Free article Archives - Backwoods Home Magazine

Losing our rights as we watch television

By John Silveira Issue #44 • March/April, 1997 Dave's poker playing friend, O.E. MacDougal, came back. I don't know where he's been and he doesn't volunteer much in that regard. I'd heard he'd been playing a...

The return of home emergency shelters takes on a dual-purpose approach

By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM Issue #74 • March/April, 2002 After September 11, 2001, all of us became much more concerned with protecting our families from biological, nuclear, and terrorist attacks. However, if you followed up...

Something unsaid about Timothy McVeigh’s execution

By Dave Duffy April 12, 2001 There's something unsaid about the coming Timothy McVeigh execution, scheduled for May 16. Many of us can feel it but are afraid to express it for fear of being labeled...

Finding wealth you can wear at yard sales

By Thomas M. Buckley Issue #126 • November/December, 2010 When you go to yard sales this year, be sure to look for jewelry. I used to always look for tools or other items that a self-reliant...

Crispy onion rings

Recipe of the Week Crispy onion rings Courtesy of Jo Mason You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 4 or 5 medium-sized yellow onions 1-1/2 cups flat beer 1-1/4 cups flour 1/4 cup corn meal shortening for...

Garden Seeds — A Great Winter Pastime

By Jackie Clay Issue #67 • January/February, 2001 Start your garden this year while the snow is still on the ground. I start all of my own plants from seeds. One of my favorite winter pastimes...

Harvesting the wild: Acorns

By Jackie Clay Issue #79 • January/February, 2003 When I was just a little girl, I used to collect acorns by the boxfull as they fell in the fall. I didn't know why. They just felt...

Jackie’s Garden Primer

By Jackie Clay Issue #117 • May/June, 2009 The birds are singing. The sunshine makes the day feel soft and warm. The soil is mellow and damp. It makes us feel like being outdoors and doing...

More tips and tricks for the kitchen

By Richard Blunt Issue #62 • March/April, 2000 (This is a follow-up to Richard Blunt's article, Tips and tricks for the kitchen, Issue #60, Nov/Dec. 1999.) After years of watching my mother prepare thousands of wonderful foods...

Home-Grown Eggs

By Allen Easterly Issue #165 • May/June, 2017 Maybe you’ve thought about keeping a few chickens for their eggs but didn’t want to be awakened at 4:00 AM by a rooster singing “cock-a-doodle-doo.” At this time...

Mousers and cat loonies

By Dave Duffy Issue #83 • September/October, 2003 I must really be old fashioned. I live in the country and have plenty of rodents running around, just like many of you, so I need a few...

Glazed carrots with peas and onions

Recipe of the Week Glazed carrots with peas and onions Courtesy of Richard Blunt You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 1-1/2 lbs. sliced fresh carrots 1-1/2 cups chicken or beef broth 6 Tbsp. butter 1/2...

Hunting, processing, and serving black bear

By Linda Gabris Issue #162 • November/December, 2016 Bear was a popular meat in our house when I was growing up in the rural woods. Black bear was Grandpa's favorite big game animal to hunt and...

Where our farm animals come from

Issue #105 • May/June, 2007 We don't know how far back the domestication of animals goes. But we do know it is a process, rather than a single...

Beans for Sarah

Recipe of the Week Beans for Sarah Courtesy of Richard Blunt You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 1 1/4 cups dried pinto beans water to soak beans 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 12 oz....

Persimmon cookies

Recipe of the Week Persimmon cookies Courtesy of Charles A. Sanders You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 1 cup persimmon pulp 3/4 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. baking soda 2 cups flour 1 tsp....