Independence
Independence and self-sufficiency go hand in hand. If one is self-sufficient, he can be independent from others. If one is truly independent (does not depend on others) he must be self-sufficient. However, for our purposes here, self-sufficiency refers more to being able to produce or provide one's own basic food, water, clothing, and shelter. Independence refers more to producing one's own necessities and some of the "extras."
For example, on our quarter-acre suburban lot, we produce most of our own food (fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, and some meat and fish). We are not quite self-sufficient, but we have a good deal of independence--we don't depend on a grocery store.
The girls bake bread, rolls, biscuits, crackers, and cookies. We make cheese, kefir, and yogurt; pickles and sauerkraut. We make our own soda-pop, and other soft-drinks. We make our own bar soap and laundry soap. Some know how to sew.
If we can do it, so can you. We are learning as we go. Perhaps some of the things you see here will encourage you to try your hand at it. This web site is a work in progress (as is our learning and striving for independence), so please bear with us as we add to it from time to time.
We like pizza. Maybe you do, too. Our "pizza project" is a fair example of how an independence project goes. More. >>>
