You know she does a lot around the house whether it's working outside, taking care of the family, feeding the animals, crafting things from scratch, or any other odds and ends. But what do you get someone who isn't interested in the traditional sorts of things? Not to say every homesteader isn't interested in jewelry or fashion, but there are definitely some better choices. So, here are my top ten things that the homesteading wife will not only love, but use constantly! ... [ Read More ]
4 Common Pie-making Mistakes
Maybe it's just me, but when the weather starts getting colder, pies somehow taste better. Whether you're talking about a creamy pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, an apple pie for a family get-together, or a pecan pie for Christmas, there are some common mistakes that most people make when making pies. This year, avoid these five things to make the best pie you'll ever bake and have everyone begging you for your secret! 1. Using whatever fruit you can find Pies are only as good as the quality ... [ Read More ]
How to Make Your Own Eggnog
With Christmas just around the corner, holiday festivities are already in full swing and so is my seasonal cheer! While there are a lot of things I love about the Christmas season, seasonal treats like hot cocoa and eggnog are pretty high on the list. Growing up, we always just bought our eggnog from the store. It was coincidental that I even stumbled upon homemade eggnog, but the first time I tried it I knew I would never buy it from the store again! So, today I'd like to share with you a ... [ 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 ]
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 ]
For Thanksgiving Leftovers: Turkey and Tater Casserole
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's safe to say most of us are going to be seeing more turkey than we've seen in.... well, since last Thanksgiving. Somehow, every year, my family and I find ourselves in the kitchen with dinner almost done wondering "How in the world did we get this much food?!" and "What are we going to do with all of it?!" and I am sure we aren't the only ones! When I was growing up it was usually turkey sandwiches with mayo for a while, but I'm here to offer a ... [ Read More ]
How to Roast and Season Pumpkin Seeds
I recently took a camping trip to soak up the fall season. We sat around the campfire, went hiking, and saw some beautiful views filled largely with colorful leaves. To really get into the fall season, we also got some pumpkins to carve—which led to the most delicious campfire pumpkin seeds! My family actually didn't ever make pumpkin seeds while I was growing up that I remember, so my friends took the lead on this, but I was so surprised by how it easy it was for such a tasty outcome! I ... [ Read More ]
Vegetarian Mexican Casserole Recipe
As demonstrated with my Slow Cooker Chile Verde, I love spicy food and Mexican cuisine. There is just something about it I can't resist! So, I decided to try a Mexican casserole. Mine was vegetarian, but it's really easy to add either ground beef or chicken. The outcome was somewhat enchilada-like, with a little bit of crunch! Here's the recipe: Vegetarian Mexican Casserole Print Prep time 15 mins Cook time 35 mins Total time 50 mins Prep is fairly quick and ... [ Read More ]