By Holly Giles | Recipes , Simple Living
What is the best homemade bug spray? The best homemade bug spray is made with a Florida native plant, Beautyberry. This native plant is often considered a weed and can be recognized on roadsides or woods. This DIY project is great for the whole family to learn. Make your own mosquito spray and use fewer […]
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By Holly Giles | Recipes , Simple Living
Peach Cobbler Southern peach cobbler is a nostalgic recipe for me. My grandmother, Meemee, made the best peach cobbler every time. When the peach season came around, I couldn’t wait to go to my grandparent’s house. I knew cobbler would be on the menu over the weekend. I carry on the family tradition of the […]
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By Holly Giles | Recipes , Simple Living
Canning Sliced Peaches Canning sliced peaches have been the perfect taste of summer for me since my days at the barn in Alabama with my grandparents. Those juicy bites of perfection dripping down my face were a delight. Watching my grandmother “put up” peaches weren’t as much fun as swinging on the grapevines out back, […]
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By Holly Giles | Simple Living , southern homestead
What is a victory garden? The victory garden of the 1940s has made a comeback with full force. Families are looking for food sources they had not thought of before, which is exciting news for gardening. What was the victory garden during WWII? During world war II, the government was reverting large manufacturing to war […]
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By Holly Giles | Simple Living , southern homestead
5 Tips to Recession-Proof Your Kitchen Stretching your grocery dollar is getting harder to do these days. Especially when you have children to feed. I have teenage boys, and they can really eat. Years ago, I learned to do a few things to help in times of need. My grocery budget can fluctuate, but I […]
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By Holly Giles | Simple Living , southern homestead
Heirloom seeds vs. Hybrids: What’s the Difference? When shopping for plants at your local garden center, some are marked ‘heirloom seeds,” while others are labeled “hybrid.” Have you ever wondered what these terms mean – or which is better for you? These terms seem to create a lot of confusion among novice and experienced gardeners […]
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By Holly Giles | Recipes , Simple Living
Breakfast Casseroles Breakfast casseroles are a lifesaver for a busy mom. I can scan the refrigerator and freezer and find ingredients to throw something together for a hearty breakfast anytime. Keeping a few key ingredients in the pantry and refrigerator can ensure you can whip up something when the groceries have run out. I gathered […]
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By Holly Giles | Simple Living , southern homestead
What are the basic needs of a chicken? Chickens have been part of the backyard landscape for generations. Most lived in little shanties constructed from whatever was left in the yard. Most chickens did well in their neighborhoods as long as they had access to an enclosure. Chickens’ 4 basic needs to survive well are […]
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By Holly Giles | Recipes , Simple Living
Easy Strawberry Jam A beginner can make easy strawberry jam with excellent results. It was the first jam I tried to make with my boys at home. Grayson and Grant can get overzealous when it comes to picking strawberries. I have been known to pay thirty dollars for the buckets full of juicy fruit after […]
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By Holly Giles | Simple Living
Investing in farm-to-table food Investing in food can have many meanings. Time into gardening at home, cooking from scratch or sourcing your food from local places. It was about 1979 when I vividly remembered going to Long and Scott Farm for Zellwood corn. Each year my grandparents hopped in my papa’s pickup truck. We drove […]
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