Monthly Archives: July 2013

Duck Pond

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

We have a duck pond on the farm. Or something like a duck pond. It’s a large hole in the ground half-full of water, covered by Azolla (a native water fern), surrounded by grasses and visited by waterbirds. It has … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden, Nature | Tagged , | 6 Comments

New Home, New Chicken Run

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

The first thing we had to do before we could move to Richmond was build a fox-proof chicken run. We’ve seen foxes on the land twice already and the previous occupant reportedly lost some chooks to foxes. As if that … Continue reading →

Posted in Chickens, Nature | Tagged , | 13 Comments

We’re Here

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

We’re Here! “Here” being the farm in Richmond I’ve been going on (and on) about in recent posts. The chooks made the move with little trouble. Unless you count the fact that Rosie was in a big cardboard box in … Continue reading →

Posted in cat, Chickens | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Chicken Heaven

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

It’s winter and, since I knew we were moving, I have haven’t planted much. That combination means the garden is looking decidedly lacking – to humans anyway. Now that the movers are just about here (in 2 days they cart … Continue reading →

Posted in Chickens | Tagged | 4 Comments

Hitchcockian Farm

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

The other day I found myself on a set from The Birds at the Richmond Farm. Or that’s what it felt like. It’s the pecan trees, they attract an incredible amount of animal life – birds being my favourite visitors, … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Pecan Milk

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

I’ve been making my own Almond Milk and Meal for over a year now. It is one of the simplest, most reliable and most money-saving food tricks I’ve discovered. But with my new pecan orchard giving me absolutely free pecans … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden, Recipe, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Meet Adler

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

For more than 3 months, a stray cat has been living in our neighbourhood. He steals food from pet cats, terrorises my chickens and stalks about looking skittish whenever he sees me. Maybe because I always yell at him and … Continue reading →

Posted in cat, Chickens | Tagged , | 15 Comments

They Missed Me

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

I’m pretty sure my chickens miss me when I’m gone. For the past few weeks I’ve been spending about 5 days a week on the farm. When I come home, the chickens tend to call me (a sort of whine) … Continue reading →

Posted in Chickens | Tagged | 8 Comments

Do I have a Pet Cockatoo?

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

Methuselah (that’s what I’ve named him) has moved into a pecan tree above the chicken run. He’s either sick or very old (or both). I suspect he’s old – which means something because cockatoos live easily to 80. He’s lost … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Our First Flood Warning

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

On the Richmond Farm we’re kind of vulnerable to flooding. Not the house so much (it’s on stilts, on top of a mound, standing on a slight hill) but apparently the road floods and we could become a little island. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature | Tagged , , | 8 Comments