Our Humble Homesteading: Are Mennonites the original homesteaders? Skills we think YOU should try!

[@tracyhorst4764]

I really like Jayna’s comment about thinking more about what you putting into your heart and mind rather than if you are eating the perfect things all the time! This was a good reminder of what God wants us to focus on a day to day basis.

[@melissafriedrichs4716]

Agreed! She always has such balanced wisdom

[@Janessarose96]

I love you guys but if I had one spot of constructive criticism is that you repeatedly say Mennonites are the ones responsible starting something, or the only ones who do something that you clearly hold as positive and correct. and yes, I agree you should definitely be proud of your traditions etc. but not everything started with Mennonites, some is just Christians in general, or even people who aren't even religious who are just "country"/farmers with no attachment to any community or religion. (No offense but like homesteading- back when this was the way of life and not something we could choose to do people weren't Soley Christian or Mennonite who practiced this, it is just an old tradition, and skill that older generations had.

[@veragingerich1078]

Very well said !

[@JRee6]

I kept searching the script to see if they claim Mennonites as the original homesteaders….I would say “No, that were not”…but I am not seeing the timestamp. Can anyone help?

[@kellyburek1751]

Jayna I completely agree with you on what you said about trying to eat so healthy that it becomes an idol! It can become overwhelming and a distraction from what the Lord wants us to be doing.

[@mamaadventures81991]

However, doesn't the Lord command us to take care of our body- temple? I dont believe forcan instant that He ever intented for humans to eat all the awful processed foods, artificial flavors, msg, genetically modified, heavily sprayed with pesticides foods. Something to think about. The 🇺🇸 allows and has one of the most " corrupt"foods in the world.

[@marthakaye01]

i grew up amish, in a family of 4 boys and 10 girls. We had 40 dairy cows and farmed Organic. Our garden we joked was a produce patch, and goodness, we were canning, freezing and fermenting pretty much year round. Our pumpkins and apples we processed during the winter. In the spring we did maple syrup. And then gardening started right back up since we started our own seeds/plants. We had around 160 acres of land. This brought back so many memories ❣️

[@rondil.93]

I'd say homesteading is where you are actually raising animals and working the land/gardening. Whether its a micro homestead or a larger scale homestead. Making bread/sourdough, canning, sewing, and doing all the "from scratch" things are simply homemaking.

[@river_walker]

I would agree! Homesteaders are hardcore people!

[@mamaadventures81991]

Yes to this!!! Homemaking is a very important role too, but add homesteading-aka having chickens for eggs, goats or cows for milk, beef cows, gardening- its a new level of living- it takes intentionally and a vision.❤️

[@KS-zc4jn]

Right! They grow the produce, gather, prep then preserve. They also often raise the animal, butcher, package and freeze or can the meat. They tend to make as much as possible from scratch. They do NOT rely on purchasing items from the store for the majority of what they use.

[@spunkycat6144]

This describes how I grew up. We didn't eat anything unless we grew it. It was alot of work.

[@soozie4him308]

Oh, girls, I could come and sit with you and chat for hours! I’m a suburban girl, born and raised and I’m definitely not a girl as I’m 70!! I was so happy to hear of someone who cloth-diapered (at least tried it out) the same way I did!!! Plain old pre-fold diapers and plastic pants and pins (stick the pins in a wrapped bar of soap while you’re changing the diaper - they slide through so easily! We figured we saved enough $$$ not buying disposable diapers to pay for our big video camera (circa January 1983) in time for our 3rd baby’s delivery. I made ALL our own bread until I had the third baby in less than 4 years, and I’ve always made strawberry freezer jam. I used to make enough for the whole family, but now my two daughters who have 4 kids each can make their own and they bought deep freezers. I’ve done some freezer cooking, we made yogurt. We have 8 grandkids from 3-15 and my husband is teaching the boys (girls too) some engineering skills and im teaching some of the girls crocheting and 2 of them are loving it so far. I’ll write more another time. Would love to hear more on this subject!!!

[@emilymorris864]

This is a great topic! I have three kids with autism. The social media ideals are impossible for my family . It is encouraging to hear others see this reality❤

[@kayrabey1344]

Great grandson. One is a lot. He’s really smart but his emotions are a problem for his parents and him. We just give him all the love when possible.

[@hannahthehomesteader]

Vinegar pro tip: save all apple scraps in the freezer in gallon zip loc bags. Then, when you're done with apple preservation for the season, make a big batch of vinegar with the frozen scraps. I do this with lots of leftover fruits- cherries make great vinegar, too. Add a splash of raw apple cider vinegar to expedite fermentation. Cover with a coffee filter and rubber bands and put in a cupboard to deter fruit flies. Don't strain your vinegar right away. Leave it until all bubbling is done, it smells like vinegar, and you have a mother. Then strain and innoculate future batches with the mother.

[@HoneyImHomemaker]

Perfect! I'm making applesauce on Wednesday!

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

That's a great suggestion!

[@nursenextdoor2554]

@@jaynaburkholder1507check out Jessica from threerivershomestead she has a video on making it - hope that helps ..

[@jessicacannon7330]

I agree Jana it can become an idol. Also when we pray over our food God is blessing it& He is protecting us

[@joannafoster3423]

I've gardened for years, but have never had success with pumpkins and melons. This year we used ash in the garden from our campfires (which apparently they love) and planted wild flowers near by that attracted pollinators like bees and butterflies. THAT was the winning combination. We had several lovely melons and pumpkins this year. So satisfying.

[@meganmonroe7282]

My parents have problems with pumpkins and melons. I will have tohave them try this.

[@charlotta5660]

I do quite a lot of canning (only water bath, getting a pressure canner in Sweden is a whole project in itself!). My husband and son can go through a lot of applesauce and we have a (very small) orchard so that's a must. We try to grow vegetables but the only thing that we get good results with is chili 😅 I love foraging and in Sweden you're allowed to forage in the woods even if you don't own them so I pick mushrooms, blueberries (the European kind) and lingonberries to fill the freezer. It makes me feel so rich! I also dabble in herbalism, homemade skincare and soap. And I do a lot of different textile crafts.

[@nursenextdoor2554]

I live and work in a capital city in Australia- live in a 2 bed unit … but I also have a balcony which I try to grow a few things in pots … but I also shop sales and when I find vege on sale I buy to dehydrate for the year ie celery when cheap. I also make Jams and relishes. I make most of our food from scratch - I know how to make gnocchi but buy all the other pasta. I also can sew but have not sewn for years due to being able to purchase things instead … both my hubby and I work full time so time is precious. I watch KZbin for inspiration and learn how to do things I don’t know how to do. Love to bake biscuits and cakes also ..

[@themasterbower]

This is your best episode yet!!!

[@kittikondratyuk2115]

We normally answer the door and include a tract with treat for children who visit our home on halloween. I really dread going out this time of year; there are SO many scary decorations at most businesses. 😮 Yay, Jayna and Vika! Glad to see mom businesses expanding. 🙌

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

That's definitely something i would consider, but i don't think any kids actually trick or treat on our street anyway

[@kcotjo]

I love listening to the both of you! I appreciate your authenticity and honesty about all the things. Instagram and sometimes KZbin can lure oneself into thinking we are inadequate because we don't can, or bake or sew or garden, or remodel our bathrooms every other month or buy all the things!! It's important to be true to oneself and use the talents and gifts that God gave us to the best of our ability. I worked full time while raising 2 sons out of necessity since we own a retail store. While I wasn't great at cooking, I feel I was a great mother and a great worker at my job. The comparison trap is dangerous. Thank you for sharing that we don't have to do it all!!

[@jenniferbarkman2439]

The first 10 minutes of my drive home from work were filled with motivation to get some work done at home but in the last 10 minutes it all went away but seeing this notification has me motivated again because I can listen to it while I work😅

[@silviagamez-marin3595]

I do a homemakers exchange every other week. I bring organic flour tortillas and home brewed kombucha. I come home with sourdough bread, eggs, fruits and herbs. 😊

[@margaretqueenofscots9450]

I love this idea! So amazing 🤩

[@loureiff5922]

Lol 😅😅 my mom got in her head to make a lunch box with a clorx bottle,crochet top ,my was green yarn!! I was horribly embarrassed!! I hated the thing!

[@sarahsieg2757]

When you see a good sale at the store that you know for sure we will use, stop and write it on your list right then. Problem solved! 😂

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

Or.. don't write a list in the first place like me! Haha

[@TheMoultons]

I cloth diapered my daughter for 2 yrs and am now 5 months in with my son. I agree with Jayna that if your not finding some joy in it then its probably not for you. I also always tell other moms that if your husbabd isnt on board dont do it cause you have to have help with diaper changes sometimes!

[@SimplyEnjoyingLife]

Not Mennonite but I am a Christian and we ignore and avoid Halloween too. I trick or treated when I was very young but a few years after my parents got saved they made the decision to stop. I never grew up judging those that did but had a clear understanding why we did not participate. If I have children, we would not participate in any way. I'm not nearly as much of a homesteader as I would like to be but I do approach things naturally, I make my own taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, chicken broth, vanilla extract, things like that. I had a season making my own kefir and this year I am attempting to do fermented garlic in honey...it's a natural immune booster. It's fermenting now so we shall see how it goes. Bread making, sour dough and chickens (some day) are on my list of goals. I'm still trying to figure out gardening since we moved to a new state. If I can be successful again, I'd like to learn how to can. I enjoy Angela and Adaline as well! 😊

[@michelleeigsti8859]

I don’t know that I’ve ever just asked the question if I’m a homesteader but I do a lot of canning, sew me & my girls dresses, I have my own garden, make grape water kefir, which my children think is grape soda, bake bread (my family doesn’t like boughten bread) and just recently have gotten into baking sourdough since it seems like my oldest daughter can’t handle gluten. Today I made over 120 donuts to celebrate my one daughters birthday. We took some to school for her classroom & gave most of them away. I know how to crochet, knit and quilt. So maybe I’m more of a homesteader then I realized😊

[@Dana-mb1hd]

Nap time crew here! Love these videos girls! You both inspire me thank you 💖🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@HoneyImHomemaker]

You are so welcome!

[@spunkycat6144]

Clicked LIKE after the fresh flowers comment!!! So true!!! I just get the cheaper priced flowers, they bring life I to my space.

[@meganmonroe7282]

I make sourdough bread and yeasted breads, I grind our own wheat flour, make my own granola, and yogurt. I a currently dabbling in natural cleaner and herbal remedies. I also crochet. I use to garden and preserve food and I had chickens before we moved to town temporarily. Now I just source milk, eggs, meat from my sister and brother in law who are organic farmers.

[@jordanhunt6774]

i would love some tips on grinding your own flour

[@jerryastevens]

I have done sourdough, but am sensative to gluten so I just made my own gluten free starter & am very excited to make my own gluten free sourdough breads and things! Going to start with bagels tonight! I'm also non-toxic and make my own cleaner & hand soap

[@brianpace7866]

The new channel is coming along good. 7.66K subscribers so far. Nice! 🍿🎥

[@twilaburkholder5459]

I decided to watch your latest episode while I was making applesauce so guess what I made next!

[@susanelmblad2844]

I used to make yogurt from Jersey milk, homemade bread, and homemade granola. I helped make homemade cheese. I used to sew all the clothes for my family. It's good to learn these things!

[@dietschegroosmame3596]

I love your perspective on food. I agree, we’ve become too consumed about toxins. Everything in moderation.❤️

[@rebeccanichol]

It's sourdough for me! I never buy bread and I never make any other kind of bread. I've developed my own simple method, I keep my starter in the fridge and it's very low maintenance, I bake all kinds of bread with it and store it in the freezer for when I need it. I was adamant I wouldn't start making sourdough as I thought it was too complicated but I find it easier now than baking with commercial yeast because the fermentation times are so long it doesn't need kneading even though I've got no equipment and do it by hand - and it's so tasty as well!😊🍞 Thank you for another interesting episode!

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

Im am so close to trying sourdough again

[@dionysiapalmer3945]

I was doing sourdough before it was fashionable during Covid! I keep a few starters in the fridge. Today i did an easy same day that fits in the toaster!!

[@rebeccanichol]

@@dionysiapalmer3945 I started before COVID as well. I was having to buy flour from the miller because everyone else started baking during lockdown and the supermarkets were empty!😂

[@mindybgilmore]

Please post the yum yum sauce recipe and the good dressings! We got chickens this year and it has been so much fun and great for the kids to have that responsibility. I’ve started replacing our bread products. Try Galloway Farm sandwich bread recipe. So easy and yummy. I’m not loving all the ‘contains bioengineered ingredients’ in the foods. Love the video! 😊

[@nursenextdoor2554]

Yes please could we have your yum yum sauce

[@cora_99]

In my teen years we moved out of the big city and back to the countryside where we were able to build up a nice little homestead on roughly 12 acres : we handmilked the dairy goats, but ended up trading them for dairy cows, and raised meat cows too. Chickens, ducks and turkeys for eggs and meat as well - had to hand-haul 5 gallon buckets out to all the pastures for years until we got an attachment for our riding lawnmower to put the buckets in. Eventually we were able to dig some ditches and run watwr hoses out to the pastures, but they froze every winter, so half the year we still had to go to the creek and haul the water buckets ; break up the thick ice at least once a day or more, too. Hand milking in the winter was also quite hard, but fun during the warm months ; nothing beat that thick line of cream at the top! We had 2 large gardens, mostly for salads and potatoes, and a few fruit trees that often didn't do too well 😅 We had a wood stove for heat, no cooling except box fans and open windows - i still love a *good* wood stove, but if its not a GOOD one, its not worth it ; we had a bad one for years - from October to April every year the house rarely warmed above 45° , and was much colder down the hallway to our bedrooms, sometimes cold enough to freeze; we often saw our breath in our rooms - the insulation in our house was so poor, and our wood stove was so cheap. Everything changed when we finally saved up enough for a GOOD wood stove... Now, as a married adult, my husband and I would love to save up and get a few acres, raise some meat cows, *maybe* even a milk cow, once the children are old enough to help... But for now, we just have a large backyard in a cozy neighborhood bordering a large farm; almost like the countryside... I have a fair sized garden, i can sometimes and forage wild berries and nuts, i raise some chickens for eggs and rabbits to sell as pets ; a couple " barn cats " but with no barn 😅 Im content in this phase of life ; we'll see what God has for us later 🙏💛

[@cathyshobe4681]

I love your channel and the Honey I'm a Homemaker. Megan my one suggestion would be to try not to talk over people and let them finish their sentences.

[@milly265ify]

my bread machine is my best friend

[@Dana-mb1hd]

Do you have a recommendation for a bread machine I’m looking for a good one!

[@milly265ify]

@@Dana-mb1hd I use one from hamilton beach! it might be old now, but it looks exactly like their Digital Breadmaker version 29882

[@karenpatton8850]

We don’t do Halloween, either. I make apple butter and applesauce. I do counted cross stitch on linen everyday. I also needlepoint, and quilt. I have plenty of free time because retired.

[@regansmith1041]

I’m making candles for Christmas presents. It’s a great way to try something but not have a bunch left over and I’m saving $20 person because I’m using them as gifts. So I’m total it will be $180 that I’m saving and really more because sticking to 20 per person is always difficult.

[@lkaufman5138]

Great video! I like to make my own taco seasoning, yogurt, and yes homemade salad dressings are the best! We have chickens too:)

[@flexiwanow2942]

I think we should avoid arguing about words. I have experienced situations when there was a "competition" in my cirkle of friends about who was a homesteader and who wasn´t -with the "homesteaders" being just so much better people, of course :-/ But not everybody can even afford a small garden, we didn´t even have a balcony for years. We felt pretty bad about it already, and being labeled as the "lazy modern-life non-homesteaders" didn´t help. I think it´s just a good idea to be as independent and hands-on as possible, no matter whether that means gardening, sewing, knitting, cutting firewood, canning or cooking. It doesn´t matter what we call it. And then, there are situations when none of that is possible and I think we should be grateful for the help that modern technology and economy give us to get through such situations.

[@dianecervantes9095]

Love y’all ladies love your channel I don’t know if I will try any though cause I’m a city girl love watching y’all. Have a blessed Tuesday night.❤

[@sara5750]

Sometimes, I preserve or raise something purely because it tastes better. I always freeze corn because it tastes just like fresh. I always make pizza sauce to can because I love the recipe I have. I can some meats for convenience. I like to dabble at growing this and that, but I'm not consistent. However, I am a great supporter of the Amish nearby as a source for preservation and fresh eating.😊

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

I agree, frozen or canned corn from the store can not compare!❤

[@gracevanderhart6356]

I wouldn’t consider myself crunchy, but I do canning/preserving. I also cloth diaper. Granted, I use the fancy kind with snaps, but I absolutely love it.

[@michelleeigsti8859]

I’ve been making my own elderberry immune tincture for years. It helps boost the immune system and it’s good. I know you can get some kits but this way I can choose which herbs I want to use etc. we love garden tea (some can it meadow tea) so I have my own patch. I tell my children often they don’t realize how privileged they are to have a mom that makes all the good homemade meals and cans all the things, bakes the pies, cinnamon rolls, beads, cookies etc. I want to teach them so they are able to do it when they grow up

[@kidwellmegan]

Hahaha! Jayna! I love you for the lunch box storey 😂😂😂😂

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

I really should ask my mom if she even remembers what i did.

[@Hislilkid]

Hey Megan and Jayna!! 😀 Love homesteading but it needs perseverance to keep it live! We’re Catholics and we don’t do Halloween too. I’ve heard the evil worshippers started it as a day of evil to oppose the day The Catholic Church celebrated everyone Holy or Saintly ( which is the All Saints day - the day afterwards.)

[@bethg7931]

I loved the comment about avoiding Hobby Lobby 😂😂😂. I work there, and we definitely have our loyal customer group. They are in there weekly and sometimes DAILY 🤪. It cracks me up. We for sure have things people NEED, but I am always saying there is no emergency need for popsicle sticks, which is my euphemism for the things we sell that are not necessities.

[@verafranchuk4637]

Jana, if you or Vikka made some cotton dresses it'd be very interested in your products!

[@heidi_lara]

Same! I only buy/wear natural fibers but it’s hard to find.

[@miralacroix]

Coming from a sourdough user, you can leave your starter in the fridge until you need it so it doesn’t dictate when to be used or become overwhelming like a pet haha. That was a misconception I had before my SIL gifted me her starter and explained it to me a year ago. :)

[@meganmonroe7282]

This is so true. I haveleft my starter many time in the fridge for a month without feeding, brought it out, and fed it and it comes right back.

[@emmalee6032]

Not a crunchy girl at all here; but I love making homemade bread (not sourdough! I stopped since having nausea from pregnancy, but can’t wait to start up again soon!

[@susanpaulson9010]

So glad you are not observing halloween

[@amandadixon81]

I cloth diapered all but one of my kids and it's def a labor of love but saved a ton of money reusing them for multiple babies! Last baby I said I've saved the world enough tree's disposables it is haha

[@improvisedpianohymnplaying]

Sourdough hamburger buns are the best!! It’s My absolute favorite thing to make. You can totally stick the starter in the fridge and leave it for even a month without messing with it and it will still be alive!

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

I MIGHT have just asked my SIL for some starter😂

[@KelseyElisabeth1]

Laughing a little because I'm sitting here prepping and stuffing my son's cloth diapers while listening to you share your dislike for cloth diapering 😂 I guess it helps that I've been cloth diapering basically since my son's been born, so I'm pretty used to it!

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

I really wanted to be that cloth diapering mom. But it just wasn't for me! Go you! ❤

[@lindacusick1156]

I got married Halloween 53 years ago, and my son got married 25 years ago same day❤

[@TheMennomilist]

I totally wish I could homestead, but I live in a suburban small two family house with a tiny yard (my landlord has a little garden in that tiny yard). I had a vegetable garden at my parents' house but they took it apart two years ago because they felt it was a hassle to mow around, and I was not happy since I worked hard on it with my two oldest boys for several years. I want my own land very much. My uncle had a horse, chicken, and corn farm forever and I really loved being around the horses growing up. My "niche" is cooking and quilting. I am very good at crafts but haven't really done many other than quilts these days. I totally have made my own laundry detergent in the past. I make my own cleaning supplies but buy powder detergent now. It was neat that you were both raised in the cape dress environments. You don't make them any longer or was your affiliated branch one that stopped that practice, as mine did? What was that like? I have made dresses but am not very good at it compared to quilts.

[@TheMennomilist]

P.S. I have been raised without Halloween and don't celebrate it either.

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

It sounds like you are doing what you can with what you have! ❤

[@gailheyer9810]

I used to buy enough cream soups to last all year when they are on sale

[@AlineLiveSimplyLiveHappy]

Great episode. ❤

[@ozarkview928]

When our oldest son was small he ended up having to stay in the hospital a few weeks it happened to be over Halloween and he was the only kid in the children’s hall . So I felt sorry for the dressed up clown an witch an left them go into his room 😢 the poor kid was already traumatized being in a hospital bed he screamed an cried , they retreated in haste ! And I feel bad about it to this day ! He will be forty and I don’t think he remembers it anymore .

[@catherinecorn2371]

My chickens are self sufficient. 😂 I don't feed them anything but scraps and they free range on 4 acres. They lay me eggs and I can sell them as well as use them, but I can also hatch them and sell the chicks. 🤷

[@kayrabey1344]

I liked cloth diapers. I used them on both my girls. I really didn’t like to throw the diapers in the garbage. And they are expensive.

[@vitakohutka8996]

Jayna tell hello to your seamstress from your Ukrainian subscriber ❤

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

Hi!!❤

[@Emmy9932]

Was looking for a podcast to watch while cleaning, I appreciate the sit down video two people ones. Specifically you guys haha but I didnt realize another one was out so this was a great surprise!!🎉❤ I was curious of your opinions on the halloween thing is. I guess it's a vulnerable topic so I get it if you don't. I've just been switching my mentality with halloween (I grew up with it totally ok) but now that I'm married with a child and Christian with some family members who feel as you do I struggle figuring out the right and wrong. I hate feeling scared I'm doing something wrong because like you said some people think of the "innocence " aspect of it, like dressing up and maybe going to a family costume party with nothing scary. Anyways would love some input/reasons/resources as to why you may feel that way would be greatly appreciated.

[@heidi_lara]

I’m not them to answer for you. But if you go look into the origins of Halloween you can see why to not celebrate Halloween. Also, God tells us not to worship Him like the pagans worship the pagan gods. So other holidays will be included in that, ie easter, Christmas. John Ramirez is an exsatanist and explains why you should definitely stay away from Halloween. The satanic church leader has made statements saying he loves that Christian’s let their children worship Satan for one night. Jim staley truth or tradition is a good one to watch also. My world was turned upside down when I began praying and let the Lord turn me from worldly holidays. We now keep His biblical feast, Holy Days, and it’s so beautiful.

[@dianefoster4472]

You can always put a bowl of candy out on the porch with a note that says please take one. Once the bowl is empty turn the porch light off. That way you could tell your kids you are just sharing with others. It’s just a thought.

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

I would consider something like that, but I don't think any kids actually trick or treat on our street anyway.

[@penelopetryon8690]

As a kid my friend and I dumped an unattended bowl in our bags and ran haha! I don't do any holidays now. There's a hot take for ya 😜🤣

[@mahadewiiii]

Not really “homesteading”. But I made yoghurt recently for the first time. Both coconut and dairy milk. Also made strawberry jam. But I made them because I got a Thermomix which seems opposite to homesteading 😆

[@RoseanneReimer]

I turn all my extra cream from raw milk into butter, since we don't use a whole lot of cream. Bake most of my own bread, havent tried sourdough tho yet... also canning/preserving all the things!

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

Anytime you use raw milk, you automatically jump 2 points on the homesteading scale.😂

[@RoseanneReimer]

@@jaynaburkholder1507 😝

[@cheetahrose97]

My guys, Halloween has nothing to do with the devil. It's based on a pagan holiday called Samhain. Also, remember that Christmas and Easter were originally pagan holidays; they were tweaked to help convert pagans to Christianity. It's OK to celebrate (or not celebrate) holidays a certain way, but it's not ok to spread a false narrative. That's not very Christ-like.

[@heidi_lara]

I don’t think many people know Easter and Christmas are pagan holidays. I truly don’t understand how Christian’s celebrate Easter or Christmas but stay away from Halloween. They all have the same origin, paganism. God said not to worship Him like the pagans worship their gods.

[@maryfranceswriting]

Now I’ll make homemade noodles and pie 🥧

[@beccamora5289]

Hey ladies i hope yall are doing well!! We dont celebrate halloween either! Its a day of evil.

[@brianpace7866]

Agree. 🍂✝️

[@HoneyImHomemaker]

I know different people have different motivations for partaking so I get that, but I myself am not comfortable with it!

[@melaniesnyder9165]

Jayna, how many chickens do you have? And do you only feed them kitchen scraps? Do you buy chicken feed? Organic? Do you let them free-range or are you in an area they have to stay cooped? We moved onto an acre just outside of town and want to get chickens in the spring. My family had chickens when I was young but we had 40+ chickens and they free-ranged. So I've never had experience doing a few cooped chickens. Love to hear what you do. And we live in PA too. Do you have to heat the coop over winter?

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

We have 4 chickens. They also get feed pellets. I don't think it's organic. They dont need heat in the winter, it's good to make sure they have food always available because pecking keeps them warm. They have a nice sized coop, plenty for 4 chickens. I used to let them roam the yard but they got into my neighbors flowers so now I'm hesitant to do that 😅

[@Laura-wb6mp]

We have 8 chickens and live in NH. We don’t use heat in winter but let them acclimate to the cold temps. Last winter it got to around 20 below one time and they were fine. Make sure coop is well vented at the top near ceiling but no air seeping through lower where the chickens are hanging out. We live in a woodsy area and started free ranging them more later this summer but one got taken just at the edge of our yard so free ranging came to a quick end.

[@melaniesnyder9165]

@jaynaburkholder1507 thanks for the tips! 😍 You saved me some research. 😊 I love that you have just 4 chickens. I only want a few too. Like you and Megan said... small scale still counts. 😉

[@melaniesnyder9165]

@Laura-wb6mp oh no! Sorry the free-range didn't work. We have almost an acre but neighbor's all around... so free-range won't work for us either. Thank you for the tip for the coop. My husband it going to build it, so I'll mention this to him.

[@ssh6414]

Moth ball noodles... I gotta know.

[@SD-qu8vp]

Not trying to make you like Halloween, not 'celebrating' it either, quite new to Germany as such...like trick or treating,...but my husband is from the UK and I just wanted to clarify, it has not to do with worshipping the devil. There is a church celebration installed by Pope Geroge and the Celtic origin of all of it. Might be pagan, but not evil. Here what I found. What is a hallow? Well, hallow simply means holy, as the Lord’s Prayer suggests (“hallowed be thy name”), so a “hallow” is a holy person-a saint. All Hallows’ Eve, then, is the eve of All Saints’ Day-the day the church remembers all the women and men from St. Peter to St. Augustine to St. Thérèse-who have modeled holiness for us throughout the history of the church... Halloween had its origins in the festival of Samhain among the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. On the day corresponding to November 1 on contemporary calendars, the new year was believed to begin. That date was considered the beginning of the winter period, the date on which the herds were returned from pasture and land tenures were renewed....nothing to do with worshipping the devil.

[@maryfranceswriting]

I have nooooo desire to own a cow or chickens or even a dog 🐶!!!! 😂🤣😇

[@beckyalfeld9571]

Megan, please try to mirror Jayna ……leave the mic alone.

[@TheChosen761]

Who cares about that Geesh

[@kv8dy]

lol who even noticed? I haven’t yet!

[@beckygines9693]

Love this topic! And you 2 are so blessed being raised as you were and having the talents you do!! I do a lot of canning. But my family loves pickled asparagus. Asparagus is so expensive in our area, so I a few years ago I asked a local farmer if I could dig up some roots from his field and started growing my own asparagus patch. It's hard work....But it's so satisfying opening a jar knowing from start to finish, I did it 😊

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

That's awesome!🎉

[@crazychicken4063]

'Homesteading' is simply what *everyone* was doing before industrialization happened

[@melaniesnyder9165]

Megan, I learned to make perfect homemade bread when a menonite woman offered to let me in her kitchen and watch her do the daily baking. The best tips I learned were you can NEVER over knead. And be careful to never add too much flour. When you can lightly poke the bread with clean hands and it only leaves a light tacky residue you have enough flour. The woman didn't use electricity, but I quickly learned my muscles didn't hold up to the intense kneeding she did. 😂 I used my lovely modern kitchen aid mixer with the bread hook. I mixed and added flour until it was silk smooth and the dough pulled away from the bowl only leaving a tacky residue.

[@juliejackman2649]

We like Halloween, but just have costumes for the kids and a trunk or treat at the Church. Not evil type things s though. I haven't made for a minute or two, but I like making strawberry freezer jam. 😀

[@Dana-mb1hd]

We do trunk or treat as well at our church!

[@amandastirgwolt5462]

Hi Megan ….I know you mentioned in a previous video that you didn’t want to name your new baby a name that ended in -er but as a mom of 5 (3 girls) we just couldn’t give our 3rd girl a name that didn’t end in the same phonetic sound as her older sisters. I don’t regret it . I was going about my day and thought of the name Wilder ….it’s unique & fits with your other names. Best of luck on finding the right name & a happy rest of the pregnancy to you!

[@river_walker]

Ooh I like the name Wilder! I vote for that! 😊

[@nancykaleta9193]

I am in my mid 60's and feel concerned for women of your generation bearing the weight of all the information and voices out there. So many others sharing their opinions on what it means to be a godly woman, how to parent, what to eat, how to to decorate your house, what's in style fashion-wise, etc., etc., etc. So many voices! It seems anxiety producing. I pray that you both can filter through the noise and hear from the Lord about his will for you and your families specifically.

[@crazychicken4063]

I'm not 60 yet, but getting close and I agree. The key phrase I got from your comment was "hearing from the Lord". Also, what happened to just being and doing and wearing and decorating your house with what is 'you'? If you can do it, wear it , etc. and you know it please God as well, what else matters.

[@kate-br3be]

You can grow flowers that are also medicinal... Chamomile, calendula, echinnachea, and elderberry are a few multipurpose beautiful plants😊

[@AmysIdahoLife]

At five years old, my great aunt began my sewing lessons by making fun pillow cases. My great granny had me start cooking and socializing in the kitchen which also includes cleaning up. My great uncle was the scratch baker so he'd let me stir and measure spices and pour ingredients. Wonderful memories!

[@akontilis1792]

We live in a tropical storm /hurricane area, and thinking about stocking up is something that is often talked about around here. But more recently, I think we have gotten more interested in making some things we never considered before when the supply chain issues / pandemic stuff happened. I wouldn't consider it homesteading and certainly don't think of it as trendy (we are in suburbia, for sure), but homemade greek yogurt in an instapot is so easy and you literally double your money. I have considered chickens, not because I think the eggs would be cheaper, but because it is a good source of protein and if we can't get them at all from the store (or when they cost over $5.00 / dozen, which might as well be the same thing), at least we could have some. I'd like to figure out how to grow some more things to eat - that is my next goal. Also, "reusable/washable paper products" are words I never thought I would say, but 2020 taught me to be open-minded. Besides, we have always used Handi-wipes, which are sort of the original re-usable paper towel. (I wash them in a lingerie bag and hang dry, so simple....) Also, self-sufficiency means different things, depending on the situation. Even things like collecting rainwater (bucket under a gutter spout) to water plants (or your foundation) can help in a drought. I have learned a lot from you ladies!! Looking forward to the next episode! 🧡🌻

[@deb4375]

I was going to do cloth diapers, but my husband said he couldn't really see me doing that. He suggested a diaper service. It actually turned out to be a good thing. My daughter was prone to diaper rash. The service tested her diapers and said she needed alkaline diapers. No more diaper rash. When we would go to visit family for 2 weeks, We would use disposable diapers. By the time we got back home she would be getting a diaper rash. I was making bread regularly and quilt for awhile. I'm starting to make it again. I enjoy quilting.

[@dawnsabo5664]

I crochet & cross stitch. I love cross stitching in a traditional way such as in a birth/wedding samplers. I crochet because I love to be able to take yarn & create something out of it that is useful; like a wool sweater for the hubby, a sweater/ cardigan for me. Baby blankets are always a welcome gift. I have recently learned to make a basket out of pine needles that I collected while walking on the woods.

[@HoneyImHomemaker]

Plus picking out the colors is so fun!!

[@dotcastagno3629]

🍁🌻🍂IDEAS HOW DOES SUNDAY LOOK LIKE PODCAST RECIPES/ HOLIDAY ( MENNONITE THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS) PODCAST

[@bobbiefarrar3036]

I find Halloween an opportunity to give toys with Jesus Loves You printed on them. I think it's an opportunity to tell littles about Jesus and His love for them. Also, many churches celebrate trunk and treat to keep youngsters safe and invite them and their parents to church! A very great opportunity to love them and their kids with Christ's love.

[@susantimko4811]

I did cloth diapers in the 1980s. It was a treat to go somewhere when you could use pampers! My son grew up watching me quilting, when he was 17 he was able to sew a quilt for his girlfriend, very basic but he did it. His wife just took up quilting, he said the sound of the sewing machine reminds him of home

[@bethanyhutchinson6714]

We have chickens, a decently large garden, and a mini orchard of fruit trees. This past season was a huge success for our fruit trees and we canned jam, cherry pie filling, and applesauce. We really enjoy canning-especially broth. There’s nothing better than cracking open a jar of homemade bone broth for soup! That one requires a pressure canner, but it was a worthwhile investment for us! I also sew most of my own clothes-mostly because I can’t find things I like at the store and it’s so satisfying! I’m almost finished a Sherpa lined shacket!

[@erinbriggs9096]

This was the first year I grew my own garden. My family has always canned, but this was my first fall as a farmer’s wife. I really enjoyed it, and I hope to expand it next summer. Thanks for the encouragement about trying new things. I’m easily discouraged when I don’t immediately have that “one thing” I’m the expert on. I’ve loved trying to master new baking recipes. Also learning the banjo for fun and hopefully starting piano next summer🙂

[@payad4778]

I’ve started baking a loaf of bread every week. My husband likes it more than store bought and it’s healthier too. I add lots of seeds etc, and switch it up depending what I’m in the mood for. I feel like it’s also become “my thing” in our church - when someone has a baby I’ll usually bring them a fresh loaf when they get home from the hospital 😊

[@zencat17]

I loved this conversation! We've traced our English matrilineal line down over 400 years and all our family were small steading families with bee keeping, lace making, spinning and weaving and preserving which continues to this day, I feel that the medieval and before that monks were homesteaders too, they grew all their own herbs, made potions and preserved by fermentation, baked breads, made mead and their own candles, sewn their own robes. It's such an ancient tradition, and expands what being a homesteader is. Whatever the origin, it's a very comfortable feeling to have this knowledge . I made my first soda bread this week, so easy, and added grated squash and herbs in the mix, can't believe I had never met this before, quick to prepare and cook for us busy women xxx

[@micheledavis3735]

My issue with Halloween is 364 days a year, we tell our loved ones (our precious little human beans)bto not open the door to strangers...ever...until October 31st when we throw open the door and pull back the sash to people with masks! It's insane! Also...we allow our children eat things touched by potential maniacs!

[@akontilis1792]

Yep! It's crazy!

[@flexiwanow2942]

I´m German - Halloween is not a thing here, anyway. However, children walk around the neighbourhood to ask for treats on St. Martin´s day. I don´t see a problem - it´s parents, not children, who open the door. And I don´t think our neighbours are lying in wait to poison our kids. If they did want to do that, there would be no reason to wait for this particular day. As for those kids old enough to go by themselves, they are strictly advised to ring only at the doors of people they know.

[@ozarkview928]

Lol Jayna ! My mom made my siblings an I lunch boxes like that . I hated mine too ! I’d swing it around by the draw string to try wear it out 😅

[@teresashomeschoolchannel227]

I love having chickens 🐔 😍

[@MissSasha0918]

Try making cheese! I just started buying goat milk from my mother-in-law and have been making queso fresco, and it's delicious. It's definitely not a money saver but I really like it. Also, making my own sour cream from heavy cream. Delicious!

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

Making cheese would be so cool! Maybe someday!

[@barbaramanickas6580]

My oldest son is 38 so in 1985, I insisted I would use cloth diapers. I actually had a diaper service in addition to laundering my own. That lasted about 9 months and then I held out the white surrender flag. Even my own mother said that I was crazy to use cloth!!!

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

Id consider 9 months a successful cloth diapering career❤😅

[@fionainherkitchen]

Farming is what I would call it!! It's a real American term isn't it? Homesteading! Grow your own is another term here 😊😊 (Ireland). All our grandparents were homesteaders without knowing it!!

[@joyfulreality]

Question for Jayna: Do you have any idea where you can get prefold reusable nappies? I bought second hand and needto replace my reusables, but want to be simple and easy. Totlly understand your mum's reaction, Megan though! I use reusables at home when I'm changing baby, and then disposables when out and about or if someone else is likely to change a nappy for me.

[@jaynaburkholder1507]

I got mine at a local Mennonite store, so I'm not sure...

[@joyfulreality]

thanks ! @@jaynaburkholder1507

[@FarmFaithFromScratch]

For fresh milled flour recipes check out Grains and Grit, also Sue Becker. Those two are the best resources for fresh milled flour!

[@HoneyImHomemaker]

Thanks for the tips! I'll look into her!

[@michelenewswanger2429]

Our tribe of many on KZbin uses fresh ground flour in her baking.

[@loureiff5922]

I love making sourdough honey oatmeal bread,sourdough pizza and cinnamon rolls in Glenda Groff cookbook,I also used to butcher my own chickens and turkeys, the turkey company we raise our turkeys with,does not allow us to have chickens,now,I'm so sad about it!