Give me space!

This past week we flew the whole family down to Washington DC to visit my sister who moved out there with her husband recently. We did the whole sight seeing thing, walked for miles and miles. It was wonderful. Spring has sprung there, the cherry blossoms were just starting to bloom. The grass was green, and the smell warmed my heart.

Out of all the places we visited, Mount Vernon was my favorite. What a beautiful place! I was positively inspired by The Washingtons, and their colonial way of life. Ok, I know that it was all made possible by slavery, but lets just kind of forget about that part, I am talking about their sustainability.

I walked along the banks of the Potomac, where they fished for their food.  I walked along the barns, and fields where they raised the cattle for their milk, butter, and meat. I walked past the smoke house where they would preserve everything. They had huge gardens for the foods prepared in the kitchens, and fields for the wheat grown for the animals and for making beer. I want it! And realistically, if I don't need to worry about providing for the 184 working slaves, I wouldn't need nearly as much space.

I spent the entire day daydreaming of the possibility of me living more sustainably. Then I came home. To my 1/2 acre city lot, with its 24 ft x 24 ft garden, which is just barely large enough to be considered a hobby garden. There is no way the produce I grow there could sustain my family of 5. Barely enough room for our 2 dogs, raising chickens are out of the question.

I want space. I want to look out my window, and not be able to see directly into my neighbors window. I want my kids to be able to run. Get me out of this city!

I have been looking at acreages in my area, and it has filled me with excitement. Maybe these dreams aren't as far out of reach as I thought!