Researching the Homestead Life

Well, here it is, the adventure is beginning now. I have decided that without a shadow of a doubt, I am going to be a "homesteader" or in other words, a self-sufficient "farmer". I use the word "farmer" lightly because I am not going to be anywhere near what I would consider a farmer ((lots of animals, crops, machinery, brains)). I just want to be able to live off the land.

This idea started from my mother, she is very much a gardener and in the summer time rarely buys fruit and vegetables. I remember a few times our meals at dinner were all "from the land". We caught the fish, grew the beans and lettuce, and all the herbs to season the meal. I thought this was so amazing, how she just went into our backyard and gathered our food.

This Christmas I received a book from my sweetie called "The Backyard Homestead". In this book ((alreadyy)) I have learned so much!

One of the first things this book says is to make a list of things you think you would like to grow or raise. Be reasonable, choose things you know you like and know you will eat a lot of. Also to start small and each year add more and more.

Here's my list:

Fruit:                                              Vegetables:                                    Herbs:

Red Raspberries                               Potatoes                                         Mint (all kinds)
Strawberries                                     Sweet Potatoes                              Chives
Apples                                              Broccoli                                         Rosemary
Grapes                                              Asparagus                                     Oregano
Pumpkins                                          Carrots                                          Parsely                                                                                                   
Tomatoes                                          Green Beans                                 Basil
Blackberries                                     Peas                                              Thyme
Rhubarb                                            Peppers (lots of kinds)                  Lavender
                                                          Corn                                             Sage
                                                          Lettuce
                                                          Zucchini
                                                          Onions
                                                            
Animals: We will for sure start with Chickens, but the others will come later!
Chickens
Turkeys
Ducks
Goats
Pigs
Maybe a cow...

We also talked about possibly bees, but that seems like a lot more work and equipment than we want to use.

For now I will continue my research, Here's some books on Homesteading ((YOU)) may be interested in.

Picture Perfect Post

Today's post just makes me so excited for snow! Even though once it's here long enough, it over stays its welcome ((in my mind.))



I want to run down this road so badly!

I could live in a house this small if it looked like this!



 

The Best Hot Chocolate You've Ever Tasted!!

This might be the best Hot Chocolate I have had in awhile and guess what? It's my very own recipe!!

Here's how it goes...

 

This is what you'll need:

Double Boiler

1/2 Cup of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1/2 Cup of Milk Chocolate Chips

2 to 3 Cups Milk

1/2 tsp ((or a little more, to taste) Mint or Almond Extract





First, heat your water in the bottom boiling pan, until you see steam. Then add in your Semi-Sweet Chips. ((I got the mini chips because they melt faster)).

You can add some milk just to help it not stick to your bowl as much.

 



Then add your milk chocolate chips! Keep stirring, do not let it sit too long or let it get too hot. It should stay at Medium heat at all times. ((Otherwise you burn the sweet sweet chocolate :(  ))



Keep stirring until it is to a real soupy consistency. You can keep adding milk during the melting process if you'd like.

 

This is my favorite part. Now you can add in your flavors. I always use Mint, but I have also tried Almond and it was pretty good. If you are adventurous you can also add ground Red Pepper Flakes to make it a "Mexican Hot Chocolate"



Then for your last step, add your milk. This is also "to taste" I like mine more chocolaty so that's why I add between a cup and a half and two cups.



Ladle into a cute mug, add to whipped topping and serve hot!



Enjoy!!

 

Breakdown of a good weekend:

Watched Pride and Prejudice

 WHILE....



Wrapping presents and of course drinking HOT CHOCOLATE!



Have a Happy Monday!!

 

 





The Snowy Deer Plug

A new item has finally hit the shop today! It is probably the item that I love the most and can't wait to see what others think!

Stop by and see the beautiful new item!!

 

 

The New Item!!

 

Everyone...Happy Weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homemade Christmas

I have been getting into the Christmas spirit just about the day after Halloween. I have been unfair to Thanksgiving thats for sure, but I just couldnt help but to dive right into the feelings of the Christmas season.  I went crazy the other day and bought like $80 worth of Christmas decorations!! Sometimes you just have to!

My mother and I hosted a Christmas Ornament/Decoration Crafting party. It was the 1st annual party and from the feedback we got, it's going to become a tradition. Next year though I think will be even bigger!

Here's some of the things I made at the party:

This is an ornament my mother taught everyone to make at the party!

This is a waterless Snowglobe I made out of Village trees and a Mason jar.

I have also been going a little crazy with these little Village Trees...

 

This is the top of my dresser!

Not only have I been making Ornaments, but a few other decorating/wintery thing..



These mittens are recycled from a not so cute Christmas sweater from Goodwill.

This is what I was copying...



This is Mine!

 

 

 

So growing up my mom always had a colbalt blue Christmas tree with snowy owls on it. It was kind of her theme. Well I have been trying to think of the theme I want my tree to be so I can begin to collect ornaments. This is what I have come up with...

 

An All White Christmas Tree.

 

 

These last two picture are from the cutest ship in the world; The Village Shoppes in New Carlise, MI.

The whole store is like a winter wonderland! I love it and try to go there every year.

 

http://www.thevillageshoppes.com/

 

 

Here's my little tree for now...

 

 

 

 

MOOD SETTER: 

Soundtrack to Home Alone....this always gets me in the mood for Christmas!!

                                                  (Source: IMDB.com)



 

"Somewhere in My Memory"
Music by John Williams
Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse

"Star of Bethlehem"
Music by John Williams
Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
Written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane
Produced by John Williams
Performed by Mel Tormé (as Mel Torme)
Courtesy of Concord Records

"Please Come Home for Christmas"
Written by Charles Brown and Gene Redd
Produced and Performed by Southside Johnny Lyon
Courtesy of Cypress Records

"White Christmas"
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by The Drifters
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
Written by Johnny Marks
Performed by Brenda Lee
Courtesy of MCA Records

"Run Rudolph Run"
Written by Johnny Marks
Performed by Chuck Berry
Courtesy of MCA Records

"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"
Written by Dr. Seuss (as Theodore Giesl) and Albert Hague
Performed by Thurl Ravenscroft (uncredited)

"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"
Written by Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots

"Carol of the Bells"
Written by Peter Wilhousky
Performed by Rockapella (uncredited)

Chocolate Croissant Recipe

The other day I was watching "It's Complicated" the movie with Meryl Streep, Alec Bladwin, and Steve Martin. There is a scene in this movie where Steve and Meryl go to her bakery and they make Chocolate Croissants. They looked so amazing and here is the recipe!!

((Source))

 

 

Ingredients

 

170ml cup milk

4 cups to 4 1/2 all-purpose flour,divided

60ml vegetable oil

3 mini chocolate bars

250g butter, softened

2 tsp salt

2 large eggs

¼ oz fresh yeast

3 tblsp caster sugar

125ml warm water

Place butter into a rectangle on wax paper and place in fridge to chill. Add yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar, and water to a bowl and mix, leaving to stand for 5 minutes.

Whilst heating milk, add remaining two tablespoons of sugar, half the amount of flour, vegetable oil, salt and eggs into the yeast mix and mix ingredients together until smooth. Gradually stir in remaining flour until you have a soft dough.

Sprinkle flour onto a hard surface, turn out dough and knead until smooth and elastic. Place in a well-greased bowl and turn dough over, so the top is greased.

Cover and place in a warm place to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Push dough down. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill dough for a further 1 hour. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and roll out. Place chilled butter rectangle in centre of dough, and carefully fold dough over butter.

Pinch the edges to seal. Roll dough out again; fold into thirds, beginning with short side. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Repeat rolling and folding procedure two more times, chilling dough 30 minutes each time.

Wrap dough in aluminium foil, and chill for 8 hours.

 Divide dough into equal portions and roll into balls. Take 1 ball and roll flat on a floured surface, and cut into wedges.

Put 3 pieces of chocolate in the wide end of the wedge of dough and roll the wedge to meet the thinnest part, curl the edges of the dough into a crescent shape and pop onto baking tray.

Cover over and keep in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size. Repeat for all wedges and remaining dough.

Put in oven on Gas mark 7/220°C for 8 minutes or until lightly golden. Place on wire rack to cool and enjoy!

 

I am telling you, these are amazing!!

Recipe found:

http://www.foodlovers.co.nz/recipes/its-complicated-chocolate-croissant.html

Enjoy!!



Free Printables Just for You!!

I have been redecorating lately and my favorite thing to add some flare to any room are these simple print outs!

You can Print them out here or you can order them at my shop SOON and get them with a nice frame! But for now you can still look around! If you want anything before Christmas you must order before the 18th!!

My Shop

 

 

Have fun decorating your house, let me know what you did to decorate!

 

Top 10 Places to Live-- For Outdoorsy People

I have been researching this a lot on my free time. Not that I necessarily want to leave my home town of Stevensville, MI but it would be nice to live in some of these amazing places.



1. Ely Minnesota

9. Wallowa County, Oregon



8. Portland, Maine

7. Pictured Rocks, Upper Peninsula Michigan

 

6.Philipsburg, Montana- Pictured: Flint Creek Valley & Mountain Range

5. Durango, Colorado

4. Hopkins, South Carolina

 

3. Richland County, South Carolina

2. Yosemite Valley, California

1. Aspen, Colorado

 

 I get so excited when I see mountain scape like these.

 

 

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Romans 1:20 ESV

 

How can you look at the Mountains and NOT see Christ.