Fun With Chicken Feathers

 

While doing some sprucing up for spring this weekend, I came across a collection of chicken feathers I've saved from our little flock. We've kept several different breeds over the years. I just love studying the different colors and patterns of chicken feathers!   

Can you guess what some of them were by looking at the photo above?

Nature is the ultimate designer when it comes to color, form and pattern. Artists enjoy working with chicken feathers as a medium too! I'm sure you've seen some of the beautiful artwork and jewelery being created today inspired by our feathered friends. 

I simply wanted to enjoy my little collection of chicken feathers so I arranged them in an antique creamer and placed them on my buffet in our kitchen where I can see them everyday.

It makes me smile to look at them and reminds me of the old adage, 
" Some Days Chickens, Some Days Feathers."

The top photo is a little sedum plant that was given to me by a fellow chicken keeper and friend. She tucked a feather into the pot for an added touch of whimsy and after the long winter we've had that's just what this girl needed! 

Do you collect feathers from your flock too? 

What do you like to do with them?

I'm sharing this post on the Simple Saturdays Blog Hop!
 Check it out for more great posts on simple lessons in Self Reliance

Farmgirl Friday # 164 and Happy Fourth of July!

 

Woot! Woot! Happy Farmgirl Friday and Fourth of July! Two great occasions to celebrate, don't you agree? The smell of bacon cooking is wafting through the house as I write this am. My handsome Yankee is cooking his special bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel for brunch served up with a side of fresh fruit! I'd better hurry if I'm going to " get it hot" so I'll turn it over to you, my talented farmgirl friends. 

Wanna know what the Daisies On My Doorstep have taught me over the years? 

Come on by the Beachfarmgirl Blog for a lesson or two in flower folklore!

It's time to get your farmgirl FOURTH on! Link up and strut your gardening, cooking, crafting, farming, DIY, and special 4th of July treats!

Debbie at Farmgirl Unleashed   and my Co-hostess in Farmgirl Friday crime has been busy " settling in" after a long stay with her daughter and new little family. She's been playing in the weeds in her gardens, proclaiming her a true "organic gardener". Stop in to see how she's doing at Big Sky Acres!

Tis' the season of plenty and there is so much to celebrate!

As always, we thank you for your participation in the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop! 

 You don't have to live on a farm to join this hop!

 Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJaneButters

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 161 & My Tiny Harvest

 

 Welcome back farmgirl friends and happy Farmgirl Friday. I'm so glad you are here to share what's doin' on your family farms and homesteads. June is an exciting time for us farmgirls isn't it?

Things are finally starting to bloom and most of our seeds and seedlings are in! This week one of my peonies came into bloom and the fragrance is just intoxicating. I've got three bouquet's in my kitchen/dining room area and I'm in heaven with the shear beauty and scent of these lovely old fashioned blooms. As I cut a bucket full to make bouquets I couldn't help but feel over joyed at the beauty of these blooms. After all, they are only here for such a short time!

Just like the ripe strawberries I picked from the garden too! Heck, I didn't even plant these little puppies. I'm pretty the previous owners planted them in a little bed at one time. When we expanded that same garden area I just left them there to see what would happen. They continue to spread and thrive. I wish I knew what variety they are.

Last year we got one tiny bowl of berries and the birds got the rest. This year the bounty was a little bigger and I think we'll get one more bowl full before our strawberry harvest season is over.

These didn't last long. I washed them and we at them as soon as I brought them in. No cooking, canning, or storing with such a tiny harvest. Just mouthwatering pleasure and instant farmgirl gratification! It's not the size of your plot or pot that makes your homestead " successful". When you appreciate every little growing thing you plant and care for you'll be blessed with bountiful rewards with the tiniest of harvests. 

Lastly, I got my herbs and veggies planted in my raised beds yesterday under a very cloudy sky. Today, it's raining down on them! 

It's hard to believe in a few short weeks it will look like this again! 

What are you feeling especially happy about on your homesteads this June? Are you having success and trying new things? How about any challenges?

Link up and share your gardens, home remedies, recipes, and homesteading wisdom with your favorite farmgirls! And be sure to stop by and see my co-hostess Debbie at Farmgirl Unleashed .
She's Busy as a Bee with her new bee hives! 

 Let's hope she's been able to get back to work on her Indiana farm, Big Sky Acres!

As always, we thank you for your participation in the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop! 

 You don't have to live on a farm to join this hop!

 Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJaneButters

FARMGIRL FRIDAY Blog Hop 150th BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Howdy farmgirls! 

Can you believe it? Today marks 150 weeks for the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop!

Where does the time go?  I know exactly where it goes! We farmgirls mark time by the seasons. Planting season, breeding season, fresh egg season, farm baby season, growing season, and harvest season. And somehow in between we manage to raise families, nurture friendships, craft, run businesses, go glamping, volunteer, work, and spend time with our elders. And it's time well spent in my book! When we follow our heart we are always right where we should be.

Heidi, Debbie Dolly and I are so grateful that your hearts lead you here to our humble little Farmgirl  " roundup " every Friday! 

You are the friendliest, kindest and most talented group of farmgirls in blog land and we count you among our dearest friends.

We've been chomping at the bit for weeks to tell you about our

150th 

FARMGIRL GOODIES GIVEAWAY!

We're giving away the FARM! 

 Each one of us is adding to the GIVEAWAY goodies bag so be sure to visit all of our blogs to enter to win the whole kit and caboodle!

Let's get on with it shall we? I'll go first!

  I love to take my farmgirl shopping at the local Tractor Supply Co. so I went on a little shopping spree with my farmgirl friends in mind! 

My first item is a $25.00 Gift Card to none other than the Tractor Supply Co.! If you don't have one near you, you can shop online!

Every homegrown farmgirl needs a pretty pink T-shirt to start a new season of farmgirl'n!

I got a large so you would have room to grow!

There's a good chance you'll work up a healthy sweat while you're doin' chores in your new sturdy work-gloves so I tucked in a pretty pink bandanna for you to wipe your brow with!

 

What farmgirl doesn't love sunflowers? You'll love seeing these pretty ORGANIC sunflowers ( and pole beans that are hidden behind the sunflower packet ) in your garden!

The Spring issue of MaryJanesFarm magazine is choc full of farmgirl take homes and inspiration! It's a must-have for every farmgirl at heart.

But wait! There's more!

 Farmgirl Heidi is adding one of her latest farmgirl apron designs to the goodies bag too! Her western retro pin-up girl fabric just whistles farmgirl doesn't it?

 

 Farmgirl Dolly is whipping up an apron exactly like this one ( fabric is a surprise ). It's inspired by an apron her grandmother wore. It's practical and pretty designed by Dolly for everyday farmgirl work inside or out! Read the story behind this cherished apron here.

Farmgirl Debbie ( Farmgirl Unleashed ) is giving away some of her homemade farmgirl body products! Her

Wake me up Sugar Scrub pictured above is one of three items she's tossing in the Farmgirl Goodie Bag. 

Boy howdy! That's a lot of FARMGIRL GOODIES! 

One comment on all four blogs gives you 4 chances to win the whole lot!

GOOD LUCK!

It's still Farmgirl Friday so don't forget to enter your posts and 

HAPPY SPRING from all of your Farmgirl Friday hostesses!

Heidi of My Simple Country Living 
and White Wolf Summit Farmgirl Blog
Dolly of Hibiscus House family of blogs
Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed 

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 148 and The Farmgirl Buzz!

 

Dear friends, Welcome back to your favorite Friday Blog Hop for farmgirls far and wide!

I'm so happy March has finally arrived here in the northeast. Even though we are still experiencing unusually cold weather for this time of year I know without a doubt that soon I'll be spending more time outdoors cleaning the greenhouse, raking left over leaves out of the flower beds and planting seeds for this years flower crop! 

 Plus, I've got a long list of DIY projects for inside! This is the year we are FINALLY going to finish our ECO-FRIENDLY kitchen re-do we started a few years ago. It started with refacing the kitchen cabinets, and a new vintage inspired farm sink. NEW floors and a NEW island top are top of the list, plus as always there will be furniture and walls to paint! I'll do my best to share as we go! 

We are also just two weeks a way from our 150th Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop and our BIG announcement!!! Stay tuned!!! 

Here's The Farmgirl Buzz from Farmgirl Chit-Chat!

Life is humming along on Farmgirl Chit-Chat  this week! We are wrapping up a craft swap, stitching together a crochet along, and tying one on with an apron swap! 

PLUS,  Heidi is having her Grab an Apron Blog Hop and Dolly is hosting a giveaway for one of her beautifully custom designed reversible fabric handmade bags! And, Debbie aka Farmgirl Unleashed is about to become a first time Bee Keeper!

So, if you haven't joined us yet, please do! You won't find a more active, productive and supportive group on Facebook! Well, besides the amazingly brilliant MaryJanesFarmgirl Connection that is, which inspired us to start our own!

Thank you all for your fabulous entries each week! You are all simply amazing and we ( Heidi, Dolly, Debbie and I ) LOVE how you share your farmgirl lifestyles and inspire others. Keep up the GOOD work! Farmgirls Forever!!!

Time to link up for your weekly dose of what??? Farmgirl Soul-food that's what!

Heidi, Dolly, Debbie and I love to see what you're up to from week to week so let's get going!

Heidi of My Simple Country Living 
and White Wolf Summit Farmgirl Blog
Dolly of Hibiscus House and Dolly is Cooking
Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed 
and me of course!

You don't have to live on a farm to join this hop!

 Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJaneButters 

Brag a little ( or a lot ) about your farmgirl talents! Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea! Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 124 PLUS Meet FARMGIRL UNLEASHED

 Dear fellow farmgirl/boy participants, new friends and followers! 

Today, my fellow farmgirl hostesses Heidi, Dolly and I are super excited to introduce you to our NEW bloggin' friend and BRAND NEW fellow hostess of our weekly Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop! Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed recently got her " farmgirl walking papers" when she joined MaryJanes Farmgirl Sisterhood.  She's sister # 4393! We first met Debbie when she linked up to our weekly hop a few weeks ago. She's a city farmgirl gone rural and loving every minute of  it!

  We fell instantly in love with her uber -cute FARMGIRL blog design and her UN- ashamed, from the heart writing style about UN- leashing her inner farmgirl on her newly acquired 5 acre homestead

Right now, she's over the moon about her new pole barn ( among other things)  and keeping us in the loop with weekly entries and photos! 

 If you haven't met Debbie ( Farmgirl Unleashed ) please hop over and give her a warm welcome and a friendly hello! We know you'll enjoy her blog as much as we do!

 YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE FARMGIRL SISTERHOOD to join the FARMGIRL/BOY FRIDAY BLOG HOP although I highly recommend you check it out if you like the idea of earning badges for all the fun farmgirl activities you already do, and the new ones you will try your hand at in the future!

 Everyone who plays in the dirt, craft room, kitchen or farmyard are welcome! FARM-BOYS WELCOME!
 Now, you know what time it is? YUP! Time to link up for your weekly dose of farmgirl soul food! 

 Your Farmgirl Friday Hostesses~  

Heidi of My Simple Country Living 
and White Wolf Summit Farmgirl Blog
Dolly of Hibiscus House and Dolly is Cooking
Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed 
and me of course!

 Here are the rules for the Farmgirl/GUY Blog Hop!

1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals,  quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave your entry in the  Linky tools space to your  Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!

4.) Enter up to three entries per hop! 


 DON'T BE SHY~  

Be sure to leave a note if you're new to the hop! If you haven't clicked that follow button yet, please join us and be sure to stop by our FACEBOOK page and like us there too! 

As always, thank you for your continued participation and welcome new friends and followers! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! See you on the hop! 

PS. This is a blog hop, so please share it with your friends by copying the code at the bottom of this post and including it into your weekly entry! 

Tough Chicks

I can't help but worry about my girls in the dead of winter... This past week we've had below freezing temps every day and yet they carry on as if it's no big deal. When I go out to give them fresh water each morning they cackle and cluck and get me all caught up on the hen house happenings.

We don't keep a heat lamp or a light on in the coop in the winter months. Ameraucanas are bread for cold winters and hearty they are! It gives me great comfort knowing that even though I don't baby them through the coldest part of winter they are thriving and healthy despite the bitter cold temperatures! I  keep the inside of the hen house filled with fresh shavings so they can still take warm dust baths as the light of the sun streams in through the large window...

And, of course I give them plenty of kitchen scraps and oyster shells too! I don't spend as much time outside with them during winter so I love our short visits when I'm doing chores.

How are your " girls" holding up this winter?

 My "girls" want to know!

Getting ready for your first flock? 

Check out these helpful links.

MyPetChicken

Backyard Chickens

Tilly's Nest / Cape Cod Area

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 93

Howdy friends! Welcome back to the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop! Your place to get your " farm on " with friends from far and wide. My co-hostess and I can't wait to see what you've been up too!

Heidi of My Simple Country Living 
and White Wolf Summit Farmgirl Blog
Dolly of Hibiscus House and Dolly is Cooking and me of course!

  Farmgirls love anything to do with homesteading, keeping chicken's, embroidering, sewing, knitting, spinning, quilting, natural home remedies for health care and cleaning, horses, goats, cows, organic gardening and cooking, caring for their loved ones and friends and are community minded. Re-purposing and UP-cycling are high on their list of " fun things to do too! "FARM-BOYS like to join in from time to time and we are glad to have'm.

It's been a busy week here at Dandelion House... I've been away from the computer quite a bit while I stock my booth at our local Antique Mall with vintage farmgirl goodies for our GRAND OPENING February 1st!  I've fallen in love with vintage linens!   I've been shopping like a mad woman for vintage aprons, crochet coverlets, lace tablecloths, fancy linen hand towels, and embroidered pillowcases and having a ball! I promise some new pic's soon!

Now, for this weeks FEATURED FARMGIRLS!

Miss Nifty-Thrifty entered her homemade onion, garlic and honey cough syrup recipe! Just in time for flu season! She's a new blogger and welcome new followers and friends! Go say hello an give her some blog love!

Kristi of Thankful Me blog tackled a quilted baby blanket... Some little lucky fella will stay comfy cozy wrapped in her beautiful quilt! Way to go Kristi!

YUM! Homemade rolls anyone? Maple Hill 101 shared an easy bread recipe sure to get you off of your computers and into the kitchen!

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 92

 

Welcome one and all to the 92nd Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop! 

Your FARMGIRL FRIDAY Hostesses are ready and waiting for your farm-tabulouse entries! 

Heidi of My Simple Country Living 
and White Wolf Summit Farmgirl Blog
Dolly of Hibiscus House and Dolly is Cooking and me of course!

  Farmgirls love anything to do with homesteading, keeping chicken's, embroidering, sewing, knitting, spinning, quilting, natural home remedies for health care and cleaning, horses, goats, cows, organic gardening and cooking, caring for their loved ones and friends and are community minded. Re-purposing and UP-cycling are high on their list of " fun things to do too! "FARM-BOYS like to join in from time to time and we are glad to have'm.

  I've been having the time of my life this week purchasing vintage items for my shop! New packages are arriving every day from EBay. It feels like Christmas all over again! And, it's beginning to look like it too! 
Read all about it in this weeks MJF Beach Farmgirl post...

 I'm also sharing two clever FARM sign projects from last weeks hop and a great printable project!

Farm life Chick of The Chick n' Coop  created her farm sign from salvaged barn wood! I love it and it looks so darling hanging above her country cupboard.

Heather of New House, New Home , New Life blog shared her Farm sign project too! Also from salvaged wood with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

Angie, from Knick of Time shared a wonderful printable project for an antique butter box! 

 How clever is that? 

Now, it's your turn to link up for your weekly dose of farmgirl soul food!
 Here are the rules for the Farmgirl/guy Blog Hop!

1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals,  quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave your entry in the  Linky tools space to your  Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!

4.) Enter up to three entries per hop! 

 DON'T BE SHY~  

Be sure to leave a note if you're new to the hop! If you haven't clicked that follow button yet, please join us and be sure to stop by our FACEBOOK page and like us there too! 
As always, thank you for your continued participation and welcome new friends and followers!
 

Yours, in farmgirl spirit.
Deb, Heidi and Dolly