Scherer Homestead

20/11/2024

🌿✨ There’s something incredibly resilient about plants! Despite the neglect in the garden during Ally’s flare-up and the challenging drought conditions, some of our little green friends are still holding on strong! 💚🌼 It’s a reminder that even in tough times, there’s beauty and strength in resilience. Here’s to the survivors of the garden! 🌱💪

19/11/2024

It’s a trying time as we travel far from the comforts of our farm to a hospital in a big city, seeking answers that we hope will bring us closer to healing. This journey has been incredibly painful, filled with frustrations—especially with the challenges posed by the VA and some misunderstandings surrounding federal laws regarding service dogs. It feels like a fight every step of the way—navigating food allergies, ensuring my safety from potential poisons, dealing with the transition of my medical records, and enduring the discomfort of the testing process.

Despite the hurdles, we hold on to hope that we will find some answers that lead to effective treatment. It’s been difficult being a medical enigma, but I refuse to let that define me. Gratitude, love, hope, and a search for joy are the glue that keeps me together during this tough time.

I am incredibly thankful for my service dog, Cinderella, who has been a source of comfort and strength, performing her duties with honor. Ryan’s steadfast support has been invaluable, and the kindness shown by the nursing staff has lifted my spirits. Our loving friends and family at home have stepped in during this challenging time, providing support in ways we are forever grateful for and showering us with love.

I can’t wait to return home, back to the familiarity of our farm, where peace awaits. Until then, we carry on with hope in our hearts.

17/11/2024

🌸✨ Exciting News from the Garden! ✨🌸

We are thrilled to share that we’ve just harvested our very first Saffron flower! These stunning blooms mark a significant milestone in our gardening journey and the beginning of our saffron adventure. 🌱💜

While saffron is known as the most expensive spice in the world, costing up to $10,000 per pound, we aren’t growing it to make a fortune. Instead, we are excited about its incredible health benefits and rich flavor! Saffron is renowned for its antioxidant properties and is believed to enhance mood, improve memory, and may even have anti-inflammatory effects. Plus, it adds a unique depth to dishes that can't be matched by any other spice!

And did you see that little red stigma in the center? That’s the precious part that we’ll be dehydrating and preserving to use in our cooking! 🌶️💧

Growing saffron in Oklahoma has unique challenges and rewards. Here are some tips for aspiring saffron growers in the region:

1. Climate: Saffron crocus thrives in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Oklahoma’s warm summers and cooler winters create an ideal environment for these flowers to flourish.

2. Planting: Plant saffron corms in late summer to early fall. Ensure they are about 6 inches apart to allow for adequate growth.

3. Watering: While saffron is drought-resistant, a good watering schedule during the growing season is crucial. Be cautious of overwatering, as corms can rot in soggy soil.

4. Harvesting: The saffron flowers bloom in the fall. Harvest the stigmas early in the morning when they are freshly opened to capture their vibrant color and intense flavor.

5. Patience is Key: Saffron may take a couple of years to produce a significant yield, but the wait is well worth it!

We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to grow this magnificent spice for its health benefits and delicious flavor, and we look forward to sharing more about our saffron journey. Here’s to more blooms ahead! 🌸🌿🥘

16/11/2024

I can’t believe it’s already the end of the season! It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming the first blooms of spring. As we wrap things up, I’m filled with anticipation for what my favorite flower farmer has in store for next year!

If you’re not already following her, you absolutely should! Megan is a passionate horticulturist, a wonderful mama, and an all-around beautiful soul. Her dedication to her craft shines through every stunning arrangement she creates, and her positive energy is infectious.

Can’t wait to see what floral wonders she’ll bring us next season! 💐🌼 Go check out her page and join me in supporting this amazing woman!

So thankful for the chance to put one last arrangement together for the year. These heirloom mums have my ♥️!

16/11/2024

🌿✨ "Self-care sounds made up until you're forced to actually do it." - Allysia Scherer

You might be thinking, “This is about homesteading, why is she talking about self-care?” Well, just like food, community, and other essential aspects of our humanity, self-care is crucial! 🥗🤝

From personal experience, I can tell you that it’s just as vital as maintaining good fences, researching your livestock, or feeding your soil. 🐄🌱 In a world that often prioritizes hustle over rest, it's easy to forget the importance of taking a step back.

This weekend, I challenge you to carve out some time for yourself. 💖 Even if it's just 30 minutes or an hour, find something restful that nurtures your mind and soul. Remember, rest is an important part of the work we do as homesteaders!

Take care of yourselves, friends! ✨🌻 Feel free to press the share button & spread awareness!

14/11/2024

🍁✨ Fall is in full swing on the homestead, and these two are soaking it all in! Our lavender Muscovy drake and gorgeous black Orpington hen and their friends are enjoying the colorful leaves and the crisp air. 🌿🐣

Watching them wander through the falling leaves reminds me how important it is to embrace the changing seasons and all the beauty they bring. This time of year is perfect for gratitude and reflection – not just on our homestead but also in our lives.

How are you and your animals enjoying the fall vibes? Share your favorite moments with me! 💚🍂

14/11/2024

🌟 Embracing the Season of Leftovers!🌟

We're all about making one big meal and stretching it out throughout the week to maximize efficiency and minimize kitchen time! 🕒✨

Here’s a super simple idea that has become a favorite in our home: a big crock pot full of Chicken Soup made with homemade bone broth, chicken breast, carrots, onions, garlic, celery, and herbs. For the noodles, we love to keep things fresh by using rice ramen. Leftover noodle soups can get soggy for our taste, so this feels like a perfect quick fix! 🍜❤️

You could also whip up some rice and stir in a bit of cheese for an easy meal option.

And hey, don’t judge my fine china—it’s a season! 😉🥄

**🍲 Chicken Soup Recipe:**
- **Ingredients:**
- 4 cups homemade bone broth
- 2 large chicken breasts, diced
- 2 cups diced carrots
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups diced celery
- Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or parsley)
- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. In your crock pot, combine all ingredients except the noodles.
2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
3. Shred the chicken in the soup before serving, if desired.
4. Serve hot over rice ramen noodles or with cheese rice as an alternative.

Have you been enjoying leftover season too? Share your favorite tips! 👇💬

13/11/2024

📚✨ Exciting news! Ally’s first published work, “Sourdough With Grace,” is available on Amazon! 🎉🥖

To focus on supporting our family during this time, we’ve temporarily closed all orders on our website. Rest assured, current orders will still be processed and shipped by this Friday, just in time for Ally’s upcoming hospital stay.

Thank you for your understanding and support! 💕 We can’t wait for you all to dive into Ally’s beautiful journey in the world of sourdough.

12/11/2024

🌼✨ Meet Nana (Gretchen) and her sidekick, Sam, our Great Pyrenees livestock guardian in training! 🐶❤️ As we cherish the memory of Sam’s brother Gunner, our beloved boy, I want to shine a spotlight on Nana, a true force of nature.

She’s a proud Air Force veteran, a fierce warrior who has bravely tackled more health challenges than anyone deserves. 💪🌟 Nana’s loving heart, sharp mind as an accountant, passion for animals, and incredible cooking skills bring so much joy to Crazy S Ranch! 🍳💕

Nana is the heart of our crazy crew and somehow manages to pay to work here! 🤣 Let’s shower her with love today! Drop a ❤️ to celebrate this amazing woman!

11/11/2024

Today, we pause to recognize the extraordinary sacrifices made by our veterans. Your bravery and commitment to protecting our freedoms are what make our nation strong.

Whether you served in peace or war, your contributions are invaluable, and we owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid. Thank you for your service and the sacrifices you’ve made for us all.

Let’s take this day to celebrate and remember those who have worn the uniform, and continue to support them in their journeys. 💖

To all veterans—thank you for your courage and service!

10/11/2024

🌟🐷 Today marks a bittersweet moment as we say goodbye to our KuneKune pigs, Porky and Spot. But don’t worry, it’s not really goodbye—it’s just a “see you later”! 💖

As we tackle Ally’s health battles, we’re excited to announce our plans for merging our farming efforts at Crazy S Ranch, our family farm located just a stone’s throw away from our current homestead. 🏡🚜

This transition will help us centralize our efforts and create a stronger farming operation. We’re grateful for your support and can’t wait to share our journey with you! Here’s to new beginnings and the adventures that lie ahead! 🌱✨

08/11/2024

🌱✨ “The human capacity for burden is like bamboo—far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.” – Jodi Picoult

As beginner homesteader farmers, we often find ourselves facing a whirlwind of challenges: unpredictable weather, stubborn soil, and the constant learning curve of nurturing life. There are days when it feels like the weight of these burdens could snap us in two. But just like bamboo, we have an incredible ability to bend without breaking.

Our journey is not just about growing crops; it’s about cultivating resilience. Each hardship teaches us something valuable, strengthening our roots and deepening our connection to the land and to one another. In the midst of adversity, we hold on to hope—the belief that every storm will pass and every setback is just a stepping stone toward our goals.

Faith keeps us grounded, reminding us that every seed planted carries the potential for nourishment and growth. And in moments of doubt, we find peace in knowing that we are not alone in this journey. Together, we can weather the storms, embrace the lessons, and thrive amidst the chaos.

So here’s to all the beginner homesteaders and dreamers out there: let’s bend but not break, and continue to nurture the hope, faith, and peace that guide us forward. 🌿💚✨

07/11/2024

💔 Today, our hearts are shattered as we say farewell to Gunner, our beloved Great Pyrenees. At just 8 months old, he filled Crazy S Ranch with so much love and happiness, and his sudden loss leaves an emptiness we can hardly bear.

Gunner was not just a pup; he was our future livestock guardian and a loyal friend. 🐾❤️ Alongside R***r and Sam, he was learning the ropes, ready to protect and bring joy to our lives.

Rest in peace, sweet boy. Your spirit will always be with us, watching over the ranch. We’ll carry your memory in our hearts as R***r and Sam continue their watch. Until we meet again. 🌈🐶

07/11/2024

🌾✨ I have both good news and bad news to share with you all.

🚨 For those enrolled in current scheduled classes, please check your emails for information regarding refunds or compensation with our Sourdough Success Bundles. 🚨

Let’s start with the bad news: due to the challenges I’m facing with my neurological condition, I regret to inform you that I won’t be able to teach my Sourdough 101 Class for the foreseeable future. It truly breaks my heart, as I love teaching this class, but I want to ensure the quality for my students and can’t currently give the necessary energy and mobility to the experience. I genuinely hope to return to teaching one day.

Now for the good news! 🎉 I’ve created an easy-to-follow guide to sourdough that captures my knowledge and teaching methods into a book! 🍞❤️ It will be available on Amazon in just 2 days, so you can start your sourdough journey and enjoy fresh bread in time for Thanksgiving!

Get your copy! https://amzn.to/4hy3ANI

Thank you all for your understanding and continued support. I can’t wait for you to experience the joy of sourdough! 🌟💪

05/11/2024

This 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

05/11/2024

The beauty in life isn’t found in PERFECT CIRCUMSTANCES, it’s found in FAITH 🌧️ ✨

04/11/2024

There’s a movement happening, friends! 🌟 People are awakening and taking back control from the convenience culture that has dominated our lives. Skills that many of us knew just decades ago are making a comeback as we embrace self-sufficiency and a more intentional way of living. We’re realizing the importance of preparing for the future and nurturing our families with the knowledge and practices that have sustained generations.

When I share about stocking up, it’s all about love for you! 💖 When I talk about developing new skills and supporting you along the way, it’s because I truly care!

When I warn you about challenges ahead, encourage cooking from scratch with real ingredients, or dive into how we can strengthen our family unit, it’s all rooted in love for you and your family. 🙌

Encouraging you to find your tribe (and inviting you into ours) or delivering hard truths—everything I do comes from a place of genuine care because you deserve the truth, not just comfort.

The time I spend making videos and posts, teaching, having honest conversations, and nurturing relationships is all for you because you’re worth every moment. ✨

Many of my fellow homesteaders share this passion; it’s not about content creation or showing off—it’s about everything I listed above. There’s a movement happening, one that inspires us all, fueled by love for you and your family!

So let’s prepare without fear—this isn’t about fear-mongering or scaring you. Learning skills and being prepared for self-sufficiency is critical for our physical survival. Together, we can face whatever comes our way! 💪❤️

02/11/2024

📸 Our dear friend and fellow baker at Joyful Gifts came to spend quality time with us, making a delicious batch of muffins! I’ve missed baking with them so much, and it was great to be part of it without overexerting myself. Baking and cooking are a big part of the kids’ daily lives, so I’m sure it was nice for them to enjoy a little moment of “normal” too! 🧡

✨ Over the past few weeks, my world has been shaken up. I’ve been dealing with some serious physical and mental health challenges that have profoundly impacted my life, especially in my roles as a mother and homesteader. 🌾❤️

During this time, I’ve had to learn the importance of asking for help, even when it feels uncomfortable or when I worry about burdening my friends. I’ve come to realize that we can only give what we have—whether it’s time, energy, or support—and I hold no resentment toward those who haven’t faced this storm with us. Instead, my heart is focused on gratitude. 🙏

I’m incredibly thankful for the friends and family who have stood by us through these less-than-fun times—who’ve lifted our spirits, prayed for us, and offered help in ways we can never fully repay. Instead of feeling indebted, I truly feel blessed by the amazing people in our life. Thank you for being here for us during this journey! You are all appreciated more than you know! - 💜 Ally