Have you ever considered the impact that your laundry habits might have on the environment? Would you be prepared to implement some changes to make your laundry routine more eco-friendly? This week, our washing machine broke down. We inherited the machine when we bought the house six years ago, though we think it had only…
Are you interested in purchasing a range cooker? Perhaps you are wondering whether a range cooker is worth the expense? Or maybe you have some practical questions: How do you cook with a range oven? How does it differ from a more modern oven? Read on to find out about our experience! Making the Right…
What does it mean to be a smallholder? What do smallholders do all day? If you’re curious, I’ll walk you through a typical day in my life in early Spring. 5.00 – I wake early to let the birds out. I clean out the duck house and refill their water bath. The alpacas and our…
Are you thinking about adding a four-legged friend to your family? Should you adopt a dog from a shelter or get a new puppy from a breeder? That’s likely one of the first questions that prospective dog owners will ask themselves! We adopted two dogs from a rescue centre, and I would like to share…
Is it possible to take a few days away as a smallholder? Can things just tick over for a weekend? How much do you need to ask someone to do if they house-sit? These are all important questions. As a smallholder, I have responsibility for my animals and garden. Just as a pet owner or…
Have you ever wished that there were more hours in the day? Or wondered how you could be more productive with your time? Do you feel you are fighting against time as you try to get the most out of your day? Here’s my secret weapon. Time is a very valuable resource, especially now that…
Quiche, tart or flan: what would you call this deliciously simple meal? It can be served hot or cold, with a choice of fillings limited only by what you have in your fridge. I love to make a quiche every week over the summer months, as it makes good use of our fresh eggs and…
Have you ever wondered what the reality of self-sufficiency looks like? What do people who grow their own food actually eat? Well, here is an example of a typical week’s worth of evening meals. We are currently in late Spring. Some of our fresh produce is ready to eat, but we are also relying heavily…
Are you considering keeping some in your back garden? Is it better to buy point of lay birds or to offer a new lease of life to ex-battery chickens? Why Do Hens Need To Be Rescued? We have rescued ex-commercial hens through a local charity, Homes4Hens, a few times now. These poor birds look very…
I love Spring! It’s such a hopeful time of year. The days start to get longer and warmer. The grass starts to grow. Bluebells and daffodils add splashes of beautiful colour. And it’s time to get started in the vegetable garden. Every year it feels like the race is on to get all the seedlings…
