Why did the Cherokee call tobacco the ancient one? What is the history of tobacco amongst indigenous people? Here is this week's Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ topic, tobacco. https://youtu.be/2CON0PXPM1I
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Gorgeous Day Yesterday Capturing the Fall Colors In Smoky Mountain National Park
I hope you like this video. It was stunning yesterday and peak color. This video is 30 minutes long and takes you on two scenic roads, East Millers Cove Road Walland TN and Foothills Parkway overlooking Smoky Mountain National Park. https://youtu.be/BFB0_98gjpg
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Porch Talk With Lori: Today I Talk About Why We Became Homesteaders & How 9/11 Hit Our Family Hard And What We Did About It
Today on Porch Talk With Lori I discuss the tragedy that was 9/11 and how it hit our family so hard. This event changed the trajectory of our whole life for our family. I talk of the learning journey we took to get where we are today as homesteaders. I add two videos here. The … Continue reading Porch Talk With Lori: Today I Talk About Why We Became Homesteaders & How 9/11 Hit Our Family Hard And What We Did About It
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Watch Our Latest Tiny Cabin Build VLOG (Part 16) Which Shows You How To Install Your Own Off Grid Solar System
We are working hard to have Laura move into her tiny cabin by Christmas. Watch and see the progress we have made. Mike also shares how you configure and install this whole solar system that he did himself. Also hear why Laura decided to go off grid and go tiny. Enjoy! And, we'd love to … Continue reading Watch Our Latest Tiny Cabin Build VLOG (Part 16) Which Shows You How To Install Your Own Off Grid Solar System
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Fall Color At Our Smoky Mountain Farm: Thoughts On The Times
Today I wanted to capture the colors that are now spilling across our farm here in the Smoky Mountains. It is truly lovely here. I also share thoughts on this time of year here at our farm and this year in general. The video is below. Remember to subscribe to our youtube channel. https://youtu.be/dRt4IuN9E8M
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Old Ways Virtual Classroom #4: The Historical Uses of Suet, Lard And Tallow
Enjoy our latest Old World Virtual Classroom™ session. Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ is a free weekly virtual learning experience designed for adults and their family (children) alike. Our hope is to inspire people to reconnect with their past and kindle a passion for the old "made by hand" ways of doing things. Country wisdom, indigenous … Continue reading Old Ways Virtual Classroom #4: The Historical Uses of Suet, Lard And Tallow
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Our Amazing Fall Harvest At The Farm: Tobacco, Okra, Sweet Potatoes & More
This weekend was a very productive one at our farm as we brought in a massive amount of food over the weekend from our gardens. Watch our latest VLOG and see how tobacco, okra, muscadines and sweet potatoes grow here in the Appalachian region. https://youtu.be/QQTRC0Y1Ouk
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Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ #4: Learn The Historical Uses Of Suet, Lard & Tallow
Remember to subscribe to our youtube channel (HiBar Ranch Homesteading in AppalachiaTN) so you can be informed of our latest Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ free online knowledge sharing. We release the content every Friday morning at 10am (I do an early release Thursday evening for early watchers if you're interested). This week's topic is on … Continue reading Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ #4: Learn The Historical Uses Of Suet, Lard & Tallow
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Part 15 of Our #Tinyhouse build: #TinyCabin In The Woods!
Here is our latest video updating you all on the project of our tiny cabin build we are doing at HiBar Ranch along with a gorgeous #fallcolor drive into the @SmokyMountains to go to our #logmill where we mill lumber for the cabin. See the beauty of East Tennessee first hand. https://youtu.be/8e9KtaBqcdk
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Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ #3: Ancient Foods & Indigenous Cuisine – Squash & Pumpkins
On this week's Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ session you'll learn everything you need to know to begin to engage in a deeper way with both squash and pumpkin, ancient foods of our indigenous ancestors. Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ is a free weekly virtual learning experience designed for adults and their family (children) alike. Our hope … Continue reading Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ #3: Ancient Foods & Indigenous Cuisine – Squash & Pumpkins
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Catfishing In Fall In The Smoky Mountains
Spend some time with us as we go catfish fishing in the Smokies with friends. See the amazing color starting to burst forth in the Smoky Mountains foothills at the entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park. https://youtu.be/b_dMM6j04JU
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Watch Our Youtube Video On Latest Progress To The tinyhouse build
We got the solar installed for our off grid cabin we are building with our daughter Laura at our ranch here in the Smoky Mountains. And we take Laura deep into the mountains to do some old fashioned log milling. Watch our latest update on the tiny house project progress. Remember to subscribe to our … Continue reading Watch Our Youtube Video On Latest Progress To The tinyhouse build
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Today’s Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ Topic: From Pilgrim To Pioneer ~ The Art Of Open Fire Cooking
Here is this week's Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ topic - The Art Of Open Fire Cooking - From Pilgrim to Pioneer. It is free and is designed to share history on the topic selected for the week, inform viewers and also provide ways to engage the family this weekend around this topic. Remember to subscribe … Continue reading Today’s Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ Topic: From Pilgrim To Pioneer ~ The Art Of Open Fire Cooking
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Still Awaiting the Puppies Arrival!
So for those of you who are following along to see when the puppies arrive - we are still waiting. Ruby is thick as a football but still is jumping around and playful as ever. Dogs stay in heat for about 18 days. She was bred consecutively during her last heat cycle so within that … Continue reading Still Awaiting the Puppies Arrival!
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Today’s Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ Topic: The Harvest Moon
Here's our quick virtual classroom subject for you to think about and engage with your family on this weekend. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/DrIIWU2hjMg
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Today We Are Launching Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ (free) Learn How It Works Here
As we move at an ever more rapid pace in a technocratic world, we are simultaneously seeing a movement back towards slower things, less technology focused and more centered on back to basics. Why is this? Could it be we've reached a tipping point and people long for something different and more meaningful to the … Continue reading Today We Are Launching Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ (free) Learn How It Works Here
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Major TN #Farm #Flooding – We Finally Fixed It With #Culverts
Spring in Tennessee experienced torrential rain and severe flooding. It was truly unprecedented. In this video we show how severe the flooding was on our farm and what we completed last week to address the flood waters moving forward. If you are interested in following along on our farm journey remember to subscribe to our … Continue reading Major TN #Farm #Flooding – We Finally Fixed It With #Culverts
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We Built Our Winter #ColdFrame and #WinterGarden – Ready For Winter Greens!
We just completed building our winter covered garden last week and we are happy to say fall and winter gardening has begun. Watch our video to see how we built our winter garden set up and follow along on our youtube channel to see how well things do in our 7a climate zone here in … Continue reading We Built Our Winter #ColdFrame and #WinterGarden – Ready For Winter Greens!
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Our Melungeon & Native American Past In Appalachia
We are a founding family of Tennessee, settling here and before that Long Hunters here, before Tennessee became a state. Our kin were the first to step foot over the Cumberland Gap. We are a mix of peoples and are known as "melungeon". I will be doing a video series over the next several months … Continue reading Our Melungeon & Native American Past In Appalachia
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Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ Launching @ HiBar Creations Oct.1 2020
HiBar Creations Launch Oct. 1, 20202 Old Ways Virtual Classroom Online Education We are happy to be launching an online "Old Ways Virtual Classroom" where children and adults can learn the old ways of doing things - many things - the old fashioned way by hand. As so many are stuck at home and in … Continue reading Old Ways Virtual Classroom™ Launching @ HiBar Creations Oct.1 2020
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Cast Iron Cooking Over Campfire and Fall Decorate The Farm Challenge – Join Us!
Yesterday we had an incredibly fun day with family here at HiBar Ranch nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains next to Smoky Mountain National Park. #castironcooking #campfirecooking We had a "decorate the farm" challenge with our grown daughters who each got $100 dollars to buy fall harvest decor and incorporate things from the farm, to … Continue reading Cast Iron Cooking Over Campfire and Fall Decorate The Farm Challenge – Join Us!
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For The Love Of Horse: Beautiful Horse Photography
We finally got our horses down into our lower pastures after building a culvert to fix the road that got washed out from flooding this spring. Yesterday we were able to bring our two quarter horses down to the lower meadow pasture. They were able to meet their neighbor horses for the first time. It … Continue reading For The Love Of Horse: Beautiful Horse Photography
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Hearth & Home Series Pt. 1: Creating A Heritage Home (Farm Tour & More)
Hear from us at HiBar Ranch about our activities at the farm and see a tour of the Victorian farmhouse and how we go about creating a heritage home that will last for generations. Tour HiBar Ranch's Victorian Farmhouse Click link here to go to video: https://youtu.be/Veqhtjj8Sqg
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Antiques & Farmhouses: A Love Story
A beautiful short mini movie capturing the beauty of Americana through a heirloom antique collection in this Victorian farm house. Tour the beauty and step back into a simpler time where beauty and elegance was made by hand. https://youtu.be/gLn_yP2odPM
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Our Muscadine Grape Harvest For Muscadine Wine – Today!!
Today was a great day harvesting our muscadine grapes. We will be making juice and wine this week as the harvest continues. Here is our latest VLOG on the harvest and also we talk about HiBar Ranch got its name and the values we live by here at the farm. Enjoy!! And remember to subscribe … Continue reading Our Muscadine Grape Harvest For Muscadine Wine – Today!!
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Fall’s Harvest: Tour Our Victorian Farm House – Autumn Decor & More
It's that time of year - fall. This is the best time of year for all of us at HiBar Ranch. Besides all of the food and bounty that goes into preservation activities, the main house is decorated with tons of autumn decor. Tour our Victorian Farm House as we prepare for fall. https://youtu.be/sRUNckaq9Rw
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How 9/11 Changed My Family’s Life and Why We Now Homestead – Husband On Flight 93
Hear my story about 9/11 and flight 93 and how 9/11 caused our family to change our entire way of living. A story from a 9/11 New Yorker and how HiBar Ranch came into existence. https://youtu.be/1ecybq5Gghk
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A Very Busy Day At The Farm – Early Start At Sunrise
It was gorgeous today at our farm here in the Smoky Mountains. We got an early start and were up working near sunrise as it peaked over the foothills this morning. Lots of progress was made today on the farm. Follow our VLOG and see the work and slender of East Tennessee. https://youtu.be/VSw6iZwDCGI
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Photo Essay: Country Roads Take Us Home #Farmlife
It was stunning today at the farm with fog nestled low in the valley. I had to take my camera and capture the early morning. I hope you enjoy this photo essay. Here it is .... remember to click to subscribe to our youtube channel to get notices when we post our videos. https://youtu.be/LVdPzRGztzg Photo … Continue reading Photo Essay: Country Roads Take Us Home #Farmlife
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Country Roads Take Us Home
Country roads are calling a lot of people these days as the Corona Virus continues to shackle people to their homes. The wildfires rage along the west coast filling the air with particles that my family says makes it appear as if it's snowing. But snow it is not; but rather ash. Here in East … Continue reading Country Roads Take Us Home
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Mike Davis – Solar Energy Pioneer – Learn How Solar Started In The US (1971-2000s)
Mike Davis is the leading pioneer of solar energy in the United States being the first to establish a solar research laboratory, solar energy research curriculum and establishing the first US solar program in the United States for the Govt. Hear directly from Mike about what his childhood was like and how it spurred the … Continue reading Mike Davis – Solar Energy Pioneer – Learn How Solar Started In The US (1971-2000s)
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Our Latest iMovie – First Week Of September At The Farm
Enjoy the photography of the week! https://youtu.be/D0lvepyYh1Q
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Beautiful Day Milling In The Smokies
We spent the holiday weekend milling up in the Smokies. The skies were bright baby blue and the greens were breathtaking. The infusion of reds beginning to pop with tints of golden hues were enough to make us stop and simply sit. Days like these in early fall make us really stop and appreciate our … Continue reading Beautiful Day Milling In The Smokies
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New Australian Shepherd Pups In Sept – See the Spring Litter
We had a beautiful litter of Australian Shepherd pups this spring and will be having another litter in September. Here's a video that is a compilation of the Spring pictures of that litter and pictures of the pups today with their owners. Get on our waiting list for this fall's litter. Watch video below by … Continue reading New Australian Shepherd Pups In Sept – See the Spring Litter
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August @ HiBar Ranch: Farm Photography
Enjoy the month of August captured in photos here at HiBar Ranch in the Smoky Mountains. We will be doing a photo essay each month capturing the gorgeous scenes of harvest season. https://youtu.be/kz2hKk_xaws
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My New Woodland Friend – Milling In Bear Country
We are up in the mountains now with our log mill and are milling logs for the next two months. I put up a game cam to see what critters we have around and here is our first visitor checking out our mill set up. We love wild critters so it comes as no surprise … Continue reading My New Woodland Friend – Milling In Bear Country
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August: What A Month At The Farm. Harvest Season Is Here!
This is my favorite time of year; the temperature starts to dip in the evenings, the humidity drops and the first shades of fall color begin to intersperse amongst the pines. Most of us, during harvest season, go into "nesting mode." The aromatic candles, the black eyed Susans in water vases, apple pies, thoughts of … Continue reading August: What A Month At The Farm. Harvest Season Is Here!
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VET Comes To The Farm To Address Cow Mastitis And Confirm Pregnancies In Cow And Horse
Vets are a vital part of farm life. This video covers how to manage a pregnant cow who is nursing who gets mastitis. Our vet provides a great deal of information for other homesteaders who have cows or are thinking of getting cows. https://youtu.be/SfxTEvErrOU
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#TNTinyHouse2020 – Part 13 — We Are Finally Weathered In!!
It has been a fun journey to get the tiny cabin we are building at our ranch to this point: Completely weathered in. We have had some delays due to materials etc. but alas we are here. Now we head into the mountains to begin to mill the next round of lumber to finish the … Continue reading #TNTinyHouse2020 – Part 13 — We Are Finally Weathered In!!
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July At The Farm — See What’s Been Going On
July is a beautiful time of year here at HiBar Ranch. See what's been going on as we celebrate the Fourth of July and enjoy all the beauty and grandeur that is the Smoky Mountains. Remember to subscribe to our youtube channel if you'd like to follow our videos. https://youtu.be/ElLuzvOS6FU
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#TNTinyHouse2020 – Our tiny cabin in the mountains gets its roof on!!
Huge progress has taken place on our tiny house project. We are building the "Raven House".... a gorgeous tiny cabin. See the latest progress in our video. This cabin will be off the grid with solar power and is located on our farm where self sufficiency and food independence are our priorities. https://youtu.be/zGLNwncvx2g
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Puppies Going Home To New Owners – So Much Cuteness!
It has been such a blessing having our little Aussie's this spring. They were born March 26th and are heading home to their new owners this week. Here's a few great shots of our spring 2020 litter for your enjoyment!
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#TNTinyHouse2020 – Part 11 Finishing Ridge Beam, Rafters and More
We were able to get so much done on the tiny house this last week!! Ridge beam, rafters, sky light framing, dormer framing, new lawn......wow. Follow our tiny cabin journey. https://youtu.be/HN-SFAd54Iw
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Finally! My New Cream Separator Has Arrived
My hand crank cream separator has not been working. Why? I am not sure. Apparently, in spring, goat milk has less fat so there isn't a lot of cream to separate. Maybe that was it. Or, maybe we weren't running the hand crank fast enough to get it to separate. Who knows. But, the bottom … Continue reading Finally! My New Cream Separator Has Arrived
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Farm Photography – Mid May’s Journey @ Our Farm
It's been a busy spring at the farm. Now that we are getting caught up on things I thought I'd tour our property and see what was happening and what was blooming. I love this seasonal tour across the farm.
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Traveling Across Our Farm – Such Beautiful Sounds
Down here in the South the honeysuckle are blooming and the air is fragrant and beautiful. The skies are deep baby blue and appear different than before; before Covid 19. There are rarely any planes seen in the sky and the sky appears better for it. The clouds and blues are stunning. I took a … Continue reading Traveling Across Our Farm – Such Beautiful Sounds
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The Five Most Important Items In A Homestead Kitchen – Hearth & Home
Follow along with us today and learn about the five key elements of a homestead kitchen. As more people begin to grow their own food again, thinking about the layout of your kitchen and/or remodeling to accommodate the home food productions steps is very helpful. Watch our Hearth & Home Series and learn what is … Continue reading The Five Most Important Items In A Homestead Kitchen – Hearth & Home
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Our Latest #TinyHouse VLOG – Finishing Ridge Beam and Rafters – Follow our Tiny House Journey
It's amazing what one man can do alone at the age of 73. Mike is building this gorgeous tiny house cabin alone for his daughter (due to Covid 19 she can't be here much since she's a nurse or she would be). Follow the progress and how to do the hardest part - installing the … Continue reading Our Latest #TinyHouse VLOG – Finishing Ridge Beam and Rafters – Follow our Tiny House Journey
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Australian Shepherd Puppies Getting Really Cute
I am not sure there is anything cuter than Australian Shepherd puppies. Our litter was born April 4th. They spend a lot of time outside sleeping in the warm weather. We have seven puppies - six boys. Five are blue merle and about five have beautiful blue eyes. It's been such an amazing spring on … Continue reading Australian Shepherd Puppies Getting Really Cute
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Mountain Living – Rustic Elegance In The Smokies
It was cold today at the farm and cloudy. The babies are all doing well - the baby goats, lambs, chicks, ducks, turkeys, puppies, and now the new rabbit babies. They were born yesterday. After milking out seven goats this morning I was so tired. It always hits me this time of year when I … Continue reading Mountain Living – Rustic Elegance In The Smokies
