In today’s world, where convenience often outweighs sustainability, it’s refreshing to return to simple, homemade solutions that are both economical and effective. Making your own dishwasher detergent is not only a step towards self-sufficiency but also a way to reduce the chemical load in your home and minimize environmental impact.

In today’s world of mass-produced skincare, there’s something truly special about using handmade soap crafted with care and natural ingredients. Not only do homemade soaps avoid harsh chemicals and preservatives, but they also offer a range of benefits that nourish your skin and connect you with nature’s simplest yet most powerful elements.

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, there's nothing quite like stepping into a warm, inviting kitchen filled with the aromas of winter spices, simmering broths, and preserved summer harvests. Preparing a cozy winter kitchen isn't just about stocking up; it’s a chance to embrace the season by surrounding ourselves with the flavors and comforts that make winter feel like home.

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is stock up on apples—30 to 40 pounds of them, to be exact! There’s something so satisfying about spending a cool, crisp day peeling and slicing apples to make pie filling and applesauce. It’s a tradition I look forward to every year, and it always reminds me of the simple pleasures of homemade goodness.

As the days get shorter and cooler, I always feel the urge to pick up my knitting needles. Knitting has become a cherished hobby for me, one that I’ve been practicing regularly for the last 10 years. Though I dabbled in it during my youth, I never truly embraced the craft until much later.

It’s October, and in my mind, that means it’s officially soup season! Lately, I’ve been incorporating sourdough into recipes where you wouldn’t usually expect it—like noodles for chicken noodle soup. This recipe has quickly become a favorite, especially since I like to serve the soup over mashed potatoes. It’s hearty, comforting, and perfect for fall evenings.

Earlier this summer, I decided to explore a topic that I used to cover in Chemistry class many years ago in the Chemical Reactions Unit—Saponification. Put simply, it’s the reaction that creates soap. Not to bore you with the chemistry, but soap is just potassium or sodium salts of long-chain fatty acids. During the reaction, the ester (in the fats & oils used) reacts with hydroxide (from lye—Sodium Hydroxide) to produce alcohol and soap. The results differ based on the types of fats & oils used.

In this post, I’ll share some materials I use, a bit about how to build your own tea blend, and a few of my favorite tea recipes, along with the benefits of some key ingredients. Links to materials used are in the text sections below. If you are unable to grow or forage ingredients I have also linked some for you. One of the best Christmas gifts my husband has ever given me is a dehydrator. I dry my dandelion root, orange peels, and pretty much anything I forage.

For as long as I can remember, the coming of fall meant I would suffer from my allergies. I always thought that Goldenrod was the culprit. It wasn't until my 40s and allergy testing that I learned it wasn’t Goldenrod, but instead Ragweed. I rejoiced because I had always loved the fluffy, bright yellow blooms.

This week, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve finally completed two sets of vintage-style jar labels! These have been a labor of love all summer long, and after endless tinkering, it’s time to release them.

This week, I'm excited to share the second post in my homemade cleaners series. I'll be walking you through how to make Scouring Powder, an All-Purpose Spray Cleaner, and my tried-and-true Laundry Detergent. I've also been working on some jar labels, and I'll include a picture of a few prototype labels I’ve been designing.

Salsa simmering in a pot ready to be canned.

Sourdough skillet biscuits are similar to English Muffins

DIY Wood Conditioner made with 3 simple ingredients!

Hanging clothes on the line to dry is one of my simple summer pleasures. I love the smell of the sheets dried in the summer sun.

A fun activity, if you have a little helper, is making homemade dog treats.

My daughter recently asked me to make a "smash cake" for my granddaughter's 1st birthday party. I was thrilled!

I was really dragging my feet on selection window coverings for my living room…