Why Do Chickens Molt & What Can I Do About It? Chickens molt to replace their worn out feathers with new ones. Old feathers don’t insulate and protect a bird from cold, wet weather as well as a set of glossy new ones. All birds go through this process, just as other…
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Harvesting & Using Green Tomatoes
Harvesting & Using Green Tomatoes Just before our first frost I harvested all of the green tomatoes from my garden and brought them in the house. If they have a slight blush of orange, they will often ripen in a sunny windowsill for fresh use or cooking. They may not…
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First Frost
First Frost of the Season We normally have a frost in late September or early October in Northern Illinois. This year we were treated to a much later freeze overnight Friday, October 16th. The killing frost wiped out all of my heat loving veggies and the flowers in my pots. I can’t…
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A Very Pretty Chicken Quilt
A Very Pretty Chicken Quilt Not too long ago I was contacted by a lady named Rebecca who found one of my chicken photos online and wanted to use the image for creating a quilt. Needless to say, I was flattered that she asked! She promised to share a photo when the…
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How Many Eggs do Chickens Lay and other Common Chicken Questions
Common Chicken Questions People from all over the world contact me with comments and questions about homesteading. Chicken questions top the list! Here are some of the common questions I am asked about raising chickens…I hope that this post will answer some of your questions too! How Many Eggs do…
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Scenes From The Pioneer Fest
Scenes From The Pioneer Fest The Boone County Autumn Pioneer Festival gives visitors a glimpse of early settler life in Northern Illinois each September. I thoroughly enjoy spending an afternoon walking through the displays, dreaming about what life was like back in ‘the day.’ There’s always so much to see…
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Cast Iron Envy
Cast Iron Cookware at the Autumn Pioneer Fest Last weekend was the annual Autumn Pioneer Festival in Belvidere, Illinois. I try to make it there every year to see all the great pioneer living displays. It reminds me of my Grandparents’ home a little bit and brings me back to…
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The End of Our Summer Veggies
The End of Our Summer Veggies The cool days of autumn slow the production of tomatoes, peppers, beans, and other heat loving veggies. I feel a little sad when I walk through the garden and see tiny little peppers that will never ripen. It’s always bittersweet knowing that there won’t be…