Self Reliance On A Small Homestead
What are Mincemeat Pies? Mincemeat pies have been a traditional dish in European countries for centuries, going back to at least medieval times. Today most people think of the canned pie filling made with apples, raisins, and spices…and that is pretty tasty in a pie too. ‘Old fashioned’ mincemeat pies…
Burning bayberry candles on Christmas Eve has been a homestead tradition in my family for generations. Here's the history behind the candles!
Gingerbread House Ideas… A gingerbread house or cookies are wonderful treats for the holidays! Read up on the history of these delicious cookies and try some of the fun ideas for making decorations, cookies, and houses. Kids of all ages will have a great time putting these fun ideas into…
Seed catalogs have been around for 400 years, inspiring gardeners and selling garden dreams! Read up on the history of seed catalogs!
Create your own vintage look Thanksgiving gift tags and greeting cards for gifts from your homestead with my free printable downloads!
Make Your Own Cane or Walking Stick from a Sapling Tree A DIY cane or walking stick is a great thing to have if you need a bit of assistance with balance. A walking stick also comes in very handy for hiking in the woods. There are plenty of ways…
Carduni made with burdock leaves is another great dish you can cook up from foraged greens. This is a great way to save money and eat healthy!
DIY with My Dad! Take a tour of his workshop and see some of his creations and the hand tools he uses to create them. He has quite a collection!
How To Make Dutch Cheese at Home You’ve heard of Edam and Gouda, but have you ever heard of Eric’s Grandmother’s Dutch Cheese? I’m guessing not. When immigrants came to the United States, they brought their customs, knowledge, and some delicious recipes along. Unfortunately, much of this Old World wisdom…
Rosette: A Novel of Pioneer Michigan Interview with Author Cindy Rinaman Marsch I’ve always loved historical fiction, especially from the pioneer days. So, to say that this new book by Cindy Rinaman Marsch piqued my interest is an understatement. Cindy was gracious enough to grant an interview to The SS HomeAcre. Her…
Scenes From The Pioneer Fest The Boone County Autumn Pioneer Festival gives visitors a glimpse of early settler life in Northern Illinois each September. I thoroughly enjoy spending an afternoon walking through the displays, dreaming about what life was like back in ‘the day.’ There’s always so much to see…
Cast Iron Cookware at the Autumn Pioneer Fest Last weekend was the annual Autumn Pioneer Festival in Belvidere, Illinois. I try to make it there every year to see all the great pioneer living displays. It reminds me of my Grandparents’ home a little bit and brings me back to…
Sweet Maple Treats – Jack Wax and Hard Maple Candy Jack Wax (also known as Maple Taffy, Sugar on Snow, or Syrup on Snow) and Hard Maple Candy are easy treats to make any time of year. The method for making each confection is similar. Read Sweet Maple by Michelle…
A Classic American Cookbook My parents gave me this copy of The New Settlement Cookbook a few years ago after a trip to one of our local antique shops. Buried deep in the book section we came across this 1997 reprint of an American classic. This edition has some…
Autumn Pioneer Festival Every fall I like to visit the Autumn Pioneer Festival because it reminds me of how self sufficient people had to be during the westward expansion of our country. It makes me feel a little bit wistful that I was born into an age of modern convenience.…
This post was originally published on 1/25/13. Grandma’s House My Grandma M didn’t have a lot of fancy things in her house. She had a few nice dishes, most had little chips from 5 farm boys passing them around like bulls in, well, in a china shop. I have a…
