Melissa K. Norris

Podcast #48 How to Make Bone Broth and 5 Ways to Preserve It

January 23, 2015 by Melissa Norris 5 Comments

Learn how to make bone broth and stock. A great way to stretch your food budget dollars and provide additional nutrients for your family. Love the 5 different ways to preserve the bone broth at home. I never thought of doing the number 2 and 3. Great ideas to use up the carcass and bones you'd normally just toss. Read this now for tips and ways to make your bone broth go even further.

Anyone else feel late to the bone broth parade? Up until a year ago I had no idea the awesomeness of bone broth. I simply new it was a good way to get more money from your meat purchases and a more frugal way to make broth at home. Then I started reading up and discovered bone broth supports good gut health among other parts of our bodies. I'm sure you've all seen the commercial by now how a big portion of our immune system is linked to the health of our gut. No? Let's just say if the folks … [Read more...]

How to Prune Blueberries for a Larger Harvest

January 21, 2015 by Melissa Norris 4 Comments

Want a larger harvest of blueberries? Learn how to prune blueberry plants for a larger harvest. Great step by step tutorial, plus love her tips for what to add to the soil. If you want to put in blueberries or already have them, you need to read this tutorial now.

How to Prune Blueberries It seems so contradictory to cut off branches in order to get more fruit, but that's exactly what we need to do with our fruit trees, especially blueberry plants. Pruning blueberries is slightly different than pruning fruit trees, though some of the principals remain the same. I can't help but think of this verse every time I prune any of our plants. I'm always amazed at how gardening brings to mind so many of the scriptures. He cuts off every branch in me that … [Read more...]

DIY Herbal Bentonite Clay Face Mask and Scrub

January 14, 2015 by Melissa Norris 4 Comments

Want an easy natural face scrub and mask? This quick herbal recipe can be used as a scrub or mask. I was hooked after one use. Whips up in minutes and no icky chemicals lurking. Read this now to make your own!

DIY Herbal Bentonite Clay Face Mask and Scrub Am I the only one who probably has more skin issues now than I did as a teenager? I thought that was supposed to go away once I graduated high school... I have the lovely combination of both oily and acne prone, but also dry splotches, a little of both worlds you could say. Like so many things on our homestead, I've really started looking at the ingredients in my skin care and make-up. Because as much of a pioneer woman as I am, I like my lip … [Read more...]

Podcast #47 7 Tips to Spending Less and Living the Good Life

January 1, 2015 by Melissa Norris 3 Comments

Do you long for the good life without going broke? These 7 tips to spending less money and living the good life help you focus on real things you can do to save money, no matter where you live, without coupons or schemes. They help you find focus on the good life and the things you need, not the things you want. I love the tips and stories shared from real people. Read this now if you're trying to spend less money without sacrificing what's truly important.

If you're anything like me, even though you try to be really good with your budget, you might have kind of blown it last month. If you're looking at the first of year and getting your budget and finances back on track you're going to love today's episode! Because let's face it, we could all stand to do a little bit better with our finances, am I right? I post new episodes on Friday mornings. You can subscribe via RSS and receive every episode for free. Or subscribe via Itunes We have a … [Read more...]

How to Make Flavored Butter 4 Easy Recipes

December 19, 2014 by Melissa Norris 6 Comments

Need a quick and frugal gift or treat? These 4 easy flavored butter recipes whip up in less than a minute. Plus, I get to use a Mason jar. A fun and delicious gift for the foodies in your life.

It's pretty hard to make real butter any better, but seriously, I may never look at butter the same after trying out these flavored butters. Perfect for a holiday treat, to make every day food a little more special, and making your foodie friends cheer. Plus, I get to use my Mason jars, which always makes me happy. Here are 4 flavored butter recipes that whip up in literally a minute or less. I know, that's my kind of cooking when I'm busy. If you missed any of the previous fun posts in … [Read more...]

Handmade Gift Bags & Tags from the Great Depression Era

December 10, 2014 by Melissa Norris 4 Comments

Need free gift tags? These Depression Era gift tags are free and re-use items normally tossed out. I love this idea and they are the most beautiful bags and tags I've seen. Read this tutorial to get all of your gifts wrapped and tagged frugally and homemade.

You know all those Christmas cards you get and after Christmas is over you throw them out, anyone else feel a little bit guilty about that? You'll be asking your neighbor for their cards after today's post! I've been staring adoringly at these pictures for a month now. Ever since Andrea sent them to me I've decided they're the prettiest gift bags and tags I've seen. What makes them even more special is they're homemade and I love her story behind them. I think the story of how her family has … [Read more...]

Podcast #46 10 Frugal Healthier Ingredient Swaps

December 5, 2014 by Melissa Norris 2 Comments

Looking to eat healthier and more frugal, but don't want to give up your favorite family recipes? Try these 10 easy frugal and healthy ingredient swaps to use in your kitchen. I love the tip on the liquids and the fat swaps. I can't believe the cost difference on some of these. Read now, just in time for all your holiday baking and pocket book.

Want to make your recipes healthier and more frugal? These 10 frugal and healthier ingredient swaps to your existing recipes will come in handy and are just as tasty, if not more. We're gearing up for holiday baking. I love to bake. If I had to pick between cooking dinner and baking, I hands down pick baking. Probably due to my sweet tooth... There's a lot of Christmas recipes I only bake during the holidays. Not sure why, I should pull them out all through the year to bake and enjoy. But, … [Read more...]

DIY No-Knead Bread Mix in a Jar Recipe

December 3, 2014 by Melissa Norris 52 Comments

Need a quick frugal gift? This no-knead bread recipe is perfect for busy families who love homemade bread. It would pair great with some homemade jams and jellies or even flavored butters. Grab it now to put together to have on hand for yourself and for gifts.

Ever want homemade bread but seriously don't have the time? This is the perfect gift for busy folks wanting super yummy homemade bread. Because honestly, who doesn't like homemade bread? Maria is up today with a fun DIY No-Knead Bread Mix in a jar. This no-knead bread mix would be perfect paired with a jar of homemade jam and jelly (go to the bottom of the page for all of my canning jam/jelly recipes) or some flavored butters. (Hint: some awesome knock your boots off flavored butter recipes … [Read more...]

Homemade Rag Quilt Christmas Wreath

November 26, 2014 by Melissa Norris 3 Comments

These easy no sew homemade rag quilt wreath ornaments are perfect for Christmas, but can be left up all year long!

Does anyone else have little scraps of fabric stuck in a bag up on the shelf? Here's hoping I'm not the only fabric hoarder. I have a hard time tossing out the little pieces. With today's tutorial on Handmade Christmas Rag Quilt Wreaths, I'm so glad I have that little bag. Today's post is from Tessa at HomeasteadLady.com If you missed any of the previous fun posts in our Homemade Christmas Series go here to get caught up and be sure to sign up to get the rest of the tutorials and early bird … [Read more...]