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Pioneer Woman's sweet potatoes!

Corniest corn muffins. I love corn in cornbread.

The Pioneer Woman's Sweet Potatoes are making me drool.

I love those simple green olives you can get in a can, with the pit. I don't know why, I just like nibbling away at them.

Meatloaf and mashed potatoes, no question.

I would totally play a Food Network version of Monopoly!

Pumpkin bread, definitely! Warm out of the oven with vanilla ice cream, it's a good dessert. The next morning, toasted with some butter - breakfast!

We just added two chickens to our dog and cat household and we’ve had to beef up their coop security just to keep the dogs from either breaking into the coop or terrorizing the chicks when they rush the wire panels (we used hardware cloth because it’s sturdier than chicken wire and raccoon hands can’t get through). We got them from a local feed store (spring would be your better bet for chicken varieties) and raised them from fuzzy chicks. They’re just over a month old, so we’ve got a ways to go before we know if they’re layers or crowers.

I told my boyfriend I wanted chickens for the fresh eggs/sustainability/eat local aspect, but I think I really just wanted a new pet since we’ve hit our dog limit. He was hesitant at first, but since they like him and are friendly (and I do all the clean up), he’s warmed up to them. So, don’t feel bad if your secret agenda for wanting chickens is so you have something to nurture and tend to. =)

We started with chicks because we wanted them to grow up friendly (and because they’re so cute!) Every day we would pick them up, pet them, and talk to them. It was easy because they grew up inside our family room, so we saw them all the time. Now, when we go to their coop, they still want to sit on our shoulders. Of course, now that they’re outside I feel like I have empty nest syndrome and want new chicks!

I think if you keep your flock manageable you’d be able to go away for a weekend. I check on their food and water every day, but the containers are large enough that they’d have plenty to last them a couple of days. If we’re gone longer than that, someone comes by to check on our dogs anyway and can do a chick check.

The Backyard Chicken Forum has tons and tons of information. Obviously, you won’t find people who have had chickens and decided it was totally not worth the trouble (actually, there are some threads on people who had chickens, didn’t like it, and are wondering if they should try again) but I but you’ll find an answer to any question you can think of.

We’re only a month in, but we love our chickens and I suspect we’ll add a couple more once some new breeds start coming into our feed stores. We’re kind of limited in our chicken sourcing, since we’ll never be able to fill a minimum order from a hatchery (and I don’t want to pay the high shipping for small orders), but maybe it’s an option for you and a good way to get some of the more beautiful breeds.

Because it's salty, crispy, and full of pork fat. And delicious. Really, why would I love bacon?

Hangry has been in our vocabulary for years!

a single red velvet cupcake

Polenta, grilled summer veggies, and goat cheese. Easy, fast, and tasty!