Simple Home and Hearth

Our lawn care company whom we hire to mow our acreage during the summer had a dump truck full of already-decomposing yard mulch (mostly leaves) they didn't know what to do with, and we asked them to give it to us! This week they came and dumped it on our garden plot. We spent the time to spread it over the entire garden plot to decompose over the winter and add nutrients to the soil.

This video was done years ago, but very appropriate for this approaching Holiday season! Cooking from scratch really is so easy and SO worth it! Learn and enjoy!

Brian actually climbed a ladder and got up to the roof eaves! (He's terrified of heights! LOL)

This in-depth step-by-step tutorial will take you through the process of​ making proper ghee! Ghee is more than just "clarified butter." It's the process of clarifying, then continuing to separate and "toast" the milk solids, straining, etc. Ghee is a staple in India. If done properly, ghee can be used as a substitute for butter for those who are lactose intolerant! Ghee has a "half-life" not a shelf life! It never spoils and does not need to be refrigerated! A great way to store butter long term for you preppers out there! :). Even more info in the video. Watch and enjoy!

They're ready! Our first Pippin apple harvest at The Henry Hollow (2019)

Corn Cob jelly is touted by vegans as a replacement for honey. However, if you've ever had basic corn cob jelly, it tastes bland and nothing like honey. I have a trick to change that! Watch and learn...

This video is a follow-up to the video I did on harvesting the prickly pear. This is what I do with it: make jelly! This detailed how-to is a tutorial on how to process this desert fruit to make the best juice and jelly!

This video shows the simple technique for harvesting ripened prickly pear fruit from the prickly pear cactus. This video was done when we lived in the West Texas desert several years ago. Enjoy!

A very simple trick to making the perfect medium-rare steak (ribeye to be exact) that your guests and family will rave about! This at-home tutorial is the next best thing to flame grilling!

For several years, I made regular meatloaves as my mother made them. However, a few years ago I discovered that by breaking this meatloaf recipe into smaller portions, it cooked much faster, and this meal can be put together, cooked, and ready to eat in 30 minutes!

Most of you who know me, know that I'm an avid canner and confessed hoarder of canning jars. This gift from a friend was like a Christmas present!!

We have a lot of deer that make our property their home! I love watching their graceful moves and interactions. Seeing them gives me peace.

We moved to our new property in the summer of 2019. We dubbed it "The Henry Hollow." This is a short video of the first snowfall at the beginning of "the cold season" during the fall.

Turn up the volume and enjoy the sounds of nature. Video was taken in the back area of our property.

We have a special "honey hole" of honey mushrooms down by our creek! This video follows the process from beginning to end: foraging, processing, and canning! Enjoy To print or read, click the blog post here: https://simplehomeandhearth.com/2019/09/02/fall-mushroom-find/#more-758

Don't throw it out (unless it's moldy)! Dried or old bread can be used to make delicious homemade croutons that last a VERY long time! This video shows you how.

Our first season (2019) at The Henry Hollow of apple harvesting. These were new to us, and we have since discovered these are Pippin apples!

Nature is beautiful! So are the sounds thereof. Enjoy this short video as I recorded the sounds of nature out by our creek one early morning.

Nature video of early fall around the Henry Hollow. Enjoy the view!

One of the main reasons we bought this property, was the natural water source along the entire back section of our land. We love this creek!

This is an annual Christmas breakfast tradition for our family! A how-to video and recipe. Enjoy!

I took a walk around The Henry Hollow on the evening of July 4, 2019, and was amazed at the booming crescendo of the sounds of private fireworks bouncing off the mountains. Turn your volume up and enjoy!

The Henry Hollow experienced the flooding of our creek in 2019, and we documented it. Enjoy!

In early spring of 2019, we planted two cherry trees: bing and black tartarian. So exciting!