The Prairie Homestead

Homesteading | Self Sufficient Living | Living off the Land

Jill Winger

36 Comments | |    Last Updated: March 17, 2018

How to Prepare Your Homestead for Wildfire

Photo Credit I've never, ever thought about fire as much as I have this year... I know that some of you in other parts of the country are dealing with too much moisture and cool temps. But, we are the exact opposite here in our corner of Wyoming. We've had various wildfire raging all over the parts of Wyoming and Colorado that are somewhat close to where we live. As I type, there is a out-of-control wildfire burning in the areas ...Continue Reading

61 Comments | |    Last Updated: June 29, 2012

My Weed Nightmare…

It's easy for bloggers to give off the impression that their lives are perfect... Obviously, we get most excited over sharing our successes with you- we run to the computer to write up tips for gardening, and animal care, and home cooking when we find something that works for us. It's not quite as exciting to talk about all the times that things are a big.fat.flop. That doesn't mean that those flops don't occur, it just means that ...Continue Reading

63 Comments | |    Last Updated: April 7, 2025

No-Cook Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe

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 ...Continue Reading

257 Comments | |    Last Updated: April 22, 2026

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 making a ...Continue Reading

34 Comments | |    Last Updated: April 10, 2025

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 ...Continue Reading

66 Comments | |    Last Updated: March 11, 2019

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

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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