12.18.25 THU – Stains

On a damp, cloudy morning, the goal is usually to get the chores done without becoming part of the landscape. I was in my daily farm uniform—my favorite oversized hoodie—moving through the usual routine.

Then there’s Skeet.

Skeet is our wether sheep who has a specific morning requirement: a hug.

He doesn’t tackle me or knock me into the muck; he is far too polite for that. Instead, he waits for me to squat down as I’m cleaning out his hay feeder, then gently places his two front hooves against my back.

He has a very light, deliberate touch—his version of a tap on the shoulder to ask, “Is it time yet?”

Later, as I walked out of the pen to secure it for the day, my husband looked at me and shook his head, smiling. “You’ve got mud all over your back,” he said.

I looked at the brown hoof prints staining my arm and likely all the way down the back of my hoodie and realized I didn’t feel the urge to go change anymore.

I used to care about the “mess” of the farm, but in that moment, the mud didn’t feel like dirt; it felt like a badge of honor.

I’d take a muddy hoodie and a gentle, affectionate sheep over a clean jacket and a lonely morning any day.

Some stains are worth keeping for a little while.

12.17.25 WED – M is for Margins

If you’re anything like me, sometimes it feels like you’re trying to balance a boatload of plates without dropping any.

This last month or so I’ve been trying to be more intentional with those small pockets of times or “margins” that pop up many times throughout the day.

Having a small farm outside of a 40 hour work week is EXHAUSTING. So rather than just trying to finding 1-2 hours to work on a specific project (which is never), I have to get creative about finding time elsewhere – and that’s where these margins shine for me.

Jess writes one of my favorite newsletters and shared about Margins in her new A-Z series (check out I – P here).

If you’re feeling like you might be in the same boat as I am for this season, you should definitely check her out 👇🏻

I’m kicking off a new mini-series where each week, I’ll share a tip tied to a letter of the alphabet. Nothing fancy. Nothing overwhelming. Just small, doable ways to make your side hustle life a little lighter.

Jessica Williams @ #jesspicks

12.14.25 SUN – Raising animals is hard

For months, my shins have been spotted with purple bruises thanks to a little punk we named Stanley. He had a particular way of using his horns to tell me I wasn’t moving fast enough with the morning oats.

I spent all week counting down the minutes until the family from Omaha arrived; I was grateful to finally be rid of the bruises and the headache resulting from dealing with his antics.

Stanley was the first baby goat that I, personally, ever had to assist with at birth, but by now, I was more than ready to see him graduate into a breeding buck for someone else.

But then the moment came.

After the introductions were made, the sale was final, and his new owner’s trailer door finally latched closed… it was then that I heard Stanley’s first frightened cry, and the relief I had been craving all week was gone.

I took my last look at this beautiful, playful buck and once again saw the tiny, wet baby I’d fought to bring into the world.

It was at that moment I realized that the bruises weren’t just an annoyance; they were the physical proof that little Stanley was growing up.

He didn’t need me to step in and help anymore.

Stanley was now prepared to go be the king of someone else’s pastures.

Bittersweet.

12.01.25 MON

It was 18° (and snowing) for chores this morning.

Most people would assume that we’d do chores super quick when it’s that cold outside, unfortunately it doesn’t tend to work out that way most of the time.

You never really account for the extras that pop up when it’s below freezing.

• Heated water buckets freezing and needing to be replaced
• Needing to clean snow out of every single outdoor hay feeder before feeding new hay
• The simple fact that it takes longer to trek through inches of snow to get to the next pen

Farming is not always pretty – but dang it’s worth it.

11.30.25 SUN

Reminder: Last day to get your 2026 calendar for only $15!

Orders received tomorrow will be $20, so don’t wait – order today.

11.29.25 SAT – First Snow

So yesterday/today was the first real snow we’ve had for the winter season.

This morning was 28° (feels like 21°). No wind #grateful

Didn’t dress cold enough yesterday.

DEFINITELY dressed cold enough today.

These helped.

11.28.25 – Working Sheep

We are planners, so we plan routine things throughout the year.

For example: every quarter we trim goat and sheep hooves.

Sometimes those get scheduled when it’s 14° outside.

Like today – the coldest it’s been so far and we were outside trimming the sheep hooves.

We are actively trying to get better at this.

Maybe skip winter next time?

11.24.25 MON – 2026 Calendar

Pre-order by Nov 30th for 25% off!

11.23.25 SUN

Today I had to skip out of chores at 6:30am to head inside to cook a turkey for our Penner Thanksgiving.

It turned out well!  I put the butter on the outside of the skin instead of the inside. 

A simple and delicious way to make a turkey 🙂

Recipe: https://www.saltandlavender.com/roast-turkey/