Black Locust Homestead

01/27/2026

Great Lakes, Great Fun! Puuuure Michigan!

Take this as a PSA.... if you live in the northern Midwest region of the US right now, go clean off your greenhouse.

12/30/2025

Listing our Upper Peninsula property should anyone be interested. Follow the link:

This beautiful 16-acre parcel is located on Camp 23 Road, just off M-77 near Blaney Park, offering a peaceful yet highly accessible setting in the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The property features a fully wooded landscape with mature hardwoods and a mix of terrain consisting primarily of ...

06/04/2025

I had a gallon and a half extra raw milk left over and was way too busy this week for 2 cheesemaking days. What to do? I made freeze dry powered milk. I tasted some and it tastes just like it did fresh. We can also use it in cooking, baking or as coffee creamer. Once sealed, this will stay good for years and years but it certainly won't last that long. 🥰

06/01/2025

Freeze dried strawberries. 🍓😋🤤

I decided the best use of the HarvestRight freeze dryer would be to start by emptying what I could out of the freezer first. Why have food taking up valuable space in there and using energy when it could be freeze dried and sealed in a mason jar on a shelf. Hahaha, not that I expect these freeze dried strawberries to actual sit around long 🤣🍓😋

05/31/2025

Doing the test run on our new HarvestRight freeze dryer!

After cleaning all the manufacturing ick out of the drum, shelves and door with white vinegar, you run a test batch which is only bread. The bread will be thrown away afterward as it's purpose is to remove any residue and/or smells that might be left from the manufacturing process.

Just to be safe, I ran it twice. 😂

05/28/2025

Welcome to the newest member of our rabbitry! The lovely Lady Fiona! She is a French Angora and is settling in quite well.

05/22/2025

So excited we could almost burst! We got notification that our new HarvestRight freeze dryer is on the way!!

05/16/2025

Make sure to stop by our booth at the Mitten Homesteaders Conference! Hand made soaps, lip balms, crocheted items, maple syrup, and home made caramels!

02/01/2025

Putting in new wood floor but no worries, the inspector is here to make sure everything is up to code. 😂 🐈‍⬛

01/09/2025

Today on the homestead: DIY evaporated milk

Put whole milk on a low simmer, reduce by half. That's it!

One can of evaporated milk is 12oz. So if your recipe calls for 1 can, start with 1.5 cups and reduce to 3/4 cup. If you need 2 cans, start with 3 cups and reduce to 1.5 cups.

😁

01/09/2025

Frozen Michigan days have slowed the outdoor activities here on the Black Locust Homestead . Bees are tucked in for the winter, bunnies have been brought indoors due to the harsh temps. Chickens are adapting to the no free range winter life. All is quiet and waiting for the maple sap run to start.Spring is in our thoughts during our long winter slumber.