Author: Amy Dingmann

3 Frugal Living Tips That Have Nothing To Do With Money

3 Frugal Living Tips That Have Nothing To Do With Money

When stepping on to the pathway of frugality, there are a lot of tips tossed around that deal specifically with saving money and being more thrifty. But I think there are a few big things we often forget about regarding the topic of frugal living. 

Two Ways to Render Lard — and What to Use it For

Two Ways to Render Lard — and What to Use it For

Pigs are just some of the animals we proudly raise here at Clucky Dickens Farm. When people find out we butcher our hogs at home, many of them ask, “So are you gonna render lard?” But, of course! There are many ways to render lard 

The one surefire way to keep chickens water from freezing in the winter…

The one surefire way to keep chickens water from freezing in the winter…

As soon as the temps start to dip, the most common question I am asked is this: Amy, how do you keep chickens water from freezing in the winter? How do you keep their water open so they can drink it when the daytime high 

My 5 Favorite Go-to Homemade Bread Recipes

My 5 Favorite Go-to Homemade Bread Recipes

What makes something a go-to homemade bread recipe in my house? It has to taste good, it has to be easy, and it shouldn’t take all day. A simple recipe that doesn’t take a ton of ingredients is helpful, too! (Trust me, I’ve got complicated 

10 People Who Will Struggle with Homesteading

10 People Who Will Struggle with Homesteading

I wouldn’t give up my life as a homesteader for anything. It’s an amazing way to live a life, but it hasn’t been easy. The struggle with homesteading can be very real. In fact, looking back on our journey, I would say there are certain 

Gratitude: Why You Should Sit With Your Chickens

Gratitude: Why You Should Sit With Your Chickens

Back when I was brand new to chicken keeping, my flock was the most entertaining and inspiring thing I’d ever invested in. I devoted way more time than I should probably admit to watching them, discussing them, researching them, sitting with them, talking to them, 

Should You Raise Animals for a Friend? Things to Consider…

Should You Raise Animals for a Friend? Things to Consider…

If you’re a homesteader with a coop, barn, or room to roam in the country, you’ve probably been asked to raise animals for a friend at one time or another. The question usually sounds something like this: “You’ve got some space. Can I just put 

How to Butcher a Chicken

How to Butcher a Chicken

While it was easy for me to write a post on how to butcher a pig and how to separate the many different cuts of pork, I slacked for awhile on writing a post about how to butcher a chicken. A chicken is significantly smaller than 

“Doesn’t butchering animals bother you?” Here’s my answer…

“Doesn’t butchering animals bother you?” Here’s my answer…

Because I’m a gal who writes and talks about butchering, I’m often asked, “Doesn’t butchering animals bother you?” The conversation usually goes something like this. Someone: You seem to really love and care for your animals. Me: I do. Someone: And you can still…butcher them? 

5 Common Homesteading Mistakes to Avoid

5 Common Homesteading Mistakes to Avoid

Raising chickens. Growing vegetables. Baking bread. Becoming a homesteader is a huge step into a great adventure, but before you get started, let’s look at five common homesteading mistakes that folks make when they first start out on the journey. Hopefully this information can help