It's Easy Being Green

I’ve been told if you get bucked off a horse, you’re supposed to dust yourself off and jump right back on again. The idea I suppose is to help you conquer any initial fear about a repeat performance that might build up inside if you let any great amount of time slip by. When it comes to one of my favorite hobbies, homebrewing, I’ve let far too much time slip by before jumping back on the “brew horse”. I knew nothing of the hobby until a friend and co-worker of mine introduced... (more...)

Looking battered and beaten, the nasty winter weather certainly took its toll on our doormat this past year. At the time we bought it we were pleased, almost smitten with ourselves. We sprung for a bright, contemporary “designer” coir fiber doormat we found on clearance at Pier One Imports. We got it for a song but little did we know we’d only get half a year out of the darn thing. Since my layoff last year and the landing of my new job, we’ve done little to support the economy.... (more...)

Proof positive that raised bed gardening has its perks: I unearthed these gems this cold late December afternoon out in the garden here at the Half-Acre Homestead. These were planted in late spring and there are many more in line to mature behind them. For anybody who doubts you can grow your own food in the winter this should tell you otherwise! AKPC_IDS += "1074,";Popularity: 6% [?] Read More →

Photo by Greg Bagley Are you looking for a cheap, easy way to create several nesting boxes for your laying hens at once? I saw this fantastic setup over at McMurray Hatchery’s Homesteading Chores Ideas and Contraptions Contest that just ended a couple of weeks ago. It’s basically a wooden rack that holds two stories of 5 gallon buckets that look to make excellent nesting boxes. The plus with Greg Bagley’s design is that the buckets are secured so they won’t move but are also... (more...)

I’m so enamored with a Christmas card we just received in our office at work today. It’s from our friends at the San Diego Zoo and their pachyderms who also took part in the crafting errr I mean excreting of the card. That’s right, your mind is headed in the right direction. The PooPooPaper card stock and envelope are crafted from a giant heap of steaming elephant poo, recycled without one whiff or clue to its origin and now resting between your fingers. Some co-workers were disgusted.... (more...)

Now that we’re in full-fledged toddler mode around the Half-Acre Homestead, it’s exciting to step up the Christmas game a few notches. Like a cranky body snatcher sneaking in overnight, the terrible terrible twos have taken over my Darling Daughter’s little body. It’s been enough to send my Homestead Hottie and me up the crazy wall, wondering on an almost minute by minute basis what creature has possessed that sweet  pixie-faced little redhead of ours. This Christmas we thought... (more...)

I’ve always had a respect for families who schedule a “family night”, one night out of the week where everybody stays at home and hangs out together. Several friends of mine in high school had family night and I often had to work our extra-curricular fun around their schedules. At the time I thought it was lame. Now that I’m a parent, I can definitely see the merit behind a night at home with all the kids! For now, every night is a family night with our two darling daughters.... (more...)