A while back, I had the privilege of previewing Jill's eBook, Your Custom Homestead, and write an endorsement for her. I have to say, prior to her eBook, I've never seen anything much written on the topic of helping others sort through the massive amount of information and decisions that go into pulling together a homestead. Most of us just think "Hey, that sounds awesome! I want to do that," and we plunge in, feet first, without really thinking things through.
The next thing we know... we're in way over our heads and have no real plan about how to execute what we've set out to do. I know... I'm totally guilty of using this approach. Like bringing home chicks without a coop. Planting a garden, only to move something the next season. Or mid season. Or within a week!... Help!
Others are just too intimidated to take the plunge and only dream of homesteading from afar. Not necessary! Even urbanites can homestead their city lot in some way - and often more than they realize. Your Custom Homestead will help give you the courage to put your first foot forward, knowing where you can reasonably begin realizing your heart's desires.
So let me reiterate... if you're new to the concept of homesteading or just starting your homesteading adventure, you would be well served to work through Jill's book before you take another step on the path.
Your Custom Homestead is different than most how to books because it actually has you work through the planning process in a period of 21 days. Each chapter or day includes a brief commentary, homework (something to actually do) for the reader, and a peak into Jill's own life on the homestead, however she does not just try to teach you about all the things you COULD be doing and how you could do it exactly like her). If Jill were to sit down with you and talk to you about how to begin homesteading, this is what she'd have you actually DO.
After defining homesteading and addressing the issue of "I don't have any land, Jill!", she starts you working through the thought process to determine what YOUR personal homestead should look like, where to begin, and how to stay focused on your personal priorities. She gives you tips for organizing and finding local resources as well as planning and considering your finances.
No, Jill doesn't solve all your problems, but she does help you to figure out what you CAN be doing right now within the situation God has placed you in at this very moment. She also helps you to aim down the road at some of your "bigger" goals. For the modest price of $4.99, you're going to save yourself a lot of headache by not running wildly from one homesteading project to another before considering the path you want to take. I dare say... this book could even make your marriage better! Seriously, if couples could talk about these things BEFORE taking the homesteading plunge, the harmony would be oh so much sweeter!
How To Enter This Give-Away
• Visit Jill's website by clicking the link below and check out more information on her book, including an opportunity to read a chapter for free and a video message from Jill! Then come back here and tell me why you would like to win her eBook.
• For an extra entry, LIKE Your Custom Homestead through one of her social media options (on the left side of her website) and leave a separate comment telling me you've done so.
• For another extra entry... blog, Facebook, or tweet about this giveaway and leave me a comment telling me you've done so.
This give-away ends at 11:59 p.m. PST TONIGHT!! The winner will be announced on the Homestead Revival Facebook page ONLY. Be sure to like my page so you get all the winners from the Sizzling Summer Round Up as well as updates that I don't put on my blog!
Disclosure: For this give-away, I was sent a copy of this eBook, however, all reviews are my personal opinion and based on my own experience.
Since buying our first home last year, my husband and I (and our 4 children too!) have been busy trying to work the acre of land we have been blessed with. Our lot is mostly wooded and it's been slow-going trying to clear space but we've been managing. This book sounds like it would be exactly what we need-a plan! We're currently flying by the seat of our pants! :)
ReplyDelete(I've also "liked" your custom homestead on facebook)
Oh I would LOVE this! I have been struggling with a lot of issues on our 20 acres and this just might be the guidance I need. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWe just bought our house with acreage a year ago and are desperately wanting to do homesteading. We have spent the last year cleaning the place up and getting it ready but are a little lost as to what to do next. We have a huge garden, but this book would give us the information we need to go to the next levels. Thank you so much for the chance. This has been a dream of our since we got married almost 10 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI liked Your Custom Homestead on Facebook and G+. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI Liked Your Custom Homestead on Facebook, and reposted the give-away on both FB and Twitter.
Our family enjoys your writings ~ you're an inspiration and help!
The second generation is enthusiastically preparing for the future and would surely profit from Jill's book, to learn more and get another view on doing it.
Thanks for all you do!
Carole
I 'liked' Your Custom Homestead on FB. I want the chance to read this book! My husband and I are buying 5 acres on Thursday! I've already got my chicken breeds, coop plans, and garden tips ready. I just need help determining where I should put everything! We'll also be adding horses into the mix in the near future. Thanks for a great blog!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great idea for a book. We have been back and forth on the Homesteading idea. Not sure where to begin. This book may just be what we were looking for. I would love to win it!
ReplyDeleteI, also, like Custom Homestead on Facebook.
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ReplyDeleteI shared the link for your giveaway on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to try Homesteading, but my biggest struggle is that I currently live in an apartment. I recently purchased many pots to plant herbs and tomatoes, but I'm looking for the "nudge" to go a few steps further. This would be a huge help! Thanks for the chance to enter.
ReplyDeleteI would love a copy, My husband and I have been wanting to start homesteading for quite sometime now. We can use any tips or tricks possible
ReplyDeleteI like "Your Custom Homestead" on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI made a facebook post about this giveaway
ReplyDeleteI read her first chapter by liking her on Facebook. Was a little disappointed that it was so short and I would love to read more.
ReplyDeleteI would love this! Her 21 day process sounds intriguing! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI liked her page on FB.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book. I have read the first chapter and more info on her website. My husband is semi-retired and we have dreams of homesteading by enlarging our garden, getting chickens, some dairy goats and possibly a pig. I think this book would be very helpful to us.
ReplyDeleteI liked her page on facebook
ReplyDeleteI shared this post on facebook!
ReplyDeleteWe dreamed of having a self-sustaining piece of paradise for years. We planted in pots on our patio. Then we had 10 years to retirement and bought 98 acres near our children. We started a program of building (fences, barns, vegetable garden, fruit trees) and put all our money and time off into our dream. Now after 2 years in retirement, we raise beef cattle, meat goats, have chickens for eggs, and dairy goats for milk and cheese. I'm learning to make cheese, and my first goat will kid in 2 weeks so I'll have my own milk. Your milking video is excellent. Thank you for your blog and website. It's been very helpful and entertaining.
ReplyDeleteWe are in the process of preparing to buy an acreage, & I think it would be helpful in the decision making process & give us a good place to start/encourage us to think thru what we want before jumping in!
ReplyDeleteI "liked" your custom homestead on facebook.
ReplyDeleteI liked her book, and I'd love to win it! Sometimes I feel "stuck" as an urban homesteader. I could (hopefully) get more options of what I can od here, now....
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have had a strong desire for homesteading for YEARS. We thought this year we'd be able to leave our tiny trailer and buy a house with just a couple acres. Now we are looking at being here for another couple years (and only 1/2 acre of land). I'd love to see what else we can do while we are here to further our homesteading dreams!
ReplyDeleteLiked on facebook!
ReplyDeleteShared on facebook!
ReplyDeleteOh I would LOVE a copy of this book more than anything!!! It has been my dream for years to homestead, but we have not been able to achieve it so far. More than anything I would love to have a few acres, some chickens, a huge garden and maybe some sheep ;) But the price of property here is through the roof. Her book sounds promising in helping us towards our goal.
ReplyDeleteI likes Your Custom Homestead on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI shared this giveaway on my Facebook profile :)
ReplyDeleteI am interested in learning about creating a homesteading binder. I haven't been motivated to keep a journal and should be.
ReplyDeleteTanya
Liked Your Custom Homestead on facebook.
ReplyDeleteTanya
Shared giveaway on facebook.
ReplyDeleteTanya
I have been dreaming about homesteading since I graduated from college and my husband and I are working on learning the skills and saving money for our own homestead someday... But right now with student loans to pay off & difficulty finding landlords that share our vision it can be easy to get discouraged at times. From what I have looked at in this ebook, I really like how she seems to guide you through concrete steps that I could start NOW rather than just dreaming about someday!
ReplyDeleteI liked "Custom Homestead" and tweeted about the giveaway (@liminalitydesig)...
ReplyDeleteI would really enjoy reading Your Custom Homestead because my husband and I are most likely embarking on our own farming endeavor this upcoming year. Getting her advice would help us out A LOT before we do much grunt work. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI've 'liked" Your Custom Homestead on her FB page!
ReplyDeleteI'm so trying to do this, but my lists of what I have to learn/buy/etc are overwhelming me. I still have about 5 years to go, but this would be a HUGE help, so let me win!!!!! Plus, I'm a librarian and I'll remember it when people ask me about a resource! I will LIKE her on FACEBOOK, too.
ReplyDeleteI've "liked" Your Custom Homestead Facebook page!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this book with us! It sound like a wonderful source for someone like me to learn from! I have become very interested in starting a homestead but honestly have no idea where to start! I would love to have a copy of Your Cutsom Homestead! I don't want to invest a ton of $$ and time into something and not do it right. Gathering info is a must for me in everything i do! I am a wife and sahm to a 2 yr. Old and an 8 mo. Old. . Since having children my desire for doing thing as naturally as possible has been a new way of life for me, from choosing to have my children at home to using cloth diapers.... I'm the type of mom that wants to know what exactly is in the food I'm feeding my children! I think in the long run having a homestead is a much cheaper way to supply your family with food you know is going to be nutritious for them, and hey, it sounds like a lot of fun! I know it will involve lots of hard work but I'm sure it will be worth it! Thanks again for todays post!
My husband and I just purchased our first home and I'm just itching to make it productive. Unfortunately, I'm so overwhelmed with everything I want to implement. I'd love to have this book to help be build a plan.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to win this e-book because I have been interested in "homesteading"..or at least growing my own food and maybe raise chickens for a while but have never had a place with a yard. Now my husband and I are in the process of buying our first place in the middle of urban Denver..BUT it does have a small yard and I definitely want to have a garden!! I know I have ALOT to learn from a book like this!
ReplyDeleteI also "liked" the Your Custom Homestaed facebook page!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, this book sounds wonderful! I am so guilty of just throwing things together and then re-doing them later. We are on our third chicken coop in three years and our second goat pen in TWO MONTHS!.
ReplyDeleteI tweeted the giveaway. : )
ReplyDeleteI liked the Your Custom Homestead on Facebook too. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love this because I'm so guilty of starting projects and not thinking them through. My home is actually a suburban home with chickens and a fair sized garden. In my dreams though I think about a real homestead out in the country.
ReplyDeleteGingeroo616 at aol dotcom
I liked her on Facebook
ReplyDeleteOursafehaven
I shared on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteOursafehaven
I like "Your Custom Homestead" on Facebook :) :)
ReplyDeleteLove andhugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)
"Liked" on Facebook
ReplyDeleteShared on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI shared the link to the giveaway on my Facebook page ;) :) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)
ReplyDeleteIt would be a blessing to win this book as we purchased several acres of land last year and are beginning to develope and work it :)
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about her book is that she encourages you to create a homestead wherever you are. I'll be moving to an apartment soon and I feel like this would be a great start.
ReplyDeleteLiked her Facebook page
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book as my husband & I just bought a piece of land to begin homesteading and are praying for direction as we have no idea where to begin!
ReplyDeleteI have liked her Facebook page, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'd love this as I am in the throws of trying to plan an urban homestead and would love some direction. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteIt is exciting to see so many families searching for a more simple and sustainable lifestyle. This book looks to be a great resource.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I would love to win this book because we are getting ready to find a new house and planning from the beginning would be great!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this, because I've read some bloggers going through her planning steps, and it just sounds great!
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