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Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris

Simple Modern Homesteading for a Healthy & Self-Sufficient Life

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homesteading

Canned pears in a steam canner.

How to Can Pears the EASY Way

Read moreHow to Can Pears the EASY Way
Morel mushrooms in a basket on the forest floor.

Where to Find Morel Mushrooms

Read moreWhere to Find Morel Mushrooms
A baby pig sticking its snout through a fence.

How to Raise Pigs: 12 Tips to Raising Pigs for Meat

Read moreHow to Raise Pigs: 12 Tips to Raising Pigs for Meat
A basket of garlic next to a garden bed that has been mulched.

How to Plant Garlic (Fall Garlic Planting)

Read moreHow to Plant Garlic (Fall Garlic Planting)
A woman standing in front of a red barn holding up a wire basket full of farm fresh eggs.

Homesteading Myths and Tips for Success

Read moreHomesteading Myths and Tips for Success

Salt Cured Ham: Old-Fashioned Preserving

Read moreSalt Cured Ham: Old-Fashioned Preserving
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
Picture of an antique violin hanging on a painted barn wood door. Text overlay says, "6 Things to Do for Fun When the Power Goes Out".

6 Things to Do for Fun When the Power is Out

Read more6 Things to Do for Fun When the Power is Out
Picture of an antique kerosene lamp sitting on a bed of hay with barn wood in the background. Text overlay says, "4 Things You Need When the Lights Go Out".

4 Things You Need When the Lights Go Out

Read more4 Things You Need When the Lights Go Out
Two tins filled with homemade candles. Text overlay says, "How to Make Old-Fashioned Beeswax Candles".

How to Make Candles at Home (Beeswax and Lard)

Read moreHow to Make Candles at Home (Beeswax and Lard)
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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
  • Homesteading
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Podcast

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

Farm Dog Breeds (Which is Best for You?)

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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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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