My Life in Appalachia 23 | Putting up Food & Living the Good Life 

Please stop/never apologize for your kitchen. Any of us that are your people in heart know it's just a functioning, productive, producing, happy kitchen that teaches us. Anyone that doesn't know that should. And welcome to Appalachia with Tipper, her family, and her knowledge/experience/information 💘

Dearest Cory, thank you for letting us all enjoy watching as you honor your wonderful mom. Such a blessing.

Miss Lori from the Whippoorwill Holler channel makes vinegar from all sorts of things. You can surely pick up some tips from her.

I come to visit with Tipper, Matt, the girls and their friends, and I come for the amazing scenery around their mountain homes, then there's the foodways and meals prepared, the stories, book readings and oh my goodness, the Music ! The more I come to visit the more I find to enjoy. Please never change ya'll, it's perfect.

We should all be so lucky to have what you have. Its truly the good life.

Your land is so beautiful. Thank-you for sharing your life with us.

Cory, “we’re eating our friends!!!” 😱😱😱😱Bahaha I cracked up. You two look like two little girls playing kitchen. Y’all are having too much fun experimenting. I love it! The sparkle in your eyes, the giggles, and the playing together. Such fun memories being made. 👩‍🌾🧡♥️💙👏👏👏

Instead of a plate to submerge your apple peels, you can do the same as I do with kraut, I fill a large plastic Ziplock or Hefty bag with water and set in on top, it forms all the way to the sides. Use a different size bag for different size containers, from 2.5 gallon down to pint size depending on your container.

What a beautiful life you have Tipper. So peaceful and the wonders nature has to offer. ❤️

Recently, I've started to watch your videos with a different eye, Tipper. C and I understand how much work goes into making a garden and preserving the harvest, but to perform those daily chores while creating a video and telling a story just amazes me. I can't even guess how much added work it must be, to be constantly thinking about camera position, light, audio, script, etc, and then editing it all into a beautiful, coherent story. I'm certain there is much more to it that I'm not even aware of. How you and the girls have developed these skills, on your own, by trial and error, gives me great respect for your accomplishments of the last few years. It also gives me great appreciation for what you and your family are contributing to the world.

You can test the ph of the vinegar. We used a pool testing kit from the pool supply store. The longer you leave it, the more acidic it gets. Ours reached 5% acid in about 1 year. I wouldn't use it for canning without testing to make sure it's 5%, because I don't think it's a sure thing at all.

I love that Matt helps with the canning. Even if it's only taking the jars out after they're processed. Most guys wouldn't be caught dead doing even that! You have such a lovely family, working together to make your good life!

My heart aches so watching your vlogs bc I so envy how you live and the wonderful family you have...

Having a loving family, living in a caring community, and appreciating your heritage is what makes a good life. These things cannot be purchased, but they are true wealth and far more precious than any amount of money.

If you add a little organic vinegar with the ‘mother ‘ it will turn to vinegar that much faster . It should start producing the ‘mother ‘ after 2/3 weeks

Great video. After watching Matt in several videos, there is no mistaking that Corie is his daughter. She speaks like him, looks like him, and has his facial expressions and body language.

I love seeing all the butterflies and bees in your videos! We desperately need to save all of our pollinators. Thank you for your wonderful videos, I greatly appreciate them!

Corie’s “Be measured about it.” makes me think of Mrs. Cindy. 💐💗

I have watched "Simple Living Alaska " channel and she has taught me a lot in those vides I would say go to those videos and watch them !!! Apple cider vinegar and keefier !!!

Cory: "My hands aren't clean, I probably shouldn't touch it." Also Cory: (shoves her hand down in the raisin box...) 😂😂😂

Thank you for the memories of growing up… my parents moved us from Michigan to South Texas when I was 11… and every fizzy drink down there is called “coke”… no matter what color… no matter what flavor… no matter what brand!

"We ate our friends!" LOL! You'll have a lot of delicious vinegar in a few weeks. Of course, the longer it rests, the more acidic it gets, so I imagine in the old days they had it worked out how long to let it set in order to use it for canning (before acid testing was readily available as it it today). Love how you are putting up food and living the good life!

All of those low hanging clouds should explain to most folks, why it's referred to as the Smoky Mountains. Vacationing there as a kid, that's the way it looked all the time.

So pretty seeing the rain falling in the garden 😊

Gosh i wish i was there with you two helping out.

I’ve been enjoying watching the garden videos and food preparation. The interaction with your family is something I look forward to, so much! Thank you Tipper and Corie!😊🇨🇦

"LIVING THE GOOD LIFE" is the understatement of the year. I wish I had a do-over after watching y'alls videos.

Our great grandmother McGinnis made mustard plasters for chest congestion. Mix some dry Colmans mustard with a little bit of flour. Add warm water to make a paste. Spread this between two soft pieces of fabric. Put it on your chest. Move it around so it won’t scald your skin. It smells kind of like horseradish. It really works to move that congestion.

Beautiful song Cory. I miss you all sing every day

What a fun video! A little bit of everything, music, nature with the flowers and butterflies, rain and putting up food! Thank you.

I'm constantly learning from this family....

I’ve been canning all summer out of my first ever straw bale garden . Learned everything from you ! Thank you !!! Pray for y’all everyday and can’t wait to see the next video .

I love water kefir! I was taught to no use any metal/stainless with the grains, as it will cause a reactant could harm your kefir grains. Not sure how accurate that ibis but I use a plastic strainer and spoons. You’re certainly doing something right because your kefir grains are huge! Strawberries and peaches make great kefir water.

You can see that the land is much loved. So well taken care of. As always thanks for sharing. Take care.💙

Thank you for showing the lovely scenery around your home. I am confined to bed and do not have access to a window. Medical studies have shown, if one cannot go outdoors, just looking at photos or videos of pretty scenery will help reduce stress and improve mental health. I enjoyed the whole video, but the outdoors scenes were my favorite. Thank you.

I have never intentionally made a batch of vinegar. But, I made a lovely batch of plum wine some years ago and gave the last quart (in a Mason jar) to my pastor. I left Virginia and sojourned in another place for some time. I returned 2 years later and we were cleaning out the church fridge. He found this quart of mysterious liquid (he had forgot about the wine) and popped it open. Daringly, he took a sip and declared it was no longer fit to drink. It had turned to vinegar.

Even Matt cans ! Omgosh how GLORIOUS

Here's a couple of tips for you. Don't use metal. It's said the electricity created by metal and and acid can stump the growth of the grain's. I use a nylon strainer and plastic spoon. Also ad raisins or a dried fig cut up in a few pieces with the grains in the first fermentation. Thats feeds the grain's and keeps them happy and active. Makes them grow faster too. In the secondary fermentation not containing the grain's, you can just ad whatever you want to flavour your kefir with. This worked for year's for me. 👍 And if you can't give the excess grains away, the chickens love them! I love all your stories and lovely food! 💜

I just love your family good people

I cannot describe how much I loved this video. Every second of every single thing y'all filmed and how the video was put together is pure perfection to me. You captured my heart's feeling of the contentment, security and peace of home. Thank so much. I want to keep this video so I can watch it as I settle into bed every night.

That scenery was so beautiful and peaceful sounding. I would love to live there. 😊

I love hearing the sounds of nature, especially the thunder and rain. Right now it is drier in northwest Oklahoma than what it was during the dust bowl.

I adore and am genuinely appreciative of the relationship you two possess !

Miss Tipper, Miss Corie, looks like you are having way too much fun. Lady bug just adds more protein. Have a good evening.

Loved hearing the rain! I am in Arizona and I miss hearing it.

Thank you for sharing. Every time I watch your videos I learn something new Tipper.

Lisa on the farmhouse Boone has a blog where she breaks down Keifer and recipes. She also makes all her own bread using a sour dough starter. There are also several ppl who do sprouting of their wheat berries which entails redrying them before milling. Wheatberries like almonds have a protective hull that hinders ones ability to digest said grains or nuts. At one time mill companies remove the outside of the berries before processing them but as that is time consuming, they no longer do it. Which is the reason most ppl are intolerant to wheat. Different countries such as France still use the method of removing the outside hull of the berries. At any rate if you want to get the nutrients out of your almonds you can soak them over night or sprout them remove the skins and toast them in the oven on low low till they are dried them eat them. You can also make almond flour or almond butter with the dried nuts. They are choked full of good things for you that you wont get unless the skins are removed. I make them for my son. His daughter is low in iron so I buy organic sunflower seeds and toast them ever so lightly with salt in the oven and they are full of iron not to mention you can make sunflower butter if you prefer to eat them on toast. Its was 116 today at 7:11 it is 100 lol baking our brains out and I am praying for rain !

Y'all are living your very best life and my wildest dream.

Thanks for Sharing!

I can't remember if I asked this before or not. I see you went from glass top stove to coils. May I ask why? I cracked my glass top using my cast iron dutch oven. I went back to coils and love them. Your videos are so great. Love your home, your family and your way of life. It reminds me of when I grew up in South Carolina.

My daughter and I went to Hiawassee Saturday for her friends baby shower. We decided to stay the night so we werent driving home really late (it's a 2 hour drive). I wake up Sunday morning got a cup of coffee and sat on the balcony, thought about you all. How breathtaking to see a view like that every day. It's beautiful where I live, very rural. But oh my those mountains. I can't wait to go back!! God's Blessings to you and your family

I Love that more young people are going back to natural ways .. you’re awesome Corie ! Learning hands- on with your momma , a very wise lady . People are waking up to what’s coming down the line and call us preppers lol I just do what generations before me did. Fermented foods removed my gut issues.. very thankful for this channel. God bless you and Keep you all Edited to ask a question.. I wonder if litmus paper would determine vinegar percentage..? I’m like you Tipper, our ancestors made vinegar.

Whle I watched your show I felt that there was somthing famliar about it besides the food you prepared which is not much different than that of my mother's and both grandmother's. Then I looked at your kitchen cabinets and it dawned on me that they are the same that we had in my parent's first house in Illinois right down to the handles and the valence over the window. Only difference is that we had two cabinets on each side of the window, our window was a double, and there were lthree little half round shelves on the side of each cabinet next to the windows,. Mom kept vases with plant and flowers or little catchalls there. It brought back so many memories of fresh summer corn, tomatoes, cucmbers, and lettuce from our garden, my Mom's Sunday Pot Roast and vegetables, baked apples and popcorn balls in October, Thanksgivings with all the family and Christmas too. and most of all my mothers cream puffs at Christmas time. She would bake several dozen as gifts, but keep a dozen or so for us. My job was to shake the powered sugar on them once they cooled and were filled with vanilla pudding. My reward was to get to eat whatever pudding was left. Dad bought the house in 1938 and sold in 20 years later when he built the house of his dreams, a four bedroom ranch where I live now, But the best memories I have is not this modern kitchen that I have, but the one in that old house when we were all together. Now the family is all gone , either to their Heavenly reward or all over the state and country. But the memories remain, some thanks to you.

So peaceful

That is just a very well-rounded and interesting video you made I learned a little bit about everything now I know you can't make videos like this all the time. Just seems like everybody makes the best videos when it's harvest Time. That plate of food I seen your husband fixing up look mighty fine

i was surprised when cori played the guitar and sang , she was really good

This is absolutely my favorite channel

Girls, y’all are so smart and inspiring. I am so excited about this new water. I really need the probiotics. Sending y’all lots of Love and prayers from Texas ♥️🙏✝️ ♥️♥️♥️ Sorghum ♥️♥️♥️🙏

That supper 's made me hungry! Thanks for the video.

Also you can ferment veggies also. I love dilly beans and spicy dilly okra, both with garlic, and would love to make sour okra, the same way as you make ferment sour pickles. With apply cider vinegar I use a mix of apple scrapes, fill a gallon jar at least 1/2 full , or more, and add a cup of sugar or raw local honey. Dissolve it in the water and cover apples, leaving 2-inches from top. Leave on counter covered to keep fruit flies/gnats and dust out. I don't submerge my scrapes, just stir twice a day and keep covered with a piece of cotton clothe and a jar ring(no seal), or a rubberband. It will cloud up, a fizz w/bubbles and starts to smell like hard cider(alcohol). Alcohol needs air; no alcohol, no vinegar. Will darken, this all take about 2-4 weeks, give or take. Drain fruit and If you have a "mother" from previous batch or from Bragg's ACV, add to sped things up, leaning toward 2 weeks instead of the usual 12 weeks. With no "mother" vinegar fermentation may take up to 6 months when it starts to taste and smell like vinegar, put a lid on it. Air is no longer needed or wanted. This is where I store in a dark, cool placed. Never below 60 degrees, kill zone of "mother" and above 86 degrees, less desired. I do like to add red pepper flakes and Mexican oregano in the pineapple vinegar after I drain it.

loved that song.

I trust you will have chapters in your new cookbook - vegetables, beef, chicken, pork, people, desserts. You two are having so much fun x

I have never done fermenting of anything. Thank you for sharing.

Beautiful song and voice!!!

Your kefir grains are very happy. My favorite is raspberry and blueberry. I was taught not to touch them with metal. Honestly don't look like it matters, yours is great. Your doin just fine.

I've been eating Kimchi, also I just made lime juice, fresh ginger and one jalapeños pepper, put it all in a blender put it in ice cube tray freeze and drop one cube in my water i also add a tablespoon of vinegar, looks really refreshing

Mrs. Tipper, since you like trying new jam/jelly recipes, I just wanted to see if you have ever made Pyracantha Jelly? They're bushes that have thorns but also really pretty orange berries in the Fall. I didn't know that you could eat the berries until a few years back and I've never tried them myself. It's supposed to taste similar to apple jelly. Pyracanthas are pretty common decorative plants around my area but I don't know if you have them up there. Just thought I'd let ya know. Sending Love from Memphis!

All that glassware/ jugs and jars.. I have to say, I'm jealous!

Just recently started watching your channel…I must say, this is one of, if not the most content filled Channels I subscribe to.. and I especially love anything, Appalachia! The array of content and your sweet family is awesome!😊

Gorgous country where you live! Love the night sounds of the cicadas and crickets. They have their own band.

Wait, you drink Postum?! I thought I was the only one left on earth who liked that stuff. I love coffee, mind you, but to me Postum is a very different drink, not a substitute at all, and it's delicious. Alas, I very rarely buy it because it's so expensive these days, but it's a wonderful treat when I do have it. PS, while I'm here: I grew up in WV and now I live in the desert, in West Texas, and my eyes absolutely thirst for all that green. Thank you so much for sharing, on top of all your other wonderful content, so many moments from your quiet, unassuming but beautiful surroundings. They do my soul good.

I so loved this!! The land..... OMG. Just gorgeous. I've never done canning before but I'm going to give the peppers a try. You inspire me.

Check out Three Rivers Homestead, she makes vinegars from fruit scraps all the time. Just showed a peach pit vinegar she made. I love your opening, no loud repetitive music just a enjoyable walk around your farm. I also loved when you read the stories, even as an adult it’s comforting to be read to. Have you ever made green tomato mincemeat? No meat products just apples and green tomatoes. My aunt use to make apple wine for medicinal purposes, often mixing a tincture with less desirable taste in it… Wish my daughters were interested in kitchen prepping….too busy running to kids games, lunches and coffee shops….sigh

Well girls you lost me a long time ago. If I was to try to put something together like you do ,I would probably make myself sick. You are some strong ladies. ❤

You used the word gaul similar to how I'm use to it. The most common way I've heard it spoken here in northern Appalachia is: "I am about to snap this bolt plumb off, the damn threads are wicked gauled. If my wrench slips I'm gonna stove my damn knuckles all up again."

I have been enjoying you videos for a while. I loved this one. Iced coffee in my recliner...I felt like I was there with you. Or garden and property are so well groomed. I really enjoyed this. Thank you.

We must look into this. God Bless. Jean

Loved Corie's song!

I LOVE WATCHING YOUR MOVIES 🎬

Thanks for the scenery. I love to make some of them my screen saver.

Love watching and learning from you thank you!

Your daughter is talented & beautiful!!!

Just what I've found in my research, if lacking bubbles add more sugar/sweetener and give a bit more time. Apple Cider Vinegar you can use ph strips to test for acidity to use prior to using for canning. Many uses for ACV, my favorite salad dressings using maple syrup or honey with Olive oil. I love adding 1/4c. to any roasts for cooking as a tenderizer too. I do not believe vinegar ever expires either. And, any fruit can be made into a flavorful vinegar too. Great preservation day! God bless.

Love shishitos. Grew them for the first time this year. We had them before and decided to try growing just one plant and they did really good

The jelly reminds me of a project in science in middle school. We took a egg and added something I forgot what it was but next day it looked like the jelly

Tipper your yard is a beautiful garden 😍

I made a fresh blueberry/lemon drink that was really good. I will get around to kefir, after studying your video a bit more. Wonderful video. Packed full of interesting topics. Thank you.

Hey yo, Norse Appalachian man here from Maine. You wouldn't believe the similarities in language here. Alot of the mountain talk you speak of is used here and in the same context. States around us see us as "talking funny" too though haha so I get it. We have funny words and expressions for everything. You and your daughters seem like the kindest people ever. My mom would say "they have such kind eyes." Or "you guys are wicked cunnin' " Cunnin' - used to describe someone you love or to call someone cute and wholesome

Kefir is like sourdough starter, best not to use metal. Use wood, plastic and glass

I have never heard of that special flavored water until you started talking about it..interesting!😊

You guys are doing great! Looks like a good start. It's great for cleaning wood items like cutting boards:) God Bless you guys and your families.

Salad dressings & fermentation. Get a large baggie & fill with non chlorine water to weigh the apples down on top of your plate. Use wooden spoons.? Well, I should have waited til later to comment bc you said the bag of water. But I will add that I put add Italian seasoning on tops of some tomatoes when I dehydrate and it has a pizza flavor for garlic bread toast that I like. Yall worked hard and accomplished alot.😋😃

Beautiful video, beautiful people!!

Love love your family ❤

Great video! Thanks for sharing another part of your daily life.

Really enjoyed watching. It's like l was there with you.

Oh, so after you drain the kieffer water off, dissolve your sugar in water in your jar before adding your kieffer grains back to it for the next ferment. 🙂. I’ve read that doing the second ferment with a few raisins makes the kieffer water taste like Dr. Pepper or root beer (I can’t remember which lol). And if you like kieffer, you would probably like your homemade kombucha too. It’s super fizzy and delicious!!!

I remember Corie mentioning Mary's Nest in a past video, and I know I've seen her make many different vinegars with scraps. I love this idea! Fingers crossed! And Tipper, I love the title of this one. "Living the good life," indeed! Do either of you watch the Make It Make channel? She's a really wonderful resource for canning videos, too! Hugs

One thing you can do with homemade vinegar is to make shrubs (not the cocktail, the soft drink). You can make fruit shrub by pouring the vinegar over the fruit, such as berries, and letting it infuse for a few days. Then you strain the fruit out, add sugar or sorghum, and reduce it to a syrup. Then you can add the syrup to water or club soda to make a soft drink that will have probiotics from the vinegar. Or you can do it the way my mom taught me, which is to use the vinegar to make a drink like lemonade, only with cider vinegar instead of the lemon juice. It's refreshing on a hot day, especially with homemade apple cider vinegar which still has some flavor from the apples. And, again, it has the probiotics. Another good use for homemade vinegar is to treat and/or prevent fungal infections, such as athlete's foot. I used to get frequent fungal infections in my ears and --don't laugh-- my bellybutton. But swabbing it with raw vinegar after I shower prevents them. And if anyone gets horrible stinky feet (not regular foot stink, but the sort where you can't stand to have their shoes in the house) regular soaking in raw vinegar will usually clear it up. (If not, it may be an allergy to dyes, and switching to only white cotton socks will work.)

I was raised in kentucky and west virginia. I love your channel. Feel like we have a connection