Free article Archives - Backwoods Home Magazine

Firearms handling refresher Part II: Shotguns

By Massad Ayoob Website Exclusive • December, 2003 In Part I, we began a series of refreshers on safety and proper handling of firearms. This time, we'll examine what may be the most common firearm in...

Wheat

By Charles Sanders Issue #130 • July/August, 2011 There are few foods and crops that homesteaders consider as essential as wheat. In these days of pasty loaves of over-processed "store-bought" bread, the mere phrase "whole wheat"...

Some unusual jellies for your sweet tooth

By Charles Sanders Issue #70 • July/August, 2001 In my mind, one of the simple pleasures in life is hot biscuits, a dab of butter, and a dollop of homemade jelly. Around here any biscuits left...

Our ‘unenumerated’ rights

By John Silveira Issue #110 • March/April, 2008 I received this question in an e-mail from my younger brother, Mike: "Jack, the other day a friend asked me where in the Constitution does it say you...

Irish coffee

Recipe of the Week Irish coffee Courtesy of Ivan Brown Thanks to Ivan for this recipe, which we present here as it was submitted, with just a few formatting changes for the web site. St Patrick's Day is just...

Khaki Campbell ducks — The other egg layer

By Amanda J. Kemp Issue #126 • November/December, 2010 Spring brings the pitter-patter of little feet in the mud, games of tag, and raucous quacks. While traditional advice would have you with a yard full of...

A solar primer — How it works, how it’s made, what it costs

By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM Issue #72 • November/December, 2001 Buying a solar power system is not like buying a kitchen appliance or power tool. These, unlike a solar system, have published capacity and performance data...

Raspberry ketchup

Richard Blunt Ingredients 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries 1 to 3 pickled chili peppers (let your taste be the judge) or substitute l/8 tsp. cayenne pepper 1/3 cup fresh or canned tomato puree 1/3 cup wine vinegar 1/4...

How environmental ideology hurts the solar energy industry

By Dave Duffy Issue #69 • May/June, 2001 Starting with our first issue 11 years ago, Backwoods Home Magazine has promoted renewable energies, especially solar energy, and for the past two years we have carried a...

Texas Fireballs By Randy Young

By Randy Young Photos by Callie Blanks  Issue #158 • March/April, 2016 Sausage balls are great, period. They've got sausage, cheese, and biscuit, all in one bite....

Build a wood crib with free materials

By Mark R. Roach Issue #156 • November/December, 2015 Trying to stack wood so it stays up without falling can be a challenge. Just when you think you've got it licked, down it comes (or months...

Huckleberries purple gold

By Laura Roady Issue #136 • July/August, 2012 A carpet of purple berries blankets the vibrant green bushes on the hillside in front of me. I've stumbled on a jackpot of purple gold: huckleberries. All I...

Declaration of Independence: The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

Action of Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776 When in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume...

Fermented dill pickles

Recipe of the Week Fermented dill pickles Courtesy of Olivia Miller You'll find this recipe and over 400 more in Backwoods Home Cooking.Click Here Ingredients 50-60 smooth small cucumbers 1 oz. whole mixed spices dill 1 lb. pure salt 1 gallon water 1 pint cider...

Here’s a Mighty Creative Way to Protect Your Plants from Animals

By Joy Lamb Issue #39 • May/June, 1996 A huge brown beast stared at me as I drove through our apple orchard toward the house. I parked, walked quickly into the house, and said to my...

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....