There are few things nicer to enjoy on a crisp, early-spring morning than a steaming-warm cup of tea. Curling your hands around the mug and taking in the aroma, you can almost feel the promise of the coming turn in weather. Tea has a bit of an exotic reputation of course, due to its near-4000-year history in the global east. That being said, however, have you ever wondered if … [Read more...] about Processing Tea
Preventing Frost Damage
Here in Virginia, it’s been a cold winter, and a snowier one than most of the last odd decade. Come to think of it, that theme seems to be the trend nationwide this year, with even parts of Texas seeing absolutely unheard of weather. As such, this article may be a few days late, but maybe it can be of help before the next storm, or at the very least provide some aid in the … [Read more...] about Preventing Frost Damage
Candle-Making DIY
When the storm hits and the power goes dark, you doubtless have prepared your homestead with a vast array of generators, battery-powered flashlights, and maybe even crank-powered variants. But what if the darkness lasts even longer? Read on for an easy way to may your own candles, to store away in case of emergency. Materials There are many materials to make a candle out … [Read more...] about Candle-Making DIY
Sourdough from Scratch: Part 2
To those looking for this article and not finding it a week ago, my sincere apologies. A few things came up on the homestead requiring my immediate attention, and I am running a week behind schedule. That said, I’ve always heard a week late is better than never, so let’s jump right in on baking your own sourdough. If you are just joining us, and need a primer on how to make the … [Read more...] about Sourdough from Scratch: Part 2
Sourdough from Scratch: Part 1
Sourdough bread--one of the oldest forms of our favorite, gluten-based snacks--has become something of a resurgent celebrity. Amidst the global pandemic, people of various interests and backgrounds suddenly found themselves with more time on their hands, and this tricky-but-delectable sandwich-component became a favorite new skill to develop. Of course, out on the homestead, … [Read more...] about Sourdough from Scratch: Part 1
