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Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris

5th-generation homesteader. Helping modern women live from scratch.

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Frugal Living

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
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!)
Bird's eye view of a glass jar full of Italian crackers.

Homemade Crackers (Ready in Minutes)

Read moreHomemade Crackers (Ready in Minutes)
Jars filled with DIY seasoning mixes, and labeled with a tag.

Homemade Seasoning Blends (+ Free Printable Tags)

Read moreHomemade Seasoning Blends (+ Free Printable Tags)
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
Various food items on a kitchen counter.

Tips to Eat Real Food

Read moreTips to Eat Real Food
Image of a homemade Christmas ornament with text overlay, "Homemade Christmas Ornament using old canning lids".

DIY Homemade Christmas Canning Lid Ornament

Read moreDIY Homemade Christmas Canning Lid Ornament

8 Ways to Live Like Little House on the Prairie

Read more8 Ways to Live Like Little House on the Prairie

6 Rules for Bartering Success

Read more6 Rules for Bartering Success
A clothesline with white sheets and clothespins.

Frugal Living as a Homesteader (How to Save Money & Get Out of Debt)

Read moreFrugal Living as a Homesteader (How to Save Money & Get Out of Debt)
Five bags filled with dried beans. Text overlay says, "6 Tips on Buying Food in Bulk".

6 Tips on Buying Food in Bulk

Read more6 Tips on Buying Food in Bulk
Morel mushrooms in a basket on the forest floor.

Where to Find Morel Mushrooms

Read moreWhere to Find Morel Mushrooms

Pioneering Today- 1 Ingredient 5 Minute Natural Oven Cleaner

Read morePioneering Today- 1 Ingredient 5 Minute Natural Oven Cleaner
A bottle of Fairchild's apple cider vinegar on a kitchen counter.

39 Apple Cider Vinegar Uses

Read more39 Apple Cider Vinegar Uses

4 Ways to Clean with Vinegar

Read more4 Ways to Clean with Vinegar
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)

3 Reasons You Should Use Honey

Read more3 Reasons You Should Use Honey
Up close shot of mint growing in a pot.

How to Make Mint Extract (With or Without Alcohol)

Read moreHow to Make Mint Extract (With or Without Alcohol)

8 Tips for Bulk Food Storage

Read more8 Tips for Bulk Food Storage
A close up shot of an evergreen bouquet.

Easy Winter Bouquet (DIY Holiday Bouquet)

Read moreEasy Winter Bouquet (DIY Holiday Bouquet)

DIY Canning Ring Wreath

Read moreDIY Canning Ring Wreath
hanging items by the hem on a clotheline.

Pioneering Today-5 Reasons to Use a Clothesline

Read morePioneering Today-5 Reasons to Use a Clothesline

Pioneering Today-Basil Lambsquarters Pesto

Read morePioneering Today-Basil Lambsquarters Pesto

Do Natural Insect Repellents Work?

Read moreDo Natural Insect Repellents Work?

6 DIY Re-Purposed Sweater Projects

Read more6 DIY Re-Purposed Sweater Projects
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 Pop Tarts From Scratch (Hand Pies)

A cooked whole roast chicken in a cast iron skillet.

Easy Oven Roasted Chicken Recipe (Crispy & Juicy)

A white plate with a helping of strawberry rhubarb dump cake and a fork. Text overlay says, "Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake Real Food Style: Homemade Cake Mix & No Jello".

Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake without Jello & Homemade Cake Mix

Bacon wrapped asparagus on a white plate.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus (Easy Appetizer or Side Dish)

A stack of homemade graham crackers on a plate.

Easy Homemade Graham Crackers

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.

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Spring Preserving Recipes

A jar of pickled asparagus with spears on a plate.

Pickled Asparagus Recipe (Canned, Quick, or Refrigerator)

Three jars of strawberry jam hot out of the canner.

Strawberry Jam Without Pectin (Low Sugar Recipe)

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

A jar of fermented pickles sitting on an outdoor table.

Fermented Pickles Recipe|Easy Old-Fashioned Salt Brine Pickles

A basket full of strawberries.

How to Preserve Strawberries: Keep Those Berries Fresh!

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Melissa K. Norris

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  • About Melissa K. Norris — Modern Homesteading ExpertStart Here
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Articles

  • Gardening
  • Homesteading
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
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Podcast

Why Your Food Preservation Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It Safely)

Feeding a Family on a Budget

Spring Meal Planning (Without the Overwhelm)

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

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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