Some are as small as 90 square feet and yet these houses include bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living space. Read about the trend toward tiny houses.

If you fancy yourself a country girl, a farm girl, or a homesteader you’ve simply got to know the difference between hay and straw. 

With modern cleaning products you may be approaching your cleaning tasks more armed and dangerous than necessary. 

It started a little before 5:00 p.m. last night.  Well, actually it started about 30 minutes sooner but I didn't know.  Niles Winston, our sire started "talking" and whining and otherwise acting quite upset.  I thought my daughter was walking the girl dogs and that's what he was worked up about.  Not only is Splash Jordan in heat but Euphrates is right behind her and that creates a lot of vocalizing from our male.  I ignored him but I should learn that when Niles talks, we should listen.  I wish I would have gone outside right then and seen what was up. But I didn't.

Yay!  We did our victory dance down at the kennels this morning when Niles and Jordan tied.  This means we don't have to pay for artificial insemination today.  Before putting the two together I went out with Jordan for a long walk/run to wear her down a bit.  She can be a bit overbearing and excitable in the heat of passion.

In the afterglow, a more relaxed Niles Winston

They are an amusing horde - about 25 to 30 of these wild turkeys that make a pass at about 7:00 a.m. each morning in front of our porch.  I remember the first time I saw wild turkeys up here.  I felt very privileged and was fascinated by them.  This time of year there is a lot of talking as males are in full voice gobbling their fine points hoping to impress a female. 

No picture.  It just wasn't suitable subject matter for the blog. We have entered into the breeding season with our dogs.  We've been to the vet several times doing progesterone testing and other tests that will help us pin point the magic moment.  Yes, you're probably thinking that the dogs might be able to figure this out.

This is from an article called "How To Build My 50 Dollar Greenhouse."   However, to do it for that price you would have to "recycle, freecycle, and scrounge" a lot.  If you bought everything new it would probably cost over $200 which still seems pretty good to me. 

A routine can be so grounding.  If you're thinking of problems you don't know how to solve, a routine keeps you moving.  It offers a security of some sort in times of uncertainty.  The first thing I do every morning after praying and reading my Bible is go for a walk with Niles Winston, our big boy Newfoundland. 

The Homestead Handmaiden and Niles Winston walking to the creek