Welcome to Small Steps Homestead. My name is Sandra, and this is where I share our family’s journey to homestead in the suburbs. We are also learning to appreciate the simple things in life. It’s a work in progress, so come along for the journey.
Three years ago, my husband Gil and I moved our family of 5 from Los Angeles to my home state of Pennsylvania. Originally, our plan was to buy a farm in North Carolina but life took us in a different direction.
Our children are adopted, so our heart is big for adoption. If you are considering adoption, please feel free to ask questions. Our daughter is 12 and our sons are 11 and 10. Two years ago we adopted again, when we added a black lab mix named Buddy to our family.
We currently live on 1/3 of an acre, and it is amazing what we can grow here. Unfortunately, Township rules say we aren’t allowed to have farm animals including chickens. A group of us tried unsuccessfully last year to change the rules. In the mean time we have learned how to source locally most of what we don’t grow.
Additionally, this past year we started homeschooling our children. It is something that I always wanted to do but it just never seemed to happen. We loved it and will continue again this year.
My Passions:
In addition to homesteading, I am also passionate about feeding my family unprocessed nutrient dense foods and using essential oils.
I was introduced to Weston A Price and Nourishing Traditions about 15 years ago. While I haven’t always followed this way of eating, it is my desire for our family to eat this way. This means I love to cook home made dishes made with organic foods, pastured meats and eggs, soaked grains and legumes, raw milk, and fermented veggies. And trust me with three picky kids we are no where near perfect.
I started using essential oils about 9 years ago, and I was immediately hooked. I am a cancer survivor and it is very important to me to find alternatives to the toxins around us. Essential oils allow me to replace items in our medicine cabinet, my beauty routine, our cleaning supplies, and even the kitchen. I eventually came to understand that not all essential oils are created equally. I’m excited to say that last year I became a wellness advocate for doTerra. If you are interested in learning more about DoTerra and essential oils, please reach out.
The dream of a farm still comes up from time to time, but for now we are content on our little piece of land. We are Returning Home One Step at a Time.
Thank You for stopping by Small Steps Homestead. Please check out This post for a little more about our journey.
Fun Facts:
I started playing the piano when I was 6 and flute at age 9. I’m very excited because my daughter is now playing my flute and just started piano lessons.
I am thankful that my mom taught me the arts of gardening, baking, canning, sewing, and crocheting. In many ways it is the foundation for my current life.
I grew up in a blended family where at different stages of my life I have been the youngest, the only child, and the oldest. As an adult I’m a middle child.
I love thrift stores, consignment sales, and garage sales. You could say I’m thrifty in many ways.
I have a fear of heights and flying but one of my biggest desires is to zipline or paraglide. Don’t ask me to explain it.
I worked for Disney Studios for 18 years and now I work for my kids.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY!