Duck Tales: Splashy Splashy
It’s a true delight to watch the ducks frolic in their pool each morning. They jump in the moment they are free from their coop and oh the quacking they make. Bottoms up: We might need a deeper pool… I...
View ArticleOh Deer. (And the birds were not happy)
Having grown up on a private, gravel-driveway hill in the middle of a small town, I’m no stranger to seeing deer walking around the house. In fact, it was a regular occurrence to see a doe and her...
View Article#ThankfulThursday: Of Bucking Horses, Adventurous Chickens
Lately, my coworkers have inspired me more and more, especially this 100 Happy Days Challenge – and it reminded me of the weekly Thankful Thursday posts that were always the highlight of my week. So...
View ArticleThe Miller Homestead Update
Time for an overall report of the homestead! Chickens: In chicken news, we for sure have two roosters now: Hawkeye and Penguin. We love them both dearly but may be re-homing Penguin as he’s the less...
View ArticleMiller Homestead Update 2 – New Chicks on the Block
Yes, we expanded the flock even more! Meet Bug: and Pepper: and Lola, the Showgirl: They are a year and a half old and were re-homed due to their previous owner moving into an apartment. We are...
View ArticleThankful Thursday: Of Sick Chickens and Endless Bird Net
Another week gone by… I’m thankful that I can post this on a Friday and still call it a Thankful Thursday post. Because, why not? Seriously, did Thursday disappear for anyone else this week? Sick...
View ArticleThankful Thursday: Eggs, Healed Ankles, Quiet Nights
Each week seems to bring new adventures and gifts to revel in! Here are some of the many things I’m thankful for this week… Egg-citing surprises: We knew our chickens were hiding eggs… We just didn’t...
View ArticleChicken Chronicles: Egg Mania!
The eggs are here! It happened before we even realized it! How are the chickens five months old already? Here’s the proof! We discovered the bird’s hiding place inside a brush pile (we’ve meant to...
View ArticleChicken Chronicles: The Secret Nest
The girls have been laying for two weeks now (some more consistently than others,) but we noticed a dip in egg amounts the past few days and were thinking that the heat might have just been messing...
View ArticleThe Six Life Lessons I’ve Learned in Urban Homesteading
In February, my husband and I jumped head-first into urban farming — starting our summer garden from seeds. It then developed into an even larger endeavor when we added 13 chicks into our home. And...
View ArticleThankful Thursdays: Summer Roses and Novel Ideas
Note: I’m realizing Thankful Thursdays aren’t always happening on Thursdays, but better late than never. :) There’s always so many things to be thankful for. A few of the gifts I’ve experienced in the...
View ArticleMiller Homestead Update #3 – One Full Flock
Honey is hard at work guarding the homestead: Good old Foghorn is one of the most consistent layers we have: As is Gandalf! :) We let the three little birds out with the full flock, and they...
View ArticleThe Day Every Priority Changed
We have a 2×3-foot white board in our kitchen with assorted lists: Outside chores to-do Inside house to-do Nicole to-do John to-do On Wednesday, September 17th, I wiped away all of those lists and...
View ArticleThe Power of Community
In the past two weeks since Honey’s diagnosis, I’ve been astonished and touched by the response I’ve received from friends, family, the Buffer team and the Buffer community. Every tweet, email, note,...
View ArticleMiller Homestead & Grunnion Update – September
This chicken continues to play the Houdini and disappear from the backyard nearly every day. She reappears in the neighboring yards or our garden. Clever girl. The ducks continue to splash and frolic...
View ArticleLooking back at 2014
That time of the year came around again like it always does… Holiday card time! This process is a good excuse to pause and take stock of the year. And I think it’s fair to say that 2014 was one of the...
View ArticleChicken Chronicles: Meet the New Guy, Spike
First, let’s play a game of spot-the-duck. Find her? Then you can move onto the next level. Meet Spike, a six-month-old Polish Tolbunt rooster. He may look like he’s full of swagger and ‘tude, but...
View ArticleChicken Chronicles: Of Sunny Winter Days
Oh how time flies. The winter here in the Pacific Northwest has been a most favorable one — and the chickens have adored every moment of sunshine we can get. Of course, we’ve had a few rainy days,...
View ArticleChicken Chronicles: In Loving Memory…
In nearly 12 months of chicken stewardship, we’ve come to terms with one stark reality: chickens are frail little creatures. Life is precious and fleeting, but in the sad moments that come with loss,...
View ArticleChicken Chronicles: The One Disease Backyard Chicken Owners Need to Know About
There are so many things in life you learn best by simply diving in. Our adventures in homesteading is one such example. That said, there is one thing I wish I would have known before I started raising...
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