Were you aware of that? I bet you looked at that picture and said, “that looks lifeless” or “where’s the grass!?” Well, that there is a beautiful, combination Max cooling area, and a chicken heaven. It’s located within the goat paddock, so the chickens don’t get constant access and often they line up at the door for a chance invitation. I captured Adventure Chicken living it up on video for you. THIS is a happy hen. And also why true free range is so worth it. You want more?
Archive for April, 2012
So. Vegetarianism.
You might have noticed at the bottom of yesterday’s post, I snuck in a little “we’re going vegetarian for the month of May”. I know one of our May house guests noticed, and she wasn’t too happy (hi, Jai!). But, before anyone gets all up-in-arms either way, we aren’t doing it because of the animal right’s angle, and we certainly aren’t planning on staying on a kale-and-potatoes diet. I’ve done A LOT of thinking over the years, and if I were to give up meat, I’d have to go vegan. And even then…it seems like an incomplete picture.
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Morning Walks & Kickstarter
Do you ever find yourself getting into a life rut…and thus, a funk? Sometimes when things don’t go your way…if you’re already in a sort of down-and-out mood, it can seem that.much.worse. I found myself in one of those spirals recently — what with the Kickstarter not going as well as planned, having a topsy-turvy client that drove me UP-the-WALL, medical bills from Mike’s eye and just not feeling prepared in general. I was bummed. But, then my Mom came to visit, and I reminded myself that “life is too short” (how quickly we forget, right?).
Third Step: Choosing Plants for Your Containers
You ready for your next step? Do you have your container garden spot picked out? And your list of favorite herbs/greens/vegetables/fruits? Now, if you’re like me…you might be itching to try some advanced something-or-other plant, rather than the basic starter lettuce and herbs. For the fun of it, let’s go with something easy, shall we? Then for your SECOND container garden, you can take the next step up. Otherwise the “I-want-to-garden” tower comes crumbling down into a wilted, brown mess. You ready for EASY? OK, me too! Here we go.
We Were Featured on Unfettered Ink!
Sorry we’ve been MIA this week, I know I have some anxious container garden planters out there, and we have to pick out some chicks (both laying hens, and meat birds…and KEETS!)! My Mom has been in town, and she’s been loving the chickens, and the yurt, and the raw milk, and I even converted her to a few of our “odd-isms”, like using castile soap as shampoo, and apple cider vinegar for a conditioning rinse. Seriously. I know, she gave me that look too. But, try it, it’s good stuff. So we’ve been BUSY, and I have lots to share in the next few days.
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A Little of This, A Little of That!
It’s hard to believe that it’s been less than a month since our “game changing” moment. And, according to the experts, Mike is going to be A-OK, which they were rather shocked about. Thanks to the experience, I hear there are quite a few more safety goggle wearers out there. Since then, we also launched a Kickstarter campaign, that is chugging right along (we’ve already met so many FUN people!). Here’s a little mishmash of fun things. Enjoy, and have a fantastic Friday night!
Next Step: What Would You LIKE to Grow?
OK, do you have your container garden spot picked out? No? Then, go back to Step One, and come back when you’re ready! OHHH, you did choose? Cool! Let’s get a move on then! So, the next step… Nope, it’s not picking out seeds! Slow down, my friend! The next step is thinking about what you’d LOVE to have at your finger tips. Don’t think about whether you can grow it, or not…or whether it’ll work in a container, or whether you have enough light. Just make a list of your favorite herbs, fruits, vegetables, greens.
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Getting Your First Chickens
Your might have noticed. Chickens are BIG, right now. Like SUPER hip. You can’t get much more local than eggs still warm from the nesting box. And let me just say, the hype is totally warranted. Before we moved down to VA, it had been YEARS of chicken-wanting for Mike, and yet, it took several big pushes from our landlord, saying, “when ya getting some hens??“, for us to actually get the chickens. Why? Well. We couldn’t figure out what KIND of chickens we wanted, or what kind of coop we should get. It was terribly overwhelming.
DIY: Homemade Laundry Detergent, Take Two!
Remember back in October, eons ago, we made our own laundry detergent for the FIRST time?? Well, since then, I’ve used it on a weekly basis, on the toughest of country stains (believe me, you don’t wanna know) and loved it. It smells fresh without that “hint o’ chemical” that even the most yuppie of store bought cleaners have. And it made me feel pretty darn awesome every time I reached into that pickle jar for a tablespoon of detergent I MADE. So, when it was time to make more, I decided to capture it on video (my first DIY video, gulp!) so YOU can see how EASY it is!! And cheap, did I mention that?
First Step: Container Gardening
We’re going to do this, you and me. We are going to start our container garden – no excuses, no “I’ve got a black thumb”, no “I don’t have time” or “I don’t know what to do first!”. I wouldn’t say I have a black thumb, but it is certainly not green. I’m the animal person, and Mike is the plant-guy. So if I can do it, you can. And you see that picture? That’s my arugula container garden from last year. It did so well, we nearly drowned in spicy, delicious arugula. Don’t you want that? OK, here’s the first step.
