2024 in Review: the Best in the Garden, Farm, Home, and Kitchen
Looking back on 2024, it's been an incredible year of growth, learning, and some exciting personal developments and changes. This year was filled with moments of discovery, whether tending peach trees in the backyard, caring for animals on the farm, finding sustainable solutions for the home, or crafting delicious recipes to savor and share.
As the year wraps up, I'm excited to reflect on and share with you the most popular and meaningful blog posts in the garden, farm, home, and kitchen.
From growing beautiful tomatoes and luscious blueberries to exploring the joys of raising geese, guineas, and donkeys. You’ll also find tips for clever household solutions like using citrus and mint leaves and making delicious recipes.
Scroll down to get all the inspiration and recaps of some of my favorite blogs!
Contents:
in the garden
How to grow your own peach trees
Planting peach trees was one of the first things we did when we moved to our farm. We knew we wanted a beautiful orchard, and I am so glad we did it! Biting into a juicy, homegrown peach is just, well, peachy! It is the perfect snack on a hot summer day and the recipe possibilities are endless!
We have eight organic dwarf peach trees, which have blessed us with healthy fruit over the past few years. It took some work to get where we are today, but it was so worth it.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this comprehensive guide on growing peach trees will walk you through everything you need to know about growing peach trees!
READ MORE: How to grow your own peach trees
TIPS for GROWING BLUEBERRIES SUCCESSFULLY
Blueberries are a delight to have in the garden, and picking straight from them for a yummy, healthy, sweet treat is one of my (and Ava’s!) favorite things to do.
Thanks to a few tricks Jared has mastered, we have been able to harvest luscious, healthy blueberries for several seasons now. Our bushes are now at a stage where they are so bountiful that I often have too many to know what to do with!
If you’re ready to grow your own blueberries and experience the same joy, keep reading for all our tips on how to grow blueberries successfully!
READ MORE: How to grow blueberries successfully
A Deep Dive Into Planting And Growing Healthy, Juicy Tomatoes
Oh how I just love tomatoes. They are the staple of summer gardens and a symbol of homegrown goodness!
Whether you love your tomatoes on a fresh sandwich or transform them into a yummy sauce, tomatoes are versatile, delicious, and so good for you.
In this guide, I am delving deep into planting and growing tomatoes.
From selecting the perfect varieties for your garden to transplanting seedlings and caring for your plants, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to grow beautiful, juicy tomatoes!
READ MORE: Planting and growing healthy, juicy tomatoes
I think you’ll also find this blog very helpful:
A beginner’s guide to growing gorgeous cut flowers
Many of us dream about planting a cut flower garden. It's easy to fall in love with the image of wandering through the garden and harvesting a plethora of vibrantly colored blooms to proudly display in our homes.
And, friend, growing cut flowers is really not that hard!
Not only is it magical, but it is way cheaper and more sustainable, and you can grow your favorites instead of settling for what's available at the store or florist.
Continue reading for my steps for growing cut flowers, easy flower varieties for beginners, where to get seeds, tips, and how to harvest cut flowers.
READ MORE: Growing a cut flower garden
on the farm
Raising geese as a beginner: All the essentials to know
When I first started raising geese, I realized they were quite different from our other birds, like ducks, chickens, or turkeys. Geese have their own unique traits and requirements, making them a fascinating addition to any backyard flock.
Over the past few years, I've learned a lot about these incredible birds, and they have become my favorites (don't tell the chickens!).
I'm excited to share my insights with you, covering everything from why you should keep geese to their care, feeding, and housing requirements.
READ MORE: Raising geese as a beginner
A Beginner’s Guide To Raising Guinea Fowl
Oh what a joy and experience it has been adding guinea fowl to our farm. They are indeed an interesting bunch!
Their personalities and habits differ dramatically from chickens. However, if you are prepared to put in some effort, they can make a wonderful addition to your flock and offer many advantages for your farm.
But be aware! They are not everyone's cup of tea! Although they are very cute and mind their own business most of the time.
Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of raising guinea fowl, how to care for them, their egg-laying ability, mothering instincts, and more!
READ MORE: A beginner’s guide to guinea fowl care
Have a look at this blog post too:
a beginner’s guide to caring for donkeys
Having our donkeys has been such a fun part of our homesteading journey!
Are you debating getting one? Or perhaps it has been decided, and you now need to learn all you can about how to care for donkeys. Well, then, you are in the right place!
Here are a few thoughts I have learned over the past 6 years of having them on the farm. Along with all the details you need to know about caring for donkeys. I hope it’s helpful and guides you in having your own!
READ MORE: A Guide to caring for donkeys
in the home & kitchen
14 Clever Uses For Citrus In Your Home (Besides Eating!)
If you're anything like me, you probably can't get enough of the vibrant, citrusy, refreshing scent and taste of lemons and oranges.
But once you've squeezed every last drop of juice from them, they can do more than just brighten up your meals!
I love to find ways to reduce kitchen waste and have things serve more than one purpose.
Here are 14 creative ways to harness the power of lemons and oranges, including their peels, around the home.
READ MORE: Clever uses for citrus in your home
I think you’ll also like this blog:
10 fun ways to use fresh mint leaves in your garden and home
A Simple Yet Delicious Fig Jam Canning Recipe
Canning fig jam is one of my favorite ways to capture the sweet flavors of this wonderful summer/fall fruit and enjoy it long after the season has gone!
Figs are a special indulgence and when I cannot enjoy them fresh anymore, at least I can still enjoy them in another way.
This fig jam canning recipe is very easy and only requires 5 main ingredients. The result is a rich, sweet jam with a deep purple-reddish hue that's as beautiful as it is delicious!
MAKE IT: Fig jam canning recipe
Pickled Red Onions With Balsamic Vinegar And Maple Syrup
Have you ever tried (and made) pickled red onions, friend? If not, you’re missing out!
I'm excited to share with you my go-to recipe for homemade pickled red onions!
With just a handful of simple ingredients – like vibrant red onions, aromatic herbs, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar – it’s very easy to make and so tasty.
Pickled red onions are incredibly versatile and a pantry must-have. They go great with tacos, salads, sandwiches, served on crackers, or just snacking straight from the jar (guilty!).
MAKE IT: Pickled red onions
Mini Strawberry Carrot Cakes With Cream Cheese Frosting
To celebrate the start of spring, I made a delicious dessert that combines the sweetness of strawberries with the earthy warmth of carrots—mini Strawberry Carrot Cakes with luscious cream cheese frosting.
This carrot cake is delicious and made with healthy ingredients! It’s moist and can be made into mini-cakes or a regular-sized cake.
It’s indeed the perfect spring gathering dessert!
MAKE IT: Strawberry carrot cake with cream cheese frosting
I think you’ll love these too for a spring gathering:
2024 brought another year of inspiration and joy, embracing the simple country way of living, and I’m excited for what 2025 will bring!
Friend, I hope I have brought you some joy and inspiration throughout 2024 and that you get to pursue a life where less is more, where slow living is embraced, and where wholesomeness is cherished!
Love, Annette xx
simple country living
Answer the calling deep within for a simpler life and join me in connecting with nature on a deeper level.
In my book, Simple Country Living, you’ll find a sampler covering homesteading techniques that can be put to work no matter where you live. You’ll find recipes, tips, tricks, and family activities that will help you reduce waste, save money, harness new skills, and discover ways to live a slower, more intentional life.