Articles
Scroll down to view posts or use the search box to find something specific.
Wild Notes: Kestrel Encounter
Welcome to Wild Notes. In this series take a walk on the wild side with Kevin to see the natural world from the perspective of a seasoned naturalist. In this first article meet a pair of hunting American Kestrels.
Blog Archive
Can sustainable living save the world? Julie updates you on her health, the homestead, and makes a big announcement.
Join Julie in the forested wetland of our homestead for a cancer update and conversation about the metaphor of a quest through the dark enchanted forest might help us all.
Woodpeckers can be a source of frustration for homeowners, especially during the breeding season. In this video Kevin discusses the most common conflicts that arise and offers some simple, humane solutions to reduce or eliminate these conflicts.
Many homesteading activities attract rodents, and many homesteaders turn to barn cats, traps, and poison bait for rodent control. Kevin and Julie have decided to take a different approach- putting the local wildlife to work to address the problem for them. To that end they installed a Barn Owl Nest Box on their property. This video documents the installation process for those who are thinking of doing the same.
Whether it’s folks in your local community or Online, seek out others with similar interests. Connecting with other people can help you feel understood, learn new things, and gain insight from their experiences.
Recurrence is the worst fear of nearly every cancer survivor I know. That fear has come true for us. Julie's cancer has returned.
When the weight of humanity feels too heavy to bear, it usually helps to spend time surrounded by nature. Join us for a quick trip off the homestead to the Skagit Valley for some winter birding.
This week we talk about Barry Lopez’s book of essays, “Embrace Fearlessly this Burning World”, and how to help each other find the way home.
Come for the tactical tips and stay for encouragement. In the vlog this week Julie shares her tips on selecting vegetable garden seeds. She also shares more about her week and how sustainable living is a non-linear journey.
Here’s a hint: It involves both accountability and encouragement. Julie follows up with you on the New Year's conversation and shares plans for the spring garden. Did you do the one-small-thing challenge?
A new year provides an opportunity to reflect on what worked and what didn't over the last 12 months, and then set some intentions for the coming seasons. Join Julie as she invites you to take a deeper look at your dreams and shares some exciting news about what to expect from us in 2023.
Making your own cleaning products saves money, reduces waste, and can improve indoor air quality. These 3 recipes can be made with things you probably have around the house. The best part? They actually work!
One of the things Julie and Kevin are hoping to add to the homestead is chickens. They know the feed is going to attract mice and rats. So they are going to need some rodent control. The first thing most people think of for that job is cats. Another solution is a little different. That’s attracting barn owls. In the video this week Kevin talks more about this solution and unboxing a barn owl box kit.
Are you wanting to lead a life that is more sustainable and connected to nature? With so many amazing books on the market, it’s hard to know where to start. Here are Julie’s top 7 titles for anyone curious about getting started with homesteading.
A simple and easy recipe for garlic goat cheese spread from Alexia Allen of Hawthorn Farm!
Join us for a visit to Hawthorn Farm, an 8-acre community teaching farm. Alexia shares with us how they are transforming suburbia into a permaculture paradise. Beware: lots of goat and pony footage!
On a recent trip to the mountains we tested our bodies after passing some health milestones. We also received a reminder that sometimes the smallest of things can have the biggest impact.
This is a simple recipe that’s not too sweet and celebrates the flavor of rhubarb. It’s great on meat, fish, tofu, and even as a dipping sauce!
Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to live sustainably long term? Or what it’s like to homestead after retirement? We talk about these things and much more on our field trip to the homestead of our good friends Peter and Mary.
Is your garden not thriving? Do you fear you may have accidentally poisoned it? There is hope! Here's the story of how we accidentally destroyed - and then healed - our garden soil. This video and article are filled with practical tips to repair or remediate damaged soil as well as advice on how to avoid this experience all together.
A recording of our LIVE Homestead Hangout in July. We talked about our journey with sustainable living, recent and upcoming projects, plus answered questions from neighbors like you.
Kevin and Julie join their friend Nick, a wildlife professional, to build a predator prevention fence. This fencing style is cost effective and manageable without fancy equipment. We walk you through the build and special features. Then we go into detail about why this design has proven to be the best for keeping your crops and livestock safe from wildlife such as bears, cougars, bobcats, raccoons, and coyotes.
This simple salad dressing recipe is incredibly versatile. It’s tasty as written or can be used as a base for endless variations. Perfect for your local greens in any season.
Roasted radishes are the perfect dish for people who don’t like radishes. This quick and easy recipe is sweet and savory!
An easy snack for busy days, these are a wholesome choice! They taste like carrot cake with the nutrition of a power bar. They are peanut and tree-nut free. This recipes can easily be doubled and freezes well.
Homesteading with chronic illness and pain can present different challenges. The fatigue that we experience is real. Yet homesteading can also be an incredible path to healing. In this article Julie shares six secrets that have helped them not just survive but thrive as homesteaders.
Watch a recording of our first ever LIVE Homestead Hangout! We talked about our journey with sustainable living and answered questions from neighbors like you.
We find this often under-utilized skill can not only boost your homesteading game, but change your life! In this video we will introduce you to the first tip in the outdoors and wildlife category of our homesteading fundamentals framework: notice your surroundings.
In this monthly series we give a glimpse into our own homesteading activities. March highlights include exciting progress on home improvement projects, signs of spring, and planting the first garden seeds. Plus an important announcement.
Hey There Neighbor! Will You Join Us?
We love our community and share exclusive content to help you create the homestead of your dreams.
Follow our journey.
Connect with us on social media using the hashtag #wildhomesteadliving
Welcome to Wild Notes. In this series take a walk on the wild side with Kevin to see the natural world from the perspective of a seasoned naturalist. In this first article meet a pair of hunting American Kestrels.