I save fats from just about everything. I collect all of our bacon grease, fat from our bone broth batches, and the fat off our rabbits on butcher days. I then render them down to clean and purify them into tallow and lard. Most people are, at least familiar with the general idea of lard […]
The mention of medicinal herbs often conjures up a picture of a steaming cup of tea or a dropper full of essential oils. While both are worthy ways of using herbs, there are so many other ways to enjoy their benefits. When it comes to herbs and their abilities, much is still not understood. We […]
The majestic Elder has been held in high regard by many people’s for centuries as food and medicine. Most think of the berries but the flowers themselves have many benefits, and unlike the berries you don’t have to be so selective. The flowers can and have been used interchangeably. Elderflower pollen has natural yeast and […]
Pests and Predators come in all shapes and sizes, from the adorable rabbit to the lumbering bear. There is nothing so heartbreaking as to see the destruction left in their wake. Wether it’s the scattered feathers of devoured chickens or the partially eaten fruits of garden plants. A majority of folks I have come across […]
We put money away into savings and retirement funds to ensure our future financial security. It is critical that we do the same with our food. Home canning has a long and rich history here in the United states. Going all the way back to 1884 when the Ball corporation started manufacturing glass jars for […]
Most people, nowadays, don’t really think about where all the clothes that they wear come from. However, there has been a kind of revolution in fiber arts recently. Knitting and crocheting have always been something that people did, mostly women of course. I even remember my great grandmother doing tatting, a form of crocheting with fine thread to create lace and doilies, while she would listen to the radio at night.
My homestead philosophy has always been that this lifestyle is an investment. An investment in our health, our security, and our future. There are, what seems like, an infinite number of ways to house rabbits. From colonies to cages, the cost of your set up will be determined by a couple of factors. Climate, local […]
Somewhere between 1979 and 1980, Rosemary Gladstar, a master herbalist, created an amazing herbal vinegar that started a long tradition for herbalists. As herbalists, we believe in community. We believe that sharing common knowledge about herbs, their availability and their ability to heal is integral to our communities being responsible for their own health. I […]
In my neck of the woods the growing season is a bit short. Zone 4 we have an average last frost date of May 15, and average first frost date of September 15. So to ensure we get a harvest from crops like tomatoes, melons, and peppers, we start our seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before […]
To us, part of being a homesteader is to always Repurpose and Reuse when we can. It’s a wonderful way to reduce waste on the homestead but also saves quite a bit of money. One of our favorite recyclables are pallets. Pallets have an almost limitless R&R potential, and they’re relatively easy to get a […]
Gaia's Sanctorum 