If you’ve been following my blog since it first started, you’ve probably noticed some changes. A new name, a new banner, and a new introduction — all reflecting a shift that’s been happening quietly as my homestead plans have evolved.
When I first began this blog, I was writing from a place of exploration. I was sorting through ideas, researching different homestead setups, and imagining what my future life and lifestyle might look like if I stayed on this Northern California property. Then things began to change — especially when my fire insurance situation shifted — and I started dreaming of a different life in a different state.
Over time, those plans changed even more. Not that I hadn’t thought of this before; these dreams have been with me since I was a teen. I just never believed I could actually achieve them. But as I moved away from the idea of staying here, I refined what I truly wanted and began shaping a clearer vision of the kind of homestead I intend to build.
Because of that, my blog needed to grow with me. The old name and introduction didn’t reflect the direction I’m heading now — a lifestyle built on intentional choices, older hands-on methods, and the modern help that keeps life workable.
I chose Old Ways Made Simple in Modern Times because it captures the heart of what I’m building. I’m not trying to recreate the 1800s, and I’m not rejecting the tools that make modern life manageable. I’m choosing the best of both worlds: traditional methods that keep me connected to the work, the meaningful, proven practices that many modern homesteaders don’t know about or assume can’t be done, and the modern conveniences that make the work easier.
My new introduction reflects that balance. The old ways aren’t “simple” in the modern sense — they take more thought, more effort, and more involvement. But they’re richer. They’re grounding. They bring purpose. And when paired with the right modern tools, they create a life that feels steady, healthy, and intentional.
John Seymour expressed this better than I ever could:
“Self-sufficiency does not mean ‘going back’ to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is striving for a higher standard of living… for the health of body and peace of mind which come with hard varied work in the open air, and for the satisfaction that comes from doing jobs well and successfully.”
That philosophy is at the center of my new homestead vision — and now it’s at the center of this blog.
If you’re searching for a way to live more intentionally — with old skills, modern help, and a steady rhythm — you’re in the right place. I’m glad you’re here as this next chapter begins.
Old Ways Made Simple in Modern Times 