🍦Mama’s Weekly Scoop
Even more chickens, swim lesson drama, and “going back to work.”
I have to laugh at the energy I had pre-pregnancy. I could use a bit of it about now 😆
Early this spring I had this wonderful plan to start a farm-stand next year, selling chicken and duck eggs primarily, but also garden produce (in conjunction with our neighbor) and maybe even the occasional baked goods (sourdough bread, anyone?). I have no idea how I made it through the first trimester while also taking care of two brooders and keeping ducklings and chickens alive, when it felt like I could barely keep myself alive.
Alas, not only did I successfully raise and introduce 4 new ducks and 6 new chickens to our flock, I also managed to plan and plant our garden. 90% of which was from seed!
In the thick of it, nothing seemed to be going well. Now that I’m on the “other side” — and the garden is thriving, and our birds are all so happy, I’m so grateful I stuck with this vision and powered through. I can’t wait for our family farm-stand come Spring 2026!
This week we had ELEVEN more day-old chickens delivered from Mt. Healthy Hatchery. I can’t say enough good things about them! I ordered a variety of chickens this year to accomplish a “rainbow” basket of eggs. Blue, green, chocolate brown, light brown, speckled, etc. Our first batch that came a few months ago from Cackle Hatchery were all blue egg layers (a blend of Amerucana’s and Leghorns).
I feel much more prepared this time around, having just brooded and introduced another batch of peeps recently. I have a system now. And the warmer weather will mean they’ll spend a majority of the day outside in our “outdoor brooder.” One thing I don’t love, is cleaning brooders. Thankfully, chickens are a million times cleaner than ducks. 🤣
In our 3 garden beds I used the square-foot gardening method, and planted everything from watermelon to spinach to cucumbers to sunflowers to corn! We moved our beds this year, they get so much more sunlight than previous years, so I hope they really thrive. This is my 3rd year gardening and each year I learn a little bit more. I already want 3 more garden beds 😆
This was Week 3 of Adaline’s swim lessons! Thanks to our daily homework in the tub, she’s already starting to warm up to life in the water and spent just 50% of the time upset and begging to get out. We have one more class next week; I’m planning on signing her up for more because I can see the momentum she’s making and I don’t want her to slow down!
You may have seen me tease a bit on Instagram about Wholesome Muscle. What is that, you ask? I’m getting back into Nutrition Coaching and writing fitness programs! This is something that’s been on my heart for a while, and I’m truly so excited about it. Before Adaline was born, I ran a Nutrition and Coaching business full time from home, and had planned to keep up with it as a mom. I kind of managed, during Adaline’s naps and with the occasional babysitter, but the demands of my husbands work schedule became too much, and with him working 60-70 hours a week, I needed to take a step back. That was over a year ago. I’ve missed having my own work terribly; and with a little expansion to my “village” I’m excited to dedicate some hours to working from home to help busy men and women feel and look their best again! I’ll be sharing more details in the coming weeks.
I love being a stay at home mom and wouldn’t trade it for anything. But, I’m still a human being with wants and needs outside of motherhood. I’m so lucky my husband honors and supports all of my endeavors; from homeschooling to starting a farm-stand and now, to getting back into coaching.
It’s Father’s Day! We treated Dada to some new Lululemon and a lunch out. Tonight it’s ribeyes on the grill and a classic Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Pandowdy (like an Apple pie, but easier to make). I’m also experimenting with a new risotto recipe using Jasmine rice and fresh spinach from the garden.
Until next week!
Courtney