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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
Canned Vegetables, Canning, Food Preservation, Pressure Canning

How to Pressure Can Diced Onions for Long-Lasting Flavor

There are a few different ways to preserve onions. If you don’t have a lot of space to keep whole onions throughout the winter or extra freezer space to keep…

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September 9, 2024
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  • Italian beef sandwich with cheese, plate of shredded italian beef
    Comfort Foods & Classic Recipes

    Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches Recipe – Tender, Juicy, and Easy

    October 6, 2025 / No Comments

    Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. With tender, juicy beef cooked low and slow, these sandwiches are packed with flavor and practically melt in your mouth. Using your slow cooker makes this recipe incredibly hands-off. Simply season the beef, add a few aromatics and broth, and let the slow cooker do the work while you go about your day. By dinner time, you’ll have perfectly cooked meat that’s ready to shred or slice and pile high on soft rolls. This recipe isn’t just easy, it’s versatile. You can adjust the seasoning to make it mild or spicy, add your favorite…

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    Samantha

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    Homemade Soap

    Where to Buy Tallow Soap and Why It’s the Best Old-Fashioned Cleanser

    September 23, 2025 / No Comments

    If you’re searching for where to buy tallow soap, you’ve probably heard about its long-lasting bars and gentle, creamy lather. But the real skincare secret isn’t a dose of vitamins, it’s the fatty-acid profile of tallow, which closely resembles the natural oils in human skin. That unique blend of stearic and oleic acids helps tallow soap cleanse without stripping, leaving skin feeling soft and conditioned. Whether you’re looking for an everyday body bar or a giftable handmade soap, understanding what makes tallow special can help you choose the best bar and the best place to buy it. Why Choose Tallow Soap for Your Skin Tallow has been used for generations!…

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    Ducks And Niacin – What The Quack Is This All About!? And When Things Are Going Wrong How To Fix It.

    May 5, 2024

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    November 13, 2024
  • elderberry cluster on a plant and dehydrated elderberries in jars on a table
    Medicinal Herbal Remedies

    How to Freeze and Dehydrate Elderberries for Long-Term Use

    September 18, 2025 / No Comments

    Freezing and dehydrating elderberries is the most reliable way to preserve their immune-supportive goodness for year-round use. By freezing, you lock in freshness, and by drying, you create a shelf-stable herb that’s easy to store and use in teas, syrups, jams, or tinctures. In this post, you’ll learn both methods, freezing for quick access and dehydration for long-term storage, plus tips for safety, storage, and using elderberries throughout the year. For more herbal preservation ideas, check out my Herbal Remedies Page. Quick Summary Items You’ll Need for Preserving Elderberries Why Preserve Elderberries Now? Elderberries have a very short harvesting window between late summer and early fall. Fresh berries don’t store…

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    June 9, 2025
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    Best Herbs for Cold and Flu Tea Blends

    August 6, 2025

    Rhubarb Coffee Cake Recipe with Streusel Topping: Delicious and Easy

    May 26, 2024
  • homemade apple treats, apple cider donut bread, applesauce, canned apple pie filling
    Cooking from Scratch

    Homemade Apple Recipes for Fall: Pie Filling, Jellies, and More

    September 8, 2025 / No Comments

    Homemade apple recipes are the perfect way to welcome fall into your kitchen! As the leaves start to turn and the air grows crisp, it’s the perfect time to make the most of this season’s sweet, tangy apples. From warm baked goods to pantry staples you can enjoy all year, there’s something here for every taste and skill level. Whether you’re stirring up a cozy apple pie spice blend, canning classic apple pie filling, or whipping up apple butter, these recipes will fill your kitchen with the aromas of autumn. You can also try homemade applesauce, apple jelly, or even a batch of soft, spiced apple cider donut bread for…

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    Brown Sugar Recipe

    Brown Sugar is so Simple to Make – Try It and See!

    August 22, 2021
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    Preserve & Savor: Pressure Canned Chicken Soup Made Simple

    June 9, 2024
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    How to Make Lemon Balm Infused Olive Oil

    January 2, 2025
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    DIY Herbal Skincare Remedies

    How to Make Pumpkin Spice Tallow Sugar Scrub

    September 3, 2025 / No Comments

    Pumpkin spice tallow sugar scrub is the ultimate fall self-care treat, blending gentle exfoliation with deep skin nourishment. Made with creamy grass-fed tallow, this scrub leaves your skin soft, hydrated, and glowing, perfect for combating dry autumn air. The warm, cozy scent of pumpkin spice makes it a seasonal favorite, while its all-natural ingredients keep your skincare routine toxin-free. If you prefer a plant-based option, coconut oil can be easily substituted. For more ways to craft simple, wholesome products at home, explore my Natural Living page. Quick Summary Instructions Why Make a Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub? There’s something cozy and indulgent about blending the warm spices of fall with a…

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    How to Craft Your Own Plantain-Infused Oil!

    April 17, 2024
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    March 11, 2022
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    Canned Vegetables

    How to Water Bath Can Salsa with Apple Cider Vinegar

    August 31, 2025 / 2 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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    July 25, 2025
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    How to Make Canned Tomatoes: Water vs. Juice Methods Explained

    November 11, 2024

    How to Make Lilac Jelly

    May 11, 2024
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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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    May 18, 2025

    12 Easy Jam and Jelly Recipes for Beginners

    January 15, 2025
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    How to Make Whipped Lavender Tallow Balm for Nourished Skin

    June 14, 2025
  • 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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    September 29, 2024

    Beach Wine Bottle Decor

    April 24, 2021
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    How to Make Apple Pie Filling and Preserve it Two Ways

    November 8, 2024
  • canned tomato sauce in pint jars from homegrown tomatoes
    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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    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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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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