Personal stories and reflections from my home and heart.
The other day, I was looking at some old pictures of my grandfather. He was one of the early pioneers who started a homestead on the Canadian prairies. Wow, it was a hard life for those early pioneers! Things were certainly different in those days. It is difficult to see how they managed to survive. … Read more
Cedarwood essential oil has long been appreciated for its aromatic, woodsy smell, but what you may not know is that it has antiseptic and preservative properties. If you’re a homesteader, or are just looking for a great, easy-to-find oil to help you address multiple challenges in and around your home, this is a great oil … Read more
Deciding I wanted a lifestyle change late in life, I caught the off-grid living bug. Did I want to be self-sufficient? Well, I do not think I asked myself that question at the time. But I asked myself other, more practical ones, such as how much land do you need to be self-sufficient? For each … Read more
Well, it’s winter here in South Africa now and the temperatures are dropping to between 6 and 10 degrees Celsius on some days. You know what that means? It means warm clothes, tons of hot chocolate, and heaters are on – a lot! Now, last year we used halogen heaters; they’re relatively cheap and they … Read more
When I first got started homesteading, I had no idea how challenging it would be – or how rapidly our backyard garden and “just a few chickens” would grow into something that became a lifestyle and later, for us, a full-fledged business. Today, on my farm, we have several large gardens, a 30” x 96” … Read more
Homeschooling is one of the most rewarding experiences parents can have with their children. It is not an exact science, there is no one size fits all cloak that every homeschooling can slip on and do everything perfectly right from the start. No matter how well you have prepared to homeschool your child, placing too … Read more
This might just be me complaining, but I feel as though, in my house, I’m always the one that gets stuck unclogging the toilet. I know my husband unclogs his fair share, too, but it’s such a chore that whenever I have to deal with it, I find myself groaning in aggravation. Added to this … Read more
Vinegar is one of those staples that I always keep in stock around my house and homestead. I rely heavily on it, using it as an alternative to harsh chemicals and other abrasive agents. Not only can it be used for a large variety of recipes in the kitchen, but it’s also a super miracle … Read more
Starting a homestead is an exciting process. Learning to be more self-reliant and produce your food and energy on the land you live on is rewarding. Everyone from the city to the country can start a homestead, whether it is fully self-sufficient or not, however some people don’t have the luxury of a large plot, … Read more
You’re baking cookies or wrapping up homemade caramels, and what do you reach for? Chances are, it’s wax paper. I always keep a few rolls of wax paper in my kitchen, just because I never know when, exactly, I will need it. It’s a versatile material that can be used for all sorts of things … Read more
If you have a farm, you might be wondering about the best ways to winterize your barn… Truth be told, there’s no single right way to winterize a barn, chicken coop, or any other kind of livestock housing facility. The steps that you need to take to do so will depend largely on where you … Read more
How many hours you homeschool a week must take into consideration a myriad of factors. The age of the children, how many children you are teaching, the homeschool method or curriculum you are using, and last but not least – the rules of your state. Homeschooling attendance is almost exclusively determined by hours and not … Read more
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
Learning to monetize your homestead not only allows you to make more money doing what you love to funnel back into the land, but can even lead to a full-time job working from home. Whether you are monetizing a homestead as a side hustle or in hopes of turning the project(s) into a full-fledged career, … Read more
Dying candles with mica powder allows you to make truly unique homemade gifts that may look like a million bucks but cost only a few dollars. Not only can you dye candle wax with mica powder, you can also paint the finished candles either free hand, or by using molds with intricate or raised designs. … Read more
Mica powders are so fun to use when making homemade soaps and a plethora of other DIY natural home goods and gifts. The powders come in a vast array of colors, offering nearly endless options when creating one-of-a-kind products. What Is Mica Powder, Anyway? Mica powder is a mineral ground into powder that is derived … Read more