Being a homesteader and living an old-fashioned life sometimes means that money will be tight. Whether it's an unexpected emergency on the homestead or something that cost a little more than expected, financial worries are unfortunately not going to be entirely absent even on a homestead. To help deal with this, most homesteaders are what others would call 'frugal.' Personally, I've never really liked that term, as the idea of using what you have and living within your means seems more like ... [ Read More ]
Simple Daily Routines To Make Life Easier
Life is crazy, complicated, and extremely busy at times. From juggling family matters to the necessities of a homestead or the pressures of a job, the average person has a lot on their plate at any given time. It can be hard to stay focused and on top of things. I find that when I'm stressed and busy, the first thing that suffers is my organization. The dishes pile up because there just doesn't seem to be enough time between other things, the bed doesn't get made in the morning, and things ... [ Read More ]
6 Old-Fashioned Tips For Staying Organized
Having your own homestead is a lot of work, both inside and out. Whether you're running it as a business or not, there are tons of things that you have to do every day and it's easy for thing to get overlooked or pushed to the backburner. Believe me, I know; it happens to me constantly. While a little bit of procrastination is normal, staying organized will help you stay on top of things and make life much simpler. But there's a problem: most of the organization tips you read online are meant ... [ Read More ]
Why I Switched to Glass Storage Containers
I grew up with using old-fashioned thick green, orange, and yellow Tupperware containers to store food, plus some little clear square containers with odd greenish-blue lids. In fact, I think my mother still uses that Tupperware, some of which is stained and pock-marked. So, when I moved out, she went out and helped me get some cheap plastic storage containers which snap-on lids, which I used all through college and for several years afterwards. But I had the same problems: the lids were ... [ Read More ]
Old-Fashioned Pancake Recipe
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who like waffles, and those who like pancakes. Personally, I'm a pancake person. Not to say that I won't enjoy a good old-fashioned waffle from a waffle iron, but I find that pancakes are far more versatile, forgiving, and much simpler to cook. While there are dozens of different ways to make pancakes, it all starts with my basic old-fashioned pancake recipe. From there, you can add whatever you like: strawberries, blueberries, cinnamon, ... [ Read More ]
What it Means to Have an Old Fashioned Kitchen
Being old-fashioned means something different to just about everyone. For some people, it means going off the grid and relying entirely on yourself. For others, it means simply making your own soaps and trying live a little simpler. That variety is part of what makes old-fashioned living so wonderful—it can be used by just about anybody. One of things that I'm the most old-fashioned about has to be my kitchen. But, what does it mean to have an old-fashioned kitchen? You might be surprised to ... [ Read More ]
How to Start Your Old-Fashioned Morning Off Right
Some people, like my mother, are morning people. No matter how early they have to get up, they somehow manage it with a cheerful smile and a bright demeanor. For the rest of us, mornings can be difficult and sometimes even stressful. I used to be one of those people who hits the snooze at least a half dozen times most mornings before finally dragging myself out of bed the chorus of complaints of hunger from my pets and family, and the ever-looming deadline to leave for work. However, it ... [ Read More ]
Simple and Easy Chili Recipe
When it's cold outside, nothing beats a bowl of chili with some cheese and crackers. Absolutely nothing. When I was little, we ate a lot of chili during the winter months, not only because it is delicious, but also because it goes a long way and can be reused a million different ways. This recipe is one that my father uses when he didn't have time to let the chili simmer for hours and hours on the stove, and personally I kind of like the simplicity of it. Here's the recipe: Simple and ... [ Read More ]
6 Easiest Veggies for Beginners to Grow
If you have the space, then vegetable gardening is a wonderful pastime and it can provide some absolutely delicious food for your table. If you've never had garden vegetables, then you'll be shocked how much better they taste than the stuff you get from the store, and if you grow them yourself then you have 100% control on what pesticides (if any) they are exposed to. But, if you're just starting out gardening, it can be a little intimidating to figure out where to start. So, for all you ... [ Read More ]
Old-Fashioned Tips for Staying Warm This Winter
Whether you're in the Midwest where it's only below zero a few weeks out of the year, or further north where single digit temperatures are normal throughout the winter season, staying warm and cozy is important. And, while major projects like replacing all your insulation, buying a new heater, or redoing all your windows will definitely help your heating bills, there are some simpler solutions for staying warm this winter. Here are some old-fashioned tips for keeping things cozy without ... [ Read More ]