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.
Mornings have been chilly – down in the 60s – and I was very surprised to find a bright green caterpillar on the rim of a tub outside. Having recently researched caterpillars for another post, I knew this was a special caterpillar, and I wondered why it was motionless, out in the open, covered in dew. Was it even alive?
Continue reading “Growing Things: Raising An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly”
Insect life is fascinating. Our property teems with flying, jumping, running, inching, and digging insects and bugs. Recently, a few stealthy specimens revealed themselves – just long enough for me to get a quick pic before they made themselves scarce (as they do).
Continue reading “Around The Farm: Cool Camouflaged Critters”
This unusual beauty is a Spined Micrathena. She sits in her daily-spun web, right outside the window.
Continue reading “Haiku: Mesmerizing Micrathena”
Gardeners no doubt wince (or unleash expletives, perhaps?) at the mention of this insect. The voracious eater of nightshade plants – and notorious potato plant pest – may be hated and reviled, but it has a lookalike that’s just as lovely and arguably less troublesome!
Continue reading “Sunday Spotlight: Colorado Potato Beetle…Or Not?”
The volunteer sunflower has bloomed, and it is a glorious sight. In these troubling times, I find the continuity of the natural world – admittedly disrupted by humans’ actions and inactions – soothing.
This bloom is new to the world – fresh and hopeful. May it one day become a head heavily laden with seeds, each eager to germinate, grow, and greet the morning sun.
It rained today. The morning clouds were angry and the humidity was oppressive, suggesting a coming storm. I didn’t get my hopes up, though, because lately the forecasted rain has failed to materialize. As a result, grasses are turning brown, and our clay soil has baked itself into subterranean pottery. We needed rain… badly.
Continue reading “Haiku: Rain’s Reprieve”