Creative Simple Living

Canning Wild Mustang Grape Juice

Angi Schneider — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:58:40 +0000

Every summer, the Texas rural roads are full of grapevines that cover fences and trees. The wild grapes are either mustang grapes or muscadine grapes. That’s the sign that it’s grape juice season! This recipe was reviewed for accuracy and food safety by Angi Schneider in April 2026. All processing times and methods follow tested ...

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How to Save Old Potting Soil by Recharging It

Angi Schneider — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 01:04:11 +0000

Container gardening is a wonderful way to grow both food and ornamental plants. Even if you have plenty of garden space, chances are you still have at least a few things growing in containers. But over time, even high-quality potting mix becomes depleted. The nutrients get used up, the texture breaks down, and plants don’t ...

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An Easy Recipe for a Simple Apple Pie

Angi Schneider — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 19:10:01 +0000

If you’re looking for a recipe for a simple apple pie, you’ve come to the right place. Over the years we’ve tried all kinds of “fancy” apple pie recipes but we always come back to this simple recipe. With this apple pie, the apples aren’t buried under tons of spices, creams, or breading. The apples ...

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DIY Beeswax and Coconut Oil Candles for a Cleaner, Longer Burn

Angi Schneider — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:23:42 +0000

If you’ve burned 100% beeswax candles before you know that they can sometimes be hard and brittle and burn unevenly. As a beekeeper I love the idea of using just beeswax in our candles, but I’ve found that I get smoother, slower burning candles when I add some coconut oil to the mix. Adding coconut ...

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How to Freeze Peaches – 3 Easy Ways

Angi Schneider — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:39:55 +0000

Freezing peaches is an easy way to enjoy the taste of summer all year long. Whether you want to use them in smoothies, pies, or just as a sweet snack, freezing peaches properly keeps them fresh, flavorful, and ready to use. Here are my favorite methods for freezing peaches, plus tips for the best results. ...

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Growing Dewberries: A Wild Little Berry You Can Tame

Angi Schneider — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 17:59:23 +0000

If you live in the south, you’ve probably seen dewberries growing along fence lines or in patches in a field. These small, trailing vines produce juicy berries that look like blackberries but ripen earlier in the season. With a little care, you can bring these wild berries into your own garden and enjoy a harvest ...

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10 Easy Ways to Share Extra Produce from Your Garden

Angi Schneider — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 16:17:45 +0000

One of the best parts of growing a garden is enjoying fresh, homegrown food right outside your door. But if you’ve gardened for any length of time, you know how easy it is to end up with too much of a good thing. A bumper crop of zucchini, an overflowing basket of cucumbers, or more ...

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What Your USDA Hardiness Zone Actually Means for Your Garden

Angi Schneider — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 19:25:40 +0000

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map Find Your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Enter ZIP Code: Search If you’ve ever picked up a packet of seeds or looked at plant tags at the nursery, you’ve likely seen a reference to the USDA Hardiness Zones Map, also called gardening zones or planting zones. Understanding the USDA Plant Hardiness ...

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Easy Mulberry Muffins – Simple Seasonal Recipe

Angi Schneider — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 22:31:32 +0000

These delicious mulberry muffins are soft, fluffy, and studded with juicy fruit in every bite. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, this easy mulberry muffin recipe lets the natural sweetness and tartness of mulberries shine. Whether you’re using fresh-picked berries or a stash from the freezer, these muffins are the perfect way to savor the season. ...

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A Beginner’s Guide to Using Reusable Canning Lids

Angi Schneider — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 01:32:54 +0000

Home canning is a fantastic way to preserve fresh food, but the cost of single-use lids can add up over time. That’s where reusable canning lids, like those from Harvest Guard, come in. If you’re looking for a sustainable and budget-friendly alternative to traditional canning lids, this guide will walk you through everything you need ...

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