So that whole morning walk thing has led to an unexpected affliction. A total obsession with dew photos. I know you’re probably sick of them, but every time I’m out there…I think, just ONE more. And then one turns into two, three, four…… The only way to stop myself is to admit that I have a problem to all of you, so that you can hold me accountable. This is, after all, not a blog about dewy photos, right? Right. OK, so I’ll just share these LAAAST photos, and then we’ll move on. Promise!!
All posts in The Animals
Dirt is Every Chicken’s Dream.
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?
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?).
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!
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.
What Should You Feed Chickens?
Before you acquire your first hens, all of the “requirements” can seem daunting. The coop design, whether you’ll free-range or keep them penned. Will you have a cover over the pen? Should you get a rooster? Why do you NEED a rooster? Will you have issues with predators? How many hens should you get? Will they be cold in the winter? Do they need a heat lamp? And on, and ooon. But one of the biggest is…what should you feed your newest family treasures? And this truly IS the most important question — if you’re eating the eggs, because after all…you are what you eat, yes?
What’s This Blue Yurt Farms Thing??
It’s just about the most exciting thing we’ve thought up in a long time…no, EVER!! If I let myself get to pondering too much on it, my head almost EXPLODES (gross, right?) with all of the ideas and I-can’t-wait-to-do-its. And Mike quietly, and quickly leaves the room, ha! You see, we’ve been cooking up a way to get all of you even more involved in the whole farm process for awhile now, and had just started to finish the last tidbits up…when Mike’s eye decided to challenge a bramble. And we ALL know how THAT went, yes?
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Diatomaceous Earth
I’ve been meaning to tell you about good ol’ DE for awhile now, but wanted to test it out ourselves before singing its praises. Turns out its popularity is warranted. Food grade diatomaceous earth might just be the best homestead helper around (although it’s a close contest with free wooden pallets and hay, but I digress). And it can be your friend, whether you have several 100 sheep, or one little dog in an apartment. Why is it so great, you ask?
Mike Shot the Easter Bunny.
OK, OK…maybe it was just his cousin? Not entirely sure. But I do know it was Mike’s first successful hunting experience since we moved out to “the country.” As a Texan, I never thought hunting was a bad thing. It was completely normal. But then when I moved to WA state for college, I realized bringing up hunting was WORSE than politics or religion. Now, let’s be clear, I’m talking about hunting for food, not sport hunting. I’m NOT OK with hunting for the sport of it. But for food? How is that different than eating beef, or pork, or chicken?
