Every November the Christmas scramble begins. We start to think about loved ones and what they might appreciate come Christmas morning. As a homesteading mama, I have several wishlist items I'm hoping for!

​Cross my fingers that Santa will be generous this year! If you are a fellow homesteader and you don't know what to ask for this Christmas, then keep reading! You are sure to be inspired. Or maybe you have a homesteader in the family and you can't seem to find the perfect gift. My wishlist will start you in the right direction. 

I have compiled a Christmas list for all types of homesteaders and all budgets. Some of these items I already own, love and use and some items I have had my eye on for some time. ​

Farm husband and I took our oldest son out hunting this past weekend. We used to hunt regularly but once we began building our home two years ago, we haven't had the time. Hunting is something we both enjoy doing and has been a part of our lives since we first met. There is a huge sense of pride to harvest an animal and "bring home the bacon" to your family.

​This fall was my first ever antelope hunt. Antelope are not very large creatures and I have heard mixed things as far as taste goes. With a freezer newly stocked in beef, I decided to give sausage making a try! I was always intimidated by the process, but I found it to be quite simple once I decided which blends we would try! 

When we moved into the farmhouse it was the first time I had real wood floors! We had laminate in the old house and I successfully cleaned them with my steam mop. I knew steam would not be a wood friendly routine so I started looking around for a new routine. Time and again I was faced with the latest and greatest products, chock full of chemicals that would disrupt hormone function, add to indoor air pollution among other things! I set out to create my own line of wood floor cleaners that would be super easy to make and use, sans harsh chemicals. 

I woke up this morning and felt compelled to jump on my computer and write this. Partially because I need to remind myself why I chose this crazy life and partially because maybe just one other person like me will be inspired to do something similar. It takes one seed to grow into a mighty tree! 

I feel so deeply honored that the Creator left his most prescious creation in our hands. Well the way I see it, we are all responsible for this world. Down to the smallest mircobe, we are a team. We cannot thrive when one of our teamamtes is out of whack. I have always felt this way but wasn't educated enough to understand my role. My desire to learn more about this subject has taken me down a winding road that led me to a life that feels purposeful and beautiful and hopeful!

After reading a ton of books(find my top ten here), I set my sights on farming one day. I wanted to honor our land, our animals, and our bodies by raising the foods that would nurture us and give back to our earth. We eventually purchased a ten acre property that had to be the most opposite you can get from a regenerative model. I felt like the land needed to be loved. It wanted me and even though I didnt know it at the time, I wanted it.

How I dreamed of a green pasture, rolling hills covered in orchard, pigs and chickens and a barn all waiting for me to just take over! I admit, I wanted to take the easy road. Starting a farm, after living in the city for half my life, was daunting enough. "I have so much to learn," I kept telling myself. And its true, I most certainly do! I have no experience raising cows, very little experience with chickens and pigs, and very little business experience. I didn't complete college, well besides culinary school. I have a long list of reasons why I shouldnt do this!

It's no secret I am a money saving mama! I like a good deal just like anyone else. I saved tens of thousands of dollars by general contracting when we built our house. So when it comes to essential oils, I had to find ways to squeeze every last bit out of those little bottles of goodness. 

It takes experience to figure these little tricks out. Let me save you some time and show you my top four ways to put every last drop to good use!