Spring is around the corner!!

It might be 28 degrees outside but in my mind, Spring is just around the corner! Spring is my absolute favorite time of year! I have many reasons for this...especially at this time in my life more than before. Springtime represents rejuvenation, regrowth, renewal, resurrection and rebirth. That's a lot of "re's" and it's exciting!

The 2 things that I am most excited about are spring chickens and my spring garden. This year I will be making raised beds for my garden. I will also be planting fodder for the chickens and gradually move to all organic feed and therefore have all organic eggs. In my garden I plan on tomatoes, squash, watermelon, a wide variety of herbs, cabbage, kale, pumpkin, etc.

As for spring chickens....this is even more exciting! I am about 1 year into backyard chickens and I am smitten. I am not a "crazy chicken lady" but I sure do love my hobby. I put a lot of hard work into raising these animals and it is very rewarding to see them do so well and to literally eat (eggs) the fruits of my labor. :) With being a stay-at-home Mom these days, I am working to fully embrace the "stay-at-home" part. Especially since I have teenagers. There is just not a whole lot that I have to do during my day at home and having my hobbies makes my daily life feel purposeful. So, with that being said, this is my dream team for 2018 spring chickens:

Delaware Hen 

Ameraucana Hen (lays blue eggs)

Barred Rock Hen

Blue Laced Red Wyandotte Hen

Blue Andalusian

Golden Laced Wyandotte Hen

New Hampshire Hen

Partridge Rock Rooster

Partridge Hen

Rhode Island Red Hen

Silver laced Wyandotte Hen

Welsummer Hen

 I am also planning on adding ducks to the "homestead" this year. I am not 100% sure about the breed yet, but I'm sure you are all waiting on pins and needles. :) Until then, happy planting, feeding, and stay warm!

by His grace,
SH

Titus, From Giants

This past Friday I said goodbye to Titus, my bubby. He was 11 years old. He would have been 12 in December. He lived a really good life. I got Titus in 2005 (I think) when I lived in a one bedroom apartment and already had one lab, Maya. Titus was the last puppy in his litter and I just couldn't resist. Both the dam and sire were chocolate labs that were over 110 lbs. each, solid muscle. I knew Titus was going to be a big boy, and he sure was! He was a good dog. He did exactly what a dog is supposed to do....He did his job as a companion, friend, and bubby. He will be missed. 

"Once you've had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished" (Dean Kootnz). 

I have lost all of his puppy photos due to my old computer crashing, but I have a few pictures of him when he was younger. 

This was February 2010 in Memphis. We had a big snow and we took the dogs to the park. 

The 2 pictures above are from Lake Catherine in AR. Titus used to dive/fish for rocks and actual fish. Strange little bubby but he loved it! He'd stick his whole head under water! lol

That was his couch. He kept me company all day and followed me around the house while I did housework, etc. 

Shelby Farms - He loved to swim and was by far the fastest dog in the water I have ever seen. He would have swam until he sank. 

Shelby Farms - I have never seen Titus happier 

Shelby Farms

Watching Tim clean a duck for the 1st time....Then Titus when on to shred the duck. 

This is probably the youngest picture I have...I think he was 3 or 4. 

  

I know this post is not very interesting to most, but I wrote it selfishly for me. I needed to do this. I loved that dog so much and he was there for me through so much. For those that know me, you know that my dogs are my children. Well, I lost one of my children. It hurts my heart that he is gone, but I know he is not longer in pain. So please hang in there with me and I promise future updates will be better. :)

by His grace, 

SH

Football is Here!

My favorite time of year is rapidly approaching! The sad part is that it disappears just as fast as it approaches. However, I am still really excited! We had our 1st hometown football game Friday night. This is Drake's freshman year on the football team. He is growing up (literally) before our eyes.

The picture on the left is exactly one year ago! The one on the right was take Friday night. It is amazing how fast they grow up. 

There is also a picture of me from a year ago and a picture of me from Friday night....it's amazing how fast I grew up too! Haha! I said to Tim on Friday that I actually look like a Mom. I have never thought that I look like a parent or a Mom until I saw that picture Friday night. I like it. 

Not mention that I'm really proud of the young man standing next to me! He sure looks handsome!

Friday night football games are great in Broken Bow. Our community is one that just loves and supports the hometown football team. It doesn't matter if you have a kid playing or if you have a kid that attends the school. Everyone goes to the games! We walk to the field from our house and love every minute of it! The local boy scout troops come and sell fresh kettle corn in the stands, which we quickly devour in the 2nd quarter, and the fireworks after every touchdown never disappoint. What's not to like about a hometown football game! 

We are back at it again this evening with Drake's 9th grade/JV football game. We're excited to see him in action tonight against Durant. Go Savages! 

by His grace!

Stacey