Back to the Basics with Laura

Explore our down-home, homestead in southeastern Georgia. We share recipes, natural cleaning, organic beauty/health, DIY’s, gardening, and our day-to-day small farm living. Share the Love…

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Farm Life

The Simple Joys of Farm Life

Life on the farm isn’t always picture-perfect, but it sure is full of purpose. My husband and I have a small farm and it seems that the chores are never-ending, and nature always has the final say. But there’s a rhythm to it—a grounded, steady kind of peace that you don’t find in the hustle of the suburbs or town living.

Whether we’re feeding chickens, tending to the garden, or watching the dogs play, there’s something sacred about living close to the land. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s real, and it’s rewarding in ways that are hard to put into words. There is serenity living with mother nature and getting close to her.

We tend to the animals in the evening time, even though the donkey’s have a different opinion. They bray at us every time we are in the yard. We leave, we come home, we just go outside. They bray and talk to us. It’s absolutely adorable. My husband has cameras around the homestead and we will talk to them through the camera mics. They are use to it and will get excited and talk back and play.

Laura and Jack mini donkey

Waking Up with the Roosters

There is something about the roosters crowing to let us know it’s time to rise and shine. Even if you shine a flashlight their direction they will start crowing. LOL

About 6 weeks ago I decided to go buy 17 bitties (that’s chicks if you not familiar with the word). My husband grumbled about it but now he loves those little feathered babies. We have a small pin setup in our chicken house for either broody hens or new chicks. My husband goes out every morning before daylight and opens the bitty pin and a quick check to make sure everyone made it through the night safe and sound. As soon as he shines the flashlight in the direction of the roost the rooster start crowing.

I got the 17 chicks, because we have older chickens some who aren’t laying anymore. And in a few more weeks they all should be laying eggs. 🙌

Hands in the Dirt, Heart in the Work

Farm life can be humbling. One minute your garden’s bursting with tomatoes and squash, the next, a surprise frost or a fat rogue raccoon takes out all of the corn planted. LOL But even in the setbacks, there’s something beautiful about working with your hands—planting, growing, harvesting. You learn patience, resilience, and gratitude with every season.

There’s no instant gratification here, but there is satisfaction. Nothing beats the taste of a meal you’ve raised and grown yourself—eggs from your hens, herbs from your own patch of dirt, fresh produce pulled right from the garden beds.

Lessons from the Land

Farm life has a way of teaching life lessons without saying a word. You learn to go with the flow, to expect the unexpected, and to celebrate small victories. You learn how to work hard and rest well. You come to appreciate things like rainstorms, compost, and that one stubborn chicken who insists on laying eggs outside the chicken house.

More than anything, you learn to slow down. Life doesn’t need to be lived at full speed. On the farm, the little things—morning light through the barn slats, a curious donkey, the sound of the wind in the trees—feel big.

Why We Keep at It

People sometimes ask why we choose this life, especially when it would be so much easier to live in town. The truth is, we don’t just choose it—we feel it. It’s in our bones. It’s in the call of the whippoorwill at dusk, in the smell of fresh cut grasses, in the soft cluck of hens and the satisfaction of a day’s honest work.

Farm life connects us—to the land, to our food, and to one another. It keeps us grounded, grateful, and in tune with the seasons.

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Laura Reefer

Hey there! Welcome to my site, where we’re all about keeping things natural, and simple… without spending a fortune. Grab a cup of coffee and join me on our homestead. We’re sharing classic homemade recipes, natural cleaning tips, organic beauty and wellness ideas, DIY project inspirations, gardening, and the everyday ups and downs of farm life. Stick around, learn something new, and get a peek into life here on the farm. Jack (donkey)says, Hi.


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