homesteaddreamer, Author at Homestead Dreamer

When Homesteading Was Patriotic

June 10, 2015 by homesteaddreamer

The other day, I was surfing around Pinterest and came across some really cool posters from WWII (World War 2). They were all about farming, raising chickens and pigs, planting more beans, and having victory gardens. Homesteading was patriotic, or at least the raising of chickens, pigs, and growing … [Read more...]

I’m Never Buying Peanut Butter (or Roasted Nuts) Again!

June 7, 2015 by homesteaddreamer

There have been a few times in our journey to self-reliance when I decide to learn something new and sit back in shock, wondering why everyone doesn't do <whatever I'm learning about>. Making my own peanut butter is one of them. After yesterday, I'm never buying peanut butter or roasted nuts … [Read more...]

Protecting Your Home Without a Firearm

June 4, 2015 by homesteaddreamer

Other than getting a dog, installing an expensive security system, and buying pepper spray, there are many ways out there for protecting your home, throwing off would be invaders, and buying yourself time to get to safety or neutralize the threat: without a firearm. Now, don't get me wrong. I … [Read more...]

My Island Home – Ketchikan, Alaska

May 27, 2015 by homesteaddreamer

Every now and then, I ask the fans on Facebook what they would like to read about. The last time I did it, one of the long-time fans of the blog, Doris P., said, "I'd like to know more about your island home. Maybe more current stuff. I loved the history video. Things like annual rain fall, usual … [Read more...]

New Skills: My First Batch of Sauerkraut

May 19, 2015 by homesteaddreamer

I don't really do much fermentation. Other than pickling, I just wasn't interested in making kombucha or anything like that. It just didn't appeal to me plus, I already had my hands full of projects. Then came the idea of making sauerkraut for a BBQ celebrating selling 500 copies of my first … [Read more...]

Unraveling the Mystery: Making Jams and Jellies

May 14, 2015 by homesteaddreamer

It's berry season!! Here in Southeast Alaska, we have three different berries that are prevalent: blueberries, huckleberries, and salmonberries. Three years ago, I taught myself how to make jams and jellies (yay for YouTube videos!) and we have not purchased so much as a single jar of either from … [Read more...]

Making Sauerkraut in a Mason Jar

May 12, 2015 by homesteaddreamer

I really don't do much in the way of fermenting, other than pickled food, as a food preservation method. Kombucha, kraut...we don't really eat any of it so there was never a need to learn how to do these things. Recently though, an opportunity came along that pushed me into making my first batch of … [Read more...]