Personal stories and reflections from my home and heart.
If you are middle-aged and find everything in your life intolerable – your job, your home, your social life – you are not alone. A recent study indicated that people aged 40-59 years old are the least happy and most anxious of any age group. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. If modern … Read more
Your work is never done when it comes to the homestead. Spring is no exception. Organization is the most important aspect of being a successful homesteader, so make sure you have a running tally of everything that needs to be completed so you aren’t caught unprepared come May. These are a list of chores that you … Read more
People build ponds for many reasons. Some build them to store water while others to keep fish. For many, they are built simply for the beauty that they can add to a homestead. Whatever your motivation is, building a pond on your homestead can be challenging, and will cost you some money. Yet it’s a … Read more
Emergency water is important but before treatment we need to ensure that it is properly stored. There are as many storage containers as there are treatment methods, and knowing which one to use will help improve the quality of your water both for daily use and emergencies. The lack of preparation in most homes in … Read more
As we prepare for the third spring on our humble New England homestead, a mighty February rainstorm is turning our yard into a muddy mess. Maple sap is boiling on the wood stove; it will be syrup we can preserve in a few more hours. Our cupboards are starting to look a little bare (although … Read more
If your homestead is like most , you have a few boxes of baking soda laying around. You likely keep one in the refrigerator, one in the cupboard, and maybe one in the pantry. Did you know that there are well over 100 uses for baking soda in and around your homestead? Baking soda is … Read more
No matter how large or small a space I live in, it is always overflowing with books! Whether you need reference resources or something to spark your imagination, I hope you find something here that enriches your life. I tried to emphasize a mix of foundational resources with newer works that offer truly novel additions. … Read more
The weather forecast is calling for snow. Lots of snow. How do you prepare your homestead for a snowstorm? First, it’s vital to understand the difference between a winter storm watch, and a winter storm warning. A winter storm watch is just that, a watch. There is a potential for a snowstorm in the next … Read more
There is now officially less than a week to go before Christmas day, but it is still not too late to save money and warm hearts with homemade gifts straight from your prepper retreat, survival compound, or homestead. The gifts will cost you nothing or next to nothing, but look like a million bucks! If … Read more
Candles have lit the world for centuries. Even today, without candles, a storm, blackout or any other unexpected interruption of power will leave us in the dark. Flashlights and electric lanterns are great, but batteries are expensive and degrade over time. In some parts of the world, candles are still used as the primary source … Read more
Anyone who relies on wood heat for the winter, will understand the need to split wood for their wood stove or other heat equipment. The wood should be split to a size that is easy to fit into the stove and it should be dry enough that it is easy to catch fire. Using An … Read more
There is a lot of video out there on homesteading topics. I have chosen a select few that have truly educated, inspired, and entertained me. I hope you enjoy them, and that they are helpful for you on your journey! Remote Living Alone in the Wilderness IMDB hails this film as a modern-day “Walden.” A … Read more
There are numerous uses for wood ash around the homestead. Throwing away this useful material when cleaning out the wood burner or fireplace is almost inexcusably wasteful. Wood ash is the powdery residue that is left in the wood burner collection tray or beneath the firewood grate after wood is burnt. It has been used … Read more
Homesteading is a new trend in old ways – people who are tired of the noisy, congested city and seek open air and refuge are turning back to cultural traditions of our grandparents and great-grandparents. We’re growing our own food, mending more and buying less, and finding ways to be more self-sufficient, most of the … Read more
Homesteading can be so rewarding, but also very time-consuming, which is why we have put together these 70 gardening and homesteading hacks to make your life so much easier. From homemade fertilizers using kitchen scraps to tips on increasing your harvest, these hacks will no doubt inspire you in so many ways. #1. Use Old … Read more
