Valentine’s Day around our house is extra special! Not only did Philip and I take our very first date on Valentine’s Day, we got married on the same day three years later! Whether we spend this special occasion at home or out on the town, I like to make a sweet treat to celebrate. Unfortunately,…
As Philip and I get closer to making the move to the homestead permanent, it’s time to secure the resources we need to get the farm off the ground successfully. Since attending the lectures of Shawn and Beth Dougherty at Homesteaders of America in 2022, we are workings towards the goal of producing not only…
There is nothing better than soft butter melting into a hot biscuit. The creamy butter spreads smoothly over the biscuit and melts evenly over the entire biscuit. We’ve been spoiled on spreadable margarine, that spreads smoothly every time. If you are lucky enough to live in a climate that allows for keeping a butter dish…
Rotisserie chicken is often found as a loss leader in many supermarkets. In many instances, you can purchase a fully cooked store-bought rotisserie chicken for less than a whole raw chicken from the meat department in the same store. While I have done this for a quick easy meal on occasion, we prefer to not…
Over 4 years ago, I moved from a traditional brick-and-mortar home to living full-time in an RV. When Philip I am I got married, we briefly lived in the house until it was sold, and once again moved into the RV. While we live stationary, moving into an RV requires some creative organization to live…
This year in the garden I grew luffa gourds, which resulted in an abundance of homegrown luffa sponges. Eager to find ways to use my homegrown sponges, I discovered slices of luffa sponges can be submerged into handmade soap and used to provide natural exfoliation while washing. As I began to dig into soap making…
Raw honey is the purest form of honey, exactly as the bees make it! In its liquid state, honey is a supersaturated solution. Regular raw honey crystallizes over time. The crystallization of honey is a natural process. It occurs when the glucose separates from the water creating large crystals. So what’s the difference between creamed…
Home food preservation is not only a big part of a homesteading lifestyle, but it’s also a great way for any home cook to stock the pantry and saves money. Buying a whole chicken is the cheapest way to buy chicken, but it takes a lot of freezer space to store. Freezer space on the…
The holiday season is a special time. As Philip and I are somewhat newly married, we are bridging our old traditions while we create new ones for our family. Our children are grown and beginning to create their own family traditions. As grandparents, we have the extra special privilege of creating Christmas traditions with the…
Honey naturally does not spoil when stored properly. There are several factors that make this possible. The first is the high concentration of sugars, such as fructose and glucose in the honey. Additionally, the low moisture level of honey makes it practically impossible for organisms to grow. Natural raw honey is acidic. It has a…
