The idea of becoming a homesteader and living a more simple, old-fashioned lifestyle is, for many people, both exciting and daunting. If you're deeply entrenched in your regular lifestyle, the idea of uprooting everything you know and trying something new can be a little scary. But I'm here to tell you that it's nowhere near as hard as it sounds and everyone--no matter where you live--can be a homesteader. What are homesteaders? There are a lot of misconceptions about ... [ Read More ]
14 Old-Fashioned, Screen-Free Family Games
If your family is anything like mine, it can be hard to pull everyone away from their various technologies for a family game night. There are just so many possible distractions whenever you get technology involved. So, why not organize a family game night and try some of these great family-friendly and technology-free games? Some involve cards or marbles while others require nothing more than a piece of paper, a watch and some imagination! Let the games begin!! Card Games Go Fish - (at ... [ Read More ]
Best Ever Simple Homemade Pretzels
Whenever I go to a ball game, fair or movie I have to get a pretzel. Something about the soft, salty (or sweet) pretzel-y goodness just can't be beat. Of course, I don't get to go all that much with my budget so unfortunately my life has pretty pretzel free recently. However, yesterday my good friend Becky, pretzel baker extraordinaire, surprised me with a visit and a impromptu lesson on how to make some of the best pretzels I've ever had. And let me tell you, they were so simple I was ... [ Read More ]
6 Things to Never Say to a Homesteader
Homesteading--no matter what kind of homesteading you do--is a completely different lifestyle and is always a labor of love. Because, let's be honest, it can be a lot of work and sometimes it's not a lot of fun. For people who aren't homesteaders or into the old-fashioned lifestyle it might even seem strange or ridiculous to do everything the "hard way." But, whether you're a homesteader or not, there are some things that you should never, ever say to a fellow homesteader: 1. I don't know ... [ Read More ]
Every Barn Should Have a Cat
When I was growing up, we had an insane amount of barn cats running around our property. I really mean insane--likely in the double digits, and my parents didn't have a whole lot of livestock for the most part. Being a typical little girl, I played with the cats and it was my job to feed them every day. As an adult, I am firmly of the opinion that every barn should have one--and not just because I'm a huge fan of those little fuzzy hunters. Natural pest control Rats present a huge problem for ... [ Read More ]
Sweet Waldorf Salad Recipe
I have always been a huge fan of fruit salads, and my mom always made some of the yummiest waldorf salads. Unlike most waldorf salads, it doesn't include mayonnaise (because my mother hates mayo) and is actually a little on the sweet side, making it a really light treat for a hot summer day. It goes fantastic with BBQ chicken and makes a great side dish to bring to pot lucks as it is really easy to make. Anyway, without any more ado, here's the recipe: Sweet Waldorf Salad Recipe ... [ Read More ]
Get a Good Night’s Sleep Without AC
Summer can be a ton of fun with all of the BBQs, strawberries, fun vacation plans, and the beautiful weather. But, while the hot summer days can be a challenge without air conditioning, sleeping during those humid nights can be an absolute nightmare. Personally, I tend to sleep much better when I'm cool, and I am sure I'm not alone. Earlier this month, we posted some ideas for staying cool without AC, but what about sleeping without AC? Well, here are some of my favorite tips for surviving ... [ Read More ]
How to Plan a Great BBQ on a Budget
When I think about quintessential summer, one of the first things that comes to mind is hosting a barbecue with friends and family. I have many fond memories of hanging out on the back patio of a relative's house during the summer, eating hotdogs and playing HORSE or winning a watermelon seed spitting contest. But, hosting a gathering can be expensive. Here are some tips and ideas for hosting the best ever BBQ without breaking your bank! BBQ Planning Tips Plan for weather - It's going to ... [ Read More ]
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Hey everyone! Today I wanted to share one of my absolute favorite pasta salad recipes (which, once again, I forgot to take a photo of. It disappeared before I even thought about it! That's how you know it's delicious). This awesome salad is served cold and is perfect for a pot luck, a BBQ or just for a really hot day when you don't want to turn the oven on and heat up the whole house. Everything can be made on the stovetop ahead of time, and in fact is better made a little bit in ... [ Read More ]
Living an Old Fashioned Life in a Modern World
I'm probably preaching to the crowd when I say that living an old-fashioned, simple life is pretty much amazing. However, I have noticed quite a bit of discussion and even confusion on exactly what it means to be "old-fashioned" in today's world. Can you be 'old-fashioned' if you live in an apartment in the city? Are you really 'old-fashioned' if you have internet and a smartphone? What if you don't like gardening or prefer to use boxed laundry detergent? Living an old-fashioned life today ... [ Read More ]