MOVING THE CHICKENS.

Between the cold and the rain lately, we haven't had much time to do anything productive outdoors. Still, we were so desperate to move our chicken yard that we worked through the mud and rain to drag their ragtag coop across the farm to a new location.  We were in a hurry to move them because we need to cover their old yard with heavy mulch, so that we can use it this upcoming season as garden space.While the chickens seem to like their new spot, they are having difficulty remembering where it is. Every night since the move, we have had to pick up the chickens trying to roost in the old spot and carry them over to the coop. Their roosting instinct is pretty strong, but I think they are starting to figure it out....although we keep finding a scattering of eggs among the hay.- Hannah.

THIS & THAT.

Staring contest with Dandy. Never thought I'd see myself on a magazine rack in Wal-Mart. (Did you see us in Story Magazine?) This was the INSIDE of our window during the crazy cold snap.Bantam egg versus regular. It may be small, but it makes up for it in DELICIOUS. Snow Bear!Bearcicles from being outside for just a few minutes.

ANIMALS LATELY.

We have been visiting lots of farming friends lately, and these kind of visits always leave us inspired, challenged, and most of all - lusting after all the amazing animals. Jesse and I have tried hard to be patient - we really have. All last year we avoided Craigslist as much as possible, trying to resist all the "free to a good home" donkeys and goats. We almost broke down many times for random creatures for sale - but we were strong! In the fall, when we found ourselves financially able to purchase the little farm animals we were dreaming of, we bought a solar charger and fencing instead! So now, with the infrastructure, and because of the patience, we are starting to actually feel ready.We are still in the lovely winter stages of planning - drawing up diagrams for the garden, ordering seeds, carving out a vision for the year - but all these recent trips have really got us itching for our own little barnyard critters. Here are some of what we're longing for this year (from our visits to River Cottage Farm and Hill and Hollow). Like I said - WE ARE STILL PLANNING - but those littlest of piggies might be coming home with us sometime soon.- Hannah.

WINTER CHORES.

With cold temperatures comes a new daily chore: breaking the ice. We have to make sure the animals have access to their water, and without electricity, this means breaking the ice (sometimes multiple times a day). For us, this is quite simple: just the dog and the cat and the chickens. But while Bugtussle was away for the holiday, we got to walk up the hill to break the ice for the sheep and cows. I love seeing these guys when they get their fluffy, scruffy winter coats....it definitely makes it worth the cold morning walk.- Hannah.