About Jill Winger

Jill writes from the homestead she shares with her husband, daughter, and ever-changing assortment of animals. When she's not in the kitchen preparing traditional foods, you'll find her outside riding horses, growing vegetables, milking her cow, and killing rattlesnakes. She blogs at The Prairie Homestead, where she enjoys encouraging readers to return to their roots, no matter where they may live.

Can’t Move to the Country? Then Bring the Country to You!

May 21, 2012 By Jill Winger

(Photo Credit)

Are you a soccer mom with a craving for country life?

Do you have secret urges to own chickens or live at the end of an old dirt road?

If this describes you, you are not alone!

There is a movement sweeping the country. People everywhere are feeling the urge to take a step back from our fast-paced modern culture and embrace some of the more old-fashioned aspects of life.

You’ve probably heard people talk about ‘simple living’ or ‘modern homesteading’. Perhaps you’ve even contemplated moving to the country, but instead you live in the suburbs with a mini-van and a couple of kids and have no idea how that would ever be possible.

Good news!

There are ways to bring the simplicity of country living to your home and family, no matter where you live!

Even though we might not be able to live in the isolated, rural areas of our ancestors, we can still capture the spirit of their pioneer lifestyles.

Here are a few of my favorite ideas to get you started.

1. Use a Clothesline

Nothing quite says ‘lazy country afternoon’ like watching freshly washed sheets flap in the breeze. Even apartment dwellers can dry clothes on their balcony or place a drying rack in their living room. There is something almost romantic about slowing down to take the time to pin clothes to a line and then carefully remove and fold them. Plus, you have the added bonus of that fresh air smell! (If you live in a neighborhood, remember to check your homeowners association regulations before installing a permanent clothesline.)

2. Exercise your Green Thumb

Anyone can grow something- no special tools required! If your space is limited, start off by growing a few of your favorite herbs in windowsill pots. If you have an unused sunny corner in your backyard, experiment with planting a few favorite family vegetables. Squash, beans, and tomatoes are easy to grow and generally produce wonderful yields. Kids love to play in the dirt, so this is a wonderful project for the whole family. You can even turn it into a mini-science lesson as the children help you sow, water, and harvest.

3. Cook from Scratch

Busy schedules make packaged convenience foods very appealing. But in an effort to save time, we often sacrifice nutrition. You might not have time to make everything from scratch, but why not pick a few favorite foods to get you started? Our great-grandmothers were masters of their kitchens, and it can be incredibly empowering to learn some of their skills. Here are a few easy from-scratch recipes to get you started:

4. Spend more time outside

Everyone can benefit from a little extra fresh air. Instead of spending weekends at the mall or movie theater, make an effort to grab the kids and hubby and head outside. It might just be for a walk around the neighborhood, or maybe it’s enjoying a family supper in the backyard. Designate times where the kids can take of their shoes, roll around in the grass, and get dirty. So much time in our society is spent on asphalt, enjoy feeling the sun on your skin and the grass between your toes.

Of course, I have barely scratched the surface of the many ways we can bring the country mentality to our everyday lives.

If you are interested in more ideas, I encourage you to check out my newly released eBook: Your Custom Homestead. In it you’ll find a detailed, 21 step plan to help you bring the homesteading spirit to your life, no matter where you may live.

In this 79-page eBook, you’ll learn how to:

Create a homesteading binder.
Formulate a homestead mission statement and set goals.
Navigate around restrictive homeowner’s associations.
Embrace your current location, no matter how “unlikely” it may be.
Expand your knowledge base and acquire new skills.
Begin preparing for animal and gardening opportunities
And much, much more!

Click here to purchase this book- Use coupon code BETTERMOM20 when you check out to receive 20% off the introductory price of $4.99!

17 Comments | Filed Under: Homemaking

Staying Sane as a Stay at Home Mom

February 19, 2012 By Jill Winger

(Photo Source)

Since the day I quit my job to become a full-time stay at home mama to our daughter, the questions haven’t stopped rolling in…

“Don’t you get bored being at home all day long?”

“You only go to town TWICE a month?!”

“How do you not go crazy being ‘stuck’ with your kids all day?”

I usually just smile and laugh, but there truly is a method to my madness.

While I am in NO way claiming to have the perfect stay-at-home mom existence, (if you visit me on some days, you’ll find me wearing a stained sweatshirt, a toddler with a messy face, floors covered in dog hair, and dirty diapers sitting on my washing machine…) I honestly and truly enjoy my life as a homemaker and mama.

Today I want to share four ways that I maintain my sanity as a stay-at-home mom.

(Please note: In no way is this post meant to condemn or judge mothers who work outside of the home. This post is simply offered as encouragement for moms who are in the trenches of stay-at-home motherhood.)

1. Embrace Your Calling

It’s very common for stay-at-home moms (SAHM) to feel like their job isn’t important as a profession outside of the home. After all, changing diapers and scraping scrambled eggs off the floor isn’t exactly glamorous…

Instead of looking outside your windows and worrying about the ‘exciting’ things other people are doing (which probably aren’t as exciting as you think…) take this opportunity to embrace your calling.

As a SAHM, no one will have a greater influence on your child than you will, and shaping lives is one of the most important jobs of all.

2. Get Out of the House (but not too much)

I live 35 miles from town in a very rural area. Our winters are very long and brutal, and I’ve experienced more than one bout of serious cabin fever.

You would be amazed at how quickly my perspective changes when I can simply get out of the house for a couple hours. We come back refreshed and ready to face the rest of the week. If you fight cabin fever tendencies, try planning a fun trip to town, the library, a friend’s house, or a church event.

The flip side of this is getting out of the house TOO much, which can also make you crazy… So, try to keep it in balance.

3. Find a Creative Outlet

As moms, it seems like we give, give, and give some more. It might not seem like there is any time left for yourself, but I encourage you to make some.

When I can express myself through some sort of creative outlet, even for just a couple of hours per week, I am so much happier. My outlets are repurposing old furniture, blogging, and homestead activities.

Your outlets might be something totally different, but regardless, find something that makes you happy and make it a point to do it at least once per week.

4. Ask HIM for Help

The most important tool we have as SAHMs is the ability to ask for grace and strength to get through each day. There is no need to attempt to “do it all” on our own power when God has freely offered us His help if we simply ask.

“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. “

2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)

31 Comments | Filed Under: Parenting

Take a “Mom Break”- Wholesome Homemade Hot Cocoa

February 11, 2012 By Jill Winger

Source: Jill Winger

As much as I love summertime, I have to admit that I look forward to the slower pace of winter on our homestead.

I relish the cozy afternoons when the brisk winds and cold temperatures force me to stay inside.

My latest “guilty” pleasure is to sit down for several minutes during my daughter’s nap time (the most peaceful part of my day!) with a steaming cup of hot cocoa.

I might surf around a blog or two, or read a chapter of a book. Regardless of the activity, just having the little bit of “me” time makes a big difference in my mood for the remainder of the day.

As moms, we are often so busy taking care of everyone else’s needs that we completely forget to give ourselves an occasional break.

I invite you to join me this week and make it a point to set aside a little bit of “mom-only” time. Even just a few stolen minutes can make a big difference in your outlook for the rest of the day.

To help make your special time even a little more special, I’m sharing my recipe for wholesome, homemade cocoa.

This recipe only makes one portion and the ingredients are sure to be found in your cupboard. This homemade version is far more nourishing and decadent than the processed mixes found on store shelves, and it takes mere minutes to whip up.

Wholesome Homemade Cocoa

2-3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder OR carob powder (carob is a natural cocoa alternative found in health-food stores. It’s a great caffeine-free option.)
1 cup milk (I use raw milk for this. Feel free to use whatever quality milk you have available.)
1/4 teaspoon real vanilla extract (Check out my homemade vanilla tutorial here.)
Your choice of sweetener: I prefer to use 15-20 drops of liquid stevia (a plant-based natural sweetener) in my cocoa. You can also use a tablespoon or so of regular sugar. Another option is 1-2 tablespoons of honey, although honey tends to change the flavor just a bit.

Place the water, cocoa or carob powder and sugar/honey (if you are using that option) in a small saucepan.

Source: Jill Winger

Use a wire whisk to blend everything together as you cook it over low heat. It usually takes less than a minute for the mixture to completely blend together and start steaming.

Stir in the milk, continuing to stir until the mixture is throughly warmed, but not boiling. (If you are using raw milk like I do, take care not to heat the mixture too much, as it will eliminate the beneficial “rawness” of the milk).

Source: Jill Winger

Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla extract and liquid stevia (if using).

Pour into your favorite mug, and enjoy your little break Mama. You deserve it!

Source: Jill Winger

If you are in a warmer climate, or aren’t in the mood for a hot drink, whip up a healthy milkshake instead. A few of my favorite flavors are chocolate peppermint, pumpkin, and orange creamsicle. (Plus, these recipes don’t require any ice cream!)

10 Comments | Filed Under: Recipes

Six Reasons I Love Living in a Small House

February 1, 2012 By Jill Winger

(Photo Credit)

The word small has a lot to do with perspective.

If you compare our 1200 square foot farmhouse to some homes around the world, it looks like a mansion.

But in America, the land of excess, our 100-year-old home is considered to be quite small, especially for a growing family.

I often can see the question mark on people’s faces when they walk into my house for the first time. As they travel through the maze of tiny rooms and pocket doors, I know they are wondering why a young couple with an unknown number of future children would choose to purchase such a small home.

But we did indeed choose it. And here are six reasons why I actually love living in a small home.

1. You accumulate less stuff

Over the last couple of years, I have become increasingly convicted over the amount of stuff that our modern culture believes is necessary to survive. Our society is obsessed with finding ways to collect stuff, and then we spend a crazy amount of time cleaning, caring for, organizing, and rearranging that stuff.

In our small home, there is just enough room to store what we love and need. For example, I have enough cabinet space in my kitchen to store my best cooking tools, but not much room for additional sets of dishes or pots. But do I really need those extra dishes anyway? Probably not.

I have found that an incredible sense of freedom comes with de-cluttering your life. Plus, it’s much harder to lose items in a small house.

2. It’s easier to clean

I have less floor space to vacuum and mop, fewer counter tops to wipe, and only one toilet to scrub. This allows me to focus more on the quality of my cleaning, versus racing from room to room just trying to keep up with it all.

3. It supports a more frugal lifestyle

Not only does a small home encourage frugality by keeping the “stuff buying” to a minimum, it is also less expensive to maintain. Our property taxes are cheaper, our heating/cooling bills are less, and our electric bill is smaller than most. As a single-income family in a turbulent economy, this aspect of small house living is very appealing to us.

4. It’s easier to decorate

I’ve always imagined what it would be like to live in one of those massive houses with vaulted ceilings and sweeping rooms. But when I start thinking about trying to decorate one of those homes, I break out in a cold sweat! I know many of you ladies are incredibly talented at decorating your beautiful homes, and I so admire you for that! However, my sense of style is a little different from most. I prefer adorning my home with rusty old treasures and re-purposed yard sale finds. The quaint little rooms of my farmhouse allow me to showcase my eclectic sense of style just perfectly.

5. Small houses have a cozy charm

There is nothing I love more than lighting a few candles, grabbing a cup of hot tea, and curling up with my family in our cozy little living room to watch a movie during one of our wintry nights out here on the prairie.

6. It has taught me creativity

I can say without a doubt, that living in our small home has taught me to think outside of the box more than any other experience ever has. I have learned that if I apply a little creativity to the situation, I usually can find a way to make most any idea work. If you are living in a small home, I encourage you to avoid telling yourself you “can’t” do something. Rather, keep turning it around in your mind until a solution presents itself. You can literally add square footage to your home simply by thinking outside of the box.

Of course, living in a large home does not mean you will be messy, cluttered, or uncreative. I know that many of you have big, beautiful homes and you do a wonderful job making them cozy, warm and inviting.

But if you are living in a small house like me, let’s seize the opportunity to make our tiny space the best it can be, instead of wishing we had a bigger kitchen or an extra bathroom.

Allow the smallness of your home to bring your family closer together and embrace it!

Be Inspired!

Jill