My Vertical Garden Victory: Tomatoes and Strawberries in a GreenStalk Planter
Tomato season is in full swing, and this year’s harvest is looking fantastic! My secret to success? The 5-Tier GreenStalk Original Vertical Planter. It’s an amazing solution that lets me grow both my tomatoes and strawberries in the same container, saving space and making watering a breeze. The photos below show just how well everything is doing. I’ve been growing tomatoes on the upper tiers, including some beautiful purple cherry tomatoes and some larger green […]
The Ultimate Oklahoma “Desperation-Style” Pecan Pie
My in-laws recently gifted me a generous pile of home-grown pecans from their orchard in Oklahoma. There’s something special about baking with ingredients that have a story, and these pecans inspired me to create a pie that was true to its roots: simple, honest, and utterly delicious. In the spirit of old-fashioned “desperation pies”—resourceful desserts made with whatever was on hand—we developed this recipe for an Oklahoma Pecan Pie. It’s a modern homage to a […]
From My Kitchen to Yours: The Ultimate Homemade Birria Tacos
There are some recipes that feel like an event. They take a little time, fill your home with the most incredible aromas, and deliver a meal that feels truly special. Friends, this Birria de Res recipe is one of those events, and I am so excited to share it with you today. After seeing these rich, cheesy, dippable tacos everywhere, I knew I had to try making them from scratch. I wanted to do it […]
The Absolute Best Thai Yellow Curry: A Kitchen Project for a Rainy Day
Hey there, fellow food lovers and homesteaders! There are some recipes that are quick and easy weeknight wins. This is not one of them. This is a rainy Saturday project. This is a “let’s see what these kitchen gadgets can really do” recipe. It’s a culinary adventure that started with a hilarious image of a mad scientist in his lab (you know the one!) and ended with the most unbelievably delicious Thai Yellow Curry I […]
Indulge in Gigantic, Bakery-Style Cinnamon Rolls at Home (Bread Machine Dough!)
Are you ready to elevate your breakfast or brunch game? Forget those sad, small cinnamon rolls! We’re talking about massive, incredibly fluffy, and generously frosted cinnamon rolls, perfectly sized for your 6-ounce muffin pan. The secret to this amazing recipe? Your trusty bread machine for effortless dough prep! This recipe is designed to yield six truly substantial cinnamon rolls, each one a delightful indulgence. Get ready for that warm, cinnamon-sugar aroma to fill your kitchen! […]
Black Forest Magic: A “Creeping Crust” Cobbler for Summer Nights
There are some recipes that feel like pure magic, and this, my friends, is one of them. It’s the height of summer here on the farm, the air is warm, and our cherry trees have been generous. What better way to celebrate the bounty of the season (and a beautiful 4th of July afternoon!) than with a dessert that’s as surprising as it is delicious? I’m calling this my Black Forest Creeping Cobbler. Forget everything […]
A Gardener’s Guide to Spring in the Pacific Northwest
If you garden in the Pacific Northwest, you know the feeling. After a long, gray winter, there’s a shift. The rain feels a little warmer, the days get a little longer, and a specific kind of excitement starts to bubble up. Spring is finally, truly here. For us, the sign is when the nights are consistently staying above 40°F. It’s the green light we’ve been waiting for! This is the crucial moment to start moving […]
Sourdough Starter from scratch
A Comprehensive Guide to Creating a Sourdough Starter from Scratch: The Sandor Katz Inspired Method Sourdough starter, also known as a “mother” or “levain,” is a living culture of wild yeasts and bacteria that naturally leaven and flavor bread. Creating one from scratch is a rewarding process that connects you to ancient baking traditions. Sandor Katz’s philosophy embraces the simplicity and natural magic of fermentation. The Core Principle: You are creating a hospitable environment for […]
Protecting Spring Bulbs from a Late PNW Frost
The Pacific Northwest weather keeps teasing us lately. This morning it was 29 degrees. I have the hyacinths covered with bell jars to keep them from freezing and I mulched all of the little tender crocuses. They all thought the couple of warm days were the indicator to do their thing. Someday spring will actually arrive and then it will be non-stop gardening and preserving until October-ish. Stay tuned for updates as the busy season […]
Coexisting with Wildlife on a PNW Homestead: Friends & Foes
One of the greatest joys of living on our piece of land in the Pacific Northwest is sharing it with the local wildlife. From the birds in the trees to the deer that wander through at dusk, our property often feels like a calm, welcome stop for them. But as any gardener knows, coexisting with wildlife is a delicate balance between wonder and frustration. Learning which animals are friends to the garden and which are […]