Our Story

Hi! I’m Deborah Robinson and I’m so glad you found us! Whether you’re looking for natural remedies using essential oils and herbs on the homestead, homeschooling support, or a community of like minded families raising old fashioned kids…you’re in the right place.

My husband, Marc, and I bought this 147 acre ranch in East Texas from my grandparents. It’s been in our family now since 1969. We are so thankful for the wonderful resources with which we have been blessed. You’ll find Charolais cattle, a menagerie of livestock and poultry, as well as working dogs on our place. One unique thing about our ranch is we participate in living history events. Well, I actually coordinate one each year and plan on adding another event soon. Learning more about the old ways of doing things is one of my passions.

Marc has a M.S. in Agriculture and teaches at Trinity Valley Community College then tends our Charolais herd in his spare time.  He’s also managing our Charolais pages here on the website. I have a B.S. in Animal Science and M.Ed. in Education, but I have continued to further my education by studying herbs, essential oils, and nutrition. I’ve been homeschooling our children since 2005, and taught algebra and pre-algebra to 8th graders for 2 years before coming back home with our children.

I completed an Animal Aromatherapy Certification through a holistic veterinarian, Dr. Janet Roark, the Essential Oil Vet. I’ve been working with her since 2017. I’m currently her teaching assistant for her animal aromatherapy courses as well as her Customer Relations Manager. I found Dr. Roark when I was looking for an evidence based approach to using essential oils and herbs with animals and it has been such a blessing to work with her.

Utilizing selective breeding over the years, we have enjoyed raising animals to meet their full potential.  You’ll also find some geese, ducks, chickens, and horses.  We make soap with the goat’s milk and use compost from the livestock in our garden.  The girls and I have experimented with herbs and essential oils to formulate salves, creams, and healthy teas.

We have a passion for learning the truth about history. This has grown from our participation in living history. I also learned how to hand roast my own coffee over the fire. So, some days you will find me hand roasting coffee in my home using more conventional methods. I love learning more about the old ways of doing things. Getting back to our roots is a passion of mine.

My goal is to create an atmosphere that is real and fun by showing you what life really looks like around here. I find it to be important to learn how to find the time to learn homesteading skills while keeping balance in your life and making extra money for your family. Don’t you? The key is to not compare yourself to others…ever…I mean ever! You will always fall short. I can tell you we are not perfect and still have a lot to learn ourselves. So, let’s learn from each other!

So, grab a cup of coffee, or tea, and have a look around.  (I am known for my coffee and long philosophical discussions.)  I appreciate your comments, suggestions, or questions.  Be sure to subscribe to our website while you’re at it. We will soon be adding a blog to this website where we will cover topics such as faith, family, natural living, ranching, and working from home.

I would like to add this. When I created this website, my mind was on studying old ways of schooling, farming, using herbs and sharing that with you.  What I have found is that Old Ways Made New would also come to signify how on a daily basis, the LORD is renewing me in His ways.   That is my prayer.  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

Blessings to you and yours,

Deborah