Neva is approaching 30 years of marriage, and if there’s one lesson that has stood the test of time, it’s this: I don’t own him. As a military wife, Neva learned early on to figure things out on her own. But she also realized marriage is a team effort. You share the same mission, but you each have different roles.

Marriage isn’t about control. It’s about trust, respect, and working with each other, not against each other. There will be checks and balances, but never fault. Keeping score only creates distance.

The biggest freedom in marriage comes when you let go of the need to control. He doesn’t own you, and you don’t own him. You are teammates, and when you embrace that, marriage becomes about moving forward together.

So take this lesson with an open heart and mind—marriage isn’t about ownership, it’s about partnership.

Connect with Neva: https://www.thehappyhomesteadmaker.com

Are you itching to start your garden but don’t have a greenhouse? You don’t need fancy equipment to get your seeds growing! There are plenty of creative ways to start your garden, even without a greenhouse.

Some gardening methods are carefully planned—greenhouses, temperature-controlled rooms, and specialized tools. But sometimes, the urge to start planting sneaks up on you.

In today’s episode, Neva shares how you can start your garden, even if you don’t have all the fancy tools. No greenhouse? No problem. She dives into simple, effective ways to create the right conditions for your seeds to thrive, using things you already have around your home.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, there are ways to get ahead and start your seeds early. 

Connect with Neva: https://www.thehappyhomesteadmaker.com

Some traditions are intentional—birthday pancakes, holiday movie marathons, first-day-of-school pictures. Others sneak up on us, forming quietly over the years until one day, we stop and ask, Why do we always end up here on May 4th?

When I started my homestead journey, I wasn’t thinking about traditions. I was thinking about what I could do with this land, how I could make it work for our family. But over time, certain rhythms formed—little things we do every year, in the same season, without even planning it.

In today’s episode, Neva shares some of the unintentional traditions that have woven themselves into her life—things she never set out to do but have become part of the fabric of her family’s story. Maybe you have traditions like that too. The way you always eat the same meal on a certain day, or how you end up at the same place every summer. The things that feel like habits but, when you look closer, are actually something more—anchors in time, tying one year to the next.

What were the traditions you grew up with? What are the ones you’ve built now, whether intentionally or by accident? Maybe you’ve made more than you even realize.

Connect with Neva: https://www.thehappyhomesteadmaker.com

Keeping a home tidy with kids around can feel like a never-ending task, but a few simple strategies make all the difference. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s creating habits that make cleaning up easier for everyone.

Matching tasks to a child’s age helps set them up for success. Younger kids do best with clear, simple instructions. Instead of saying, “Clean up,” try breaking it down into specific steps like putting toys in the bin or placing books back on the shelf. Older kids can handle a set order of tasks, like making the bed before picking up the floor.

Timing makes a difference. A two-minute tidy turns cleanup into a quick win, while a ten-minute tidy keeps bigger messes from becoming overwhelming. Turning it into a race or setting a goal for what happens after helps keep kids engaged.

Messes are constant, but tidying doesn’t have to be a struggle. With clear expectations and small, consistent efforts, keeping a space clean becomes part of the routine—not just another chore.

Connect with Neva: https://www.thehappyhomesteadmaker.com

Some days, the to-do list feels endless, yet nothing seems to get done. It can be discouraging, making it feel like nothing is moving forward. The weight of unfinished tasks can be hard to shake, leading to frustration and self-doubt.

Instead of focusing on everything that didn’t get done, start smaller. Rather than a mile-long to-do list, narrow it down to one to three priorities. What is the one thing that absolutely must be done today? Completing even a single task creates momentum, turning an overwhelming day into a productive one.

Productivity doesn’t always look the same. Some days, it’s tackling big projects. Other days, it’s handling the small but necessary things—cleaning out your purse, getting a carwash, or simply resetting for the next day. Every step forward counts.

There’s no need to do it all. Progress, no matter how small, is still progress. Checking off even one box on the list is a win, and sometimes, that’s enough to turn the day around.

Connect with Neva: https://www.thehappyhomesteadmaker.com

One of the most common questions about homesteading is, “How do you make it work financially?” The truth is, you don’t need a lot of money to get started. Homesteading is less about what you have and more about how you make the most of where you are.

Homesteading is a lifestyle choice, not a financial barrier. It’s about shifting your mindset—viewing your homestead as a legacy and rethinking how you approach your family’s future. Start where you are. Don’t let money become the problem that holds you back. You can begin small and grow from there.

Prioritize what matters most to you, take baby steps, and budget for the equipment or supplies you need. Be prepared for unexpected challenges and think creatively to overcome them.

Homesteading isn’t about having everything perfect or starting with unlimited resources. It’s about building something meaningful from the ground up.

The key is to focus on what you can do now, no matter how small it seems. Take things one step at a time, embrace the back-to-basics lifestyle, and let your homestead evolve naturally. You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need to begin.

Connect with Neva: https://www.thehappyhomesteadmaker.com

Homesteading isn’t about having everything figured out from the start—it’s about making the decision to begin. For a long time, I thought I needed the perfect setup before I could get started. But in reality, the journey begins with deciding that you want to live that life.

Your homestead vision will be unique to you. It doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Take some time to really think about what your dream homestead would look like. What’s important to you? That’s where you begin.

You don’t have to know everything right away. The process of homesteading is about starting small, learning along the way, and allowing yourself room to grow. The “doing” is what creates the “being.” Don’t let the fear of not knowing it all stop you. The truth is, you’ll never get everything perfect from the start.

So, don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect setup. Just decide to start—and you’ll learn, grow, and adapt as you go. That’s the true beginning of your homesteading journey.

Connect with Neva: https://www.thehappyhomesteadmaker.com

Starting a homestead can feel overwhelming, but where do you even begin? If you’re considering adding animals to your homestead, chickens are an excellent first choice.

Today, Neva is here to help clear up some of the jargon you might encounter and give you the details on where to start. She shares her favorite breeds for beginners, including Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, and Buff Orpingtons. These breeds are hardy, friendly, and great egg-layers—making them perfect for those just getting started.

Most importantly, Neva provides some encouragement. Starting your homestead with chickens is a rewarding experience. They offer fresh eggs, help enrich your soil, and are fun to watch. With Neva’s advice, you’ll feel confident in taking that first step toward building your homestead with chickens.

Connect with Neva: https://www.thehappyhomesteadmaker.com

Winter might not seem like the ideal season to start your homestead journey. After all, the ground is frozen, the garden is dormant, and everything feels a bit slower. But here’s the thing—starting in the winter has its perks, especially when you focus on something that’s essential, manageable, and rewarding: food.

If you’re wondering where to begin, start with what’s on your plate.

Homesteading can feel overwhelming when you think about all the possibilities. But instead of trying to do it all at once, narrow your focus to one meal. Choose a favorite meal you and your family love, and commit to making it entirely from scratch. 

Homesteading is all about working smarter, not harder. Use a quiet winter weekend to cook a few meals in advance. Soups, stews, and casseroles freeze beautifully and will save you time when life gets busy.

Winter might be cold and quiet, but it’s the perfect season to start something new. Homesteading begins with small, intentional steps—and the kitchen is the best place to take them.

Connect with Neva: https://www.thehappyhomesteadmaker.com

Are you thinking about starting a homestead, or maybe you’ve already taken the first steps? It’s an exciting adventure, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. There’s so much to learn, and let’s be honest—it doesn’t always go as planned. But starting from scratch is a chance to build something meaningful, one intentional step at a time.

In today’s episode, Neva shares her reflections on what she’d do differently if she could start over. She opens up about the mistakes she made and the lessons she learned along the way. From managing her mindset to refining her approach to everything—like composting, raising chickens, and finding balance in the day-to-day—her journey is full of insights that can help anyone just beginning their own homestead.

Homesteading isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. It’s about learning as you go, nurturing what you build, and being intentional with your time and energy. Neva’s story is a reminder that it’s okay to start small and adjust as you grow.

Connect with Neva: https://www.thehappyhomesteadmaker.com