SNOW DAY!

Yep, we got snow. Not a lot. You can still see the blades of grass poking through, but it is still falling. However, try and tell a four year old that it is not a lot of snow. Or try and tell the dogs that!

Just a few pics from our fun morning.

NO, not snow!

YES! Oh, and look how strong I am!

Love my little man.

Sledding!

I can eat more snow than you!

I want to sled too!

Where are the chickens? I wanna chase them!

What Is THAT!?!

So this morning we a woke to a lite coat of snow. Z was ecstatic! The dogs didn't want to come back in. And the chickens.... well, they were NOT impressed.

What is THAT!?!

They were not happy when the gate finally went up and that white stuff was out there. They crowded the door clucking unhappily until one girl got pushed out by the others. She freaked out and bolted back in. And that has been their morning.

You can not make me go out there!

After going in there to check on their food and water, Mr. It finally freaked out enough and ran outside. He walked to the back of the pen, realized this might not be as bad as he thought and called for the rest to join him. Sadly they didn't believe him and stayed inside. So, in his loneliness he went back inside... where they remain....with an unhappy, crowing Big Boy.

Little Mr. It thinking this isn't too bad.

So, that said, I think I will be cleaning the coop tomorrow!

This blog is connected to:
Homestead Barn Hop 89
The Backyard Farming Connection Hop 10

Using Leaves in the Coop

Living in the woods we do not lack for leaves in the fall. Usually we just rake them down the side of the hill and into the trees. Out of sight, out of mind. But now with the chickens, we have been trying to rethink the use of things. I read some where that they used their leaves in the coop once they were completely dry, so I decided to give it a try.

I raked up about a 10' x 15' space and walked away with 7 garbage bags of leaves. Should be enough for now. I have plenty more to rake yet... just lacking space to store the leaves.

Back when we had the threat of the nor'easter coming in I laid our first bunch of leaves down for the chickens. With temps dropping into the 30's, with the storm, I though they would enjoy a nice thick layer. They did... once they got over freaking out about the change! I, on the other hand, love the leaves! The coop doesn't smell and I can go longer between cleanings. A plus when the snow arrives! If you live somewhere with lots of leaves, I say go ahead and give it a try. See if you and your chickens like the leaves too....plus they are free!

This Blog is connected to:
Homestead Barn Hop 89
The Backyard Farming Connection Hop 10

Friday Feel Good Moment

... A day early.

Thanksgiving Day. A day to be thankful. Honestly! Not everything in life is easy or fair. So many things can cause us to be stressed. But for one day, not even a full day, we have marked our calendars as a day to be thankful. To be grateful. So before you rush off to stand in lines for hours on end....if that is your cup of tea... or before you rush off to the next house or go to bed or whatever it is you plan to do, stop and really think about the things you are thankful for.

Friday Feel Good Moment

Something simple can be the most amazing thing sometimes. Like, collecting eggs every day. You can trust on your girls to always leave you a few eggs every day. All you have to do is walk to the coop and collect them. And as if that isn't easy enough, the girls are always good to run to the fence and greet you happily, as if you are the most important person in the world. Simple, enjoyable.

This blog is connected to:
Homestead Barn Hop 89
The Backyard Farming Connection Hop 10

Preparing Yourself and Family.

We are in an interesting place in time. It is easy to panic or be filled with fear when we consider things for our/children's' future. The most important thing to remember is to NOT panic or be fearful. We need to walk out our life with wisdom.

I have been watching John Paul Jackson's latest stuff today. This is a man I greatly respect and I encourage you to look at this stuff. He has a 6 part video on you tube called "The Perfect Storm". Also he has an update to "The Perfect Storm" on his personal site, as well as his ideas of what's important for preparing for the possible future.

Why do I share this with you? Because many of us desire to be independent, self reliant and sustainable. His list of items he recommends you have on hand are not much different then I had written up and others have also mentioned. Just something for you to consider.

This blog is connected to:
Homestead Barn Hop 86

Friday Feel Good Moment

Laughter. It warms the soul, refreshes your thoughts.... it's simply uplifting. The laughter of a baby brings a smile to almost any person. The giggles of a child gives you hope for the future. And simply laughing yourself releases the stress of life and restores peace again.

I have gone years with out truly laughing.  But right now I am embracing life and not sacrificing a chance to laugh and feel good. Don't waste your days. Yes, times may feel impossible and hopeless. But, they aren't, look for that chance to laugh and feel alive.

 A merry heart does good like medicine. Have you laughed today?