Our Urban Farmstead

An Aussie-American couple's adventures in backyard farmsteading, boondocking, and living the simple life.

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Creative Ventures

Interested in some of the other things we do? We run a variety of home-based businesses from our farmstead. Feel free to visit the links below to find out more!

Handmade Jewelry and other Handicrafts

BellaHandmades.comBellaHandmades.com

Natural Light Photography and Graphic Design Services
Sacred Moments Media

Artwork for Sale

Photography Prints for Sale

Graphic Design Art for Sale

Welcome to Our Urban Farmstead! We are Daniel and Courtney Shevchenko. Our goal is to become as self-sufficient and sustainable as possible on our 1-acre urban neighborhood lot before moving on to bigger pastures.

We will be sharing our home renovation projects, the making of our mini-farm, boondocking tips and tricks, and other snapshots of the various adventures we experience in our day-to-day life on our farmstead.

We hope that this site will be a blessing and encouragement to you. Have a question? Feel free to email us. 🙂
30 weeks pregnant, and turning 30 on Sunday! I've 30 weeks pregnant, and turning 30 on Sunday! I've got so many things to catch y'all up on. 😊 I'll post some on stories later so that I can keep you in the loop! 😁 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #wearethehomemakers #homesweethome #homemaker #wednesday #wednesdaymood #love #aesthetic #instagood #inspiration #fun #happy #oururbanfarmstead #photooftheday #babyonboard  #ultrasound #alabama #joy #picoftheday #home #joyinthejourney #threekidsthreeandunder #ilovejesus #homemaking #blessings #bloomwhereyouareplanted #wife #mama #planner #quietliving #preparingforbaby
We have entered one of my busiest times of the yea We have entered one of my busiest times of the year! One of my side gigs is family photography sessions, and as autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Alabama, my phone tends to ding quite a bit with inquiries for scheduling. 😂 Yesterday, while out doing a shoot for a sweet family session, I was able to watch the most beautiful golden hour and found myself amazed yet again at the wonders of the Lord's creation. ❤️ The colors of His handiwork are far beyond what can even be captured with my lens. I am so thankful for the beauty of the changing season- for the whispers of His love and care everywhere around us, if we simply pay attention. 🍁 . . . . . . . . . . #autumn #familyphotos #familyphotoshoot #sacredmomentsmedia #alabamaphotographer #photographer #fall #goldenhour #leaves #handsandhustle #oururbanfarmstead #godscreation
I've seen a lot of new faces popping in to visit t I've seen a lot of new faces popping in to visit this account over the last couple of weeks, so I wanted to say "hi" and welcome to our little home here on instagram! My name is Courtney, and I am married to my sweet husband, Daniel. We have two kids two and under (I'm going to say that as long as I possibly can! 😂), and are welcoming our newest blessing early next year. On this account, you can expect to find homesteading, gardening, and home improvement updates, but it is also the home for my writing projects (first book to be released in early April of next year), and a place to find encouragement in living the Christian life. The Lord has blessed us in abundance, and we want to share the joy and the reason we have a future hope with each of you! ❤️ It is my desire to unfold more of the vision I have for this account over the coming weeks, Lord willing, so please don't mind the construction as I work to get everything set up just right. 😊 I am a wife, mama, homemaker, and small business owner (you can find me over at @bellahandmades). At the minute, other than caring for my family, life has me busy with holiday preparations, writing, photoshoots, homework for the doula course I am taking, and just living life each day. Every day truly is a new adventure, and I am so thrilled you are here to join me! 😊 . . . . . . . . #friday #weekend #love #instagood #friyay #fun #happy #oururbanfarmstead #photooftheday #backyardgardening  #gardening #alabama #milliondollarfamily #picoftheday #home #family #ourfamilyofsupershevys #fridaynight #weekendvibes #ilovejesus #homemaking #followme #fridayintroductions
"He determines the number of the stars; he gives t "He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names." - Psalm 147:4 There's the constellation Orion, right above our house. It's one of the first constellations my dad showed us in the night sky when my siblings and I were quite young. It made me smile when I stepped outside for a minute and saw it sparkling in the sky above. 💥 God gives such good gifts. 😊 . . . . . . . . . . . . #homesweethome #thursday #love #aesthetic #instagood #inspiration #fun #happy #oururbanfarmstead #photooftheday #alabama #joy #picoftheday #home #joyinthejourney #thursdayvibes #ilovejesus #blessings #bloomwhereyouareplanted #wife #mama #quietliving #constellation
Autumn perfection. 🍁 Thank you, Lord, for the Autumn perfection. 🍁 Thank you, Lord, for the changing of seasons. Thank you for how you guide us gently through each twist and turn, and how you are faithful to keep us under the shelter of your wings. Thank you for chastening us when we stray from the path of righteousness, and for restoring us to your side once more through the forgiveness of our sins. Thank you for planning each one of our days before we were even born, and for the promise of a life anew when we go to be with you one day. Thank you for the fingerprints of your creativity all over creation- everything from the soft drops of rain to the sweet-smelling breeze declares your majesty. My heart is full. ❤️ . . . . . . . . . #homesweethome #thursday #love #aesthetic #instagood #inspiration #fun #happy #oururbanfarmstead #photooftheday #alabama #joy #picoftheday #home #joyinthejourney #thursdayvibes #ilovejesus #blessings #bloomwhereyouareplanted #wife #mama #quietliving
"O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in t "O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. Thro' death into life everlasting, He passed, and we follow Him there; O’er us sin no more hath dominion-- For more than conqu’rors we are! His Word shall not fail you--He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!" - Helen Howarth Lemmel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #sleepingbaby #naptime #homemaker #wearethehomemakers #foreverythingthereisaseason #homemaking #godsprovidence #newday #wednesday #oururbanfarmstead
Those fall colours though. 🍁 . . . . . #seasons Those fall colours though. 🍁 . . . . . #seasons #changeofseasons #autumn #leaves #autumndecor #fallinspiration #falldecor #autumnvibes #oururbanfarmstead #handsandhustle #nature #naturewalk #redleaves #homemaker #wearethehomemakers #autumnleaves #foreverythingthereisaseason #homemaking #godscreation #godsprovidence #newday #saturday #todo #todolist #homemaking #makingithome
My friend, Amber, over at @cultivatingjewels relea My friend, Amber, over at @cultivatingjewels released the podcast episode where she interviewed me about my upcoming book release! I've linked over to her story with a link in my story, and have saved a link to my "upcoming release" highlight bubble. ♥️ Y'all go give her account a follow, and let me know if you got to hear the episode. It truly was such a fun experience! 😊 . . . . . . . . #seasons #changeofseasons #autumn #leaves #autumndecor #fallinspiration #falldecor #autumnvibes #oururbanfarmstead #handsandhustle #nature #naturewalk #redleaves #homemaker #podcast #autumnleaves #foreverythingthereisaseason #homemaking #author #godsprovidence #newday #friday #writer #book #homemaking #makingithome
In which I learn to better manage my time and to-d In which I learn to better manage my time and to-do lists. 😂 Some of you know already, but I am pregnant with our newest little love. This pregnancy has been a journey of learning to lean very heavily into the Lord, and to really contemplate how "even if you say no, you are still good, Lord". I thought I was losing her on several occasions, but God has brought us safely through thus far. My phone notified me that I was 25 weeks pregnant this past week. I panicked a bit. With Oliver and Esmeralda, I already was nearly done with preparations by this time. With this little love, I've barely gotten anything done. It was a very good wake up call that it is time to start preparing things for her arrival! I am planning to share some of what I do to prepare for a new baby's arrival both here and on our website, so stay tuned! This week, I started by making a list of all the tasks that I knew needed to be done, and I started a shopping list of what I know we're missing. While some of it is baby-specific, there are also tasks that need to be done for crib and car seat shuffling with the other kids, amongst other things. It should be a lot of fun! 😊 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #wearethehomemakers #homesweethome #homemaker #wednesday #wednesdaymood #love #aesthetic #instagood #inspiration #fun #happy #oururbanfarmstead #photooftheday #babyonboard  #ultrasound #alabama #joy #picoftheday #home #joyinthejourney #threekidsthreeandunder #ilovejesus #homemaking #blessings #bloomwhereyouareplanted #wife #mama #planner #quietliving #preparingforbaby
Y'all, if you haven't done it today, step outside Y'all, if you haven't done it today, step outside and enjoy the beautiful weather! ❤️ Oliver and I just finished picking beans, and now he and Esmeralda are playing while we soak up the sunshine. It's literally perfect weather today! . . . . . . . . #newhouse #firsthouse #oururbanfarmstead #backyardfarming #growyourownfood #diyhousereno #justcallusbobandwendy #diy  #backyardgardening #urbanfarming #smallacreagefarming #gardening #handsandhustle #madeinalabama #alabama #makingithome #homegrown #grownathome #raisedbeds #bees #apiary #veggiepatch #raisedgardenbeds #freshgrown #beans #fall #farmtotable #green #farmstead #familyfarm
Well, it's about time to let y'all know about my s Well, it's about time to let y'all know about my secret project! 🎉 Around two years ago, I felt the Lord prompting me to write a book. I was in the middle of experiencing a lot of new things, and the Lord was teaching my heart a lot about His faithfulness to us in all seasons. I shrugged it off, mainly because I hardly felt qualified to write a book; it seemed like too daunting of a project for me to be able to handle. I continued to ignore that prompting for two years, and made excuses for why I wouldn't/couldn't do it. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Finally, around 6 or so months ago, I said "yes, Lord", and started writing. Almost immediately after deciding I would be obedient, the Lord began pouring the chapter topics into my heart, and allowed the words for each one to flow from my fingers and on to the pages. It is my hope that 'Reflections from Our Urban Farmstead' will release in early April of next year. 🎉 Drawn from wisdom found in scripture and my own personal day-to-day experience walking with the Lord, it is my desire that this book be an encouragement to women no matter what season of life they are in. I will be sharing things I have learned through my single years, and then through my courtship, betrothal, and later marriage to my husband. I also will be writing about the tender mercies God has taught me through my motherhood journey thus far, and of the Lord's faithfulness through pregnancy and miscarriage alike. In addition, I want to share some of the ways the Lord teaches us through His creation, drawing from observations of Biblical principles that have come to life through the farmsteading and gardening efforts of my husband and I. I am so excited to be able to share it with all of you! When I shared with my friend Amber about what I was working on, she invited me to be a guest on her podcast, @cultivatingjewels ! The episode will release on November 4th, so if you would like to learn more about what you can expect to find in the book, be sure to tune in! 🎧 I was so nervous to be on a podcast, but Amber made it a lovely experience. (Thanks again, friend! 😊) I will share more book details over the coming months as they are finalized. ❤️
When you skip harvesting beans for a few days. 😂 . . . . . . . . #newhouse #firsthouse #oururbanfarmstead #backyardfarming #growyourownfood #diyhousereno #justcallusbobandwendy #diy  #backyardgardening #urbanfarming #smallacreagefarming #gardening #handsandhustle #madeinalabama #alabama #makingithome #homegrown #grownathome #raisedbeds #bees #apiary #veggiepatch #raisedgardenbeds #freshgrown #beans #tomatoes #farmtotable #green #farmstead #familyfarm
It's our betrothal anniversary today! ❤️ Each It's our betrothal anniversary today! ❤️ Each time we make it to one of these milestones, it brings back so many memories of when we were preparing to get married. There were so many things the Lord was teaching us both during that time, but one of the things that has continued to stick out to me was from our betrothal period. We were betrothed for months before Daniel was able to place a ring on my finger, and we were able to set an actual wedding date. When you're at the mercy of the government for their approval to marry, you also are on their schedule for that approval. I knew I was promised to him, and he to me. We had submitted letters of intent to marry. Now, we waited for our wedding day, but we did not know the day nor the hour. I was longing to be married and reunited to this man that I loved so very much, and was looking forward with joyous anticipation to that day whenever it would arrive. There were days of hope, days of despair, and everything in between. With the Lord's help, we continued on in faithfulness to prepare for the day when we would once again see each other. He was busy working and putting money away for our future life together on one side of the world, and I was on the other also working and tying up loose ends for marriage/household preparations. One day, the thought struck me- if I was this excited over being reunited with my earthly dearest, how much more should I be anticipating and longing for the day when my heavenly bridegroom would arrive? We know not the day, nor the hour when He is coming back for His bride (the church), but we are told to be spotless, pure, and joyfully awaiting His coming, serving in faithfulness until that day. It's a sobering thought! Are we living our lives in joyful anticipation to be reunited with Christ at the wedding ceremony like no other? Are we being distracted by the things of this world rather than being fiercely devoted to Him? It's a lot to contemplate! Let me encourage you today to set your mind on things above. Don't be distracted with every swaying of the wind that occurs with our lives here on earth. We are promised to the one who loves us like no other, (cont. in comments)
My kids both slept through the night for the first My kids both slept through the night for the first time in almost a week! It's amazing what getting a good night's rest will do for your life. Today is promising to be busy, and yet, fun too! The to-do list is a mile-long as always, but we're going to be doing some fun fall crafts, as well as posting @bellahandmades restocks. Homeschooling and a secret project are also in the works! I want to inspire you to get moving this morning and knocking out your own list of to-dos. Give me a tag in your posts or stories so that I can see what you're working on! I'll be sharing a few of our projects in my stories here today too. :) I'm lacing up my shoes and grabbing my coffee, and then it's time to dive right in! Y'all join me! ❤️ . . . . . #seasons #changeofseasons #autumn #leaves #autumndecor #fallinspiration #falldecor #autumnvibes #oururbanfarmstead #handsandhustle #nature #naturewalk #redleaves #homemaker #wearethehomemakers #autumnleaves #foreverythingthereisaseason #homemaking #godscreation #godsprovidence #newday #wednesday #todo #todolist #homemaking #makingithome
"Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Su "Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love! " . . . . . . . . #newhouse #firsthouse #oururbanfarmstead #backyardfarming #growyourownfood #diyhousereno #justcallusbobandwendy #diy #thestoryofourhome  #backyardgardening #urbanfarming #smallacreagefarming #gardening #handsandhustle #madeinalabama #alabama #makingithome #homegrown #grownathome #raisedbeds #bees #apiary #veggiepatch #raisedgardenbeds #freshgrown #lettuce #farmtotable #green #farmstead #familyfarm
It's another beautiful Monday! This morning, I was It's another beautiful Monday! This morning, I was even able to turn on our heater for a bit to knock the chill out of the air. This is my very favorite season!. I have found myself being purposeful to count blessings this morning. We had a less-than-restful night, and as such, attitudes weren't the best. I found myself praying that the Lord would help me show the same patience to the folks around me as He has shown to me! It's amazing how much just changing your thought process from being inwardly-focused to being focused on blessing others turns around and blesses you too! I found myself so thankful that the Lord continues to teach and guide us, even through seemingly insignificant day-to-day happenings. May we strive to keep our eyes open to the blessings He sends in abundance! ♥️ We've arrived now at naptime, and a chance to reset and refresh before heading into the afternoon. I've been able to get several things knocked off of my to-do list, and have had a chance to put our plans together for the afternoon. I look forward to seeing how the day continues to play out. 😊 . . . . . . . . #seasons #changeofseasons #autumn #leaves #autumndecor #fallinspiration #falldecor #autumnvibes #oururbanfarmstead #handsandhustle #nature #naturewalk #redleaves #homemaker #wearethehomemakers #autumnleaves #foreverythingthereisaseason #homemaking #godscreation #godsprovidence #newday #monday
I'm still in awe that this little plot of land is I'm still in awe that this little plot of land is all ours, and we've been able to work it, grow things on it, and now watch the seasons change yet again. The Lord is so good. It's time to feed the bees. We're in a bit of a dearth (lack of nectar flow) here in Alabama, so we want to make sure the ladies get plenty of food to store away. . . . . . . . . . . #newhouse #firsthouse #oururbanfarmstead  #justcallusbobandwendy #thestoryofourhome #handsandhustle #makingithome #renovating#houserenovation  #alabamagrown  #renovation #interiordesign #design #savethebees #home #backyardgardening #beeyard #remodel  #homerenovation #diy #homedesign #beekeeper  #growyourown #backyardfarming #growyourownfood #beekeeping #garden  #apiary #homesweethome  #inspiration
The lettuce is finally ready to start harvesting! The lettuce is finally ready to start harvesting! 🙌 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #newhouse #firsthouse #oururbanfarmstead #backyardfarming #growyourownfood #diyhousereno #justcallusbobandwendy #diy #thestoryofourhome  #backyardgardening #urbanfarming #smallacreagefarming #gardening #handsandhustle #madeinalabama #alabama #makingithome #homegrown #grownathome #raisedbeds #bees #apiary #veggiepatch #raisedgardenbeds #freshgrown #lettuce #farmtotable #green #farmstead #familyfarm
Management Monday once again! One of the things th Management Monday once again! One of the things that I have been trying to be incredibly purposeful about this year is taking time on Mondays to think over the week. I like to make a rough game plan as to what I'm hoping to accomplish through the week, and then break those tasks up over each day so that it is manageable. At present, I'm balancing normal homemaking tasks with home improvement, homeschooling, homesteading, and running my small business, amongst various other things. I simply don't have the time or brain bandwidth to get a plan together every single day. 😂 It has been so nice to do the planning all on one day and get it knocked out! I also make a note of any commitments that I have made, and make sure they are worked into the weekly plans. This helps me make sure I don't have events or projects slipping through the cracks. 🙃 I ordered my new yearly planner this morning (I've linked to it in my bio). I have been using the Homemaker's Friend daily planner by Sue Hooley this year, and it has been absolutely perfect for my needs! If you are looking for a good planner, I highly recommend it. It's crazy to me that it's time to be putting dates into next year's calendar already! Who else does home management tasks on Mondays? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #wearethehomemakers #homesweethome #homemaker #monday #mondaymood #love #aesthetic #instagood #inspiration #fun #happy #oururbanfarmstead #photooftheday #backyardgardening  #gardening #alabama #joy #picoftheday #home #joyinthejourney #saturdayvibes #mondayvibes #ilovejesus #homemaking #blessings #bloomwhereyouareplanted #wife #mama #planner #quietliving
Pantry door frame sanding and painting update! Sti Pantry door frame sanding and painting update! Still have miles to go, but it's amazing how paint starts tying things together. 😍 . . . . . . . . . . #newhouse #firsthouse #oururbanfarmstead #pantryremodel #tiling #diyhousereno #justcallusbobandwendy #diy #thestoryofourhome  #diyremodel #dreamkitchen #kitchenremodel #remodeling #handsandhustle #kitchendesign #madeinalabama #alabama #makingithome #renovating #houserenovation #housereno #newpaint
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