Weekend Links {welcome to our newest feature!}

red fall leaves

Y'all. I miss you. As Keeper of the Home grows and changes, we are bringing on delightful new writers, not to mention the most a.maz.ing team every to help me run this blog baby of mine. To keep the home fires burning (or rather, the kids in {mostly} clean clothes, the grammar lessons complete, the chubby baby nursed, the husband loved-on, and proper dinners on the table), I've had to scale back on my writing in order to continue to run this site. Though there [...]

How to Identify and Use Winter Squash

how to identify and use winter squash

Written by Stacy Karen, Contributing Writer While most can identify pumpkin and butternut as varieties of winter squash, many of us don't know much about other types of winter squash or how to prepare them. Today I want to dive into the world of winter squash and open the door to new eating possibilities. Health Benefits of Winter Squash Winter squash, especially those with darker flesh (like pumpkin and acorn) contain high amounts of carotene. Carotene has been shown to help protect against cancer, heart [...]

Fall Giveaway Week Winners!

cartful-of-pumpkins

It's finally time to announce the winners from our Fall Giveaway Week! But first a big thank you to all of our generous sponsors! We love these companies and their products! Here are the winners... Nouveau Vintage Designs  The winner of the $40 gift certificate to Nouveau Vintage Designs is Nicola Armanini! For the rest of you, Jessica's shop has some great gifts for Christmas and shipping is still free through the end of September! Be sure to stop by and take a look! Resound School of [...]

Boosting Your Immunity: Mushroom Soup with Herbs

porcini_mushroom_soup_recipe

 Written by Meg Dickey, Contributing Writer Our Valley finally began it's annual cooling trend last week. After several months of nearly 100 degree heat, we were able to enjoy a rainstorm, complete with chilly temperatures and a delightful nip in the air. Along with those blissful breezes come the sniffles and sneezes... when we start to feel like we're running down, I like to put a pot of this luscious soup on to simmer.  It does a wonderful job of soothing sore throats, boosting [...]

Cranberry, Apple and Walnut Cake (A Perfect Fall Dessert)

Cranberry, Apple and Walnut Cake

Written by Stacy K, Contributing Writer Fall is a wonderful time to make desserts with ingredients that are only fresh this time of year. Cranberries and apples are perfectly ripe and so very tasty in season. Don't you just love them? This Cranberry, Apple and Walnut Cake makes good use of Fall’s bounty. It is full of fruit and bursting with flavor (the cranberries add a nice tang which is balanced by the sweetness of apples). Using real food ingredients, this recipe provides a treat [...]

Pumpkin Walnut Bread

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Written by Brandy Ferguson, Contributing Writer This bread is perfect any time of year, but I especially love to make it in the fall. Slightly crunchy on the outside, and super moist on the inside, it's a favorite in our family. I like that there is just enough spice in this bread to not overpower that great pumpkin flavor. So delicious! Pumpkin Walnut Bread Ingredients: 4 cups whole-wheat flour or sprouted grain flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cloves 1/4 teaspoon ginger 2 teaspoons [...]

How to Plant Garlic in the Fall

garlic head

Garlic has stolen my heart as an organic gardener, because it is hands down one of the easiest and most reliable crops that I've grown so far. For some reason, I initially had this idea that garlic was only for experienced gardeners and would be a challenging crop to grow. I've had quite the opposite experience, finding it to be a simple and rewarding crop and now I can't imagine going a season without growing it! Fall is the best time to plant garlic. It [...]

Cream of Tomato Soup: Quick and Easy Fall Comfort Food

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With fall and cooler weather comes the return of soup simmering on my stove. Too hot for summer dining, it is just the perfect, warming end to a crisp autumn day, and so soup begins to find its way back on our table once again. I have been making this simple Cream of Tomato soup recipe for probably 3 years. Provided I remember to thaw a jar of stock earlier in the day, it makes for such a simple and easy dinner that is satisfying, [...]