The Gothic Homesteader

As a Gothic Homesteader, I don’t have a lot of funds to spend on Christmas gifts most years, especially not this year with getting out Cabin for the homesite.  So this year, like many other years, we are making most of our Christmas gifts.   Some of gifts I have made in the past have been, Gothic Quilt Pillows, Marbled Glass Tree  Ornaments  ( made with crayons ), Homemade Bath Sea Salt ( scented with home grown Lavender ), Hand Made Wreaths, Homemade Soaps, Crocheted Hats and Hand Warmers, and Lighted Potpourri Vases. This year for the first time, Robby and I are doing something different.  We found at Target the book Gifts From A Jar , and from that we are making gifts for friends and family.  Most of the items needed we already have, and then will add cookie cutters or the like, and fabric to the top to make it festive.  As most of our family lives about 1,000 to 2,000 miles away, this is much cheaper than attempting a trip home, but st...

Homesteading, the Simple Life, and Minimalism all can go hand in hand together really well.  Minimalism helps one plan for what you really need and be willing to share your abundance.  Simple Living helps one not stress to much in and find a lot of joy in minimalism.  Homesteading give one something to pour yourself into, once Simple Living and Minimalism takes deep roots.  It doesnt matter if it a rural homestead, or an apartment homestead on the 10 or 20th floor; it is the heart of the Homesteader that remains the same! About 3 months ago, I added transitioning into Gothic minimalism into my journey as a Gothic Homesteader. With the move, it has not been an easy journey.  I know when I stick with it, I am alot happier, because there is less to fuss with.  But the hard part is this: how to know what to keep and what to give up, especially transitioning between to very different places of living. What is needed?  What is just beautiful?  And w...

I must apologize, all my fellow Gothic Homesteaders, for my long silence on this blog.  July saw us get a job back in the New Mexico/Four Corners region, and we have been swamped packing, moving, settling, and getting into the flow of our life back here.  Our ornamental purple sweet potato vine and setcreasea did survive the move, which is a good thing. I am adding purple mums this week, too. Our other big news is we have been given about a 1/4 to 1/2 acre lot to place a cabin on, near where we work.  We are currently working on getting the money in place to get it placed on the homesite.  Until then we are in a 1920's rented bungalow.  As well, I have blogging on my other blog: A Gothic Minimalist , but as the weeks and months move a head, I will be blogging more on both sites.  Keep an eye on both for alot of info; until then, keep on Gothic Homesteading! ~ Morria

Apartment Homesteading is never easy, compound that by summers that average 105 F, a walkway where you can have 12 inch pots at largest, and not knowing your new growing area, and it is a challenge for any Gothic Homesteader.  But it appears, my herbs are going to do well.  Except maybe my Lavender, but Lavender and I have had issues off and on since I started growing herbs back in 1997. Herbs are a wonderful plant to grow in Gothic looking pots ( mine are purple and black from Walmart and Lowes ), as they tend to be very hearty plants.  Rosemary, Lemon Balm, Sage, Cilantro, Thyme, Oregano, Chives, Mint, and sometimes Lavender I have found good for on balconies, porches, or pots along walkways. ~ Morria

So I am beginning to Gothic Apartment Homestead again in earnest, in part to go along with my natural health course I am doing, and in part to start putting down roots, so to speak, in my area of future work... Problem?  I live in a second story apartment with a small open balcony that is also the walkway to stairs for my 3 neighboring apartments.  Maybe 12 inch pots? So, this Desert Gypsy Goth is turning over a new leaf, literally.  We were able to make it from Farmington, NM with 3 plants: my husbands Cactus, my Clover, and our Mexican Heather plants.  I have scouted out a metal shelving system at walmart that should go well in our bedroom where the plants can get sunlight, and I am also hunting for an additional plant light.  I found some awesome AZ made recycled wine bottle planters ( refreshglass.com ) which also fits in both the bedroom and living room windows, just perfect for herbs. Now the hard part, what to GROW? ~ Morria

I am just so delighted to have discovered this book: Black Plants by Paul Bonine!  He has complied an engaging book with 75 Black Plant choices for the garden.  Easy are stunningly photographed for the readers pleasure, giving this book a coffee table quality not just one for the Gothic Homesteader's bookshelf. While there are many other black plants out there, Paul Bonine has chosen some of the most majestic and offered them to us in full color splendor!  I persoanly am thrilled to learn a few plants  I grew up with made the list.  Among them: Black Hollyhock, Purple Leaf Elderberry, and "Ace of Spades" Ornamental Sweet  Potato.  All in all a wonderful book, and a must have for any Gothic Homesteader or Gothic Gardener! ~ Morria

We will be selling at the Shiprock Flea Market tomorrow, trying to make some money to keep us going at the homestead. Gas, Food, and More... Living out in the desert is not easy, but it is so worth it.  I make soaps, jewelry, and up-cycled Gothic and Steampunk clothing.  Robby, he makes hemp jewelry and does photography. That along with odd jobs keeps us afloat, along with our food from being gothic homesteaders...but that doesnt start for a few more months out here.   Tis not a life most would chose, but to be honest... neither of us are at home at any other kind of life anymore... I will get back to normal Gothic Homesteader post in March.  This move has been trying... ~ Morria

In honor of this fine Halloween Season, I felt it only fitting to share with my fellow Gothic Homesteaders the delightful list of pumpkins and squash I have found while hunting for Black Plants and other Gothic Plants.  While the traditional orange pumpkins and normal squash are wonderful, I felt these deserved a nod and some attention as well! Blue Moon Pumpkins Silver Moon Pumpkins Full Moon Pumpkins Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins Blue Banana Squash Table Queen Acorn Squash Butter Nut Squash ( It has a rich orange flesh inside! ) Navajo Gray Hubbard Squash ~ Morria

This year beside our family gardens, and my deck garden, we have been honored to get to help out at the community garden hosted by Immanuel Baptist Church.    Community Gardens are so important, because they give those who might not have access to gardening space, a place to grow.  They provide food for those in need, enrich neighborhoods, bring people together who other wise might never rub shoulders, and just are fun! Are there any abandon lots around your area?  Maybe see if you and a few others can get together and purchase it for a community garden area. Are there any already in operation community gardens in your area?  Maybe join them and learn more about gardening and homesteading there. Are there local farmers markets?  Why not shop at them as much as possible to support those who are growing foods local? There are so many ways we can be Gothic Homesteaders, and we're just scratching the surface.  I cant wait to discover more! ~ M...

I grew up on the Kansas prairie and by 19 I was full on Goth.  But growing up in the garden and among animals, I could not get it out of my blood.  So I said, why try?  I will be a Gothic Homesteader...  only I thought no one else would be interested.  8 years later, after listening to friends talk... and looking around the web again after being away from easy internet access for a time, and I discovered... there is alot of interest in homesteading these day among my fellow Goth, but nothing geared to us. So here goes...  The Gothic Homesteader Blog and Facebook page are live...  please give me grace as I spread my batwings and share stories from my personal adventure in Gothic Homesteading... ~ Morria