If you’ve ever opened a crochet pattern and felt like you were reading a completely different language… you’re not alone. Between the abbreviations, symbols, and shorthand instructions, patterns can look pretty intimidating at first. What does SC mean? Why does this say SK? What in the world does DC2TOG mean?! One of the first things…
Canning season starts with strawberries in my family. It’s one of the first fruits to produce in our area, and while our strawberry bed doesn’t grow enough yet for our family, I take advantage of local sales and farms. This year, one of the biggest hits in my family is strawberry lemonade concentrate, a delicious,…
There’s just something about summer camping with kids that makes everything feel a little simpler—and a lot messier in the best way. After a long day of hiking, fishing, or just exploring the woods, nobody wants to spend hours cooking over a campfire. That’s why I always keep a handful of easy, no-fuss camping dinners…
If you have a small vegetable garden, that doesn’t mean you can’t grow plenty of food. Lack of size doesn’t indicate lack of productivity. With the right small garden layout, you can grow plenty of veggies for your family. We have a large garden; I’m currently operating on almost a quarter of an acre. However,…
If you’ve spent any time researching gardening on social media, you’ve probably seen those colorful companion planting charts promising bigger harvests and fewer pests—just by planting the “right” crops together. That may have led you to wonder – does companion planting TRULY work? But here’s the truth:Some companion planting methods work really well… some barely…
When you have kids, a sore throat seems to be JUST around the corner. Everyone seems to be fine, then the dread words appear. “Mom, my throat hurts.” It’s currently May, and my kids are passing a cold back and forth, accompanied by a sore throat. We use cough drops, but a soothing, herbal sore…
Soil is the foundation for your garden, so you want it to be healthy, well-draining soil. But what if you are trying to grow vegetables in poor soil? Is it fixable? YES! I always grew my garden in raised beds; I knew the soil around my house wasn’t the best, and raised beds eliminated that…
Did you know that most Americans have less than a two weeks worth of food in their house? The COVID pandemic should have changed those numbers. Most of us remember when shelves became bare all of a sudden, but the general food supply kept by families hasn’t yet changed. Experts recommend having a 3-month food…
I started canning well over 10 years ago, and it has been a learning process. You can watch a dozen videos and reels about making jellies or jams, but the only TRUE way to become proficient is to get your hands dirty. Over time, I came up with some canning tips I think everyone should…
Did you ever consider that Grandma might have been right? The phones REALLY are the problem. “Grandma hobbies” aren’t from old people; they are cozy, hands-on activities—knitting, baking, gardening, puzzle-solving, and simple crafts. These activities help you slow down, make something real, and feel more grounded. My personal favorite grandma hobby is crocheting. I started…
