As the sun started to set, I frantically dug out the third box of my developing 'Square Foot' garden. My wife came out and pointedly asked,"Are you going to dig in the dark, dork?" And, quite honestly, I had intended to do just that - that is, until the 'dork' comment. It then occurred to me that I probably looked to all the world like a crusty old miner, frantically digging out his stake, SURE that I was going to hit the Mother Load any seccond... I reluctantly loosened the iron grip on my shovel, grunted my acquiescence and headed into the house.

Once there, I just couldn't sit still - so excited I was to finally be working on our new place! There was SO much to do: put in the garden, set up the chicken pen, get the brooder arranged in anticipation of the laying hens, build the moveable pens for the meat birds, and the list continued. But, with the sun already set, and everything settling down, I found all I could do was write.

So, this is where I find myself. We just closed on our own little slice of Heaven (5 acres in West Texas), last Friday - and raring to get started experimenting with a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle. Not only am I an amateur at this, but I'm also a COMPLETE beginner at blogging. I hope you find my site edifying, and welcome comments, shared experiences and suggestions. . I will do my best to chronicle my experiences. If there's something you have questions or curiousity about, please don't hesitate to ask!