Self-taught farmers confidently raising chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs. Our focus is on practices that are environmentally harmonious and respectful to our livestock. We appreciate the beauty around us, clean eating, fermenting, and responsibly utilizing the bounty of the land. If you like thinking for yourself, continuous learning, and connecting with the homesteader lifestyle, check us out.
The hatch is over and there are fluffballs in the brooder. It’s been a few days, and the chicks are growing fast – some have even gone to new homes already. Let’s look back at how this hatch went and visit with one chick who needed a little extra help.
Continue reading “Post-Hatch Recap: Lavender Ameraucana #1 – And Chilly’s Story”
If you’ve been waiting to hear about how the first Lavender Ameraucana hatch of the season is going, thank you for your patience. Where does the time go?? Read on to find out how this set, now two-thirds of the way to hatch, is doing!
Continue reading “Hatch Update: Lavender Ameraucana #1 (2023)”It’s technically not spring yet, but the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the chickens are laying. The trickle of eggs from winter has grown into a steady stream and – always exciting – our second generation Lavender Ameraucana pullets have laid their first eggs!
If you’ve read more than a few posts on this blog, you know that I love to find ways to get as much use out of food items as possible. Pineapple peel wine? Heck yeah! Fermented grapefruit peel syrup? Definite yes! When I recently came across a mention of making coffee liqueur from coffee grounds, I knew I had to try it. And while I was at it, why not also make something out of the black tea bags we normally toss out?
Continue reading “No Waste: Frugally Fantastic Coffee & Tea Liqueurs”
If you’ve read yesterday’s post, you know how I feel about the recent arctic blast (bitter). In fairness, however, there was beauty present even while I cursed the cold.
Continue reading “NYE 2022: Making Snowcones From Snow (Only Metaphorically!)”
Unless you’ve been living underground, you’re probably aware of the disastrous consequences the holiday storm wreaked (yes, wreaked, not wrecked!) on many areas of the country. People have died because of the bitterly cold temperatures, though there are stories of everyday heroism worth celebrating (juxtaposed with stories of shocking callousness). While small farmers may not make the news, I’m sure that many animals – including wild animals – also lost their lives or suffered injury during the brutal cold because this was a cold that had to be experienced to be believed.
Continue reading “Farming In Winter: Deadly Cold (Long Read)”