Traditional way to warm the heart

Being that we live as traditionally as we do off-grid in the northern Idaho wilderness, we are always trying to utilize items that require no power.  We live in an intentionally frugal fashion conserving even when we don't have to.  We no longer have a microwave or...

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Good Food, Guns and Simple Living

What a combination, right?  Are you here just out to see where I am headed with this one?? Well in our northern Idaho wilderness home all three are essential! We truly make EVERYTHING from scratch.  I make all our condiments, desserts, snacks, power bars, cereals,...

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How to make a chicken cone and butcher chickens

Our family tries to do everything we possibly can for ourselves.  We purchased 30 laying hens and ended up with 5 roosters out of the bunch.  We didn't want all those roosters in the coop so we fattened them up and decided they would do nicely in our freezer.  When it...

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Simple Pleasures and simplifying your life…..

sim·ple adjective 1. not complicated: a simple design. pleas·ure noun 1. the state or feeling of being pleased. 2. enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one's liking; gratification; delight.   These are my favorite words "Simple Pleasure".  A Simple...

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How to make HE laundry detergent or soap

The day I made the soap was a sunny day and I was ALL out of my laundry detergent.  To most this would not be a concern, but because we are off-grid you learn to utilize all your resources.  Our biggest resource back here in the wilderness is the SUN!! We save a lot...

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A Wilderness Winter Hike

Saturday was a gorgeous day and I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to step away from my desk to enjoy it.  The Mountain Boy and I were supposed to be making a trek to the library which is a 10 mile round trip, but he was under the weather last week and...

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Book Review – “I Still Believe” by Jeremy Camp

I received a complimentary book from Tyndale House Publishers of I Still Believe by Jeremy Camp. With the days being shorter and our outside work being put on hold till spring we get to enjoy the privilege of reading many books.  I had a very hard time putting this...

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MMJ – Building an axe head on the forge

Last week I decided to make an axe head on the forge.  I used a scrap piece of railroad track for the project.  There are 9 different videos to enable you to watch from start to finish.  Below are links to the videos.  Click the image or the associated link to view...

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Wilderness Maple Roasted Almonds

Ok...  I stated this week that breads baking in the oven was truly one of the best comfort smells within a home and now I think I found a close 2nd... A great healthy simple treat that is extremely addicting and easy to make. Wilderness Maple Roasted Almonds...

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New Pioneer Magazine Debut

Well this is an exciting week for our family.  I have always had the desire to write and in 2012 I embraced that dream. I took a 6 week writing course in March and mid-way through my teacher suggested that I query some magazines with my ideas.  We had been enjoying...

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