Because we don’t have central air conditioning, we try to keep our house naturally cool during the summer. That means we cook indoors as little as possible. Through the years, we’ve used a modern grill on our deck and then … Read More
My new book, Homegrown and Handmade, second edition, comes out next month, and I’m incredibly honored that farmer extraordinaire Joel Salatin wrote the Foreword. ~~ Deborah by Joel Salatin “What can I do?” The question encompasses both the angst and … Read More
Someone once told me that she attended a conference where one of the presenters asked the audience, “How many of you can’t stand the thought of a dead animal?” A number of people raised their hands. Then the presenter said, … Read More
I was originally drawn to Plowing with Pigs and Other Creative, Low-Budget Homesteading Solutions because I am planning to raise pigs, but it turns out you really can’t judge a book by its cover! While there is a chapter about … Read More
When it comes to jewelry on the homestead, you have to think about your safety, your animals’ safety, and your happiness, in no particular order. Fifteen years ago when we moved out here from the city, I loved to wear … Read More
You’ve probably thought about what you’d like to accomplish in 2017. I sure have! Most people talk about “resolutions” for the new year, but did you know that most resolutions are forgotten before the end of January? In fact, one … Read More
Because I’ve been at this homesteading thing since 2002, it gets a little tough sometimes to remember how things were in the early days. Of course, I will never forget my biggest bloopers and real tragedies, but I don’t always remember … Read More
How do you get everything done? That’s probably the most common question I’m asked about homesteading. Time management on the homestead really is not any different than time management in professions that are characterized by a fair amount of unpredictability … Read More
When we first moved to the country in 2002, I had no idea what I needed to survive the outdoors during winter. That first year, I was so cold because I wasn’t dressing properly for the weather. Over the years, … Read More
When I started reading about how to make soap, I noticed that everyone said I needed to have a digital kitchen scale. Why do I need a scale to make soap when people have been making soap for thousands of … Read More
Thrifty Homesteader is about creating a more sustainable life, but what exactly does that mean? It means making choices that will make you healthier...
