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Medicinal Herbal Remedies, Natural Living

Fig Leaf Tea – It’s Healthy and it Tastes Amazing!

Fig leaf Tea is so amazing! When we moved into our house, we had a Brown Turkey Fig Tree in our yard. I was so excited about the tasty little…

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August 15, 2021
Canning, Food Preservation, Fruit Preserves & Pie Fillings, Water Bath Canning

How to can Blueberry Pie Filling to Use All Year

A few years ago, I learned how to make and can pie filling, and I will never turn back! Try this Blueberry Pie Filling and I promise you will be…

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March 24, 2022
Backyard Chickens, Homestead Animals

A Better Way to Seal your Backyard Chicken Coop

Have you spent hours on the internet trying to find the best way to Seal Your Chicken Coop safely? ME TOO! It is crazy the amount of time I have…

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May 3, 2022
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  • homemade canned salsa with garden fresh tomatoes and jalapenos on the table
    Canned Vegetables

    How to Water Bath Can Salsa with Apple Cider Vinegar

    August 31, 2025 / No Comments

    Making salsa for water bath canning with apple cider vinegar is one of the best ways to preserve your summer harvest. With a simple mix of fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, garlic, and spices, you’ll have jars of homemade salsa ready for winter meals, taco nights, and snacks. This recipe balances flavor and safety, giving you a tested canning method you can trust. If you’re looking for more canning inspiration, don’t miss our Water Bath Canning Page. How to Make Salsa at a Glance Why Make Salsa with Apple Cider Vinegar? If you’re water bath canning salsa, you need to add an acid like apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or lemon/lime…

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    Samantha

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    Gardening & Growing Food

    How to Save Tomato Seeds for Next Year’s Garden (Step-by-Step)

    August 30, 2025 / No Comments

    Learning how to save tomato seeds is one of the simplest and most rewarding skills you can add to your gardening routine. Whether you’re growing heirlooms or open-pollinated varieties, saving seeds lets you carry your favorite tomatoes into next year, and beyond. It’s also a great way to become more self-reliant and preserve varieties that do especially well in your unique climate. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to collect, ferment, dry, and store your own tomato seeds step by step. No fancy tools needed, just a few tomatoes, a jar, and a little patience. Once you try it, you’ll never want to toss tomato seeds again!…

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    Three Simple Steps Explaining How To Propagate Grapes

    July 23, 2021
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    How to Work Self-Care in as a Homeschooling Mom

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    How to Dye Vibrant Easter Eggs with All-Natural Dye

    April 10, 2022
  • heart shaped elderberry gummies with elderberries on the step in a bowl
    Cooking from Scratch,  Medicinal Herbal Remedies,  Natural Living

    How to Make Elderberry Gummies

    August 23, 2025 / No Comments

    Elderberry gummies are a fun and tasty way to enjoy the immune-boosting power of elderberries — but if you’ve ever ended up with lumpy, rubbery pieces, you know the frustration. The secret? Blooming your gelatin before mixing. In this recipe, I’ll show you the step-by-step process for smooth, flavorful elderberry gummies every time. Not only are they great for cold and flu season, but they’re also a healthy snack kids love. For more herbal and natural remedy recipes, check out my Herbal Remedies pillar page. Quick Summary at a Glance Why Make Elderberry Gummies Elderberries are naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and flavonoids, making them a powerhouse for supporting…

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    Samantha

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    The Ultimate Simple Rhubarb Pie Recipe: Classic and Delicious

    August 18, 2024
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    How to Make Lemon Balm Lip Balm for Cold Sores

    January 7, 2025
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    Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread Recipe (Moist, Easy & Freezer-Friendly)

    July 18, 2025
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    Canned Vegetables,  Canning,  Food Preservation,  Water Bath Canning

    How to Can Tomato Sauce (Two Different Methods)

    August 18, 2025 / No Comments

    Homemade canned tomato sauce is the ultimate way to capture the rich, fresh flavor of summer tomatoes for year-round cooking. Whether you prefer a smooth, seed-free sauce or a blended version, learning how to can tomato sauce at home gives you full control over the ingredients and the taste. In this post, you’ll find two simple methods for preparing tomatoes, along with step-by-step canning instructions to make the process easy and safe. For more water bath canning ideas, check out my full Water Bath Canning Page. Quick Summary Why Make Your Own Canned Tomato Sauce? Making your own tomato sauce has the same great benefits of any other homemade food.…

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    May 31, 2025

    How to Craft Your Own Plantain-Infused Oil!

    April 17, 2024
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    Low Sugar Black Raspberry Currant Jam Recipe and How to Juice Red Currants

    March 2, 2025
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    Gardening & Growing Food,  Vegetable Gardening

    How to Grow Rhubarb: A Perennial Favorite for the Homestead Garden

    August 13, 2025 / No Comments

    If you’ve ever dreamed of harvesting your own fresh rhubarb stalks, you’re in luck; it’s one of the easiest and most rewarding perennials you can grow. This guide will walk you through everything from planting and caring for rhubarb to harvesting and dividing it for years of bounty. Along the way, we’ll cover common problems, seasonal care tips, and culinary uses, with links to my favorite rhubarb recipes. If you want more tips on growing plants, check out our Gardening Page. Why Grow Rhubarb? Benefits of Rhubarb in a Homestead Garden Rhubarb is a low-maintenance perennial that keeps producing for years with minimal care, perfect for busy homesteaders. It thrives…

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    How to Make a Relaxing Peony Bath Soak at Home

    June 27, 2025
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    How to Make a Brooder for Chicks (With Tips for Meat Birds Too)

    July 3, 2025
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    Calendula Tallow Baby Balm Recipe | For Newborns and Nursing Moms

    May 30, 2025
  • homemade thimbleberry crumble cut into bars on a plate
    Cooking from Scratch,  From Scratch Desserts

    How to Make Thimbleberry Crumble

    August 10, 2025 / No Comments

    This thimbleberry crumble recipe is the perfect way to showcase the unique flavor of these rare, ruby-red berries. With a buttery, golden topping made from flour, sugar, and butter, this dessert lets the thimbleberries shine. Whether you’re lucky enough to pick them fresh in season or have frozen berries tucked away, this crumble comes together in minutes and bakes into a bubbling, sweet-tart treat. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream for a truly unforgettable dessert. For more cozy, from-scratch treats, explore my Desserts from Scratch collection. Thimbleberry Picking Traditions Every year, around the last week of July or the first week of…

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  • little girl picking carrots, cabbage, and broccoli planted in a fall garden
    Gardening & Growing Food,  Monthly Gardening Tasks,  Vegetable Gardening

    What to Plant in a Fall Garden (By USDA Zone)

    August 9, 2025 / No Comments

    Knowing what to plant in a fall garden by zone is the key to getting the most from your growing season. Fall crops often thrive with cooler temperatures and fewer pests, but timing is everything—especially when you’re racing against that first frost. Whether you’re aiming for a late-season harvest of carrots and greens or planning garlic and cover crops, your USDA zone will determine what works best and when to plant it. This guide breaks it all down so you can plant confidently this autumn and enjoy fresh food well into the colder months. Looking for more seasonal planting tips? Explore our Gardening page for practical ideas that grow with…

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    July 19, 2021
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    Homemade Hot Pockets your Whole Family will Love!

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    Medicinal Herbal Remedies,  Natural Living

    Best Herbs for Cold and Flu Tea Blends

    August 6, 2025 / No Comments

    Looking for the best herbs for colds and flu to keep your family healthy this season? Herbal remedies have supported wellness for generations, and there are many gentle, effective options to help ease symptoms naturally. From soothing sore throats to calming coughs and boosting immunity, herbs can be powerful allies during cold and flu season. You can use them in homemade tea blends, syrups, or steams depending on your comfort and need. Whether you’re just getting started with herbs or looking for new ways to use what you have on hand, this guide will walk you through some of the most trusted herbs and simple blends you can make at…

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  • mini loaves of apple cider donut bread in a white bowl
    Cooking from Scratch,  From Scratch Desserts,  Homemade Breads and Baking

    Easy Apple Cider Donut Bread Recipe In Mini Loaves

    August 1, 2025 / No Comments

    This Apple Cider Donut Bread Recipe is one of my favorite fall bakes—perfect for sharing, gifting, or stocking the freezer. It’s warmly spiced, ultra moist from reduced apple cider, and finished with a mouthwatering cinnamon sugar coating. I always bake this recipe in mini loaf pans. They make the bread easier to store, freeze, and portion—and let’s be honest, they’re just really cute on a fall brunch table. Whether you’re baking ahead for guests or whipping up something sweet for the weekend, this is a must-make. You’ll find this and more seasonal ideas in my Cooking from Scratch collection. This post contains affiliate links. This will not cost you anything…

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    January 2, 2025
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    Cooking from Scratch,  Pantry Staples & Mixes

    How to Make Apple Pie Spice Seasoning

    July 28, 2025 / No Comments

    Making an apple pie spice recipe at home is quick, affordable, and packed with warm, cozy flavor. This simple blend combines common pantry spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice into one jar that’s perfect for fall baking and more. I started making it myself when I realized how often I was buying tiny jars of pre-mixed spice, and how much better it tasted fresh. Whether you’re prepping pies, oatmeal, or even applesauce, this homemade mix is a must-have in any from-scratch kitchen. You can find more pantry staple recipes like this on my Cooking from Scratch page. This post contains affiliate links. This will not cost you anything but will…

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Grow, Raise, Preserve

Author Sam Rossi

Sam Rossi

 Mom, Montessori Teacher, Homeschooling Teacher, DIY Lover, Gardener

Lisa Scott

Wife, Mom, Homeschooling Teacher, DIY Lover, Gardener, Running a little farm over here and loving it!

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