When it comes to cookies, I prefer classic cookies. As a younger cook, I made a multitude of cookies around the holidays. Some classic, some fancy, some labor intensive! I endeavored to make the perfect cookie gift tray to share with neighbors and friends. However, we all tend to be overrun with treats, especially during…
Baby quilts can be designed with bright colors and interesting patterns to visually stimulate a new baby. However, applique can take your baby quilts to the next level! Applique allows you to add a personal touch with characters, animals, or any shape to create a theme for your quilt. There are many different applique techniques….
As with most homesteads, preserving food is a primary focus of a homestead lifestyle. At Kowalski Mountain not only do we raise most of the meat that we consume, but Philip is also an avid hunter. While we have multiple freezers, that limited freezer space is a hot commodity! Whenever we can, we like to…
By simple definition, a quilt is two layers of fabric that are stitched together. Typically they have a layer of padding in the middle for warmth. Quilt designs can be a simple design or elaborate depending on the purpose or means of the quiltmaker. Throughout history, quilting has been a means of providing warm bedding…
For years, I kept a three-ring binder with all of my favorite recipes. While this system worked, it didn’t travel well. It never failed, I wanted to make something on the spur of the moment and had to hope I could remember the ingredient. After I got a fancy cell phone, I kept a folder…
Almost three years ago we jumped feet-first into beekeeping when Philip did a tree job and discovered a beehive inside the tree. While he had spent a lot of time studying beekeeping before we got our first colony, we both have learned so much in the last few years. Bees are fascinating! If you’ve been…
Shortly after I got my Nutrimill Harvest Grain Mill, I was thinking about purchasing some cream of wheat. It’s one of my favorite breakfast dishes that I enjoy in the cooler months. Then it dawned on me, I could make my very own cream of wheat with my fresh ground flour! I almost hate to…
We were so pleased with the first cured soaps that I made, we’re looking at making our own soap for the homestead. As I dive deeper into handmade soap I was looking for a fragrance blend that would be appealing to Philip. It’s important to me to use an essential oil blend rather than artificial…
Like any kid who grew up in the south, sweet iced tea is a standard drink in our house. In fact, when I was younger, we had a huge multi-gallon spouted container in the fridge so we didn’t have to make it every day! We had sun tea and brewed tea and my mom drank…
As families are becoming more aware of the challenges and shortcomings of the commercial food industry, many are looking for a better way to feed their families. With the ability to ship frozen foods, there are options for families to purchase ethically sourced, organic meats, however, it can be cost-prohibitive for many families. Raising your…
