Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Canning season is my most favorite season- and one of the longest ones for me, second only to winter ;). I typically start in June and don’t stop until after deer season closes in November, loving it all the while. And it always begins with strawberry-rhubarb jam when the strawberries are ripe and the rhubarb […]

How-To Monday: Successfully Ventilate the Cold Climate Chicken Coop

How-To Monday: Successfully Ventilate the Cold Climate Chicken Coop

Being that we’re in the heart of winter, it’s likely you’ve come across an article or two pertaining to protecting your flock against the elements or at least on how to keep them comfortable. On my own blog I’ve discussed winter chicken keeping and the best breeds for cold weather climates, and I’m back at […]

Tragedy on the Homestead: Sharing Our Story {And 3 Important Tips for Prevention}

Tragedy on the Homestead: Sharing Our Story {And 3 Important Tips for Prevention}

Even as I sit down to compose this article, it doesn’t feel real. I still have a numbness about me, still have dreams that this never happened. But it did. On January the 8th, I set out to do my morning chores. Per my routine, I visited both of the duck houses first. All was […]

How-To Monday: Canning Carrots

How-To Monday: Canning Carrots

Today we are going to can some carrots! Canning carrots is a great way to preserve all the goodness of this tasty crop, and if you love making soups and stews, you will love having these on hand. And it’s so easy- let’s get started! {see printable version HERE} What You Will Need: -carrots-boiling water-canning […]

Roosters: A Complete Guide

Roosters: A Complete Guide

  If you own chickens, chances are you either: (1) Have a rooster, (2) Had a rooster, or (3) Thought about having a rooster. As in most animal instances, roosters are typically flashier than their female counterparts, making them a desirable spectacle for your farmstead. But perhaps fear of having a “mean” rooster around has […]

How-To Monday: Canning Turkey Stock {from Thanksgiving leftovers!}

How-To Monday: Canning Turkey Stock {from Thanksgiving leftovers!}

Your big Thanksgiving meal is done and over- but what to do with that big ole’ turkey carcass? In the rising movement of self-sufficiency and cutting down on waste {or better yet- eliminating waste!}, it’s time to give a second thought to throwing out the “scraps”, get back to the basics which the earlier generations […]

How-To Monday: Ready-to-Eat Canned Venison

How-To Monday: Ready-to-Eat Canned Venison

It’s been a quiet past week here on the blog as we’ve been BUSY around here! We finally got a deer, which means processing, packaging, and a little canning too. And because of our luck, I was able to put together a how-to post on canning up some venison! There are many ways which you […]

Combat the Cold: Let’s Talk Winter Chicken Keeping!

Combat the Cold: Let’s Talk Winter Chicken Keeping!

*Updated 1/4/14* Frozen waterers and cooped up cluckers means it’s time to think winter chicken keeping. Quite likely, as the temperature drops, your concern for the comfort and well being of your flock is on the rise. We love our feathered friends, and we want them to be happy. Here are some ways to keep […]

DIY Pallet Duck House {& Pallet Dangers}

DIY Pallet Duck House {& Pallet Dangers}

Pallets are all the rage, aren’t they? In a wide movement of self-sufficiency (and thanks to Pinterest!), pallets have become a hot number, and for good reason. Why? Because you can make a billion things with them! Just type “pallets” into a search at Pinterest and you will be greeted with countless possibilities for every […]