If you’ve noticed small orange or red bugs gathering on your windows, walls, or ceilings, you’re not alone. Every year, homeowners start asking the same question: are these ladybugs… or something else? The truth is, many people get confused when it comes to lady beetles vs ladybug, often mistaking the invasive Asian lady beetle for…
I don’t know about you, but when it comes to a fruit punch recipe, I want to drink punch made with real fruit juice! This tropical fruit punch combines fresh bananas, pineapple juice, and orange juice for a fruity punch that’s perfect for spring picnics, baby showers, or even summer barbecues. No artificial flavors, no…
When raising baby chicks or any small birds, a reliable heat source is a necessity to keep your chicks warm. Unlike adult birds, chicks have fluff, not feathers. Chicks need to be provided with supplemental heat until they have fully feathered out and can regulate their own body temperature. Since I was a girl, we…
Have you ever wished you could enjoy that creamy, melty texture of store-bought Velveeta cheese but without all the processed ingredients? This recipe for homemade Velveeta cheese from raw milk offers a healthier alternative to a classic favorite. It uses just a handful of simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry. This kind of…
When you picture a beehive, most people first think of the queen bee and the busyness of the worker bees. You might not realize that worker bees are all female, every single one of them. Male honey bees are called drones, but where are they, and what do drone bees do? Many consider drones to…
With the cost of eggs skyrocketing, many homeowners are adding backyard chickens for egg production. As you browse the commercial feed aisle in your local feed store, you may be overwhelmed with the choices. Providing a balanced diet for your feathered friends ensures healthy animals that produce nutrient-dense food for your family. But what do…
Calf sharing is a great way to enjoy the benefits of owning a family milk cow, but not be overwhelmed with milk. As a first-time cow owner, we jumped in feet first with not just one Dexter milk cow but three! Anticipating the birth of our third calf on the homestead, I wanted to look…
Raising backyard chickens is feasible for many families, even those in suburban neighborhoods. A small flock of 5 to 6 hens will produce enough eggs for most families. Chickens are easy keepers and a great way to extend age-appropriate responsibility to children. Additionally, a backyard flock is a great way to introduce kids to where…
Here on Kowalski Mountain, we are blessed with an abundance of wildflowers! Fleabane is a common wildflower around the farm. It is often recognized as a weed. Some even call it a superweed that can defy the heavy weed killers used in commercial farming. This native plant grows across much of the United States So…
Spring is such an exciting time on the homestead! As the farm begins to green up, it’s also a time when babies begin to emerge on the farm! When it comes to chickens, you may be lucky enough to have a broody hen willing to hatch some baby chicks. While it’s adorable to see young…
