growing grace farm
gardening + spirituality + homesteading + creation care
Category: chickens
lessons learned: gratitude, grace, and chicken poo
Recently, I read about doing a running streak in Runner’s World – the point is to run every day from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July (I’m in America). I used to participate in 5Ks for fun – I’m not a runner but… Continue Reading “lessons learned: gratitude, grace, and chicken poo”
dirty knees? yes, please!
I posted this one last Easter and pulled it out today as a reminder of why it is necessary to my spirit and wellbeing to sink my hands into the dirt daily. As for Daisy, she is resting in peace under favorite tree, nourishing… Continue Reading “dirty knees? yes, please!”
my therapy garden
With May being Mental Health Awareness month, I thought I would write a series of blog posts focusing the spirit, mental health, and creation care. Ecotherapy utilizing nature and creation as a way of alleviating emotional and mental health issues Several years ago, I… Continue Reading “my therapy garden”
sanctuary
You are my shelter, O eternal One–my soul’s sanctuary! Psalm 31: 1 (The Voice) This week, I have been on vacation. Having closed out my former job last Friday, I decided to take a week off prior to beginning my new position. I’ve never… Continue Reading “sanctuary”
dirty knees? yes, please
w The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. ~George Bernard Shaw, The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God, 1932 For the last couple of weeks, I have meditated on Anne Lamott’s reference… Continue Reading “dirty knees? yes, please”
lessons learned: cleanin’ out the coop
Now that we have chickens again, I’m back to this weekly chore. Thought I might repost this one~cameron Today is Saturday, the day I complete my top-to-bottom weekly cleaning of the chicken coop. Oh yay! There is much to love about homesteading, but cleanin’… Continue Reading “lessons learned: cleanin’ out the coop”
10 ways to turn off the technology and turn on nature
With the advent of Spring, I thought this one might be appropriate to repost. Happy Saturday~cameron So last night, our Just Be women’s group met at the community garden at church for a night of prayer, fellowship, and laughter. We started this garden a… Continue Reading “10 ways to turn off the technology and turn on nature”
lessons learned: on mint and gumption
Reposting this one as two opportunities for reflection this week reminded me why I cherish the word “gumption.” This morning on my brief stroll to pick kale for the chickens, I glanced around the veggie beds. How empty everything seems, even with greens… Continue Reading “lessons learned: on mint and gumption”
lessons learned: old made new
The year I was diagnosed with cancer, I spent a lot of time by my kitchen door. I would sit on my red stool, drink tea, and watch the winter creatures in the woods. That year, I happened to be blessed with a pair… Continue Reading “lessons learned: old made new”
lessons learned: what feathers and fur can teach us about love
When this quote found me this morning, I thought, “What a great transition from hope to love!” And so we begin week 2 of Advent meditating on love and how, oftentimes, it lights the way. Hope is not about proving anything. It’s about choosing… Continue Reading “lessons learned: what feathers and fur can teach us about love”
goodbye to my girls
I am heartbroken. There are really no other words for it. On Friday night, our girls fell prey to a hungry raccoon. I will not go into the details, but I will say that I have never felt such anguish and anger all at… Continue Reading “goodbye to my girls”
my name is Cameron, and I am a farm store addict
Oops, I did it again. I got sucked into a Tractor Supply Store on my way to making a presentation in a small town nearby. “Oh, I have an extra 15 to spare, and the girls really do need some mealworms and new pine… Continue Reading “my name is Cameron, and I am a farm store addict”
silence of the heart and tea by the window
In nature we find silence — the trees, flowers, and grass grow in silence. The stars, the moon, and the sun move in silence. Silence of the heart is necessary so you can hear God everywhere — in the closing of a door, in… Continue Reading “silence of the heart and tea by the window”
autumn gardening for chickens
I’ve been away from the farm a few days and was delighted to come home to three chickens who were happy to see me. While I’d like to fool myself into believing that they missed their “mother,” but I know it is more than… Continue Reading “autumn gardening for chickens”
Andy and the chickens
Once upon a time a dear old soul was born to a farm family in the mountains of Western North Carolina. When he was sent to this family by the Great Spirit, he was small and tender. He was loved by his caring parents,… Continue Reading “Andy and the chickens”
dear chicas: DIY fencing to keep greedy hens out and fall veggies in
Dear Chicas, I have tried to provide you with the best plant matter money can buy–organic kale seeds, swiss chard, winter rye and clover. I have even made you your own special salads with delicacies like blueberries and freeze dried meal worms. I must… Continue Reading “dear chicas: DIY fencing to keep greedy hens out and fall veggies in”
appalachian sustainable agriculture project farm tour today
Wonderful afternoon for a farm tour. Want to learn more about ASAP? check ’em out http://www.asapconnections.org/
here a chick, there a chick–chickens and gardens
As the chickens and I spent several hours out on the farm yesterday, I realized that the sisters are really learning their way around the gardens and woods. When they hear a hawk call out, they run and search for bugs under low growing… Continue Reading “here a chick, there a chick–chickens and gardens”
lessons learned: cleanin’ out the coop and letting go of the muck
Today is Saturday, the day I complete my top-to-bottom weekly cleaning of the chicken coop. Oh yay! There is much to love about homesteading, but cleanin’ out the coop ain’t one of ’em. In brief, it includes hauling all the used mulch and straw… Continue Reading “lessons learned: cleanin’ out the coop and letting go of the muck”
designing, building or purchasing a chicken coop? some thoughts to consider
So, I posted my coop here yesterday and had some feedback from folks. I am still working on it–building a pallet fence for the hens so they can have a little more play space (will blog on that one when it’s done). I thought… Continue Reading “designing, building or purchasing a chicken coop? some thoughts to consider”
waitin’ on Mama
I was a little late putting the hens up tonight. I heard pecking on the front door and opened it to find the Sisters disdainfully waiting on me.
lessons learned: are you a Rosie or a Lucy?
This morning, I am thinking about friendship. You see, in the midst of being a busy, working mom with friends who are busy, working moms, it can be a challenge to find time together. Yesterday, I had the fortune and gift of sharing not… Continue Reading “lessons learned: are you a Rosie or a Lucy?”
don’t sweat it–tips to keep your chickens cool
Wow–I live in the town where I was born and raised, and never, I mean NEVER have I seen it hit 101 before July 4 (and rarely after). When I was a young girl, the marketing slogan for our town was “Cool, Green Asheville.” … Continue Reading “don’t sweat it–tips to keep your chickens cool”
thrifty thursday: upcycling, freecycling, and recycling pallets
Ok, I’ll admit it. When a friend said to me, “Oh, you don’t know about Pinterest? Just wait, you’ll be addicted in no time,” I laughed thinking, “Ha! When do I have the time to create virtual bulletin boards and pin things to them?” … Continue Reading “thrifty thursday: upcycling, freecycling, and recycling pallets”
pallet play pen for chicks
Yep, I said it, a play pen for chicks. In prepping to leave town for vacation, I wanted something the Sisters could hang out in during the day that would be safe, easy and cheap. Ta~da—helloooo, pallets! Thanks to a local store, I can… Continue Reading “pallet play pen for chicks”
here, chick, chick
It is official! According to my daughter’s definition of “farm,” I can claim that status. We have 3 chicks: Rosie (named after Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins–yes, she loves to stroll), Lucinda (originally named “Lucy” bec/ I thought she’d be the boss, but now… Continue Reading “here, chick, chick”