The Prairie Homestead

Homesteading | Self Sufficient Living | Living off the Land

Jill Winger

58 Comments | |    Last Updated: June 13, 2023

Homemade Sausage Gravy from Scratch

Nothing quite says "country hospitality" like a big ol' plate of flaky biscuits and steaming sausage gravy. So, I can't help but think it's sad that our modern society's idea of biscuits are those hockey-pucks from a can and 'sausage gravy' that is made from those MSG-laden packets. But good news: It does NOT take a rocket scientist to make homemade biscuits and homemade sausage gravy. I promise. Homemade sausage gravy was ...Continue Reading

7 Comments | |    Last Updated: November 24, 2011

My Not-So-Obvious Homestead Blessings

(Photo Credit) Happy Thanksgiving to all of my lovely readers! I hope you are surrounded by family and good food today. :) One thing I love about blogging and social media, is that I get to have a glimpse into a lot of people's lives that I never would have otherwise. I've greatly enjoyed hearing different folks' perspectives on the Thanksgiving season, as well as what they are thankful for. So today, I want to share a list of ...Continue Reading

84 Comments | |    Last Updated: March 11, 2019

Homemade Udder Balm Recipe

Our milk cow is probably the hardest working member of our homestead. (Except for maybe this summer when we remodeled and painted the barn and shop. And built that 1/2 mile of fence. All within a 2 month time span.... then I think WE deserved that title...) Our dear, sweet Oakley not only provides us with all the milk we can drink (and then some...), but she also is nursing not one, but TWO calves. If you follow The Prairie ...Continue Reading

47 Comments | |    Last Updated: March 17, 2018

The Homesteader’s Blizzard Checklist

Homesteading isn't for the faint of heart. Especially if you live in blizzard country. Now for those of you who are apartment homesteaders, or maybe reside in a warmer part of the country, feel free to enjoy this post with a sense of satisfaction that you don't have to deal with these issues. ;) But if you ARE homesteading in a more wintery part of the country, I just want to say- I feel your pain. I had no idea of the power of a ...Continue Reading

120 Comments | |    Last Updated: August 24, 2026

How to Make Pumpkin Puree (the easy way)

Making homemade pumpkin puree doesn't require hacking a raw pumpkin into pieces. My favorite method is ridiculously simple: roast the pumpkin whole, then cut it open once it's soft. The skin, seeds, and stringy pulp are much easier to remove, and you can turn the cooked flesh into smooth pumpkin puree for pies, breads, soups, and more. For the last few years in our area, pumpkins are either hard to find or super expensive. Well, ...Continue Reading

27 Comments | |    Last Updated: December 4, 2022

How to Be a Semi-Rural Homesteader

I have always believed that homesteading is a state of mind and that is possible to homestead no matter where you are. This is why I have truly enjoyed writing the "How to homestead no matter where you are series". In this series, I have talked about how to turn your apartment and your suburban backyard into functional modern homesteads. Today you will be reading about how you can become a semi-rural homesteader. What is a ...Continue Reading

Nice to Meet You

I’m Jill. I’ve never been very good at following prescribed paths.

For the last 15 years, that instinct has led me through homesteading, entrepreneurship, and creating a life my younger self could have only dreamed of.

These days, I’m less interested in living the perfect "old-fashioned life" and more interested in knowing which ideas are worth carrying forward. The first half of this story was about building a homestead. The next part is about building a life that actually fits.
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