It’s Actually Working

[@sherriekemper1828]

What a dad, putting the oven together with three smaller people crouched down and practically on top of him. Really sweet to see such patience.

[@lynnstanton7018]

They learn a lot frm him for sure better than any voctech schl

[@patriotmama]

AND, he was teaching in the process! That is what is important. They will know how to fix things when they have families of their own. :)

[@lynnstanton7018]

@@patriotmama yes they will now thats real parenting

[@maryjemison1101]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@donnasaylor2778]

You and the weather we do not control !!! Talking

[@memorysmaid9551]

It is so wonderful that you are teaching your children skills that will be useful their whole lives.

[@andreacooley9428]

Love ya'll💕your homestead is looking better and better each time I see yalls videos😁 I honestly shed some tears when Ben was showing the color of the dirt!! That's incredible, I've been following your journey since day one out there and am just so thankful to God for all his 🙌🏻 Blessings. Since ya'll started we were in a small suburban neighborhood and now we're on 33 acres of raw land in Eastern North Carolina, starting a year long program for alcohol/substance abuse with young men ages 18-26. We're building a working farm, and trade school. This is such a huge dream that the Lord will be glorified throughout this whole entire land/ property. I just want ya'll to know that you, The Rhodes, Roots &Refuge, Fit Farmer, Whispering Willow, Sew the Land, Art &Bri, Joel Salitan, and so many others are such inspiration to us in so many ways. It would be amazing to have ya'll come over to this side of Carolina and visit our farm in progress 😁🥰👩‍🌾🍀❤️

[@colleenallen3382]

Happy to see Buggy with her brothers on the floor checking out the new stove igniter. Proudest mechanical day in my life was when I changed the condenser fan on my refrigerator all by myself.😊

[@edithpurvisblackledge501]

So funny.

[@sallyburkett-caskinette8723]

I get being proud of yourself for something you’ve never done! When I do it I feel so good😊!

[@colleenallen3382]

@@sallyburkett-caskinette8723 , Thank you for the comment. When I was a lot younger, I changed the fan as I couldn’t afford to have the repairman fix it. My parents were raised homesteaders. I think I got those homesteading genes in my DNA. Lol. All I could do to repair it was give it a try 👍🏼 and it worked. 😊 Thanks again.

[@colleenallen3382]

@@edithpurvisblackledge501 , 👍🏼😉Thanks!

[@tinakarp3996]

Ben, I really appreciate all your work and dedication. You are implementing different growing methods with your garden beds, and patiently teaching us as you go along. Some day, you will have more food than you will know what to do with, and beautiful orchards everywhere! 😍

[@frankjames379]

Hello Karp

[@juanitakauffman6336]

It as nice to see Meg relaxing for once. She is usually doing multiple chores and cooking up a storm.

[@jaynegossett6638]

It's about time to build a deck and make Meg an outdoor kitchen, just sayin!!! Love you guys!

[@frankjames379]

Hello Jayne

[@cindy-ki8ex]

We had 26inches of snow since Tuesday. I spent most of the day shoveling. My neighbor usedhos tractor with a snowblower to clear clear the snow that the plow left from every driveway on thr block. I love my neighborhood. Watching you work in the garden made me so JEALOUS. I can't wait until spring.

[@christinebrush4399]

love little buggy on the floor looking under the stove with her dad and the boys:)

[@jakedunwell8264]

I know right!

[@gunnshomestead6255]

I pulled ground meat out of freezer last night not knowing what I was making tonight. Thanks to watching your video at the right time…guess what we’re having for dinner? 😂

[@patriotmama]

Oh Meg, you are just like me. I had the ignitor go out in my oven and was without ours for almost 2 weeks. It was like Christmas morning for me when it came and hubby fixed it. He told me he didn't realize how easily I could be made happy by just getting things around the house fixed. Two things I hate being without is my oven and my washing machine. Happy you got your oven back. We just don't realize how much we used them until we don't have them. Incidentally, I did my baking in my roaster too so it's nice to know we can still get our job done feeding our family no matter what! :)

[@mattmullins6352]

Ben flip the little levers on the oven door henges and lift that door right out of your way ...keep up the good work 👏

[@TalkingThreadsMedia]

I was grousing about the inch of snow we got in Olympia, WA - until my friend in Wisconsin said they were shoveling out from under a foot of snow. Okay, I’ll keep quiet. ☃️❄️ Best wishes from Kate - 2/23/2023.

[@irisf.9355]

I just love Buggy's "ummha". She is the cutest little munchkin!

[@TheYooperGardener]

Your videos are helping so many of us get thru this blizzard. Not much I can do but hunker down and imagine that cut grass smell. ❤️

[@brachashighhopeshomestead226]

MEG, JACKSON & LILYANN better known as the kitchen crew, can you wash dishes & pots pans etc. with those loofas? I can tell you that it is so useful in tub & they are not available organic where I live unless I order online. Anyway, another victory! even if a few are not first class, you all have plenty to use for this year (or2). it's so fun & gratifying to see the growth on your Homestead. We wish you all good health, happiness & more success in your victory garden!!

[@sharronhouse6622]

Up north here is brutally cold, the car was glued shut in 1/2” of ice! Enjoy your warm weather!

[@frankjames379]

Hello Sharron

[@wrinklesandsprinkles]

I’m so envious of your false summer!! The sunshine, green grass & black dirt are sights for sore eyes. We are dealing with a 3 part winter storm & blizzard with 12+ inches of blowing snow & dropping temps.🥶

[@susanr791]

So cute seeing the boys help and Buggy getting right in the middle of it all!

[@karenladwig3856]

We are once again shoveling out from 20 inches of snow in Minnesota. Very nice to watch you in warm weather,❤❤👍👍

[@pampilgrim2274]

Hi, Ben and Meg! Your homestead is really coming together. You both have worked so hard, and it is paying off. The garden area looks neat and organized. Buggie is going to be just like her mom. She already loves to help her cook.

[@jakedunwell8264]

Agree 💯

[@Lula_F]

Ben - I listen closely to you. I’m a city girl, so what do I know? I will say this, you’re amazing in your work on the soil!! I researched some ways of improving soil and your methods have great merit!! God bless you for growing food for your family. And to Meg for cooking it all up with her great variety of recipes. You all are an amazing family. Love watching you. ❤️❤️

[@rspranchinmontana]

Loved watching you garden and complain about how HOT it was there. Uhmmm, we are dealing with 38 BELOW ZERO wind chill here and 6 foot snow drifts all around us.

[@MsChopperdog]

I love seeing Meg in the kitchen. She is a great cook !..

[@sallyboothe911]

She is a great cook! I would have liked to know what all went into that macaroni cheeseburger. Keep inspiring us Meg!

[@rainspringing]

@@sallyboothe911 Looked like, from memory: 2 lbs beef, quart milk-reduced down some with the cooked beef or we missed added flour? (I'd just reduce the milk down?), salt/pepper, a couple shakes seasoning blend of choice, tablespoon-ish dehydrated ground garlic, good squirt deli mustard, long squirt plain ketchup, maybe 1/4-1/3 c worcestershire sauce?, 1/2 quart shredded cheese. Served over unknown remaining pasta shells amount, after all the grabby hands. :) Maybe a pound to start with.

[@jakedunwell8264]

So cool to see the family unit working as a whole. Thank you for another great video, I always look forward to seeing what's next. God bless 🙏

[@matismf]

Next time you use those bubblers, attach a small rock to them before you drop them in the barrel. That will keep them from floating!

[@belieftransformation]

Great accomplishments; thanks for sharing! Jonah Rhodes mentioned that the Hollar boys told him about velocity of the smaller wheels; great community sharing! Blessings to your family 🤗💕🇨🇦

[@bgmaple47232]

Meg, you are amazing in that kitchen! Kudos to you for baking bread in a roaster. Ben, kudos to you for showing your boys how to repair the oven. "Im-pastas"? I love it!

[@TheSzachuey]

Gotta love a man with DAD JOKES AND CAN FIX ANYTHING! I SURELY DO MISS MINE!!💙💖💜💯🇺🇸🎶✝️🙏👍

[@trinapellegrino621]

🙋🏼‍♀️🕊. All is well at the holler homestead 💕🕊. Living and learning together 🌲🌳🪴Building family memories 💕🕊🌟. Blessings to you and your family 🙋🏼‍♀️💕🕊❤️❤️❤️

[@DebbieC624]

We are also in the mid to upper 80’s where I am in FL. I only have until maybe noon to prep my containers then it’s to hot for me. I’m a little behind. But they will get done. Excited to see your garden come alive in the next few weeks. Have a blessed day 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️💕👩🏻‍🌾

[@heatherd.9390]

Love the dad joke, Ben! I'd read it before, but you are the first to use it "live" and it's a good 'un! It is so great to see the younger boys by your side first in the garden and then as you fixed the stove. It was hilarious and SO cute how Buggy got down on the floor to peak at what you were doing too. Children... always learning, often teaching. Parents... always teaching, often learning. She is adorable and getting so big. I love the tousled hair - it reminds me of how my daughter's always was too. No matter that I combed each morning, within 20 minutes it was sticking straight up or out, etc. (not saying Buggy's is as bad as hers, but you can tell she is a "get in there" kind of kiddo as opposed to a 'princess') Much love and respect, Heather🇨🇦

[@barbarabentley5345]

You continue to inspire with simple but important parenting, I remember my Dad teaching me to change my own car oil, drawing electric circuit sketches so I would learn as I handed him tools. Skills most kids learned as they grew, and now I live simply and don't have any fear of the apocalypse - wood heat, simple home, contentment . As I look to retirement thinking of getting a renewed back yard garden and maybe some chickens... Prayers for joy and even more love ahead for y'all.

[@frankjames379]

Hello Barbara ❤️

[@Jaynes-Path]

What did the bread taste like? Did it come out soft and moist, dry and tasteless, make again yummy or only good for french toast or breadcrumbs? I would really like to know. The family has a cottage that recently was hooked up to electricity. It has a wood stove for heat and other than that all cooking was done with camp stoves, no oven. It now has electrical gadgets like a coffee pot, crock pot and small microwave but no real kitchen or space for one. Watching you cook in the roaster oven gave me all kinds of ideas for possible meals and bread would be a amazing addition.

[@chelseawilhite]

"Can I see, Munchy?" Sooooooo cuuuuuuuuuuute!!!

[@cindybonem494]

I can’t believe that it’s summer down there, here in Michigan it’s 20° and we’re having a huge snow/ice storm, but I love it.

[@kellygreen8255]

Honey, it’s just PRETEND spring. Hang on, the cold usually comes back like a maniac!

[@francestramazzo70]

Love watching your channel....I get so inspired....we are in NC too and enjoying this early Springtime weather......I need to make a rocket stove.......

[@happyheartgardening]

Your kids are SO smart!! Love how you teach them life lessons on fixing things and gardening!!

[@jills5939]

Spring=Hope, and wow, do we need it.

[@jahnkecy]

Here in Minnesota many of us are wishing for your weather! I often wonder why we stay in an area that is winter for six months?! Love seeing you guys out working in the yard and garden. 😄

[@bonessam9618]

I'll take their weather over our over a foot of snow we just got and below zero temp we will get tonight. Lol. Yep, why do we stay!?!

[@mainemagic4968]

Hellooo Family, Well the weather here is nothing like you have there. Last night I hit the pillows around 11PM and it was a bit windy. Woke this morning to 18 degrees, cats bouncing off the furniture, 7" of snow and wind gusts. Spent the morning shoveling front walkway and steps and adding some canning salt to stairs to melt the hidden ice. I was ready for this storm and looking forward to mud season. Your garden beds look great and it does take time for soil to lighten and loosen up. Hope your seeds flourish and your freezers are filled... Cheers from Maine.

[@gaylewatkins4685]

Always hard work and good food going on at the Hollar's. Take care and God Bless. ♥️

[@eustisin]

I grew up on a home stead and we all pitched in an help just following my dad and brothers I learn a lot and loved it. You guys are doing a wonderful job with your family. Great video

[@laurielyon1892]

They are eating more because they got some good exercise working in the garden. Meg...I have to know about the bread. Please let us know in one of your next videos how it tasted and the texture of it.

[@frankjames379]

Hello Laurie

[@patriciaherman6499]

Ben , another informative video. So cute watching the kids as your instructing them how to replace a part . Meg, you'll have to comment on how the bread ( did look good) tasted out of the roaster. Blessings to you all. 😊🇺🇲

[@jennifer2917]

A little snow this morning & bigger storm moving in tonight …. So enjoy your family !

[@frankjames379]

Hello Jennifer 🙂

[@mysideofthemountain719]

Ben and his dad jokes. Love it!!!!!

[@hammathguy3995]

When I was a kid, the smell of spring was a well manured field.

[@HomewardBound961]

My daughter called it fresh country air.

[@christinej2358]

I love how your boys are right there as you explain to them how to replace a broken part to the stove. Little cutie Buggy had to come see what y’all were doing, she’s not going to be left out…lol…just love how y’all work together as a family!

[@hector131]

I always giggle when you say "Good morning beautiful people" because in the first time I watched you say those words way back you sounded so cute and embarrassed... Love from Sweden as always ❤️

[@Annie-d9r]

The warm weather sounds great! I’m from Canada we still have a few feet of snow

[@gkiferonhs]

If you've got a paddle mixer for paint, you might make a longer shaft to put that on and then use your drill to stir your charcoal soup.

[@LaFarmhouse]

love from sheboygan wisconsin, we are covered in a foot of snow🌲

[@carolsabo187]

Yes we are having a weird storm here in Michigan, it’s nice seeing your warm weather

[@dianadriverasbury9130]

Those beds are marvelous. So exciting.

[@corynsboy5814]

11:55 also your boys are fully fledged farm boys now. They know what shoes are, and they know that you don't really need them for the garden! 😁😁👍👍

[@kellygreen8255]

I love the way Ben loves the soil! It’s absolutely inspiring! 😊

[@terryhenderson424]

If you've got your soil workable to about the 2 foot depth, try this with at least 1 of your beds this fall: dona thinish layer of animal manure rich compost, cover with several inches of leaves, then something to keep the leaves in place. Let sit all winter.

[@charlenefoster6779]

I know how hard it had to be to improvise while cooking, but necessity is the mother of invention. Meg found a way around it all and still made a delicious meal. The yard is looking ready for planting soon.

[@jonlengel3341]

Nothing like watching the Hollers while working at the firehouse during an ice storm. God bless from Buffalo NY!

[@mmurphy2317]

Thanks for what you do! Be safe and warm during the storm!

[@michellegonthier6251]

I have to laugh, as I was watching this we were getting snow. And it was so fun watching you all down south working the land already. Made me smile at the remark about us up north getting snow. God bless you and your family Mr. and Mrs. Hollar.

[@mariatorres9789]

I've been transplanting my potatoes, they're 6" tall already.

[@sarahhayes4229]

Good afternoon beautiful Hollar family!!

[@frankjames379]

Hello Sarah

[@margaretsofocleous1999]

I remember my father had to double dig for years . He was continually improving the soil and he had fantastic harvests. He used to say you only get out what you put in. He liked sheep manure as well as other manure . At the bottom of the garden I remember a barrel with water and manure

[@terresiagregg9326]

I love watching your videos of all the kids helping on the homestead its wonderful now Bens doing the oven you go Ben i know Meg appreciates it so much she is an awesome person thanks for sharing your life with us its so wonderful

[@frankjames379]

Hello Terresia

[@DaveS-gf4ik]

i love to watch your girl getting involved in every thing that you do it's great to see it from ct

[@rhondajo3]

When I didn't double dig, I got those big tomato worms every year. Then, for the past several years I began digging in March, laying down some chicken manure, and then turning it over again, and since then, I have not had any tomato worms. It works!

[@colleenallen3382]

Hollars, Southern California has a blizzard 🥶 watch tomorrow. Weather is crazy everywhere! 🥶

[@territn8871]

So, was that macaroni really an "impasta" or was it truly pasta!😂🤣😆 Ben, you crack me up sometimes! Glad the oven is fixed! It is amazing how those red clay garden beds have finally turned to rich, soft, dark brown soil!!! All your hard work enriching the soil has definitely paid off Ben!

[@hanorabrennan8846]

I do wish we didn't have to say 'bye so soon! Please, longer vlogs? Never boring and can't get enough of this healthy alternative lifestyle. Enjoy the weekend y'all!

[@serenagomez3864]

Jack's hair looks so good! You guys always have fun in the kitchen. Thank you for sharing your sweet family.

[@luckyedwards4870]

It's just so nice cn parents teaching their kids manners. I really applaud that. Thumbs up.

[@joanneganon7157]

Hey Hollers your hard work has Really made your Beds Great growing vessels 🌟. That's a shame your bucket experiment went moldy 🥴. YAY Ovens are good! JO JO IN VT 💞💨❄️☃️

[@alisonshanahan9529]

Your soil quality is what makes your garden productive, it needs constant feeding to produce food. The bio char is fabulous as a never ending source of nutrients.

[@mattsara2802]

We got 2 feet of snow here in Minnesota and No it’s -13 😳🥶

[@bethlouise4758]

I enjoyed watching you enjoy the warm as I sit in my blanket Hoodie trying to stay warm. We just had a storm and it is a -7 right now, and the ground is snow-covered, but the sun did shine. I love your videos.

[@sodacreekhomestead8726]

Kitchen shananigans!! Y'all really made me laugh! Thanks!!😁😁

[@jo-annjewett198]

I just recently learned about biochar! I am excited to put it into my raised beds . First time watching your channel! It will be one of my favs. You sold me when I saw you saying grace before you ate that wonderful food! Blessings. Today in south Texas it was 88 degrees.

[@frankjames379]

Hello Ann

[@reginagibson1908]

It’s way too warm to stand in the kitchen waiting for someone to film. I’m on your side Meg. 😅😅

[@michellereese9335]

It's now a toasty 8 degrees in Colorado, so enjoy that weather

[@dan.1235]

My favorite type of video from y'all: garden work, watch/learn about bio-char, Buggy cuteness, boys helping and learning from Dad, and cooking by Meg. It has all the good feels for me.

[@debbiekearns7702]

Loving how excited y'all r to start planting, what's going in the towers?

[@stellacontreras7740]

Yah ! 👏🤗 Oven fix , funny joke ! 😅 Love how interesting your boys were in you fixing the oven. Bunny so cute picture perfect , she has to check out every thing. I love Spring , my daddy gardens were beautiful. Cheese burger Mac looks yummy. Bread being baked feels the house with Love. God bless ! Thanks for sharing.👍

[@kari-gs4eq]

Ben, you're the only person I've ever heard pronounce comfrey that way. Waiting for the official total, but I think we got 13 inches in Minnesota.

[@AfterTheRains]

Great to see your soil management doing such good things to the soil Ben. You have gathered so much soil and land management knowledge in such a short time it shows your passion for it.

[@lynnkhosla6277]

There is nothing to brighten my day like seeing Ben get excited by dirt. (Serious, not sarcastic). I've learned more about dirt than I ever dreamed of. - 65 y/o woman on an island in Maine

[@savannahmasten6478]

Enjoy your warmth! We were happy when it was 50 last week and our foot of snow was finally melting....now it has snowed again and today was like a high of 8 degrees f. It was -5 when I went to work. So wish I could make my new garden bed I got materials for but I can't find the ground under all the snow! I think I need to move farther east like all you guys!

[@kathleenczachura3421]

Raised bed soil looks marvelous !!! Good job Hollars!

[@ladysmith3988]

Watching you all in your teeshirt weather. Meanwhile my arms ache from muscling the snowblower around in the heap of snow we got. Lol The local Leinie's beer helps. Thumbs up for fixing Meg's oven!

[@faithrada]

I'm having some garden envy here. Watching things start to wake up in your plots.. while up in New England we've got 6" of snow & ice covering everything. : ( The way you have been able to amend your soil is nothing short of heroic. You've truly made a difference. 👏

[@briankubik5041]

Like your biochar Ben. That's what is taking the smell away the same as a carbonated diaper. If your chicken coop stinks put charcoal in the coop along with wood chips. Chard by Wood is like doing the Japanese way of preserving wood so it doesn't break down like wood chips. Start putting leafs into your garden that's garden gold take your trailer grab couple kids and start collecting leafs when it's trash day during the fall when leaf bags are out.

[@mgtmoffat8411]

Oh the joy of knowing all your hard work has paid off. It will get better each year too. Sharing how it’s done is so good for your family. Buggie had to have a look too. 👏👏💕💕🌻🌻

[@sharonhaas8503]

💖You are sweating while we are in the teens overnight in Oregon. Crazy weather. Nice to watch you working out in the garden. The boys were a great help again today. Buggie was busy learning all kinds of things. So nice to see the family effort in repairing the oven. Was wondering about the texture of the bread out of the roaster. Was an interesting way to do bread when the oven was out of commission. I hope all of you stay nice and warm and miss out on this storm here and the next one to come. Just too cold. Take care. Stay safe! ❇❇❇

[@davidb9708]

California feels like winter in Minnesota.

[@terithibault6717]

Only two feet of snow in Minnesota Lake, MN so it wasn't as bad down here

[@grandperesdream3183]

My Sainted Grandmother, who was born in 1898, used the following kitchen measures: smidgen, pinch, fist and dollop. Dollop was, of course, a liquid measure...

[@adventuringtheeveryday]

Absolutely love the prayer endings_ God bless you ~John

[@patriciahusk3428]

All your children are learning such great life skills that will go with them for their whole lives…Buggy and the boys crouching down to watch Dad working was a wonderful snapshot in time! All your hard work in the establishing of your garden is really paying off….the soil is turning into black gold🤗!!!😊

[@jfarm8854]

Y’all are just the sweetest family!

[@saltofthaeearth9839]

I love watching this channel! It is so amazing the life you live!

[@thomascallaghan5988]

Great video and thank you for your precious time kindest regards tam🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️