Our Faithful Flock

  It’s been a hectic season around here, and I can definitely feel it. Life has been full, schedules have been packed, and some of my favorite rhythms—like regular sourdough baking—have taken a bit of a back seat. While I haven’t been baking bread lately, I did stumble across a sourdough fresh-milled flour chocolate chip cookie recipe that has quickly become a household favorite. Sometimes a good cookie is just what everyone needs. https://freshmilledmama.com/the-best-chocolate-chip-cookies-made-with-fresh-milled-flour-soft-and-chewy/ Even in the midst of the busyness, the chickens continue to be a steady, comforting presence. They’re doing well overall, though they’ve started to slow down on egg production now that winter has settled in. We do have a light in the coop to help extend daylight hours, but despite that, fewer eggs are just part of the season. Thankfully, the cold air itself doesn’t seem to bother them much. Mike and I spent time winterizing both the coop and the r...

Today was one of those days that felt like a gift. Nothing was on the calendar, and I didn’t feel rushed—I just had time to enjoy the things I love. The kitchen was busy with the smell of fresh baking. I worked on four sourdough loaves and tried a new recipe that turned out amazing. Alongside that, I made five dozen chocolate chip muesli cookies. While the bread was rising, I found myself glued to the chicken coop camera, watching the girls in the nest boxes. It’s funny how much drama a few hens can stir up. They were all lined up, waiting for one particular nest box as if it was the only option in the world. The squawking, pacing, and indecision made me laugh. Finally, three eggs were laid, and then Ruby—after taking her sweet time—marched right out of the nest, headed toward the door, and promptly plopped her egg right there on the ground. And yes, I caught the whole thing on camera! The eggs we’ve collected so far have been such a blessing—each one perfectly formed with strong s...

  I’m so excited—three of our chickens have started laying their adorable little eggs! They’re tiny, but oh my goodness, they’re just the cutest things. Today brought a bit of unexpected chicken drama. I accidentally left one of the girls outside the run while the other five were locked in. I didn’t notice until I checked the camera and saw her wandering happily around the yard. When I went out to bring her back in, she was living her best life—scratching, pecking, and exploring like she owned the place. Meanwhile, the five inside were tattling up a storm! Oh, the squawking! You’d think they were filing formal complaints about the injustice. They really are so much like children. School starts tomorrow, and the Early Learning Center kicked off yesterday. The past few days have been filled with early mornings, late nights, and a to-do list that never ends. I’m running on coffee and determination, but I know it’s going to be an amazing year. With the rush of back-to-school, my ...

  Let’s be honest—raising chickens the way we’ve done it is downright bougie. Between the custom coop, automatic doors, fans, cameras, and misting systems, we’ve invested way more than we’ll ever make back in eggs. But these girls? They’re worth every penny. They bring so much joy with their quirky antics that I often find myself just sitting and watching them, laughing out loud. Take, for example, the way they react to new treats. You’d think I was offering them poison. They’ll cock their heads, inspecting the item suspiciously with one eye like it’s some kind of trick. Every. Single. Time. And then there’s the mister system. We installed it to help them cool down during the hottest afternoons. But instead of enjoying the refreshing mist, they panic when it turns on—squawking and running into their coop to hide until it shuts off. Then, once it stops, they come out like nothing happened. Which, of course, completely defeats the purpose. Maybe one day they’ll figure it out. Or...

  This morning started slow and quiet. I stepped outside, let the chickens roam, sipped my coffee, and just rested in the presence of the Lord. And look who joined me! 😂 In the middle of all our to-dos and responsibilities, it’s easy to push aside quiet time with God. But those moments are what truly center us. My reading today was from James 3:17 (AMP): “But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving, courteous, considerate, gentle, reasonable and willing to listen, full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].” That’s the kind of wisdom I want to walk in—peaceful, steady, and full of compassion. One devotion reminded me that it’s often the little things that shake our peace: a rough interaction, unexpected traffic, or a change in plans. So my prayer today is simple: Lord, help me walk in peace—especially in the little things.

Our day started with toddler pageant queens having full-blown meltdowns in the airport while our flight was delayed for hours. We finally arrive in Denver and had another lengthy wait. Just when we thought we were boarding—surprise! A smoke test happened and filled the area with artificial smoke.  Then  Starbucks closed the moment I ordered.  Made it to Grand Junction and there were no Ubers available. So we waited 30 minutes for a taxi… only to get a driver who cussed like it was a second language (but politely apologized after every word) and proudly informed us that she speeds—but it’s “fine” because police don’t pull over taxis. 😳 We finally made it to the hotel at 1:30am, five hours late and running on fumes. But in all the chaos, God reminded me: grace is still present, even when nothing else goes as planned. Sometimes all you can do is laugh, breathe, and thank Him for getting you through the mess—one meltdown, missed coffee, and wild cab ride at a time. “She is...