I love the poem, "Happiness," by Carl Sandburg. Without explanation, he shows us in a few words what happiness is. Although it's different for all of us... Here's how I found mine.
Read More
Given the just-right devastating crisis event, food storage and the ability to grow your own food may become more valuable than precious metals! Every responsible person should be thinking about learning how to garden, getting even a small one started (even if only using containers on a balcony--like I used to do when I rented), and of course, having good seeds set aside for current and future use. Right now! Here's more about what to consider and how to get your seed storage going!
Read More
Mr. V. and I have decided it's time to start searching for a "forever" homestead & survival property. Essentially, it's time to "get out of Dodge," so to speak! Here are the whys and hows of our decision to make this huge life change.
Read More
Recently we went to our local orchard, which had just opened for the season. They still had some of their organic, freshly pressed full juice apple cider in frozen jugs! We bought some, so we decided to experiment with making some "EASY" hard cider. It turned out GREAT! Here's how we made Hard Cider!
Read More
Here's Part Two of my series on how to make herbal beer (ale) at home! You'll definitely want to check out these pictures--this beer turned out GREAT! For part one, visit this article.
Read More
Have you ever wondered what to do with beeswax? Wonder no more! The Beeswax Workshop, by Chris Dalziel, is a comprehensive, well-written, and fun book with a huge array of projects for your body, home, and life. It's definitely a book you'll want on your home library shelf!
Read More
Learn how to make your very own effective body butter that amazingly soaks right into your skin for maximum moisturizing and protection!
Read More
About a month or so ago, my husband and I were at our local feed store to pick up a few things and hopefully purchase a few more chicks to add to our layers this year. Sadly, they were out of chicks that day---EXCEPT for these four sweet little yellow ducklings peeping away! Oh. My. GOSH! I fell in love! So we ended up bringing all four of them home. Yep! All four! Now, I didn't know a lot about ducklings, and I'm going to share with you the things I wish I had known! Their addition to our little homestead has been successful so far, but things might have been a little easier if we had been aware of a few things!
Read More
You've probably heard how good it is for your body and health to drink a cup of water with honey and lemon every day? Well, after being given bags of beautiful fresh lemons, I thought I'd go ahead and make some lemon infused honey! Not only is this honey absolutely delicious, you can use it for so much! It's great for soothing sore throats and coughs, you can sweeten your herbal tea with it, use it on toast or as a topping....or just take a spoonful because it's just SO good! And of course, you can use it in your lemon-honey water! :-) Here's how to infuse your honey with delicious, great for you lemons!
Read More
I was gifted recently with LOTS of lemons! The real ones, by the way---not the metaphorical lemons, thank goodness! Bags of them! Fresh, beautiful, sweet-smelling lemons! When I received all these lemons, I immediately began thinking about what to do with them! I have always wanted to try making lemon curd, and I found one of my mom's old recipes. I adapted it quite a bit because I didn't have all the right ingredients (like caster sugar?). The ingredients I used are those that most everyone has on hand, and it turned out SO delicious anyway! Here is how I made lemon curd---which is kind of like a buttery lemon pudding!
Read More
My husband (Mr. HHH) and I started our home brewing journey a few years ago using the pre-made kits from the local home brew store because we didn't know what we were doing, quite frankly. Then I read Stephen Harrod Buhner's book, Sacred & Herbal Healing Beers, and became entranced with making herbal beers. So, when the "Craft of Herbal Fermentation" course over at the New England Academy of Herbal Medicine opened up, I applied as a blogger for the course and I was SO thankful to be accepted! Today, I just finished Unit One of the course, and guess what?! It's all about using herbs to brew ales and beer. What a delight!
Read More
Who knew? I found out quite accidentally that I could make raw apple cider vinegar that is just as good if not better, than the Bragg's I've been purchasing for years!??? WHAT? After doing some research, I've learned that making raw ACV is super easy. PLUS, it tastes a LOT better.
Read More
This herbal tea recipe will help that sore, scratchy throat go away FAST! It's soothing, healing, and anti-inflammatory, and your throat will feel some relief quickly. Find out how to make this herbal tea for sore throats! It's better than Throat Coat!
Read More
I admit. I am a tad lazy when it comes to making some things....like those ultra cute items that only crafty people can make. I am just not crafty. I would rather be outside getting dirty than be inside making "cute." Don't get me wrong! I love, love, love cute things! But I just don't like to make them. So, when I ran across the idea of "unpaper" towels, I was intrigued! These are basically towels that you can wash and reuse instead of wasting paper towels like crazy. (Like we have been guilty of doing for years!) I can't stand wasting things, and the way we go through paper towels has seriously bothered me for a long time. Plus, they are expensive, and I figured this would just be one more way to save some coin! Here is my experience making Unpaper Towels!
Read More
How this cold person learned how to stay warm in winter, even on the coldest days! Find out the tips and tricks for staying toasty warm on an icy cold day. What clothes you should wear to stay warm, how to wear your clothes, and what are the best boots, gloves, and hats!
Read More
Sometimes you just have too many eggs, or you can't use them before they get too old, right? Once of my solutions to that dilemma is to make a bunch of pickled eggs! They are delicious, last a super long time in the 'fridge, retain all the health benefits, and best of all---they won't go to waste! Here are my strategies for making perfect pickled eggs!
Read More
Here's how to make the best, easiest bread you will love! I've been struggling with baking bread for a long time. I actually just gave up for about 30 years! No kidding! When my kids were young, I tried...but it was just too much work. And frankly, to have bread not turn out after all that time is disheartening to say the least. BUT! I happened upon a great recipe from the Minimalist Baker and it inspired me to create a recipe that works for us! I tell you, I love this recipe and I am so grateful to Minimalist Baker--all her recipes look fabulous! Here is my take on her recipe:
Read More