Homemaking on the Homestead

  These cookies are a family favorite! With fall time here I decided it was time to do a little baking. I haven't made this recipe in a long time! It hit the spot for a little sweetness on a cool fall day.  Below the recipe you see my YouTube video showing you how to make them.  ******************** Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup brown sugar ¾ cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 t. vanilla 2c. oats 1 ½ cups flour 1 t. baking powder 1 t. baking soda ¼ t. salt In a mixing bowl (a stand mixer works best) cream butter, peanut butter and Sucanat. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Now add flour, oats, baking powder, soda and salt and beat well. Place rounded walnut size spoonfuls on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350 for about 12 minutes. Makes approx. 4 dozen ******************** Watch me make them here...

I love how fast and easy it is to make chicken stock in the Instant Pot. I have recipes, tutorials and videos on how to make stock on the stove or the crock pot as well. But unless I'm making a huge batch of stock my go-to method nowadays is making it in my IP.  It takes 1 hour of cooking time to yield the most delicious stock! The overall process takes a bit more than 1 hour. There is the time needed for the IP to come up to pressure and the time needed for the pressure to drop on its own.  I often purchase Costco rotisserie chicken. It's a bargain in my mind. For $5 I get a whole chicken seasoned and cooked. For the two of us I can end up easily with 3 meals from this. And then I also get the bonus of being able to make chicken stock from it as well. I think it's a lot of frugal mileage for my $5.  Below the recipe I have a video of how to make chicken stock Here is how you make chicken stock in your IP... Chicken Stock Ingredients Bones from 1 chicken – adding any le...

There can be a lot to be discontent about in life. The Scriptures say that we are to be content. How do find contentment in those times of discontentment? We all struggle with this. In my latest video I share a few thoughts on finding contentment in life. https://youtu.be/aGxdhwKOx0U

In my latest video I'm continuing with my HomeKeeping series. In this chat I discuss weekly routines and dealing with procrastination. https://youtu.be/CYwyZaAxr4U

My April Vlog #2!    We've had a lot going on around our homestead lately.  In this Vlog I share some of that with you.   I hope you enjoy it!  :)  https://youtu.be/Uof9JzTsQyA

Hello Friends! You would think that between retirement and quarantine I'd have lots of time to update my blog and stay on top of things! I actually don't feel I have lots of extra time. I think that with hubby retired we are doing more things together (around the homestead) and that works for me! :) But I need to keep up here on my blog. In any case, I have been working on getting new videos out on my YouTube channel . I try and post them here so you can keep up with them if you're not subscribed. If you want to be notified when my newest videos come out make sure you subscribe to my channel. I truly appreciate the support! :)  Here are two of my latest videos if you've not seen them... ************************* No Yeast, No Problem! With quarantine many people are giving bread baking a try and yeast is in short supply for many. In this video I'm sharing 3 bread recipes that don't require yeast. https://yout...

I posted my first Vlog for April. Come along with me while I share bits and pieces from my simple quiet days on the homestead. https://youtu.be/RVJZKG3XDyk

What are the simple basics to keeping a home and having a home you enjoy being in? I'm sharing about this in the video and plan to make more in this series to expand on the topic. https://youtu.be/caBTQu9zVZo

Good morning Friends! Today I'm sharing my February Vlog, Simple Content Days.  I hope you enjoy!  Crystal :)  https://youtu.be/YqNFWczlieQ

Good morning friends!! Life has been a bit busy for me but I finally got into town for some groceries.  Today's video is the first grocery haul of 2020.  At the end of the video I also share my menu plan for the week.  https://youtu.be/RkWQuGIVvyQ

Good morning Friends! Happy New Year! :) I hope you all had a good Christmas and are ready to move into the New Year :) In today's video I share a few New Year thoughts and my channel direction for 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPdyNSk8vRM

Good morning! In my weekly (hopefully weekly :) vlog video I'm sharing bits and pieces of recent days with you all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymlbBIYDLi0 

Good morning! In today's video I am sharing how I menu plan. I've had a few people ask me and thought I'd show you how and what I do... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orJrmnZuYgc

Good morning Friends!! If you are looking for a quick and simple gift idea you might want to consider making some homemade vanilla.  It's so easy to make!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HV3PszwkP0

Today's video is my weekly grocery haul. I got some amazing deals on meat at Costco! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Yb0j1m5D0

Hello Friends! I'm sharing with you today a homemade window cleaner. You can see more about it my newest video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYibVNGM2j4 DIY Window Cleaner 2 cups water 1T cornstarch 1/4 cup alcohol 1/4 cup white vinegar Combine all ingredients and put in a spray bottle. Spray on windows and use a lint free cloth to wipe windows clean.

Hello friends! In today's video I share bits and pieces of my days and take you along for our Thanksgiving Day visit to my husbands parents up north in Washington. I'm still figuring out the best way to do my previous “Wednesday on the Homestead” in video format. I'm thinking it will be a work in progress as I learn more. I hope you enjoy!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cwYcQKrm9A Crystal

Good morning friends! I'm starting a new series on my YouTube channel called, Coffee with Crysta l. I plan on sharing thoughts and topics that are on my heart and mind. Today's video is about my own empty nest journey and my thoughts on it. It's a challenging change of seasons for many of us moms (and dads!).  I am almost 2 years into my empty nest journey and I hope by sharing some of my own insight and experiences it might encourage any of you walking the same path or seeing it coming soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xndGgfWI9N4

Good morning friends! Here is my most recent grocery haul.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjEpruXdzqQ

Good Morning! In today's YouTube I share how to make a great fall/winter meal, Dutch Oven Cranberry Pork. It's easy to make and delicious! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHyAqCw_x28