Making lard soap… is there anything more homestead-y than that? Karl’s grandma (a real-deal homesteader and farmer) tells a story about how when she was young, she would bring home the used tallow from the fryers at the local diner she worked at, and they would make big batches of tallow soap cooked in a […]
How to Render Lard the BEST Way – And Why I WON’T Use a Slow Cooker
Eventually everything comes back into style, doesn’t it? I’m happy to see lard back in a positive light, and even happier to see old-fashioned skills, like learning how to render lard making a resurgence! While you can buy rendered lard that’s ready to cook with, making your own is often more affordable, plus it’s a […]
Milkweed Pod Santa Ornaments {Handmade Gift}
My parents planted a Christmas tree farm when I was just a young girl, so I grew up learning to make holiday decorations to sell for extra spending money at the tree farm. As a 16-year-old, I was a Christmas craft extraordinaire! And also a really big geek, but that’s a story for a different day. Evergreen Kissing Balls, […]
How to Make Fire Cider (Recipe + How to Use)
It doesn’t happen often, but when I get the sniffles I turn into a big whiney baby. I’m useless. No pushing through and carrying on with the day here, nope. I’m in bed, on the couch, taking it easy- and almost always with a pile of used tissues on the floor… yes mom, I still […]
Honey & Lard Lip Repair Cream
Yep, I’ve been slathering lard on my lips. And honey, naturally. Join me, won’t you? My lips need extra TLC all year round: in the below-freezing winter weather the dry air really takes a toll on them, and in the warm summer months I spend a lot of time outside in the wind and parching-sun, […]
Homestead Monthly: March 2016 {maple update, kitchen finale, and planting all the things}
It’s off the to the races! Or at least that’s what it feels like… This year marks our third spring on the homestead. I thought the first two were busy, but this year proves to be a doozy! We’ve got practically every hour of every weekend planned out from now until mid-summer. But it’s fun […]
How to Make Beeswax Birthday Candles
In celebration of the year that you were born, you should have the finest. You deserve the Cadillac of birthday candles on your three-tiered, from scratch, chocolate cake with real buttercream. You’re nodding your head. Have you ever seen more adorable candles? The soft yellow wax, the rustic handmade look- have I mentioned that I like rustic […]
Cranberry & Pine Centerpiece for the Holidays: Easy and Inexpensive!
I can’t quite put my finger on why homesteaders appreciate frugality so much. Is it because we are a most-practical bunch? Is it because we look towards simple pleasures and shy away from extravagance? Is it because we want to save as much money as possible so we can buy more livestock?! Whatever it is… […]
Homestead Monthly: October 2015
Egg Shop Closed for Business Well, it’s happened. Our 1.5 year old hens are in the middle of a molt PLUS are feeling the effects of shorter days and cool nights… which means that we are getting 1-4 eggs per day from 14 hens. And between the two of us, we eat at least six […]
How to Make Apple Cider Syrup
This is like autumn in a jar. It’s tart and tangy but sweet, complex and deep with notes of molasses and caramelized sugar. And there’s only one ingredient! Karl and I have dreams of pressing cider from our own apples from our antique apple trees (someday… just have to wait for them to grow) and I […]