What is Water Bath Canning? Canning is the process of using glass jars to preserve food. Water bath canning is appropriate for foods that are naturally high in acid. It’s also appropriate for some foods that have added acid incorporated into the recipe that brings the acid level to an appropriate range. Fruits, jams, jellies,…
Hunting is a big part of the self-sustainable life we are creating here at Kowalski Mountain. While not all homesteaders hunt, it’s an important aspect that Philip and I enjoy. In the summer, deer can range over 500 acres of habitat. In the rut season, bucks may increase their range to as much as 800…
On our recent trip to Kentucky, we took our kids and grandson to a local orchard to enjoy some apple picking. Before we came to Kentucky, I pulled the needed canning supplies and spices to make salsa, applesauce, and apple cider with my daughter, Faith Hardy, and my daughter-in-law, Jess Kowalski. While I knew that…
As the 100th post on Kowalskimountain.com quickly approached, I pondered what I could write about that might be extra special to celebrate this exciting milestone. Then I stumbled upon some photographs taken in 2016 when Philip walked the property for the very first time. I knew we needed to take a look back to where…
As we look forward to upcoming projects, we are trying to wrap up a few projects that are in progress. Since Kowalski Mountain is built-in workcations, it seems like there is always a lingering project that needs completion. The two big projects we must wrap up are the barn and the bathhouse. While the barn…
September marks the beginning of deer hunting season in Kentucky, with the opening of archery season, a Labor Day tradition. It’s Philip’s favorite time of year, the crisp cool air, the changing of the leaves, and hunting season! While the work on the homestead never ends, it does take a different direction during hunting season….
Philip and I travel frequently to Kowalski Mountain. While we do have an RV in place, there is still a degree of planning necessary for our trips. Philip usually handles preparations for work projects. He ensures we have the tools and supplies we need to accomplish the tasks we intend to complete while we are…
Preserving food on the homestead can be a full-time job! We are not to the point of producing all our own food or even a big portion of it, but we are headed that way. Our goal while we live in Florida prior to full-time living on the homestead is to use this time as…
Our spring/summer garden has reached the end of its production, I picked the last few stragglers of tomatoes. As much as I hated to, it was time to pull most of the plants from the 2021 Container Garden. I did keep the last two pepper plants that are still producing. Even though it’s HOT here…
It’s hard to believe that only a few months ago we had our first colony of bees fall in our laps. Our apiary has grown from a single hive last December to now 7 colonies of honeybees! For the most part, our bees are doing very well. The hives are busy, active, and growing! While…
