Homesteading

314 articles

Loss & Hope – A Duck’s Tale

Two days ago, while doing the morning chores, it was discovered that we'd lost a duck to a predator. Feathers everywhere under The Grandmother Tree, a limp body in the acequia, scared siblings, and a missing momma. We were in a rush to leave the property with a sick toddler in tow, a day of juggling said, sick toddler and mandatory work…
January 20, 2017

Citrus Marmalade

I spent a good portion of the weekend making two batches of citrus Marmalade. . . Grapefruit Marmalade and Meyer Lemon Marmalade. . . And I couldn't be happier for it! See, it was quite serendipitous that Angi was offering some of her excess (completely delicious and organic) Meyer Lemons and Grapefruits at the same time I was learning about…
January 17, 2017

Muscovy Duck Cuddles

Who knew that Muscovy Ducks would become some of my very favorite critters on the farm?! Don't get me wrong, I have a deep affinity for the chickens and goats and turkeys and barn kitties and dogs, too!  But the ducks just have me feeling all warm and fuzzy these days :-) From their quiet nature (no squawking from these…
January 10, 2017

Breeding Season

Breeding Season appears to have actually been made up of just a few short Breeding Days. . .at least for Mama and Lucy. . . Since Ricky's arrival, our three ladies have been in such a tizzy! Though in heat right before he got here, they all swiftly went back into heat and all had their peaks within days of…
December 11, 2016

Blue Eyed Buck

So. . . This happened yesterday: Kim and I have talked at length about our next steps with this little herd of ours and the answer is that we have no definitive answer yet. We know we love keeping our three ladies. We know Mama is a pain in the ass on the stand. (We are still hopeful that will…
November 21, 2016

Milking Mama

Mama Mello is a pain in the ass on the milking stand. I don't mean a little persnickety, or tough to get up on the stand, I mean kicking, screaming, falling down on purpose, ridiculousness. If my Homesteading Dreams weren't so tightly wrapped up in her I might give up entirely... But damn, her milk is good! Let me back…
November 18, 2016