This is the time of year to ask, can goats eat Christmas trees? Many of us will have spent hard earned dollars, purchasing a fresh cut tree from a local tree lot. After the tinsel and ornaments have been removed, using the tree as a food option in the barnyard can add value to the money spent on a fresh cut tree. So can goats eat Christmas trees? What about sheep, cattle, and even the chickens?   The genus Pine contains a lot of plants, some not even true pines. Yew is not in the genus of … [Read more...]

The mere words ‘Slow Living’ conjures up all kinds of images in our imagination.   In my mind, slow living conjures up big pots of simmering homegrown food, a fire gently crackling, children laughing, stacks of good books that I’ve read and reread, seed catalogs full of opportunities, the scent of coffee, the taste of tea, jazz softly playing and knitting needles swiftly moving in my hands, as I watch the world surrounding me, a place devoid of haste. The images conjured up in your mind … [Read more...]

Handmade gifts are a tradition. Remember last year when you promised yourself you would make homemade gifts all year long? And here we are. Searching for all the quick handmade gifts to give to our family and friends. Because, even though we love giving homemade gifts, life is busy and sometimes messy and we just don't get them done during the rest of the year. At least not enough. No matter if you are looking for gifts made from yarn, fabric, or food, or nature, take a look at this … [Read more...]

When we began raising sheep, I looked forward to the warmth they would provide. I did not consider the other ways that sheep would warm us. With quite a few years as a shepherd now behind me, I can see that the wool that sheep provide is but one way they heat our bodies. The visions of sheep roaming the gentle slopes of a picturesque farm may be heart warming. However it does not portray the amount of heat producing labor that goes on behind the scenes, when raising sheep. The Work For … [Read more...]

Sourdough apple bread is versatile and can be made with either fresh apples, frozen or canned. During fall apple harvest it's great to make this recipe with fresh apples. You can snack on a few slices while making the filling. When winter hits and you want to bake a warm, hearty bread, grab some preserved apples and continue on with the recipe. It's great either way. I recently tried a recipe for Apple Pull Apart Bread by my friend Ann at A Farm Girl in the Making. One thing I never seem to … [Read more...]