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Build this Easy Composting Bin Made of Hardware Cloth
Adding a composting bin is such an amazing asset to any garden or homestead. There are so many benefits. One of the biggest of course is to help with the garden. Compost helps you bring in natural nutrients to help enrich your soil. But there are so many other reasons. Compost help introduces microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria to your soil through decomposing material. I know… we all think these things are what we need to stay away from. We have been brought up thinking of bacteria as bad. But there are beneficial bacterias that are important to the soil’s ecological environment. These bacterias do jobs like fixing your…
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The Best Galaxy Activities for Your Homeschool and Classroom
I’m wrapping up my space camp series today with some of my FAVORITE Galaxy Activities from the week of camp! We did some exploring about stars, talked about what makes up our galaxy, and made rockets to blast off! If you haven’t checked out my other two posts about some of the activities we did this summer during space camp make sure to take a look:• Planets Activities & Crafts• Moon Activities & Crafts This post contains affiliate links. This will not cost you anything but will help us offset the cost of running the blog. We only share products we use or would recommend to a friend. Thank you…
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Top 4 Montessori Homeschool Resources for the New Homeschooler
When you’re taking on a new homeschooling year there are many things to consider. It can feel overwhelming and nerve-wracking to think about everything all at once. This will be my 4th year teaching Montessori but my first year homeschooling, so I feel a bit lost. Here are my top 4 Homeschool Resources that have been the most helpful to me. These resources have helped ease my anxiety about doing everything right with my daughter this school year. I hope they help you too! This post contains affiliate links. This will not cost you anything but will help us offset the cost of running the blog. We only share products…
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Produce More and Save Money – Shop Your Zone
Have you ever been told to shop your zone? When I first heard this I was like what the heck is a zone!? haha But in the plant world zones are super important. They give you a great indication of what plants will thrive in your area depending on how far or close you are to the equator. I live in zone 9a. The varieties of plants I can plant are super similar to what Sam (my co-blogger) can plant. But she lives in zone 5 so there are some differences. These differences can make or break your gardening adventure. It can cost you money in plants that will not…
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Easy Three Ingredient Low Sugar Thimbleberry Jam Recipe
If you’ve been searching for a low-sugar thimbleberry jam recipe, you know how rare these wild berries—and reliable recipes—can be. Thimbleberries have a bright, tart flavor and soft texture that makes them perfect for jam, but their naturally low pectin content means they need just the right method to set. This recipe uses less sugar than traditional versions, so you can really taste the thimbleberries. It’s ideal for smaller batches, and it works well with fresh or frozen berries. Using a low or no-sugar pectin helps achieve a good consistency without needing to over-sweeten. Whether you’re foraging, growing your own, or were lucky enough to get some from a friend,…
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Store Your Canned Goods On This Amazing DIY Shelf
Do you have a designated place where you store your canned goods? I know this might sound like a crazy thing to think of if you don’t have your garden built – but my brain is always thinking 5 steps ahead. When I started really thinking about growing a garden it dawned on me that I would need to have a place to store it all. And even though it might seem that I put the cart before the horse… having a place to store food before it gets here makes so much sense to me. So off to Pinterest I went! (wink) Yup, it is always my go-to place…
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Easy Planet Activities for Your Homeschool Space Unit
At the beginning of July, another teacher and I hosted a space-themed camp and it was a total blast! Day 2 was all about the planets! We had a lot of fun exploring the planets, learning some facts about them, and creating our own! We had kids 5-10 years old and they all found joy in these Planet Activities. The older kids spent more time perfecting their projects and some of them worked with the younger students when they needed some extra help. I am excited to share a few of the activities with you today. Check out the MOON activities we did HERE. This post contains affiliate links. This…
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Three Simple Steps Explaining How To Propagate Grapes
Propagating Grapes is such an easy way to start your own little vineyard. After visiting a local winery and learning all the basics from the masters I took everything I learned and tried it on my own. Haak Winery is right down the road from me. They, along with many other vineyards, open their doors to the public to let them come in and participate in picking grapes and/or pruning back the vines. This can be such a fun family event AND if you are blessed – they will a lot of the time let you take home the vines to play around with and try to grow your own.…
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The Best 3 Ingredient No Pectin Black Raspberry Jam Recipe & The New Love of Your Life
If you’re looking for a no-pectin black raspberry jam recipe, you’ve come to the right place! Black raspberry season in Northern Illinois was in full swing last June, and we made the most of it with bars, jam, and pie. With about 7 cups of berries still in the freezer, I’m considering another pie or maybe some mini pies next. This simple, no-pectin recipe highlights the rich, natural flavor of black raspberries without relying on added thickening agents. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone wanting a straightforward way to preserve these delicious berries. If you’re interested in exploring more homemade spreads, be sure to visit our Jams and Jellies page,…
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This Minestrone Soup is my New Favorite Italian Dinner!
A couple of years ago, my husband brought me some Minestrone Soup from the Olive Garden. I was put on bed rest after my surgery, and as for me cooking, well… it was not happening. Haha, I had never had their Minestrone Soup before, but after one bite, I was in heaven!! And I knew I had to add it to my arsenal of family meals. I spent a while trying to figure out a recipe that I loved. After a few trials, I finally perfected something that was not only delicious but is super easy to make! This recipe makes a huge pot of soup. But it is simple…
