Holy Homesteading

Woods Full of Story Trees

I'm blessed to have several writer friends close enough to meet with and it seems we are facing the same conundrum. What story to focus on next? I mean how do you really pick? It's like picking a favorite tree in the woods. Do you go for the big project and tackle it? Or doContinue reading "Woods Full of Story Trees"

Peach Butter

Peaches are 99 cents a lb here so I have been trying out some new recipes to use peaches in! I picked up just a couple from the grocery store to try making some peach butter. Check out how I made it and my recipe below! Ingredients 4 big peaches 1/4 cup of sugar SqueezeContinue reading "Peach Butter"

Library Remnants, New Life, & Poetry

So I'm a bit of a book hoarder and when I see a pile of free books it's hard to resist rummaging through each worn title. Sometimes I find a subject I'm genuinely curious about and want to read- great. But what about the two dozen that don't have a happy home? Book art. HaveContinue reading "Library Remnants, New Life, & Poetry"

Nature Writing 101

Guest Post by Janelle Franz blogging at Invent Your Story. I’m not a professor. Before you hit X, you need to know I did take a nature writing class in college. So, I am professionally taught. Right now, my butt is on a rock and an oak root is buddying up to my coffee mug.Continue reading "Nature Writing 101"

Basil Oil Recipe

Ingredients 2 bunches of basil Boiling water Ice bath Oil strainer with cheese cloth or fine mesh strainer Oil container How To Take your basil, leave it whole on the stems, the stems will add color and some flavor to the oil. Blanch the basil for 20 seconds in boiling water and then set inContinue reading "Basil Oil Recipe"

Crickets, Feedback, and Moving Forward

I've submitted my stories so many places and rarely do I hear more than crickets stuffed inside form rejection letters. The crickets are a bit annoyed but not harmed in the making of this blog post. So you'll understand my delight when a recent rejection returned with feedback! Say what?! Insert happy dance in theContinue reading "Crickets, Feedback, and Moving Forward"

Summer Salad Recipe

In the late summer I find so many good deals on fresh ingredients from the farmers market that I often over buy and do not know how to incorporate it all into my meals. Fresh salsa, fruit salads, roasted veggies, so many options! I thought I would share a super simple recipe that you canContinue reading "Summer Salad Recipe"

Anti To-Do List

I'm a sucker for a good to-do list. The kind that has the most menial task on it so I can have the joy of checking it off later. Washed the dishes- check. Brushed my hair- check (come-on I can't be the only one that struggles with that...). But what about all the things IContinue reading "Anti To-Do List"

5 Things To Do In Charleston SC

I recently visited Charleston and we had such a great time, I wanted to share some fun things to do if you are ever in the area. Patriots Point Patriots point was one of our favorite parts of our visit. There is so much history there. You get to tour a aircraft carrier, submarine, Destroyer,Continue reading "5 Things To Do In Charleston SC"

Toddler Fascinations and Moss Gardens

It hadn't rained in two weeks until last night and the smell of wet dirt was heavy in the air. My toddler and I set off to explore our back woods and check on the little forts we'd been slowly constructing over the summer. Her fascination with moss caught my eye. We grabbed her pinkContinue reading "Toddler Fascinations and Moss Gardens"

DIY Farmers Market Tote

Have you ever been to the farmers market and had to shamefully ask for a plastic bag? If you are already trying to do things right by eating locally you should bring a reusable bag so that plastic isn't needed. Fabric Transfer paper is awesome for making custom designs on whatever fabric you want.Continue reading "DIY Farmers Market Tote"

Picture Books and Other Tough Things

It has recently occurred to me, the more stories I write the less and less adult they seem, or maybe it's my toddlers speaking through me. Either way it's a tough business. There are only a handful of children's magazines available to submit to and fewer still big publishers that want to look at yourContinue reading "Picture Books and Other Tough Things"

Hiking Catawba Mountain

Recently I hiked up Catawba mountain in Virginia with family and it was amazing! This is our second time hiking it so we felt more prepared for the hike this time around. All together its an 8.8 mile hike on the Appalachian trail up to McAfee Knob in Virginia. Its one of the most photographedContinue reading "Hiking Catawba Mountain"

DIY Odors… Smelling Good Over Here

I'm sure most of you painfully remember reading that I tossed out my deodorant... I've had a lot of people asking me about it and I knew I was going off the deep end with that one. At the time, I didn't tell anyone (not even my husband) that I'd tossed it. You think heContinue reading "DIY Odors… Smelling Good Over Here"

DIY Wall Hanging

Supplies: Yarn Wooden Dowel Scissors Wooden Beads How To: Take your yarn and make loops with it the length you want, you can use your arm to create your loops. I wrapped mine about ten times each so they all ended up to be the same size. After making your loops you can knot themContinue reading "DIY Wall Hanging"

Kicking Out Chemicals, A Lifestyle Shift

It's funny how kids can change a person's perspective and I'm no exception. I've been slowly dipping my toe into a chemical free (or a least greatly reduced) life. It all started with a batch of DIY laundry detergent as a way to save some money. But when I noticed my family's skin clearing upContinue reading "Kicking Out Chemicals, A Lifestyle Shift"

Blackened Cod with Avocado Cream Recipe

Ingredients Carrot matchsticks 1 Cucumber 1 Avocado 2 servings of Cod 1/2 cup Heavy Cream Salt and Pepper tsp of Lemon Juice Cajun Spice Blend How To: Pat dry Cod with paper towel and season with the Cajun spice blend, and set aside while your pan heats up. You can use any fish youContinue reading "Blackened Cod with Avocado Cream Recipe"

Writing Takeaways & Quotes

We are headed into year three of blogging and I can't help but remember where I've been as a writer, compare it to where I am now, and look at others wisdom in this area. For one blogging has made me a better writer, I try to write tight and concise to save readers timeContinue reading "Writing Takeaways & Quotes"

DIY Flip Flop Makeover

Are you ready for summer? I've been missing the ever important sandals from my shoe arsenal and I can't find what I need. My solution? What I can't find I make and this is no exception. No I'm not saying become a cobbler and make shoes. I am saying break out your inner DIY ninjaContinue reading "DIY Flip Flop Makeover"

Leek and Potato Soup

For my birthday this year I got a Vitamix blender and it has been amazing! If you have ever tried out a Vitamix you know how great they are. The first time I used one was in my culinary class and I fell in love with how smooth it was able to puree food. LeekContinue reading "Leek and Potato Soup"