I've been fishing since I was a little girl so I learned how to gut and clean a fish at a very young age. I learned how to bait a hook and catch a fish before I learned how to ride a bike. Fishing for food to feed our family was a way of life for us growing up. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was learning some great self-sufficiency skills that would stay with me … [Read more...]
Elderberry Foraging, Identification & Uses
So I have a new obsession: Elderberry foraging. Last weekend we attempted to go canoeing and fishing at a mountain lake but were rained out. Lucky for us there were a whole bunch of wild black elderberry bushes dotting the edge of the dirt road that wound up the mountain. We were able to wild harvest quite a few elderberries that day. Then the next day we drove up into the … [Read more...]
Foraging and Preserving Huckleberries
Huckleberry season has arrived in Montana and we've been busy foraging and preserving huckleberries! Every year in late July, we head up to our secret huckleberry picking spot way up in the mountains. We've been going to the same spot for over seven years so picking huckleberries has become a family tradition every summer. This huckleberry patch covers the mountainside for as … [Read more...]
Pineapple Weed Tea
Have you ever heard of a plant called Wild Chamomile? Let me introduce you to this amazing plant, otherwise known as Pineapple Weed. Don't let the name fool you, this plant is anything but a nuisance weed! Pineapple Weed is in the same family as Chamomile and actually has a similar scent and flavor, only slightly sweeter. Pineapple Weed makes a delicious herbal tea and can be … [Read more...]
How to Make Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup is a natural daily supplement in our household as soon as cold and flu season starts. We try to use natural remedies for cold and flu season and prefer to make our own when we can. Last year was the first time I made homemade elderberry syrup. I was amazed at how easy and cost effective it was! Elderberry syrup has become a popular natural remedy for cold and … [Read more...]
How to Fillet a Fish
Are you ready to learn how to fillet a fish? Earlier this week I shared about my husband's recent ice fishing trip. He brought home quite a few perch but we forgot to take pictures when he cleaned them. Last night a friend stopped by on his way home from ice fishing and shared some of his catch with us. This time I took pictures while my husband filleted the fish so we can … [Read more...]