• Homesteading

    Spring [Barn] Cleaning

    Today was spring cleaning today for the barn. We got a late start and didn’t get quite as much completed as we had hoped, but we got a solid start! (I kind of love the photo above; Mama Candy with…

  • Chickens

    Spring Chicks

    Every year, we usually add a few hens to our laying flock, just to keep productive young hens coming up as older hens slow down their laying. This winter, we lost about 6 hens and one much-loved rooster to a…

  • Maizey, our almost-yearling doe
    Goats

    Kidding Season: 2018 Preview

    I don’t know about you, but I have some serious spring fever. Northwestern Pennsylvania had a pretty harsh winter this year with record breaking snowfall.  Recent days have been mercifully milder though. Our snow has melted and temperatures are gradually climbing.…

  • Homesteading

    Canine Diabetes

    I adopted Gracie, a pug/beagle mix, from a rescue organization in January of 2007. She was a young adult when I adopted her; the rescue guessed her to be about 2, but it’s hard to say. Grace has been my…

  • Tigger the barn cat
    Homesteading

    Barn Cat

    It would appear we have acquired a barn cat. His name is Tigger and he belonged to a former coworker of Mike’s. Unfortunately Tigger’s house manners aren’t so good, so they had to get rid of him. We were in…

  • Sauerkraut in jar
    Farmstead Kitchen

    Homemade Sauerkraut

    On Saturday, Myles and I decided to follow along with Art + Bri and make some homemade sauerkraut. Myles is a pretty picky eater (not unlike his mama -ahem-) but it’s amazing how much more willing to try things kids…

  • Homesteading

    The Underrated Beauty of Staying In

    Our area was recently hit with some pretty epic snowfall. The news stations were asking people to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, and some areas were even fining people for going out unless their vehicles were equipped with…

  • Homesteading

    Looking Ahead: Homestead Goals for 2018

    I feel like 2018 is going to be a lean year, focused on saving and only spending on what’s really needed to keep the farmstead running. I’m actually looking forward to getting a little creative with building and repairing and just…

  • Chickens in Winter | Little Red Farmstead
    Homesteading

    Snow, Cold Snap, and Welcome to 2018

    We are in the midst of a cold snap with lots and lots of lake effect snow. Our farmstead is around 20 miles south of Erie, Pennsylvania–which, if you didn’t know, just got hit with crazy record-breaking snowfall since Christmas…

  • Candy at the Albion Fair - Sept. 2017
    4-H,  Goats

    2017 Albion Fair, Goat Show Results & More

    This year, the Albion Fair ran from September 12-16th and it was our second year showing (read about our first year here). I was fortunate to be able to take the entire week off work so I could enjoy it…