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snowy tree cricket HGW

Where the Wild Things Are: November

November the first. You’ve unmothballed your winter sweaters and laid in a supply of hand-warmers....
Fire Cider

How to Make Fire Cider

Fire cider boosts your health with herbs stewed in apple cider vinegar. See how to make this...
Baking Soda

The Best Uses for Baking Soda

Baking soda is amazing! This versatile substance can be used to remove stains, keep your sneakers...
Celery Stalks

Celery: Bland and Boring? Not So Fast!

Celery is one of the most underrated vegetables. Most people would never think of this humble stalk...
Sponge

Reuse, Renew, and Refresh: In the Kitchen

Here are our 8 best tips to reuse and renew in the kitchen! Tired of the disposable lifestyle? It’s...
Magnifying glass hgw

Sharpening the New Year's Resolution: 10x

I was given a magnifying glass for Christmas. It’s a fine brass one, with all sorts of knobs and...
Stir-Fry Recipe

Stir-Fry Recipe With Bone Broth

Here’s one of my favorite Stir-Fry recipes using bone broth. It’s good for you and good tasting!...
Winter Flying

Surviving Winter Travel Weather!

Hello Almanac readers, Do you know what Old Farmers really do in the winter? They travel to...
Cranberry Bowl

Cranberries: Get ’Em While You Can

Among only a few native North American fruits cultivated commercially in the modern era,...
Eagle Pumpkin

How to Carve a Pumpkin

When it comes to pumpkin carving, the idea is to have fun. We’ve got tips on carving the best...
Avoid Cold Sores

How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

Cold sores can be a real pain in the… lip. Learn what causes cold sores and some natural cold sore ...
Clothesline

The Benefits of Inefficient Living

Psst! Wanna save money, improve health and fitness, and lower your carbon footprint—simultaneously...
Dog in Garden

Poisonous Plants for Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets

Do you know which plants are poisonous to your dog, cat or other pet? Keep your fuzzy friends safe...
Cat Nap

Cats and Weather—The Folklore

What is the origin of the phrase, “raining cats and dogs”? What do animals falling from the sky...
Mint Plants

12 Uses for Mint Leaves From Health to Home

How do you use extra mint leaves? Here are 12 marvelous uses for mint around the home and garden—...
Summer BBQ!

Summer Food Safety

As a casual cook, I usually throw together a dish quickly based on what’s in season, but in the...
Canning Tomatoes

Water-Bath Canning: Supplies and Getting Started

August is high season for fresh fruits and vegetables! Gardens, farmers’ markets, and farm stands...
Left-Handed Facts and Folklore

Left-Handed Facts and Folklore

International Left-Handers Day occurs this year on Tuesday, August 13! To celebrate, here are some...
Homemade Spray

Homemade Bug Spray Recipes

Here are four all-natural homemade bug sprays that can kick those pesky insects to the curb. If you...
how-to-can-tomatoes

How to Can Tomatoes

By canning tomatoes, you can enjoy that garden-fresh tomato taste in sauces, soups, and stews all...
Zucchini and Squash

Too Much Zucchini? Freeze It!

August brings “Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day” (August 8). Our advice? Take it...
Cats and Dogs

Summer Pests That Affect Dogs and Cats

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…not only for us, but also for the companion animals in our lives...
Cornstarch

Cornstarch, Arrowroot, & Starches: What's the Difference?

Summer’s extreme heat may take the starch right out of you. But it’s the time of year to reach for...
Sweet Corn Just Harvested

How to Freeze Corn

We love corn on the cob in the summer, but the season for fresh corn only lasts so long, so the...
Homemade Shampoo

How to Make Homemade Shampoo (Only Two Ingredients)

One day early last spring, I counted the ingredients of my shampoos. Each contained at least 20...
Potatoes in root cellar

Root Cellars: Types and Storage Tips

Before refrigeration, an underground root cellar was an essential way to store carrots, turnips,...
Honeybee and Flower

Beekeeping 101: Should You Raise Honey Bees?

Are you interested in raising honey bees? Does having your own beehive sound intriguing? Celebrate...
Cooling Off in Pond

How to Cool Your Body Down

What can you do to stay cool in hot weather? Here are tips on keeping your body cool, especially if...
watering the garden

Watering Wisely in the Garden

To perform its very best, your garden needs to be watered properly, especially in the heat of...
history-of-beards-and-shaving

The History of Shaving and Beards

Can you imagine plucking facial hair? When (and why) do men shave beards? Interestingly, shaving...
Vegetables With Protein Power

Yes, Plants Have Protein! Choosing Healthy Protein Foods

There’s always debate about fats and carbs, but everyone knows that protein is essential to life....
Healthy Foods

Can What We Eat Affect How We Feel?

Sure, we all know that what we eat is important for our physical health. But can healthier eating...
Cricket

Cricket Facts and Keeping Pet Crickets

Crickets are fascinating and keeping crickets will teach you a lot about them. They are perfect for...
deter-mosquitoes-bug-bites

Mosquito Repellents and Bite Remedies

Use these natural mosquito repellents and mosquito bite remedies to keep the mosquitoes away and...
Cutting Hair to Save Money

Simple Ways to Save Money (That You Might Not Have Considered)

Budgets are tight for many of us. If you’ve squeezed and squeezed and squeezed yours again, maybe...
Nutritious Carrots

Vegetable Nutrition: Healthy Veggies to Add to Your Diet

Do you eat your veggies? Here’s a quick list of the common vegetables that pack a punch of helpful...
Pickling tips and recipes-Thinkstock

Pickling Tips and Recipes

Learn how to pickle! See our best pickling tips—plus, great pickling recipes from dill pickles to...
Chicken Eggs

Raising Chickens 101: When Chickens Stop Laying Eggs

The final chapter in our Raising Chickens series is what to do when your chicken stops laying eggs...
easy-berry-jam-recipe

How to Make Berry Jam

Learn how to make jam in no time! Here’s a quick and easy berry jam recipe with just two...
Eggs in a Carton

Raising Chickens 101: Collecting, Storing, and Hatching Chicken Eggs

Raising chickens for eggs? Let’s talk about how to collect, clean, store, and hatch chicken eggs as...
poison-oak-identify-treat

Poison Oak: Identification and Treatment

“Leaves of three, let it be!” “Hairy vine, no friend of mine!” Learn how to spot poison oak, tell...
Canning Jars

Preserving Your Harvest Safely

Millions of Americans will can, freeze, dry, pickle, and ferment the abundance of summer fruits and...

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