It's that time of the year again. It's freezing outside, snow is on the ground, and everyone takes their turn getting sick. Stuffy noses and coughs are no fun, though sometimes unavoidable. At this point, you guys probably know that I am not much of a fan of store-bought medicinal supplies and I prefer to look for an all natural remedy. If you haven't yet started a journey with essential oils, I really really recommend doing so. They open up a bunch of different DIY healing options, from ... [ Read More ]
Top 10 Gifts for a Homesteading Man
From fixing things around the house to taking care of animals, helping in the kitchen, and generally being a master-of-all, you know that he does a ton of things around the homestead. But, what do you get an old-fashioned man who isn't as interested in the latest gadgets or doesn't need yet another tie? Well, never fear! I've gathered up a list of 10 things that your homesteading old-fashioned husband or father will absolutely love and use all the time! ... [ Read More ]
Creamy Potato Soup Recipe
I went home to visit my mom this past weekend, and I bugged her a little bit to pass on some of her kitchen wisdom. While I was aiming for some more difficult stuff, what exactly I'm not quite sure, she decided to give me a classic instead— her creamy potato soup recipe! I absolutely love my moms potato soup, it's perfectly rich and creamy and overall just delicious. Plus, now that its cold outside here, soup is the perfect treat to warm me up. Creamy Potato Soup Recipe Print ... [ Read More ]
Top 10 Gifts for a Homesteading Woman
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 ]
Top 11 Items to Barter With
Preparedness has a special place in our hearts here at Old Fashioned Families, since we are all about being self-sufficient. While there are a lot of misconceptions about preppers, namely just how intense they are, in reality they've got the right idea. Being prepared to survive is not all about the world ending— though preppers would be the most equipped— but rather surviving any kind of adversity that life throws your way. This could mean a natural disaster, losing your job, or even war. If ... [ 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 ]
8 Ways to Reuse Your Coffee Grounds
I am a huge coffee addict, but it's good for a lot more than my morning jolt! The average American actually drinks 2 cups of coffee a day, which can add up pretty quick... that's a lot of old coffee grounds, right? Here at Old Fashioned Families we prefer not to waste things, which makes me love coffee even more! Rather than throwing away your old coffee grounds, you can use them in your garden, your home, and even your hair! Here are 8 different ways that you can re-use old coffee ... [ Read More ]
10 Natural Uses for Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a small bush native to Asia and North America. Although the strange yellow stringy flowers don't look like much, this plant was used medicinally by Native Americans and later by European settlers. It also enjoyed use in parts of Asia. The witch hazel used medicinally shouldn't be confused with the English wych elm, which is also sometimes called witch hazel. Regardless, witch hazel is one of those things that should be in every old fashioned medicine cabinet due to its varied ... [ Read More ]
8 Natural Ways to Keep Your Home Smelling Great
Unfortunately, a lot of store bought candles and air fresheners are made with artificial scents that contain damaging chemicals, which can aggravate your skin and lungs. Not to mention they are expensive! Not to worry, though, there are plenty of all natural ways to keep your house smelling amazing all of the time! Here are 8 of my favorites: 1) Homemade Air Freshener Making your own homemade air freshener is super simple and only requires a few ingredients that you probably already have! ... [ Read More ]