Well, there you go. You’re here because you’re looking to cool down your chicken coop, right? Especially at night when everyone is roosting with their feathery body heat? Or maybe when they’re laying eggs for your family in a sweltering box? Have no fear, we’ve done the work and put together how to do a solar fan build for your chicken coop… and why you should, too.
Continue readingTag: sun
I love chickens! And I love plants! But how do you successfully combine the two? No one wants to spend time and money at a nursery only to have their backyard flock consume everything, but we also don’t want our chickens to be in an ugly dirt wasteland (or even worse, get poisoned). In this extensive article, get my suggestions on how to research and pick plants, and keep them in with your chickens! And of course check out the video at the end which shows you what can I plant in my chicken run!
Continue readingLet’s get outside! Any time of year is a great time to take your children to a field or park, and go on a nature walk. My children and I bond over these quiet walks, where I teach them and show them all kinds of things about the circle of life. Even if bugs and dirt ain’t your thang, you can still enjoy this activity with your kids! Read on for our family tips on how to go on a nature walk!
Continue readingWho doesn’t love the beach?! The coast is my happy place, and it means so much to me to be able to share my love of the ocean with my children. But it can be stressful to take your kids to the beach. Here are my tried-and-true beach hacks for kids and families! Continue reading
Chickens are such uniquely wonderful pets. They’re quirky, full of personality, and really easy to care for. But after having backyard chickens for a year, I’ve made a list of some of their weird mannerisms and behaviors. I call these habits “chicken-isms” and they’re worth reading about! Here’s my ultimate list of weird and hilarious chicken behavior! Continue reading
Tattoos are fantastic. They’re a beautiful and unique way to express yourself or commemorate a special person or event. Loved ones use ink as artistic therapy, as a timeless reward, and as a way to stand out from the crowd. I got a tattoo when I turned 18 but now I’m a mom, and I’m ready to get some skin art to honor my son. But wait a minute: how do you go about that?! Here’s a real simple guide to getting tattoos… when you have kids. Continue reading
With our family vacation looming nearer, I got more and more anxious about having such a long drive with two littles. I have a sensitive, active three-year-old; I also have a feisty, demanding nine-month-old who breastfeeds. We have a road trip ahead of us, and I did not want to turn it into an excursion full of stops and screaming.
Read on for my best suggestions and gear when going on a road trip with kids! Continue reading
It seems like only yesterday I viewed cloth diapering as crazy, elitist, and way too damn confusing. Now look at me! – rocking the wash cycle, expertly folding prefolds and covers, and saving money like nobody’s business. And I’m not even a particularly intelligent person! It truly is a hobby and it boasts a learning curve for sure. But I love cloth diapering anyway – and here is why! Continue reading
As a babywearing mama, I get a lot of different comments from people when I am out and about. Some mention how happy and cozy my baby looks, while others ask questions. It’s a challenge to answer them in a way which really explains and glorifies babywearing like it deserves. There are so many reasons why I enjoy wearing my baby, it would be impossible to explain them all to a complete stranger (although I’ve thought about making a pamphlet that I could just pass out as I walk away).
Here is a very honest list which hopefully will do justice to how wonderful it is to babywear! Continue reading
I think one of the most terrifying and intimidating aspects of cloth diapering was “oh God how do I wash these things?!” There was no way I was going to use a good ole fashioned washboard and kneel by the freshwater creek in my knickers to scrub pee-soaked fabric. But I had to figure out a solution that would work for our family.
I had nightmares of baby poop smearing over all our work clothes, the utility room forever smelling of pee and regret. I did lots of research and have printed this routine out, proudly displaying it next to the washer. My hope is that it will shine some light into the mystery of “wait, you wash those… where? And with WHAT?!”
New and improved: updated January 2017 with two wash options, one for hard water and one for treated water! Continue reading