Plum Applesauce

Plum Applesauce

Today I’m bringing you the third and final applesauce recipe of the week (earlier this week was Honey Vanilla Bean Applesauce and Apple Pie Applesauce). This one will definitely be a recipe that makes you think of winter, with its rich color and flavor. So save this one for when the snow flies and you […]

Apple Pie Applesauce

Apple Pie Applesauce

When you’re faced with a season as generous as apple season, it’s just way too much fun exploring all the different ways in which to preserve them. This week I’m sharing some newly formulated applesauce recipes. On Monday it was Honey Vanilla Bean Applesauce and today’s recipe is just as tasty. Applesauce is so naturally […]

Honey Vanilla Bean Applesauce

Honey Vanilla Bean Applesauce

Today kicks off an extravaganza of applesauce recipes, just in time for apple season! I spent last week experimenting and formulating some delicious new canning recipes and today I’d like to share the first one with you: This Honey Vanilla Bean Applesauce recipe is warm, fragrant, and simply delicious. It uses wholesome ingredients and will […]

The Secret to Perfectly Seasoned Cast Iron

The Secret to Perfectly Seasoned Cast Iron

There are few things that compare with cast iron on the coolness meter. It’s heavy, practically indestructible, and lasts forever. You can get so many uses out of just one pan; it can go from a skillet on your stovetop to a dutch oven to a pizza stone when flipped upside down. You can fry […]

Crispy, Crunchy Dill Pickles (no additives needed!)

Crispy, Crunchy Dill Pickles (no additives needed!)

There is nothing more disheartening for the pickling enthusiast than a soft, sad pickle. I’ve been there. It kept me from attempting pickles again for a few years. Completely avoided even growing cucumbers at all for fear that someone might ask, “Oooh, are you going to make pickles with those?” Why? Do I look like […]

You Have Too Many Animals.

You Have Too Many Animals.

“You have too many animals.” I would venture to guess there are many of you who have heard this one. Am I right? Well, me too. And it’s no big deal. Can’t help but laugh at those t-shirts and memes that proclaim the proud crazy chicken lady with her 1, 5, 12, don’t-judge-me number of […]

Harvesting the Homestead Pig

Harvesting the Homestead Pig

Harvest. It has a much more pleasant ring to it than “kill”. But in truth, I feel much the same way about the harvesting of my meat animals as I do the vegetables in my garden or the berries in the woods. It is a gathering of a food source for my family. And there […]

In the Garden: August 1st- 14th

In the Garden: August 1st- 14th

It’s time for another update from the garden! Some quick background for new visitors: I garden in NE Minnesota where we have a very short growing season. I use hugelkultur raised beds and apply permaculture methods throughout my garden. Nearly everything I grow are heirloom varieties and all are organically managed- no chemicals, pesticides, or […]

Favorite Blueberry Crisp

Favorite Blueberry Crisp

There are many seasons that I look forward to…gardening season, canning season, hunting season…and of course, berry season. Wild blueberries are abundant in my corner of the world, especially in areas where forest fires have occurred. And every year, I get all-out anxious about the prospect of filling up gallon after gallon of this delicious […]

Raspberry Rhubarb Jam

Raspberry Rhubarb Jam

Sometimes, the best things in life do come at a cost. Berry picking is definitely one of those things for us- and I don’t mean money, either. It means heading out into the woods, husband and children in tow, knowing there’s a very real risk of bears, bugs, bees, thorns, bumps, bruises, scratches, tears, and […]