There are few things better than homemade jam... Especially when you've made it yourself! As much as I love to preserve and can, I always have a small moral crisis when deciding how to preserve fresh fruit. Most jam recipes are super easy and great for a beginner, but they also require you to cook the fruit to oblivion (therefore eliminating a lot of the good stuff in it) and then add cup after cup of white sugar... Not to say ...Continue Reading
Homemade Tortilla Recipe
Tortillas were one of the first things I ever tried making completely from scratch. I made my first attempt back when I was still buying Ramen noodles, margarine, and boxed cereal on a regular basis... In fact, I probably made that first tortilla recipe with a generous slug of canola oil.... Oh how times have changed... I've come a long way since then (like homemade French bread and making a cookbook), and so has ...Continue Reading
22 Activities for the Country Toddler or Preschooler
Ever since Prairie Baby was born, we have made an effort to have her be an active participant in our lives. It always makes me sad when I see couples constantly dropping off the kiddos at grandma's house or the babysitters so they can go out and "enjoy themselves" or work on a project. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the occasional date night, but if we think we must continually separate ourselves from our kids in order ...Continue Reading
DIY All-Purpose Citrus Cleaner
Homemade cleaners are all the rage right now, and it's easy to see why-- People are tired of paying big bucks for store-bought cleaners than almost require a gas mask in order to use safely. Plus, many homemade versions work just as good, if not better than the commercial brands. So what's not to love!? I've used a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water as an all-purpose cleaner for years now... But, not gonna lie-- sometimes I miss ...Continue Reading
Is Homesteading Really the “Simple Life”?
I found this quote on Pinterest the other day. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." ~Leonardo da Vinci After I initially read it, I gave myself a smug pat on the back, since as a homesteader, I'm all about simplicity, of course. I have quotes about simple living plastered all over my house, and I am constantly using the word "simplify" in my conversations. But as I pondered it, I began to wonder if maybe I don't know as ...Continue Reading