Ok to Sell Homemade Food (with Permits) in CA
Update: This article was originally published in 2013 and is specific to California. Other states like Texas, Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania, Washington… have their own Cottage…
Morning Oats
When we started trying different dairy substitutes I was concerned about adding a factory-food to our regular diet.
Black Friday
American Homemakers are supposed to get all worked up about the day after Thanksgiving, as if this day, a Friday, is the perfect day to…
Election Day… Cake!
In colonial times we used to get results the same day... Better double the recipe and make two cakes!
Ever-Expanding Housework
Axiom #1~ This handy reminder was given to me when my twin boys were very, very young and the household quite chaotic. Housework expands to…
Prepping for the Holidays
Powdered milk is a wonderful add to the pantry for those 'just in case' moments
Decisions, decisions… the chore du jour
Before electricity was common in homes, the homemaker workweek revolved around laundry.
Planting Renee’s Garden Seeds
Our seeds are Renee's personal selection of new, exciting and unusual vegetable, flower, and herb seeds, including time-tested heirlooms, Certified Or…
Cake Icing without Icing Sugar
Let's face it, powdered sugar is a specialty item in an overcrowded pantry, expensive if you'd rather spend grocery money on everyday food.
Water from Fog
This water collection technique is a game changer for women in the Moroccan desert. Fog happens everyday there, but not so rain and the drought…
Garden Tote Planting
Received this hint via email from a Homemakers Guild member yesterday, complete with a video link. Gardening is always an experiment, and this sounds …
Laundry Day
...what modern man in his right mind would buy his wife a washboard, tubs, and a wringer as a gift?
Got Formula?
Relactation is a thing. That is the fancy word for putting baby back on mother's milk after an interruption.
Tips and Tricks to Revive and Refresh Your Home
"If, like me, you’re ready to revive and refresh your house, here are some excellent tips and tricks that can help." ~a guest article by Megan Coope…
Division of Labor and Chores
Add up all the expected hours of work for the week and you may find the total is more than one person might reasonably be expected to do.
10 Ways to Brighten Your Days
Speaking of tidying up - think of the tide that comes through twice a day and cleans everything up for a clean fresh start. Imagine if it didn't.
For New Homesteaders
Honestly, if you've never done this before you will need as much advice as you can get. And most of it you'll want to follow!
The First Thanksgiving
Who would have thought the fully ratified US Constitution in 1789 was the inspiration for the first national Thanksgiving Day?
“Is there anything I can do?”
Spontaneously finding jobs for people is something I'd rather save for a holiday celebration.
Grandma Concetta’s Tomato Sauce
"This sauce was used throughout the year. It was light and sweet and could be cooked with olive oil, sautéed garlic, and onions or doctored up any wh…
Go Outside and Play
Outside play has lots of benefits for children, including the strength built from exercise, vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, and resistance to all…
It’s Personal
Homemakers Guild wouldn’t owe anyone a penny if this were the case. We don’t buy or sell your info. 😀
Do You Undercharge?
This is about the independent side-gig you may have taken up to add a bit of "mad money" to your household budget.
It went “splat”
This poor attempt at sourdough bread never stood a chance. In fact, it never stood at all.
Pantry Must Haves
Remember, you want multi-use ingredients taking up your bulk space in the pantry. Here is a short list of items to get started...
It’s Beginning to Look Like…
...time to start preparing for that homespun holiday experience, now-- I can't have all this fun alone.
Tracking Time, Seeking Balance
Knowing where time is spent is important. Better still is knowing how much you’ve done, and what needs to be done next.
Back-to-School Comes Home
But that isn’t possible for every student. Some children just need something else, and home is simply the best place to provide the stability requir…
The County Fair
Each county is different, and you can really see it in their annual Fair. For some it’s tech, others show off livestock, and agriculture, too. Check…
Pickled Watermelon Rind is a Summer Treat
Yep, that whole white part left after the kids have their seed fight, that you thought was only fit for compost. It makes a tasty side dish, and thrif…
Homemade Gripe Water: a Recipe
Gripe water is an old-time treatment to soothe the belly of a baby with colic.
Homemaker Economics : Pasta
Improving the family's quality of life + Saving a bunch of money = Homemaker Economics!
Motherhood: A Manifesto (book sneak peek)
Support networks of extended families and tight-knit communities have fallen away, but expectations have been ramped up.
Division of Labor and Chores
It is possible that others in the house honestly have no idea what they can do to ease your burden.
Planting the Kitchen Garden
Start with your favorite fruit tree. As it grows, plant perennial herbs around the tree to create a foundation for your planting beds. Then fill in wi…
The Safety Net
In the US, there is currently no disability protection for Homemakers injured on the job.
Things your Mother (might have) Said
No doubt my kids have their own version of this list and remember them with a smile. I hope so...
Too much Thyme on my Hands
Thymus vulgaris is the Latin botanical name for the herb we use in the kitchen, grow in the garden, and sing about in “Scarborough Fair”.
Blue Jeans and a T-shirt
Long gone are the days of wearing 2" heels and a dress while doing housework. And after last year, I don't think I care about official fashion anymore…
Sourdough!
Today, I got up early because I’m going out with a girlfriend, and – despite this- decided to keep going with my plan to enjoy…
55 One Dish Meals!
After a long year of cooking, eating, and doing everything at home, discovering the benefits of one-dish meals turned out to be a godsend.
Pi Day Challenge
Why today? Because 3.14 is the beginning of Pi -- the number of Infinite Mathematical Mystery.
Is This Rage New?
Today, women with paid jobs still carry the lioness' share of the homemaker's burden, and always have. Surprise, surprise -- housework did not go away…
The Side Gig
Hopefully, it is something you are passionate about. And you get to be your own boss, too. Maybe it even makes a little income for the family coffers.…
International Women’s Day
It's been two years since Boy Scouts of America began accepting girls into their ranks. Now, nearly 1,000 young women have earned the top rank of Eagl…
You Can Still Vote
I know it seems crazy, but yes, everyday you have another chance to vote. With your dollars and with your online attention. This is a vote that can't …
Hiring Out
Had to laugh when I saw this post from Martha Stewart about cleaning shelves full of delicate glassware. Everything she says is exactly perfect, as…
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss
the author who taught children to listen to "The Lorax", try new food in "Green Eggs and Ham", and to laugh at the tyrant in "Yertle the Turtle". Dr. …
Happy St. David’s Day
Daffodils are in the Narcissus plant family. They get their name from a figure in Greek mythology, Narcissus, who loved his own reflection so much he …
A Logical Argument
There are only two types of arguments. One is an argument of fact, the other, an argument of opinion. Neither one is worth the trouble of a passionate…
Home Made Tamales
Tamales are traditionally wrapped, like a present, in cornhusk or banana leaf. This makes it easier to steam and handle the delicate outer layer of ma…
Five Ways You can Help the Earth
Did you know that over half the US insecticide use is household application. This means a lot of people are really squeamish about bugs and…
Spa-at-Home Mom
"Your face and hair you do for everyone else, your hands you do for yourself, but your feet you do for your partner." -Miss Ruth, Educator, Cosmetolog…
Grow your Own
Both types of gardens begin with a seed. And seeds, especially those of the organic, heirloom, and regional varieties, are increasingly difficult to c…
Herman Lives!
Back in the 1980's there was a little thing between homemakers in our small town. We fed it. And as it grew we divided the mass and gave pieces away t…
Chickens in the Backyard
because store bought eggs are at least a month old by the time they reach the market shelves, and produced from chickens who likely never see the sun,…
Its Easy to Make your own Food for Baby
Here's the secret, use a blender and an ice cube tray to transform your regular family meals into convenient baby bite-sized meals.
Blooming Cocoa Pantry Brownies
Having never understood the urge to purchase a more expensive pre-mixed box of flour, plus a bunch of other things already in the pantry, I…
15 Things to Declutter Your Life
A big “Thank You!” to Ashley Abramson for listing these handy suggestions – I had not even considered the first five, which are of course…
Super Creamy Mac-and-Cheese
I grew up on boxed versions of this family favorite, and have always felt a tad deficient in my homemaking skills as the perfect home-made…
If I Make Less Money, Should I Do More Child Care?
Giant “Thank you!” to Nichole Chung for taking on this topic. The question really is about time, not money. Since time is all we really…
45 One-Minute Cleaning Tasks You Should Do Right Away
A big thank you to Shifrah Combiths for putting this article together! The question really is “Who?” Don’t get me wrong, I am a big…
When the To Do List isn’t working…
But it is crucial that you schedule your day. As Essentialism author Greg McKeown, says: “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.”…
No flour, eggs or butter- no problem! 23 cake recipes for when you’re missing an ingredient
A great big thank you to Dale Berning Sawa and The Guardian for originally publishing this. (click image — link will open in new tab)…
Double Standard of Clean
It was something of a relief to see this report on a recent study that points out the double standard of cleanliness. Yep, it is…
Spring Cleaning – The Fun Stuff
Obviously, there is more to the subject of gender parity than cleaning the bathroom and taking care of the children (or is there?)
Time for Spring Cleaning!
The advice given to me as a young bride is helpful because it is a system that is easy to remember in two simple steps.
Real ID a Real Nightmare
California Real ID is a documentation nightmare. Especially for women who took their husband’s name in marriage. Goodness help you if you’ve been …
Cecilia’s Gratitude Nutloaf
Serve nutloaf with mushroom gravy, cranberry sauce and all the rest of your holiday meal. Even cave-persons are impressed with the hearty flavor and r…
Holiday Traditions: Keeping it Real
Being alone for a holiday is not much fun. But if your fragmented family has the joy of being a blended family, the reverse of being alone is too much…
Feeding America
Could not wait to show you this wonderful resource from the Michigan State University. Feeding America https://d.lib.msu.edu/fa/ This is a collection of 76 early American…