Stories, Lessons & Practical Tips from the Homestead

Explore our blog for real-life insights and hard-earned lessons from our off-grid journey. From DIY projects to everyday challenges, each post is packed with hands-on advice and personal stories that bring homesteading to life.

Whether you’re just starting out or already deep into self-sufficiency, you’ll find helpful tips, relatable mishaps, and plenty of inspiration to fuel your own path toward independence.

  1. Featured image for “My Favorite Thanksgiving Yet”
    December 5, 2014

    My Favorite Thanksgiving Yet

    After polishing off the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers, I want to tell you about our Thanksgiving. We had initially planned to go up north to visit Jenn’s side of the family.…

  2. Featured image for “Little Dude’s Life-Threatening Allergies”
    December 5, 2014

    Little Dude’s Life-Threatening Allergies

    We not only have 1 child with life-threatening allergies, but two. Buddy, our oldest, is deathly allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts, and a few minor things which cause hives such as cats…

  3. Featured image for “Mini Hand Dug Swale – Fall Update”
    December 1, 2014

    Mini Hand Dug Swale – Fall Update

    Here’s a real quick video showing how the swale is doing after a hot summer with only rainwater to keep things alive. Here’s a link to the Mini Hand Dug Swale playlist…

  4. Featured image for “Mr. Heater – Big Buddy with 20 lb Propane Tank – Review”
    November 17, 2014

    Mr. Heater – Big Buddy with 20 lb Propane Tank – Review

    How to use Mr. Heater Big Buddy with a 20-pound propane tank In the video below, I show you the first time I started up and used my Mr. Heater Big Buddy…

  5. Featured image for “Turning East Texas Red Clay Into Brown Soil”
    November 12, 2014

    Turning East Texas Red Clay Into Brown Soil

    How can you turn East Texas red clay into brown soil? Those of you who live or play around red clay know just how invasive it can become. You can step in…

  6. Featured image for “Easy Freeze Plug Fix for Jeep Wrangler”
    November 6, 2014

    Easy Freeze Plug Fix for Jeep Wrangler

    How to fix a freeze plug with JB Water Weld This isn’t the classic “homesteading” post, but it is part of our journey. the video below shows you an easy freeze plug fix for…

  7. Featured image for “It’s Pumpkin Time! A Fun Pumpkin Craft for Young Children”
    October 29, 2014

    It’s Pumpkin Time! A Fun Pumpkin Craft for Young Children

    Fall is all about family and pumpkins! We recently visited our local pumpkin patch and had a wonderful time learning about pumpkins and picking them out to bring home! After our visit…

  8. Featured image for “Make Easy Pumpkin Pie Spice Coffee at Home”
    October 25, 2014

    Make Easy Pumpkin Pie Spice Coffee at Home

    Every morning Little Dude and I get up before the rest of the family. I guess he just likes his daddy time. One of the first things we do each morning is…

  9. Featured image for “Homemade Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin”
    October 24, 2014

    Homemade Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin

    My husband and boys have extremely sensitive skin. They will break out from anything, a rough tag on the back of their shirt to fabric that makes them sweat and itchy which…

  10. Featured image for “Autumn Leaf Craft”
    October 22, 2014

    Autumn Leaf Craft

    Buddy, Little Dude, and I take a walk almost everyday. Some days, if the weather is nice, we take 2-3 walks. As the season started to change from Summer to Autumn, Buddy…