Little Wife in the Woods

Simple and Cozy Christmas Decor Ideas for Small Spaces

close up shot of a christmas wreath

I’m definitely no expert decorator! I actually dislike the area of decorating in homemaking because I just feel like I’m not very good at it. Christmas over the years has especially been a pain point (my husband always does the tree because I just can’t do it as good as he can- he had a better natural eye for it!).

This year I have been bit by the Christmas bug. Maybe it’s the fact that the past two years I’ve had a newborn and have been too preoccupied to care. Maybe I just haven’t felt “Christmas-y” like I do this year. Whatever the reason, the urge to decorate is strong!!

Over the years the one thing that I have learned about my decorating style is I love functionality and cozy. If I can get a cross between the two I am beyond thrilled! This is especially true in our small, 900 sq. ft. home.

So while I’m in the spirit of decorating I thought I’d share all my small space inspo for cozy, functional Christmas decor Let’s hear your ideas in the comments, you probably have some I never even thought of!

Adding Cozy Christmas Decor Touches to Your Small Space Kitchen

The kitchen is the centerpiece of my home. If you know anything about this blog you know we do food from scratch just about every meal. That means I’m here a lot! Some days it seems like if I’m not cooking the food I’m cleaning up the food. And I love it!

This year I decided to en corporate more cozy Christmas touches in the kitchen- it’s my favorite place in the house after all!

Kitchen Window Decor

I usually do a bit of Christmas decor at my kitchen window but it’s honestly never been my favorite. It usually just looks like a cluttered mixture of “leftover” Christmas decorations I had to put somewhere. I spend a lot of time at that kitchen sink (we don’t have a dishwasher). Too much time to not enjoy the scenery in front of me.

Christmas village
Christmas village

I honestly had no idea where to even begin. It took an afternoon in Hobby Lobby to come up with an idea and even then I was not sure it would work. So much confidence I kept the receipts and packaging for all the supplies!

But it was better than I even imagined! And so simple!!

My idea came when I saw these simple, but pretty ceramic village houses. I didn’t have a clue where to put them- they had to go where little hands couldn’t reach! Then I decided to paint a little scene with all the cute little pine trees. Then I saw the fairy lights and my vision was coming to life! (Of course this little woodsy village would need some snow too!)

What you need:

Cozy Touches in Functional Spaces

By functional spaces- I mean my baking cabinet!! This little space is visited on the regular but nothing like during the Christmas season. I use the term “functional spaces” because this might look different from mine. Maybe you don’t bake. But maybe you host and your dish cabinet is frequently visited. Maybe your most functional as pace is a countertop where you prep all the food or a kitchen island.

Wherever it is can I encourage you to think outside the box? What can you do to spark a little joy into yourself when you open up that cabinet this holiday season? It doesn’t have to be big, it doesn’t have to take up loads of space. Just try to make it beautiful! My cozy little touch was adding simple touches of wrapping paper to the bottom of the baking cabinet.

christmas cabinet decor

Handmade Wreaths for Kitchen Cabinets

This might look different for you based on the set up of your kitchen and personal taste but I think adding some little handmade (or store bought) wreaths to kitchen cabinets is a great way to add a little touch of Christmas in the kitchen!

I have two corner cabinets that face my main entrance door and I thought wreaths would look best there. However you could add as many or as little wherever you like! They’re so timeless and cozy.

Make the Most of Your Outdoor Spaces

This is a little trick I have learned (one of the few!) for small space decorating. Since my husband and I can’t handle too much going on inside our little home I like to carry my creative urges outside. Greenery over the door, wreaths on the windows, lights, and whatever else you love!

This year I think I finally found my “style” or the look I’m going for but I have not collected all the pieces for it. I might not get the dream look completed until next Christmas but at least I have a goal I’m shooting for!

I’ve also been experimenting with live greenery this year and I’m loving it. You just can’t beat the look of the real deal!

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Dual Purpose Christmas Decor Hack

There is nothing I love more than functional decor except functional decor with a duel purpose!

This blanket ladder stocking hanger hack is just that. If you are in a small home you know the limited space saga of trying to find a place to hang stockings (unless you’re blessed enough to have a fireplace!). One year we even decided to hang then on our curtain rod. It worked but I didn’t love it.

So this year I’m using our blanket ladder to hang the stocking up as well as all our cozy Christmas blankets.

Pillows and Blankets

I’ve already mentioned the blankets but pillows and throws 100% count as decor in a small home situation! Make the most out of it by finding (or making) pillows you love. Get blankets that match your tree theme and decor vibe. You definitely can’t get cozier than that!!

I’ll even add linens, bedspreads, and decorative shower curtains to this list. You’re using them anyways so they won’t take up any extra space like typical decor would. The fun of decorating small spaces is to find the minimal, everyday things and just jazz them up a bit!

Finding Joy and Contentment in Your Small Home This Christmas

We all have areas we could be discontent with. Whether you live in a large home or a small one. The key to joy this season is finding contentment and loving well the home you have with what you have. We cannot all afford to make our Christmas decor dreams come to life this year. That’s okay! At the end of the day it is not about the lights, the decor, or even the cozy tone we all want to set. Christmas is so much more than things that we only get out once a year.

As homemakers (makers of the home) we set the tone with our attitudes and actions- not the pretty lights or our great (or not so great) decorating skills. If you find yourself in that small home this year wishing for this and wishing for that can I encourage you to be grateful! This little home holds so much more than just a tree this holiday season. It holds love, it holds a family. It holds a gift that is so much greater than anything we will receive this Christmas. So cherish it, make it beautiful inside and out, and be thankful.

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How to Prepare Your From Scratch Kitchen for the Holiday Season

The holidays are upon us! Is your kitchen ready for all your from scratch shenanigans this holiday season? Here is my list of must-dos before all the fun begins!

from scratch kitchen holiday season

A From Scratch Holiday Season

If you are new around here, welcome! I’m Tori- mom of two littles (another on the way!), homemaker, and lover of all things from scratch. As we head into the holiday season I am here to share all my favorite from scratch baked goods, handmade gift and decor ideas, and meal inspiration!

If you are new to from scratch cooking or need some inspiration this holiday season make sure you subscribe to my email list! We never sell your information, no spammy content, or over emailing. Just quick notifications bout new posts and recipes.

Our holiday season revolves around all the food- which means the kitchen is the headquarters of the season. That is why I like to get ahead of the holidays by a few weeks and get things prepared for the madness. If you have never tried this in your from scratch kitchen try borrowing my strategy!

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Getting Your Kitchen Ready

1. Clean out your refrigerator.

As the holidays start to happen we all know one of the m most chaotic places in the home is the kitchen. Leftovers, ingredients, regular food- everything ends up getting packed in there. So to begin the kitchen preparation I like to clean out and organize my refrigerator and freezer. Throw away everything that is out of date, stuff I know I just will not actually use (that random sauce I bought for a random meal!).

After throwing away things and getting stuff out I like to do a thorough surface wipe down. This just assures me that the things I am storing or baking for others will be kept in a clean space.

The last step is organizing all the spaces. I may be a bit over-strategic but I like to leave a shelf open for ingredients- things like butter, milk, eggs, etc. The next for prepping food- cookie dough, fermenting sourdough, etc. Then another shelf for leftovers and current meals that are being thawed or planned for the weeks in between the festivities. Keeping all these areas specific and organized keeps me from loosing track of things and inventory.

2. Organize baking goods and take inventory.

Before all the madness of the season I also like to organize and take some inventory on my shelves. Things like sugar, flour, baking soda, etc. that are constantly being used during all the holiday baking. I take the time to clean out these shelves while I’m at it. Just a simple wipe down.

I also take this time to save some money and buy in bulk all the things I am low on. Things that I know I will use like flour, butter, eggs, sugar, etc.

3. Season cast iron and wooden utensils.

This is a great time to prep all your cookware. Personally I use mostly cast iron and wooden utensils in my kitchen. These require some extra care but they are well worth the investment. I season my cast iron with organic coconut oil on low heat in the oven over several hours. Depending on the shape of the cast iron I will repeat the process several times.

The wooden utensils and cutting boards I clean well with homemade citrus vinegar. After they have dried completely I seal them with organic coconut oil as well.

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4. Clean the oven and stovetop.

Depending on the last time you cleaned your oven deeply you may want to skip this step but I find it the perfect time to do a chore I otherwise put off. Making food in a clean oven just gives me peace of mind that my food is being made in a clean environment.

5. Clean out the microwave.

Some of you may be a step or two above me on the crunchy scale. If you are, ignore my microwave tip! With two very young children I am just not at the season of warming everything in the oven and on the stovetop. I also soften all my butter in the microwave currently so I like to make sure it is clean and ready to get splattered with more butter!

6. Deep clean everywhere else.

Countertops, cabinets, and floors. All the places get a good and thorough wipe down. I like to clean and sanitize the places that have been neglected or that I know will be used like the counters.

I do this at specific times of the year- after new year, sometime in the spring, etc. I have also found that if you just do the things as they need them they do not get as dirty. This just keeps the flow going smoothly in the kitchen.

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7. Take inventory on bake ware.

Usually this is unnecessary but I like to take the time to check stock on mixing bowls, measuring cups, potholders, and all the bakeware. I would rather check on these things and make purchases before I find out I need them. Other things like cupcake liners, gift boxes, and ribbons for wrapping baked good gifts are another thing that I like to purchase before the rush of everything.

I hope you enjoy this little list! Join my email list for a free printable list pack for prepping for the holiday season (kitchen prep list, from scratch bulk ingredient shopping list, and bakeware checklist included!).

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How to Make All-Natural Scent Booster for Laundry

Does your laundry need a scent boost? Using an unscented or homemade detergent can leave laundry lacking in the scent department. Sometimes you just want to dry off with a nice smelling towel or snuggle into bed under sheets that smell like lavender. Learn all about how to make an all natural, toxin free scent booster that will have your laundry smelling great without all the chemicals!

Why Homemade Laundry Detergent Lacks Smell

If you are new to the homemade or clean brand laundry detergent you may be wondering, why does my laundry smell like nothing. It is not that homemade detergents smell bad. They may even have a great scent when you first smell but often that smell does not transfer to the clothing, towels, and linens quite as strongly. Why is this?

The ingredients.

Simply put, the ingredients that make towel smell great for weeks after washing is due to the chemical make up of the big commercial laundry detergents. The way the chemicals break down in the washing process leaves the residue that not only smells great but also is able to seep into the skin. These chemicals may seem harmless but when you dig into what they really are they can cause hormone disruption, eczema, and some are even carcinogens (cancer causing). We all love a good smelling shirt but not at the cost of our health and the health of our family.

The truth is you do not have to compromise great smelling laundry for unhealthy ingredients. They just are not the same and you have to adjust your mindset. Once you are no longer expecting your homemade detergent to smell exactly like the commercial detergent you have used and loved for years you will grow to love the clean, natural scent of detergent that does absolutely no harm to your body!

If you are looking for an extremely inexpensive, simple to make laundry detergent recipe go check out our recipe for Homemade Laundry Detergent.

Scent Booster Ingredients

A great scent booster only requires three ingredients. First, you need a dissolvent. Something that will absorb the scent you desire will also dissolving in the washing machine so that the laundry is not damaged or marked at all in the process. I find that baking soda works great for an absorbing dissolvent. Thrive Market is a great place to purchase baking soda and all your laundry making essentials at great prices! All of their products are certified organic so you can ensure you are making your homemade cleaners, detergents, and scent booster with quality ingredients. Go check them out here and save 40% off your entire first order!

Next you will need an agitative ingredient. Something that will gently but firmly rub the scent into the clothing to make the smell last longer and be more effective. It also needs to be dissolvable so it does not show or leave residue. I found that epsom salt works incredibly for gently agitating while still dissolving. Unscented bath salt and Himalayan pink salt are also great options. You can purchase organic epsom or bath salts from Thrive Market as well!

Lastly, you will need an ingredient with a scent. My favorite way to scent things is with all natural essential oils. Some smells we love in our home are lavender, anything citrus, and the natural herbal blends from Earthley Wellness like Spring Blossom and Woods!

The essential oil debate is real! Are they safe? Are they unsafe? The research is yours to do, however, I am of the persuasion that oils are completely safe IF purchased through a company that is trustworthy or if they are homemade. I completely trust Earthley Wellness when it comes to non-toxic, chemical free (in the oils and the oil making process!!) essential oils that I use to scent my laundry and cleaning supplies. They can also be trusted when it comes to herbal oils to be used medicinally! If you are looking for a company you can trust go check out Earthley! They have hundreds of herbal cleaning supplies, personal care items, and medicinal tinctures for everything from teething to hormone balancing. Use my link (here!) and code CHOOSENATURAL to get 10% off your first order!

How to Make Scent Booster

Making scent booster for your laundry is so easy! It only takes just a few minutes of your time and not much energy. Simply gather all your ingredients: baking soda, epsom salt, and essential oil. You will also need a glass jar with a lid to store your scent booster.

The recipe box farther down this post has all the actual measurements you will need to make one batch. However you can use any variation of equal parts baking soda/epsom salt and around 15-20 drops of oil per cup of soda/salt.

Place your salt and soda in the glass jar, add essential oil drops. Stir with a fork and allow to sit about five-ten minutes then stir once more. This ensures that the oils are being absorbed completely by the salt and baking soda.

Place the lid on the jar and your scent booster is ready for use!

How to Use Scent Booster

Using scent booster in your laundry is just about as easy as making it! All you need is about one to two tablespoons per load of laundry. Simply throw in the desired amount and you are good to go! I prefer to use less, around one tablespoon for clothing, and more, between two to three tablespoons for linens and bath towels.

Questions about Scent Booster

Will the essential oils stain my clothing?

I only have experience with Earthley Wellness essential oils but I have not have any issues with the oils staining or marking my clothes. The way the baking soda absorbs the oils helps it to evenly distribute and dissolve in the washing machine. If you are using a less trustworthy brand or are unsure of the brand you are using I would recommend doing a test wash with some dispensable items first.

Scent Booster for Laundry

An all-natural, chemical free scent booster for laundry.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups baking soda
  • 2 cups epsom salt
  • 30-40 drops all-natural essential oil

Instructions
 

  • 1. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar.
  • 2. Stir with a fork and allow to sit for about 10 minutes.
  • 3. Stir once more. Place lid on and use 1-3 tbsp per load as needed.
Keyword all natural cleaning, homemade cleaning, homemade laundry detergent, homemade laundry supplies, laundry, laundry detergent, natural cleaning, scent booster
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Joy in Service

Written by Anna Bourdess

While this world will tell you to “Do what makes you happy.”, this philosophy will never bring you true joy. When we only serve ourselves, we rob ourselves of the fulfillment that comes from service to God and to others.

Have you ever noticed that the most selfish people are typically the most discontented and irritable? That’s because when we ignore God’s way and choose our own, we’ll always be left with a void. 

We live in a society with a “self” culture. Phrases such as self care, self love, self worth, and so many more are thrown around like requirements for a joyful life. When in reality, as Christians our value is found through Christ and the work He is doing through us. 

There are many verses given on service, such as:

Matthew 25:40

Luke 6:38

Colossians 3:23

Romans 12:1-13

As well as many more we could continue to list. 

The Lord knows what will satisfy the human soul, after all, He created it. If you truly want to live in the peace and joy of The Lord, offer your life up in service to Him. This begins with salvation of course. After that, look for ways to serve others. This will always begin in our homes. If you can’t joyfully serve those in your life that matter most to you and that you see every day then you will never go out of your way to serve anyone outside of your home. 

Service looks different for everyone. We all have gifts and special talents God designed us to serve with. I urge you to ask Him where your talents will bring Him the most glory. It takes all kinds of service in every area. The easiest way to begin in service is not to wait for someone to come to you and tell you what needs to be done. If it’s obvious there is a need, step in and fill that need. Look in your home, what better ways could you serve your family? Have you asked your spouse if there are any ways you could better meet a need they may have or if you’re missing a need? How about at church? If you run out of toilet paper in the bathroom at church, don’t go tell someone that it’s out. Go find some and put it in there yourself. If you see trash, pick it up. When it comes down to it, if you truly desire to serve, you’ll find ways to serve. 

****disclaimer****

I know that we must take care of our health (physical and mental) to be able to offer ourselves in service to others. I believe those principles are also found in The Bible, instructing us to care for the body that we’ve been given, properly. No, you can’t pour from an empty cup, but make sure you’re filling your cup up at the Savior’s feet. 

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Five Things Every Homemaker Can Learn How To Do in a Week to Save Money

*post contains affiliate links.

Are you trying to figure out how to save money in your home? I’m here to share five things EVERY homemaker can learn in just seven days that will significantly save your family money.

Contributing as a Homemaker

Okay ladies, pull up a chair. Let’s chat!

We have all heard it. Whether out loud or silently from the culture we live in. Something to the effect of, “Stay at home wives/moms should feel guilty for not contributing to society/the home.”

I’ll be honest, as a young homemaker I did not just hear this, I felt it! My husband and I both agreed for Biblical reasons that it was best for me to be the keeper of the home, even before children. (If this is not your conviction I am not here to cast any shade, this is just what we believe and know to be right for our home.) I believed this, but I still would find myself feeling like I was not a contributor. Like I was just some free-loader who gets to stay home while my husband works tirelessly to provide. I truly felt like I just did not bring anything to the table….

Until I realized I was bringing everything to the table! Literally! From the trip to the grocery store to the eating of the meal I was contributor of all that was brought to our little table.

As homemakers we contribute most by what we save, not by what we earn! Our husbands are the bread-winners but we are the bread-makers! This led me to the question, what can I contribute with my skills and resources?

That is when I began to incorporate these five skills into my life and I promise that every homemaker can too. Better yet, you can learn all of them this week!

How to Save Money in One Week

1. Learn basic sewing skills.

This may seem daunting to some but I promise it is not as challenging as you might think. To begin, purchase a basic sewing kit. Then learn how to do the three simple tasks…

  • how to thread a needle
  • sewing on a button
  • how to mend a minor rip or tear

These are all very basic skills that are super easy to learn but will save your family lots of money! Instead of taking a shirt to the seamstress or throwing away things that are fixable you will be able to contribute by saving your family clothing.

2. Learn how to make bread.

Learning how to make bread has saved my family so much money! The average cost of a loaf of bread in the United States is almost $3.00. It costs around $1.00 to make your own at home! That means if your family eats one loaf of bread per week you will have saved your family around $104 each year. That does not include being able to make your own pizza dough, dinner rolls, pie crusts, etc.

You can easily master yeast bread in a week- or better yet, did you know it only takes seven days to make a fully functional sourdough starter? You could be making delicious loaves of bread for your family by the end of next week!

3. Learn how to cook from scratch.

This follows along with the tip above but learning how to make meals from scratch is an invaluable tool as a homemaker. If you are not already trying your best to make the majority of your family’s food from scratch can I challenge you to start? It does not have to be complicated or even perfect. Knowing how to feed your family well is so rewarding!

Try starting with some of these simple meals…

Make a list of simple, easy recipes and try to make a from-scratch meal each night next week!

4. Make your own laundry detergent

This is not only budget friendly but also way healthier for you! Even “clean” laundry detergent brands have nasty things in them, not to mention it costs a crazy ton of money. You can learn all about how to make your own laundry detergent in this blog post. This recipe lasts my family of three around 5-6 months and only costs about $5 to make.

5. Make your own all-purpose cleaner.

This is another simple task you can learn that will save your family so much money. Again, it is also much healthier for you. A “clean” brand of all-purpose cleaner averages about $4/ twenty-eight ounce bottle. You can make your own for less than $.50.

All you need is a glass spray bottle, white vinegar, water, and lemon essential oil (or simply allow your lemon peels to sit in white vinegar for about two-four weeks). Shake it up and you have a 100% clean, germ killing, all-purpose cleaner!

Try it out!

These tips are super simple and any homemaker can easily begin today! You do not have to have a twenty acre homestead or a dairy cow to start these tasks. All you need is hands that are willing to work and a mind ready to learn.

Homemaker, you are so valuable. You might not contribute a dollar, but you contribute your heart daily, with each “menial” task. Each time you feel like you are not bringing anything to the table, get up- bring what you bring best- a fresh meal made with hands that are not afraid of work and the heart of a happy homemaker.

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Homemaking Where You Are At

Do you desire to create a homestead, be a homemaker, or develop a more natural lifestyle for your family? Do you have specific desires in your homemaking but feel like your current situation doesn’t allow all your dreams?

    (uhem, enter apartment life)

Well today’s tip is very simple. 

Do what you can where you’re at. 

Do you live in an apartment but desire to have a garden? Do what you can where you’re at. If you have one, use your balcony or patio space to grow herbs or small things that are easy to maintain in small spaces. Pick things that you will make use out of and get return for your time. Don’t have that? Use your indoor space and find what things you can grow in that environment. 

Maybe you’re renting a home and don’t have your own space where you can make the changes that reflect the desires you have for your home.

Look for ways you can make non-permanent changes that your landlord allows. This can be done through decorations, fresh flowers, candles, peel and stick tiles, wall decals, temporary wallpaper, even lighting. You would be surprised how changing the light bulbs in your home can change the whole atmosphere. I recommend the “daylight” kind. 

Read this post on how to make your home beautiful on a budget.

If you own your own space but don’t have the budget to do all you would like then find ways to transform things you already have. You can even check marketplace or online yardsale pages for some cheap items you can redo. When I desire something new that we don’t have the budget for I look around and see what I could sell or trade for those items. If I want new clothes I sell pieces of older clothing that I don’t wear anymore. You can even make things or offer a service to bring in funds for your home projects. Even small earnings add up. Do what you can where you’re at. 

The most important thing to remember is don’t get wrapped up in everyone else’s idea of homemaking.

It’s your home, not anyone else’s. You don’t have to follow a certain rule book. You dont have to have chickens, grow your own meat, sew all your clothes by hand, never buy anything store bought, make your own laundry soap, and live on 40 acres of land to be a good homemaker. It doesn’t make you any less if you don’t do ALL “the things”.

Do what makes sense for your family. Pick what your passions are for your home and change one thing at a time. If you try to do it all, it will be stressful and you won’t stick to it. Homemaking is all about making your home a safe and peaceful place, if it’s stressing you out doing it then you’re doing it wrong. Do what you can where you’re at. Don’t get wrapped up in what it feels like everyone else has and become complacent with what you have. Embrace and enjoy each stage of your home and find the joy in the little things you can change each day.

Written by Anna Bourdess

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Everyday From Scratch Kitchen Essentials

*Post contains affiliate links.

These are my kitchen essentials I use weekly in my from scratch kitchen! It can be hard to know what exactly you need getting started on your from scratch journey. I have tried to narrow it down to exactly what you need to start cooking from scratch.

I am by no means a perfect minimalist but having a small home I do try to keep things as minimal as possible. This can be difficult when you cook most of your food from scratch. In a world where there are gadgets and gizmos for everything cooking related try to think simply.

Do you actually need a biscuit cutter or could you use something else? What actually happens if you have to spend a few extra minutes dicing vegetables versus using a fancy dicing tool?

These are questions a from-scratch, real food making homemaker asks herself!

Our grandmothers did not need all these “things” and neither do we. It is completely possible to start making real food without needing everything society throws on a commercial.

That being said, there are some things that truly do make life so much easier! I have to believe that if my great grandma had access to a stand mixer back in the day she would have taken full advantage of this tool. I am in no way saying we should not make the best use of our time, just that we should know the skills to do without them.

That is why I have broken down this list of kitchen essentials into two categories: what is essential and what is convenient.

Items in the convenience category are beyond nice to have but if you are just starting out they are not necessities. You can totally make bread without a stand mixer! Learning how to cook from scratch is daunting enough without feeling overwhelmed in the budget department.

My Everyday From Scratch Kitchen Essentials

Here is a list of things I use frequently throughout the week in my kitchen.

1. Cast iron skillet.

This is a must for me! There are so many benefits of cast iron. I love that you can buy one piece and it will last generations. Such a money saver! (For a reel on how to season cast iron go check out @littlewifeinthewoods on Instagram.)

Practical Uses: Frying meat and veggies, baking pies, biscuits.

2. Bread Pans

One of the easiest ways to start your real food journey is to learn how to make your own bread! Starting with a loaf of fresh bread is so simple and a sure way to have you hooked on from scratch cooking. Whether you start with yeast bread or want to dive into sourdough you will need a good set of loaf pans. Only one is necessary but I highly recommend purchasing two since most recipes make two loaves. Having two is definitely more convenient!

The cheapest bread loaf pans are the metal ones at your local Walmart. However, I find that ceramic and glass are much better options! The dough rises faster and more evenly in glass vs. metal. Below are a few of my favorites!

Practical uses: all loaf breads (banana, pumpkin, sandwich loaf)

3. Casserole dish

Another multi-functional must-have is a casserole dish! There are so many great meals you can make (and store!) in a casserole dish. I recommend getting one with a lid, again for convenience.

Practical uses: baked pasta dinners, casseroles, cobbler, brownies.

4. Basic sheet pan/baking set

If you are starting to bake a lot from scratch you would do well to purchase a baking set. It does not have to be fancy or expensive, just something basic to get you started. A good set should include a couple sizes of baking sheets, a muffin tin, and a pie plate.

5. Mixing Bowls

Another from-scratch kitchen essential is a good set of mixing bowls. Some sets come with four or five bowls, personally I find I can do just fine with two. I prefer using ceramic, stoneware, or glassware to plastic. They last longer and do not have all the nasty stuff!

6. Utensils (spoons, spatulas, etc.)

A basic utensil shopping trip is a necessity! Here is a shopping list of all the basics that will get you started…

  • Wire wisk
  • Two wooden spoons
  • tsp/tbsp measuring set
  • glass measuring cup set (photo/link below)
  • spatula

7. Emulsion blender

Another must have (that I did not realize was a must have) is an emulsion blender. This is an easy essential if you want to make your own mayo, or mix up whipped cream and coffee creamers! Mine has definitely been well worth the investment!

Convenience Items and Non-Essentials

Here are a few non-essential items I use in my kitchen for convenience…

(Click the highlighted items for links!)

Stand Mixer– definitely not necessary, but soooo helpful to have! I recommend learning the process of bread making completely by hand so you have the skill set but if you are making bread every few days investing in one of these will help you save quite a bit of time. Mine is a cheaper off-brand but works great!

Food Processor- A food processor is a great thing to have on hand for easily chopping lots of veggies for dinner dishes or making your own fresh salsa. It is worth the extra storage room for sure. The good news is you do not have to buy the most fancy or expensive one. I think ours came from Walmart and it has lasted several years now.

Crock pot– There has been a lot of controversy lately about crockpots and chemical leeching. I do not use ours very often but I have found it is nice to have on hand for busy times or for carrying food back and forth to church or other functions. Regardless of where you stand on the toxic burden of crock pots they are extremely helpful.

Dutch oven– Again, not completely necessary but as you begin to dive into things like sourdough, or even just to make a good soup (without a crockpot) you will find that a dutch oven is a great investment.

I hope this list has been helpful! What items would you add to the list of kitchen essentials? Comment below! If this post was helpful please hit the like button and share with a friend!

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Starting a From Scratch Kitchen and What You Need to Know Getting Started

*This post contains affiliate links.

While I have always had a love for all things home-made, I began my from scratch journey about a year ago. This entails trying to cook/bake as much food from-scratch as possible. It has been a huge game changer for my little family and I hope to start others thinking about how they can start their own from-scratch kitchens!

Why You Should Consider Cooking From Scratch

Let’s begin with the reasons you should consider starting a from-scratch journey of your own:

1. The health benefits are limitless!

This is one of the main reasons I began trying to cook as much homemade food as possible, even down to the ingredients. If you hang out here you know that my husband has ulcerative colitis. In 2022 he made the decision to come off all medication and control his UC completely by diet. Because of this we have to be very careful about the things he is eating.

You might not have a serious illness, but I challenge you to research the connection between cancers/other diseases and the things in your diet. All the dyes, sugars, and chemicals being pumped into our bodies on a daily basis for the sake of convenience is sickening.

Choosing to cook from scratch gives you an empowering sense of doing the best thing for your family.

2. Cooking from scratch is often much more cost effective.

The cost of cooking your own food, real food, is often much cheaper than the processed food at the store. In some cases this might seem like a stretch. For example, you can buy a box of macaroni and cheese for $2 but by the time you purchase all the ingredients for homemade macaroni and cheese you’re looking at $5.

This goes back to health benefits. What matters most to you? Knowing that your family is eating a meal that is free from things that would harm their bodies or that $2 box of dyes and preservatives?

Another thing to consider is that the money you are saving on from scratch foods like breads, sauces, and meats is so much more than that $3 you “lost” on the mac and cheese. It all has a way of evening out.

3. Cooking from scratch is enjoyable.

Simply put, cooking your own food from scratch is just fun!

Maybe this is not true for all at the beginning but I have never heard of someone who stuck with it and had regrets! Feeding your family real food brings such a sense of satisfaction. Knowing how to make your own food gives a feeling of empowerment. You’ll never know unless you try!

Where to Begin on your From-Scratch Journey

Have I convinced you yet?!

I hope so! It is so worth it.

Choosing to start making, eating, and enjoying real food can be exciting- and overwhelming! I remember thinking, “Where should I even start?” I wanted to do it all! Go off the deep end, buy a cow to make my own cheese, grow a massive vegetable garden.

The truth is we can’t “do it all”. Not without becoming extremely overwhelmed in the process. Some of us do not live on big acreage. We can not afford a cow. We do not have the skillsets quite yet to just go diving in to all the things. And that is okay!

You can only do your best, not someone else’s.

So where can you begin?

Start with one thing at a time. Pick one thing or food group that you want to master then go from there. For me this was all bread/baked products. I had a basic knowledge in bread making so I started with something I had a bit of a handle on. By the next few months I had completely eliminated store-bought tortillas, sandwich bread, and dinner rolls. A few more months and I had sourdough (click here to learn how to make your own sourdough starter- the easy way) figured out!

It is such a snowball effect. Just start with one thing, then do the next thing!

A few ideas on where to start:

  1. Bread/baked goods
  2. Eliminate frozen meals (TV dinners) and make your own dinner from scratch.
  3. Eliminate canned veggies and only buy fresh.
  4. Eliminate everything with dyes in your pantry/diet.

What a From Scratch Kitchen Looks Like

Everyone’s journey is different. What works for my little family may not be as productive for yours. Basically, a from scratch journey just means that you, as the homemaker, are choosing to do your best to feed your family well. This is a skill that you develop and grow the more you learn!

For me personally, my from scratch journey began with eliminating as much toxic, fake foods from our diet that I could. This involves the following:

  • Eating out much less.
  • Removing things with preservatives when able.
  • Making our own food, not frozen junk.
  • Baking all of our bread and baked goods.
  • Growing our own veggies in the summer and fall.
  • Never feeding my baby canned babyhood from the store.
  • Making pasta from scratch or buying it from a reliable brand free of junk!
  • Preserving as much of my own food as possible.

And I’m still on the journey!

This does not mean that we never eat out, or buy that frozen pizza when I just need a little break. However, it is no longer a way of life. It is rare little moments here and there.

You will never relieve the entire toxic burden on your family. (After all- you can’t remove pollution from the air!) As a Christian I do not believe God ever wants us to live in fear of these things either.

We can start somewhere. We can fix the things that are within our control. Mama, you can choose to feed your babies real food!

I would love to help you start your own from-scratch kitchen! Comment below how you plan to begin (or how you have already started!). Be looking for next week’s post on everything you need to start your own from-scratch kitchen.

If this post was helpful, would you please click that little star? And don’t forget to share on your social media. It helps us reach more viewers!

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How to Make Farmhouse Curtains

Finding farmhouse curtains that you love can be tricky, even more so on a budget. Thankfully it is easy and affordable to make your own in any print or pattern you find beautiful.

Reasons to Make Your Own Curtains

The biggest reason I make my own curtains is that it is less expensive. A set of curtains for a sliding door cost less than ten dollars to make. For this reason alone it just makes sense!

Another reason is that you can use prints that are just right for your home. As a homemaker I love making our home unique and beautiful. This can be hard to accomplish when your choices are so limited. Something as simple as a curtain can go a long way in making things feel cozy in your home. Because of this you might as well be able to have ones you love!

I also like the fact that you can match the curtains in many various sizes. It is frustrating when you find the ones you love but they are only available in certain sizes. These easy to make curtains fix that issue completely.

How hard is it to make your own curtains?

These farmhouse curtains could not be easier to make!

They are basically comprised of one simple cut and a consistent hem all around the edges. Because of the ring/clip system they do not require any opening to put a rod through.

Their simple design makes it easy for beginners to pull off without a hitch!

What do you need to make farmhouse curtains?

You only need a few basic essentials to make your own farmhouse style curtains.

  • 2 yards of fabric (any fabric will work, lightweight to mid-weight is best)
  • 20 Ring and clip curtain hangers (below is a link for the hooks I use!)

  • Curtain rod
  • Thread
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape

How to Make Farmhouse Curtains

  1. Measure the width and length of the desired window or door you will be adding curtains to. Add 2 inches for hemline. (For my sliding doors two yards was perfect.)
  2. Cut fabric.
  3. Using a sewing machine hem the fabric all the way around. The best way to hem is to fold fabric over 1/2 an inch, then 1/2 an inch again. This keeps the edges from being exposed and frayed. Sometimes it helps to pin or iron the fabric down to keep everything straight and even. (Tip for beginners: choosing a fabric like the one pictured with a very definite print such as gingham, plaid, or stripes will help you cut and hem evenly without much effort!)
  4. Iron curtains, if needed.
  5. Place rings on curtain rod and clip curtains. I find that for double windows and doors about ten rings on each side are perfect.

I hope you enjoy making your own farmhouse curtains! Let me know how it goes in the comments. If you have any questions I would love to help!

Don’t want to make your own curtains but still love the look of beautiful farmhouse curtains in your home? I got you! You can purchase my handmade curtains on Etsy over at Wife in the Woods Shop (click here!).

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