Joy

- from The Adventures of Old Mr. Toad by Thornton W. Burgess

Autumn Issue Is Printed

The Autumn Issue of Plain and Joyful Issue is copied and we are folding, punching holes and stringing each with a wool yarn tie and mailing will begin tomorrow.

This issue includes two letters from readers sharing their journeys, a first time in print children's story about a chicken, an article about making your own home cleaners, a butternut squash recipe, and another project in the hope chest series.

Information about subscribing or requesting a sample issue can be found here.  All new subscribers receive a handmade little something with their first issue.

Many thanks for all of the support and kind words.  It is something that I feel God has put on my heart and each issue is truly a joy to put together.

Warm wishes, Tonya 

Summer Issue of Plain and Joyful Living

is done and copied...

so sorry for the delay.

This issue includes three guest writers - Elizabeth of Heartfelt Homemaking - writes about Oats; Suzanne of Blueberry Cottage - writes in her column, Over My Garden Gate; and my dear homesteading neighbor and friend, Pati, writes about poop:) Other articles include filling a hope chest and finding joy.

All new subscribers receive a little handmade goodness with their summer issue.

May it be a blessing to those that read it and please consider handwriting and mailing your thoughts and questions to share in the autumn issue.

Warm wishes, Tonya

Nonconformity

Living how we choose to live, while not nearly as plain and nonconformist as others, still makes us different from the majority of Americans. We stand out. We endure questions and questioning remarks. We are sometimes left out. We often choose to be left out.

Generally, we live quietly yet purposefully; not choosing to put others down or to criticize others for their choices. Our deliberate life will speak for itself.

There are, however, times when our voice should be heard.

I really like the following quote ~

"Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker.

Expose your ideas to the dangers of controversy.

Speak your mind and fear less the label of 'crackpot' than the stigma of conformity.

And on issues that seem important to you,

stand up and be counted at any cost."

~ Thomas J. Watson (1874 - 1956)

Warm wishes, Tonya

Spring Newsletter Being Packaged....

Isaac suggested we take a picture of the process.

We hope the new issue will be a blessing to all. Warm wishes, Tonya

Winter Issue Done - Plain and Joyful Living

The winter issue has been hand written, copied, and hand strung with wool yarn. This issue has two guest writers - one is by our homesteading neighbor and the other by a reader. Other topics include: planning a kitchen garden, homesteading by the season, a recipe to use up your stored winter squash, and more.

A little hand stitched heart will be mailed along with each newsletter that my daughters and I sewed.

One of the goals of the newsletter is to keep the art of handwriting alive. As more and more people and children type (even in the grammar schools!) instead of taking pen to paper handwriting may become a lost art. Our other mission is to spread the word that there are alternatives to the consumer-driven lifestyle of our country and increasingly the world. Finally, the newsletter reflects on the joys of homemaking.

To subscribe via a check or money order please email me at naturalearthfarm@netzero.net for my mailing address. Please, if there is a financial hardship let me know in an email or letter and we can offer assistance. Or you can order by clicking on the buy now buttons on the right side bar.
Warm wishes, Tonya

Autumn Issue Mailed

The autumn issue of Plain and Joyful Living is complete and has been mailed to subscribers.

In it are articles about old fashioned simple living, recipes, handwork ideas and tidbits of interest.

Additional copies are available (please read the on the side panel of the blog). Plain and Joyful Living is a not for profit newsletter. Our mission is to spread the joy of homemaking and a more simpler lifestyle through a hard copy newsletter that is handwritten and copied and mailed through the postal service. If you have a financial hardship, simple email me privately.

On a side note, the days have been filled with alternating periods of rain for over a week now. However, yesterday we enjoyed a rainbow right from our front porch!

Plain and Joyful Living

Hello,

This blog will be a place for me to share my creations as well as a bit about our family's journey.

Our family, dear husband, myself, and six children live in northern Vermont. We homestead and are working towards an agrarian based and handmade life by farming and creating with our hands.

Currently, we live modestly in a small home, without electricity, and live our day-to-day life with a mix of what many would consider old fashioned ways with some modern technology.

We have a strong faith in God and have started a ministry through our quarterly newsletter, Plain and Joyful Living.

Please share your thoughts and joys.

Warm wishes,

Tonya