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Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris

Simple Modern Homesteading for a Healthy & Self-Sufficient Life

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Homestead-Life

This is where I’m sharing my 20+ years of homesteading wisdom and sharing practical tips to make this life easier. From how to live frugally as a homesteader to choosing the best grain mill. I’m also sharing must-know emergency preparedness tips, how to stay warm without electricity, and how to keep cool without air conditioning.

A glass jar full of Mexican crackers.

Mexican Crackers Recipe

Read moreMexican Crackers Recipe
Bird's eye view of a glass jar full of Italian crackers.

Sour Cream and Onion Crackers Recipe

Read moreSour Cream and Onion Crackers Recipe
Bird's eye view of a glass jar full of Italian crackers.

Italian Crackers Recipe |Crispy Homemade Herb Crackers

Read moreItalian Crackers Recipe |Crispy Homemade Herb Crackers
A glass jar full of sweet and salty crackers.

Sweet and Salty Crackers Recipe

Read moreSweet and Salty Crackers Recipe
A jar filled with DIY Italian seasoning mix, and labeled with a tag.

DIY Italian Seasoning (Homemade Italian Spice Blend)

Read moreDIY Italian Seasoning (Homemade Italian Spice Blend)
A jar filled with DIY ranch seasoning mix, and labeled with a tag.

DIY Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe

Read moreDIY Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe
A woman screwing a band onto a jar of bone broth.

5 Nutrient-Dense Foods That Support Better Health Naturally

Read more5 Nutrient-Dense Foods That Support Better Health Naturally
Woman standing at stove putting jars of home canned tomato sauce into pressure canner

10 Food Preservation Methods Everyone Should Know

Read more10 Food Preservation Methods Everyone Should Know
Homemade all-purpose cleaner in a glass spray bottle with vinegar concentrate in a Mason jar.

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner (Citrus or Pine)

Read moreHomemade All-Purpose Cleaner (Citrus or Pine)
Homemade crackers on a cooking sheet and some crackers in a Mason jar.

Homemade Cheese Crackers Recipe (4 Ingredients!)

Read moreHomemade Cheese Crackers Recipe (4 Ingredients!)
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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

Sourdough starter in a jar with a loaf of bread in the background.

How to Make a Sourdough Starter + Tips for Success

Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread (Beginner Friendly Recipe)

Homemade chili in a white bowl topped with sour cream, onions and cilantro.

Easy Instant Pot Chili Recipe

A buttered biscuit served on a white plate.

Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits

A jar of homemade cream of potato soup with potatoes on the counter.

Cream of Potato Soup Recipe

Homemade Pop Tarts From Scratch (Hand Pies)

Plated by Season: Home‑Cooked. Home‑Grown. On Your Table in 30 Minutes or Less.

75+ seasonal, from‑scratch recipes + a monthly harvest chart. Real meals. Minimal fuss.

Grab Your Copy ($20, Free Shipping)

Winter Preserving Recipes

Jars of home canned applesauce.

Homemade Applesauce Recipe (+ How to Can Applesauce)

Fermented cranberry sauce in a white bowl.

Fermented Cranberry Sauce

How to Can Bone Broth at Home

Homemade Cranberry Sauce + Canning Instructions

Jar of fermented lemons on a counter with a bag of citrus and sliced lemons on a plate

How to Store Lemons (For a Year!) – Fermented Lemons

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Melissa K. Norris

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Articles

  • Gardening
  • Homesteading
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • DIY

Podcast

Spring Meal Planning (Without the Overwhelm)

Why Dieting Stops Working After 40 (The Blood Sugar Loop Explained)

Why Winter Isn’t Actually Slower (and What to Do Instead)

How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Naturally

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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