I've known about this place for the past six years, ever since we retired and made Upstate New York our permanent residence. The American Homesteader store is off of the beaten path, but when I was going to physical therapy I would pass it a few times a week. I'm thrilled that I finally stopped in.
As soon as I walked through the door I was welcomed by several smiling faces and a warm hello. We chatted for a moment and the lady at the register asked me if she could be of any help. I let her know that I was not shopping for anything in particular and just wanted to browse around. I asked her if it would be alright if I took some pictures. She pointed to the owner of the store and said, "That would be up to Jim, he's the owner." Without hesitation, he said, "help yourself."
I was taken aback by the size of the place and the sheer amount of stuff that lined the walls. One of the items that first caught my eye was the Dutch Oven Cast Iron Campfire Cook Stand, seen to the left of this photo.
The assortment of cast iron cookware filled the shelves. If you look to the right of this picture you'll see a couple of cedar planks that are used for cooking.
If you have never eaten salmon cooked on a Cedar plank, you don't know what you're missing. The cedar imparts a unique flavor to the salmon.
https://www.insider.com/guides/kitchen/cedar-plank-salmon
This entire rack of goodies comes from local folks who sell their homemade goods on consignment.
Everything you would ever need to make your own wine,
including a wine press.
Beer-making essentials, including a large variety of natural flavors that can be added to the wort when cooking.
Bags of grains if you are into making your own malt, or cans of malt extract that lets brewers skip the mashing process needed to brew with grains and take you straight to the boil.
This refrigerator was filled with all sorts of yeast. If a homebrewer is making a lager or an ale, a different kind of yeast is needed for each one.
So what do you want to learn how to do, or where would you like to visit? This rack of books has it all. A few of the books caught my attention, ROOT CELLARING AND EDIBLE WILD PLANTS and USEFUL HERBS.
If you're into canning look no further.
Cheese-making supplies, now that may be something that I'd like to try in the future.
What a very creative idea. These partially hollowed out logs have been outfitted with little draws. There's a substantial Amish community in our area, what craftsmen.
What until you see some of the pieces of furniture these people have made.
Tables, chairs, hutches, and so much more
Check out the Rocking Horse and potty chair
This unit is a piece of ART
If the last piece was a piece of art this one is a Michelangelo!
After spending the better part of an hour checking out all of the wares and immersed in delightful conversation, I walked away with a few items. The jams were delicious. Before I got my share, was licking the jars clean. I guess she owed me one after I didn't leave her a fair share of those delicious brownies that
and
sent our way.
PAY BACK IS A B--CH
I think that this is a store I will be dropping in on, with regularity.
A big thank you to for this wonderful community, #marketfriday