Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Kittens!

Yesterday, the boys and I went to an Amish greenhouse. A conversation, at that greenhouse, led us to an Amish farm down the road. Then after a bit of a search for some barn kittens, we came home with two of our very own.
Meet Sparkle...
 and 
Silver
Today they have enjoyed taking naps in a watering can and 
have followed little boys all around the homestead.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

from the {Little Barn Kitchen}

a peek at what I've been cooking and we've been eating/drinking...

{Drinks}
dandelion slushes
made using dandelion syrup and ice

{Main Meals}
(local) pork chops with strawberry fig glaze, (local) sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts and kale
gluten free teriyaki chicken thighs, brussels sprouts, 
green beans, (local) garlic, green peppers, leeks, and maifun noodles
scrambled (from our homestead) duck eggs with leeks, green peppers, (local) spinach, (local) mushrooms, and manchego cheese
We bought lion's mane mushrooms at the Beech Bend Farmers' Market for the first time. They were pricey but they were also delicious.
venison with leeks, (local) garlic, (local) lion's mane mushrooms 
on a bed of (local) pea shoots and wild garlic, roasted potatoes and (local) turnips
(local) lion's mane mushrooms, (local) bacon, (local) tomatoes, (local) lettuce and olive oil
pineapple bbq (local) pork patty, mashed potatoes, and peas

{All of our meals are gluten free. I use coconut milk instead of cow's milk. 
I use sheep or goat cheese instead of cow's milk cheese.}

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

2015 {Turkeys}


 
 Saturday, we added six turkeys to our little homestead. We have three Narragansett, two Sweetgrass, and one Blue Slate/Tiger Bronze cross. We loved raising our own Thanksgiving turkey last year and turkeys are just so neat. These turkey poults are young so there's a chance that they won't survive the first few weeks, but so far they all seem to be thriving.


Thursday, April 16, 2015

Sheep!!!

Meet Harley, Ruby, and Margot, our very own sheep!
Monday evening we bought three Cotswold ewes (female sheep). They also happen to be bred (pregnant). So in about a month we should get the opportunity to experience lambing for the first time. I am both giddy with excitement and terrified!

Monday, April 13, 2015

{Our New Laying Flock}

Our new laying flock was born two weeks ago. They arrived in BG in a box at our local post office.  We went to pick them up as soon as the post office called. There are few things that can make a LONG line of grumpy people waiting at the post office break into smiles. A box of peeping chicks sure can.
 We took our 15 chicks home and got them all settled into their brooder. 
 We have six Buff Orpington chicks, six Golden Laced Wyandotte, and 3 Blue Andalusian chicks. 
 They are all happy and healthy and growing so fast!

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

{Gratitude} Lately

Lately, I've been grateful for...
a date night with my love
 a visit from Granna and Papa
 a day at Dinosaur world
an afternoon sewing machine lesson  
 a thrifty find
and for each and every one that joined us for our third annual Passover Seder