Holistic Home | Mtn. Girls Homestead Montana

Welcome

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Welcome to Mountain Girls Homestead! My name is Michelle and I'm an RN, a family Herbalist, certified Aromatherapist, and a certified Holistic Health/Wellness Coach. I was born and raised in Montana, where I live in the mountains with my family. I am an outdoor enthusiast. Hunting, fishing and camping runs deep in my blood. I have an organic garden in zone 3. I forage for and grow herbs from which I make my own home- made remedies. Holistic nutrition, baking/cooking from scratch, and making soaps and salves are my daily activities that drive this holistic homestead. My heart-felt passion is to share the knowledge that I have learned over years of research, trial, error, and persistence. I hope that this site will encourage you to start living a more holistic, homegrown, homemade, & self-sufficient lifestyle.

I welcome you into parts of my simple, yet crazy busy, fulfilled life.

Michelle

At the UpCountry Vintage Market in Helena, MT🩷🌸💕
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#mountaingirlshomestead #chickensinthelavender #upcountryvintagemarket #handmadesoap #coldprocessedsoap #soapmakersofinstagram #madeinmontana #montananade #homesoapmaking #homegrownliving #selfcare #sudsandlather #homesteadlife #lifeskills #homesteadhomemaking #organicsoap #onthego #vintageshow

Montana Huckleberry Hotcakes on the Griddle💜🥞
I miss camping during deep winter. I was craving the crispy edges of grilled hotcakes. I took out some frozen huckleberries from summer and made hotcakes on the outdoor griddle for a snack. 💜
🥞 I will be putting the recipe on my website soon. 💜
PS: The difference between a pancake and a hotcake is:
Pancakes are wider, thinner with a fluffy texture. A hotcake, is thicker and denser.
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#mountaingirlshomestead #chickensinthelavender #hotcakes #huckleberries #outdoorgrilling #afternoonsnack #campingbreakfast #grillingrecipes #grillinglife #grilling #blackstonegriddle #griddlecooking #homemadefood #homesteadlife #huckleberry #homemadefromscratch #homesteadcooking #campingfood

#homesteadshares #mountaingirlshomestead #chickensinthelavender #harvestrightlove #harvestrightfreezedryer #lifeskills #keeperofthefood #homemaking #workingkitchen #womenwhoprep #knowledgeispower #microhomestead #sustainablelifestyle #homesteadlife #inmykitchen #preppermom #learnnewskills #foodstorage #sustainablefood #freezedrying #preservingfood #freezedriedmeals #emergencypreparedness #homemaker #homesteadersofinstagram #modernhomesteading #foodsecurity #knowyourfood #wearethehomemakers

What self-sufficiency means to me, as a single woman.
~I make bread on my days off~
“The only person you should try to better than, is the person you were yesterday.”
~Anonymous
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#mountaingirlshomestead #chickensinthelavender #selfreliance #simpleliving #lifeskills #workingkitchen #womenwhoprep #frugalliving #homesteadlife #womeninspiringwomen #homemadebread #homemakerskills #learnnewskills #sourdough #breadbaking #breadday #sourdoughbread #selfsufficiency #sustainablefood #prepperkitchen #sourdoughbaking

~Morning chores, pics and getting ready for my favorite show, #helenaholidaymadefair. 🎄
~The start of my new soap line, Honey Butters, will be there, (Sweet Orange Honey Butter). 🛁
~We were up late last night cutting labels, boxing up soaps, listening to Christmas musics, and then loading up the soap trailer this morning.🎄
~Hope to see you there, at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds!🩵☃️❄️
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#mountaingirlshomestead #chickensinthelavender #handmadesoap #homesteadinglife #smallhomebusiness #homebusiness #helenaholidaymadefair #handmademt #shoplocal #buyhandmade #soapbusiness #soapmaker #smallbusinessowner #workingmom #growingmybusiness #madeinmontana #montanamade #406life #homesteadlife #happychickens #raisingchickens #womenownedbusiness #supporthandmade #homesteadbusiness #shopsmallbusiness #christmasgifts #homesteadersofinstagram #morningchores

Moose Soap🧼
Rendering down moose fat into tallow, (purifying fat down to obtain a clear, usable fat.) My dad shot a moose this year and the fat was saved and I turned it into a pure, tallow bar of soap.🧼 (using moose tallow, lye and water).
Utilizing and preserving an animal God gave us.🌸
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#chickensinthelavender #mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadlife #homesteadliving #workingkitchen #frugalliving #womenwhoprep #knowledgeispower #nativeways #lifeskills #holistichomesteading #simpleliving #inmykitchen #homesteadprepper #homesteadskills #handmadesoap #tallowsoap #sustsainableliving #homemakerskills #homesteadersofinstagram #soapbusiness #homesteadbusiness #oldfashionedonpurpose #modernhomestead #naturalsoap #soapersofinstagram #workingmom #montanalife #wastefreeliving

Making chunky, hand knitted blankets. This is a new skill I learned. I’ve always wanted one of these and now, I have made 9. It has been gratifying, enjoyable and relaxing making them. I made one for me and the rest will be gifted to family for Christmas. Each blanket took me about 4 hours to make. With the the foundation of making these blankets, I am challenging myself to pursue in making more intricate and difficult details for the next ones. It is really empowering learning a new skill, especially when it comes to it being hand made. It is a heart felt Blessing to give to another. I encourage you to make one for yourself or gift to someone🌸
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#mountaingirlshomestead #chickensinthelavender #handmadebyme #handmadewithlove #handmade #chunkyblankets #hobbylobby #handcrafted #homemaking #frugalliving #simplelife #lifeskills #keepersofthehome #workinghands #homesteadcrafts #christmaspresentideas #learnnewskills #simpleliving #alwayslearning #handmadegifts #craftermom #homesteadinglife #homemaker #giftideas #handcraftedgifts #yarn

🌸This is a new season. A new journey, a new chapter of life. A fresh start.
🌸You are never too old to learn something new. Or in my world, to start a new life, a new beginning. This has been a season of growing and learning. Of intense healing. A season of change, of surrender to what is out of my control, to learn what it is to be still, be at peace and calmness.
🌸Setting myself free from an abusive marriage and an unfaithful husband. Coping with the stress and uncertainty, I have finally been able, after all of these years…. Be at Peace. To grieve, to accept, to move on. 🌸Today is a new day. I no longer allow emotions and fear to paralyze me. I know who I am in God’s eyes. I know what it’s like to fall on my knees and cry out #to God. This exposes me like an open ulcer, but it healing to me to write this down.
🌸I’m learning new skills, learning new ways to live. Joy and sorrow come in waves. Rebranding of our website will come after the first of the year. The girls and I are loving and enjoying our new life. We are healthy and thriving.
🌸Thank you to all of those who love us, prayed for us and supported us. We appreciate you.Thank you mom and dad, I don’t know where I would be without you.
💜to a new start and a new name:
💜Chickens in the Lavender💜.
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#mountaingirlshomestead #chickensinthelavender #healingjourney #anewstart #newbeginings #homesteadlife #grief #godisgood #godlovesyou #strongwomen #womensupportingwomen #womenownedsmallbusiness #myhealingjourney #joy

~Just hanging out with the girls, freshening up the coop and their dirt bath bed🌸
~So much on my mind, but when I’m outside hanging out with the girls, my worries lighten.
~I smile… with joy and thankfulness🌸
~So much to be thankful for,
So I’ll start with three. Why three? I have three kids, therefore, three is my number.🌸
#1 Thankful my girls made it through some harsh winter nights and days.
2# Thankful for the girl’s beautiful eggs.
#3 Thankful for good baking days.
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#mountaingirlshomestead #chickens #happychickens #raisingchickens #homesteadinspiration #myhomesteadlife #homesteadlife #homesteadliving #simpleliving #thankful #sustainableliving #homemakerlife #selfsufficiency #homesteader #homesteadkitchen #homesteadblessings #homesteadingmama #microhomestead #homesteadersofinstagram #eggs #chickensofinstagram

“If you really want to make a friend, go round someone’s house with a freshly baked loaf of sourdough bread.” ~Chris Geiger
Homemade Bread
~Warms the house
~Draws us around the counter with a butter knife in hand
~Warms the soul
~Nourishes the body
~Warms the heart from satisfied smiles
~Is a blessing to those in need
~A gift given to a friend
~Homemade bread comes from the heart
~It is a skill no one can take away from you
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#mountaingirlshomestead #frugalliving #simpleliving #simplelife #lifeskills #workingkitchen #knowledgeispower #scratchbaking #homesteadliving #homesteadlife #goodforyourhealth #homebaker #alwayslearning #myhomesteadlife #homesteadingskills #homemadebread #breadbaking #sourdoughbaking #sourdough #sourdoughbaker #wildyeast #breadday #sourdoughlove #sourdoughbread #womenwhoprep

Canning Stew Meat
~Ask anyone why they preserve their own food, and we pretty much share the same answer.
~I also feel this way,
Yes, I am putting food into my storage,
~but I also enjoy canning
~I like the sound of my canners
~I like the hard work and exhaustion that comes with it
~It’s rewarding… satisfying
~It’s the contentment of being self sufficient
~It’s nourishing to those whom consume it
~I’ve preserved an animal I respect that has fed my family
~I’ve conquered a skill to pass into the next generation
~I can be creative with making meals
~My pantry is full for those days that we need it.
…. Take the first step
~Buy that canning book
~Read it, get familiar with the vocabulary, process, supplies and ingredients
~With each paycheck, buy a new supply, then your canner of choice, then your ingredients
~You have nothing to lose and everything to gain❤️
~Remember: You are always learning🩷
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#mountaingirlshomestead #thecreativekitchen #hardworkinghomesteaders #sustainablelifestyle #healthyhome #homesteadliving #homesteadlife #homesteadingskills #homesteadkitchen #womenencouragingwomen #womenwhoprep #alwayslearning #puttingupfood #learnnewskills #keeperofthefood #simpleliving #homesteadprepper #workingkitchen #canning #selfsufficientliving #foodstorage #preservingfood #oldfashionedskills #knowyourfood #canningandpreserving #prepperskills #sustainablelifeskills

Merry Christmas 🎄☃️��🎁
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#mountaingirlshomestead #merrychristmas2023

My Christmas this year🎄
My girls are healthy, my fur baby is not. She won’t be with us next Christmas. We will be gathering around the table with lovely homemade foods from the heart. Gathering around the couch, touching, comforting, talking, and loving my fur baby girl. 🐾🐾💔
Her and I will nap together. I will tell her over and over how much I love her. I will hold her and praise her for being such a faithful, loving, protective and hilarious best friend🐾🐾
She will go to Heaven with all my secrets and our memories. The family is broken hearted, yet there is joy because it’s Christmas☃️
Life will go on, just not the same.
Thankful, grateful, joyful, can all coincide with grief.
Memory sharing with blurry eyes,tears trickling in the ears…. It’s okay, we’ll be okay…
My girls are singing to Christmas music and the harmony is beautiful🩵
They are gifted💕
Homemade presents for Christmas with vintage packaging.. wonderful cookies and cakes..I smile with joy…..
I am blessed❤️
Thank you Lord💜
This is a special Christmas ☃️
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#mountaingirlshomestead #christmas2023 #thankfulgratefulblessed #thankful #merrychristmas #myfurbaby🐾 #youwillbemissed #

Saturday hanging out with my girls💜
Lots of outside chores today. Hauled in some beautiful alfalfa bales for the girls, turning over older hemp bedding and alfalfa, (deep litter method), and the coop and run is warm and toasty.💜
Such a beautiful day, frosty, sparkly, 38*F and perfect to do outside chores.
🎄🎄Merry Christmas ☃️☃️
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#mountaingirlshomestead #smallscalehomesteading #sustainablelifestyle #freerangechickens #homesweethomestead #homesteadlife #homesteadliving #myhomesteadlife #homesteadmoments #mountainliving #simpleliving #montanalife #homestead #homesteadingmama #happychickens #raisingchickens #onthehomestead #modernhomestead #wethehomesteaders #homesteadersofinstagram #nurseswhohomestead #montanaliving #myflock #chickeneggs #chickens #winterchickens #chickenkeeper #wintercoop #chickensareawesome

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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadbusiness #simpleliving #shophandmade #shoplocal #smallbusinesssale #madeinmontana #sale #christmasgifts #montanamade #soapbusiness #workingmom #holidaygiftideas #holisticskincare #familyherbalist #homebusiness #artisansoap #homebusinessowner #homesteadlife #homesteadapothecary #homemakerskills #soapmaker

What I do on cold winter days..
❄️❄️I can chicken❄️❄️
Grabbed a few packages of organic chicken from Costco, and canned 7 quarts of shelf stable meat for those meals on the fly.
☃️ Made chicken stir fry for lunch from previously canned chicken.
… Meals I make from my canned chicken:
~chicken stir fry
~chicken noodle soup
~chicken tacos
~chicken alfredo
~chicken pot pie
~chicken spaghetti
~chicken salad sandwiches
~fried rice
~chicken artichoke pizza
~chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy
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#mountaingirlshomestead #microhomestead #homesteadliving #homesteadlife #womenwhoprep #pantrystores #keeperofthefood #simplelife #foodpreservation #workingkitchen #scratchcooking #canningandpreserving #homesteadprepper #homesteadkitchen #cookfromscratch #homecanning #canningfood #preserving #mealsinjars #dinnerideas #homemakerskills #homemakerlife #homesteadpantry #simpleliving #selfsufficientliving #inmykitchen #mypantry #pressurecanning

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#mountaingirlshomestead #simpleliving #homesteadlife #homesteadliving #myhomesteadlife #homesteadcrafts #homesteadapothecary #homesteadbusiness #inmykitchen #homemakerskills #holisticskincare #familyherbalist #handmademt #madeinmt #montanamade #homebusiness #womanentrepreneur #soapbusiness #soapersofinstagram #homebusinessowner #womanownedbusiness #handmade #supportsmallbusiness #sustainableliving #holidaygiftideas #wastefreeliving #shophandmade #artisansoap #raisingstrongdaughters #workingmom

🎄Getting ready for our big Helena Holiday Show this weekend with @handmademt 🎁
🎄Been busy making and cutting labels, making unique gifts, little gem sets, bath teas, massage bars, loofah soap, lip balms, lotion bars, baby care sets and so much more!
🎄 Come check us out this Friday from 5-8pm and Saturday from 9-4pm, at the Helena MT Fairgrounds🎁🎁🎁🎁
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#mountaingirlshomestead #simpleliving #homesteadlife #homesteadliving #myhomesteadlife #homesteadcrafts #homesteadapothecary #homesteadbusiness #inmykitchen #homemakerskills #holisticskincare #familyherbalist #handmademontana #madeinmontana #montanamade #homebusiness #womanentrepreneur #soapbusiness #soapmakersofinstagram #homebusinessowner #womanowenedbusiness #handmade #supportsmallbusiness #sustainableliving #holidaygiftideas #wastefreeliving #shophandmade #artisansoap #raisingstrongdaughters #workingmom

🎄We are excited to announce that we are going to be in the @handmademt Helena Holiday Made Fair, coming this December1st and 2nd, at the fairgrounds in Helena MT. Friday from 5pm-8pm and Saturday from 9am-4pm, with free admission from 10am-4pm.
🎄 We will have new products available and I am so excited to showcase my new unscented herbal soaps. 🤗
🎄 November has had me extremely busy, so I haven’t had time to get our new products on the website, but I will after the show.
🎄 We’ll have new soaps, salves, lotion bars, bath teas and unique gift ideas.
🎄 New soaps are:
Montana
At the Lake
Tumeric Spice
Pumpkin Spice
Chamomile Oats(unscented)
Evergreen Tips(unscented)
RoseHip Seed Oil(unscented)
Calendula Carrot(unscented)
🎄 Stop by and see us🎄 We can’t wait!!☃️🎁
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadbusiness #homesteadlife #homebusinessowner #handmademontana #handmademt #supportlocalbusiness #madeinmt #helenaholidaymadefair #soapbusiness #handmadebyme #homemadesoaps #homesteadliving #soapmakersofinstagram #homemadegifts #handcrafted #smallbusiness #womanentrepreneur #supporthandmade #shopsmallbusiness #supportthemakers #madeinmontana #montanamade #homebusiness #nurseswhohomestead #helenamontana

Six days☀️❄️
From 78*F to 18*F
Picking golden calendula one day to 2 feet of snow the next🌻❄️
⛰️Montana🏔️
Loaded with a beauty all of it’s own🏔️
……crazy, wild, the entertaining, unpredictable changing of seasons…..
…….yet, the stillness……
brings me peace, causing me to slow down… I need it🩵
……..capturing beauty with each color
embracing the changing temps
……..I crave it…
The wildness of where I live… deep within my soul
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#mountaingirlshomestead #406 #406life #montanalife #myhomesteadlife #homesteadlife #deepsnow #changingoftheseasons #mountainliving #homesteadersofinstagram #montanawinter #wildweather

~Homemade outdoor pooper🚽
Montana Style
🍁Spent the day hiking, exploring and sighting the guns in🍁
🍁A gorgeous October day🍁
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#mountaingirlshomestead #simpleliving #myhomesteadlife #homesteadlife #homesteadfamily #outdoorlife #october #montanalife #406life #myhappyplace #fall #fallbeauty #getoutdoors #outdoortoilet #getoutdoorsinoctober #myfavoriteseasonoftheyear #mountainstream #outdoorcooking

~Giving the girls the last of the zucchini and a few handfuls of raspberries for the end of harvest season.
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#mountaingirlshomestead #smallscalehomesteading #microhomestead #homesteadlife #homesteadinglife #freerangechickens #seasonalfood #homesteadliving #simpleliving #chickens #raisingchickens

🍎Went apple picking at a local orchard, with the girls the other day🍏
🍎Then we had dinner at the lake🍏
🍎A perfect fall day🍏
🍎145 pounds of apples, that filled 2 large coolers🍏
🍎”What the heck are you going to do with all those apples?” You might ask.
🍏It’s crazy simple…. My hair will be in a bun, apron on, the stereo will be blasting, and I’ll be canning and prepping for 2 days to get it done🍎
🍎The plan:
~Apple Butter
~Applesauce
~Apple Pie Filling
~Dehydrated Apples
🍎And I’ll go back next year to do it all over again🥰🍏
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#mountaingirlshomestead #seasonalfood #thecreativekitchen #homesteadliving #homesteadlife #homesteadkitchen #appleharvest #inmykitchen #simpleliving #preppermom #womenwhoprep #homemaker #foodpreservation #workingkitchen #pantrystores #preservingtheharvest #canningandpreserving #canningseason #appleseason #harvestseason #harvesttime

Preserving the Harvest🌱
~A heart so full of joy and thankfulness it could explode💚
~Tending the garden all season long…
~The hard work
~The weather fluctuations
~Oh, but the peace
~Of being connected to nature
~My bees, without them, I wouldn’t have a garden🐝
~I’m thankful and blessed, to harvest food from the ground of my mountain garden.
~To harvest beautiful berries that provide jams for winter breads.
~I’m content, satisfied💚
~This is what I was meant to do💞
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#mountaingirlshomestead #hardworkinghomesteaders #northerngardener #homesteadgarden #sustainablelifestyle #inmygarden #healthyhome #smallscalehomesteading #seasonalfood #microhomestead #homesteadliving #womenwhoprep #homemakerskills #homesteadpantry #homesteadkitchen #zone3gardening #mountaingarden #polinators #homesteadprepper #preservingtheharvest #canningseason #workingkitchen #harvestseason #growyourownfood #foodpreservation #selfreliance #eatwhatyougrow #inthekitchen #holistichomesteading

Delicate🌱
Intricate 🌱
Detailed🌱
Health Giving🌱
Supportive🌱
Beautiful🌱
Echinacea, “also known as elk-root, due to the belief that wounded elk seek them out as medicine.” (native-languages.org)
🌱Echinacea🌱 the North American Coneflower
🌱There is always medicine in nature🌱
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#plantsteading #naturesbeauty #mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadingskills #homesteadliving #homesteadherbalist #goodforyourhealth #holistichomesteading #mountainliving #herbalremedies #homeapothecary #plantmedicine #learnnewskills #simpleliving #homesteadgarden #zone3gardening #herbgarden #grownfromseed #myhomesteadlife #herbalteagarden

~Gathering plantain seeds for my chickens🌱
~The chickens forage all summer long on the wild, edible plantain leaves. A medicinal herb that supports their immune health,(antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties). Plantain also supports their digestive and urinary health🌱
~This year the plantain grew abundantly in the garden and I let those plants go to seed.🌱
~Just cut and gather the seedy stems and leave them to dry in paper sacks. Then as a nutritious, immune boosting treat, I offer them a few handfuls of these seedy sprigs throughout the deep winter. 🌱
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#mountaingirlshomestead #myhomesteadlife #homesteadinglife #homesteadingskills #homesteadliving #homesteadherbalist #homesteadherbalism #chickenhealth #chickens #happychickens #raisingchickens #healthychickens #medicinalplants #wildplants #naturesremedies #foraging #simplelife #sustainablegardening #zone3gardening #simpleliving

Gardening is a window to my soul~
an art of the imagination
Dropping seeds of color and scent~
rustic… yet graceful
Peaceful
the stillness of the morning’s~
the afternoon sweat of one’s brow~
patiently watching
tending to nature
Respecting and surrendering to elements out of your control~
the defeats and bounties
The tenacious determination to pursue it all over again~
My art work~
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteading #homesteadingmama #homesteadgarden #homesteadlife #permaculturegarden #permacultureliving #growyourownfood #mygarden #myhomesteadlife #homesteadinglife #simpleliving #mountainliving #inspiredbynature #mountaingarden #womenwhogarden #homesteadblessings #zone3gardening #growyourownfood #holistichomesteading #gardensofinstagram #homesteadliving #homemakerlife #inmygarden #montanagarden

“When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden.”
~Minnie Aumonier
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteading #homesteadgarden #homestead #homesteadliving #homesteadlife #sustainablegardening #homegrownfood #permaculturegarden #growyourownfood #growyourownveggies #fromthegarden #herbalgarden #gardening #womenwhogarden #grownfromseed #homesteadhappiness #simplelife #homesteadblessings #embracingtheseasons #homesteadersofinstagram #selfsufficient #montanagarden #zone3 #mountaingarden

Decorating with Purpose🌸
~My little home:
🌸Filled with many talents on display.. each has a season and a story.
🌸Letting the youngest decorate the bay window with greenery and succulents.
🌸Paintings and quilts made by a beautiful woman I dearly love.
🌸The magnificent, intricate artistry of horns, that were once carried by a robust animal that fed the family.
🌸Heirlooms passed down from generations ahead that give history and life skills.
🌸It’s an old, messy kitchen table where nourishing meals are given, where school is studied.. the center of my home.
🌸Decorating my home means filling it with purpose: memories, sentimental things, scriptures on the walls and fridge, rocks collected from camping trips, displaying works from the garden…
🌸There’s no order, no perfection… it’s just peace and contentment🌸
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Join with @weareamericanmom for the Nourished Home Challenge
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#mountaingirlshomestead #weareamericanmom #slowliving #simpleliving #homemaking #homemaker #nourishedhome #makeitmeaningful #livedinhomes #homesteadliving #homesteadlife #keepersathome #simplelife #frugalliving #familykitchen #homesteadhappiness #simplelifestyle #oldfashioned

Decided it was time to take down the stockings🎄 I could look at these all year long. They make me smile. They were handmade by my oldest and each stocking has a story to tell.
Each one fits the personality it was made for, with hidden embroidery emblems and special fabric with sentimental designs.
Truly treasures from the heart.🎄
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadlife #homesteadliving #simpleliving #simplelife #handmadecrafts #handmadestockings #homesteadcrafts #homemakerlife #handmade #oldfashionedonpurpose #homemaker

❄️Nordic Ice Lantern☃️
~Many people in America experience seasonal affective disorder, (SAD), during the winter months. We have discovered one of the ways that the Nordic peoples have used for minimizing the effects of SAD: by embracing winter for what it is. For some, the winter months can be long, cold and dreary. But winter can also be a time for creativity.
~The Nordics have created one way to get people outside during the winter months for fresh air and exercise, by bringing nature to their homes, by making homemade ice lanterns. Which creates a feeling of warmth and illumination during the dark, cold months.
~Taking their advice, we’ve also created our own ice lanterns from the book, The Nordic Winter, to brighten up our walkway trails at night. It has been fun creating these and it lifts the stillness of the night when you have to go outside.
~These are simple ice lanterns made in a Bundt pan, using clippings from the woods, stems, pinecones, berries or dried oranges. My favorite has been the plain ones, for they let off the most peaceful, gentle glow, that reflects so calmly the flicker of the candle off the ice.
❄️Here’s how to make an ice lantern:
1: Bundle up and grab a pair of scissors to gather your outdoor clippings. Be creative and enjoy nature.
2: Place an inch or two of your woodsy clippings into the Bundt pan and then fill the rest with cold water.
3: Set pan outside to freeze overnight.
4: In the morning, bundle up, put on a pair of gloves and bring in the Bundt pan. Turn it upside down onto a cookie sheet or board to release the ice block. This should only take a few minutes.
5: Place your lantern outside wherever you want. Place a tea light candle or battery tea light candle in the center and when it gets dark, light or turn on the candle. Enjoy the peaceful, flickering reflection of the ice💙❄️
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadlife #homesteadliving #myhomesteadlife #homesteadcrafts #wintertime #nordicwinter #icelight #simpleliving #winterlights #icelantern #homemaker #wintertimecrafts #savoringtheseasons #montanalife #montanawinter #simplelife #hygee #hygeeliving

Elk Burger Meatballs🤎
~One of my most favorite savory, hearty winter meal❄️
~When it comes to cooking with venison, keeping shallots and this mushroom sauce on hand is a meal changer🤎
~Here’s my recipe share:
Meatballs:
2 pounds of elk burger
1 1/2 packages of crushed crackers
1 chopped shallot
3 eggs
2 Tablespoons of stoneground mustard
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix and combine together, using a Tablespoon, make 24 meatballs. Oil the bottom of a large pyrex pan
Bake on 400*F for 40 minutes, until slightly crispy.
Tri-colored Orzo:
1 cup of orzo per 2 cups of water, cook according to orzo directions.
Mushroom Sauce, make in a saucepan according to directions.
~Serves a meal for a family of five with leftovers for lunch the next day🤎
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadkitchen #homesteadinglife #simpleliving #venisonfordinner #venisonrecipes #elkburger #homemakerlife #homemadefood #homemadedinner #dinnerideas #mountaincooking #healthyfood #healthyeating #homesteadliving #inmykitchen #homesteadrecipes #wildgamemeat #montanafood #wintermeals #recipeshare #sustainablefood #bakingfromscratch #knowyourfood #nurseswhohomestead

Dehydrated Sourdough Chips🤎
~Newest arrival on our website, my established dehydrated sourdough chips. There is 50 gm’s of dehydrated sourdough starter in the packages with detailed rehydration directions on the back label. You can always DM for more guidance.
~The sourdough starter has always been fed organic bread flour, (King Arthur Bread Flour), and filtered water and has been air dried.
~These packages make great gifts or keep for yourself for long term.
~Sourdough is the oldest form of leavened bread, in other words, it’s been called the “Old World Style” of baking bread. A skill and tradition dating back to ancient times. Sourdough is easy to digest and is full of gut healthy lactobacillus and wild yeast.
~Sourdough is truly something very special and worth researching.
~ I call it “health changing.”
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#mountaingirlshomestead #wildyeast #wildyeastbread #sourdoughstarter #healthyfood #organicfood #holisticlifestyle #homesteadingskills #homesteadlife #homesteadshares #homesteadkitchen #simpleliving #smallbusinessowner #sourdoughlove #sourdoughbaker #sourdough #oldfashionedonpurpose #oldfashionedskills #bakingbread #knowyourfood #homemakerlife #realfood #knowledgeispower #homesteadbusiness #learnnewskills #bakeyourownbread

☃️Thank You☃️
~I am finally (slowly) getting the website updated and soaps restocked.
~It’s been taking me some time, but there will be new soaps on the web, (unscented herbal soaps) and customers have asked for my dehydrated sourdough starter, and I will finally be getting that up on the web in a few weeks❤️
~Running a small business from your home, maintaining the website, the accounting/taxes, the time and research devoted, the pictures, the shipping/labels and making the products is a lot of work and a huge learning process.
~It is also a reflection of your personality.. who you are, what you love and like to do..your passion, your creativity and artwork❤️
~Though not completely reflecting who I am, it does reflect what I enjoy doing. And mostly.. amongst the hard work.. I am having so much fun with it🥰
~Thank you to all of our customers, family and friends who’ve supported our small business. We truly appreciate you and are thankful for your support🤗
~Come take advantage of our Merry Christmas Sale🎁🎄
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadlife #shopsmallbusiness #myhomesteadlife #madeinmontana #makersofinstagram #handmadeisbetter #growingmybusiness #supporthandmade #womanownedbusiness #homebusinessowner #homesteadbusiness #madeintheusa #handmadesoap #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinesslife #supportthemakers #workingmomlife #raisingstrongdaughters #montanabusiness #nurseswhohomestead #ilovewhatido #shoplocal #homemakerlife #homebusiness #christmassale

~I’ve been busy these past few weeks making products for the @handmademt show in Helena MT this coming Friday and Saturday. ❄️
~This show is full of talented artists, makers and crafters who love what they do. 💙🎄
~Come shop and support small businesses and find those special Christmas 🎁 in one place and enjoy the food, the company and holiday spirit☃️
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadingskills #homesteadlife #handmademt #handmade #soapartisan #buyhandmade #supportsmallbusiness #allnaturalsoap #homebusinessowner #womanownedbusiness #handmadeisbetter #soapmakersofinstagram #holisticskincare #shopsmallbusiness #handmadesoap #handmadebusiness #soaplove #soapmaker #supportthemakers #growingmybusiness #smallbusinesslife #madeinmontana #montanabusiness #christmasshopping #holidayshopping

~Making Beef Stock~
~I make beef and chicken stock throughout the year to add to soups, stews, gravies and stuffing. But I mostly make batches to drink throughout the week.
~In the evening’s, especially in the fall, deep winter and early spring, I replace my teas with a warm mug of beef stock.
~You can do your own research and see all the many health benefits of drinking beef stock, but here are just some of the reasons why I do:
~Made with bones it’s high in protein and collagen, therefore, it’s good for your hair, skin, nail and joint health.
~Aids in digestion
~Supports the immune system
~Is high in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids
~Helps ease inflammation
~It is such a frugal way to utilize an animal, (elk, deer, beef, chicken, pheasant) and leftover or fresh vegetables.
~I make mine with at least 2 fennel bulbs. Fennel adds sweetness to the broth plus it’s a great digestive aid.
~Place marrow bones and/or knuckle bones on a baking sheet with halved onions, (I did two) and a large garlic, (leave the cloves whole).
~Bake in oven at 350*F for 60 minutes until browned.
~In a large stock pot, add your vegetables of choice, place the bones, onions and garlic into the pot. Fill with water at least 2 inches above the ingredients.
~Add 1/4 cup if ACV
~Cover and simmer for 12-18 hours. Stirring occasionally. I like to remove the marrow, (leave in the pot) half way through to absorb all the health benefits from the marrow.
~Remove the bones and strain the vegetables. I like having some residual chunks of veggies and marrow in mine.
~You can freeze or pressure can the stock. I made 10 quarts that I froze.
~I’ve been sipping from this quart the past few days. I also don’t strain the fat off, I enjoy drinking it for it’s added nourishment, or you can strain the fat and keep it in a jar, in the fridge, and use it for cooking.
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#mountaingirlshomestead #frugalliving #beefstock #simpleliving #homesteadlife #homesteadkitchen #madefromscratch #homesteadingskills #goodforyourhealth #homemadebeefstock #holisticnutrition #homemakerskills #inmykitchen #homesteadprepper #healthyliving #foodasmedicine #learnnewskills #naturalhealing

Sandwich Bread🍞
~Join the #kneadnovember challenge this month🤎
~hosted by @weareamericanmom
~the challenge is making homemade bread this month, no store bought bread for one month🤎
~This recipe is Amish Bread @bobsredmill
~come follow #letitrise and #kneadnovember for the challenge and bread recipe ideas🤎
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homemade #letitrise #sandwichbread #madefromscratch #handmadebread #homesteadkitchen #homesteadlife #homemakerlife #healthybread #healthyfood #simpleliving #breadbaking

~Cranberries are finally out in the stores🥰
~Canned two batches of cranberry sauce.
~It’s a tradition for us to open a jar on each holiday and for every birthday.
~We call them “mom’s tradition jars.”❤️
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#mountaingirlshomestead #cranberrysauce #homecanning #canningandpreserving #womenwhoprep #homesteadkitchen #homesteadpantry #preservingfood #canning #canningseason #homemakerlife #simpleliving #healthyfood #homesteadlife #puttingupfood #workingkitchen #foodpreservation #canningskills #homemadefood #stockingthepantry

~Filling the back pack with supplies.
~The anxiety, the anticipation.
~The stretch of the cardiovascular system .
~The magnificent beauty of hidden creation.
~Packed food always tastes better when cooked outdoors.
~The smell of fresh air in your hair and on your clothes.
~Your eyes can’t get enough of God’s glory.
~Your ears are assertive to the sounds of the woods.
~Snow melts on the leather strap of your rifle and releases that musky scent.
~Your hands still smell of ammo.
~It’s getting real. Heart is racing.
~Tears of joy.
~Blessed with a harvest from the mountains that you love and respect.
~The story.
~The fatigue.
~The dirty laundry.
~The processing.
~The long hours and hard work preparing and storing your bounty.
~It’s satisfying.
~It’s respected.
~It’s my heritage.
~It’s in my blood.
~It’s where our food comes from.
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadlife #homesteadliving #homesteadingskills #preservingtheharvest #foodstorage #sustainablelifestyle #puttingupfood #simpleliving #homesteadkitchen #myhomesteadlife #frugalliving #workingkitchen #huntingwildgame #406life #montanalife #fieldtotable #wildgame #wildgamemeat #womenwhoprep #foodstoragemoms

Sourdough Bread🍞
~Join the #kneadnovember challenge this month, hosted by @weareamericanmom
~The challenge is all bread must be handmade, no store bought bread for a month🤎
~Come follow
#letitrise and #kneadnovember for the challenge and for bread ideas🤎
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#mountaingirlshomestead #kneadnovember #homemade #letitrise #sourdoughbread #madefromscratch #handmadebread #homesteadlife #homemakerlife #healthybread #healthyfood #simpleliving

Cinderella Pumpkins🧡
🍂These majestic, orange, deep ribbed beauties, have the most sweetest, creamy, smooth textured flesh and they are my most favorite winter squash🧡
🍂Their vines can spread out to about 9 feet, producing 1-2 ft wide, 10-35 pound pumpkins. Truly fascinating to watch grow🧡
🍂Mom gifted me several of these gems and I’ve saved their seeds, so I’m going to try and grow them next year.
🍂The pumpkin shown here was 18 pounds, and out of it we made pumpkin quinoa soup, cookies, two round loaves of pumpkin bread, froze 4 cups of puree, and made a pie🧡
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadgarden #cinderellapumpkins #wintersquash #bakefromscratch #homegrownfood #homesteadlife #fromthegarden #homemadefood #inmykitchen #eatwhatyougrow #growsomethinglovely #growyourownfood #harvestseason #gardentotable

Memories in Jars🍃
~Everything that I have ever canned has a memory, a story to tell.
~Canned fish was on the menu for dinner last night. Memories flooded me as I grabbed the two jars and I almost didn’t want to open them.
~It was a successful day of fishing on the lake with dad. The laughing, joking, reminiscing, keeping score of who catches the most and biggest fish, the wind and crossed lines, the sunburn, seagulls swooning over fish guts, the smell of the lake water, the hub-bub in the kitchen preparing to can the rainbows, family visiting around the fire pit, the pops of successful jars, the satisfaction of stored food on the shelves, a memorable camping trip.
Memories in Jars.🍃
~Mom didn’t want all of her beets, so canned them. Allspice is her favorite, so in it goes with the beets. The aroma is therapy. I think of her.
~The beets grew next to the lavender. Green tops with red veins, next to the deep purple, swimming with bees, truly breathtaking to me.
~I see her in the garden. Her hard working hands. Her infinite knowledge. The chickens hear her voice. They start cooing for her. It makes me smile. It’s more than just beets, it’s my mom.
Memories in Jars.🍃
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#cherishedmemories #familyovereverything #mountaingirlshomestead #canningandpreserving #cannedfood #womenwhoprep #memoriesforlife #preservingfood #myhomesteadlife #simpleliving #simplelife #sweetmemories #familyfood #happymemories

🍃I was finally able to plant my garlic the other day🧄
🍃They needed to get into the ground to establish their root system before the ground freezes.
🍃The compost, or “black gold”, is rich and beautiful and smelled earthy 🍂
🍃Adding chicken manure to the compost increases soil nutrients and adds organic matter to the soil. Garlic are heavy feeders and require high soil fertility for successful crops.
🍃Once the compost was added, l aerated the soil, to allow air, nutrients and water to get deeper into the soil.
🍃I plant my garlic 6 inches deep, a little deeper than most, due to our long winters and snow load.
🍃I don’t peel off the skin, it could damage the bulb. The skin will also compost down and add nutrients back into the soil.
🍃Once the bulbs are in place, gently cover with soil. Then I add about four inches of Certified Weed Free Straw to the top. This will protect the bulbs, helps keeps them warm so they can establish their root system, insulates them through winter, and keeps the soil from washing away.
🍃The garlic I planted are from @keenegarlic :
🧄Montana Giant (hardneck) long shelf life, does well in colder climates, larger bulbs, has a punch of heat that mellows quickly, great to use when canning.
🧄Music (hardneck) stores well, great for baking, grows well in colder climates, most popular to grow, medium hot taste.
🧄Chesnok Red (hardneck) stores well, great for roasting, baking, adding to dishes, excellent flavor, sweeter milder taste.
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#mountaingirlshomestead #permaculturegardening #zone3gardening #homesteadingskills #homesteadinglife #learnnewskills #myhomesteadlife #goodforyourhealth #simpleliving #homesteadgarden #mountaingarden #garlic #gardenskills #growyourownfood #growingfood #compost #unclejimswormfarm #eatwhatyougrow #nurseswhohomestead #homegrownfood #gardentips #homegardener #gardenlife #plantsteading

I love harvest time🧡
~From the dirt, from seed, to the kitchen and into the pantry🥕
~Canned 14 quarts of homegrown carrots~not to bad for a mountain garden, considering they survived snow fall, down pours, grasshoppers and killing frost🧡
~I left some in the ground to pull for later, before the ground freezes, which won’t be long from now.
~Composted the peels and carrot tops.
~These carrots will be used in soups, roasts and carrot cake.🥕
~Giving all thanks to the Lord for providing us this harvest🧡
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#mountaingirlshomestead #montanagardening #selfsufficientliving #homesteading #homesteadinglife #homesteadblessings #homemaker #homemadefood #homecanning #preservingtheharvest #homesteadkitchen #keeperofthefood #womenwhoprep #simpleliving #zerowasteliving #frugalliving #workingkitchen #canningandpreserving #homesteadprepper #homesteadpantry #homesteadgarden #puttingupfood #homesteadtable #inmykitchen #preppermom #preservingfood #eatwhatyougrow #fromthegarden #zone3gardening

Dehydrating corn🌽
~Bought some corn from a local farmer this weekend. 14 ears gives me a quart of dehydrated corn.
~It’s just something nice to grab off the shelf to add to soups, chowder, potato soup, chili or beef stew. It gives them extra flavor and texture.
~Experiment with dehydrated corn and grind it into cornmeal and make corn bread, muffins, fritters, polenta, tortilla shells, fried rice or use it for bread toppings.
~Add a 1/4 cup to your soups.
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadingskills #homesteadlife #foodpreservation #stockingthepantry #homesteadkitchen #homesteadpantry #learnnewskills #simpleliving #keeperofthefood #pantrystores #dehydratedcorn #dehydrating #dehydratingfood #preservingtheharvest #foodinjars #preservingfood #homesteadmama #kitchenskills

~My mountain garden has surrendered to the fall frosts, (27 degree nights), even with the frost clothes. Harvesting has almost come to an end🌻
~Harvested most of my onions because I like to dehydrate quite a few for soups and such.
~Canned pickles, beets, raspberry jam, stocked the freezer with zucchini bread, dehydrated zucchini for soups, dehydrated the leeks and some potatoes.
~The carrots are still in the ground, (they are the best after the first hard frost), and I’ll harvest those before the ground freezes, then I plan on canning them. I’ll harvest the shallots soon.
~The cabbage moths got my Brussel sprouts, and the deer and the grasshoppers.. well.. they eat everything 😕
~I’ll harvest lettuce and spinach until the snow falls. This is the last of the snow peas and they were wonderful this year.
~I grew blue wheat for decorating the house. Lost the corn to the frost.
~Harvested some ripe and green spaghetti squash, and I hope my sugar pies will ripen in the house.
~I’m hoping my romas will ripen so I can make sauce and soup, (they were small this year).
~ Very thankful for any and all the blessings the Lord gives us🌻
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#mountaingirlshomestead #homesteadgarden #zone3gardening #homesteadliving #preservingtheharvest #vegetablegarden #growyourownfood #sustainablegardening #homesteader #homesteadlife #mountaingarden #fromthegarden #homegrownfood #keeperofthefood #homesteadharvest #simplelife #gardengrocerystore #homemakerlife #homesteadersofamerica #eatwhatyougrow #inmygarden #gardentotable #gardenharvest #permaculturegarden #gardeninglife #knowyourfood #highaltitudegardening

🌻Seed saving is one of the things I enjoy the most as the season ends.
🌻I consider it part of my harvest.
🌻Saving heirloom seeds is a wise thing to do, especially now more than ever. You yield so much and it saves you a lot of money.
🌻Timing is everything and so is your patience😊
🌻This is calendula and their seeds are so funky and weird. This is an herb that is part of my first aid go to. I use this in all of our soaps, salves and balms. It’s easy to grow and the bees love it.
🌻Let some of your plants, herbs and crops go to seed, save them, label and store them for next year.
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#mountaingirlshomestead #seedsaving #simpleliving #mountainhomesteader #nurseswhohomestead #preservingseeds #sustainablegardening #homesteadlife #homesteadingskills #homesteadgarden #homemakerskills #frugalliving #moneysaver #learnnewskills #plantmedicine #alwayslearning #homesteadherbalist #homesteadliving #homesteadingskills #grownfromseed #zone3gardening #growsomethinglovely #myherbgarden #oldfashionedskills #pollinatorplants

Had such an awesome raspberry harvest this year❤️
~As the season nears the end, it’s fall baking time~
🥧Time for all the raspberry pies and bread🥧
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#mountaingirlshomestead #raspberryharvest #raspberrypie #raspberrybread #homesteadlife #homemakerlife #simpleliving #homegrownfood #homesteadgarden #nurseswhohomestead #myhomesteadlife #harvestseason #homesteadhomemaking #homemadebread #fromthegarden #gardenharvest #mountaingarden #zone3gardening #gardentotable #gardengrocerystore #bakingfromscratch

4 pints of pickled beets and 18 pints of cucumbers🥒
🥒It has been such a blessing to put homegrown food into jars. I am grateful for every bit of it.
🥒If I can’t grow it or the grasshoppers eat it all, or I haven’t grown enough of my own to can, I buy it. I want shelf stable foods on my shelves. I want to be stocked for the seasons, for emergencies, for enjoyment, to have healthy foods on hand, for peace of mind and to keep these skills alive in me and my girls.
🥒I encourage you to learn to can. Can those fruits and vegetables from the stores or farmers markets if you can’t grow it. Teach yourself a new skill, enjoy yourself, enjoy the accomplishment, feel secure with putting different kinds of foods on the shelf and table… you’ll never regret it💚
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#mountaingirlshomestead #foodsecurity #womenwhoprep #canningandpreserving #preppermom #womenencouragingwomen #prepperkitchen #homesteadinglife #homesteadgarden #homesteadmama #homesteadingskills #learnnewskills #homegrownfood #eatwhatyougrow #canning #preservingtheharvest #keeperofthefood #pantrystores #foodpreservation #simpleliving #stockingtheshelves #oldways #gardenharvest #gardentotable #savoringtheseasons

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