Homestead Life as a Family of 7 | Preserving, Cooking, Gardening, Homeschooling, and Homemaking

A few days in our life. Showing how we organize our time for preserving, cooking, gardening, homeschooling, and homemaking.
Canning and Preserving Supplies:
Freeze Dryer: affiliates.har...
Dehydrator: amzn.to/3nV8JbW
Pressure Canner: amzn.to/42Hk0Lw
Waterbath Canner: amzn.to/3VYZgwD
Sauce Maker: amzn.to/43EFycq
Kitchen Tools used in video:
Blender: amzn.to/3qDHT9x
13 inch Cast Iron & Carbon Steel Skillet: www.marquettec...?aff=40
Food Processor: amzn.to/45eo5bV
Smoker: rstyle.me/+VAp...
Temperature Probes for meat (similar): amzn.to/3shk4os
My little food chopper that has worked well thus far actually broke one of the hinges during the making of this video. We plan on getting a new one, probably a different brand. I've only had that one a few months.
Garden Supplies/Tools:
Silage Tarps- www.farmersfri...
Soil Knife- amzn.to/3pmm4L4
Japanese Weeding Sickle- amzn.to/3Jy47jl
Favorite Large Tools- www.theseasona...
Soil Blocker 2 inch- amzn.to/3Icy5ZX
Soil Blocker 4 inch- amzn.to/3VRvFp3
Soil Testing- rxsoil.com/nut...
Use code SEASONALHOMESTEAD for 10% off your order!
Garden Infrastructure:
Caterpillar Tunnel (I have the 14x50ft pro): www.farmersfri...
How to Make My Homemade Seed Starting Soil Mix- • DIY Seed Starting Reci...
Garden Attire:
My Favorite Garden Overalls- shareasale.com...
Floppy Garden Hat- amzn.to/3I1iHPI
Favorite Knee Pads- amzn.to/3LUDKVh
Shop My Favorite Things: www.theseasona...
Music: www.epidemicso...
Garden Planning & Preserving Journal:
Seeds I'm growing this year: www.theseasona...
Seedtime garden planner: seedtime.us/jk...
My sisters garden planner (also great for a preserving journal!) -printable pdf version: tidd.ly/3xcIoqM
My sisters garden planner -book version (also great for a preserving journal!: amzn.to/3XeEvw4
My Garden Plan & Layout 2023- www.theseasona...
Bulk Foods:
Where I buy all bulk organic grains and more- www.azurestand...
Most links are affiliate links. Please know I will only recommend items I LOVE and use myself, at no extra cost to you, and it helps support the channel! You guys are the best! -Becky

[@candicechild5576]

I love that you included the ups and downs with getting your freeze dryer set up. Your guys are so inspiring.

[@ellevictory1339]

No this is all lies bo consent we agreed all lies husband no one exists but us and this kid one child at a time a small godly family that's it and so it is

[@ellevictory1339]

Yaaaay 😂❤❤❤❤ all lies u in chat 😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉🎉 it will be fun and interesting hunny 💕💕❤️💕💘💘💃💪🙏

[@onemoredoll5791]

Amazing family. I have a miro homestead: chickens and huge garden. Unfortunately I do it all: all garden seeding/planting/harvesting/cleaning/building/feed chickens/prep/prep/preserve/cook/bake/dehydrate/can/clean entire house and pay all the bills with my job. I wish I could get just a small amount of help! Bless your amazing husband and family!! I plan on saving up for a freeze dryer. I plant all my produce/herbs and some fruit for my entire family all year and eggs.

[@UghUgh1234]

Making the apple sauce in a big turkey roaster helps with scorching :)

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Good tip!

[@willbass2869]

Just here to acknowledge the "apple snowman". Stunning....absolutely marvelous😆

[@BepNhaMuoiTV]

You are a great mom.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Thank you so much!

[@annecr377]

I've been looking forward to this video the whole week 😅 You are such an inspiration, thanks to you I started making my own sourdough bread and we absolutely love it! We also have a 4 month old baby ❤ Love from Germany

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

I like the idea of canned peaches! Yum!

[@CountieLt25]

That was genius about the applesauce!

[@geraldineconway1865]

Perfect timing. The baby is getting so big.

[@nancysadewater964]

Gerber did this many, many years ago and I loved it for my daughter. I only rehydrated was what was needed for each meal for her without waste. Good job Mom!

[@wendyhall8834]

Thank you so much for filming all of your processing! The trials and errors you shoe and talk about is so helpful to all of us for when we try our hands at freezedrying! You've done all the thinking ahead for us making a faster process for us! We loveyour videos Becky, Cam and family!!😊

[@ioanagherman5952]

You are a hard working lady, your family too.God bless you guys. God keep you guys under His protection.

[@thisslightlysweetlife3402]

Love the random chicken costume.

[@quinnjohnson9750]

The life you all live is the one I dream about having one day when I finish college and settle down to find a partner. These videos are greatly inspiring to me for wanting to live in a traditional manner. Thank you for the content, keep safe and God bless.

[@michellemorgan-cx6ds]

Rose Red you tube channel did a 2 for 1 video using a steam/ juicer for apples. You put the apples in the steam juicer and it makes apple juice. Then you take what’s left and turn into apple sauce very easily. The apples are already cooked down for the sauce or butter. Very easy. And instead of cooking down the apples for hours you get the juice that would normally be wasted due to evaporation.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Does all the apple flavor go to the juice, leaving little for what's left? you have me curious now. I'll definitely watch Rose Red's video for some tips!

[@VanillaAttila]

You two are powerhouses. You deserve a vacation!

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Winter is coming!! Winter is our vacation window, cause as you can imagine Summer keeps us on the farm pretty much full time :)

[@thewitchykitchen]

I actually switches to making pear and apple sauce in my pressure cooker. They only need 8 minutes and there are no risk of scorching on the bottom. I add 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into the cooker with the fruit. I am never doing to make it any other way again. It was so much less stressful than using a pot or the oven. If you have a steamer, you can cook them that way too, which also eliminates the risk of scorching. As for gardening. I am the same way, starting my day in the garden helps keep my depression away too. I just feel so good after spending some time with my plants and seeds. Last a quick tip. Fruit powders can be used as a sugar substitute in baking. I use mine a lot when I make muffins or cookies. We are getting a freeze dryer too btw. I just ordered one from Blue Alpine. I can’t wait to get started.

[@waweboardgirl]

In Germany the raw apple sauce is considered a sick food (a really delicious one though). The oxidation develops the pectin in the apples and there for is really good for any kind of sickness that involves the digestive tract.

[@sarahburke1576]

I love the chicken suit in your videos. It cracks me up every time!

[@rik80280]

I used to do a raw applesauce with pears. Adding a few pears makes the texture a little smoother and softer.

[@sgrvtl7183]

My heart is singing with the Family participation in this video❤ LOVED it~❤❤❤

[@clarasclara6010]

I love the family working together lord blessed the family

[@rolandpachuau5402]

We want to see all of your boys in the chanel

[@TheKoppSquad]

Great video!

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Myaim-uc9vl]

Ur voice is soothing ❤

[@ShakinaRiley-v1j]

The children are such great helpers❤

[@ruanduKalawon08]

Hello watching from Borneo 👍👍👍🥰🥰

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Welcome, and thanks for tuning in from Borneo!! Glad you are enjoying the videos!!

[@a-cp6od]

Amazing life and family 👏🤜🤛❤

[@gloriadavidson8599]

That was a GREAT video really enjoyed it 🎉🎉🎉 Always look forward to seeing your videos 😊😊😊 Thank you for sharing 👏👏👏👏 Love from the UK x

[@rbeaver6769]

I LOVE your applesauce experiment! Thank you for sharing!

[@kathleenhughes5149]

Inspirational family

[@ashrafalaa472]

I was so happy "Finally a new Vid", you guys left us hanging for 2 weeks, great video as always, god bless you all.

[@louisecolligan8729]

I bought the XL freeze dryer last spring(2023) and I had never owned one before so it was a learning curve. I love it and can say that it is very efficient. Everything I freeze dry ( all pre-frozen) takes around 24-26 hours. No 40 hour sessions. And these trays are big. I live in Canada and I had no problems with Harvest Right. I wish we could read the settings in Celsius though.

[@donnakearse2503]

Beautiful family. Cutie pie Riggs looks like daddy. You are an incredible wife and mom ❤

[@candicer4626]

Thank you for sharing the mistakes along the way or what you wouldve done differently i should say.

[@ReneeYeutter]

Great video

[@chrispeters7377]

Hi we live in Conway Ar I have been enjoying you videos. You have minced canning a field pea and sausage soup you love. I sure would love to have your recipe. Thanks Chris

[@bethanynelson3959]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels over whelmed when the harvest is on. We definitely do simpler meals too. Yay for getting an extra big freeze dryer!

[@tomashbaugh8891]

Cool that Cam uses the built right grill. Like to hear your opinion of it. My experience was that it did a fine job except Bluetooth on it never really worked well. Customer service was horrific and I returned it. It was difficult to clean also. I’d like to hear Cam’s opinion. Thanks for your sharing

[@allierich6852]

You make me want to start homesteading 🫶

[@sarahburke1576]

You do so much!!! The supper you threw together looked delicious. Congratulations on the new freeze dryer!

[@nancynottage7255]

Thanks for bringing attention to the Honeypatch Squash. I saw them for sale yesterday at my organic vegetable store and knew what they were. The variety sold in N.Calif are Honeynut Squash. I bought some, roasted them and they are delicious!

[@polgara28]

I always enjoy seeing Chicken Boy! He makes me giggle every time. Such a lovely video, and what a great Idea about the applesauce! Thanks so much for sharing. Love from Kansas. 🌻

[@osg124]

So smart with the freeze-dried applesauce! I love it! If I remember correctly, it's something like 1/2-1/3 nutritional value is lost in the cooking of apples, and then annually, it's 5-20% loss of certain vitamins. I would take a little grainy texture knowing my family is getting more nutrients. You're awesome, and thank you for sharing!

[@rebeccawoodbixler9536]

Y’all are really smart in so many ways!

[@Grace-love79]

Years ago I made apple sauce in my vitamix blender then I freeze it in the stand up freezer. It lasted for months. Will have to try to can some. No cooking, wanted to save as much nutrients as possible. Love your channel.

[@stephenbergman6226]

You are a great mom

[@sarahmartin9590]

I have started growing an persevering all our fruits and vegetables taught myself wit ur videos an tons of others I can’t wait for the day I can get my family a freeze dryer I didn’t realize how many sizes they had I really appreciate an enjoy ur videos thank u for taking ur time to show an teach us it’s been amazing experience for myself

[@kittyrichards9915]

You make very good videos. Your oldest son got tall over night!

[@AlanaLee-xv2qy]

We are growing the same squash from the same company and we have 24 of them out there. Seeing you cook them makes me very excited for when they are ripe.

[@lailayen765]

Brilliant table for the new freeze dryer. Well done!! These temprary solutions tends to end up as long term solutions...:-D I bet I'll see you in 10 years, and it's still there. Just cover the sides with something pretty, and leave it.😅 I love your family-dynamics ❤

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

I want to be mad at you.....but....we probably will see you in ten years with the same table, lol 😂

[@iartistdotme]

Awesome idea for making apple sauce that is shelf stable without heat!!!!!! Love the pallet table, too. So handy and cheap! I have to show it to my SIL as a hint!

[@jesskan9828]

I just did this today using my Apple sauce maker for the first time!

[@فرزانهمحمد]

❤ ILove you family 😊from Iran❤yery gooood

[@joannak4640]

I was thinking we would get a video from you today 😁 It's always a good day when we get to see the Porter family. Riggs hair is so cute and fluffy! Adorable 🥰 The apple sauce is going to be so good for him ❤ Thank you for sharing a glimpse into your best life

[@gloriacoffey4651]

Good ideas for the apples. You have a lovely farmhouse ❤

[@charlacarson473]

I would love to get a freeze dryer. I am so happy I found your channel, I love watching 💗

[@monicagarreau8741]

Great video! We did the same thing when we got the large FDer. I totally misunderstood the requirements and we ended up having to call in an electrician. 😊

[@calliebrown9867]

My husband and I are in the process of starting our own homestead and your videos have been so educational for me ❤

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Glad the vids are helpful, and super excited for you and your families homestead. Best of luck!!

[@midori4760]

I can rarely listen to someone talk on a video past 5 mins but I listened and watch with rapt fascination as you detailed your trial and errors with the apple sauce 😂 So you have a new subscriber because I was invested in EVERYTHING you guys did and your calm narration was a bonus😊

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

So happy to hear this, and glad you enjoyed the video!

[@chelseycarrillo8824]

You cram way more slices on there if you wanted. I used to layer mine with parchment paper now I just slightly fan out sliced apple halves. If it’s just for personal consumption you can just break apart the slices once freeze dried. Some will stick together so not as pretty for resale or gifting.

[@Alieombaba]

Ahhh love it! So excited foe you to have an extra large freeze dryer! Do a draw for the medium one!

[@susanfreeman6350]

I have freeze dryer envy! The photo bombs with Riggs are so cute! I look forward to them.

[@andielliott7721]

I don't peel my apples, pears, or peaches either. I cook mine in a big crock pot and then it goes in the hot clean jars and into the water bath canner. Simple.

[@LittleKi1]

I think powdering may be the highest and best use of the freeze dryer. When it comes to puree first or powder later, I think it's six of one half of dozen the other. It's either longer freeze/dry time or more batches. I had the 20-amp circuit put into our new shop when it was built for our large and we're so happy!

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

We're getting our 20amp circuit put in tonight. Can't wait!!

[@mindybgilmore]

Love your videos! Also, love how you give different ways to go about preserving.

[@Selahhavenhomestead]

Wow! Love how much bigger the xl freeze dryer

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

We were pleasantly surprised for sure!

[@gregbalc8300]

Amazing family! Bravo🎉

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Thank you so much 😀

[@thobekamhlongo3025]

Try using boiled water / hot water when you make the apple sauce so that it will be smooth

[@faithlaw8516]

Very interesting!! Thanks

[@jenniferguenthner6334]

I’ve had my harvest right freeze dryer for a year. I just learned that apparently you’re supposed to defrost in between every single batch, so that there’s no chance of ice building up to the point that any encroaches on the trays. Did not even occur to me! Probably because I didn’t really read the instructions. Lol. Now I dutifully defrost in between batches, and use that time to set up the next set of trays and get them in the freezer for at least some partial freezing ahead of time.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

We went thru this phase of learning also. You're not the only one :) - Cam

[@aiakhang9503]

I think you should keep the other freeze dryer for the kids to use. They can experiment freeze drying different things. Not only that, it allows you too freeze dry small batches of stuff to see if you like your product freeze dried or not. I wish I had 2 freeze dryers, one for onions, garlic and hot peppers. And one for everything else.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

We will keep it for now, to see how it ends up getting utilized. Might end up becoming a "kids" freeze dryer, or used for smaller batches of stuff

[@laciegouldsbrough9488]

I love the added chicken😂. Too cute

[@peggystephens4703]

Invest in tri ply pots they are three layers so things don’t burn as easily

[@crystalmorrell9536]

I love my Harvest Right FD! One of the greatest investments we’ve made and I am definitely going to try your idea for FD applesauce. I love how FD increases the sweetness.

[@rosa.athome]

😂😂the 🐔 costume gets me every time lol

[@11UncleBooker22]

Good stuff.

[@cathykillion6544]

Enjoyed the video

[@chelinfusco6403]

I envy you in a good way. You feed your family such good nutritional food, made with so much love. Then the gigantic freeze dryer! 😅 We all know you will get a lot of good use out this one. I suggest keeping your other freeze dryer for smaller batches, or as helper to the bigger one. Your baby is growing so fast!

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Thank you so much! We are glad you are enjoying the videos, and our lifestyle :)

[@moomoocho1196]

👋 hi Cam!

[@reapergrim76]

Neat stuff! 😀

[@steve5013]

Awesome,

[@paulawallace6688]

Maybe cook it some first. It would still be less cooking than canning it. I want a freeze dryer so bad. Maybe one day. I enjoy your videos.

[@pupreader7057]

My highlight of the day spotting the chicken😂😂

[@knaupp]

I make a lot of applesauce, and I have found Jonagold apples are not good for applesauce as they take a long time to soften up, and are too watery. If you want to get more applesauce with less cook time, some better apple varieties are Boskoop, golden delicious, or Pink Lady.

[@karenustach5655]

Oh my goodness, I have so many seeded grapes! I have steam juices almost three gallons of juice so gfar and I have another 7 gallons of grapes to process. No one in put house drinks juice, so it will all go to my youngest daughter and her husband. Also had a bumper crop of peaches on our two small trees. About 3 dozen jars of jam and syrup and five one gallon ziplock bags of peels and cut fruit in the freezer. My new garden didn’t produce more than a pint of tiny tomatoes, but the established fruit that came with the house did great. Hopefully ext year will be a better grape year in your area

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Yum!! Send us any extra grapes you have next year and an invoice for the produce. We will help take care of your juice "problem" :)

[@karenustach5655]

@@TheSeasonalHomestead I don’t need to send an invoice, just pay postage LOL I have another steam juicer filled at the moment.

[@Jimrisfarm3614]

Nic place ❤❤❤❤

[@peggystephens4703]

As long as dehydrator does not get above 115 degrees. Freeze drying is different

[@homesteadincrazy7773]

If you decide to get rid of the medium freeze dryer you should do a giveaway for your channel. Love y'all. You are totally awesome. Wish you had videos more often.

[@willbass2869]

Giveaway? Lottery....$5 per chance, minimum 100 or 200 or however many chances req'd for lottery to proceed. Max 3 chances per person. Proceeds to buy extra batteries & chargers for tools.

[@gardenvlogmeimei]

Do good vegetables

[@katieociardha2196]

Put a damp teatowel under your cutting board to stop it slipping! Or more permanently a nonstick mat 😊 it's just a small thing that really helps (and is safer too for stuff like onions and pumpkin that can slip about)

[@happyandfree11]

Kid walking around in chicken costume…normal day i’m sure 😂

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

More normal than you know :)

[@okbookgirl]

The peels are not cooked and broken down(soften). You might get a smoother product in raw form without the peels.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Good point. We will try this next time. Hopefully it will take some of the grainy-ness out.

[@laurinka4567]

I've been watching your movies from the very beginning and you inspired me to start preserving frutis and veggies from my parents garden. I am from Poland and as a child I always hated spending time there, but now being 30, I can proudly say we harvested so much and now all those goods sits in the jar :) One question - what do you do to prevent having any weeds? It's a nightmare at our field and my parents are too old to extract them couple times in a year.

[@AlexandraAndStuff]

no siema ;)

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Oh boy!! Weeds are always a problem here. We don't have a solution besides just scheduling time every week to pick some of them. Not all, but some... and if done consistently at least the weed problem isn't as bad. My nephew just got to Poland a few days ago. He is serving a mission for our church there. He is in Szczecin right now. So far he LOVES it there :)

[@laurinka4567]

@@TheSeasonalHomestead ooh, thank you for your answer! Looking how great your garden looks I thought you are using some 'magic' but now I see it lots and lots of hardwork. Poland is a fantastic country, with beautiful nature and great people, so I am glad he's enjoying his stay here :)

[@warekwaowire]

Amazing video. Can I get the recipe for how to barbeque the meat? Thank you.

[@maryg0round399]

the chicken suit gets me laughing every single time LOL

[@MsCaterific]

💕

[@MissStayingStrong]

I admire you so much. I have a 4 month old and getting done NOTHING. Soon we have a house of our own with a really big yard and I don' t know how to keep track on that with such a small child who needs attention 24/7. But then there's you, a baby, 4 more cildren, home-schooling and farming for the whole family. Either you're a superwoman or I'm such a pu**y and bad in time management 😅

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

There are definitely days here where we feel like nothing gets done, or (...shhh), nothing actually gets done😬. You got this!

[@jng305]

I got nothing done with littles. NOTHING. I don't think we should compare ourselves to these videos. If you can get a shower and eat a meal, that's a win.

[@catracampolieto8989]

❤❤❤

[@oliviaguttensohn1558]

Where do you get your aprons? I have seen a few different ones in your videos and I love them!