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Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris

Simple Modern Homesteading for a Healthy & Self-Sufficient Life

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homemade Christmas

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)
Chocolate caramel cinnamon rolls baked in a cast iron pan sitting on a table.

Old-Fashioned Homemade Chocolate Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

Read moreOld-Fashioned Homemade Chocolate Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

6 DIY Re-Purposed Sweater Projects

Read more6 DIY Re-Purposed Sweater Projects
Flavored butter on a tray.

How to Make Flavored Butter 4 Easy Recipes

Read moreHow to Make Flavored Butter 4 Easy Recipes

Handmade Gift Bags & Tags from the Great Depression Era

Read moreHandmade Gift Bags & Tags from the Great Depression Era

Homemade Rag Quilt Christmas Wreath

Read moreHomemade Rag Quilt Christmas Wreath

Homemade Vintage Star Ornament

Read moreHomemade Vintage Star Ornament
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

How to Make a No-Sew Tutu Tutorial

Read moreHow to Make a No-Sew Tutu Tutorial

Pioneer Homemade Christmas-Day 1 Pumpkin Applesauce Cake

Read morePioneer Homemade Christmas-Day 1 Pumpkin Applesauce Cake
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
  • Homesteading
  • Recipes
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Podcast

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

Homestead Security: Why Community May Be Your Best Defense

Farm Dog Breeds (Which is Best for You?)

Time Spent to Grow a Year’s Worth of Food

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


© 2025 · Melissa K. Norris Pioneering Today LLC

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Melissa K. Norris and Pioneering Today LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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