Outdoor Wednesday

Outdoor Wednesday hosted by Susan, A Southern Daydreamer, is a beautiful way to see so much of what nature has to offer. This time of the year, everyone has a lot of breathtaking fall sights to share with us.



Recently, my sister and I had the pleasure of visiting this small piece of our world. Homestead Heritage, the pace of modern life slows to what it was like in pioneer days. It is a working community that believes in a simple life and using the land to produce everything needed to survive.

You travel down a winding, scenic drive and enter through this entrance.

This is the style of their homes which you are not allowed to visit. They all live on the grounds away from where visitors go.

An old water wheel used for power. They do have electricity available.

One of many animals they have on the farms. They use draft horses for farming.

This is a 1760s restored gristmill where whole flour and meal or ground.

An old wood burning heater used for heating purposes.

A neat weather vane showing a man plowing the fields, which is exactly what they do.

They even offer classes on how to milk a cow or goat.

What old chicken wouldn't like to live in a coop like this. You notice it even has steps up into the house. Very modern version of a chicken house.

The wood shop was inspiring. They do not use any machinery powered by electricity. Everything is done the old fashion way, by hand. They conduct classes and people come from all over the world to learn their skills.

I thought this was a beautiful chest that was being made for a customer. They do beautiful custom work for those that can afford it. However, it turned out to be the tool chest that the teacher had built to hold his tools. I could not believe that lovely piece of furniture was made for tools.

As you will note, no nails are used. It is all wood throughout.

They are very skilled in pottery making, sewing, quilting, baking, making soaps, candles etc. All these beautifully handmade items are for sale. Also, within the complex is a wonderful little restaurant that serves the very best of food. All the food is prepared from the things that are grown there. The ice cream is homemade, hand-dipped, no store made stuff. I can truthfully say, I have never eaten in a restaurant as clean as this one was.

This wonderful pioneer-inspired working village, that allows guest to enjoy their old-fashioned ways, is located in Elm Mott, Texas. It is situated on 500 acres near the Brazos River north of Waco. They are not Amish, as I asked. Just living a plain old simple way of life, and doing it very well.