Homegrown & Homemade
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 …
You’d think “cookies” would be a pretty agreeable subject matter… not like religion, politics, or which direction the toilet paper roll should go. But growing up, Christmas cookies were a hotly debated holiday topic in my household, mostly because of my incredible loathing of one particular variety of Christmas cookie. A classic cookie that apparently EVERYONE else in the ENTIRE world loves. A cookie that, …
Our chickens are the heart of the homestead. Their entertainment value is priceless, and they provide the pinnacle of farm eats: fresh eggs. There’s nothing like ’em. So it’s no wonder we want to provide them with only the finest treats, decorate their coops with rusty stuff, and proclaim our love for them on our coffee mugs and t-shirts! And we should! A handmade gift …
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… this easy holiday centerpiece is perfect for a person who loves …
Books are such a great gift, especially for the modern-day homesteader. With knowledge not being passed down like it used to, we have to get information from somewhere. And being the simple-life, back-to-your-roots, living-close-to-the-land type… we certainly all appreciate a real book in our hands! Click on any book cover for more information! General Homesteading Books for the homesteader of farmer about old-fashioned skills, how …
When I give a gift, I love it to be thoughtful and from the heart. And homemade when where I can! I also am a sucker for other people’s artisan handiwork, or just plain-old good ideas for things to improve, simplify, or beautify our lives. And I think these things make great gifts. I like to seek out the unique, the different, the handmade, or the-something-you-don’t-see-everyday. And …
I love a gift straight from the heart- and this Kissing Ball is just that. I grew up on a Christmas tree farm; the trees were planted when I was about four years old, and for many years- from middle school to college, every holiday season I stood out in the cold Wisconsin weather and sold Christmas trees to happy families. They’d bring their dogs, they’d have …
(Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo, Vegan) A gift from the heart and from the kitchen is the best kind of gift, Valentine’s Day or otherwise. I know you homesteaders and whole-food lovers feel the same way. I love everything about these truffled walnuts. Let me entice you… buttery, nutty walnuts vanilla-bean spiked chocolate smooth and silky chocolate truffle coating rustic cocoa powder outside- have I mentioned …
