The Art & Science of Homesteading
I can’t think of a better way to showcase homemade jam than baked into a buttery shortbread-esque gluten-free thumbprint cookie. Even better if you’re making them to give to friends and family! These are everything I hoped for from a gluten-free thumbprint cookie… just like the ones I used to eat at Christmas time years ago when life was simpler and I could eat all …
Living in the cold North means we’re no strangers to a steaming cup of hot cocoa! Shoveling snow, tending the animals in frigid weather, chipping ice off the sidewalks… all deserves hot chocolate! What do you call it– hot chocolate or hot cocoa? There’s probably a technical difference, but I use the terms interchangeably! I love hot cocoa, but I don’t like most packaged mixes …
My grandma was a farmer and an avid gardener- she always had a flock of chickens and at least one goose that always chased us down her driveway. She had a gorgeous raspberry patch, and I remember her freezer was always full of Cool Whip containers filled with homegrown raspberries. And she made the best homemade raspberry jello! Now, it was made with raspberry flavored …
Wassailing- you did what?! This is something I think is so cool. And something that also makes me feel like a huge dork, if I’m being perfectly honest. At least the Maple Bourbon Wassail recipe turned out AWESOME! There are two parts to this: the act of Wassailing, and the drink Wassail. Wassailing is a medieval Christmastide ritual that used to be (and actually still …
Need a gift for the beekeeper in your life? Looking for the perfect gift for a honey bee lover? Here are some of my favorite honey bee gift ideas. Mostly… it’s my own personal wish list! Joules Wellyprint Black Bee Rubber Boots Sooo cute! They make a shorter, ankle-height version in this print too that I think I might just have to have. S’ip by …
I love learning new skills in the kitchen, especially ones that are “old-fashioned” … as in, something people really don’t do anymore that used to be part of everyday life, like rendering lard, cooking dried beans, or making homemade candy. (If you love to learn new skills too, make things from scratch, and give homemade gifts… read to the bottom of this post for 6 …
I love pumpkin pie– people have been baking forms of pumpkin custard for centuries. Its roots go deep, and I love that. Somehow “Squash Pie” doesn’t sound quite as appetizing… though I can tell you that I don’t think I’ve ever even made a pumpkin pie with an actual pumpkin. Botanically, all pumpkins are a type of squash. And there are many different types of …
Peanut butter covered in chocolate is one of life’s fine pleasures. And when that peanut butter is mixed with the earthy, smokey, sweet flavor of maple sugar, it’s pretty darn incredible. These maple peanut butter chocolate candies are actually modeled after one of my old favorite holiday treats, the glorious Reese’s Peanut Butter Egg (why are these so good?!). These are a healthier version! I’m not …
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, wreaths, garland… I can make it all! But probably my …
After convincing Karl to try a piece of our Christmas tree, I asked him if he had any witty openings for this “How to Eat Your Christmas Tree” post. He says: “If you like trying new wild edibles, then this post is sure to have you on pines and needles.” And then, with a big cheesy grin, he laughed at himself like Steve Urkel. So, there’s …
