Hersey Homestead

Looking back, we can all pinpoint moments that changed our lives forever. Moments that altered our views and shaped the course of our life. I am opening my heart to share one of those moments with you and the lessons I learned from it. See, I was born into poverty. One of my earliest childhood memories is that of fried green tomatoes. A neighbor came over with a large box of green tomatoes she had planned to toss, but instead offered them to us. With little more than a jar of jalapeños in the fridge, we accepted. At age five, with two younger siblings, we didn't have much, but we had a whole lot of green tomatoes. Mom fried up green tomatoes, with a little table salt, for lunch. And I have loved fried green tomatoes ever since. That is one of those life-altering moments.  In my first years of school, I was a late reader in a special reading class. I struggled with adding coin values and telling time. I was shy and came from a broken family. ...

Whether it be for allergies or personal preference, navigating candy-filled holidays can be overwhelming. With pillowcases full of chocolates & sugary treats, that your hotdog & watermelon dressed children collected, you've got to do something. Their big eyes look up at you in wanting & this awesome idea will save them from disappointment. This isn't my idea, rather one I recently heard about and it's brilliant! Just passing along this goodie. The night of Halloween, you've got loads of candy that you don't want your kids to eat. But, what's that?! Down swoops the Switch Witch on her broomstick, to save the day. Simply have your children put their candy bags on the porch or somewhere a witch might spot it. While the children are sleeping, the Switch Witch does her magic. The unwanted candy disappears and healthier treats are left in a puff of smoke. Spoiler alert. YOU are the Switch Witch, mom and dad. You've got the magic to make it happen. ...

Little House on the Prairie shaped my life as a young girl. With dreams of romping through the meadow, stoking a fire, and cooking in a black kettle; a simplified life was calling me. Ironically, I grew up in the city and ate frozen burritos for dinner. Where's my people at? In my daydreams, I fancy sitting in a rocking chair, sipping lemongrass tea, as I knit my children a sweater. Truth is I don't own a rocking chair and I haven't the slightest clue how to knit...yet. Here's the thing, you can learn anything you set your mind to, at least that's what I'm teaching my children. Instead of just saying it though, showing it seems to make a lasting impression. So, this apartment living, city dwelling momma is on a mission to teach her children the ways of old. That looks like gardening on an apartment balcony, in pots, painstakingly every year. Why? Because there is a lesson of beauty in growing your own food. Understanding the fruits of your labor....

We homeschool and love it (most days). However, I realized quickly how homeschooling and being zero-waste are often at odds with each other. All the paper, workbooks, craft supplies. It gets overwhelming, especially in those young years when hands-on crafting is what it's all about. I set out to be more mindful of homeschooling with less waste. Do I think you can homeschool absolutely zero-waste? Sure. If you choose to do everything on the computer. I am not that extreme, but I have found a few tips that lightens the waste load. 1. Thrifting - This is obviously my number one tip. I love the hunt. You would be surprised at how many times I find brand new or nearly new workbooks, games, and flashcards at thrift stores. Also craft supplies or yards of fabric. Not only is this method a huge money saver, but also doesn't add the waste in the world. When you are done with said items, simply pass them off or return back to the thrift shop. Thrifting is a huge step in cr...