It seems like something around here always needs a name. A new kitten, a new stuffed animal, a new baby...... or maybe it's work-related (a business, product, club or non-profit). People often ask me for help in choosing a name for these types of things. In fact, out of all of my blog posts, the one with the most hits by far has been my entry from 2009 entitled How to Name Your Farm or Ranch. Apparently, it really struck a chord. Anyway, just for a little bit of fun today, I want to Continue Reading
What to do About Your Dog…and the Mail Man
Does your dog go crazy when someone comes to your house to make a delivery? Have you had to deal with any incidents of jumping, nipping or biting? In 2014, the US Postal Service reported that 5,581 mail carriers were attacked by dogs in the prior year. And the breeds involved run the gamut, right down to the tiniest pups. As a pet owner, here's what you need to know: Your dog's behavior is your responsibility You should carry homeowners insurance Mail carriers have Continue Reading
5 Things No One Told Me About Backyard Chickens
Fuzzy chicks, free range beauties and dozens of fresh eggs. These are the pleasant dreams of many a family that longs to have a little flock of backyard birds. Don't misunderstand me. You'll have those things. But there are some other surprises that await you. Here are 5 things no one told me about chickens when we first got started nine years ago. They stink. The first batch of chicks we received in the mail was SO adorable! You could fit all twenty of their fuzzy little bodies on a paper Continue Reading
Natural, Wholesome Food for Your Pets + a Giveaway
I've been a cat girl all my life. And I love to indulge our pets with extra special foods and treats. I received complimentary samples of I and love and you's dry and canned cat food to share with our 5 felines. And I also get to give away a package of dog or cat food to one of my readers! I and love and you (ILY) makes wholesome food and treats for cats and dogs, including dry kibble, wet and homemade dehydrated foods. In their own words, "not too long ago, people started putting things in Continue Reading
Chickens 101: Building a Coop from Scratch
You'll notice I did not put the words "how to" in the title of my post. I didn't build our fantastic chicken coop, and I certainly don't know how my husband did! All I can say is, he wasn't pleased with the online plans he found and decided to start from scratch (that's a chicken pun, by the way). We decided on a non-portable coop because the wind here can be ferocious and the heavier something is, the longer it will last. The coop, which was made to accommodate a flock of 20 birds, measures Continue Reading