I've always wanted to make some real pioneer style wood ash lye soap! So I'm going to give it a try. I've done a bit of research using a ton of different books and websites so I can't exactly reference any one specific recipe or site... so I'm making this up as I go along … Continue reading Pioneer style wood ash lye, peppermint soap: a living history experiment
I decided to keep a running list of books I have found useful on helping me figure out how things were done "back in the day". So think of this as my bibliography page in a sense.... along with a lot of lessons from family, friends and people I have met along the way. I … Continue reading How to books: old books that are useful to figuring almost anything out and some other useful random information
Well we have been super busy here, but we did take time out for a visit to the local pioneer village museum to purchase some absolutely huge pumpkins to carve, toast seeds, and make some yummy pumpkin treats (pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cheesecake etc). 'Tis the season for everything pumpkin! Next we cleaned out … Continue reading Fall farm chores to prepare for winter living, and husking some black walnuts!
Today we are making some hand made dish scrubbys! Much more economical than buying a pack at the store and these work great! One small skein of yarn makes quite a few dish scrubbys so make some for yourself and then a few to give to friends and family. They are very simple to make. … Continue reading Easy Handmade dish scrubby mitt
We try to eat healthy here at Conestoga chuck's house. But buying commercial breakfast cereal is very expensive especially if you buy the "healthy" kind. Fortunately granola style breakfast cereal is very easy to make at home and sooooooo much more economical than buying those tiny boxes at the store that maybe have 3 bowls … Continue reading Homemade granola breakfast cereal: a lot more cereal for your hard earned money!
Over the summer I made sure to stock up on a bunch of beeswax from our local farmers market. But don't worry if you didn't think ahead and didn't stock up locally! I will post a link where you can order some online. You can also check your local craft store. I like to have … Continue reading Beeswax recipe: DIY furniture polish, doggie paw protectant, human hand and foot cream, and winter lip balm!
Please note: as an amazon associate I earn from qualified purchases If you have a bad back like I do (or any health problems really) or maybe an elderly person that isn't too steady on their feet, this electric walk way mat is worth it's weight in gold!HeatTrak Heated Snow Melting Walkway Mat | Outdoor … Continue reading Electric heated walkway mat for locations that snow a lot: a mega back saver!
A couple months ago I bought a stratolounger snuggle up recliner chair for Conestoga Chuck. Yes I buy furniture specifically for my kiddos! It had mixed reviews but I decided after looking at multiple chairs that this was the only one I could find that met my requirements: 1. Won't trap dog fur, easy to … Continue reading Best chair for tiny living and puppy snuggling
Here in Montana there is a list of things we must accomplish for winter prep, and this year it seems we are in for a little bit of an early winter snow forecasted for next week (our second snow this "fall"). First the lawn sprinklers at the house have to be blown out so they … Continue reading RV winter prep for storage
Human here: today I'm preparing some raw wool sheered straight off the sheep so I can use it for felting and spinning etc. Conestoga Chuck has a tendency to stuff his nose in the bag of raw wool occasionally to get a good sniff and so I have to watch or before I know it … Continue reading Preparing raw wool for crafting, felting and spinning into yarn, oh my!
Conestoga Chuck 