A few years back, I grew two little pumpkins that changed everything about how I look at fall. They weren’t just any pumpkins — they were Sugar Pie Pumpkins, the small, sweet kind that bakers love for their creamy texture and rich flavor. I planted them in our raised hugelkultur beds here in Texas, and five months later, I was turning those homegrown pumpkins into the best Brown Sugar Brandy Pumpkin Pie my family had ever tasted.
Tag: homesteading
Coyotes in Texas: What They Eat, Where They Live, and How to Coexist
Not long ago, during a gathering at Babulya’s house to celebrate cousin Stella’s birthday, our family was unexpectedly serenaded by the untamed voices of the Texas plains coyotes. As dusk settled over the grass and trees, a chorus of howls echoed across the land. It was not a frightening sound, but rather something deeply stirring—a…
Lamb Rose Dumplings
Some meals leave your belly satisfied, others leave your heart full. This one did both. On March 8th—International Women’s Day—I was surprised with one of the most creative, thoughtful, and downright delicious gifts I’ve ever received: lamb rose dumplings. Dedulya and the boys worked side by side in the kitchen, carefully folding wonton wrappers into…
Thin-Sliced Potatoes with Mushrooms
This skillet of thin-sliced potatoes with mushrooms is a warm, golden-brown connection to the past. We love it alongside hearty main courses, tucked into breakfast plates, or even eaten by itself with a dollop of sour cream. The smell of potatoes sizzling in oil, mushrooms soaking up the savory juices, and fresh dill stirred in…
Sourdough French Boule
In our house of five, there’s one smell that always gets everyone flocking to the kitchen — the warm, toasty, slightly tangy aroma of our homemade sourdough French boule fresh from the oven. It’s the kind of bread that makes you stand a little taller when you set it on the table. Golden brown with…
How to Grow and Care for Peach Trees in Texas (Beginner’s Guide)
Peach trees have long been a symbol of abundance and health, and their cultivation in Texas has a rich history that dates back to the early settlers. Growing peach trees in Central Texas can be a rewarding endeavor, yielding sweet, juicy fruit right in your backyard.
How to Hatch Chicks in an Incubator
Hatching Chicken Eggs in an Electric Incubator: Raising chickens from eggs can be an immensely rewarding and educational experience, offering insights into the beginnings of life and the opportunity to expand your flock. Electric incubators make this process accessible even for beginners, ensuring that you can successfully hatch eggs with proper guidance. This comprehensive guide…
Keeping Backyard Chickens
Raising Backyard Chickens: A Journey from Chicks to Egg-Layers. Chickens can be a delightful and productive addition to your backyard. From the moment you bring them home as tiny chicks to when they start laying eggs, proper care and attention are key to their health and happiness. Here’s a step-by-step how to raise chickens guide…
Our First Incubator Hatchlings!
So, I thought incubating eggs was really easy and didn’t require too much effort but boy was I wrong! Our first batch of eggs didn’t hatch at all! I believe the problem was with the humidity. See, here in Austin, Texas it is naturally rather humid. And I mean REALLY humid. The humidity level inside…
Awassi Sheep are Finally Here!
Finally, after many months of planning and searching, we got our very first Awassi Sheep! They were very difficult to find as pure-bred Awassi are quite rare here in Texas, but I managed to located a sheep breeder in Hubbard,TX (2 hours drive away). He had a small herd of about 40 sheep, but only…
Moonprint Academy 