THE HOMESTEAD LIFE

Staying organized is tough – and if you have a homestead, you might find that’s doubly true. There’s a lot going on both inside the house as well as outdoors, and getting organized always seems to me to be an uphill battle. I’ll get one aspect of my life organized just to find another has … Read more

I think I have been homesteading my entire life in one way or another since I was a child. Perhaps I was inspired by my love of Little House on the Prairie and Grizzly Adams television shows that I loved, and my by Sunshine Family dolls. They were far more awesome than those superficial Barbie … Read more

Grandma was very frugal and I recall one year asking grandma why she saved everything. She told me that everything should be repurposed on the homestead. Grandma had an entire shelf in the root cellar that was full of reusable containers and other things. One thing that grandma never threw away was sawdust. The fact … Read more

I dedicate this column to my homesteading friend and fellow New Life On A Homestead writer, Sarah Rodriguez. I once received a text from her as she traveled back from a doctor’s appointment – passing Rural King on the way. The text read, “I tried to call you. I was just as Rural King and … Read more

Exactly why do we have kids do things on the homestead? Free labor – sure. Big farm families were once commonplace for just that reason in America. But then as it is now, there is a lot more behind assigning kids copious amounts of chores on a homestead or farm than just a need to … Read more

Paper clips are an ideal object to have on hand. Part of homesteading is learning to make do with what you have and not running out and buying something every time that you need something. Homesteaders are a unique breed of people that may often be considered eccentric or odd however, more often than not, … Read more

My grandmother was always quoting this quote: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”. While I’m not really sure of the exact origin of that quote, I’ve heard it many times, especially from my family and homesteading friends. I’ve found the saying to be very true. If I don’t use … Read more

Just because the days are shorter and the temps are colder doesn’t mean there isn’t work that still needs to be done! There’s always something to do on a homestead.

Cream of tartar is just something you put on fish, right? Oh, heck no. There are a plethora of uses for the little white powder both around the house, and as part of natural home remedies. Not only can cream of tartar be highly beneficial when baking, it is also an active base ingredient in … Read more

Homesteading, the very term evokes a picturesque landscaping with plenty of animals and green countryside. Many are fleeing the city in pursuit of happiness. In search of that idyllic dream where they can enjoy the country life with minimal effort. But, is homesteading easy? Or does it require a lot of hard work and dedication? … Read more

If you walk the laundry section in the grocery store, you’ll find borax in a plain-looking box with a wagon train on the front of the box. 20 Mule Team Borax is made in the United States starting in 1891, and borax deserves a place in your homestead cabinets. As homesteaders, we love versatile items. … Read more

Clotheslines are not a thing of the past. I grew up using a clothesline, and still do to this day. When my cousin came home for a long weekend he was amazed at my awesome clothesline and had a good laugh at me for using it. That’s ok though, I know how awesome a clothesline … Read more

Homesteaders have found many ways to use lemons on the homestead, whether it’s through the actual fruits, the essential oils, or preservation methods. More parts of the citrus fruits are wasted than used. For example, you might squeeze a slice of lemon into your water then toss it out later. You eat the flesh of … Read more

My great grandparents purchased their homestead via the Homestead Act of 1862. My family and I were curious as to what the Homestead Act actually entailed so we did some research. Per the law that was signed into effect by then President Lincoln in May of 1862, the Homestead Act was designed to encourage people … Read more

So you’re finally on a homestead. You’re excited and overwhelmed and have no idea where to start. Setting homesteading goals is important, have you taken the time to set goals for your homestead? If you’re not setting goals, you’re likely wasting a lot of time and money. The first step to owning a homestead is … Read more