Olden Oasis Homestead

Crafting a Homemade Grapevine Wreath For Christmas Crafting a homemade grapevine wreath for Christmas is a delightful way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor while embracing the rustic charm of natural materials. This timeless craft not only allows you to express your creativity but also offers an opportunity to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home. With just a few simple materials and a bit of guidance, you can design a beautiful wreath that reflects your style and the spirit of the season. Whether you prefer a traditional look adorned with festive colors or a more modern interpretation with unique embellishments, this step-by-step guide will help you bring your vision to life. History and Significance Grapevine wreaths have been a staple in home decor for centuries, dating back to ancient times when they symbolized abundance and prosperity. Cultures across the globe have embraced the humble grapevine for its versatility, crafting wreaths for various occasions—...

Vintage 1979 Miss Fluffy Rice/Pineapple Rice Delight In 1979, Ruth Taylor distinguished herself as a prominent contestant in the Miss Fluffy Rice pageant, where she presented the Pineapple Rice Delight as her dessert entry. This recipe is, without a doubt, the finest "pink stuff" I have ever tasted. It was introduced to my family in the late 1970s and has since become a cherished Christmas dessert. Miss Fluffy Rice Contestants in 1979 Overview The Miss Fluffy Rice pageant is a local event in Cross County, Arkansas, celebrating community spirit and culture. In 1979, Ruth Taylor was one of the contestants in this unique pageant. Contest Details Event Name: Miss Fluffy Rice Pageant Location: Cross County, Arkansas Year : 1979 Notable Contestant: Ruth Taylor Significance The pageant is part of local traditions, often highlighting the agricultural heritage of the region, particularly rice farming. It serves as a platform for community engagement and showcases local talent and bea...

Creating a Cozy Christmas on a Small Scale Homestead This holiday season at Olden Oasis is dedicated to a no-spend approach. That's right—zero expenditure! This means no spending on Christmas gifts or any other non-essential items. Allow me to explain the rationale behind this decision. The holiday season often brings stress and anxiety, and this year, these feelings are exacerbated by the rising costs of goods. Therefore, I have chosen to embrace a no-spend holiday. However, this does not mean that we cannot create beautiful experiences or celebrate in unique ways without incurring costs. The commercialization of Christmas has reached its limits for me, and if you feel the same, I would like to share some of my zero-spend ideas with you. Decorating Your Homestead When it comes to decorating your small scale homestead for Christmas, simplicity is key. Opt for natural decorations like pine cones, holly branches, and dried oranges. Hang up some string lights and maybe even make your ...

Hearty Homemade Vegetable Soup: A Simple and Healthy Recipe This recipe provides a delicious and nutritious homemade vegetable soup that is easy to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for multiple meals. It's packed with healthy vegetables and is sure to become a family favorite. Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 carrots, peeled and chopped, or sliced 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 4 cloves of garlic, minced 8 cups of vegetable broth (low sodium preferred) 1 teaspoon of dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon of dried rosemary Seasoning salt and black ground pepper, to taste Optional : Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish Instructions: Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots and potatoes and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant. Add the Broth and Se...

Old-Fashioned Sugar-Free CoCoa Oatmeal Candy This is my adaptation of my family's favorite holiday candy. It can be spooned out in the shapes of cookies, or spread out evenly in a pan, then cut into squares. Today, I made it both ways. I use old-fashioned oats for my recipe and I add them to the pan during the last few minutes of cooking the candy mixture. If you prefer, you can use quick oats instead. If using quick oats, turn the burner off before adding them into the pan. Regardless of what type of oats I use in the recipe, I always bring the candy mixture to a boil and finish cooking it for 2 to 3 minutes more before adding the oats. Ingredients: 2 ½ cups of granulated white Splenda or granulated monk fruit  ¼ cup of cocoa powder, add additional if you prefer. ½ cup of evaporated milk 2 cups of peanut butter (can be smooth or crunchy). 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extra 2 tablespoons of honey 4 cups of old-fashioned oats Instructions: In a large saucepan, add 2 ½ cups...

Effortless No-Cook Christmas Candy Recipes Prepare your chocolate chips for these seven straightforward chocolate-coated Christmas candy recipes. These delightful treats are crafted without the need for eggs, powdered sugar, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, or frosting. 1. Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows Ingredients : Marshmallows, chocolate chips, sprinkles or other candy toppings (optional) Instructions : Melt chocolate chips in the microwave. Dip marshmallows in chocolate and sprinkle with toppings. Let cool until set. 2. Nut Cluster Candies Ingredients : You can use various types of nuts for this recipe such as: pecans, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, or your favorite mixed nuts. Chocolate chips Instructions : Melt chocolate chips, mix in peanuts, and drop spoonfuls onto wax paper. Let cool until set. 3. 3-Ingredient Mounds Bars Ingredients : Sweetened shredded coconut, milk chocolate or dark chocolate, coconut oil Instructions : Mix coconut with a little coconut oil...

Homemade Turkey Chili With Beans Here is my complete turkey chili recipe that uses 2 pounds of dried pinto beans and 2 pounds of ground turkey sausage. This recipe feeds a crowd and stretches well for leftovers. You can use mild, medium, or hot spiced turkey sausage, depending on your preference. Servings: 12–16 Total time: about 2.5–3.5 hours (hands-on 1.5–2 hours, plus soaking and simmering) Ingredients: 2 pounds dried pinto beans, rinsed, sorted, and checked for any stones 2 pounds ground turkey sausage (usually 93% lean) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup) 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 medium red bell peppers, diced 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, with their juice 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or more as needed) 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) Seasoning salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Opti...

Homemade Venison (Deer) Stew Today, I would like to share my recipe for a hearty, rustic venison stew featuring tender meat, potatoes, and mushrooms in a savory broth. This recipe is flavorful, simple to prepare, and yields a comforting meal for cold wintery days. Ingredients: 2 pounds ground venison (deer) 8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks 1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced 2 small yellow onions, diced 4 cups beef broth (more as needed to cover ingredients) 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (adjust to taste) 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 to 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening) Instructions: In a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground venison over medium-high heat, breaking the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat if desired. Add the diced onions and cook until they become translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and begin to sof...

Happy Thanksgiving From Olden Oasis, During this cherished holiday, let us take the opportunity to express gratitude for the abundance and blessings in our lives.  Thanksgiving serves as a meaningful time for reflection and appreciation of the efforts and support provided by family, friends, and colleagues throughout the year. It is also an occasion to foster a spirit of community, warmth, and generosity, reinforcing connections with those around us. As you gather to celebrate and enjoy the traditional feast with loved ones or embrace solitude in contemplation, may your Thanksgiving be filled with peace and joy. This holiday reminds us of the importance of giving back and helping others less fortunate than ourselves; thus, volunteering or sharing our resources can amplify its significance.  Wishing you a truly blessed holiday complete with love, laughter, and memorable moments that strengthen bonds across personal and professional realms. From my family to yours,...

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Divinity Homemade candy is a cherished tradition during the holiday season, and divinity holds a special place in our hearts here at Olden Oasis Homestead. As we embark on this festive time of year, I am pleased to share my comprehensive step-by-step guide for crafting the perfect divinity. Preparation and Equipment Needed Before you tackle divinity, get your kitchen buzzing! You’ll need a heavy-bottomed saucepan, a candy thermometer, mixing bowls, and a stand, hand mixer, or a big wooden spoon. Don’t forget parchment paper to line your pans. Prepping everything in advance will save you from frantic kitchen chaos mid-recipe. Ingredients: 2 cups white granulated Splenda or sugar 1/3 cup water 1/3 cup light corn syrup 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional) 2 egg whites 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/2 cup pecans, chopped 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (optional) Whipping the egg whites To achieve the perfect consistency when whipping egg whites for homemade divinity, be...