On the last day of November, I went outside after dark for a winter beehive check. I wanted to see if the honey bees were still alive and if they needed more food. Continue reading Winter Night Beehive Check – November in Alaska
All posts by Ashley
Fall Leaves: nature’s free mulch, compost & animal bedding
Driving through neighborhoods during fall time, it’s common to see big black trash bags stuffed with raked leaves sitting on the curb, waiting for garbage day.
When your yard (or a nearby neighbor’s yard) is filled with leafy, deciduous trees, although it’s a chore to rake up falling leaves, you’re actually bagging up brown gold that you – or someone else – could re-purpose. Continue reading Fall Leaves: nature’s free mulch, compost & animal bedding
Making & preserving homemade raspberry rhubarb jam
If you’ve never made jam before, it might feel intimidating. But honestly, jam is one of the easiest foods to learn how to make! I’ll walk you through the process of making & canning raspberry rhubarb jam.
Continue reading Making & preserving homemade raspberry rhubarb jam
Brown eggs vs white eggs. Here’s what eggshell colors actually mean.
While everyone has seen white eggs and light brown eggs, chicken eggs naturally exist in many, many different colors and shades – even light blues, greens & pinks.
Until just a few years ago, I assumed that brown eggs came from organic, well-treated chickens, whereas white eggs came from the cruel egg factories where PETA is always trying to get inside footage.
Turns out, I was super wrong. Continue reading Brown eggs vs white eggs. Here’s what eggshell colors actually mean.
The Downsides of Backyard Chickens: Things to consider before getting chickens
Don’t get me wrong – I love having chickens.
But owning any animal comes with responsibilities and potential drawbacks you should be aware of. If you’re thinking about getting backyard chickens for the first time, here are some serious things to consider. Continue reading The Downsides of Backyard Chickens: Things to consider before getting chickens
Caribou Heart & Bone Broth Recipe
A few months ago, I learned how to field dress and butcher a caribou. I kept a few choice caribou leg bones and the heart in the freezer, and I’ve finally made broth.
Making a hearty broth is surprisingly simple. Continue reading Caribou Heart & Bone Broth Recipe
Adventures in Honey Bees: 5 Insane Things You Didn’t Know About Beekeeping
Learning about beekeeping – and now experiencing it first-hand – has been like discovering a whole new world.
From a beginner’s perspective, there are so many quirks to beekeeping that aren’t common knowledge. Continue reading Adventures in Honey Bees: 5 Insane Things You Didn’t Know About Beekeeping
Guardians of the Eggs – Edible Alaska Magazine
I wrote a personal essay for Edible Alaska magazine’s 2016 winter issue, titled “Guardians of the Eggs,” offering a glimpse into winter chicken keeping and the mini-ecosystem of our urban yard. Continue reading Guardians of the Eggs – Edible Alaska Magazine
What’s Wrong With My Hen’s Comb? The Mystery of the Molting Chicken
About two years ago, I noticed a strange change in one of my hen’s comb and waddle, the red-colored skin above and below a chicken’s beak.
Owl, a “backyard blend” (= chicken mutt breed) is an egg laying chicken in my urban backyard flock. I got her as a 3-day-old chick, and she was the first chicken to ever lay an egg for me, so she holds a special little place in my heart. <3 Continue reading What’s Wrong With My Hen’s Comb? The Mystery of the Molting Chicken
Hot, Zesty Grilled Salmon Melt Recipe
During Alaska’s cold winter months, nothing reminds me more of summertime fishing in the Last Frontier than opening a jar of smoked salmon.
If you like tuna melt sandwiches, you’re going to absolutely love my hot, cheesy, flavorful grilled salmon melt recipe. Plus it’s easy and fast to prepare. Continue reading Hot, Zesty Grilled Salmon Melt Recipe