The homestead has been pretty idyllic with the days getting longer. We celebrated an unseasonably warm February by planting a long-sought-after fruiting red-leaf plum. We’ll do some grafting and pruning so this lady grows low and bountiful. We popped her in the ground right next to the chicken run so that when and if we can’t keep… Read More Homesteading Update: Chicken Mutiny
So now that we’re knee deep in Pippa milk from our goat share, I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with it all. The whole notion of cheese-making made me nervous–I don’t usually have the patience for things that require adherence to absolute precision over the course of many steps. Turns out, it… Read More Homesteading Update: I’m a cheese maker
I have always loved goats. I love them so much, that I was given this as a birthday present. So it does seem like destiny – perhaps even my purpose finding me??! – that I would now be doing this: Back in the spring, my dear friend R said that she might be interested in… Read More Homesteading update: I’m a goat milker
I’ve been craving more space for our little family. Daydreaming of 3 bedroom apartments with chickens in the backyard and a garage for our bikes. And then the universe promptly declared, “Put your money where your mouth is, lady!” in the form of an unexpected and radical rent increase at our little cottage. After recovering… Read More Homesteading update: the status of my chicken and kale dreams
You know when you spot someone across a room and just desperately want to be their friend? I feel that way about the blog 6512 and growing and the gal behind it. Everyone, meet Rachel. She lives in my hometown. I’ve known of her for quite some time, in that way that you know of… Read More I have a crush on a blog: 6512 and growing
Since posting this, lots of people have been asking me about gardening by the moon. While it would be fabulous, it does not mean that you’re digging around on your knees in the dead of night. What I’ve been doing, and what I learned from my mother, is to consult ye olde Farmer’s Almanac. Turns… Read More Gardening by the moon
I took a suggestion from Garrison Keillor this morning in honor of April Fool’s Day. Wrapped a thick blue rubber band three times around the sink sprayer handle and aimed it straight at the space where A’s body would stand while innocently turning on the tap. Not 2 minutes later, I tried to rinse off… Read More My version of Fight Club
You have to start somewhere. That’s the line that’s on repeat in my head today. I’ve been reading The Mists of Avalon for the last couple of months. In case you haven’t heard of it, it’s a cult classic re-telling of the Arthurian Legend from the perspective of the women. I just finished the last… Read More Starting somewhere
Stephanie Mackley 