How we get our hens to lay in winter - Hello from the farm, One of the questions we're asked more than any other at this time of year is: "How are your hens still laying eggs in winter?" The...
I've got a winter question - Hello from the farm, With the weekend's snowfall, I've started thinking about winter comfort food. Not soups, not warming casseroles, but Eggnog obviously!...
This job can't wait until spring - Hello from the farm, Do you love sweet peas as much as me? I have a serious soft spot for sweet peas. They're not the showiest flowers in the garden....
June 2026
How to cook like a French Chef - Hello from the farm! I was still a teen when I discovered the soufflé omelette. Which means I spent my entire childhood completely unaware that eggs...
Very expensive sticks - Hello from the farm, I'm a little late sending out my weekly musings. Winter means life suddenly starts operating according to a different set of rules....
Something was eating our house - It started, as most things do, with a noise. Something large was eating the building. Not near the building. Not investigating the building. Eating it...
Our hens have a better view than most - Hello from the farm, Mark took this photo this week and it reminded me that sometimes I forget to appreciate where we actually live. The fresh snow on...
Don't use water to boil eggs - Hello from the farm, Soft-boiled eggs with toast soldiers may be one of the greatest comfort foods of childhood. Dipping buttered strips of toast into...
May 2026
I'm better with Margaritas - Hello from the farm, Back in spring I decided it would be lovely to grow corn and a few other things for Cocina. Not broadacre farming levels of corn....
We've been eating this on repeat - Hello from the farm, Turkish eggs (Cilbir) are a favourite in the farmhouse kitchen rotation. They somehow manage to feel comforting, indulgent and healthy...
The Flintstones to a Hallmark Movie - Hello from the farm, A little snow this week has been a jolting reminder that the long weekend is fast approaching. So this week at the farm, it has been...
Chicken Nutritionists - Who'd have thought? - Hello from the farm, Did you know we have a chicken nutritionist? Neither did I, until we started ordering feed a few years ago. There has been a lot...
April 2026
The farm family just grew - Hello from the farm, We had new arrivals yesterday. Two flocks of newbie ISA Browns joined the farm, which is always a slightly chaotic but very exciting...
I can buy myself flowers - Hello from the farm, This past week has been all about the flowers, specifically getting all our spring blooms organised. The narcissus bulbs have arrived...
In search of the holy grail - When you have an abundance of eggs then of course you have to make vanilla slice. Vanilla slice, with its luscious layer of creamy custard and flaky pastry,...
Working dogs who don't work - Hello from the farm, People often ask how we protect our chickens from predators. More specifically, whether we have Maremma guardian dogs. We don't....
March 2026
Easter hits a little differently here - Hello from the farm, Easter hits a little differently when you have chickens. It's one of the few times of the year when everyone else is thinking about...
The farm changed overnight - Hello from the farm! How good has this rain been? It's the first time this year I've looked outside and thought, "gees, the lawn needs mowing." I...
It's Zucchini season - Lock your car! - Hello from the farm, Gosh so many of you were making pasta after my note last week! So I thought I'd better share another little blurb on cooking with...
Why we blame Italy - Hello from the farm, Now that one is allowed to be anything they choose, it's time to tell you that I identify as Italian, especially when it comes...
Things escalated quickly around here - Hello from the farm, We've been in farm planning mode for the past six years, but this year things have escalated somewhat. We're developing a one-acre...
February 2026
This is why your eggs won't peel! - Hello from the farm, Now you would think anyone can boil an egg and possibly most can. But getting a hard-boiled egg perfect (and peel-able) takes a little...
Do you talk to plants? - Hello from the farm, Do you talk to plants? I do - I talk to my flowers, my trees and my garden. With the relentless heat of the past few weeks, it has...