Handmade Happiness: Finding Meaning in the Art of Making

39 Simple Preparedness for Everyday Life | What a Weekend Without Power Reminded Our Family

What do you do if your power goes out for a few days? In this episode of Handmade Happiness, Jessica and Thomas share stories from a weekend at the lake after a severe storm left them without electricity or running water. What could have been a frustrating experience became an opportunity to slow down, adapt, and appreciate the value of being prepared for life's unexpected interruptions. Rather than talking about extreme survival scenarios, this conversation focuses on simple, practical preparedness, the everyday habits and supplies that can make power outages, storms, and other temporary disruptions much easier to navigate. In this episode, we discuss: ⚡ What we learned from spending a weekend without electricity 🏕️ Why shifting our mindset to "camping mode" changed the experience 🫙 Keeping shelf-stable foods on hand for emergencies 🔥 Using propane camp stoves and outdoor cooking when the power is out 💧 Storing water for unexpected situations 🕯️ Candles, flashlights, and oil lamps for simple lighting 🔋 Generators and keeping essential household systems running 🎲 Finding joy through board games, porch conversations, and slowing down Preparedness doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes it's as simple as having a few supplies on hand, a flexible attitude, and the ability to make the best of an unexpected situation. Visit The Lark Life for more resources on homesteading, from-scratch living, gardening, quilting, and practical family skills. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review; it helps more families discover the show. ✨ Thanks for tuning in to Handmade Happiness! ✨ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations about slowing down, creating with your hands, and living more intentionally. 💌 Stay connected: * Visit me at TheLarkLife.com * Follow along on Instagram: @The_Lark_Life * Click to join my email list [http://eepurl.com/jhPIq2] for updates, resources, and encouragement 🧵 Share the love:  If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend? It truly helps others discover the show. You can also support the show by making a donation at www.thelarklife.com/podcast Until next time, may you find joy in the simple things and beauty in the work of your hands.

38 Thinking About Canning? Here's What You Need to Know First

Is home canning really safe? Why are so many families rediscovering this traditional skill? In this episode of Handmade Happiness, Jessica and Thomas share why home canning has become an important part of life on their Missouri homestead, how they safely preserve food for their family, and why you don't have to be intimidated to get started. If you've ever wanted to preserve your garden harvest, stock your pantry with homemade food, or learn a practical life skill, this episode will help separate fact from fiction and give you the confidence to begin safely. Whether you're preserving food from your own garden, shopping local farmers markets, or simply curious about learning traditional skills, we hope this conversation encourages you to give home canning a try. Free Resource: Check out the blog [https://thelarklife.com/blog/canning-basics-for-beginners] and download our Ultimate Canning Guide [https://thelarklife.com/freebies/p/ultimate-canning-guide] for a beginner-friendly introduction to safe home food preservation, recommended equipment, trusted recipe sources, and practical tips to help you get started with confidence. Visit The Lark Life [https://thelarklife.com/] for recipes, gardening tips, quilting classes, homesteading inspiration, and practical skills for the whole family. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment below:  What's one food you've always wanted to learn to can? ✨ Thanks for tuning in to Handmade Happiness! ✨ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations about slowing down, creating with your hands, and living more intentionally. 💌 Stay connected: * Visit me at TheLarkLife.com * Follow along on Instagram: @The_Lark_Life * Click to join my email list [http://eepurl.com/jhPIq2] for updates, resources, and encouragement 🧵 Share the love:  If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend? It truly helps others discover the show. You can also support the show by making a donation at www.thelarklife.com/podcast Until next time, may you find joy in the simple things and beauty in the work of your hands.

37 How Much Land Do You Really Need to Homestead?

Do you really need 20 acres to build a productive homestead? In this episode of Handmade Happiness, Jessica and Thomas explore one of the most common questions aspiring homesteaders ask: How much land do you actually need to grow food for your family? After a year on our own 5 acre Missouri homestead, we're sharing what we've learned about matching your property to your goals, why bigger isn't always better, and how thoughtful planning can make even a small backyard incredibly productive. Whether you live on a suburban lot, dream of owning a few acres, or are considering a larger farm, this episode will help you think beyond acreage and focus on creating a homestead that truly fits your family's lifestyle. In this episode, we discuss: 🌱 How much land it really takes to grow food for your family 🌱 What you can accomplish on a small backyard lot 🌱 The advantages and challenges of a 5-acre homestead 🌱 The realities of owning 20+ acres of land 🌱 Why productive gardening is about planning not just property size 🌱 Growing vegetables, fruit trees, berries, herbs, and perennial crops in limited space 🌱 Choosing livestock that fits your property and lifestyle 🌱 Designing a homestead that serves your family instead of becoming overwhelming 🌱 Why stewardship matters more than acreage If you've been waiting to start because you think you don't have enough land, we hope this conversation encourages you to begin where you are and make the most of what you've been given. 🌿 Visit The Lark Life for gardening resources, quilting classes, recipes, homesteading inspiration, and practical skills for the whole family. Subscribe for more conversations about gardening, homesteading, cooking from scratch, homeschooling, handmade skills, and intentional living. ✨ Thanks for tuning in to Handmade Happiness! ✨ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations about slowing down, creating with your hands, and living more intentionally. 💌 Stay connected: * Visit me at TheLarkLife.com * Follow along on Instagram: @The_Lark_Life * Click to join my email list [http://eepurl.com/jhPIq2] for updates, resources, and encouragement 🧵 Share the love:  If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend? It truly helps others discover the show. You can also support the show by making a donation at www.thelarklife.com/podcast Until next time, may you find joy in the simple things and beauty in the work of your hands.

36 June Garden Update: Harvesting, Seed Saving, Food Preservation & What's Growing Next

The garden is finally beginning to provide an abundance of fresh food, and we're sharing everything that's happening on our homestead this June. In this episode of Handmade Happiness, Jessica and Thomas share a June garden update, including what they're harvesting, preserving, and planting for future seasons. From fresh vegetables and herbs to berry picking, seed saving, and building healthy soil, this conversation explores the rhythms of seasonal gardening and the satisfaction of growing your own food. Whether you're growing a backyard garden, building a homestead, or simply trying to eat more seasonally, we hope this conversation encourages you to start where you are and enjoy the process of growing your own food. Find more gardening inspiration, recipes, handmade projects, and homestead life at The Lark Life. Subscribe for more conversations about gardening, food preservation, homesteading, handmade skills, homeschooling, and intentional living. ✨ Thanks for tuning in to Handmade Happiness! ✨ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations about slowing down, creating with your hands, and living more intentionally. 💌 Stay connected: * Visit me at TheLarkLife.com * Follow along on Instagram: @The_Lark_Life * Click to join my email list [http://eepurl.com/jhPIq2] for updates, resources, and encouragement 🧵 Share the love:  If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend? It truly helps others discover the show. You can also support the show by making a donation at www.thelarklife.com/podcast Until next time, may you find joy in the simple things and beauty in the work of your hands.

35 What a Quilt Show Taught Me About Community, Creativity & Passing Down Skills

This past weekend, Jessica was a vendor at the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild Show in Springfield, Missouri, and came away encouraged by the conversations, connections, and shared love of handmade skills. In this episode of Handmade Happiness, Thomas and Jessica reflect on what makes quilt shows so special, from meeting longtime customers and hearing stories about finished quilts to introducing new makers to the art of quilting and sewing. The conversation explores the importance of passing down traditional skills, the role of community in keeping handmade arts alive, and why creating things with our hands still matters in a world increasingly focused on convenience and technology. In this episode, we discuss: 🧵 Highlights from the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Show 🧵 The friendships and connections built through quilting 🧵 Conversations with customers and fellow makers 🧵 The joy of seeing finished quilts made from our patterns 🧵 Why quilt guilds and local creative communities matter 🧵 Teaching the next generation to sew, quilt, and create 🧵 The value of handmade skills in today's world 🧵 Creativity, craftsmanship, and preserving traditional arts Whether you're a quilter, maker, homeschool parent, or simply someone who appreciates creativity and community, this episode is a reminder that handmade skills connect us to one another in meaningful ways. Learn more about quilting classes, patterns, fabrics, and resources at The Lark Life. Subscribe for more conversations about quilting, homesteading, handmade skills, homeschooling, and intentional living. #quilting #homeschool #homesteading #intentionalliving #TheLarkLife ✨ Thanks for tuning in to Handmade Happiness! ✨ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations about slowing down, creating with your hands, and living more intentionally. 💌 Stay connected: * Visit me at TheLarkLife.com * Follow along on Instagram: @The_Lark_Life * Click to join my email list [http://eepurl.com/jhPIq2] for updates, resources, and encouragement 🧵 Share the love:  If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend? It truly helps others discover the show. You can also support the show by making a donation at www.thelarklife.com/podcast Until next time, may you find joy in the simple things and beauty in the work of your hands.