Welcome to one of our favorite parts of family life on the homestead – holidays and traditions! Homesteading is hard work and takes a lot of time and effort but it’s so important that we leave time for celebrations. Some family times are simple days of rest or quiet moments like bath and bedtimes. Other celebrations are loud and messy and full of crafts and foods! Both kinds, and everything in between, are worthwhile.
We feel so strongly about this topic that we’ve written a whole book on it. Look for our publication, Homestead Holidays, in our shop. You don’t have to buy the book to access the free content here on the blog. Pick a holiday, craft or recipe and try it this week. Be sure to do it together and to have some fun – those are the only two rules when it comes to celebrations on the homestead.
On our homestead, Valentine’s Day is a family affair full of special traditions, healthy treats and fun crafts like homemade Valentine’s Day cards and this homemade natural moon sand. This recipe has no flour, no powdered drink mix dye and no yucky ingredients.
Continue reading “Natural Moon Sand Recipe – A Family Valentine’s Day Activity”
Have you heard the term “hygge” used lately? Ever wondered what it meant and how it might apply to making your home and land cozy and peaceful? I think of this concept as vital to my family for reducing chaos and increasing peace! Below we’ve outlined specific steps for children and adults to create a hygge homestead.
Everyone has a scrap paper stash for grocery lists and keeping the kids coloring and reverent during Sunday services. Here’s how to take your scrap paper and turn it into homemade paper for crafts and card making. This upcycled craft project is so simple that kids and adults alike will enjoy it – we give you specific instructions for making homemade paper with a group. You do need some simple equipment, but it’s nothing you DIY peeps can’t handle. So, grab your students, your kids and your friends and get going on your homemade paper!
Continue reading “Homemade Paper for Teachers, Parents and Parties!”
Cast off the doldrums of these gray, January days by celebrating Winnie the Pooh Day with your family! From crafts to family reading time to this Chocolate Honey Pooh Day Cake recipe, this is the prefect time to take a break on the homestead this winter. Bonus, this recipe is grain-free, refined-sugar free and Paleo friendly! Continue reading “Chocolate Honey Pooh Day Cake”
Low on time and money this holiday season? Need some quick crafts from upcycled materials you already have on hand? Well, here are three upcycled cookie cutter crafts for kids and adults – these are so easy even I can do them!
Who says Keto can’t be festive?! Here’s a simple recipe for a modern twist of the traditional confection, the sugar plum. Using coconut and pomegranate, this holiday Keto fat bomb recipe is sure to please. Continue reading “Holiday Keto Fat Bomb: The “Sugar Plum””
Pumpkin is a great vegetable to preserve whether you’re overwintering in a pantry, canning chunks or dehydrating chips or pumpkin leather. It’s so versatile in your food storage program! For space saving and ease of use, I really enjoy dehydrating a lot of my pumpkin harvest. Let me show you how to dehydrate pumpkin AND make a pie out it. Continue reading “Dehydrated Pumpkin – A Pie Recipe”
Are you trying to make handmade gifts this year? Would you rather use green, organic materials that are practically begging to be turned into natural crafts? Here’s a collection of upcycled gifts from the garden for your homemade Christmas this year. Bonus: we’ve included a video and text tutorial of how to make your own grape vine garland, or swag, for gifting or decorating your own porch or hearth this holiday season.
The homestead family works long hours together every day but it’s important to not forget the fun! Here are some simple natural crafts for autumn that are enjoyable for the whole family. Did you know we have several fall holidays coming up? Use them to plan your natural crafts for kids and grown ups alike! Continue reading “Natural Crafts for Autumn”
Christmas Breads are a favorite holiday fare in nearly every culture, and we love them all from stollen to panettone! However, our favorite sweet bread recipe has got to be the classic tea ring. This is NOT a quick bread recipe, FYI. However, filled with wholesome ingredients like fresh eggs and dried fruits, this Christmas Tea Ring is a holiday classic! Continue reading “Sweet Bread Recipe: Tea Ring”