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Why settle for store-bought condiments packed with preservatives, artificial flavors, and unnecessary sugar when you can make your own at home? Not only do homemade condiments taste fresher and more vibrant, but they also allow you to control the ingredients and customize flavors to your liking. From creamy mayonnaise to zesty mustard and smoky barbecue […]

As a homesteader, I often find gift giving to be a challenge. My sustainability side resists giving items that might go unused, while my practical side wants gifts to be functional. At the same time, I love beautiful things, which makes choosing the perfect gift even trickier. Honestly, it’s just as hard for others to

When I ended up with a huge number of damson plums this year I started looking for ways to use them. After making some jelly, I decided to make some damson plum cordial that I could add to seltzer or cocktails for a refreshing beverage. Damson plums make a wonderfully fragrant, slightly tart cordial that’s

When my mother gave me a few damson plum trees 5 years ago – I thought nothing of it. I planted them, and then forgot about them in the corner of the garden. This year, the trees were covered in damson plums and I suddenly had a huge harvest on my hands. I asked for

A few years ago my mom gave me some damson plum trees that weren’t thriving in her shady garden. Without much thought I planted them in a sunny spot. Within a few years I had a number of new trees growing and this year the original and largest tree was absolutely dripping in damson plums

Homesteading can often feel overwhelming. There is always so much to do and so little time. I used to have a list of so many projects, but each project can take a whole season to complete – so I decided to shift my mindset to micro-projects. Things I can do in a day or a

Got Five Acres and a Dream? Here’s Where to Start You’ve got a bit of land, maybe five acres, and a head full of ideas. Maybe it’s about picking fresh tomatoes from your garden, collecting eggs each morning, or turning your weekend hobby into a small business. But let’s be honest: homesteading can feel overwhelming

Homesteading often gets framed in extremes. There’s the dreamy, Instagram-filtered version: you, barefoot in a sun-dappled backyard, collecting eggs in a flowy dress and gathering flowers with a child on your hip. Then there’s the gritty version: trudging through mud at dawn, wrangling goats in the rain, elbow-deep in compost, doing all the messy tasks

So you’ve got a few acres, about five, give or take, and you’re dreaming about making the most of it. Maybe you’re picturing fresh veggies, happy animals, or even a small income stream. But starting a homestead can be overwhelming – there are truly so many options and where do you start? These are 20

Barbecue sauce is one of those condiments that brings everything together, from smoky ribs to grilled veggies, and even as a dip for fries or a glaze for roasted tofu. The best part? You don’t have to settle for store-bought bottles packed with preservatives and corn syrup. Making your own barbecue sauce at home is