ChristyH (@christyh1972)

Long but there’s a woman that needs to hear it! Today, I pulled up T-posts and a 16’ cattle panel to move from one garden to another because I wanted to create an entrance into my new garden. And let me tell you… if you’ve ever worked with a 16’ cattle panel, you KNOW that’s no easy task. Especially when you’re doing it by yourself! 😂💪🏼 But you know what? Today, I found myself thanking all the men I’ve never been able to depend on throughout my life. Because without them, I may have never discovered just how strong I really am. ❤️ I may not have always believed in myself. I’ve struggled. I’ve had to figure things out on my own. I’ve had moments when I was exhausted, frustrated, and ready to throw in the towel. And today was no different. I had to stop a few times. I almost gave up. But almost giving up and actually giving up are two very different things. And giving up? That’s just never been in the cards for me. So I went back out there one last time, and BAM! 💥 I GOT IT DONE! Is it perfect? Nope. Is it perfectly centered? Probably not. 😂 Did I do it all by my damn self? YOU BET I DID! And you better believe I’m proud of myself! So excuse me while I go pat myself on the back because, today, I earned that little moment of pride. 🙌🏼❤️ And maybe that’s the lesson in all of this… Sometimes, the very people you thought you needed to depend on are the ones who teach you that you can depend on YOURSELF. Sometimes, the things that feel like they’re breaking you are actually building you. And sometimes, God allows you to walk through things you never thought you could handle just so you can look back one day and realize He was giving you the strength to handle them all along. So, if you’re out there struggling, doubting yourself, or wondering if you have what it takes, let me remind you of something… YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW. YOU ARE CAPABLE OF MORE THAN YOU REALIZE. AND YOU ARE NOT ALONE. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to get it perfect. You don’t even have to feel strong every single day. Sometimes, you just have to take a break, say a prayer, wipe the sweat off your face, and get back out there one more time. Because with God giving you strength, a little faith, and a whole lot of determination, you might just surprise yourself with what you can accomplish. Keep pushing. Keep praying. Keep believing in yourself. And never let the fact that you have to do something alone convince you that you can’t do it. You’ve got this. And God’s got you. 🙏🏼❤️ #PrayUntilSomethingHappens #BelieveInYourself #FaithOverFear #StrongWomen #GodsStrength

🌿 Ever heard the saying, “Less is more”? 🌿 Well, that’s exactly what comes to mind when I’m making some of my natural products. And I don’t just mean starting with a little and adding more as needed. 😉 I’m talking about being more mindful of what we put on our bodies and how sometimes, less really can be more! The fewer unnecessary ingredients, fragrances, dyes, and harsh additives we use, the more intentional we can be about what goes into the products we use every day. ❤️ Today, I’ve been working on a batch of my homemade natural shampoo, and y’all, I’m so excited to try this on my own hair! 🌿 There’s just something special about making things with your own two hands and knowing exactly what you’ve put into them. This shampoo is made with Castile soap, rosemary infused oil, lavender essential oil, and distilled water. Simple ingredients with a purpose! 🌱 Rosemary is often used in hair care to support a healthy scalp. Some research has explored rosemary oil for hair growth, although more evidence is needed, and results aren’t guaranteed. 💜 Lavender essential oil brings a beautiful, calming floral scent to the mix. It has also been studied for potential skin benefits, though we still need more research to know how well it works for scalp and hair health. 🫧 And why Castile soap? Traditional Castile soap is made primarily with plant-based oils rather than animal fats. I like that it can offer a simpler alternative to shampoos loaded with extra ingredients. It’s biodegradable and can be made without synthetic fragrances or dyes, depending on the product you choose. Just remember that natural doesn’t automatically mean irritation-free, and Castile soap is alkaline, so it may not agree with every hair type. My goal isn’t to make something complicated. It’s to be more intentional, simplify where I can, and learn along the way. And if I can make something at home with ingredients I understand, that’s a win in my book! 🌿 Now, y’all know I’m going to report back and let you know how my hair likes it! 😂❤️ Less fuss. Simpler ingredients. More intention. That’s the direction I’m headed! #NaturalLiving #HomemadeShampoo #SimpleLiving #NaturalHairCare #MakingItMyself

While I was making this Gardenia candle, the smell took me straight back to my mama’s house. 🤍🌿 I can still remember walking into her house after she had been outside picking a bouquet of her gardenias. Those beautiful white flowers had the sweetest fragrance, and it would fill every room in the house. There was just something so special about that smell. It wasn’t just the fragrance of a flower; it was the feeling of being home, the memories, and the comfort that came with it. ❤️ Isn’t it amazing how a simple scent can take you right back to a moment in time and make you feel like you’re there all over again? Making this candle reminded me of something else, too… I need to add gardenias to my “Be Sure to Plant” list! 🌱🤍 Here’s to growing the flowers that remind us of the people we love and the memories we hold close to our hearts. 🌸 #Gardenia #SimpleLiving #NostalgicScents #GardenMemories #GrowingWithLove

💜🌿 Well, it’s that time again! Our jars of magnesium body butter have run out, so it’s time to make another batch! 🫙✨ This has become a go-to in our family, and I love being able to make it right here at home. From my neighbor who deals with restless legs, to my daughter-in-love and me dealing with those nighttime foot cramps, to my other kids feeling soreness in their bodies… we’ve all found ourselves reaching for this little homemade jar of magnesium body butter. 🌿 💜 Lavender brings that beautiful, calming aroma that makes winding down feel a little more special, while frankincense adds its warm, earthy scent that I absolutely love. Paired with the rich moisture of shea butter and coconut oil, it makes for a great addition to our body care routine. So, come along while I whip up another batch! Because when something becomes a staple in your home, you don’t wait until the last jar is empty to start thinking about making more… oh, wait! 😂💜 #HomemadeBodyButter #MagnesiumBodyButter #LavenderAndFrankincense #HomemadeWithLove #NaturalLiving

#TrueSeaMoss

🌹 Today I decided to pull out my distiller and make some rose hydrosol! 🌹 There’s just something so satisfying about taking something beautiful and turning it into something useful. And let me tell you…my kitchen smelled like a rose garden while this was going! 😍 Rose hydrosol is the fragrant floral water produced during the steam distillation of roses. It’s much gentler than rose essential oil and has so many uses. 🌹 Some of the ways I’ll be using it: ✨ As a refreshing facial mist ✨ As a gentle toner ✨ To help soothe and refresh dry or irritated skin ✨ In homemade lotions, creams and other body products ✨ As a refreshing body spray ✨ As a light hair and scalp mist ✨ In homemade linen or room sprays ✨ Added to a relaxing bath And I love finding simple, natural ways to make things at home instead of constantly reaching for something from the store. ❤️ God has given us so many wonderful things that can be used in so many different ways. We just have to slow down, learn about them, and put them to use. 🌿🌹 Now I’m already thinking about all the things I can make with this beautiful bottle of rose hydrosol! 😂🌹 #RoseHydrosol #DIYBeauty #Homemade

Six weeks later… it’s finally time to strain and bottle our Fire Cider! 🌶️🍊🍋🌿 Remember that batch we put together? All those citrus fruits, peppers, garlic, onion, herbs, spices and apple cider vinegar have been getting to know each other for the last 6 weeks… and now we’re left with this fiery little tonic! 🔥 I love making things like this at home because I know exactly what went into the bottle. Fire cider is traditionally enjoyed as a way to support the body during cold and flu season, and the ingredients we used each bring their own potential benefits. It’s packed with plant compounds and antioxidants, and the garlic, peppers, herbs, citrus, turmeric and apple cider vinegar make quite a powerhouse combination. ✨ Traditionally used to: • Support immune function • Support healthy digestion • Provide antioxidants • Support respiratory health • Help soothe congestion • Provide a warming, invigorating kick when you need it And how do you take it? I like 1–2 tablespoons a day. You can take it straight like a little shot, dilute it in warm water or tea, or even use it as a flavorful addition to food. If you’re new to fire cider, start with a smaller amount and see how your body responds. After six weeks of waiting, straining this beautiful, fiery goodness feels like such a reward. ❤️ Now to bottle it up and let the pantry shelf do its job! 🌿🔥 A little goes a long way! #Firecider #coldandfluseason #wellness #naturalhealing

No wonder it cleans you out with that kind of pressure lol. #gingerbugsoda #naturalprobiotic #thatpressurethough

Now that I’m past my post-traumatic stress of opening the ginger bug soda 😂🫣… I’ve officially moved on to much less traumatic experiences. I’ve now poured that bubbly little science experiment into ice trays and popped them in the freezer. That way, when I want a little ginger bug soda, I can just pull one out and enjoy it without risking another bottle-opening incident. 😂 ( Even tho I know the mother is still lurking in the fridge 🫣😬) Now it’s on to getting those fall seedlings started! 🌱🍂 I cannot wait to see what these little babies are going to give me this fall and winter. I’m praying this season is better than last year’s. 🙏🏻 One thing I’ve learned about gardening is that you can have an off year… and then turn around and have a year filled with an absolute harvest of abundance. 🌿🥕🥦 You just keep planting. You keep learning. You keep showing up. I’ll do my best… and pray for the rest. ❤️🌱 Here’s to a new growing season and hopefully a whole lot of food to come! 🍂🥬🫛 #seedtotable #fallgardening #newseason

😳 That ginger bug soda! Try at your own risk. 😂 #pow #gingerbugsoda

🌱 Getting ready for the fall garden has me thinking about more than just vegetables today. 🍂 Sometimes it’s hard to pull up a plant that looks spent, especially when it’s still giving you something. You’ve watered it, cared for it, watched it grow, and even though you know its season is coming to an end, you still find yourself wanting to hold on. There’s actually a moment in this video where you can see me contemplating whether I’m really ready to pull those plants up. 😂 Because sometimes letting go is just hard. But if I want to make room for a fall garden, I have to let go of what’s coming to an end. I can’t keep holding on to the old season and expect there to be room for the new one. And isn’t life a lot like that? Sometimes we hold on so tightly to things, people, places, routines, or seasons that we already know aren’t serving us anymore. We keep hoping they’ll somehow become what we need them to be. But sometimes, stepping into something better requires us to finally let go. It doesn’t mean the old season wasn’t good. It doesn’t mean it didn’t serve a purpose. It simply means its season is over. So here’s to pulling up what’s finished, making room for what’s next, and trusting that just because we’re letting go doesn’t mean we’re losing. 🌱🍂 Sometimes we’re simply making room for something new to grow. ❤️ #gardening #falliscoming #bedprep

Well…I’ve officially started another couple of kitchen adventures! 😄 If you’ve been around here long, you already know I have a hard time leaving fresh, in-season ingredients alone. If there’s a way to preserve them or turn them into something useful, I’m probably going to try it! Today I’m making Fire Cider and starting a Ginger Bug—two completely different projects that have one thing in common…they both require a little patience. 🌿 Fire Cider is packed with fresh garlic, ginger, onions, horseradish, hot peppers, turmeric, citrus, herbs, and apple cider vinegar. It’s been used for generations as a natural tonic to help support the immune system, aid digestion, encourage healthy circulation, and give your body a little extra support during cold and flu season. The catch? You don’t get instant gratification! It needs to sit and infuse for 4–6 weeks before it’s ready. That’s why I wanted to make it now while so many of these amazing ingredients are fresh and in season. Nature provides them at just the right time—we just have to think ahead. Then there’s my Ginger Bug…and no, it’s not actually a bug! 😂 It’s a living culture made with fresh ginger, sugar, and water. Over the next 5–7 days, wild yeast and beneficial bacteria will wake up and begin fermenting. We’ll feed it each day and watch it come to life with bubbles. And before anyone worries about all that sugar…the microbes actually feed on it during fermentation. They’re doing the work, creating the natural carbonation and leaving you with a starter that can be used to make delicious homemade probiotic sodas with fruit juices, teas, herbs, and more. I love these projects because they remind me that some of the best things simply can’t be rushed. We live in a world that wants everything instantly, but fermentation has a way of teaching patience. So come along with me! We’ll check on both of these every day, watch the changes happen, celebrate the bubbles, and see how fresh ingredients slowly transform into something completely different. Who knows…you just might decide to make your own right along with me! ❤️🌿🫚

🌿 All Things From the Garden 🍕🍉🥒 There is just something extra special about making a meal almost entirely from what you’ve grown yourself. ❤️ Today, this sourdough pizza was topped with all things from the garden (minus the cheeses, of course! 😉). I spread on some of the homemade pasta sauce we canned from our garden tomatoes, then added fresh basil pesto I made yesterday, roasted garlic, roasted tomatoes, peppers, onions, and fresh basil—all harvested right here at home. On the side, we enjoyed a creamy cucumber salad made with cucumbers fresh from the garden. And to wash it all down? A nice, cold glass of our homemade watermelon lemonade made from the watermelons I grew myself. 🍉🍋 From seed…to harvest…to the dinner table. Moments like these remind me why I love gardening. The work is worth it when you get to enjoy meals like this with the flavors of summer in every bite. 🌱💚 Then ending the day with a good tug of war and catch with my favorite fur boy! 🐶 ❤️

Just a MiMi in her MooMoo loving this song! #mouthofaSailor #jesusStillLovesMe #southsideofthekingdom

It is so rewarding to be putting food away for winter. 🍅❤️ Today I canned homemade pasta sauce with the help of Mrs. Wages. I had the full 6 pounds of tomatoes the recipe called for, and the package said it should make around 5–6 pint jars. Well… I only ended up with 3½ pints. The half pint is already spoken for—it’s going with supper tonight! 🍝 I’ll admit, I was a little disappointed. I had visions of a shelf full of sauce. But I’ve learned that every tomato harvest is different, and depending on the variety and how much juice they hold, your yield can vary. That’s okay. The tomatoes are still ripening in the garden, so there will be more batches to come. For now, I’m simply grateful. This winter, when I’m craving spaghetti or lasagna, I won’t have to make a trip to the store or wonder if I have a jar tucked away. It’ll be right there on my pantry shelf, practically raising its hand, waiting to become a delicious meal. Sometimes it’s not about how much you have—it’s about the joy of knowing you made it yourself. ❤️🍅 #HomeCanning #GardenHarvest #PantryGoals #MrsWages #Homemade

From garden chores to stocking the pantry… this is what a real day at home looks like. 🌿❤️ Today started with pulling out my tired cucumber plants, cleaning up the garden bed, and planting pumpkin seeds for a fall harvest. One season ends, another begins. Then it was time to head inside where the kitchen stayed busy: 🍉 Made watermelon rind preserves from watermelons fresh from my garden. 🌿 Bottled up vanilla beans to start another batch of homemade vanilla extract. 🫑 Chopped and froze bell peppers so they’re ready for future fajita nights. 🍞 Mixed up a batch of sourdough sandwich bread to rise. 🥫 Finished the day by water-bath canning those watermelon rind preserves for the pantry. Some people see chores… I see blessings. There is something deeply satisfying about growing your own food, preserving the harvest, and preparing for the seasons ahead. It takes time and effort, but I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. Thanks for spending the day with me. ❤️ #GardenToTable #HomesteadLife #CanningSeason #SourdoughBread #PantryStocking

Stay outta jail!! Slap the dough! Not a hoe! (Only used that word bc it rhymed) 😂 #sourdough #stretchandfold #angermanagement #theangrybaker

Breathe Easier & Dust Bunnies Beware!! Love this!! Allergies driving you mad? Say goodbye to Dust, Pet Dander, Mites, & Dead Skin…who wants to sleep in that anyway?!

There’s something so satisfying about making your own butter. 🧈 As I stood in my kitchen watching cream transform into butter in just a matter of minutes, I couldn’t help but think about my grandmother. She used to tell stories about churning butter by hand. It wasn’t a fun little kitchen project—it was simply part of life. I’m sure if she could’ve had a stand mixer or food processor, she would’ve gladly let it do the hard work while she got a hundred other chores done. It’s funny how we’ve come full circle. What was once done out of necessity is now something many of us choose because we want to know exactly what’s in our food. Homemade butter is incredibly simple—just heavy cream and a pinch of salt if you like. No unnecessary preservatives or mystery ingredients. Plus, you get fresh buttermilk as a bonus, so almost nothing goes to waste. For me, this is about more than butter. It’s about slowing down, learning the old ways, appreciating the work that came before us, and realizing that modern conveniences can help us keep those traditions alive instead of letting them fade away. Maybe “homesteading” doesn’t have to mean doing everything the hard way. Maybe it’s simply about making one thing from scratch, connecting with the past, and being thankful for the tools we have today. I have a feeling my little granny would’ve smiled watching this butter come together in minutes… then she’d probably remind me not to waste that buttermilk. ❤️

At first glance, this jar looks empty & it got me thinking….(scary I know lol but bare with me) Most would see what was used up… what was scraped clean… what appears to have nothing left to offer. But I know better. Because I know what’s still clinging to the sides of this jar. I know that with just a little flour, water, and time, what looks empty will come back to life. It wasn’t finished—it was simply waiting for what it needed to grow again. Isn’t that so much like us? There are seasons in life when we feel scraped clean. Empty. Worn out. Used up. Like we’ve given everything we have and there’s nothing left. But God never judges us by what the world sees. Where others see an empty jar, God still sees life. He sees the gifts He placed inside you before you were ever born. He sees the purpose that hasn’t changed, even if your circumstances have. He sees the strength you don’t realize you still have and the testimony He’s still writing. As long as you draw breath, God is not finished with you. Your story isn’t over because you feel empty. Sometimes the greatest growth begins when we think we have nothing left to give. So don’t give up. Keep showing up. Keep trusting. Keep believing. And remember… P.U.S.H. — Pray Until Something Happens. Because the same God who can bring a starter back to life can restore hope, renew strength, and breathe fresh purpose into your soul. You are not empty. You are not forgotten. You are not finished. God still sees something inside you. ❤️🙏

The REAL TRUTH behind the sourdough craze! What they won’t tell you but I will! 🤪 #sourdough #stretchandfold

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On today’s episode of Christy’s Simple Living… every time I think I’m done, my garden and my kitchen laugh at me! 😂🍓🌿 I told myself, “That’s enough for today.” Then I looked over and remembered those beautiful strawberries waiting on me. So… one more batch of homemade strawberry jam it was! There’s just something about hearing those jars ping as they seal that makes all the work worth it. Knowing I’ll be able to enjoy a taste of summer months from now makes my heart happy. But wait… I still wasn’t done! I had to play with my new toy!! 🤦‍♀️ Tonight I made my very first botanical oil infusion! I combined jojoba oil, a little sweet almond oil, rose petals, and calendula. I’ve been wanting to try this for so long, and I finally took the leap. Rose petals are known for helping hydrate and soften the skin while providing antioxidants, and calendula has been used for generations to help soothe and calm dry or sensitive skin. Together with jojoba and sweet almond oil, I’m hoping this becomes one of my favorite skincare creations. Now the ideas won’t stop! I’m already thinking about turning this infusion into a nourishing face cream, facial oil, whipped body butter, lip balm, lotion bars, cuticle oil, sugar scrubs… and maybe even a few handmade gifts. 🤔 Some people see work… I see another chance to create, preserve, and make something with my own two hands. It’s so rewarding. It’s a full life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Now… somebody please tell my brain it’s bedtime because it’s already planning tomorrow’s projects! 😂❤️

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Things may be struggling a bit in this Alabama heat but they’re hanging in there. #gardening #simplelife #betterwayofliving #homestead #playinthedirt

Some people hear “simple life” and picture slowing down. The truth? Around here, simple doesn’t mean idle. It’s only 9 and I’ve watered and harvested from the garden and now have many other irons in the fire. Today I’m getting strawberries ready to turn into jam, and I already know my son will be excited to have his favorite stocked back up on the pantry shelf. (The neighbors chickens were excited about the scraps too!) 🤗🍓❤️ #gardening #simplelife #homestead #canning #betterwayofliving I’ll also be making pickles, roasted up a few of my bell peppers before they got too soft so I could freeze them for future fajitas, soups, and other meals, and later today—or maybe tomorrow—I’ll be putting up another batch of tomatoes. It’s a full day. My hands stay busy, my kitchen rarely stays clean for long, and there’s always another basket from the garden waiting on the counter. But this kind of busy fills my heart instead of emptying it. Every jar on the shelf, every vegetable saved from going to waste, every meal made a little easier months from now reminds me why I chose this life. There’s not much I’d trade for the satisfaction of knowing that what we’re eating came from these hands, this garden, and a whole lot of love. One jar at a time, one harvest at a time… building a pantry and a life I’m thankful for. 🌿🥒🍅🍓

By the Grace of God I’m still here & I’m standing tall & proud for how far I’ve come & the life I have today! #livinglifemyway #mytime

“There’s something special about being in the garden with my hands in the dirt. As I tend these fruits, vegetables, flowers, and healing herbs, I’m reminded of the simple blessings God has given us and the beauty of His creation. The garden is more than a place where things grow—it’s a place where I feel peace, gratitude, and connection. When I’m out here, I feel closer to God, watching life unfold from tiny seeds into something beautiful and nourishing. I also find myself thinking of the family members who have gone on before me—the ones who taught me, loved me, and left pieces of themselves behind in the traditions and values I carry today. In the quiet moments between watering, weeding, and harvesting, their memories feel close. This little garden feeds more than my family’s table; it feeds my soul. From my homestead to yours, thank you for sharing this journey with me.” 🌱❤️🙏🏻

#adayinthelife

#butterflyseason 🦋💜