#NonTrad Homemaker

[samwisethewitch]

Homemaking, gardening, and self-sufficiency resources that won't radicalize you into a hate group

It seems like self-sufficiency and homemaking skills are blowing up right now. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the current economic crisis, a lot of folks, especially young people, are looking to develop skills that will help them be a little bit less dependent on our consumerist economy. And I think that's generally a good thing. I think more of us should know how to cook a meal from scratch, grow our own vegetables, and mend our own clothes. Those are good skills to have.

Unfortunately, these "self-sufficiency" skills are often used as a recruiting tactic by white supremacists, TERFs, and other hate groups. They become a way to reconnect to or relive the "good old days," a romanticized (false) past before modern society and civil rights. And for a lot of people, these skills are inseparably connected to their politics and may even be used as a tool to indoctrinate new people.

In the spirit of building safe communities, here's a complete list of the safe resources I've found for learning homemaking, gardening, and related skills. Safe for me means queer- and trans-friendly, inclusive of different races and cultures, does not contain Christian preaching, and does not contain white supremacist or TERF dog whistles.

Homemaking/Housekeeping/Caring for your home:

Making It by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen [book] (The big crunchy household DIY book; includes every level of self-sufficiency from making your own toothpaste and laundry soap to setting up raised beds to butchering a chicken. Authors are explicitly left-leaning.)

Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair by Mercury Stardust [book] (A guide to simple home repair tasks, written with rentals in mind; very compassionate and accessible language.)

How To Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis [book] (The book about cleaning and housework for people who get overwhelmed by cleaning and housework, based on the premise that messiness is not a moral failing; disability and neurodivergence friendly; genuinely changed how I approach cleaning tasks.)

Gardening

Rebel Gardening by Alessandro Vitale [book] (Really great introduction to urban gardening; explicitly discusses renter-friendly garden designs in small spaces; lots of DIY solutions using recycled materials; note that the author lives in England, so check if plants are invasive in your area before putting them in the ground.)

Country/Rural Living:

Woodsqueer by Gretchen Legler [book] (Memoir of a lesbian who lives and works on a rural farm in Maine with her wife; does a good job of showing what it's like to be queer in a rural space; CW for mentions of domestic violence, infidelity/cheating, and internalized homophobia)

"Debunking the Off-Grid Fantasy" by Maggie Mae Fish [video essay] (Deconstructs the off-grid lifestyle and the myth of self-reliance)

Sewing/Mending:

Annika Victoria [YouTube channel] (No longer active, but their videos are still a great resource for anyone learning to sew; check out the beginner project playlist to start. This is where I learned a lot of what I know about sewing.)

Make, Sew, and Mend by Bernadette Banner [book] (A very thorough written introduction to hand-sewing, written by a clothing historian; lots of fun garment history facts; explicitly inclusive of BIPOC, queer, and trans sewists.)

Sustainability/Land Stewardship

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer [book] (Most of you have probably already read this one or had it recommended to you, but it really is that good; excellent example of how traditional animist beliefs -- in this case, indigenous American beliefs -- can exist in healthy symbiosis with science; more philosophy than how-to, but a great foundational resource.)

Wild Witchcraft by Rebecca Beyer [book] (This one is for my fellow witches; one of my favorite witchcraft books, and an excellent example of a place-based practice deeply rooted in the land.)

Avoiding the "Crunchy to Alt Right Pipeline"

Note: the "crunchy to alt-right pipeline" is a term used to describe how white supremacists and other far right groups use "crunchy" spaces (i.e., spaces dedicated to farming, homemaking, alternative medicine, simple living/slow living, etc.) to recruit and indoctrinate people into their movements. Knowing how this recruitment works can help you recognize it when you do encounter it and avoid being influenced by it.

"The Crunchy-to-Alt-Right Pipeline" by Kathleen Belew [magazine article] (Good, short introduction to this issue and its history.)

Sisters in Hate by Seyward Darby (I feel like I need to give a content warning: this book contains explicit descriptions of racism, white supremacy, and Neo Nazis, and it's a very difficult read, but it really is a great, in-depth breakdown of the role women play in the alt-right; also explicitly addresses the crunchy to alt-right pipeline.)

These are just the resources I've personally found helpful, so if anyone else has any they want to add, please, please do!

[littlehouseontheaerie]

My local buy nothing group had the holiday exchange bazaar today and I always try to go even though most of my stuff doesn't end up going.

I was loaning a neighbor my pasta maker, so I had a good reason to go anyway. I ended up coming home with two sweaters because I wanted to try cream colors, a new face mask, and three cookie stamps. The neighbor who is slowly getting rid of her glass tupperware that matches our set was also there.

It just made me think - I love this sort of community. There were a metric ton of kids toys (and kids who were playing with them before making choices). Someone brought their wedding dress to give away. Some brought purses and books, one guy brought two fishing rods, and another was renovating their house and brought fixtures and fans that they didn't need.

And I'd much rather live in this world. Where I know this community, and we gift from our own excess, and the stuff that's not needed finds new homes.

[brightgnosis]

So we still went ahead and made Hungry By Nature's "Sheet Pan Moroccan Chicken" last night, even though it was just going to be the two of us eating (since his Mom was admitted into the Hospital yesterday, and everything).

The two of us're kind of tired of eating out all of the time at this point. Plus, I agreed to cook this week and that's what I'm going to do: Cook. I don't want to waste all of the groceries we've already bought to do that with. And at the very least, it's leftovers for them when they finally do get out of the hospital- which should hopefully be today 🤞

Y'all, this recipe was so good.

I made it with Chicken Legs because that's all I had and I didn't want to pay new meat prices for the Chicken Breast the original called for (we'd bought a huge thing of the legs on discount for $5.50 ages ago)- and I also added a touch of Red Wine Vinegar to the dressing just because. But other than that, I messed with nothing.

This is one of those incredibly rare recipes that you don't have to do anything to in order to actually get good flavor. We loved every ounce of it. And I discovered that I love just plain Roasted Onions. And I don't hate Chickpeas when they're done the right way after all (should've made a 4-ways rule instead of a 3-ways, I guess, ha).

Super incredibly easy to make, too. Literally just slap down the Chicken, cut your onions and Carrots and toss them on, toss on your Chickpeas, mix up your dressing, slather it on everything ... Then just let it bake. No turning or fussing- just don't let the dressing get on anything because it contains Turmeric (IYKYK). So it really is a perfect low energy / low effort meal if you're disabled, as long as I have use of my hands to slice that day.

I served it with some Rosemary and Olive Oil Cous Cous, and it was the perfect balance to give your mouth a break from everything going on with all the meat and vegetables. My Husband's definitely requested this as a permanent fixture, though.

This blog belongs to a «Multi-Neuroatypical + Multi-Disabled» «Queer» «Childless» «Jewish + Pagan» «NonTraditionalist» Homemaker. TradWives are unwelcome.

[homesteadingqueer]

Homesteading Resources Master Post

So, I have been really into homesteading lately, you call it a hyperfixation, I call it free dopamine. This is my masterlist of sources for different aspects of homesteading life. I plan on making a life in the city homesteading masterlist too. Please be careful when canning a preserving food, I am not an expert, but these sources seemed credible so be sure to can with caution.

Happy Homesteading!

General

Homesteading 101

Skills to Develop

Farmers Market Directory

Ways to make a Profit

Farmer's Almanac

Livestock

Livestock Pros and Cons

Meat Rabbit Guide

Pigs Guide

Chicken Guide

Ducks Guide

Goat Guide

Sheep Guide

Meat Cow Guide

Milk Cow Guide

Gardening

Composting

USA Planting Zones

Europe Planting Zones

Homemade Pest Control

High Yield Garden

High Yield Vegetables

Pollinator Garden

Canning

Canning 101

Fruit

Vegetables

Kitchen

Veggie Recipes

Bone Broth

Wheat to Bread

Sustainability

Self Sufficiency

Reduce, Reuse, Recycling

Clothes Mending

Crafts

Cross Stitch

Embroidery

Whittling

Crochet

Quilting

Knitting

[catboyhousewife]

The idea that wanting to be a housewife is misogynistic is so so dumb. Can it be? Yes, absolutely. Some people "want" to be because they grew up in a society that basically groomed them for it. But to have had your eyes open to the expectation, given the choice, and still choose to stay at home? That's just your choice. For me I was told by my dad growing up that since I couldn't finish school or have a job due to my disabilities and pain I wouldn't amount to anything. I was always taught to push myself through my chronic pain no matter how bad it was. Working is just suffering for me. Having a husband who reminds me "but you're my cute housewife, you don't need to worry" when I try and push through my pain like I was taught to helps me feel so so much better. I can spend my day in bed resting, do some mild tidying, and bake some cookies instead of constantly worrying myself into an anxiety attack that "I'm not doing enough." And I know my husband would always pick up the slack too. He's the one that's been making our breakfasts and lunches most days. He takes out the trash and cleans the litter boxes when he gets home. If I'm tired or not feeling well he kisses my forehead and tells me I can do whatever I need to tomorrow. No one should be pushed to be a housewife due to gender or expectations, but no one should be forced into a career or a more stressful life when that's not what they want either. Stop looking down on anyone for their choices

[seafoamhome]

(For pinned post)

Welcome to my little blog. I'm a disabled trans man, and I'm the homemaker of my platonic household. I genuinely enjoy things like cleaning, cooking, gardening, and tending to the yard work of our home. So this is just a space made to ramble about the things I do around the house.

Bigotry and hate is NOT welcome here. Such blogs interacting with me will result in an instant block.

[copelesslyinlove]

I cannot wait to rub my queer, polyamorous hands all over housewife / homemaker culture. Literally I am so excited

Im so happy I finally talked to my boyfriends about my interest in vintage homemaking and how much being a housewife means to me

I can’t wait to be a pretty queer feminine beam of light who gets to cook my men dinner every night and clean the house and get to show my love by making their lives easier

I love I can be a housewife in a cool queer leftist way and not get wrapped up in hate or bullshit I love I have the right to choose and that im not ashamed anymore that this is all I’ve ever wanted 💖

[achronichome]

It's time to PANIC CLEAN!!!

Last week we had our toilet replaced, our bathroom floor redone, and a big hole cut in the ceiling. Everything was in disarray, as y'all can imagine. Nothing much got done. Our apartment was/is a shambles.

Now, we have a Housing inspection in fourteen hours. The inspector has had it out for us since 2010, when we didn't get the two week notice because we were out of state, and he came the day we got back and marked us up for every-damn-thing. Only other residents whom he has singled out understand or even believe me.

Anyway. Yes. Fourteen hours, and I just now have the 🥄 to do anything.

Gaia, help me. Gods, hear my plea.

I'm so fucked...

[crazycatsiren]

A quick FYI for my fellow femme/feminine/homemaking gals: if you're interested in the old school stuff, it's way better to use words like classic, vintage, old fashioned. You really don't want to associate with "trad" anything these days because that's basically an alt-right, white nationalism, toxic femininity, pro patriarchy dogwhistle.

[samwisethewitch]

People seem to like when I share my ADHD homemaking tips on here, so here's one I've recently figured out: sometimes, when I'm struggling to find motivation to cook meals, it's not because I don't want to cook but is instead a classic case of neurodivergent executive function weirdness. When this happens, trying a new recipe that's easy, low stakes, and made with ingredients I already know I like can give me the hit of dopamine I need to actually do the thing.

Like today, I decided to finally try that sushi bake recipe that went viral a few months ago. It has like five ingredients, took less than an hour from start to finish (and most of that was cooking time), and was even tastier than I hoped!

And served with some sliced cucumber and avocado, it makes for a pretty balanced/nutritious meal.

Sometimes a silly little TikTok recipe is enough to bypass the ADHD executive dysfunction spiral.

[littlehouseontheaerie]

*sigh*

You know why I can’t get into the homestead community outside of Tumblr?

This influencer I found on Instagram just posted how happy she is to use her freeze dryer to save a pack of cheese her family wasn’t going to use, and how it saves her money.

A home freeze dryer *starts* at $2500.

A pack of cheese is $2.

She originally bought the freeze dryer to make toddler snacks.

She also discovered rolls (“I can make my bread loaves mini!”), promotes unsafe canning practices, practices the “lost arts of homesteading” (honey, it’s called growing up not rich), and yep, there comes the toxins and essential oils.

The privilege is such a turnoff.

[brightgnosis]

The "Domestic Magics" and What It Means (To Me) To Be A Hearthkeeper

I’m a full time «NonTrad» Homemaker due to unfortunate health circumstance, turned accepted and celebrated life profession.

Religiously, spiritually, and magically, the Home itself is considered a sacred space to me (the third most sacred- following the Temple in all its forms, then the Garden). And since I cannot actually have children myself, I personally view the community as a substitute, and therefore as an extension of my Hearth. Community building and education, and related activities, are therefore likewise considered further extensions of these practices by proxy.

I heavily practice the traditional magical arts of Cottagecraft, Hearthcraft, Kitchencraft, and Greencraft as they're understood within the Traditional NeoWiccan religion and framework as a result; I use the parallel phrases 'Domestic Witchcraft' and 'Domestic Magics' as an umbrella to refer to a wide variety of individual subsets of Witchcraft and their related spells and rituals within my practice.

'Domestic' is defined thus:

(General) Pertaining to the home, household, household affairs, or family.

(Of A person) Devoted to home life, family life, or household affairs.

'Domestic Witchcraft' is therefore any collection of spells or rituals which have a foundation in (or around)- or an effect on- the home, as well as one’s family and guests.

Within NeoPaganism these individual practices of Cottagecraft, Hearthcraft, Kitchencraft, and Greencraft are unfortunately incorrectly conflated into one system at times. Typically under the moniker of “Cottagecraft” (or sometimes "Hearthcraft" or "Hedge Witch") as a catch-all. Personally, however, I dislike this penchant greatly as I feel each category is itself a unique specialization.

There may be overlap between each group due to the nature of sharing the same domestic focus. But they are still distinct areas of magic and focus, each. Specializing in one does not assume specialization in the others by proxy. I define each of the 'Domestic Magics' individually as follows, for this reason:

➻ Cottagecraft: A denomnative form of Domestic Witchcraft which is focused around the (general) interior of the Home and its Household inhabitants. This may include activities and spells with a heavy influence on crafting and DIY, home protection, familial harmony, household finances, budget Witchcraft, and similar things.

➻ Kitchencraft: A denomnative form of Domestic Witchcraft which is focused in and around the Kitchen itself, as a separate entity from the home as a whole. This may include activities and spells with a heavy influence on cooking, baking, food, and similar things- especially for harmony, healing, etc; does not focus strictly to the household, but can also focus on one's community.

➻ Hearthcraft: A denomnative form of Domestic Witchcraft which is focused on the Hearth or Fireplace, as a separate entity from the home as a whole. This may include spells and activities with a heavy influence on fire, warmth, comfort, protection, and similar things- but in a manner different than Cottagecraft. Especially through the use of fiber-based arts and crafts (such as sewing, knitting, or embroidery [sic]), and Ancestor and Spiritwork; like Kitchencraft, it does not focus strictly to the household, but can also focus on one's community.

➻ Greencraft: A denomnative form of Domestic Witchcraft which is focused in and around the Yard or general (immediate) exterior of the Home. This may include spells and activities with a heavy influence on crystals and plants, Herbalism (magical, spiritual, medicinal, or otherwise), gardening and / or landscaping (magical, spiritual, medicinal, or otherwise), connection with Plant Spirit Allies and Land Spirits, general connection with Earth Energies, ecoregional and bioregional studies, and similar things- but does not include animals.

If I really need a catch-all term for simplicity’s sake, then I call them the “Domestic Magics” as a way to retain their individual definitions while still using a generalized, all encompassing term which is relevant to their shared realm of material focus. And I call myself a "Hearthkeeper", personally, as a practitioner with a heavy primary emphasis on all such forms of Domestic Magics (rather than someone who only practices one or two).

Again, however: This has nothing to do with Hedgecraft. Hedgecraft is a form of witchcraft that deals with Spirits and the boundary between plains (ours and the Otherworld)- including, depending on the practitioner, practices such as the use of ritual Entheogens, ritual transformation, Skinchanging, and other actions. It is more closely allied with Traditional Witchcraft than it is Wicca and NeoWicca, and the Eclectic NeoPaganism that masquerades as such.

I am also a Hedge Witch. Hedge Witchcraft does not have anything to do with my Domestic Practice.

This account is run by a Dual Faith «(Converting) Masorti Jew + Traditional NeoWiccan» & «Ancestral Folk Magic Practitioner» with 20+ years of experience as a practicing Pagan and Witch. If that bothers you, don't interact.

[superevilstudycat]

5 May 2022 20:10

lunch 4 today!

♡ lemon lavender cake

♡ raspberries + blueberries

♡ cucumbers with bell pepper stars :)

saw smmw else do the cucumber stars and it was SO CUTE i had 2 try :) tysm internet. the cake is so pretty but idk if it will taste good:( but thats ok bc the berries were on sale and they look DELIGHTFUL

[catboyhousewife]

He helped me bake oatmeal cookies tonight ♥️

First time baking in our first apartment together ♥️

[seafoamhome]

I need to stop being so indecisive for what I want to try growing on the balcony garden this year. Probably should have already had pepper starts going buuut oh well. Really missing gardening right now.

[dishwater-wishdaughter]

shoutout to my bestie for introducing me to adding a can of pumpkin puree to box mix brownies

make the recipe just like on the box otherwise and they'll come out super fudgy and just the right amount of sweet???? like literal god-tier perfection on the low effort —> high tastiness continuum

also just the perfect fall snack for a devoted lover of pumpkin + chocolate treats