Author Archives: Texas Homesteader

About Texas Homesteader

Our Homestead is located in Northeast Texas. This blog reflects our desire to live gently on the land - gardening, home cooking, food preservation, solar cooking, saving money, etc.

Quick Mix-N-Bake Cheddar Sour Cream Biscuits

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By Texas Homesteader ~ 

I love to serve homemade biscuits for their no-rise, quick baking simplicity. Recently I decided to whip up these cheddar biscuits because most of the ‘fat’ requirement in a typical biscuit recipe is just comprised of sour cream in this recipe. It adds a tangy creaminess that we love.

RancherMan really loves biscuits. And I have a ROCKIN’ Homemade Buttermilk Biscuit recipe that he loves.

But these cheddar biscuits are pretty much mix-n-bake simple. So I’m much more likely to whip up this faster, easier biscuit recipe as a quick option for a random weekday meal.

But I’ve made them plenty of times when we had company too. They always receive rave reviews.

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When Financial Times Turn Tough Unexpectedly

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by Texas Homesteader~ 

I know several people that are struggling financially right now. Some because they went a little overboard with personal purchases I guess. But some are struggling due to circumstances completely unforeseen & out of their control.

Maybe they find themselves with a large unexpected medical bill. Or maybe they’re laid off, either temporarily or permanently. And BOOM! Financial adjustments must be made sooner rather than later.

Of course families are varied and the journey to a more secure financial future will be different based on each family’s circumstances.

People are struggling financially due to circumstances unforeseen & out of their control. I'm reflecting on our own financial journey. #TexasHomesteader

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Gift Ideas For Dad – RancherMan-Approved Gifts

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by Texas Homesteader ~ 

When I think of dad I think of sage advice, and love & guidance throughout not only my childhood days, but even as an adult. Dads certainly have my gratitude.

In thinking about gift ideas for dad, I asked RancherMan to share his opinion. What do dads really want???

He listed several things in many price ranges, which was helpful. Here’s a list of gifts he thinks would please any dad.

You can click the link or the photo for each item to get further details.

Gift Ideas For Dad #TexasHomesteader

(NOTE: If you need a little more inspiration a helpful, categorized Amazon list is included at the end of this post for your convenience)

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How To Make Self-Rising Flour In Less Than 1 Minute

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by Texas Homesteader ~ 

Oh no! Your recipe calls for self-rising flour and all you have is all purpose flour. What will you do?

Must you stop mid-recipe and head to the store, plunk down money for MORE flour and then head back home before finally resuming your recipe?

Nope. You can make your own self-rising flour in a flash.

No, really – I mean it! Check out this helpful Homestead Hack.

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5 frugal things: Rainy Mud-Mire Edition

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~ Texas Homesteader ~

It’s been raining for weeks here in NE Texas. Everything is a muddy mess. EVERYTHING!

Yes, it’s true that we’ll be begging for this moisture when the summer months come. But whether it’s no rain or too much rain – neither extreme is desirable. I sure wish Mother Nature would get a little better moderated. But these extremes… Ugh.

So today’s 5 Frugal Things is aaaaaall about how we’ve saved money, even with such inclement weather. Come along and see the 5 frugal things we did this week to save some cold, hard cash.

5 Frugal Things: Rainy Mud Edition #TexasHomesteader                                           

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Cute But Inexpensive Diaper Wreath for a Baby Girl

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by Texas Homesteader ~

I’ve written before about making a diaper wreath for our neighbor’s baby shower. The gift was well received and was initially used right there, right then for some eye-catching decoration during the baby shower.

Not only that, but it also served as decoration in the nursery before the baby was born. And then after the baby was born, all of these items included in my diaper wreath gift could be actually used for the baby. Gotta love it!

But now my sweet little niece & her hubby were expecting their first baby – a baby girl. I really wanted to make a diaper wreath for them as well.

They loved it, and I think it turned out really cute.

Cute Diaper Wreath Gift For Baby. This gift didn't cost much money but it was hand-made with much love. Items can be pulled from the wreath as needed. #TexasHomesteader

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Tips For Hosting A Fun Yet Low-Waste Party

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by Texas Homesteader ~ 

 *Contains affiliate link

You say you’re hosting a party for family and friends but hate all the waste you know it will produce? Well worry not, there are easy ways to host a low-waste party.

My family gathers here at the Homestead every year to celebrate something we’ve named ‘RanchFest’. It’s held on the anniversary of the date RancherMan & I purchased our little piece of NE Texas paradise. But in our family we all consider it our own little family reunion.

I’ve found there are a few things to remember that are easy to implement and it makes a HUGE difference in the amount of trash our gathering ends up producing. Maybe you can use some of these tips at your own gathering too.

Easy tips to throw a low-waste or zero-waste party for cheap. #TexasHomesteader

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Leftover Mashed Potatoes Into Potato Cakes

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~by Texas Homesteader ~ 

Several weeks ago I found myself with an abundance of potatoes and realized there was no way RancherMan & I could eat them all before they went bad.

So I went into high-gear preservation mode & dehydrated many of them. And some of them went into the freezer.

But I’ve found RancherMan’s absolute FAVORITE way to eat leftover mashed potatoes – POTATO CAKES!

POTATO CAKES! I use leftover mashed potatoes to make potato cakes. Quick & easy and a great way to rework leftovers into something DELICIOUS! #TexasHomesteader

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