Hello from the Quarantined HillTop! How are you fairing in this crazy time of quarantine? Personally, life has not changed too much for us, other than my husband is home full-time currently. We're still doing our normal things this time of year: prepping garden beds, clearing brush, growing from seeds and repairing areas that harsh … Continue reading How to Get Started
Hello from the cold tundra that is our HillTop! This is one of those winters that is a blessing and a curse. Western Pennsylvania is known for snow this time of year, but this year the Farmer's Almanac has our area on a light snow in combination for a winter style slush-rain mix. Frozen egg … Continue reading Winter Planning
Hello from the HillTop! Here we are, a New Year, which brings new plans, new goals, and new hope. It amazes me how fast 2019 came and went. So fast that I looked up and I'm ashamed to admit, I didn't not commit to this blog outlet of mine near the amount that I had … Continue reading Back to Basics
I've heard for a few years now, chickens are gateway livestock. Once you get a few layers you'll keep expanding into others. I can honestly say, we did not buy a different type of animal. We did, however, move into the realm of meat chickens. My husband spear headed this project, and I helped and … Continue reading Trials and Tribulations of Meat Chickens
I enjoy gardening. Personally, I deal with anxiety and depression, gardening has become a strong, stable point helping to keeping my anxiety at bay. Beyond that, gardening has also helped me to keep costs down for our groceries, while providing healthy food for my family. While gardening these last few years, I've watched and learned … Continue reading What Gardening Teaches Children
Spring is here...unless you live in Western Pennsylvania! There are signs of it already. New grass trying to pop through the snow (yes, we have snow still at times), birds singing and warmer weather keeps making it's way into the weekly forecast. Springtime brings the itching want to begin one's garden. Flower gardens are great, … Continue reading Growing Community in Your Garden
Hello from the HillTop! Personally when I think of spring, I think of planning for my garden and prepping for planting. Now that we have chickens, I'm planning on new chicks to add to our flock for the spring. Possibly even planning for other animal additions...I'm starting to ponder sheep...but that's a different story. One … Continue reading A Spring Sweet: Chocolate Mint Zucchini Bread
Hello from the HillTop! As I have previously stated, I have become the crazy chicken lady. I'm embracing that title with pride. I want to introduce you to our flock. Being that we have nine chickens, that could take some time. I'm starting with what is the most logical order, I'd like you to meet … Continue reading HillTop Highlight – Sara the Welsummer
When you think of a farm, you think of the whole ordeal...you think of the sprawling fields, the big red barn, sounds of a tractor and of course each animal you sing about in "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." Well, that was what I grew up with, but our barn was white and our farm … Continue reading Suburban Farm Girl
