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Continue reading →: From Seed to Supper: The Purslane Patch That Keeps on GivingLast year we stumbled upon some tiny patches of purslane growing in the garden. That quickly became a surprise hit with our daughter, who couldn’t get enough of this little succulent wonder. Well, this year, we decided to take things a step further! We saved seeds from last season’s harvest…
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Continue reading →: From Pest to Teacup: The Unexpected Delights of Fleabane ForagingLast year we searched high and low, and those elusive little flowers remained frustratingly out of reach. Well, this year, the tables have turned! Fleabane has decided to grace our pollinator garden with its presence, and let the foraging adventures begin! But before we dive into our harvest basket, let’s…
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Continue reading →: Homemade Granola BarsIn my seemingly never ending quest to make homemade snacks, our next adventure was granola bars! I had tried a no-bake recipe and it ended up sticky and Eva just wasn’t a fan. So I resumed my quest and found a baked version similar to the Nature Valley oats and…
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Continue reading →: From Garden to Medicine Cabinet: Growing Nasturtiums for a Natural Antibiotic TinctureOur raised bed isn’t just bursting with vibrant colors – it’s a haven for homegrown medicine! Every year, we dedicate a section to the cheerful nasturtium, a plant that goes beyond its ornamental beauty to offer a surprising medicinal benefit – a natural antibiotic tincture. A Flower with a Storied…
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Continue reading →: Sourdough Pretzel BitesI’ve been trying my hardest to keep up with snack time for a very hungry 5 year old this Summer (she’s been out of school already for a month) and almost forgot about my equally hungry 48 year old! As previously mentioned, John is not a huge fan of sweets…
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Continue reading →: From Seed to Sip: Harvesting Mullein Leaves in Our OrchardA couple of years ago we threw some mullein seeds around our orchard area to start sourcing our own mullein. Well, they’ve grown into magnificent second-year plants, and with their towering stalks reaching for the sky, it’s time to harvest their bounty – the velvety mullein leaves! Mullein, also known…
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Continue reading →: Homemade Vanilla WafersWho doesn’t love those crispy, crunchy, vanillay (not a word, I know) cookies from our childhoods? Every time I eat one the memories come flooding back of snack time in Kindergarten or Sunday School. They were a staple for most of us growing up. I decided to look up the…
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Continue reading →: Beyond the Berry: Unveiling the Secret Tea Treasure of Your Strawberry PatchYour strawberry patch is a haven for juicy red delights, a promise of summer sweetness in every bite. But did you know this haven holds a hidden treasure – a fragrant and potentially health-boosting bonus waiting to be discovered? We’re talking about strawberry leaves, the often-overlooked foliage that can be…
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Continue reading →: From Forest to Cup: The Magic of Wild Black Raspberry Leaf TeaAs spring gives way to early summer, a hidden treasure emerges in the wild – the leaves of the black raspberry bush. These emerald green gems hold the potential for a delightful and potentially health-boosting beverage: black raspberry leaf tea. Intrigued? Let’s embark on a journey – from harvesting these…
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Continue reading →: The Golden Bounty: Harvesting and Using Pine PollenSpring is here, and for those of you like us, with white pine trees (Pinus strobus) gracing their property, it also brings a dusting of golden treasure – pine pollen. This fine powder boasts a rich history of traditional uses and is gaining attention for its potential health benefits. Let’s…
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RJ Homestead
We are Rebecca, and John, and this is our little spot on the internet. Our goal is to post about what we have going on around our little homestead and share the things we’ve learned over the years. We’re glad you are here!
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