About Me

My photo
My tremendously supportive husband & I have 3 wonderful children, 1 dog, 12 laying hens, 2 dairy goats, 3 bee hives, and a 2000 sq foot vegetable garden on a small 1/4 acre lot in the city. In the center of it all is our small 1,000 sq foot house purchased in 2008 as a foreclosure that we fully renovated to host our growing family, home school adventures, and small home business (CozyLeaf.com). We have a desire to learn a path to self sufficiency finding ways to be good stewards of the resources God has given us. We want to learn to live with less as we laydown roots to our little homestead.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Appleyard ducklings have hatched!!

Our 4 mama ducks gave us 35 eggs over 10 days and we saved 28 to incubate. By day 28 of incubation, we had 20 little ducklings hatch and ready to join our backyard farm (or be sold...most will be sold). 
They are adorable and full of life!! They are only 2 days old and already enjoying the fresh air. We put up a little spot for them with a tray of water...which they are loving!!





Monday, May 13, 2013

Incubating duck eggs 28 days, then little ducklings hatch

I absolutely adore this time of year! Our little homestead is full of life!! Baby goats, baby chicks and now baby ducks! We started incubating 28 duck eggs a month ago and we get to enjoy these little feathery friends in our backyard!
Here is a video of our incubation process.


Monday, April 15, 2013

Poppy had her Babies!!! Quadruplets!!

Our first set of kids are here!! Poppy did not top her record from last year of having 5 babies, but we are absolutely thrilled with the adorable 4 she gave us this year! 3 of these precious babies are little doelings and one is a little buckling. I had stayed home from church since our little George was sick. George and I spent all day outside with Poppy and about 3 minutes before she was ready to start pushing, Bryan, Henry, and Addie got home! Bryan had enough time to change out of his dress pants and shirt, but didn't even have a chance to get off his dress socks ;) Needless to say, Addies church dress needed to be washed!!
We have had requests for a video of the birth...so here it is! Warning: Not for those who dont wanting to see a little TMI!! Especially as she progresses into the birth of baby #2, she decided to move RIGHT beside the camera. My sister was hilarious as she watched this video..."Oooooooooooh, oooooooooh, AAAAA..." 
Poppy is very loud while birthing. So loud that the neighbors all heard and ended up comin on over with all the kids and grandkids to see the event!