07-09T00:44:00.002-05:00

This little classic Laura Ashley frock and blouse was worn by each of them... 15 years later...