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Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris

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

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Recipes

Three jars of rendered lard on the counter.

How To Render Lard and Why You Should

Read moreHow To Render Lard and Why You Should
Close up image of salmon kale cakes served on a white platter. Text overlay says "@melissaknorris.com".

Kale and Salmon Cakes Recipe-Paleo Diet Style

Read moreKale and Salmon Cakes Recipe-Paleo Diet Style

How to Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken Strips

Read moreHow to Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken Strips
A woman cutting evergreen branches with snips.

Christmas Stovetop Potpourri

Read moreChristmas Stovetop Potpourri

Easy Mint Water Recipe & Benefits

Read moreEasy Mint Water Recipe & Benefits

Fried Apples and Onions Recipe Just Like Mrs. Wilder Made

Read moreFried Apples and Onions Recipe Just Like Mrs. Wilder Made
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)
A woman in the kitchen holding up a large zucchini.

144 Best Zucchini Recipes - Ideas for Summer Zucchini

Read more144 Best Zucchini Recipes - Ideas for Summer Zucchini
Photo of chai tea concentrate being poured into a cup filled with a chai tea latte.

Chai Tea Concentrate (And Dirty Chai Recipe)

Read moreChai Tea Concentrate (And Dirty Chai Recipe)

How to Make Pierogies- Traditional Ukrainian Perogi Recipe

Read moreHow to Make Pierogies- Traditional Ukrainian Perogi Recipe

Pioneering Today-Dutch Oven Chicken Vegetable Bake Recipe

Read morePioneering Today-Dutch Oven Chicken Vegetable Bake Recipe

Pioneering Today-How to Make Homemade Grape Juice

Read morePioneering Today-How to Make Homemade Grape Juice
Rosewater syrup in a mason jar.

How To Make Rose Water Syrup - Ma Ingall's Recipe

Read moreHow To Make Rose Water Syrup - Ma Ingall's Recipe
A glass of ginger water with ginger, brown sugar and a spoon on a counter.

Old-Fashioned Ginger Water Recipe (Switchel or Haymaker Punch)

Read moreOld-Fashioned Ginger Water Recipe (Switchel or Haymaker Punch)
Fresh raspberry juice in a glass.

Fresh Raspberry Juice Recipe

Read moreFresh Raspberry Juice Recipe

Pioneering Today-Blueberry Basil Thyme Vinegar Recipe

Read morePioneering Today-Blueberry Basil Thyme Vinegar Recipe
Two bowls of tomato soup with a loaf of bread and a jar of tomato sauce beside it.

Homemade Tomato Soup (From the Pantry)

Read moreHomemade Tomato Soup (From the Pantry)
Three jars of jam in a steam canner.

No Sugar Strawberry Jam Recipe

Read moreNo Sugar Strawberry Jam Recipe
Three mason jars filled with sweet and spicy plum sauce. Text overlay says, "Sweet & Spicy Plum Sauce".

Sweet and Spicy Plum Sauce Canning Recipe

Read moreSweet and Spicy Plum Sauce Canning Recipe
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

Read moreStrawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake without Jello & Homemade Cake Mix
A white bowl of cooked green beans.

How to Cook Leather Britches Green Beans

Read moreHow to Cook Leather Britches Green Beans

Pioneering Today-How to Can Peach Salsa

Read morePioneering Today-How to Can Peach Salsa
jars of canned chicken on a towel on kitchen counter

How to Can Chicken (SAFE & Easy Raw Pack Method)

Read moreHow to Can Chicken (SAFE & Easy Raw Pack Method)
Tomato sauce being poured into a large pot on the stove.

Weston Tomato Press (+ Tomato Sauce Recipe)

Read moreWeston Tomato Press (+ Tomato Sauce Recipe)

Pioneering Today-8 Tips for Perfect Homemade Bread

Read morePioneering Today-8 Tips for Perfect Homemade Bread

Honey Whole Wheat Buttermilk Sandwich Bread Recipe

Read moreHoney Whole Wheat Buttermilk Sandwich Bread Recipe

Pioneering Today-Baked Garlic and Butternut Squash Recipe and Freezer Tips

Read morePioneering Today-Baked Garlic and Butternut Squash Recipe and Freezer Tips

Salt Cured Ham: Old-Fashioned Preserving

Read moreSalt Cured Ham: Old-Fashioned Preserving
Flavored butter on a tray.

How to Make Flavored Butter 4 Easy Recipes

Read moreHow to Make Flavored Butter 4 Easy Recipes

25+ Cast Iron & Dutch Oven Recipes

Read more25+ Cast Iron & Dutch Oven Recipes

Homemade Pop Tarts From Scratch (Hand Pies)

Read moreHomemade Pop Tarts From Scratch (Hand Pies)

Homemade Chocolate Caramel Covered Marshmallows with Sea Salt

Read moreHomemade Chocolate Caramel Covered Marshmallows with Sea Salt

7 Frugal Fall Recipes for Real Food Kitchens

Read more7 Frugal Fall Recipes for Real Food Kitchens

Fried Donut Recipe How to Make Donuts From Scratch

Read moreFried Donut Recipe How to Make Donuts From Scratch

Pioneering Today-Basil Lambsquarters Pesto

Read morePioneering Today-Basil Lambsquarters Pesto
Fried apples in a cast iron pan.

Fried Apples-Healthy Snack or Paleo Dessert Recipe

Read moreFried Apples-Healthy Snack or Paleo Dessert Recipe

Mafé: Traditional West African Peanut Sauce & Rice Recipe

Read moreMafé: Traditional West African Peanut Sauce & Rice Recipe

Vintage Recipe: Peach Blueberry Breadcrumb Crumble

Read moreVintage Recipe: Peach Blueberry Breadcrumb Crumble

Fish Chowder Recipe- Great-Grandma's from 1931 & Keto friendly

Read moreFish Chowder Recipe- Great-Grandma's from 1931 & Keto friendly

Pioneering Today-Thin Crust No Knead No Rise Chicken Veggie Pizza

Read morePioneering Today-Thin Crust No Knead No Rise Chicken Veggie Pizza
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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 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.

Grab Your Copy ($20, Free Shipping)

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
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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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