Narrated by Silver Boy the Silver Swedish DrakeOne-eyed flock leader. Dignified. Determined. Slightly baffled by humans. It started with socks.Not on feet. On hands.The small human sprinted past the coop wearing mismatched socks as mittens, hollering something about “hot water duty.”I blinked. With my good eye.The hens were scandalized. He made it to the duckContinue reading “🦆 February: “Silver Boy’s Slush Report””
Author Archives: Traci Houston
🌎 Climate Balance: Why Strong Winters Are Part of Healthy Seasonal Cycles
Winter is often seen as a burden—cold mornings, icy roads, and long nights. Yet strong winters are not just obstacles to endure; they are essential chapters in the seasonal cycle. When winter is robust, with deep snowpack and sustained cold, the land, water, and communities all benefit in ways that ripple through the year. ❄️Continue reading “🌎 Climate Balance: Why Strong Winters Are Part of Healthy Seasonal Cycles”
🌙 Cultural Rhythm: How Winter Slows Us Down, Making Space for Storytelling, Creativity, and Gratitude
Winter has a way of pressing pause on the frantic pace of life. The land itself slows—fields rest, trees stand bare, animals conserve energy—and we follow suit. In Southern Vigo County, the rhythm of winter is not just about enduring cold; it’s about embracing the quiet, leaning into slower days, and rediscovering the practices thatContinue reading “🌙 Cultural Rhythm: How Winter Slows Us Down, Making Space for Storytelling, Creativity, and Gratitude”
🪶 January: “Lucy’s Cold Case”
Narrated by Lucy the GooseWinter Watchdog. Honk-first-ask-questions-later. Has opinions on everything. It started with a suspicious silence.I waddled past the porch, past the woodpile, past the rabbit hutches—nothing. Not a cluck, not a bleat, not even a human mutter. Highly irregular. I honked once. No response.I honked twice. Still nothing.Clearly, something was wrong. I marchedContinue reading “🪶 January: “Lucy’s Cold Case””
💧 Water Security: Why Snowpack Is Vital for Spring Planting and Aquifers
When we talk about winter storms, most of us think about icy roads, frozen pipes, and the hassle of shoveling. But beneath the inconvenience lies one of the most important ecological processes for farming, homesteading, and community life: snowpack. Those layers of snow that accumulate across fields, forests, and hillsides are not just frozen water—theyContinue reading “💧 Water Security: Why Snowpack Is Vital for Spring Planting and Aquifers”
Ecological Reset: How Cold Snaps Protect Crops and Restore Balance in Nature
When meteorologists warn of a harsh winter, most of us picture icy roads, frozen pipes, and endless shoveling. But beneath the inconvenience lies a hidden blessing: cold snaps act as nature’s reset button. They protect crops, restore balance to ecosystems, and reduce the spread of invasive pests that thrive in milder seasons. ❄️ Winter asContinue reading “Ecological Reset: How Cold Snaps Protect Crops and Restore Balance in Nature”
🥔 Shepherd’s Pie: A Comfort Dish Rooted in History
Winter meals are more than nourishment—they’re stories carried forward in flavor. Shepherd’s Pie is one of those dishes that feels timeless, a recipe born of necessity and creativity, yet still beloved today. Shepherd’s Pie traces back to Ireland in the 1800s, when resourceful women began combining leftovers into hearty meals. Lamb or mutton was common,Continue reading “🥔 Shepherd’s Pie: A Comfort Dish Rooted in History”
If You Give a Homesteader a Snowy Morning
If you give a homesteader a snowy morning, they’ll bundle up to go do chores. First comes collecting eggs, then feeding and watering the chickens. Checking the frozen water will mean hauling the waterer out to dump the ice. Dumping the ice will send one quick chicken darting into the yard. Chasing the chicken willContinue reading “If You Give a Homesteader a Snowy Morning”
The Future of Ranching: Challenges and Innovations
As we look toward the future of ranching, it’s clear that this iconic way of life is facing significant challenges. From climate change to urbanization, the pressures on the ranching industry are mounting. Yet, ranchers have always been resilient, and today’s generation is finding innovative ways to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world. ByContinue reading “The Future of Ranching: Challenges and Innovations”
🥧 Old‑Fashioned Fruit Cobbler: A Winter Comfort Classic
Winter has a way of nudging us back into the kitchen. When the days grow short and the air sharpens, we crave warmth—not just from the fire or the blankets, but from the oven. Few things capture that comfort better than a bubbling fruit cobbler, its golden crust rising over sweet filling, ready to beContinue reading “🥧 Old‑Fashioned Fruit Cobbler: A Winter Comfort Classic”
