Practical Homesteading

Tag: simple living

  • Holiday Traditions That Root Us: Family, Food, and Connection on the Homestead

    Holiday Traditions That Root Us: Family, Food, and Connection on the Homestead

    Every December, I feel the year take a deep, satisfied breath. The first frost settles on the garden beds and the house grows quiet under early sunsets.

    The holidays don’t arrive in a rush of gifts or glitter. They come as a gentle exhale. It’s an invitation to pause, look back, and give thanks for all we’ve built together as a family.

    The Joy of Holiday Cards

    One of my favorite ways to mark the season is through the tradition of holiday cards. Each one feels like a small window into someone’s life. There’s a handwritten note, a new baby’s smile, a captured moment of love.

    We hang the cards over our doorway. That way, each time we step outside, we pass under a colorful arch of friendship and memory. It’s a daily reminder that while we may live miles apart, the ties that bind us remain close and bright.

    The Tree That Tells Our Story

    Our Christmas tree may not be grand or freshly cut. It’s an old artificial one, gifted by a coworker more than a decade ago. The branches are slightly bent, and a few bulbs refuse to light. Yet when we pull it from the box each year, it feels like greeting an old friend.

    Each ornament holds a fragment of our story. There are handmade trinkets from the kids, crocheted snowflakes from my mother-in-law, and treasures from years past. The tree stands as a quiet symbol of continuity and gratitude. It reminds me that beauty often lives in what endures.

    Simple Joys and Shared Stories

    Every season brings a moment to slow down and savor the familiar. I always find myself rewatching It’s a Wonderful Life.

    George Bailey’s struggles and small joys remind me that even in life’s messiest seasons, there’s beauty in simply showing up. I carry that spirit into my workplace, too. Working remotely most of the year, my in-person time with coworkers feels extra special.

    There’s an ease in sharing stories beyond the screen. We share laughter over drinks, conversations that meander like old friendships, and the reminder that connection doesn’t depend on proximity.

    A Season for Sweetness

    At home, the kitchen becomes the heart of the season. The air fills with the scent of butter, cinnamon, and sugar—the unmistakable signal that it’s cookie time.

    My favorite tradition, though, is baking kranz kuchen. It’s a tender, yeasted bread folded with hickory nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and dates. The recipe has been passed down through generations. Every year we forage the hickory nuts ourselves.

    There’s something sacred about that ritual. We gather food from the land, turn it into something fragrant and celebratory, and share it with those I love.

    Gifts Made of Experience

    Instead of focusing on material gifts, our family gives each other an experience every year.

    A few winters ago, we wandered through the glowing quiet of Cave of the Mounds. Last year, our son’s eyes lit up at the Manitowoc Maritime Museum as he marveled at the USS Cobia.

    This year, we’re heading to Oshkosh to see the light show, visit the EAA Museum, and end the day with dinner and laughter at the Mineshaft. These experiences spark curiosity and wonder. They remind me that time and attention are the greatest gifts we can give our children.

    Gathered Around the Table

    Christmas Eve dinner with my parents is the anchor of the season.

    We gather around a table filled with food that tells our story. The main coarse is pork roast from pigs we raised and sauerkraut made from cabbage grown in my parents’ garden. It’s more than a meal. It’s a celebration of patience, hard work, and the quiet rhythm of the land that sustains us. Every bite tastes like gratitude made tangible.

    The next day, we join my in-laws for a night of laughter, games, and gift exchanges that always end in joyful mayhem.

    Once February arrives, the festivities begin again when my extended family gathers for our belated celebration. Some of my sisters can’t travel in December, but that second gathering has become its own cherished tradition. It’s a spark of warmth that keeps the season alive well into the new year.

    The Heart of Tradition

    Each of these rituals—whether we’re baking, sharing stories through holiday cards, or sitting around the table—reminds me that traditions aren’t about repetition.

    They’re about remembering who we are. The holidays teach me to slow down, to honor what we’ve grown, and to see abundance in what’s already here.

    When the lights fade and the tree comes down, I tuck the cards into a small box. Their words and faces carry the season’s glow into the months ahead.

    And I’m left with the same quiet truth: home isn’t a place or a moment. It’s a feeling—built from love, gratitude, and the steady rhythm of returning to what matters most.

    Join the Conversation

    If these reflections resonate with you, I’d love to share more glimpses of slow, seasonal living from our little homestead.

    Like this post. Share it with someone who cherishes their own family traditions. Subscribe for more reflections on homesteading, family life, and intentional living.

    Let’s keep growing together, one season and one story at a time.

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    The Quiet Wealth of These Fields

    Welcome to the rural economy—where value isn’t counted in cash but in connections. Beneath the wide-open sky, where grain silos and fence posts stitch the land into neat parcels, the real currency is not minted or printed. It’s grown and built, raised and traded. Trust, hard work, the barter of honest services and handmade goods.…

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    Bread Crumbs of Connection

    They say food is a universal language, but sometimes, it also has a quiet legacy. Eleven years ago, I was on a road trip with my mom, aunt, and sister when we stopped at a small restaurant and ordered Swedish meatballs. I still remember how delicious they were: comforting, perfectly spiced, and unforgettable. That afternoon,…

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    #HolidayTraditions #FamilyTime #HomesteadLife #SimpleLiving #SustainableHolidays #HomemadeHolidays #IntentionalLiving #FamilyTraditions #SlowLiving #ChristmasTheHomestead

  • My Biggest Influences from Family, Homesteading, and Simple Living

    My Biggest Influences from Family, Homesteading, and Simple Living

    Who are the biggest influences in your life?

    Keywords
    simple living inspiration, homesteading lifestyle, family-centered life, personal growth journey, rural living values, community and connection, self-sufficiency and family, gratitude and intention

    Influence comes in many forms—some quiet and steady, others bold and life-changing. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on who’s helped shape my journey toward simple living, family-centered growth, and self-sufficiency.

    Books That Shape My Thinking
    Books have always been my greatest teachers. I can spend hours tucked into a good nonfiction guide—whether it’s about self-improvement, gardening, or preserving old homestead traditions. The works of Midwestern authors like Jerry Apps hold a special place in my heart. His book about rural school life reminded me of the values that built strong communities: honesty, grit, and compassion. Reading it inspired me to start writing again and to live more intentionally.

    Another influential book is Ben Logan’s The Land Remembers. His stories of growing up in Wisconsin capture what I love most about rural living. He talks about connection to the land, rhythm of the seasons, and the quiet lessons found in hard work. These authors remind me that storytelling preserves the values and wisdom worth passing on.

    Just as books have shaped how I think about simple living, the people around me continue to shape how I live it each day.

    Community That Inspires Me
    Social media has become a surprisingly powerful influence in my life. My Facebook followers bring so much joy, encouragement, and creativity. We swap garden tips, share family stories, and remind each other that we’re not alone in pursuing intentional living.

    What’s even more special is how online connections can grow into real friendships. Just last week, a friend from high school reached out after reading one of my posts. We met for coffee and had a wonderful conversation. It’s one that bridged years and reminded me how connection can start anywhere, even with a simple post.
    Platforms like YouTube have also become part of my daily rhythm.

    Watching fellow homesteaders and lifestyle creators encourages me to keep learning new skills and to approach life’s routines with curiosity and gratitude.

    Family That Grounds Me
    At the heart of my life is family. My parents and in-laws are always ready to help. Sometimes, it’s lending a hand with a project. Other times, it’s offering wisdom when I need it most. My husband is my constant partner—steadfast, kind, and right beside me whether we’re tending the garden or tackling challenges together.

    My children have become my best teachers. They remind me to slow down, play, and find joy in the small things. Through them, I’ve learned patience, creativity, and how to truly appreciate everyday blessings.

    And my sisters hold a special place in my heart. We share humor, sorrow, and plenty of homesteading projects. Their support and laughter keep me rooted, even when life feels hectic.

    Living and Learning Together
    Every influence—books, community, and family—forms part of the foundation that supports my growth. They motivate me to write, to homestead with purpose, and to live each day with gratitude. Growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it blossoms through shared stories, nurturing relationships, and open hearts.

    Now it’s your turn. Who or what have you found to be influential in your life?

    If this journey speaks to you, I’d love to have you join this community. We discuss simple living, homesteading, and personal growth through family life. Subscribe to my blog for weekly reflections, practical tips, and heartfelt stories about building a life rooted in intention and simplicity. Let’s keep growing and creating something meaningful together.

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  • My Top 5 Essential Grocery Staples for Homesteading and Scratch Cooking

    My Top 5 Essential Grocery Staples for Homesteading and Scratch Cooking

    List your top 5 grocery store items.

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for supporting Practical Homesteading!

    If you walked down a typical grocery store aisle with me, you might think I’m lost. While most American shoppers reach for convenience, I’m the one squinting at sacks of flour, jars of yeast, and tubs of coconut oil — the same staples my great-grandmother probably chose 75 years ago. I don’t shop for ready-made meals; I shop for possibility.

    At home, those bulk ingredients become whatever we need — bread, tortillas, sauces, or even snacks. If I don’t know how to make something, I learn. A simple search and a quiet evening in the kitchen have taught me more than any cookbook could. This hands-on, old-fashioned approach has saved us thousands over the years, but more importantly, it’s built confidence, patience, and gratitude for every meal we share.

    Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy Chinese takeout once in a while! I’ve learned to make my own dumpling and stir-fry recipes — they’re delicious when they turn out, and hilarious when they don’t. (One of my most epic flops was a lemon pepper chicken so salty it could’ve been used as a salt lick.) Mistakes keep me humble, and in a way, they’re the best ingredient for growth.

    Homemade potato chips
    Bloody Mary with mostly homegrown ingredients

    So with gratitude — and a dash of humility — here are my five most essential grocery items and how they shape my kitchen life on the homestead.

    5. Coconut Oil

    Coconut oil (affiliate link) is my go-to multipurpose fat. It melts like butter and works wonders in place of lard or shortening. I use it to pop popcorn, bake desserts, and even blend it into homemade flour tortillas.

    Its aroma — faintly sweet and buttery — adds a subtle depth you can’t quite place but always appreciate.

    Tip: For tender baked goods, replace half the butter or shortening in your recipe with coconut oil, then reduce liquid slightly. It gives just enough chew without the greasy feel.

    4. Active Dry Yeast

    Yeast (affiliate link) is the quiet hero of my kitchen — small, simple, and full of potential. Watching dough rise never loses its magic, especially when the kitchen smells of warm, sweet yeast and anticipation.

    It symbolizes self-reliance: turning flour, water, and salt into something living, breathing, and nourishing.

    Tip: Always proof yeast with a pinch of sugar in warm water (around 110°F). If it bubbles within 10 minutes, your dough is ready to rise.

    3. Chicken and Beef Bouillon Powder

    I lean on chicken (affiliate link) and beef (affiliate link) bouillon powders for soups, gravies, and especially rice. Cooking rice in chicken or beef stock instead of water transforms it from plain to crave-worthy.

    I also mix beef bouillon into my homemade onion soup powder — it adds warmth and richness that store mixes can’t match.

    Tip: Swap half the water for stock when cooking noodles, grains, or vegetables. It’s the fastest way to round out flavor without extra sauces or salt.

    2. Plain White Sugar

    Plain old white sugar earns a spot near the top because it does so much more than sweeten desserts. It wakes up yeast, balances tomato acidity, and — lately — fuels our lemonade habit.

    My sister keeps me well-supplied with lemons, so I make fresh lemonade weekly. When the kids come in sun-dusted and thirsty, that chilled pitcher waiting in the fridge makes them light up.

    Tip: Add a teaspoon of sugar to tomato sauces or soups to tame acidity without losing depth of flavor.

    1. Flour

    If coconut oil is the heart of my pantry, flour is its backbone. I buy high-gluten flour for breadmaking (affiliate link), but I’m excited to experiment more with ancient grains soon.

    The feel of dough under my hands, the smell of a fresh loaf cooling on the counter, and the crackle as it’s sliced — it’s the rhythm that grounds my kitchen.

    Flour builds loaves, tortillas, focaccia, and even desserts. It’s humble, forgiving, and powerful — no one in my house has ever once complained about home-baked anything.

    We rarely buy vegetables from the store, relying instead on what we’ve grown and preserved — jars of tomatoes, beans, and pickles lining the pantry. They remind me that what we grow in summer sustains us long after the frost sets in.

    Our winter meals center around potatoes, onions, and frozen vegetables like broccoli and bell peppers. We’ve experimented with extending our garden season using a small greenhouse and straw. There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling greens or a carrot from a garden while snow still glitters outside.

    As for meat, we’re still building toward full independence. We raise our own pork, purchase beef from my sister’s grass-fed herd, and still buy chicken from the store — for now. One day soon, meat birds will join the homestead lineup, and the circle will feel more complete.

    Each grocery item on this list earns its place not for novelty but for versatility. They remind me that eating well doesn’t require endless ingredients — just a few solid building blocks and the creativity to make them shine.

    This slower, more deliberate approach to cooking has taught me creativity, patience, and gratitude — lessons that spill over into every other area of life.

    Homesteading has shown me that ingredients matter less than the care and love you pour into them. Every loaf, jar, and meal built from raw goods feels like an act of heritage — and hope — in a world that moves too fast.

    Homestead maple syrup

    What five grocery staples would make your list? Please share them in the comments. And if this post inspired you, please like, share, or subscribe to follow more homesteading stories, seasonal recipes, and simple living tips.

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