Christmas Tidings

 

Homestead Happenings

 

Welcome to Homestead Happenings!

We've had some bitterly cold weather in the last couple of weeks,

but it looks like things are warming up.

Next week's forecast is looking downright mild!

Here are some things happening inside and

outside on our Piedmont homestead.

Some of the crops are a bit worse for wear.

The lemon balm finally succumbed to the freeze,

and the kale and broccoli aren't looking too good.

With the rain we got yesterday,

I'm hoping some of it will perk up.

The cabbage seems to have survived,

and I am still hoping for a harvest

sometime this winter.

Of course, it doesn't help that we have infiltrators

who help themselves to whatever they can find

under cover.

Matilda is one smart chook,

and has now taught her sisters to look for goodies

underneath the row covers.

We've been using the new Omlet waterers 

for a couple of weeks now.

I have to say, there are so many wonderful features

with these, including the "window" on the side

to indicate when they are running low.

I've been pleased with how well they keep the water clean,

as the top is completely closed.

However, when our temps reached 28 overnight,

the cups we had initially installed did freeze.

I prefer using the cups, as it seems to be

a more natural way for the chooks to drink.

We have since replaced them with the 

optional nipple waterers.

We'll probably go back to the cups in warmer weather.

We did a minimal amount of decorating outside,

including adding lights to the chicken runs.

After all, why shouldn't the girls enjoy some of the festivity?

Inside, we keep things very simple.

Our new curtains were added to the living room,

and I really enjoy the farm print.

We had these made by Stephanie at SewManyLinens on Etsy,

and plan to order another for our office window.

You can find her website here.

The curtains that used to hang in the living room

have been repurposed in our "spa" room that we did a

minor makeover on earlier in the year.

They hang just beautifully as is,

and I feel good being able to use them elsewhere.

Our refrigerator always gets the snowman 

treatment when the colder weather hits.

It's so easy to do, having a white fridge.

He always cheers me when I head for the kitchen.

This year, our mantle has the simplest of displays,

simply using what we have around the house

and adding tiny fairy lights.

The white illumination just adds a touch of magic to everything!

The annual Madeleine baking has been done

and they are already being enjoyed by my farmer friends

in Florida.

One more big batch to go for sister

and her peeps.

The Fresh Milled Flour is being incorporated into my

weekly baking routine now.

This bread may not look too pretty, (I'm still learning),

but it's absolutely my favorite sandwich/toasting bread so far.

Recipes may start showing up here in the new year.

The health benefits have been amazing!

This week, chocolate chip cookies were made,

using FMF and coconut sugar instead of the white stuff.

Coconut sugar and maple syrup do not seem to have

a negative effect on my health,

and so that is what I choose to use as a sweetener.

Recently, a bag of date sugar was purchased, and

that will be tried as well in the near future.

These cookies were soft, flavorful, and not too sweet.

Creature comforts are so centering.

The days are full, but not too busy,

and there is always time to slow down

and take in a holiday movie without leaving home.

Here's hoping you are making great memories

with those you love most.

~"God bless us, everyone!"

Wordless Wednesday

 

Homestead Happenings

Welcome back to Homestead Happenings,

where we share what's going on here

on our Piedmont property.

There has been a slow down in activity,

as the temps are not conducive to working outside.

Several small indoor tasks have been completed,

like changing out the holiday decor, and

finally deciding on some new curtains for the living room.

Extra time has also been set aside for napping and reading.

This baling twine comes in handy for so many

outdoor projects.

It has been saved from the straw bales I buy

to use in and around the coops over winter

to keep the chooks just a bit toastier.

It's sturdy stuff.

With concerns about looming hawks near the large chook run,

the baling twine is being used to deter the predators.

The twine is strung across the fenceline in a grid fashion

to keep those hungry hawks away from our girls.

About halfway completed, I hope to get back out there

when the weather is a little warmer.

As the fencing is 6 feet tall,

it shouldn't interfere with the maintenance of the run.

With our frigid overnight temperatures,

the water in our waterers often freezes.

Omlet just came out with these new waterers,

which are supposed to keep the water from freezing.

These were just installed yesterday,

so we have yet to see how they work.

This is what the assembled waterer looks like.

The unit comes with both cups and nipples,

depending on what the chicken keeper prefers.

The appeal for me was the amount of water it holds,

as well as the fact that it's a closed system,

so the water should remain clean.

We decided to hang ours up in the run,

although it also comes with legs.

I'll report back after we've been using it for a while.

Unfortunately, Matilda is experiencing her first molt

during this cold spell we're having.

She looks absolutely pitiful,

but she is not poorly, just lacks feathers.

Adding straw to the coop along with 

bottles containing hot water should help her

get through the night.

She is one tough cookie, despite being our smallest chook.

I look forward to seeing her new feathers come in.

No doubt she'll be stunning!

Fresh milled flour is the way to go!

With cold and rainy weather predicted all weekend,

I'll be experimenting with some new recipes.

What a wonderful discovery this has been!

What do you like to do on cold, winter(ish) days?