This week on the farm I rebuilt the chicken's roosting bars, planted beans, squash, and collards, tilled until my hands bled, and created a brand spankin' new product (the first to be born in TN, awwww)!
I love my chickens. Earlier this year I went through a sort of frenzy and decided we needed chickens, n-o-w. I bought books, asked friends who had chickens, added myself to Facebook chicken groups. I ooo'ed and ahhh'ed over the baby chicks at Tractor Supply and the farmer's co-ops I visited. Then, my neighbor's first eggs hatched. I jumped in the car and brought home two adorable day old babies. We named them Peep and Tom (get it?!). | |
Unfortunately, Peep met a sad and unfortunate ending a week later due to a regretful accident between the tiny creature and my daughter's foot. My daughter, who is only four, was heart broken and just sobbed for hours while I called every single co-op/Tractor Supply in the nearby counties, and even looked through Facebook farm groups. Finally, a co-op the next county over had some chicks. We raced down there, and brought home two Easter Egger chicks, Peep II and Woody. My daughter argues they are named Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and Peep II.
| We worked diligently on turning the shed/barn across the street into a chicken house. The shed was previously split into two parts, and I thought the smaller side would make the perfect luxury chicken suite. We put up chicken wire and fortified the perimeter. We used a dog kennel to create a large yard, cut a hole in the wall, and added a door. I built a roosting tree, yes a tree, and rigged up three nesting boxes. Then, my neighbor who has a great farm (complete with cows. I want cows!) called and told me they were going to butcher their Rhode Island Reds and if I wanted some of the laying hens, to get my butt over there. So, I went. I came home with four Reds in tote boxes. |
The chicks are 13 weeks old now and the pen we made for them was next to the big chickens' yard. They watched the big chickens and every day when I brought them out to their yard and back in at night, they would wiggle and escape to run around the big chickens' yard and pretend to be big chickens. After much debate, I let them move in with the big chickens. But, there was a problem. The roosting tree I made only accommodated four chickens. So, instead of cutting down a tree to make another or buying more wood, we made floating roosting bars from what we had on hand.
Now the chickens are happy, the chicks are happy, and I am happy because I like it when their happy. Happy-go-round.
The garden is growing. Imagine that!? But seriously, I was worried for a little bit. Nothing seemed to want to grow, but now that I'm getting a little better at combating the weeds, and the natural passing of time, the garden is starting to look like a garden. Two weeks ago I was in town on my weekly trip and I came home with a small tiller. Some women want jewelry or clothes for gifts, I prefer tools. So I brought home a tiller and told my husband that he bought me a tiller. We're both happy. It's a tiny little thing, only 10 inches wide, but it works. It beats hand tilling the last 30 feet of the garden. We now have 15 beautifully uniform rows, ready for planting, and I have the energy to plant! We also had our first harvests! Radishes, lettuce, and spinach all were ready for our hungry tummies. The first succession of fall squash was planted, as well as two half rows of beans. The next half I will plant next week. In place of the radishes that were harvested I planted collards. Carrots, spinach, celery, beans, and squash have sprouted this week as well.
The garden is growing. Imagine that!? But seriously, I was worried for a little bit. Nothing seemed to want to grow, but now that I'm getting a little better at combating the weeds, and the natural passing of time, the garden is starting to look like a garden. Two weeks ago I was in town on my weekly trip and I came home with a small tiller. Some women want jewelry or clothes for gifts, I prefer tools. So I brought home a tiller and told my husband that he bought me a tiller. We're both happy. It's a tiny little thing, only 10 inches wide, but it works. It beats hand tilling the last 30 feet of the garden. We now have 15 beautifully uniform rows, ready for planting, and I have the energy to plant! We also had our first harvests! Radishes, lettuce, and spinach all were ready for our hungry tummies. The first succession of fall squash was planted, as well as two half rows of beans. The next half I will plant next week. In place of the radishes that were harvested I planted collards. Carrots, spinach, celery, beans, and squash have sprouted this week as well.
After long days in the heat, tilling, and working until my blisters have new blisters, it's nice to find some cooling relief for my feet. Last week I mentioned I was working on a recipe for a foot soak, and many of you said you preferred a fully dissolving formula. I like to please, so you got what you asked for! |
Niffer's All Natural Fancy Feet is a mentholated foot soak, made with Epsom salt, baking soda, menthol crystals, with a blend of peppermint and tea tree essential oils. The menthol and peppermint give cooling relief, the Epsom salt soothes achy muscles, softens skin, eliminates smells, and helps replenish magnesium, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation. Tea tree essential oil is a natural antibacterial agent, and helps get those feet cleaner. Fancy Feet is designed so you can use it in a traditional foot tub/bucket or in a massaging foot bath wit jets. Since it dissolves it won't clog filters or jets! You can order a 6.5 oz. bag of Fancy Feet here! Also, for a limited time, orders $25.00 or more will receive a free bag of Fancy Feet, no coupon necessary. When I receive your order of $25.00 I will automatically add Fancy Feet to your package.
This coming week I plan on working on a new laundry powder formula that will be specifically for hard water! The water here in TN is extremely hard, and while we plan on getting a water softener eventually we have to make do for now. I have been experimenting with different ratios and new ingredients. Hopefully in the next few weeks I will have the formula perfected and then I can share with you all!
Happy homesteading, my friends. Have fun, be safe, and always be all natural!
This coming week I plan on working on a new laundry powder formula that will be specifically for hard water! The water here in TN is extremely hard, and while we plan on getting a water softener eventually we have to make do for now. I have been experimenting with different ratios and new ingredients. Hopefully in the next few weeks I will have the formula perfected and then I can share with you all!
Happy homesteading, my friends. Have fun, be safe, and always be all natural!