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Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris

Simple Modern Homesteading for a Healthy & Self-Sufficient Life

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essential oils

A woman labeling a tin of homemade healing salve.

DIY Sore Muscle Rub Salve

Read moreDIY Sore Muscle Rub Salve
A woman dipping her finger into homemade healing salve.

Herbal Wound Healing Salve Recipe

Read moreHerbal Wound Healing Salve Recipe
Two bottles of essential oils with fresh lavender.

Safety of Essential Oils – What You Need to Know

Read moreSafety of Essential Oils – What You Need to Know
A woman cutting evergreen branches with snips.

Christmas Stovetop Potpourri

Read moreChristmas Stovetop Potpourri

Homemade Bath Salt Recipe

Read moreHomemade Bath Salt Recipe
Image of an essential oil diffuser with bottles of essential oil, an essential oil diffuser necklace, a cedar bow, and red velvet draped in the background. Text overlay says, "7 Holiday Essential Oil Blends for a Natural Homestead ".

7 Holiday Essential Oil Blends for a Natural Homestead

Read more7 Holiday Essential Oil Blends for a Natural Homestead
homemade soy candle in jar on table with blanket and pine cones

How to Make Soy Candles at Home with Essential Oils

Read moreHow to Make Soy Candles at Home with Essential Oils

15 Homemade Natural Herbal Bath and Body Gifts

Read more15 Homemade Natural Herbal Bath and Body Gifts
A jelly jar full of finished herbal salve.

Herbal Salve Recipe for Dry Skin

Read moreHerbal Salve Recipe for Dry Skin
Image of bars of soap with decorative twine. Crochet and needle point projects are to the top and side.

How to Make Homemade Melt & Pour Goat’s Milk Soap

Read moreHow to Make Homemade Melt & Pour Goat’s Milk Soap
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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

placing dill in mason jar crunchy dill pickles on table

7 Tips for Crunchy Pickles Every Time

A stack of sourdough tortillas on a towel lined counter.

Easy Sourdough Tortilla Recipe

sourdough starter in Maosn jar on counter

Best Beginner Sourdough Sandwich Bread No Yeast

Fresh raspberry juice in a glass.

Fresh Raspberry Juice Recipe

Jars of home canned tomato sauce on counter with ripe paste tomatoes and wicker basket

Canning Tomato Sauce (Water-Bath & Pressure Canning)

Close up shot of a double chocolate zucchini muffin.

Bakery Style Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Want to grow a year’s worth of food?

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

Summer Canning Recipes

two jars of strawberry jam sitting on a tabletop with fresh strawberries around it.

Strawberry Jam Recipe without Pectin and Low Sugar

homecanned green beans in jar on counter

How to Can Green Beans the Easy Way – Raw Pack

How to Make Mustard Pickles – Great-Grandma’s Recipe

homemade cherry pie filling in mason jars on white towel

Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Canning Instructions)

placing dill in mason jar crunchy dill pickles on table

Best Homemade Pickles Recipe (Garlic Dill Pickles)

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Melissa K. Norris

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Articles

  • Gardening
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Podcast

How to Get Rid of Parasites in Your Body

Back to the Frontier – Behind the Scenes

Immunity for Polluters: How New Laws Threaten Your Soil & Food Supply

Homestead Security: Why Community May Be Your Best Defense

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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