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. 🦃

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!

Be a Good Steward

Anyone else looking for other shopping alternatives? No? Just me? 👀

Over the last few years, things have shifted, in a big way, for me.

I’ve been more conscious of what we consume, in every way. I’m having to make my dollars stretch a LOT farther. I’ve had to let go a lot of things. I’m reusing and repurposing anything I can. I’m cooking and baking from scratch, gardening, getting chickens, etc. It’s a whole thing! 🌱🐓💐

Since I’m an America First 🇺🇸 kind of girl, I’ve been really conscious of spending my dollars with like minded shops/stores/people, as well as local.

It’s super important to me. God has bestowed upon me blessing after blessing and I must be a good steward of those blessings.

Thankfully, I’ve found one such place that checks many of my boxes.

• Made in the USA
• Clean & non-toxic
• Affordable
  …just to name a few

I am now working to swap all the gross toxic crap with healthier options. Under my kitchen and bathroom sink, in my medicine cabinet, including supplements! I’m really excited to get everything swapped over and share with you my thoughts on it. It’s all part of our journey in going from cottage to farmhouse!

A Simple Saturday

I thought today would be more like, ahhh yes, crochet and TV.

It ended up being more like, AHHH, fidgeting with printing things, a little bit of crochet, slow cooking a chicken for the week, making chili for dinner, visiting with a lovely friend & talking all things homesteading, running to the store, eating dinner, cutting up said chicken, saving bones for chicken stock, baking a cake, making frosting, frosting said cake, and making pie dough for tomorrow’s birthday dinner for my dad. AND doing all the dishes.

I am exhausted and my back hurts. But I’m happy. I got to do ALL the things I love to do. Except dishes. Those I don’t love to do. But, it gives me time to think on things, say little prayers, and just be thankful that I had a reason to dirty those dishes in the first place.

All in all, today turned out just like I’d hoped it would. Feeling accomplished and thankful.

Birthday cake for my daddy. 😊

So You Want to Homestead, eh?

Homesteading. It’s quite the buzzword these days, isn’t it? But what exactly is homesteading?

Never mind what Merriam-Webster says. Of course, that’s a true definition of the word. But let’s look at it in the 21st century’s lens.

Homesteading today is as much a way of life as it is a place. Homesteading is more about becoming self-sustaining and self-reliant. Learning ‘old timey’ skills, going back to our roots and living a more peaceful life.

Here is what homesteading means to this nostalgic old soul:

*Learning skills that seem to have died with our grandmothers: crocheting, knitting, quilting, embroidery, sewing, cooking and baking everything from scratch, re-using and re-purposing everything –yes, maybe even cleaning off the perfectly good piece of tinfoil, because waste not want not, amiright? Growing and raising our own food, and on and on.

*Homeschooling our kids. I’m done having small children, but my young adult son is already on board with homeschooling his children–good Lord willing he should be so blessed.

*Trading and bartering with neighbors and brothers and sisters in Christ. You know how to do something they don’t and they know how to do something you don’t, so do what you know how to do well and share the love, mmkay? Yes. Let’s do that.

*Keeping money local. Buy, sell, trade in your own community, amongst like-minded folks. Keeping money in your own community is the best way to ensure stability in your community.

*Teach others how to do what you know how to do. Share the wealth and the love.

*Bring back ‘barn raisings”. The Amish still do it to this day. It’s economical and often faster than hiring out help. It also builds community.

*Bring back Sunday/family dinners. Ideally, you’re already eating together as a family at the table, but if your work schedule doesn’t allow for that, at least make sure you can gather for a family meal at the end of the week.

*Plant a garden and have chickens. Planting a garden is soooo therapeutic and rewarding. Raising chickens for fresh eggs should be on your list, too. Check with your local ordinances to see if that is allowable for you before you run off and build your coop and get your chicks. 😉 Plant some herbs especially for your chickens. It will help them stay healthy and enrich your eggs!

*Learn to bake fresh bread. I promise, it’s not as a hard as it looks and it is so cathartic and therapeutic. Also rewarding. And, bonus feature, it’s a natural room freshener. You’ll thank me later.

Live in an apartment? No sweat. You can do a small container garden on your patio or balcony, or even in a sunny kitchen window. You can grow tomatoes, green beans, herbs, and yes, even a dwarf lemon tree! Pinterest is a gold mine for how to start a container garden.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. As I learn more about how I can homestead where I am, I will share with you on how you can homestead where YOU are. It can be done anywhere! It’s more of a way of living than a physical place.

Stay tuned for more homesteading posts, tips, and ideas!

‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

It’s not even 2:00 and I have all of my sides prepped for Friday’s Thanksgiving dinner. 🙌🏻

Yesterday I made our fudge and Rice Krispies treats and pie dough.

I have yet to do my pies, dinner rolls, and cinnamon rolls. The rolls I will make up to the point where they would need to rest and rise and then I will stick them in the fridge until tomorrow morning and complete the process.

I made our stuffing from scratch this year and I am convinced I will never do it any other way from here on out. It’s all ready for the bird on Friday morning. The only shortcut I took was buying a loaf of French bread. I’ll attempt the French bread for Christmas.

I’m killing myself now so that I can enjoy the next two days instead of driving myself crazy with all the things. I want to be able to relax and watch the Thanksgiving Day parade and eat my cinnamon rolls and drink my coffee and orange juice.

Tomorrow we will have dinner at mom’s and on Friday I will host dinner at my house for my dad and Other Mother.

I’m so looking forward to all the things. Especially the stuffing and pumpkin pie. 😋🥰

May you all have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁

The Waiting Game

Hurry up and wait. Society today knows no patience. Everything is sped up and hurried. Instantaneous. At your fingertips.

Microwaves | Drive thrus | Delivery | Fast food | Instacart | Amazon | Next day shipping | pre-packaged meals | The list goes on and on.

No one has to wait for anything these days. And that has done us a huge disservice.

We need to rely on God’s timing. Because His timing is sheer perfection. I have never been a patient person. God knows this. Therefore, He ensured that my life be a waiting period. And yours, too.

You know how they say, “Good things come to those who wait”? We have been conditioned to bypass that. Instead, these days it’s, “Good things come to those who hustle”. I used to believe that. The last few years have changed my thoughts on the matter. They have taught me to slow down and appreciate things more. Enjoy the process more. And you know what? I rather like it and prefer it. I’ve learned to make things from scratch. To grow things. I’m discovering skills and arts that have gotten lost in the hustle.

It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted the ‘next best thing’, but even in the last few years, the desires of my heart have drastically changed. I no longer seek wealth, I seek joy and peace. I no longer seek the recognition, I seek the fellowship and connection of family, friends, and neighbors.

Do I still have material wants? Of course. Hello farm life! Donkeys, cows, and chickens…Oh my! But they aren’t just things to HAVE. They are a way of life and each serves a purpose.

I’ve gotten a bit off track. Waiting. We were never meant to have ALL THE THINGS RIGHT MEOW. Hello? Moses. Israelites. Wilderness. 40 years. Going in circles because they couldn’t quit complaining and being grateful for what the Lord gave them? Sound familiar? It sure does to me. I have been in my own wilderness for the last 17 years. Because I haven’t been content and thankful for what I have been given. Including the struggles. This isn’t a post about contentment, though we need to have it in the waiting. The last few years the Lord has shown me to be content in the waiting. It wasn’t until today during my devotional reading that it hit me that the waiting is preparing my heart and mind for what He has in store for me.

I know what I think I want and need. But God knows better than I. And I can’t WAIT to see what He has in store for me. Because what I want sounds pretty amazing. A loving godly husband, a farm life, taking care of the family with the things we have grown and raised together. It sounds downright heavenly. But only if it’s the Lord’s will. Naturally, I hope it is. But I will learn to be content in whatever situation He places me. And in HIS time. Not mine.

What are you waiting for God to do in your life? While you wait, prepare for what He has coming, dive into His Word, ask Him boldly and specifically, pray for wisdom and discernment, and wait on the Lord.

The Clock Strikes Midnight

It’s October 31. For a few more minutes, anyway. And I’m over here like…

It may be Halloween, but it’s Christmas at the Cozy Cottage. We are raring to deck the halls this week. So stay tuned for some fun DIYs, recipes, and more!