Life Update

It’s been a few months since I last posted. Life has been busy! Since I last posted in April, we added a few new members to our family! They’ve grown a lot since we got them, naturally.

It started like this…

Cackle Hatchery had a Memorial Day sale offering chicks for 50% off, so we changed our plans at 11:30 the night before to make arrangements to drive an hour to the hatchery, then stand in line for 4.5 hours to get our beloved babies.

We got the chicks we set out for. And then some. We went for 6, came home with 10. The lady handed me the box and told me she threw in a few more for attrition. Zoiks! Well, they all thrived. We are completely in love with these little fluffy butts.

They grew and they grew….

And they grew…

Ethel, Laverne, Sylvia, Betty

Winnie

My chicken, Dottie

Sylvia

We chose our breeds based on hardiness, how many eggs they lay, and friendliness. So we chose Buff & Lavender Orpingtons, Black Australorp, Easter Egger, Speckled Sussex, and Black Gold Laced Wyandotte.

The Buff Orpingtons, aka The Blondes: Sylvia & Evelyn –named after my grandmothers

The Lavender Orpingtons, the grey girls: Laverne & Shirley –no explanation needed

The Speckled Sussex: Dottie & Millie

The Black Gold Laced Wyandottes: Winnie & Wanda

The Black Australorp: Betty aka Black Betty aka Betty Boop. Whichever one feels right in the moment

The Easter Egger: Ethel. No, we don’t have a Lucy. I know, it’s a missed opportunity.

I never dreamed I would be so obsessed with these fricken chickens, but here we are. I am now the neighborhood chicken lady. And I’m okay with that.

Our little cottage homestead is coming together. Lots of work to be done in the yard to get it to where I envisioned it. But we have time. The garden is pretty pitiful due to whatever reason. Pretty sure the squirrels absconded with my seeds before they even had a chance. I’m left with like 5 out of 12 green bean plants. At least until the girlie birds found the garden bed yesterday and decided to dust bath and lay all over them. But it’s fine. Maybe this year is meant to be more chicken focused and less garden focused. Who knows. All I know is, we’re happy. Chickens do something to your serotonin and dopamine levels that I never expected. So this is your friendly PSA to get yourselves some chickens. You’re welcome!

Oh, so this is how our coop finally came out. It’s not perfect, but it works great for us. I have ideas about potentially expanding the run area so they have more room when they can’t get out and free range.

It only took them about 3 days to figure out how to go into the coop at night. I had to put them in the first few nights. It was heartbreaking hearing their little panicked peeps, but they got over it pretty quick. Then when we started letting them out out, it took a few times to get them in in the evening, but they quickly figured that out, too. Now I just go in after sunset and do a head count and make sure all are accounted for and close and lock the people door. They have an automatic door for the coop itself so I don’t have to worry much about that.

We let them out first thing most mornings for free range time. Whenever we have to leave to go somewhere, though, we herd them back into the coop and lock them in. I don’t feel good leaving them out while we’re gone. They’re still small and learning the ropes. Even though they do run for cover when they get spooked. We still have predators to watch for. We’re all still new to the whole chicken parent thing. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

I baked some bread yesterday and thought how it just hit different with our very own chickens running amok in our own backyard. We don’t have eggs yet, obviously, not for several more weeks or so. But we do get fresh eggs from a friend.

This was probably the best loaf of wheat bread I’ve made in a while, if ever. It’s almost as if the chickens were one of the last pieces of the puzzle that really makes things feel a little more like home.

We have chickens. We finally have chickens. We still can’t believe that the dream we have been dreaming for the last 5 years has finally come to fruition. And none of it would have been possible without God. He orchestrated the whole thing. The way we came upon the materials for the coop, the friends with building know-how and the tools, the means for the extra bits of hardware, the means and the timing of the sale to get the chickens, etc. All of it. We couldn’t have done this ourselves. We are so thankful for our church family and sweet friends. All gifts from the Father. Thank You, Lord!

So if you’re still waiting, hang tight. God’s timing never fails. It’s always perfect. Keep dreaming. Keep laying it at His feet. Keep taking it to Him. Whatever it is. He hears and sees you.

Homesteading in your 50s???

I was reading a blog from a pin I found on Pinterest. About starting homesteading after 40. I’ve been thinking a lot about how I might be crazy for wanting to start it in my late 40s-early 50s. But then I see blogs like this and realize that I may NOT be crazy, I may be right on time. You know, God’s timing is always perfect! The same applies to the bakery! Which, is really beginning to flourish, I’ll have you know. Like who starts a business in their late 40s? Well, apparently, a lot of successful people do. Colonel Sanders, for one. He was 40 when he started KFC, then 65 when he started franchising the brand. Ray Kroc was 52 when he started McDonald’s. Leo Goodwin founded Geico at age 50. So there’s no reason you can’t start that thing you’ve been dreaming of. Just go for it! I believe God put that dream on your heart for a reason. Don’t ignore it!

So back to the homesteading thing. As you know, we are homesteading where we are until such time the Lord sees fit to arrange our little farm. We still very much want to live out that dream of ours. We are *just* about ready for chickens. I’m really hoping we will have the coop finished by the end of the month so we can bring our wee bebs home.

A work in progress. It seems the painting is never ending! But as you can see, we are closer than we have ever been!

I *could* go out and get chicks this weekend, but those suckers grow fast and I don’t want to be caught with 6 birds living in my garage because the coop isn’t done. Because that would so happen to me.

Spring has sprung and there is SO much work to be done in the yards. It’s quite overwhelming, to be honest. Since it’s typically just me doing the work. I do have my sidekick, and he can be helpful, but he has to be told what to do for just about everything. I’m learning to adapt from the “Just let me do it” to showing him how and what needs to be done so that he can learn. It’s hard, I’ll admit. I like things *just so*. The Lord is teaching me to let it go and let it be. Let’s just say it’s a struggle. But with God, anything is possible!

Look at all the beautiful bee food!

For some, the above photo would depict someone needing to mow their yard. For me, it’s pure beauty. It’s the bees first foods, it’s food for us, as well. The wild violets, purple dead nettle, and dandelions are food for us all! And not to mention, it’s just so pretty. I have more wild violets in my yard than ever and I am so here for it. If I could have my way, I would (and will) just let it completely take over and/or encourage clover to grow. I will be speaking to my landlady to see if she would be ok with that. So many benefits to clover yards! I have grand visions of an English Cottage Garden-like yard. I have decided to go and do what makes the yard pretty here, even though I rent. We will be living here for the foreseeable future, so why not? I just have to train myself to schedule my time as such that I can do everything that needs done between the yard, the bakery, and the chickens. Maybe enlist some help from those who may enjoy doing these things, too. Need to get a lot of it done before the heat comes. At this rate, it may be sooner than later. We had many days in the 80s in March, we have 84 degrees coming on Sunday. In April! This is not Texas, yo. Come getcho weather! Today is a beautiful spring day in the Ozarks. Sunny skies, mild temps, and a nice breeze. I hope spring stays around longer than it has in recent years. I’m not holding my breath.

I typically haven’t always wanted daffodils in my yard, but this year was different. So I thought I would plant some bulbs this fall. But the Lord said, “Here you go. Have a little sunshine in your yard.” We have several random daffodils just pop up in our front yard. I need to transplant them to a safer place so they don’t get mowed over. I probably ought to do that before they totally die back. Maybe I can take a break from baking this afternoon.

What are you working on this week?

New Year, Same Me

I knew it had been a while since I posted a blog, but honestly didn’t realize it had been since last April! Gracious. I would like to say that I will be more diligent in posting, but I have to be real. I probably won’t be. Maybe if I don’t put so much pressure on myself to post, I’ll post more.

I don’t even honestly know what to write even now. I just felt like maybe I ought to login and dust the cobwebs off or something. It’s not like I have very many readers. >.<

Since April, not much has happened really. We’re still working on our chicken coop, although we are light years farther along than we were the last time I posted. We still have quite a bit to do: paint & seal, get the hardware cloth on, order hinges, locks, and handles, get the doors on, cut an opening for the automatic door, attach the roof. The cost of paint is nauseating. It used to be cheap to paint, but not so much anymore. It’s ridiculous. So that’s what’s holding us up now. And winter. It’s winter. We’ve had a polar vortex swoop in for a bit. But I digress. March is looking like a great time to get that puppy finished and get some chicken littles. I’m still pretty excited about it.

The frame of our wee coop. It’s roughly 4×8. It will be so cute when it’s done. I have cinder blocks that I will place all around and create a chicken garden in.

We did have my bestie from San Diego pay us a visit for a few days around Halloween. She participated in our family tradition of watching Polar Express in our jammies on Halloween. The visit was way too short, but we enjoyed our time together while she was here.

The bakery had a busy fall/holiday season as we did several local-ish events from September on. We learned what we (I) don’t want to do again next year and things I do want to do. Overall, I’ve had fun with it all. Got lots of ideas for this year. Excited to implement them.

A couple of our events. Both at the same place, our favorite place to be that’s not our own home. Our farm away from home. We farm sit here. They have created this amazing venue space and host free events for the local communities. Flannel & Faith

I started planning my garden last night and am excited for that, as well. As much as I love fall and winter, I love spring for gardening and growing things. I can handle summer until July and then I’m so over it. Especially if we have a super hot June. A girl can only handle so much. Yanno? Brady and I have decided that we don’t love the frigid 20s & 30s and therefore probably won’t fair as well as we think we would more north. Even if that means more snow. Which I really want. Maybe just northern Missouri?? Anyway, gardening. Yes. I have come to the realization that if I want to grow enough food for our tiny family and to can and freeze anything, I definitely need at least one more raised bed. So I’m trying to figure out how to make that happen on a non-existent budget. Gardening isn’t cheap, friends! Neither are chickens. But it’s all worth it in the end.

I have been doing a lot of ‘soul searching’ if you will over the last couple weeks. Rethinking some business plans, forming new goals and things I would like to achieve and do. I definitely think that 2025 is going to look a lot different than previous years. I haven’t been one to do resolutions for many years now, but I do set goals. This year, my goals are a lot more simple than they have been in the past. One is to read more books for fun this year. Not necessarily business/leadership type books, but fiction. Specifically, the classics. I realized when watching a movie the other night, that I have never actually read Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. I’ve seen just about every other alliteration of it on film, but I’ve not read the book. So that is something I want to do this year. I’m not off to a very good start on the list of things I want to do, so I better get started. To start with, I need to finish Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that I started at some point last year and just didn’t see through.

The other thing I really want/need to do is PURGE my home. We have SO MUCH STUFF. Much of which we haven’t used or seen since we moved here 7 years ago. It’s either got to be used or it needs a new home. Plus, I need to make use of an armoire for my bakery. I’m currently having to take things out to get to the one thing I need then have to shove everything back in there. It’s making me crazy. Time for momma to get her sanity back.

The other thing I really would like to accomplish is finally re-doing my decor. Naturally, it starts with paint. But that will make the biggest difference overall. I have several pieces of furniture that I want to paint. We will be hitting up a lot of yard sales and flea markets, for sure, this year. Oh darn. My inspiration is a lot of Cottageonwynn, plus a lot of vintage. I just want a sweet and cozy atmosphere. While I do have some really great pieces to start with, I have a lot of work to do to make them work better together. I’m looking forward to adding more textiles and functional pieces, as well as more pops of color. I feel like everything right now is so dark and drab. The couch, well, it’s something that I have to presently live with until the Lord sees fit to work a new one into our home. lol. I’m not entirely sure what I can do to make it fit in with everything else in the meantime, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

All in all, I have been very convicted of being a better steward with what the Lord has already blessed us with. I feel like we haven’t been doing a very good job of that. And it is my goal to fix that. That means purging the house of what doesn’t suit or serve us, perhaps blessing others with it, taking better care of our yard and garden so that we CAN have a more bountiful harvest. That means sucking it up when it’s a bajillion degrees outside and my fingernails and eye lids are melting off to go tend to the garden.(and chimkens) I may need to take stock in black cohosh and red clover supplements. It will be totally fine.

I still dream of a lovely century old home with all the creaks and bangs and wood burning fireplaces on 10-20 acres with a rambling cottage garden, chickens pecking the ground, donkeys braying, and cows singing the song of their people. But for now, we will make this our almost but not quite perfect little cottage homestead. 🏡

Until next time, friends!

I made dis.

Hi. I’ve been MIA. Honestly, I have no idea what to write these days. I’ve been all over the place with this that and the other thing. So much going on everywhere. I NEED TO FOCUS.

BUT, one thing I thought would be fun to share is that I made my Easter dress! I KNOW! Who even am I?!

My handsome son and me. Easter 2024

And, I made the little cardigan to go with it. I’m not new to crocheting cardigans, but I’m definitely new to sewing actual garments. The most I’ve ever made was an apron several Christmases ago. I’ve made curtains, etc., but never an actual garment. And in true Beth style, I made sure it was the most complicated NON-BEGINNER FRIENDLY pattern you could possibly pick for your first time out of the gate. But good news, I didn’t die and now I can probably sew just about anything. Heh. My mom helped me A LOT. Thanks, Mom! It’s far from perfect, but it’s not too shabby for a first go. Just don’t look too close. >.<

And now I want to go hoard fabric and make all the things. I’m going to need another armoire.

What have you made recently? Share with me in the comments!

It’s been a minute

Thanksgiving was the last time I posted? Dang. I’ve had a few things going on since, but mostly, just haven’t felt like it. It’s kind of a hassle to get on to post when you don’t have internet at home. Sure, I could post from my phone, but that’s a pain in the ass, too. My phone is older and not at all functioning optimally. It’s really time for a new one. Alas, my rich uncle is still in the poor house.

Here’s a bullet list of the goings on as of late:

1. Since I last wrote, I left my previous company for another one and have been thrilled with that shift.
2. Engagement and interaction, as well as sales, have been up for the bakery, even though sales haven’t caught up. It’s just a matter of time.
3. I’ve been busy with my civic obligations which included planning our organization’s biggest event of the year.
4. That’s pretty much it. lol

I’m itching to get gardening. I need to pull out my seeds and take inventory. I’m also itching to get my coop built so we can finally get our chickens. I may end up buying one I saw at Menard’s. It looks to be perfect for what we need. While many of these pre-fab coops aren’t built for longevity, I think it will be perfect for us in the here and now. When we ‘grow up’ into our farm, we can think about building a bigger one , you know, for more chimkens. We can only have 6 here in town and we intend to have 6. We will have chickens, dang it.

Ok, enough talking about it, time to get up and do it. Until next time.

Thanksgiving at the Cottage Homestead

Can you believe tomorrow is Thanksgiving already? It seems to happen quicker every year. Today I thought I would share what we are doing to prepare and share some tips and suggestions with you!

Let’s talk Thanksgiving prep!
Make all of your casserole dishes, cover and pop in the fridge! Bake tomorrow. Saves a lot of prep time tomorrow!

Make and bake your pies today. Stick the pumpkin pie in the fridge and take it out tomorrow morning-ish.

Do whatever you can do today to save yourself the time tomorrow. The more you can do today, the more you can enjoy tomorrow!

I have 7/10 dozen rolls rising for customers to pick up this afternoon.

Two of the ten are staying frozen as requested by the customer. And the final one will be picked up on Saturday.

After these are picked up I will be making our traditional fudge and Krispies treats and making my pies. Usually I will just do two pumpkin pies, but decided to switch it up and make one pumpkin and one pecan. I’ve never had a pecan pie, so I’m super excited!

I’ll be picking up some local homemade cranberry sauce that a local homestead made. Sure, I can do it, but I wanted to support our local farmers and homesteads. It’s super important to keep them running!

I’ll also be preparing our cinnamon rolls for the morning. As is tradition for us, we like to have our cinnamon rolls, coffee, and orange juice while we watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. I look forward to that every year.

Then tomorrow we will go to my mom’s and have dinner there.

We look forward to all the deliciousness that comes with tomorrow and the days after.

We have so much to be thankful for. We need to remember these things on the daily. We take so much for granted. I hope tomorrow you take the time to stop and reflect on all the blessings the LORD has bestowed upon you. His mercy and grace for starters! Thank Him for not giving you what you deserve. 🥴😬🫠

“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:13

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! May you all have a blessed holiday with friends and loved ones. 🦃

Hello, November!

Look at me! Posting twice in one week. I honestly should be doing anything else right now. But I happened to have my laptop open for another task I had to do and decided, might as well, since I’m here!

November is here! And I am shooketh. I have so much that I * want* to do, so much I *need* to do. There are lists every where. But you wouldn’t know….

This is my ‘office’. This is the only space I have for anything. Except my baking of course. So from about July/August through December, this is what my living room looks like on any given day. My notebooks fill of lists are under there somewhere. One of these days, I’ll be like the cool kids and either have a dedicated room or a she-shed. A she-shed would be preferable. This is real maker life, friends. I’m not an influencer (nor do I ever want to be). I am a real, small town, God-fearing, God-loving girl. Who would much rather be buried under a pile of yarn, or in the kitchen covered in flour, than be anywhere, or do anything, else.

While in the midst of preparing for next week’s craft show, I went and set up shop! I finally got it set up and somewhat loaded. I have a few items listed and will list a few more once the show is over. Go on over and check it out! I’m super excited to have found this great platform that aligns with my beliefs and values. They are super helpful and go out of their way to support their vendors. Plus, I love that my small business is helping their small business. Win/Win! I hope you will check them out, and if you are a maker with the same values, I hope you will give them a try!

It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year and it’s taking all I have to not drop everything and put the tree up. We would typically be decking the halls this week, but I am so far behind on my prep that I really need to focus on that. I may take a day off (or at least a few hours) on Sunday and do some hall decking then. It’s a busy season already. I want to be able to enjoy my decor for a while! Not just two weeks. I mean, obviously, we’re already watching the movies and listening to the music. And yes, I did in fact, buy some eggnog last night. Merry Christmas! And no, we aren’t skipping Thanksgiving. Silly. Truly the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. Literally no one skips Thanksgiving. We just enjoy our Thanksgiving and give thanks under the glow of Christmas lights. It’s really quite lovely. Maybe you should try it sometime.

PSA: While we’re on the subject… LET PEOPLE DECORATE EARLY AND STOP GIVING THEM GRIEF OVER IT. Let them have their joy, people! It doesn’t affect your life in any way. If you don’t want to decorate early, then don’t. What someone does in THEIR home, with THEIR stuff is NONE of your dang business and absolutely does NOT affect what goes on in YOUR home. You really ought to do some soul searching and figure out why it bothers you so much. Bless your heart.

But, I digress.

I’ve had to really discipline myself to not take on any other social commitments until after the craft show is done. It’s been hard. But I’m standing strong! This isn’t to say that I don’t already have a calendar full of commitments, I’m just not taking on any new ones. I even kind of wish I could back out of some the ones I’ve already made, but…integrity, and all. It’s important to me.

Me and all my delusions of grandeur have decided to try to make a display wall to set atop my table for the craft show. I will try to document the process. If it’s any good, I’ll share it. If it sucks, I’ll probably share that, too. Stay tuned for that.

I’ll leave you with that. And this Scripture.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 ESV

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I suck at this. It’s been 3 months since I last blogged. I can’t tell you how many times I have tried to sit down and write, only to be sidelined or distracted by something else. It’s been a busy 3 months! And the next 3 months will be just as busy.

Next week will be November. I’m sorry. WHAT? I am so not ready! It was literally just July. I blinked. Next week. November. Sigh. Somewhere along the line, I’ve lost 2 months. I’m not sure what happened.

Every single year I think next year will be better and I’ll be more on top of things. And every single year, November sneaks up behind me and clubs me in the head. Anyone else? No? Just me? Carry on, then.

I have SO MANY IDEAS and things I want to implement. They only cost time & money. Time, I’ve got. Resources, not so much. Although, I could be a better steward of my time. It’s something I am constantly striving to improve. I’m light years better than I once was, so let’s call that a win.

I can write my ideas down in a brain dump all day long, but that’s as far as many of them get. I need a better system. I’m open to suggestions! What works well for you? How do you organize your brain dumps/ideas/brainstorms? I have notebooks all over and they get all mixed up and used for other things. This might be a focus for the new year.

It’s fall. Last time I wrote, it was the heat of the summer and I was melting. It’s been a gorgeous fall so far. We’ve had it for a few weeks. I would like for it to last a little longer. But next week, we drop down into the 40s for the high for a few days. I don’t mind it. I’d mind it even less if I had a fireplace. Then Ozarks fall returns for another week or so. Temps should be falling pretty soon. I have a Farmer’s Almanac this year. I’m eager to see how accurate it is.

The annual craft fair is in just a couple of weeks and I am no where near ready for that. I’ll be spending my days with hook and yarn in hand. If you see me with gnarled hands, mind your business.

The bakery has been in a moderately slow period over the last couple of months. I’m hoping that, too, picks up soon with the holidays approaching. I have a bajillion ideas where that is concerned, too.

I started my own apple cider vinegar the other day and will be doing a blog post about that soon, too. I may have to schedule it for after the craft show. It’s terribly late now but had to strike while the iron was hot. I should either be sleeping or crocheting. It has to be one or the other for the next 16 days. It’s that dire. Food? What’s that? Sleep? Meh. I’ll sleep when I’m dead. Crafters gonna craft. Makers gonna make. Hookers gonna hook. *wink wink*

And with that, I shall bid you adieu. Until next time, friends!

My how time flies!

How in the fig is it already July?? How did we already have July 4th? Did you enjoy yours as much as we did? We are super low-key and do things at home with a simple cookout. We hang out in the backyard or driveway and watch the neighbors burn their hard earned cash.

We had hamburgers with fresh baked hamburger buns, homemade coleslaw and potato salad, deviled eggs, a red white and blue salad (strawberries, fresh-picked blueberries, feta, and greens), potato chips, homemade blueberry lavender lemonade, and fresh homemade no-churn strawberry ice cream for dessert. Now, if you’ve known me for any length of time, you know summer isn’t my jam, but I do love it for gardens and cookouts!

Speaking of gardens, I haven’t taken a pic but we finally got ours put in mid-June. Super late, but better than never. Lots of squash (hopefully the evil squash bugs don’t annihilate them), green beans, carrot…literally one carrot is coming up, tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkin, green peppers, herbs: mint, lemon balm, chamomile, sage, and whatever else. I had planted them in my wheelbarrow and apparently it was under the gutter during a downpour and it dumped all down in the wheelbarrow, washing things amiss. So it will be interesting to see what grows where. I did have to reseed several things in both places because I think I had some duds. This garden will be super interesting for sure. We also have 4 elderberry shrubs and a blackberry bush growing and doing well. I’m already planning ahead for my fall garden. I did have some luck with our ‘salad bar’ and hope to replant some for the fall. There are some things I will need to start planting in a few weeks! Eek! One of these days I’ll get the hang of it.

And with July starting off a bang, that also means it’s time to start prepping for fall/holiday markets! Specifically, the craft show we have at our church. Not to mention, gifts! It’s also time to start planning fall/holiday bakes for the bakery. Oh man. It’s almost the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Who else is watching Christmas in July on GAC? No? Just me? DOUBTFUL. Tee hee.

Things to note:

I want a blueberry farm. We went to one a few weeks ago and picked blueberries and had the best time. I learned that I never had blueberries until I picked them and ate them fresh off the bush. UNREAL. Add a lavender field, too. It was a whole experience. I want to offer that.

I still very much can’t wait for our future homestead property. I will keep asking the Lord. 😉

I’ve found that this new endeavor with the Wellness Store is so up my alley and I’m super happy to have taken the leap. You can learn more about it on my Insta!

And as of last night, I am an official Ambassador for Ever.American apparel. You can shop and save 10% with that link. I do earn commissions, but I would (and have) share this shop anyway. I just love their tees! Below is my first tee. I wear it pretty much all the time.

¹⁴ For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Perhaps YOU were made for such a time as this?

THIS SONG is probably my new favorite. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

New Recipe Alert!

Where are my Ranch dressing loving people at? Have I got a goodie for you!

If you’re like me, you’ve been looking for healthier alternatives for your family. In every way! Well today I am going to share with you a healthier alternative to an American favorite, ranch dressing. You’re most welcome!

Let’s get started!

You could do this a couple ways, but here is what I did. I took my two cup Pyrex measuring glass and added in:

• 4 Tbsp of sour cream (I used Daisy, full fat!)
• 4 Tbsp of mayonnaise (best if you make your own!)
• 6 Tbsp of Buttermilk
• 2 tsp of dried minced onion
• 2 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried chives
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried dill
• about 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper (to taste)

Mix all of these together with a whisk until well incorporated. Put in a mason jar and place in the fridge for about an hour for all of the flavors to work together and get awesome for you! Enjoy! Keeps about a week in the fridge. That is, if you don’t eat it all before then! It’s so yummy! Now I didn’t have dried chives on hand, but it’s still super yummy without! It would only be yummier with!

This will be on the thicker side, so if you want a thinner dressing, add a bit of milk until you are happy with it. But definitely wait until after it’s had time to chill out to assess.

If you have these herbs fresh, go for it. Chop them up really fine. Fresh garlic will also work, just know that the flavor ramps up the longer it sits in the fridge. Like a lot! Dried is better here. You can certainly sub lower fat things, but it won’t be as creamy and flavorful. We tend to stay away from the ‘free’ (fat-free, sugar-free, etc.) foods and stick with the more natural, full ‘editions’. The original medium is just better for you, nutritionally speaking. But I digress.

This recipe makes about 2/3 of a cup, or so. You can easily double this recipe or even triple it. Just know that because it is thicker, a little goes a long way and you can add milk to thin it out for more. Only make as much as you will consume before it goes south!

Enjoy!