Hi, I’m PJ.
First things first… yes, my name is PJ. You can blame my mom for that one. 😄
I’m a wife, a mom, a full-time employee for someone else, and the person behind Small-Scale Homestead. Most days, you’ll find me juggling work, family, gardening, writing, preserving food, and wondering where on earth I put my glasses. (Usually sitting right beside me.)
Like a lot of people, I used to believe the dream of homesteading had to wait.
I’d tell myself things like:
- I’ll start when I have more land.
- I’ll start when life slows down.
- I’ll start when I have more money.
- I’ll start when the kids are older.
- I’ll start when I finally have enough free time.
Spoiler alert…Life never slowed down.
The Biggest Mistake I Ever Made
For years, I believed that because I couldn’t have the perfect homestead, I shouldn’t bother trying at all. I imagined acres of land, a giant garden, chickens wandering around the yard, fruit trees, a beautiful farmhouse kitchen, and enough free time to bake bread while wearing a spotless apron.
Instead…I had a suburban yard. An HOA. A full-time job. Kids. Laundry that somehow multiplied overnight. And about twelve spare minutes on a good day.
So I waited. And waited. Then one day it hit me. An entire decade had passed while I was waiting for the “right” time. That realization still bothers me.
Because I could have done something. Anything! One vegetable. A few herbs in containers. A Saturday afternoon preserving strawberries that were on sale. A small raised bed.
None of those things would have looked like the dream I had in my head……but every one of them would have moved me closer to it.
That’s Why Small-Scale Homestead Exists
I created Small-Scale Homestead because I don’t want you to lose ten years waiting for the perfect time like I did.
You don’t need 47 acres, three goats named after country singers, and a hand-built cabin to call yourself a homesteader. You also don’t need a picture-perfect farmhouse kitchen that looks like a cinnamon-scented magazine exploded inside it.
Whether you live in the country, the suburbs, an apartment, or a tiny city lot where your neighbor can hear you sneeze through the wall…
…there is still room to grow. That’s what this website is all about.
Somewhere Along the Way…
Something funny happened. I started paying closer attention to what my family was eating. Then I started reading ingredient labels.
You know… those labels with words that sound less like food and more like spells from a fantasy novel. One minute you’re buying lotion. Next thing, you’re wondering why it needs ingredients you can’t pronounce without a chemistry degree.
That curiosity spilled into everything else. Gardening. Food preservation. Homemade cleaners. Natural salves. Infused oils. Growing herbs. Learning old-fashioned skills that somehow feel surprisingly modern again.
Now don’t get me wrong…Modern medicine is incredible, and my family absolutely relies on it when we need it.
But we’ve also discovered that healthier food, practical homesteading skills, and simple homemade products can reduce how often we reach for certain over-the-counter products and help us become more intentional about what comes into our home. It isn’t about perfection. It’s about making thoughtful choices that fit our lives.
My Philosophy
You don’t have to grow everything. You don’t have to preserve everything. You don’t have to make everything from scratch.
Sometimes, preserving fruit & veggies you bought on sale is a win! Sometimes your herb garden is three pots on a patio. Sometimes your freezer is packed so full of zucchini that you’re questioning your life choices.
That still counts.
Every potato. Every jar. Every homemade soup. Every lesson learned. Every. Single. Mistake.
Every tiny step you take matters!
That’s why my tagline is:
Small Steps. Meaningful Rewards.
Because meaningful change rarely happens all at once. It happens with one small project…
One growing season…One new skill…
What You’ll Find Here
Small-Scale Homestead is built for busy people who want to grow more, preserve more, and create more—without needing endless space, unlimited money, or hours of free time every day.
You’ll find:
- Beginner-friendly gardening articles
- Food preservation guides
- Homemade cleaners, herbal remedies, and infused oils
- Practical recipes
- Free printables and planning tools
- Quick reference guides
- Honest product reviews
- Plenty of encouragement when things don’t go according to plan
Because trust me…Something will eventually eat your lettuce. You’ll forget to water something. You’ll burn a batch of jam.
We’ve all been there.
Let’s Grow Together
If you’re looking for perfection, you won’t find it here.
If you’re looking for practical advice, real experiences, a little humor, and someone who believes every small step is worth celebrating……you’re in the right place.
Welcome to Small-Scale Homestead. I’m so glad you’re here.