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Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris

Simple Modern Homesteading for a Healthy & Self-Sufficient Life

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Anastasia Sakawsky

My name is Anna and I’m a modern homesteader. I began homesteading a few
years ago when I still lived in a condo in the city. It changed my life! I
now live on just over an acre and am following my dreams of living a
simpler, more sustainable and self-sufficient life. I love to help and
inspire others to do the same & prove that the simple life doesn’t have to
be complicated!

Blueberry pancakes stacked on a white plate.

Homemade Pancake Mix

Read moreHomemade Pancake Mix
A woman cutting evergreen branches with snips.

Christmas Stovetop Potpourri

Read moreChristmas Stovetop Potpourri
Pinterest pin with three images. Top image is of a bowl filled with fresh veggies. Bottom images are of a white stock pot filled with borscht and a clear glass bowl with a serving of borscht and a dollop of sour cream. Text overlay says, "Frugal Traditional Borscht Recipe: Mom's Ukrainian Recipe".

Borscht Recipe – How to Make Traditional Ukrainian Borscht

Read moreBorscht Recipe – How to Make Traditional Ukrainian Borscht
two canned jars of cherries. one opened with a spoon in it, and four cherries - all on a wooden surface

Chocolate Cherry Sauce Canning Recipe

Read moreChocolate Cherry Sauce Canning Recipe

How to Grow An Herbal Tea Garden At Home + Favorite Herbal Tea Blend Recipes

Read moreHow to Grow An Herbal Tea Garden At Home + Favorite Herbal Tea Blend Recipes
Image of an amber spray bottle and a quart Mason Jar filled with homemade cleaners against a white tile backdrop. A bottle of essential oil and a fresh lemon sit to the side. Text overlay says, "5 Homemade Natural Cleaner Recipes".

5 Homemade Natural Cleaner Recipes – DIY Cleaners that Work

Read more5 Homemade Natural Cleaner Recipes – DIY Cleaners that Work

10 Things Our Grandparents Reused During the Great Depression

Read more10 Things Our Grandparents Reused During the Great Depression

Cranberry Muffins Recipe – Cranberry Nut Everything Muffins

Read moreCranberry Muffins Recipe – Cranberry Nut Everything Muffins

Homemade Cranberry Sauce + Canning Instructions

Read moreHomemade Cranberry Sauce + Canning Instructions
Image of three 8 ounce Mason Jars filled with spicy peach jam, stacked in a pyramid, and sitting on a whitewashed table. Placed in front of the jars is an additional opened 8 ounce Mason Jar filled with spicy peach jam with a spoon for serving. Text overlay say

Spicy Peach Jam Recipe Low Sugar and No Pectin

Read moreSpicy Peach Jam Recipe Low Sugar and No Pectin
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A woman in the kitchen with jars of home canned food.

Howdy, I’m Melissa!

I’m so glad you’re here. This is the place for all of us who loved Little House when we were young and thought Laura was our best friend. It’s where we grow dinner in the backyard and think everything looks and tastes better when it comes from a Mason jar. Here, you’ll find my favorite from-scratch recipes, herbal remedies and tutorials, and all my gardening tips from my 20+ years of growing and raising our own food.

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My Most Popular Posts

Three images of hot cross buns sitting on a napkin. Text overlay says,

Traditional Hot Cross Buns – Easy Recipe from 1950

Morel mushrooms in a basket on the forest floor.

Where to Find Morel Mushrooms

sourdough starter in Maosn jar on counter

Best Beginner Sourdough Sandwich Bread No Yeast

A woman's hand putting whole grain into a measuring cup with a Mockmill home grain mill in the background.

13 Healthy Ingredients to Swap Out Now

Finished loaf of artisan bread in a cast iron dutch oven lined with parchment paper.

Easy No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe

A closeup of a hand picking a morel mushroom.

Rules for Foraging Wild Edibles (+Mushroom Foraging Tips)

Want to grow a year’s worth of food?

get my FREE planting chart!

Know exactly how many plants per person you need to plant with my easy worksheet and chart!

My Favorite Recipes

Three images of hot cross buns sitting on a napkin. Text overlay says,

Traditional Hot Cross Buns – Easy Recipe from 1950

pastry dough rolled and cut out on counter for homemade pop tarts

Homemade Pop Tarts From Scratch (Hand Pies)

Stacks of homemade strawberry shortcake on a platter with mint and fresh strawberries

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Apple dump cake in a cast iron pan with fresh apples.

Recipes for Dump Cake

A cast iron skillet with fresh made bread rolls.

Grandma’s Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls (With Fresh-Milled Flour)


Melissa K. Norris

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Articles

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Podcast

Time Spent to Grow a Year’s Worth of Food

Fruits and Vegetables in Season by Month and Tips for Preservation

How to Start Seeds Indoors (Planning, Starting & Mistakes to Avoid)

Spring Gardening Tips to Increase Harvest Yield

Books

  • Everything Worth Preserving
  • The Family Garden Planner
  • Handmade
  • The Made from Scratch Life
  • The Family Garden Plan

Education

  • Organic Gardening Workshop
  • Home Fruit Preservative Canning e-course
  • Home Canning With Confidence
  • Homemade Bread & Baking Class
  • Natural Homemade Bath and Beauty
  • Pioneering Today Academy


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