I have received quite a bit of feedback about my kindle book posts and gift guides so since it is not too late to buy gifts from Amazon for Christmas I am going to add a few posts in the next couple of days for free and low cost books and gifts for your homesteaders and family members. If you are worried about getting your gifts in time, consider signing up for a free trial for the Amazon Prime membership. If you do not want it after the holidays you can cancel it, and 3 day ... [ Read More ]
Gifts for Your Favorite Furry and Feathered Friends
I don’t know about you but I like to include the feathered and furry friends in my Christmas planning. They may not know it is Christmas but they certainly appreciate the thought you put into the extras you get for them. It is also a great way to teach kids compassion and love for all living beings. In addition to donating to your local animal shelter or charity program that helps keep pets fed and in their homes, don’t forget to add a little something extra to ... [ Read More ]
Three Fun Ways for Kids to Play with Their Food
Today's post is a guest post, courtesy of www.funkidspajamas.com Usually we tell our kids not to play with their food, but occasionally there are exceptions. Here are three of them. From caterpillars made of fruit, to reindeer breakfasts, with these fun and edible dishes, your kids can have a great time cooking, playing, and eating. 1. Reindeer Breakfasts With this dish, your children can kick off their day with some delicious food and play before even ... [ Read More ]
10 Great Christmas Gift Ideas for the New Homesteader
Christmas is on its way, and it is time to start thinking about what everyone on your list most wants and needs. Whether you are just starting your new homestead or know someone that is, this list is sure to please. I have offered great gifts for the homesteader for all budgets, and these are all items that I either own or have owned in the past except for the fermentation crock which was always on my list but never became a reality. 1) Books - The first thing most people need when ... [ Read More ]
Must Have Artisan Bagel Recipes
One big gripe I have had for a long time is the exorbitant price of some baked goods. Bagels for instance can cost between $3 and $6 for six good quality bagels. That is too much, considering how easy bagels are to make and how affordable the ingredients are. Bagels do take a couple of extra steps and a bit of practice, but I taught my future daughter in law who has no prior baking experience how to make them in one session. She went on to make her own bagels right after ... [ Read More ]
Last Minute Halloween Printable Gifts From Me to You
Halloween is almost here, and there are tons of different ways to have fun, in school, at home, and around the town. I have gathered up some printables I created a few years back, if you are having a hard time coming up with some frugal ideas for Halloween. You will find free treat bags and envelopes, coloring pages and finger puppets and bookmarks that are perfect for Halloween favors. Printables I made these printables years ago for another website I own. Feel free to ... [ Read More ]
Homemade Cream of Chicken and Rice Soup
I went looking for a creamy soup recipe and had a hard time finding what I wanted. When I finally did find the type of soup I was looking for it was made with a large amount of expensive and processed foods. I used the recipe as a very loose guide and made my own recipe. I decided share it here, because it turned out great and there are those times when you want a heartier comfort soup and this is it. I used a chicken carcass to make this, as it is my way of getting ... [ Read More ]
Plan an Old Fashioned Halloween Party
Times have changed, and the fun of trick or treating has waned with concerns about safety and worries about the types of costumes most prefer these days. While trick or treating can be a lot of fun, it is not always possible, whether your concerns for your child's safety are at the root of your reluctance, or you simply do not live in an area where trick or treating is viable, parties can take the place of this activity. Halloween parties have been going on for a long ... [ Read More ]
40 Free or Cheap Kindle Books for Your Home and Homestead
I know not all of you homesteaders will agree with me, but I LOVE kindle. Don't get me wrong…. There is nothing like the feel of a real book in my hands and I am not an advocate of paper books going away. That said, even if you are a firm opponent of kindle books, hear me out. There are a ton of good reasons why you should learn to enjoy kindle books. First of all, kindle books are almost always cheaper than the paper versions. Even better you can get a lot of kindle books for free ... [ Read More ]
7 Amazing Ways to Use up All of those Garden Fresh Tomatoes
I may not have a garden this year, but I remember all too well the abundance of tomatoes and the yearly scramble to decide what to do with them all. It seemed some years like I would never get through the endless pile of tomatoes that littered my table, the counters, and every other available surface. In truth it is not the abundance of tomatoes that is so much the problem, I knew how to can them all into a variety of tasty tomato goodness that would last us through the winter. The ... [ Read More ]