Cooking and Preservation

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Growing and Gardening

Our tutorials cover skill levels from newbie gardeners with questions about their first garden or more advanced topics like building better soil and understanding plant language. 

Homestead Projects

Check out what projects we are working on or have worked on to save yourself some hard lessons learned at our expense. We try to get things right the first time, but often find much to improve on.

Latest From Blog

Easy, versatile and DELICIOUS bread recipe for sliced bread, bread rolls and dinner rolls
15 January, 2024
5 beneficial insects you WANT to find in your garden!
3 March, 2023
No More Bitter Carrots!
2 March, 2023
The Secret to Growing Sunflowers in Subtropical Climates
16 February, 2023
Ok, Let’s Grow. What Do I Do Now?
18 May, 2022

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It's taken 3 rounds of weeding to get the garden beds back to this state. I started keeping track of the hours during the second round of weeding. I estimate that it's taken around 35 hours. Literally on my hands and knees weeding hundreds of thousands of weeds. Big and small. The pregnancy and newborn season of life meant I couldn't stay on top of the garden, and I lost control on the war of weeds. Dex is now 19 months and I'm only just now getting back on top of it. It's been a huge struggle. Both mentally (seeing it so horrible), and on my body. Also, the enormity of the task whilst juggling so many other life things. But we're approaching square one. Woodchip will be delivered in the next week or so to top up pathways. I'm about to fertilise and sugar cane mulch garden beds. 16 trays of seeds are planted, germinating and growing quickly. I'm trying my darnest to get this garden back to its full growing potential. It's not over yet though. Weeds will continue to plague me. There are more weed seeds in my soil than I could ever count. But I'm hopeful as they get covered up, they won't germinate so heavily. All that remains in the beds now are the last few spring/summer crops. The last few tomatoes are ripening, then they'll be ripped out. A few flowers that are hanging on. Jalapenos that are perennials and will keep producing until winter hits (then they'll go to sleep and I'll prune them). Loofahs that seem to want to live forever. And basil that keeps starting again every time I hack it back. I'm excited for what feels like a fresh start. Hoping for a better Autumn/Winter season than Spring/Summer was. -Christy
It's taken 3 rounds of weeding to get the garden beds back to this state. I started keeping track of the hours during the second round of weeding. I estimate that it's taken around 35 hours. Literally on my hands and knees weeding hundreds of thousands of weeds. Big and small. The pregnancy and newborn season of life meant I couldn't stay on top of the garden, and I lost control on the war of weeds. Dex is now 19 months and I'm only just now getting back on top of it. It's been a huge struggle. Both mentally (seeing it so horrible), and on my body. Also, the enormity of the task whilst juggling so many other life things. But we're approaching square one. Woodchip will be delivered in the next week or so to top up pathways. I'm about to fertilise and sugar cane mulch garden beds. 16 trays of seeds are planted, germinating and growing quickly. I'm trying my darnest to get this garden back to its full growing potential. It's not over yet though. Weeds will continue to plague me. There are more weed seeds in my soil than I could ever count. But I'm hopeful as they get covered up, they won't germinate so heavily. All that remains in the beds now are the last few spring/summer crops. The last few tomatoes are ripening, then they'll be ripped out. A few flowers that are hanging on. Jalapenos that are perennials and will keep producing until winter hits (then they'll go to sleep and I'll prune them). Loofahs that seem to want to live forever. And basil that keeps starting again every time I hack it back. I'm excited for what feels like a fresh start. Hoping for a better Autumn/Winter season than Spring/Summer was. -Christy
I was inside, hanging up wet shirts to dry, fresh out of the washing machine. I peered out the window, and this is what I found. The quality isn't great, as I filmed quietly through a dirty bedroom windows partially covered by patio shelving, from a pretty decent distance away. But this warmed my heart today. This girl loves dirt. She will often check with me wondering if "today is a mud day?" She loves getting muddy and filthy and sopping wet. Just as I was typing this I heard her saying "come get your pepperoni pizza!".🍕 Today she's getting filthy in her blue princess dress. Even filthy dirt girls can be princesses too! 🤎👸🏼🩵 -Christy
I was inside, hanging up wet shirts to dry, fresh out of the washing machine. I peered out the window, and this is what I found. The quality isn't great, as I filmed quietly through a dirty bedroom windows partially covered by patio shelving, from a pretty decent distance away. But this warmed my heart today. This girl loves dirt. She will often check with me wondering if "today is a mud day?" She loves getting muddy and filthy and sopping wet. Just as I was typing this I heard her saying "come get your pepperoni pizza!".🍕 Today she's getting filthy in her blue princess dress. Even filthy dirt girls can be princesses too! 🤎👸🏼🩵 -Christy
Homemade mayo! 🫙 Something I've wanted to try making for the longest time! It was really fast and easy to make. I made it during the crazy dinner making shenanigans trying to keep young kids out of mischief. I edited the video and was listening back to the original audio and decided to leave it as is because it's the real part of life. The chaos, the "I want to help" that's not helpful 🤣, the not listening, with a little whinging as the cherry on top.🍒 We have 2 more jars of store-bought mayo to get through from the pantry, then we'll just stick to homemade mayo there on out! It was absolutely DELICIOUS. 🤤 🫙🫙🫙 Ingredients: 1 egg 2 egg yolks 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 3 tsp white vinegar 1 tsp salt 1 tsp white sugar 1/2 tsp dijon mustard 1 3/4 cups avocado oil 🫙🫙🫙 Method: Using a tall jug, mix together your egg, egg yolks, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, white sugar & dijon mustard with a stick mixer. Once combined, slowly pour your oil into the mixture. Make sure you're moving your stick mixer up and down while continuing to pour your oil. The oil will begin to emulsify and turn white. Make sure all the oil is mixed in and emulsified well. Taste your mayo and add any seasonings you wish to adapt to the flavour. Enjoy!!! 🫶🏽
Homemade mayo! 🫙 Something I've wanted to try making for the longest time! It was really fast and easy to make. I made it during the crazy dinner making shenanigans trying to keep young kids out of mischief. I edited the video and was listening back to the original audio and decided to leave it as is because it's the real part of life. The chaos, the "I want to help" that's not helpful 🤣, the not listening, with a little whinging as the cherry on top.🍒 We have 2 more jars of store-bought mayo to get through from the pantry, then we'll just stick to homemade mayo there on out! It was absolutely DELICIOUS. 🤤 🫙🫙🫙 Ingredients: 1 egg 2 egg yolks 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 3 tsp white vinegar 1 tsp salt 1 tsp white sugar 1/2 tsp dijon mustard 1 3/4 cups avocado oil 🫙🫙🫙 Method: Using a tall jug, mix together your egg, egg yolks, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, white sugar & dijon mustard with a stick mixer. Once combined, slowly pour your oil into the mixture. Make sure you're moving your stick mixer up and down while continuing to pour your oil. The oil will begin to emulsify and turn white. Make sure all the oil is mixed in and emulsified well. Taste your mayo and add any seasonings you wish to adapt to the flavour. Enjoy!!! 🫶🏽
I'm not much of a sourdough girl, I'm all about the sourdough discard!! Focaccia, dutch babies, muffins, pancakes, you name it! You can use sourdough discard in so many different things and I'm here for it. 🤤 -Christy #sourdough #sourdoughdiscard
I'm not much of a sourdough girl, I'm all about the sourdough discard!! Focaccia, dutch babies, muffins, pancakes, you name it! You can use sourdough discard in so many different things and I'm here for it. 🤤 -Christy #sourdough #sourdoughdiscard
You may have noticed that we didn't do Valentine's Day Mother's Day flowers this year. It was not an easy decision, but our flower growing chapter is closed for now. There were a few factors involved in this decision. 1. My hands. Shortly after Dexter's birth 8 months ago, I developed carpal tunnel and de quervain's tenosynovitis in both hands. Essentially I have extreme pain in my wrists/hands/fingers every single day. I'm awaiting a specialist appointment to have surgery after cortisol injections only gave minor relief for a few days. I can't physically hold flowers in my hands! I can't even chop veggies for dinner without my fingers going completely numb and having extreme pain. (It's happening right now as I type this caption!) Harvesting flowers, stripping stems, arranging bouquets in my hands, all completely out of the question for me right now. 😔 2. Mum life balance. Working with the tight time frames of flower work was just outside of the realm of possiblity for me right now with the ages and needs of my kids. With Dexter's needs as a growing baby, by pumping milk for him, and starting to homeschool Clara this year, it just couldn't happen. So for now, I'm closing the chapter, and we are planning on using the space in our garden for another exciting project that is already underway!! -Christy
You may have noticed that we didn't do Valentine's Day Mother's Day flowers this year. It was not an easy decision, but our flower growing chapter is closed for now. There were a few factors involved in this decision. 1. My hands. Shortly after Dexter's birth 8 months ago, I developed carpal tunnel and de quervain's tenosynovitis in both hands. Essentially I have extreme pain in my wrists/hands/fingers every single day. I'm awaiting a specialist appointment to have surgery after cortisol injections only gave minor relief for a few days. I can't physically hold flowers in my hands! I can't even chop veggies for dinner without my fingers going completely numb and having extreme pain. (It's happening right now as I type this caption!) Harvesting flowers, stripping stems, arranging bouquets in my hands, all completely out of the question for me right now. 😔 2. Mum life balance. Working with the tight time frames of flower work was just outside of the realm of possiblity for me right now with the ages and needs of my kids. With Dexter's needs as a growing baby, by pumping milk for him, and starting to homeschool Clara this year, it just couldn't happen. So for now, I'm closing the chapter, and we are planning on using the space in our garden for another exciting project that is already underway!! -Christy
Clara decided she wanted to plant some seeds. So she filled a tray with soil, made the holes, and I got out some sunflower seeds for her to plant. It's so satisfying as a gardening mama, that my girl wants to plant her own seeds and have her own plants and garden spaces! -Christy
Clara decided she wanted to plant some seeds. So she filled a tray with soil, made the holes, and I got out some sunflower seeds for her to plant. It's so satisfying as a gardening mama, that my girl wants to plant her own seeds and have her own plants and garden spaces! -Christy
Getting organised for our Friendsgiving Dinner tomorrow night! We love celebrating Thanksgiving as Dan is from the USA! The food is incredible and it's so fun to share it with friends who also have ties to the USA or have a passion for the food. 😅 I'm making quite a few things as I just love to cook it all to enjoy it. I'll be making sweet potato casserole with sweet potatoes all from our garden. We grew a mix of orange and also a few white & purple ones too. Then I've got some turkey rolls defrosting to roast tomorrow. I made the bread to make stuffing tomorrow. Then I'll prep the batter for an apple cobbler using our canned apple pie filling. And a last minute decision I'll make a corn casserole too because it's just so so good. I can't wait! 🤤🤤🤤 -Christy
Getting organised for our Friendsgiving Dinner tomorrow night! We love celebrating Thanksgiving as Dan is from the USA! The food is incredible and it's so fun to share it with friends who also have ties to the USA or have a passion for the food. 😅 I'm making quite a few things as I just love to cook it all to enjoy it. I'll be making sweet potato casserole with sweet potatoes all from our garden. We grew a mix of orange and also a few white & purple ones too. Then I've got some turkey rolls defrosting to roast tomorrow. I made the bread to make stuffing tomorrow. Then I'll prep the batter for an apple cobbler using our canned apple pie filling. And a last minute decision I'll make a corn casserole too because it's just so so good. I can't wait! 🤤🤤🤤 -Christy
🍋When your fruit shop has 5 cent lemons, naturally you buy 100. Needless to say, after I bought my 100, a 20 limit per customer rule came into effect. 🤣🤣🤣 Sorry about that! We juiced the entire 100, froze some in ice cube trays or in 1 cup cubes, then made lemon cordial🥛with the rest. Tip: strain your pulp out before pouring the lemon juice into the syrup!I found this reel in my drafts from 6 months ago. Oops, forgot about it in there. 😅-Christy
🍋When your fruit shop has 5 cent lemons, naturally you buy 100. Needless to say, after I bought my 100, a 20 limit per customer rule came into effect. 🤣🤣🤣 Sorry about that! We juiced the entire 100, froze some in ice cube trays or in 1 cup cubes, then made lemon cordial🥛with the rest. Tip: strain your pulp out before pouring the lemon juice into the syrup!I found this reel in my drafts from 6 months ago. Oops, forgot about it in there. 😅-Christy
Dan has started a new tradition of pancakes for Sunday breakfast. 🥞 As much as it's convenient to buy the shaker pancake containers, nothing beats homemade pancakes! All he needs to do is dump out the jar in a mixing bowl, add the egg, milk & vanilla, and mix it up. Super quick and easy! And I love that there's no additives or preservatives in our mix. Just simple ingredients that we know and can pronounce. 👌🏼 I've asked Dan for a portable jar vacuum sealer for Christmas, so that I can vacuum seal our jars with dry ingredients such as this to create our own "fast foods". It means they stay shelf stable for longer if we don't get through them quickly. I plan on doing up some muffin base and cornbread base jars soon! I love this concept as it makes baking something so much quicker and easier. Little things like this really do save time. Thank you Jessica @threerivershomestead and Chelsea @littlemountainranch for the inspiration! I don't have a lot of time to spend on food preservation at the moment with our new little baby, so little projects like this are quick and satisfying to get done! ☺️ -Christy
Dan has started a new tradition of pancakes for Sunday breakfast. 🥞 As much as it's convenient to buy the shaker pancake containers, nothing beats homemade pancakes! All he needs to do is dump out the jar in a mixing bowl, add the egg, milk & vanilla, and mix it up. Super quick and easy! And I love that there's no additives or preservatives in our mix. Just simple ingredients that we know and can pronounce. 👌🏼 I've asked Dan for a portable jar vacuum sealer for Christmas, so that I can vacuum seal our jars with dry ingredients such as this to create our own "fast foods". It means they stay shelf stable for longer if we don't get through them quickly. I plan on doing up some muffin base and cornbread base jars soon! I love this concept as it makes baking something so much quicker and easier. Little things like this really do save time. Thank you Jessica @threerivershomestead and Chelsea @littlemountainranch for the inspiration! I don't have a lot of time to spend on food preservation at the moment with our new little baby, so little projects like this are quick and satisfying to get done! ☺️ -Christy
The rest of the week was a bit of a blur! Dan finished bricking in the hole from the AC, electrical was roughed in and another GPO added, I sanded, patched and painted the bedroom door, we bought all the trim, a new door frame, and new kickboards, had one thousand subsequent Bunnings trips because we kept forgetting things, bought and hung insulation, and got started on hanging drywall. Dan's been back at work this week so progress has been slow since. We have a couple of small pieces of drywall to get up then Dan can start cutting trim for me to paint, then taping and mudding can begin. It's going to be a slow burn as we try and fit in the work at night or on Saturdays. Hopefully we get it done in time! Only a couple more months to go until baby brother arrives! 🤰🏽 And still trying to get the winter garden in. 🫣 It only should've been planted 2 months ago, no biggie. 🤣🤣🤣 -Christy
The rest of the week was a bit of a blur! Dan finished bricking in the hole from the AC, electrical was roughed in and another GPO added, I sanded, patched and painted the bedroom door, we bought all the trim, a new door frame, and new kickboards, had one thousand subsequent Bunnings trips because we kept forgetting things, bought and hung insulation, and got started on hanging drywall. Dan's been back at work this week so progress has been slow since. We have a couple of small pieces of drywall to get up then Dan can start cutting trim for me to paint, then taping and mudding can begin. It's going to be a slow burn as we try and fit in the work at night or on Saturdays. Hopefully we get it done in time! Only a couple more months to go until baby brother arrives! 🤰🏽 And still trying to get the winter garden in. 🫣 It only should've been planted 2 months ago, no biggie. 🤣🤣🤣 -Christy