December 2025
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Homesteading Goals: How to Set Intentional Goals for the Coming Year
Transform your homesteading dreams into daily reality with clear, realistic goals. By staying focused, avoiding burnout, and aligning daily tasks with your vision, you pave the way for sustainable growth. Ready to start? Begin by reflecting on past successes and… Continue reading
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New Recipe: Savory & Spicy Mixed Nuts (An Easy Holiday Snack Everyone Loved)
During the holiday season, savory and spicy mixed nuts became a favorite snack, known for their crunchy texture and balanced flavor. This easy recipe requires minimal ingredients and prep time, perfect for various occasions like parties or game days. They… Continue reading
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Picking the Right Chicken Breeds for Your Flock: Why Research Matters
As hatcheries announce their 2026 schedules, it’s time for homesteaders to research chicken breeds that align with their goals, whether for eggs, meat, or companionship. Consider traits like egg production, temperament, climate hardiness, and space needs to create a productive… Continue reading
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Merry Christmas!
J & J Homestead extends warm holiday greetings, wishing everyone a peaceful and joyous season. Continue reading
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The Many Ways Creativity Shows Up on the Homestead
How are you creative? Creativity on the homestead doesn’t always look like art hanging on a wall or something perfectly polished. More often, it shows up in small, practical, meaningful ways—the kind that keeps daily life moving forward and makes… Continue reading
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Christmas Eve Preparations: Last-Minute Homemade Gifts from the Kitchen
Experience the magic of homemade Christmas Eve gifts with Savory-Sweet Roasted Mixed Nuts, a simple recipe that combines sweet, savory, and a hint of spice. Perfect for last-minute surprises, these flavorful treats embody the warmth and thoughtfulness of the holiday… Continue reading
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What Makes Me Happiest on the Homestead This Time of Year: The Beauty of Small Wins
Embrace the quiet joy of winter homesteading, where happiness blooms in small victories. Discover how preparing for the cold ensures your flock thrives and bees thrive, proving that patience and care create lasting fulfillment. Continue reading
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Exploring New Hobbies on the Homestead: Crochet, Beeswax Candles, and Slowing Down with Purpose
Embrace the slower pace of winter on your homestead with new hobbies like crochet and beeswax candle making. Discover how these creative pursuits offer cozy, productive moments that align with your lifestyle. Continue reading
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Five Grocery Store Items We Don’t Buy Thanks to Our Homestead
Homesteading offers the joy of reduced grocery runs by producing essential items at home. The journey has eliminated the need for store-bought eggs, chicken, honey, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. This fosters self-sufficiency, enhances culinary quality, and strengthens connections to food.… Continue reading
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A Warm Winter Day in the Apiary: Checking on Our Honey Bees
The cottage food industry in Virginia empowers small farms and homesteaders to sell homemade, shelf-stable products legally and safely without needing a commercial kitchen. This legislation allows them to monetize their produce while ensuring food safety. Proper labeling and adherence… Continue reading
