Whether you consider yourself a prepper or not, power outages happen in the winter, and preparing for an emergency situation is never a bad idea. I remember we had a huge snowstorm here in the Midwest in 2007 or so, and some places lost power for almost two weeks during that time. We lived in the country and so, while we lost power for just under a week, we were perfectly fine. Our stove was gas, and we could melt snow for water so things were just fine, if not a little boring. So, with ... [ Read More ]
How to Prepare Your Chickens For Winter
For most of the year, chickens are actually surprisingly simple to care for and require little maintenance. However, making sure that your chicken coop is properly winterized is absolutely paramount to the health of your feathered flock—especially as the temperatures continue to drop. So, today, here are some things that to keep in mind in order to prepare yourself and your girls for the cold days ahead. ... [ Read More ]
Old Fashioned Hot Cocoa Recipe
There is nothing better than hot cocoa on a cold winter's day. And now that Thanksgiving is officially out of the way, the weather here is already starting to cool down. I actually had to have my heater on last night and everything! So, of course, that means that it's officially time for hot chocolate!! While I simply adore hot chocolate, I've actually never been a fan of the pouches of hot chocolate, as I end up with really watery hot chocolate in my giant mugs. But two packages seems like a ... [ Read More ]
Coffee Frosting Recipe
Coffee has to be one of the most amazing things on the planet. Seriously. I have never been a morning person, and so I'm not really sure what I would do without coffee to help give be a bit of a boost. But beyond that, the flavor is just outstanding (provided you add in a bit of cream and sugar!) with sweet desserts in the afternoon. So, obviously, coffee frosting is one of the best things ever invented. I mean, you really can't go wrong with coffee and cake. I actually came up with this ... [ Read More ]
8 Questions to Decide What Animals to Raise
Starting your own homestead can be both rewarding and extremely daunting. There is so much to learn, and while a lot of it really is going to be a live-and-learn opportunity, there some things that can be researched ahead of time. Without a doubt the two primary questions that I see new homesteaders asking revolve around what plants to have in a garden, and what animals to raise on your homestead. Today I want to focus on the animal question, and we'll get into the gardening question in ... [ Read More ]
Using Canned Goods for Pies
Fall is finally here, and with Thanksgiving only a week away, most people are brushing off their baking skills in preparation of the big day. From stuffing to turkey, homemade cranberry sauce, and rolls, our tables will soon be full of delicious fall foods. But, of course, it simply wouldn't be fall without some freshly baked pies! And, while you can easily purchase pie filling, everyone knows that homemade tastes a million times better. But, did you know that you can actually use your canned ... [ Read More ]
Tips for Doubling a Recipe
Doubling a recipe is a great way to make things go a little further, prepare for a larger-than-normal crowd during the holidays, or simply have leftovers to reuse later. But, while you can just double everything, there are a few tips that will ensure that your recipe is a success! Check it out below: 1. Not all recipes should be doubled Generally speaking, the more complex the recipe, the harder it will be to double. With some things, you're going to be better off to simply do two batches ... [ Read More ]
5 Old-Fashioned Tips for Beating the Winter Blues
Winter is finally here and as the days get shorter and the darkness and cold arrive, it's easy to start to feel a bit of the winter blues setting in. If you're anything like me, it can sometimes be hard to stay motivated during the winter months, and towards the end I start feeling a bit of the winter blues. But don't worry--not only is it natural, but there are some great ways to combat the seasonal blues. Here are five of my top ways for coping with being cooped up all winter long: Go ... [ Read More ]
Pumpkin Carving Tips
October is finally here! While Halloween is still several weeks away, I've already started thinking about costumes, parties and the best part--carving pumpkins. I have tons of fond memories of carving little grinning pumpkins and placing them on the stoop when I was growing up, and to me it just isn't Halloween without a few jack-o-lanterns sitting around! So, if you're planning out your next Halloween pumpkin, then here are some tips to make sure yours is the coolest pumpkin ever! Choosing ... [ Read More ]
Strawberry Turnover Recipe
It's no secret that I absolutely love strawberries. I use them absolutely any way that I can and during the summer months I eat more strawberries than is probably healthy. Today, I have a delicious and simple recipe for strawberry turnovers that will absolutely taste like the best of summer, no matter what time of the year it is. Personally, turnovers are one of my favorite desserts. They're like tiny personal pies without all of the fuss and trouble. You can eat them on the go and they're ... [ Read More ]