Pulling weeds can be a pain. Literally. (And if you’re dealing with thistle, it’s more than a pain, it’s a nightmare.) It’s a drain on your time and energy. Is it even worth it to pull weeds? I’m seeing more and more folks embrace a “permaculture” perspective on garden weeds. After all, weeds can be […]
Latest in Homestead Management
The One Reason Why We Aren’t Turning Our Homestead into a Small Farm
Any success that happens at the expense of your health, your family, or your character is not real success. ~Dave Willis About a year ago we decided to try turning our homestead into a business. This isn’t the first time that we thought we’d try to make money off the extra land we have since moving […]
15 Reasons to Reconsider Your Homestead Dream
I love my homesteading life. I love the fresh air, hard work, good food, feeling connected to a place and the land, weaving a story of a meaningful life for my family. I love all of the senses that a life close to the land stimulates. And did I mention, real, good food? I want […]
2015 Homestead Yields & Cost Analysis
While I find it incredibly beneficial to keep homestead notes and maintain a homestead management binder, my favorite part of keeping records comes in the new year when I tally it all up and see just how much food we were able to grow for our family and how it compares financially to purchasing it. Yes, […]
Latest in Farmstead Cookery
Creamy Cherry Clafoutis
I don’t know what did the trick, but we had our best harvest of cherries ever this year! Not counting the straggling harvests of the pickings the kids skimmed off the tree or whatever birds might have taken, our main harvest was 5-gallon bucket full of these bright and glossy beauties! We snacked on quite […]
Strawberry Shortcake with Honey Sourdough Biscuits
I’ve been spending a few weeks playing and tweaking my favorite sourdough biscuit recipe to make a honey-flavored sourdough biscuit. ‘Cause strawberry season means strawberry shortcake! I tend to be a little OCD when I’ve got a batch of sourdough starter bubbling. I get a bee in my bonnet wanting to add new recipes to […]
The Quintessential Sourdough Farm Loaf
I had a love/hate relationship with sourdough. Until I baked the Quintessential Sourdough Farm Loaf that is. I love the flavor of baked goods made with sourdough of course. I love that it is something I could pass down to my children one day, an heirloom food. I love that I know I can make “our […]
Latest in Natural Health & Beauty
How to Make an Herbal Burn Salve
Our Independence Day celebration was a bit of a bust this year. Before we head out of town on vacation, Bill thought getting the van checked out prior to a cross-country drive was a good idea and he timed it so we were housebound that whole week. With no prospect of fireworks, we settled for […]
How to Remove Soda Ash from Homemade Soap
You know what’s a frustrating problem to any soap maker? Soda ash. I tried all the tricks before I learned how to remove soda ash from my handmade soaps in a way that was easy and effective. From shaving off the outside layer, to steaming it, to spraying it with alcohol, nothing really worked well […]
50+ Recipes for DIY Natural Beauty
So you’re on your farm. Working real hard (and getting real dirty) to get good food into your body. But you’re not taking the time to take care of the outside of your body. (‘Cause you’re real busy.) But you should and today I’m going to tell you why and share over 50 recipes for […]
