Is seed starting a frustrating experience? I would gather all my supplies, ripe with excitement for spring, only to be disappointed when my tiny seedling soon died. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong.

I had almost given up on the entire notion that I could start a garden indoors and therefore give myself a head start. After consulting a few garden friends, I was able to up my seed starting game and turns out I'm actually pretty good at it! As a zone 5 gardener, this was a major victory! 

There are so many options in the world of potting soil; seed starting mix, extended release fertilizer blend, veggie garden mix...the list goes on! I have found a simple recipe that works well in a pot indoors or to start my seeds in the spring. This recipe is not only easy, but it will same some money too (and what homesteader isn't thrifty??). 

You will find many recipes online for seed starting mix or potting soil. My version contains just three sustainable ingredients. 

This Christmas has me longing for simple pleasures. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the crazy state of our world or the fact we're reading "The Little House on the Prairie" series for school, but I have caught myself referencing pioneer life on a daily basis since August. The immense pleasure gained from the simpler things in life has triggered something inside of me. 

Yes, this is a post about DIY ornaments! But it is also so much more to me right now. It's a call to be more intentional with our time together, more intentional with how we celebrate the holidays, and less of what doesn't matter. 

It was the end of the growing season and I was left with bowls upon bowls of green tomatoes. This is one of the frustrations of gardening in Colorado, so many tomatoes that could have been! In previous years, I would keep an eye on those bowls and pluck the lucky ones that turned red out of the bowls to eat. 

But there were quite a few more that went bad than would turn juicey red. So last season I knew I had to find a better way to handle these guys. Green tomato salsa usually comes to mind but I wasn't in love with the idea of canning a hundred pounds of green tomato salsa, so I made one batch and called that good.

Fried green tomatoes are another favorite but the San Marzano tomatoes are a little small for this dish. Rest assured, I still made a batch of those too! 

Last month Farm Husband found an awesome cast iron pan at an antique store in Wyoming. He can be so thoughtful sometimes. The flat griddle will make a great crepe pan!

​ It has some minor rust spots on the cooking surface and build-up from years of use and neglect, but I knew I could return it back to glory! With just a few simple household items, I polished off the cooking surface and got to work seasoning it.