After a bit of trial and error trying to keep the goats where they belong, I'm happy to say that they are now happily staying put where they are supposed to be. We fixed a few points in the fencing that needed more reinforcement, adjusted the electric fencing, and made sure they had plenty of feed. No more wandering goats!
Last night when we went to check on the goats and our guardian pups who were just moved beside the goats (more on that later), we noticed that one of the expecting mommas had given birth to twins. We knew some of the goats were expecting when we moved them a few weeks ago. But we weren't quite expecting them just yet.
When it came time to feed the goats, my son herded the goats to the feeding station, but the new momma wasn't ready to make the treck with her babies. They just weren't able to keep up with the herd. So my other son and I headed over and carried the babies, making sure momma saw them in our arms and knew they were safe. She then followed us to the feeding station. Since she was late getting there, we gave her a little extra feed to ensure that she had enough.
My husband then walked the land to make sure all of the after birth had been disposed of. Good momma goats will take care of it, keeping the area clean and safe. But not all mommas know to do this so we had to be sure. If it isn't all cleaned up, it's an invitation to predators that we don't want around our goats. Thankfully, our momma had taken care of it all.
Once we made sure all was well with the goats, we headed home. This morning my son checked the goats and fed them, but didn't see the new babies. The momma had come to feed so my son was concerned about the babies. I headed over to help with this new game of hide-and-goat-seek. Thankfully he found them safely hidden away. Once again, momma took care of things and made sure her babies would be safe while she headed over to the feed station.
So fare there are no more babies, but we are keeping a close eye on 3 more mommas-to-be. This goat adventure keeps us busy! But seeing those newborn healthy babies makes it all worth it!
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Homemade applesauce is a favorite in my family. So when we can get our hands on a lot of apples, it's one of my favorite things to make and preserve. I like to can the applesauce in 1/2 pint jars, perfect for one serving size to pack in lunches. Of course, we always have to have a little bowl of it freshly made too. It makes the house smell so good, we just can't resist!
First, the recipe for cinnamon applesauce. This recipe is for a small batch. I like to do 3x this recipe if I am just making it to eat (without canning). This gives us a few containers to stock up in the refrigerator. When I am canning, I like to do 6x the recipe.
Tip: Prepare jars, lids, and canner while applesauce is cooking to speed up the process.
Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce
Ingredients
- 2 pounds apples*, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2/3 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt*
- 2-3 teaspoons raw honey
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, except honey, in a 2-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, lower heat to medium. Cook for 20 minutes, or until apples are soft and are easy to mash.
- Remove pan from heat and allow to cool for about 15 min before removing lid.
- Stir in honey and mash apples to desired consistency.
Notes:
*I like to use a combination of apples, depending on how tart I want it. Our favorites are green, gala, and fuji
*I like to use himalayan or celtic salt
Now that you have your delicious applesauce made, if you have any leftover, it's time to can it for longterm storage. Keep the applesauce warm while you prepare for canning.
Steps for Water Bath Canning:
1. Prepare Your Jars and Lids
- Start by inspecting your jars for any cracks or chips. Only use those in perfect condition.
- Wash your jars in hot soapy water, or run them through a dishwasher cycle to sanitize them.
- Submerge the jars in your large pot filled with water, make sure you have the canning rack in the bottom of the pot. Bring the water to a simmer (not a full boil) and keep the jars hot until you’re ready to use them. This helps prevent cracking when adding hot food.
- Place the lids in a small saucepan of simmering water (do not boil) to soften the sealing compound.
2. Prepare the Recipe
If you haven't already made the applesauce, now is the time to get it started.
If you haven't already made the applesauce, now is the time to get it started.
3. Fill the Jars
- Remove one jar at a time from the simmering water, using your jar lifter. Pour out any water inside.
- Use a funnel to fill the jar with applesauce, leaving ½-inch headspace.
- Use a non-metallic spatula to remove any trapped air bubbles by gently sliding it down the sides of the jar.
- Wipe the rim of the jar with a clean, damp cloth dipped in vinegar to ensure a proper seal.
- Place a lid on the jar and screw on the band until fingertip-tight (don’t overtighten).
4. Process the Jars
- Once the jars are filled and sealed, place them on a canning rack inside your pot of boiling water. Make sure there’s at least 1-2 inches of water covering the jars. If you need to add more water, make sure it is hot water.
- Place the lid on the pot and bring the water to a rolling boil. If using a canner, do not use the pressure cap.
- Start timing once the water reaches a full boil.
Times: Half-Pint: 15 min
Pint: 20 min
Quart: 20 min - Also be sure you adjust times for your altitude.
5. Cool the Jars
- Once the processing time is complete, turn off the burner and remove the lid. DO NOT move the canner off of the burner.
- Let sit for 5 minutes, then carefully remove the jars using the jar lifter. Place them on a towel or wooden board, leaving space between jars.
- Allow to cool for 12–24 hours without touching the lids or bands. As the jars cool, you’ll hear the satisfying "ping" sound that indicates they’ve sealed.
6. Check the Seal
- After 24 hours, check the seals by pressing down on the center of each lid. If the lid does not pop back, it’s sealed. If it pops, you’ll need to refrigerate the jar and consume the contents within a week.
- Once sealed, remove the screw-on ring. You do not want to store the jars with the ring on because it can give you a false seal. If the jar is properly sealed, the lid will stay on until you open it.
7. Store and Enjoy
- Label your jars with the contents and the date. Store them in a cool, dark place. Properly sealed jars will last up to a year or more.
- When you open the sealed jar, use a ring to keep it closed.
- Refrigerate after opening.
A Note of Caution:
When it comes to canning, safety is key. It’s essential to only use approved canning recipes from trusted sources like the USDA, Ball, or other reputable food preservation organizations. These recipes have been tested to ensure they provide the right acidity levels and processing times to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, particularly botulism, which thrives in low-acid, improperly canned foods. By following tested recipes, you’ll ensure that your canned goods are safe for your family to enjoy.
When it comes to canning, safety is key. It’s essential to only use approved canning recipes from trusted sources like the USDA, Ball, or other reputable food preservation organizations. These recipes have been tested to ensure they provide the right acidity levels and processing times to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, particularly botulism, which thrives in low-acid, improperly canned foods. By following tested recipes, you’ll ensure that your canned goods are safe for your family to enjoy.
Happy Canning!
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Canning seems to be one of those long-lost skills that is making it's way back into homes again. Yes, some have continued to do it. But with homesteading on the rise, there are so many who have never canned and didn't grow up with it either. I have been canning, off and on, for almost 15 years. It was a necessity due to some of my daughter's special dietary needs. For the past year or 2 I have been canning more regularly and it's such a great feeling when I open up my pantry and see all of my home-canned goods. Not only do I know exactly what is in each jar, but it's also a nice feeling to know that I am contributing to my family's health and that we don't have to rely on other people/stores for our food.
Now, let's talk about water bath canning. It is an excellent option for high-acid foods such as fruits, jams, jellies, and pickles. It’s easy to master and doesn’t require any fancy equipment beyond a large pot and a few canning supplies. In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps for water bath canning. Two of my favorites to can are applesauce and pear or apple slices. I'll be sharing those recipes soon!
What is Water Bath Canning?
Water bath canning is a method used for preserving high-acid foods by submerging jars in boiling water for a specified amount of time. The heat forces air out of the jars, creates a vacuum seal, and destroys mold, yeast, and bacteria that could cause spoilage.
Equipment You’ll Need:
- A large pot with a lid (canner or a deep stockpot)
- Canning rack (or something to keep jars off the bottom of the pot)
- Canning jars with lids and bands
- Jar lifter
- Ladle and funnel
- Towels and cloths for wiping jars
- Non-metallic spatula for removing air bubbles
- Labels for marking contents and date
*Most of your canning supplies can be found in a set like this: Canning Supplies Starter Kit - be sure you check measurements to ensure that the canning rack fits into you stockpot or canner.
Steps for Water Bath Canning:
1. Prepare Your Jars and Lids
- Start by inspecting your jars for any cracks or chips. Only use those in perfect condition.
- Wash your jars in hot soapy water, or run them through a dishwasher cycle to sanitize them.
- Submerge the jars in your large pot filled with water, make sure you have the canning rack in the bottom of the pot. Bring the water to a simmer (not a full boil) and keep the jars hot until you’re ready to use them. This helps prevent cracking when adding hot food.
- Place the lids in a small saucepan of simmering water (do not boil) to soften the sealing compound.
2. Prepare the Recipe
Make sure whatever you are canning is made and ready to go before you start the canning process. Some items, like applesauce, can be cooking while you prep your canner and bring it up to the proper heat.
Make sure whatever you are canning is made and ready to go before you start the canning process. Some items, like applesauce, can be cooking while you prep your canner and bring it up to the proper heat.
3. Fill the Jars
- Remove one jar at a time from the simmering water, using your jar lifter. Pour out any water inside.
- Use a funnel to fill the jar with your prepared food, leaving the appropriate headspace (usually 1/2 inch for fruits).
- Use a non-metallic spatula to remove any trapped air bubbles by gently sliding it down the sides of the jar.
- Wipe the rim of the jar with a clean, damp cloth dipped in vinegar to ensure a proper seal.
- Place a lid on the jar and screw on the band until fingertip-tight (don’t overtighten).
4. Process the Jars
- Once the jars are filled and sealed, place them on a canning rack inside your pot of boiling water. Make sure there’s at least 1-2 inches of water covering the jars. If you need to add more water, make sure it is hot water.
- Place the lid on the pot and bring the water to a rolling boil. If using a canner, do not use the pressure cap.
- Start timing once the water reaches a full boil. Most fruit recipes require 20–30 minutes of processing, but always refer to your recipe for exact times.
- Also be sure you adjust times for your altitude.
5. Cool the Jars
- Once the processing time is complete, turn off the burner and remove the lid. DO NOT move the canner off of the burner.
- Let sit for 5 minutes, then carefully remove the jars using the jar lifter. Place them on a towel or wooden board, leaving space between jars.
- Allow to cool for 12–24 hours without touching the lids or bands. As the jars cool, you’ll hear the satisfying "ping" sound that indicates they’ve sealed.
6. Check the Seal
- After 24 hours, check the seals by pressing down on the center of each lid. If the lid does not pop back, it’s sealed. If it pops, you’ll need to refrigerate the jar and consume the contents within a week.
- Once sealed, remove the screw-on ring. You do not want to store the jars with the ring on because it can give you a false seal. If the jar is properly sealed, the lid will stay on until you open it.
7. Store and Enjoy
- Label your jars with the contents and the date. Store them in a cool, dark place. Properly sealed jars will last up to a year or more.
- When you open the sealed jar, use a ring to keep it closed.
- Refrigerate after opening.
A Note of Caution:
When it comes to canning, safety is key. It’s essential to only use approved canning recipes from trusted sources like the USDA, Ball, or other reputable food preservation organizations. These recipes have been tested to ensure they provide the right acidity levels and processing times to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, particularly botulism, which thrives in low-acid, improperly canned foods. By following tested recipes, you’ll ensure that your canned goods are safe for your family to enjoy.
When it comes to canning, safety is key. It’s essential to only use approved canning recipes from trusted sources like the USDA, Ball, or other reputable food preservation organizations. These recipes have been tested to ensure they provide the right acidity levels and processing times to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, particularly botulism, which thrives in low-acid, improperly canned foods. By following tested recipes, you’ll ensure that your canned goods are safe for your family to enjoy.
Happy Canning!
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
If you have been following me for very long, you know that my family is diving into homesteading. In truth, we have been inching towards it for about 15 years. However, we have never owned our own land and the homes we have lived in have had very little land. But, we started a small garden, learned to can our own foods, cook/bake from scratch, learned about natural remedies for our health...the list goes on.
In the past year, we also added livestock...again, not having any land of our own. We have 50+ goats (for meat), 2 great pyrenees pups that will soon be guarding the goats (currently on another friend's land), did a large scale garden (again, on a friend's land), and also have a cow (once again, on another friend's land). And we just added a set of bunnies (to breed) to our backyard. Boy, that was a mouthful to type!
The general idea is that you sometimes have to think outside the box. Our goal is to own our own land soon, with many acres. We will then move all of our livestock and gardening onto that land. Little by little, we are turning our home into a homestead. We may be doing it all a tad backwards, but this way, we won't have to do it all at once. We have a lot of what we need, we just need the land to go with it.
We also do some gardening where we live. I have a windowsill herb garden, use a tower garden to grow certain things year-round indoors, and we have a few fruit trees in containers, as well as some flowers and other herbs outside.
Since we are fairly new to the livestock aspect of homesteading, we have found some great homesteaders to follow. One of our favorites is Homesteaders of America. They put together so much information from all areas of homesteading. It's pretty much a one-stop shop for your homesteading needs. My guys have learned so much through them about livestock, I have learned even more about canning and preserving foods. Trust me, it's one to check out for sure!
No matter where you live, if you have a heart to homestead, start looking around and gathering resources. Chances are you will find your own little community to join efforts with. It's such an amazing feeling to know that you are able to provide so much not only for your family, but for others too.
Happy Homesteading!
Happy Homesteading!
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
As a busy homemaker, homesteading mom and wife, it can be hard to find time to "just be". Our days are filled with grocery shopping, housework, keeping things organized around the home, keeping the schedule straight for the family, making meals from scratch...the list seems endless. So what can we, as moms, do when our days seem so overwhelming and we just have a hard time functioning and keeping up?
First and foremost, start your day with God. This can be a prayer or meditation as you start your day. It may be a quite study time as you have your first cup of coffee. Whatever it is, always start your day with God.
Make a list of things that you need to get done. Prioritize your list and choose your top 3 that HAVE to be done. This helps clear your mind and free some space to help you manage your day.
But what if you have done these things and you still feel overwhelmed? That's when I like to do a quick little mind reset using the Aroma Reset. It's a branch of the Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT) that is super quick and very beneficial. I keep a roller bottle with the Memory Release Blend of oils in it, ready to use at a moments notice. When I feel overwhelmed or super stressed out, I grab the bottle and roll it on my wrists and the back of my neck. I take a moment to breath it in and relax. Seriously, it only takes about 60 seconds and my brain resets and I am able to better accomplish the task at hand.
Need to know more about this quick reset? I offer a 30-minute one-on-one coaching call where I not only walk you through this reset, I also walk you through an extended version (also super quick to use!) so that you have the tools you need to do these techniques throughout your day as needed. This session also includes a sample of the memory release blend that you can carry along with you and use as needed.
Trust me, your whole family will benefit from you taking a minute here and there throughout your day to reset your mind and let go of the stress and overwhelm.
If you want to know more about the Aroma Freedom Technique and how it works, check out these related blog posts:
The Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT)
The Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT)
#deepbreath
#inhalepeace
#exhaledoubt
#regainclarity
#inhalepeace
#exhaledoubt
#regainclarity
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
