We’d always dreamed of owning a homestead and becoming as self-sufficient as possible. In the summer of 2016, we were able to purchase 8 acres in a great location within an amazing school district for our kiddos to finish their high school lives in. We immediately began planting a large vegetable garden, fruit trees and bushes, and canning & freezing everything we could. We were lucky to have one well established apple tree already on the property, but it took us sometime to figure out what variety it was.
Next, a local beekeeping class, taken at a wildlife reserve nearby in the spring of 2018, quickly launched a rapidly broadening curiosity. Or perhaps a minor obsession. On New Years Eve, 2018, we tried our hand at making our own mead. We wanted to practice the process and trial some recipes before we were using our own precious liquid gold. In the summer of 2022, we took a Grand Champion title home from the Northern Wisconsin State Fair for one of our mead recipes!
Each year, we’ve added a few more fruit trees and bushes. Much to the hubby’s vexation, the garden somehow grows a smidge wider and a titch longer each year.
We added chickens and more trees in spring of 2020, the dream of a cidery for ciders and perrys was launched. As of 2022, we are are up to 3 and a half dozen apple trees, 4 perry pear trees, 2 dessert pear trees, 4 cherry bushes/trees, 3 plum trees, 3 currant bushes, a very large vegetable garden. Oh, and 13 laying hens. For now. (Don’t tell Pat, but Missy has her eyes on some specific exotic layers for spring!)
Over the 2020-2021 winter, Missy grew restless and wanted more ways to use all of the gifts the small homestead was offering. She began making soap, lip balms, lotions, and other natural apothecary type products with as many of our own ingredients as possible, as well as sourcing some items from local friends and family.
Originally, our purpose in all this was to slow life down a bit. As our kids began to get older, and leave us home alone more and more, we realized we were going to need some more hobbies. We craved more time outside and wanted to get back to our homegrown roots. And, if we’re being completely honest, we enjoyed getting our friends and family a little drunk! ;)
Our long-term goal is to create products that are as sourced as possible from our property. Apples and berries, honey, mead, cider, perry, canned goods like salsas, preserves, jams and jellies, and who knows what else we’ll stumble into along the way...
Our latest and biggest project in the works revolves around growing the cider & perry orchard, along with the bee yard, on the path to opening our own Meadery & Cidery in the not-to-distant future!
We hope you’ll enjoy following our journey, as much as we’re enjoying the adventure we’re on.