Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  All I can say is, what a difference a year makes!  This past year has been a whirlwind for me.  So many exciting changes and accomplishments that I could never have foreseen.

Vertical Vegetable Gardening - Book Review and Giveaway

There are several perks involved in being friends with an author. I have generally found writers to be intelligent, interesting individuals who use proper grammar and know how to correctly use the semi colon - and aren't afraid to do so! But the main benefit to being friends with an author is that they give you free copies of their books - sometimes even before they are published.  

A Week in Farm Photos December 23rd - 29th

Quick Reference Feed Guide (Chick to Laying Hen)

Depending on where you buy your feed, you might get accurate information about what you should be feeding your chickens at various points in their life - or you might not. I remember being horrified early on, after having been told that Flock Raiser was perfect for our growing mixed flock of chickens and ducks and bringing home a bag, to find that it would have been perfect had we been planning on EATING our flock!

The feed store (correctly) recommended it for our mixed flock, but (incorrectly) recommended it to a mixed one-day-to-be-LAYING flock.  With 20% protein, it would have put weight, on the ducks especially, way too fast and could also have caused them to start laying too soon.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cookies and Cake

  

'Tis the season to bake! I collect recipes all year, just waiting until it's time to bake for the holidays.

Christmas Star Wreath Made with Coat Hangers and Chicken Wire

It seems that everyone is making handmade wreaths this holiday season.  I had been scrolling through the multitude wreath photos on Pinterest - but they were all the same old thing - round with evergreens, heart-shaped with lavender, square with berries...

Nothing really inspired me to create my own wreath until Yvette sent me a photo of a star-shaped wreath several days ago. There were no instructions included and no link back to the source, but I put my creative juices to work and came up with this easy rustic star-shaped wreath made out of metal coat hangers.

Christmas on the Farm in Photos

DIY Cat Bed Sewn from Re-purposed Shirts

So with three days until Christmas, you have all your shopping done, gifts are wrapped and under the tree and all of a sudden you realize - you forgot to get a gift for the cat!  

Scratch Sunflower Nut Edible Treat Wreath for Chickens

As many of you know, I enjoy adapting ideas I see online and elsewhere for the enjoyment of our chickens. I have seen several versions of birdseed wreaths for wild birds on Pinterest HERE, HERE and HERE and decided to make my own chicken version.

The Benefits of Probiotics

We are very excited to welcome Probios into our family of FED-tested and -approved products that we highly recommend for naturally healthy hens.

A Week in Farm Photos - December 9th - 15th

Sometimes there are no words. Sleep in heavenly peace.

Raspberry and Mint Thumbprint Cookies

I love making rolled cookies around the holidays. These cookies are so festive with the green and red filling, and the sprinkle of powdered sugar looks like snow.

These easy thumbprint cookies are made even more delicious and more personal using homemade raspberry jam and mint jelly in the centers, but store bought can certainly be substituted.

The recipe doesn't call for any eggs, but I manage to employ an egg in the making of the indentations that will be ultimately filled with delectable jam and jelly.

The Twelve Days of a Farm Christmas

♪♫ ♪ On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a farm in the country ♫ ♪♫ ♪

Mint Jelly from the Garden

Expecting a frost any night now, I already picked most of the herbs lingering in our garden and have them drying for use this winter, but I wanted to try making some mint jelly with the last of our mint.

Fasts and Fiction about Eggs

EGG FACT AND FICTION

~eggs naturally come in many colors besides brown or white~

• The color of an egg's shell is dictated by a hen's breed and genes. A hen lays the same color egg her whole life. 
• The color of the yolk is dictated by a hen's diet. Foods containing xanthophyll such as corn, marigolds and alfalfa help make egg yolks a vibrant orange color.

A Week in Farm Photos - December 2nd -8th

Hard to believe that Christmas is a mere few weeks away. The temperatures here in Virginia have been swinging wildly between the low 40s to the high 70s by day and then dipping down below freezing occasionally at night.  

Christmas Came Early This Year Courtesy of Manna Pro

My husband and I were enjoying a late dinner the other night after feeding our animals and putting the chickens and ducks in for the night when we heard the FedEx truck in the driveway.  My husband helped the FedEx driver unload four large boxes into our garage - all addressed to me, mind you - obviously thinking I had gone on a huge shopping spree.  But I was just as bewildered as he was.

Lo and behold, as I opened box after box, I realized that we had received an early Christmas present from our generous sponsor Manna Pro!

Leaf Rake Christmas Tree - Edible Coop Decor

You all know by now that I am always looking for fun, easy crafty ideas, especially those that our chickens can enjoy.  Well, Yvette recently saw a similar rake decorated with buttons and thought we could turn that into some sort of Fresh Eggs Daily craft.  Well, sure we could! Here is our version of the Rake Christmas Tree.

The Perfect Egg Sandwich Recipe

There are probably as many ways to make an egg sandwich as there are people who make them. But in my opinion, there is only one way to make the perfect egg sandwich.  And here it is (absolutely no substitutions allowed)...

Edible Christmas Garlands

Fun, creative, healthy treats can help beat the winter blahs and alleviate boredom in your run.  Besides being easy to make, edible garlands keep your chickens busy during the winter when they are confined to the coop or run without much to entertain them.

A Week in Farm Photos Nov 25th - Dec 1st

Fall is in full swing here in Virginia. I can't believe it's December already, in fact. The days have been gorgeously sunny and clear and the nights cool and crisp.  The warm yellows, oranges and browns of the autumn leaves mix with a bit of remaining green grass and are accented on chilly mornings with a bit of frost.