Free article Archives - Backwoods Home Magazine

Mosquitoes outnumber us and no one likes them

By Tom and Joanne O’Toole Issue #80 • March/April, 2003 Mosquitoes are responsible for irritating bites, cause itching welts, can spread diseases, are a constant aggravation at picnics, and are ear-tormenting little beasts. No wonder they...

Inexpensive retired Russian military rifles can be the ideal backwoods meat guns

By Rev. J.D. Hooker Issue #47 • September/October, 1997 Like many another rural person, I've often found a firearm to be my most important tool. No, we don't have much crime in our area; in fact...

Finding, buying, milking, and living with the family milk cow

By Jayn Steidl Thibodeau Issue #36 • November/December, 1995 Have you ever had this happen to you? You've opened the refrigerator door for a cold, refreshing glass of milk only to find an empty jug. You've...

Ambidextrous chainsaw filing

By Thomas Brewer Issue #57 • May/June, 1999 I am not ambidextrous. My wife, Judith, uses chopsticks with either hand or even both hands at once. She is ambidextrous. I can barely write with my right...

Why you need to addsolar to your emergencypower backup plans

By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM Issue #149 • September/October, 2014 Click Here to listen to an interview with Jeff about this article. Most of the electric substations, transmission lines, and electrical switchgear for any given utility are...

My view: Socialism’s promises always end in disaster

By Dave Duffy Issue #176 • April/May/June, 2019 There are lots of news stories these days about socialism’s rise in the United States, especially among the young and admirers of newly elected New York Congresswoman Alexandria...

The Great Depression — A reminiscence

By Alice B. Yeager and James O. Yeager Issue #115 • January/February, 2009 I was a girl of 8 when the stock market crashed in 1929. It was the Great Depression, and unless you were living...

Braised rabbit with red wine

Recipe of the Week Braised rabbit with red wine Courtesy of Alicia Fleiss Ingredients 1 2-1/2 pound Rabbit 1/2 pound small Mushrooms 1/4 pound small White Onions 1-1/2 cups dry red Wine 1/2 cup Chicken Bouillion 2 Tbsp. Oil 1 Tbsp. freshly chopped...

Hoppin’ John with fresh asparagus beans

Recipe of the Week Hoppin’ John with fresh asparagus beans Courtesy of Alice Brantley Yeager You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 1 cup uncooked rice (not instant) 1 lb. pork sausage broken into...

Stumbling over your own stupidity

By John Silveira Issue #64 • July/August, 2000 There are several morals to be found in this story. You can find most of them yourself. But I'm only interested in one of them. The story was...

Raising kids simply

By Patrice Lewis Issue #131 • September/October, 2011 Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live simply? When asked what constitutes a simple life, nine out of ten people will answer something along...

Mango Delight

Recipe of the Week Mango Delight Courtesy of Vikki McNee Ingredients 1 cup orange juice 3 packets unflavored gelatin 5 medium, very ripe mangoes 1 cup sugar 1 cup evaporated skim milk 2 cups light whipped topping Method Pour orange juice into a small heat-proof bowl...

Making good jerky

By Randy Neumann Issue #130 • July/August, 2011 It is hard to find someone who doesn't like beef jerky. Or teriyaki jerky. Or turkey jerky. And I've had some Hawaiian pork jerky that was out of...

A few favorite recipes and books

By Ilene Duffy Issue #110 • March/April, 2008 I was talking with another mom in the produce section of the market the other day. During our conversation, she happened to mention that earlier in her life...

Dublin Coddle

Recipe of the Week Dublin Coddle Courtesy of Russ Brown Here is a good old world favorite that really fills you up. Dublin Coddle Ingredients 2 pounds potatoes, pealed, thick sliced 2 pounds yellow onions, thick sliced 2 pounds smoked sausage, thick sliced 1...

Black Bean and Avocado Dip

Recipe of the Week Black Bean and Avocado Dip Courtesy of Lilly Brunner Ingredients 2 cups cooked Black Beans (or use canned) 1 medium ripe Avocado 1 small Chile Pepper, minced fine 1 small clove Garlic, minced fine 2 Tbsp. Tomato juice 2 Tbsp....