Pork and Bean Bread, aka The Van Camps loaf!

My own mom started making this bread 40+ years ago. It was always gone in a flash, even though the recipe makes two loaves. She used to chuckle when she would (literally) spill the beans on what the secret ingredient was...come and take a look at Pork and Bean Bread, AKA the VanCamps loaf! Another delicious recipe from my mom's kitchen and mine!

The roasted nuts on top, are delicious!

Christmas Special Senior Salon Pit Stop! Week #2

Welcome! The Christmas Special Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! 

We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, craft and upcycling ideas in the line up. Along with thrifting treasures and great family friendly articles also being shared today. I can guarantee that, you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are about to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. And while you are here to visit, I hope you have brought along some ideas of your own to share!

 

Savory Black Eyed Peas with Bacon and Red Wine Vinegar

I love having a collection of convenient side dish recipes that call for basic pantry ingredients. And this recipe for Savory Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon and Red Wine Vinegar is just that sort of recipe! Plus it tastes delicious! For those who think they don't like Black-Eyed Peas, this is the recipe to try!

Weekend Traffic Jam Weekend 12.26.2025

 Hello and welcome to another great weekend! 

And what better way to enjoy it, in full, than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! for December 26, 2025.

What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and good ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, let's all show some love for those great posts resting in the archives, until you share them again.

My Favorite Top 5 Posts from 2025

Blogging is an interesting way to express and or demonstrate what individual and families do or eat or care about. And while I have been blogging for over 20 years, I find that what I write about, must have a thread of myself or it doesn't ring true to the project or recipe being presented. Which is why Creativity and heart come together to highlight My Favorite Top 5 Posts of 2025!  

Come and take a peek...

Reader's Choice Top 10 for 2025

The top 10 Reader's Choice posts for 2025, shows a clear path to a do it yourself lifestyle and a return to scratch cooked food for family meals. I am grateful for all the visits to Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household, because they not only bring a smile to my face, but keep me inspired to create, blog, and live this homestead life I have come to enjoy. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! And now, the Top 10 Reader's Choice posts for 2025...

Stockings from the heart, for Homestead Sunday #14

Welcome to Homestead Sunday, where we share what we have learned, what we do on a regular basis, and what projects we are building, rebuilding or working on. Who are we? We are a three generation family living on six acres in South Eastern Texas. 

And while we have only been in Texas a short time, we have had the homestead mentality and lifestyle for quite a few years. Starting out with our time living in Montana. And, although we are not experts in any way, I hope that what we share with you with this series is helpful, as well as inspirational for you and your own homestead journey. Or even with your own home and yard in the suburbs. Because to homestead is an much an action as it is a lifestyle.

Easy to Make Toffee, no candy thermometer needed!

Do you want to make candy? But think that making candy is really hard? Well, so did I until I found this recipe for Easy to Make Toffee! You will love it, and so will everyone you share it with! And sometimes, we just need a bite of candy to make our day! So, let's make Toffee, shall we?

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot. 12.19.2025

Hello and welcome to another great weekend! 

And what better way to enjoy it, in full, than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! for December 19, 2025.

What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and good ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, let's all show some love for those great posts resting in the archives, until you share them again.

Chocolate Crusted Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars.

It was time to develop a bar cookie recipe that would check all the boxes on the flavor scale my husband has shown, that he loves. Cheesecake, check! Chocolate, check! And how about delicious, check! And yes, Chocolate Crusted Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars are as delicious as the name is long! 

Cherry Raisin Welsh Tea Cake, with a walnut crown

This Cherry Raisin Welsh Tea Cake is a simple riff on the traditional Welsh Tea Cake that I have grown to love. Made with dried cherries and raisins, the flavors all come together to play off each other as well as the delicious mix of spices! You are going to love this one!

Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #391

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! 

We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, craft and upcycling ideas in the line up. Along with thrifting treasures and great family friendly articles also being shared today. I can guarantee that, you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are about to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. And while you are here to visit, I hope you have brought along some ideas of your own to share!

 

What's in your crisper drawer? Let's talk carrots...

We keep a bag of carrots around, all the time. Well most of the time, because the reality is, carrots like any other vegetable must be stored correctly or they will go to waste. Come and take a look at our easy way to store carrots for long term storage and some great suggestions on ways to use this delicious vegetable!

Salad Dressings to please the whole family!

If there is one easy way to buy less food at the grocery store it is by making your own salad dressing. And while I could also mention the cost savings, let's just concentrate on the flavor and the ease of having a variety of salad dressing recipes, both creamy and vinaigrette style, at the ready...plus you already know the ingredient list. Because each ingredient came from your own, well stocked pantry!

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 12.12.2025

Hello and welcome to another great weekend! 

And what better way to enjoy it, in full, than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! for December 12, 2025.

What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and good ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, let's all show some love for those great posts resting in the archives, until you share them again.

Cheesecake and Chocolate for Celebrating!

Every holiday enjoyed and family gathering celebrated just might be a call for cheesecake or something chocolate! And we have come up with a very tasty and looked forward to, list! Cheesecake and Chocolate for Celebrating! is offered to help you celebrate that special day or event (no matter the celebration!) in good taste. So you can offer something delicious from your kitchen, to those you love and care about!

Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #390

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! 

We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, craft and upcycling ideas in the line up. Along with thrifting treasures and great family friendly articles also being shared today. I can guarantee that, you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are about to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. And while you are here to visit, I hope you have brought along some ideas of your own to share!

 

Gingerbread and Pear Pudding Cake.

Pears, spices and whipped cream! They all come together beautifully when you serve up Gingerbread and Pear Pudding Cake! This dessert is rich and dreamy, you are going to want to make this again, and again!

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 12.05.2025

Hello and welcome to another great weekend! 

And what better way to enjoy it, in full, than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! for December 05, 2025.

What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and good ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, let's all show some love for those great posts resting in the archives, until you share them again.

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Meat Loaf, a slow cooker recipe

Everyone needs a delicious, family-favorite meatloaf recipe, they can turn to when there is more to do, than time to do it in! Melt-in-Your-Mouth-Meat Loaf is easily that meatloaf! You will probably want to keep this recipe handy...you know, just in case you have a busy day ahead of you. 

What Did You Read This Month, Book Review Linky #17, for December 2025

Welcome to the What Did You Read This Month, Book Review Linky Party, a monthly sharing link-up for books! We are so happy that books are once again, back in fashion! And a great way to keep them front and center is to share a review of what you have read, if and how you enjoyed it and if you would recommend that book to a friend! Oh and a story or two of how you came to own or stumbled upon the book would also be fun...because books are for everyone, so let's all enjoy them once again!

In my Homestead Kitchen December. Looking back on November 2025

November, where did you go? Wait, did I say that last month also? Probably, November was not a very exciting month around here. What with so many tasks and chores that needed to be done for the land and on the land. Largely the garden was put to rest for winter, and leaves ( oh my gosh, lots of leaf raking!) are being bagged and saved for spring garden beds. But food? Not real exciting except the potatoes, and sweet potatoes for our Thanksgiving dinner. They were harvested from our garden. That and other tales of life around here as we join Sherry for In My Kitchen. 

Welcome to The Senior Salon Pit Stop #389

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! 

We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, craft and upcycling ideas in the line up. Along with thrifting treasures and great family friendly articles also being shared today. I can guarantee that, you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are about to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. And while you are here to visit, I hope you have brought along some ideas of your own to share!

 

Persimmon Vinaigrette, not too sweet and simply delicious!

Fall and winter are the perfect time to try persimmons, they are seasonal to our winters here in the states, with a delicious, bright, fruity flavor. Persimmon Vinaigrette is perfect over mixed greens topped with Feta crumbles, or simply spooned over avocado slices...either way, you simply can't go wrong!

Weekend Traffic Jam Weekend 11.28.2025

Hello and welcome to another great weekend! 

And what better way to enjoy it, in full, than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! for November 28, 2025

What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and good ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, let's all show some love for those great posts resting in the archives, until you share them again.

Whole Wheat Self-Rising Flour, the best pantry mix to keep on hand!

Whole Wheat Self-Rising Flour is an easy-to-make pantry mix you will want to keep around! There are countless ways to use this mix, from simple biscuits to a rich pan of Nutella Brownies...and it is so easy to make. Meaning Whole Wheat Self-Rising Flour will save you loads of time in the kitchen! And for those who wish to try a recipe or two before making up a batch, I now offer a small batch recipe, please see below!

Little Bagel Bites and Bigger Bagel Bites!. A Low Histamine Recipe.

Little Bagel Bites and Bigger Bagel Bites, are a Low Histamine bread to enjoy with breakfast, a bowl of soup or toasted along side a salad. If you are currently eating a Low Histamine food plan, you might want to come and take a look! They really are quite good...

Whole Wheat Jam Crumble Bars

Bar cookies are a busy baker's best friend! And I believe these Whole Wheat Jam Crumble Bars will become your new best friend. They are quick to assemble, delicious to eat and whole grain...plus they can be made in any flavor (thanks to the jam part!) you prefer. 

Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #388

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! 

We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, craft and upcycling ideas in the line up. Along with thrifting treasures and great family friendly articles also being shared today. I can guarantee that, you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are about to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. And while you are here to visit, I hope you have brought along some ideas of your own to share!

 

Let's Talk About Leaves! for Homestead Sunday #13

Welcome to Homestead Sunday, where we share what we have learned, what we do on a regular basis, and what projects we are building, rebuilding or working on. Who are we? We are a three generation family living on six acres in South Eastern Texas. 

And while we have only been in Texas a short time, we have had the homestead mentality and lifestyle for quite a few years. Starting out with our time living in Montana. And, although we are not experts in any way, I hope that what we share with you with this series is helpful, as well as inspirational for you and your own homestead journey. Or even with your own home and yard in the suburbs. Because to homestead is an much an action as it is a lifestyle.

Our Best Cranberry Recipes, celebrate the goodness of cranberries!

Cranberries are the crop I look forward to possibly more than any other! They are beautiful, delicious and offer up all the creative goodness that the season deserves! And that is before we even think about all the nutrition that comes in those bouncy berries! Come and take a look at some of our favorites..

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 11.21.2025

Hello and welcome to another great weekend! 

And what better way to enjoy it, in full, than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! for November 21, 2025

What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and good ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, let's all show some love for those great posts resting in the archives, until you share them again.

Low Histamine Recipes to Enjoy.

Like every family our there, we have a lot going on! In our case it is homesteading with gardening, and tending to the chickens and the land. Learning about our new home state of Texas, and exploring all that we can when we have open time. As well as time with family, and getting ready for the next celebration. Here recently we have had to add something else...a Low Histamine eating plan. 

Pretty Darn Good Quinoa Muffins, a low histamine recipe.

Eating low histamine? Craving bread? Yeah, me too! Come and take a look at this small batch of Pretty Darn Good Quinoa Muffins. Not too sweet, and perfect with breakfast or beside a bowl of soup for lunch. Only one bowl for easy clean-up...

 

Golden Pork Chops over Corn Pudding

Golden Pork Chops over Corn Pudding. My husband Terry picked a winner with this dish! It pays to have your family take a look at the cookbooks on the shelf for some new ideas for dinner! Honestly, I would have passed this one right by...but I am glad we didn't!

Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #387

 Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! 

We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, craft and upcycling ideas in the line up. Along with thrifting treasures and great family friendly articles also being shared today. I can guarantee that, you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are about to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. And while you are here to visit, I hope you have brought along some ideas of your own to share!

 

Easily add a bitter element to your meals....Roasted Radishes and the Green Tops!

Bitter plays an important role in our digestion, do you get enough? Here is our easy homestead way to make sure we get enough bitter elements in our food during winter time. 

Whole Wheat Cottage Cheese Yeast Buns

Whole Wheat Cottage Cheese Yeast Buns, are delicious, tender, and only require a bowl and a spoon for mixing.  This recipe is so easy, making it perfect to stir together with your favorite young helper by your side! 

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 11.14.2025

Hello and welcome to another great weekend! 

And what better way to enjoy it, in full, than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! for November 14, 2025

What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and good ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, let's all show some love for those great posts resting in the archives, until you share them again.

Jessica's Favorite Deep Dish Pecan Pie!

If you are a pecan pie lover, you don't generally save pecan pie just for the holidays in November and December, because a slice of Jessica's Favorite Deep Dish Pecan Pie is fabulously good good any time of year you bake one.  Bu with that said, it is also perfect at the holidays!

Tried and True Favorites, for Your Best Thanksgiving Celebration Ever!

When Halloween reaches the end of the fun, and all hearts shift from decorating to celebrating, I know it is time for e to get ready for my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving! 

This has always been a day of celebration with family. And while family members sitting at the table have changed through the years, the family part has not! We celebrate with food offered from each family's kitchen, once placed on the largest table available for sharing. 

The abundance of food and family is a blessing. With each passing year marking another great celebration to remember. And that is where this collection of our favorites originated...I invite you to come and take a look at these suggestions from our family to yours! It is time to celebrate!

Welcome to The Senior Salon Pit Stop #386

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! 

We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, craft and upcycling ideas in the line up. Along with thrifting treasures and great family friendly articles also being shared today. I can guarantee that, you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are about to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. And while you are here to visit, I hope you have brought along some ideas of your own to share!

 

Everyday Bread Pudding!

Everyday Bread Pudding is more than just a frugal way to avoid wasting bread, it is completely and utterly delicious! And with the eggs and milk, quite nutritious! Which means you should probably make this to enjoy, and soon!

Mini Meatloaf Muffin Tin Dinner, the perfect small batch dinner bake!

Muffin Tin Meals are the perfect small-batch version of their larger counterpart,  sheet-pan recipes! I love sheet-pan recipes when we have company, but for the two of us, this small batch Muffin Tin version works very well. Come and take a look at our Mini Meatloaf Muffin Tin Dinner!

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 11.07.2025

 Hello and welcome to another great weekend! 

And what better way to enjoy it, in full, than with a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! for November 7, 2025

What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and good ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, let's all show some love for those great posts resting in the archives, until you share them again.

Host a Dessert and Coffee Open House, a lovely way to say Welcome!

Finding time to entertain is often the hardest part of the holidays. But maybe it could be easier than what you have done in the past. Maybe you could offer your friends the opportunity to come over, relax, enjoy a bit of dessert and conversation without wearing you and everyone else out....I don't know about you, but I like that idea a lot! Take a look here!

The Frugal Foodie Cook Book, for What Did You Read This Month, Book Review Linky #16.

Welcome to the What Did You Read This Month, Book Review Linky Party, a monthly sharing link-up for books! We are so happy that books are once again, back in fashion! And a great way to keep them front and center is to share a review of what you have read, if and how you enjoyed it and if you would recommend that book to a friend! Oh and a story or two of how you came to own or stumbled upon the book would also be fun...

Seven Non-Food Gifts to Make and Give with Love. Great gifts anytime of the year!

We, like so many other families, by choice, now enjoy a smalled-down celebration. Our wish lists also reflect that choice, along with our gift buying adventures. And in all the time since we have had this new gift giving agreement in place we have had the same wonderful, happy celebrations. Just like we always did. And it turns out, the gifts given are actually more personal, made with love, and given with pride. We invite you to come and take a look at a few suggestions...because if nothing else these ideas may inspire you to begin your own smaller but just as wonderful, celebrations. 

Welcome to The Senior Salon Pit Stop #385.

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! 

We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, craft and upcycling ideas in the line up. Along with thrifting treasures and great family friendly articles also being shared today. I can guarantee that, you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are about to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. And while you are here to visit, I hope you have brought along some ideas of your own to share!

 

In My Homestead Kitchen November, looking back on October 2025.

Welcome to In My Homestead Kitchen, where we join up with Sherry @sherry'spickings to talk about how the month went, what we did, bought, tried, and enjoyed. October gave us some wonderful weather, which inspired quite a few new recipes, and ended with the realization that we had had a predator visiting the hen's yard with too much success...