Monday, August 12, 2013

Back to Basics

If I was ever envious of how someone else lives, it would have been this weekend and while I was at the Homestead Heritage Village.

If I had it my way, this would be the place where I lived or at the very least, be a part of. There is only one bad thing that came out this and I will tell you at the end of the post.

The village is a complete self sustainable community. Everyone has skills and jobs that helps the community exist. Everything from a potters house that houses the kiln and all the things to make the community's own pots and dishes to the the grain mill where a working water wheel and grind stone ground the flour and corn mill for the bakers house which in turn baked the breads for the community.


 
The water wheel powered four grinders and one stone. It is off a belt and pulley system inside the barn and I got to walk all around it and see the mechanics of it all. I have seen these before but never working.




 The water for the community gardens and for the livestock comes from a rain water catchment system that gets pumped to a small water tower. When there is no rain it is pumped from a well by a windmill.






 The sheep are sheared and the yarn is made from a spindle. Then in the craft house they make all the community's blankets and clothes on these looms.
 There is also a butchers house with a smoke room for the community's meat.

Up the road is a cheese factory and an underground cheese cellar. We got to sample some of it and it was amazing.

The blacksmith shop is fantastic along with the wood shop that makes all the furniture.

The good thing about it, they believe in A/C
If I lived closer I would love to attend some of the classes they offer. I think I am pretty knowledgeable when it comes to living like this because I try and do most of it everyday, but these people are way beyond my expertise on this lifestyle.

Some of you readers up North are use to seeing this way of living from the Amish. Here in Texas we don't have things like this and this is the first time I have ever seen anything like it up close.

Here is the bad I got from this visit.
My project list just tripled.
If you are ever around Waco Texas, you need to stop by this place.


It was good to see HB and get to meet her family and friends and to remember a great friend. I wished it was for better reasons though. She didn't put me to work like I was wanting but I understood. I'm not any good at just sitting around, but I did. I do expect to make some weekend trips back down to help her out when she needs it if she will let me. It's the only way I can help, I'm not to good with words when it comes to things like this so just let me know what needs to be done and I will do it.

I'm gone,
MDR  

24 comments:

  1. oh MDR - if they weren't in boiling, hot texas i'd move there in an instant! i would love to live in a community like that. we have enough land that we could build a community like that but we would need people who really wanted to do it - like you! anyway, check my most recent blog post - there's a little something in there for you!

    i am so glad that you went up to be with HB and remember your good friend. you are a good friend to her and YOF. i am sure that if she has some projects that she will call on you to help. because you will do it freely and you will do it for friendship.

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. Kymber, thanks for the mention on your blog. You painted a great picture. Almost enough to pack up and leave this inferno.

      Thanks for the comment

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    2. no prob buddy - i just wanted you and the Mrs. to know that if we all start planning now - you can have a really nice vacation if you want. i promise. and we could certainly use your Texan certifications. it would be really awesome. let's keep planning eh? we got a year. and you guys need to plan for being here for a week at the very least! much love to you and all of your girls!

      teehee. my plan is that once you visit - you'll never want to leave! i'll marry you and jam will marry c and then you guys can get immigrated in less than 6 months - oh i'm bad eh? but you'll have to work...and that is something that i don't even have a smidgeon of doubt about.

      your friend,
      kymber

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    3. You are letting the cat out of the bag.
      I will be getting the passports at the end of the month.
      Would I have to go by Mr. Kymber?

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    4. sorry buddy - but yes, you would have to go by Mr. Kymber for at least a year. then we could divorce in a very civil manner and by that time, all of the outbuildings that we would need at the Manor would be built and we could start advertising for a community! yep, i am letting the cat out of the bag slowly..in my own way. people will pick up on what we are planning and doing...and then we could shock them all - sound like fun??? please tell c to keep packing the bags. it's a year off - but it will pass in no time. and i hate to say it - but i don't think you will ever leave. we are banking on that. teehee. you, with all of your building skills...oh poor jambaloney is drooling!

      much love always to you and yours! we are going to make this a reality! you know how excited we are to have you guys here...it would be so wonderful for you to officiate. oh crap - am i letting more cats out of the bag? there's a lot of cats in that bag - bahahahahhaah!

      your friend,
      kymber

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  2. Glad you got way from the homestead wish under better timing. More project ideas?? Oh that will go over well with the MRS. hahaha

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    1. Yea Rob, I don't think she is that happy about the Craft shop I am planning to build.

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  3. Thank you so much for coming on Saturday. It was good to see you and the MRS and BEB again. I know you wanted to work, but I just needed the fellowship. I'm doing good right now just to keep track of what day it is and where I need to be. When things settle down a little, I may come up with a project or two and I promise, I will let you know. As long as YOU promise to let me know if there is ever anything I can do to help you guys ...that road runs both ways, you know!

    Hugs to you and all of yours. Thank you for being our friend.

    ~HB

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    1. HB,
      It goes without saying that I would have not missed it for the world.

      I promise on what you said.

      Call if you need something. I'm only four hours away.

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    2. oh HB - i know that we are a million miles aways - but if there is anything that we can do - just yell eh? you and YOF were wonderful, charming and very informative when we were hanging out at the chatroom. and we appreciated all that you shared. we have you in our prayers HB...if there is anything...please let us know.

      your friend,
      kymber

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    3. Thanks, Kymber...

      Like I told MDR, that road goes both ways. You and yours are welcome here anytime and if you need anything that I can help with, just let me know.

      ~HB

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  4. We have places like that in Ky too! Not just Amish, believe it or not... I love going to visit.
    I'm glad you were there for HB. I wish we could have gone too.

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    1. Thanks SFG, I wished we had more places like that around here but I understand why we don't.

      Me too.

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    2. PP, she is someone once befriended, becomes family.

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  5. Ah, sounds just like the kind of place I'd love too...!

    No better way to cherish a friend than through just being with them when they need you. HB is priviledged to have you as a friend.

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  6. Hey MDR,

    If you want to take some of their classes and need closer place to sleep, give me a shout. I'm about an hour north of Waco.

    Toodles

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the offer. The next time I go down there will be Nov 30th -Dec 1st for the homesteading fair, I will let you know

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  7. Love your site. Do you have an email address?

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  8. But where are all the solar panels and the air conditioners ? I've been told by others that life without AC just will not be bearable LMFAO
    Me tinks their fat yankee butts had just best high tail it back to the north ha ha
    Life after SHTF will be all about cool level heads and keeping things old school and low tech !

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    1. Spud, this place was powered mostly by wood, wind and water. Yes when SHIF they will be out of the precious A/C but I am sure they would get used to it.

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