So picture this: I walk into an interview, feathers smoothed, ready to cluck my way through the usual questions. “Why do you want this job?” “What makes you a good fit?”  You know the drill.  I was aiming for a sales associate spot, a little scratch here, a little peck there.

But back at the coop, the hens were already buzzing!

Pam (the Barred Rock, our self-appointed town gossiper):
“Did you hear?  She went in for sales, but they’re eyeing her for something bigger.”

Morticia (our mysterious black-feathered beauty):
“Of course they are.  She doesn’t just strut, she commands the yard.”

Periwinkle (the fluffy lavender dreamer):
“Ohhh, I knew it!  She’s been practicing her leadership crow for ages.  It was only a matter of time.”

Karen (forever remembered, bless her feathery soul):
silence, but the wind ruffles the feathers of the flock as if in approval

All the hens, in unison:
“TEAM LEAD!” 🐓

Y’all, I walked in thinking I’d be carrying feed buckets.  Instead, they handed me the keys to the whole grain bin!  It’s like planting a few radish seeds and waking up to a surprise pumpkin patch!

The hens are right about one thing: sometimes, you don’t just get the job, you get the job you didn’t even know you were ready for.

So, the lesson from the flock?  Strut your stuff.  Don’t walk in like a timid pullet hoping for crumbs.  Walk in like the rooster who knows the sun won’t rise without your crow!

And if you’re lucky, your interview ends with the whole coop clucking your praises. 🐔✨

Out here on the homestead, I’m used to chasing chickens, not job interviews.  Lately, life has been nudging me toward something new, a big interview with a popular farm store.  (Yes, the kind where I can get chicken feed, muck boots, and a new shovel in one trip.  Dreamland!)

Still, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make my stomach do a little chicken-dance of its own.  Change is scary.  Interviews are nerve-wracking.  It feels a lot like when Pam, my old barred rock hen, decided to wander off and left the whole flock in a tizzy.  At the time, I panicked, running circles, calling her name, searching every corner of the yard.  When she finally reappeared, strutting back from her mysterious solo adventure, I realized: sometimes what feels like being lost is actually just finding a new path.

This interview feels the same.  A little nerve-flapping, a little “what if I can’t find my way back?”  And maybe, just like Pam, this new step is about trusting the adventure.

Change rarely shows up in a tidy package with a bow.  More often, it’s like a rogue chicken at dusk, flapping around, hard to catch, and definitely not on your schedule.  If we’re brave enough to follow it, change almost always leads us to new ground to scratch at, new seed to plant, and new opportunities to grow.

So I’ll show up to that interview with muddy boots (metaphorically, of course), a hopeful heart, and maybe a little feather tucked in my pocket for luck.  You know, if there’s one thing I’ve learned out here, it’s this: the unknown might feel scary, but it’s usually where the magic, and the harvest, happens.

Karen strutted into our lives like she owned the place, and in a way, she did.  She had the sass, the stubbornness, and the pecking order politics down to a science.  She’s the one who reminded us that even a chicken can have attitude.

But last week, we had to say goodbye to her.  And while it hurts to lose her, there’s also something grounding about the reminder that every creature has its season.  Karen’s season was full of clucks, head pecks, and the occasional drama that only she could stir up.

If Karen could leave us with a final word, I imagine it would be something like:
“Strut while you can, take the best dust bath, and don’t let anyone forget you were here.”

Life is short, whether you’re feathered or not.  Karen taught us to live boldly, even if that sometimes means ruffling feathers along the way.

So here’s to you, Karen.  You’ll always be part of the Yard2Yield flock. 🥹

Every flock has that one chicken who manages to turn a perfectly normal day into high drama.  Today, it’s Karen’s turn.

She caught a peck to the head (probably over who gets the prime real estate under the feeder) and now she’s moving slow, wide-eyed, and looking like she just unlocked the secrets of the universe, but forgot to write them down.

So, I’ve been playing chicken nurse: setting her up somewhere quiet, making sure she has water, keeping her safe from the others, and cuddling her up in a blanket to watch murder mysteries with me.  It’s amazing how much TLC can matter, even for a chicken.

And while I’m tending to Karen, a few life lessons snuck in too:

1. Sometimes you get knocked down.
Whether it’s a literal peck to the head or just one of life’s sucker punches, we all have “stunned chicken” moments.  The key is finding a safe space to recover.

2. Healing takes patience.
Karen might bounce back tomorrow or take a few days, it’s not on my timeline, it’s on hers.  People are the same way.  We can’t rush someone else’s healing, and we shouldn’t rush our own.

3. Community matters.
If I just left Karen to fend for herself, she might not make it.  But with a little extra care, her odds go way up.  Sometimes the difference between making it through and not is whether someone takes the time to check in on you.

4. Drama happens, don’t take it personally.
Chickens peck.  Life jabs.  Sometimes it’s not about you, it’s just the nature of the world. The important part is how you handle it after.

So here’s to Karen, resting, recovering, and reminding me that even a chicken’s tough day has lessons worth carrying into our own lives. 🤗

Everyone loves to show the blooms.  The glossy tomatoes stacked in a basket, the bright smiles at harvest, the shining before-and-after photos.  But there’s a quiet truth tucked in between the highlight reels: life has seasons we don’t post about.

The middle parts.  The messy parts.

The pruning, where we have to cut back what no longer serves us, even when it once looked beautiful.  The fallow times, when the soil just… rests, and it looks like nothing is happening.  The soggy, mud-covered days when we’re ankle-deep in work that doesn’t look like progress.

And yet, these are the seasons that shape us most.

It’s in the cutting back that we make space for new growth.
It’s in the waiting that the roots strengthen.
It’s in the unphotogenic moments, the quiet tending, that the future bloom is born.

Maybe we need to honor those seasons more.  To say, “I’m in my pruning era,” or, “This is my muddy, unglamorous work phase.”  Not as something to be ashamed of, but as a reminder that growth isn’t only measured in blossoms.

The blooms are just the evidence.
The real work, the real transformation, happens in the seasons we don’t post about.

Ever wonder what your garden produce would say if it could swipe left or right?  Imagine strolling through Tinder, but instead of Chad with the fish pic, you’re greeted by… a zucchini in sunglasses.

Here’s what some of our veggie friends might post:

🍅 Tomato
Bio: “Juicy, sweet, and always a hit at parties.  I pair well with almost everyone, but don’t expect me to stay fresh forever, I like to keep things saucy.”
Looking for: Basil.  Always basil.

🧅 Onion
Bio: “I’ve got layers.  Lots of layers.  I’ll make you cry, but in a good way (usually).”
Looking for: Someone who can handle the truth and doesn’t mind a little intensity.

🥕 Carrot
Bio: “Straight shooter with a crunchy exterior.  Down-to-earth and always up for a snack run.”
Looking for: Someone who sees the root of who I really am.

🥒 Cucumber
Bio: “Cool, refreshing, and a little bit of a spa-day diva.  I’m laid-back but can get pickled if the mood strikes.”
Looking for: A dill-y good time.

🥔 Potato
Bio: “Soft on the inside, versatile, and honestly everyone’s comfort food.  From mashed to French fried, I’m here for it all.”
Looking for: Someone who appreciates stability and carbs.

🌶️ Pepper
Bio: “Sweet, spicy, or somewhere in between.  You’ll never be bored with me around.”
Looking for: Someone who can handle the heat.

🥬 Lettuce
Bio: “Fresh, crisp, and just a little leafy.  I might wilt under pressure, but I’ll always bring a refreshing vibe.”
Looking for: Someone who can keep things light but knows when to add dressing.

What other fun ways do you think veggies would communicate on their dating profile?  The possibilities are endless so go be that spicy pepper you were meant to be! 🔥🌶️

Every flock has a leader, and ours is Pam, our sassy, big-hearted hen who believes the entire homestead exists solely for her entertainment.

The other morning, Pam vanished.  One minute she was bossing around the younger chickens, the next she was gone.  We searched the coop, peeked under the squash leaves, even checked if she’d hitched a ride in the garden cart (wouldn’t put it past her).  No Pam.

All day long, she was nowhere to be found.  The rest of the flock carried on, but without Pam’s watchful eye, they seemed a little… lost themselves.

Just when we started imagining all the wild adventures she might be having, exploring the neighbors’ gardens, hitchhiking to Casey’s, or secretly working on her résumé (Pam has big CEO energy), the sun began to sink.  Out of the twilight, here comes Pam, strutting back like nothing happened.

And where did she decide to settle for the night?  Right back at her favorite place in the whole world: the water tank.  She hopped up, fluffed her feathers, and perched there like a queen reclaiming her throne.

It was such a funny little reminder. Sometimes, even when we wander far off the beaten path, whether in life, in business, or just in our own thoughts, we find ourselves drawn back to the places that ground us.  Pam reminds me that no matter how wild the adventure, it’s okay to find comfort in the simple, familiar places that feel like home.

Because sometimes the most magical journey is the one that brings you full circle!

Life has a funny way of planting seeds in places we least expect.  We think we’re the ones doing all the cultivating, tending to the soil, sowing the seeds, watering with care, and sometimes, the greatest growth comes from the most surprising gardeners around us.

Take our dogs, for example.  One is a Great Dane/Great Pyr mix with legs for days, the other a Great Pyr with enough fluff to knit a blanket.  Neither of them has ever planted a carrot in their life, but every day they remind me about patience, presence, and the joy of simple things.  They don’t care if the beans are straight or crooked, they just want to flop in the grass and remind me that sometimes the best fertilizer for the soul is play, scratches, and the occasional peanut butter on my food!

Then there’s our daughter, Evalynn, who is absolutely convinced that tomatoes taste better if you eat them while standing barefoot in the dirt.  Watching her pop sun-warm cherry tomatoes straight from the vine is like watching someone discover magic for the first time, and it reminds me that the garden isn’t just about food, it’s about joy!  It’s about connection.  It’s about teaching the next generation that abundance isn’t only found in a store, but in the soil under our feet.

Even mom, during our wild Missouri trip, showed me how much patience and persistence it takes to keep showing up for family, even when it’s not always easy.  She has her own ways of gardening, not with a spade or a watering can, but with a stubborn attitude and her presence, planting seeds in her grandkids’ hearts that will sprout for years to come.

So today’s thought is this:
Gardeners don’t always look like gardeners.  Sometimes they’ve got muddy paws.  Sometimes they’re nervous for their first day of school.  Sometimes they’re the ones who raised us, reminding us that roots matter just as much as blooms.

Look around your life today.  Who is planting seeds in you?  Who’s teaching you patience, joy, or resilience without even knowing it?  And maybe more importantly, whose garden are you quietly tending with your presence, your encouragement, your love?

Because at the end of the day, we’re all gardeners.  And sometimes the most unexpected ones make the most beautiful things grow. 🌺🤗

Sometimes life doesn’t ask politely if it can interrupt you.  It just barges in, plops down on the couch, and starts rearranging the pillows.  That’s exactly what happened this past month.

We hit pause on blogging, thinking it’d be a short, quiet breather.  Instead, the universe decided to host its own variety show in our lives!

First up: Tristan was in an accident.  (Everyone’s okay, thank goodness!) But that moment shook us.  It was a reminder that in one heartbeat, life can shift your whole perspective.  Gratitude has a way of roaring louder after close calls.

Next act: Eva started school.  Brand new routines, new faces, new energy.  It’s wild watching her step into this chapter, it feels like handing over the pen and watching her start writing her own story, one page at a time.

And then there was Missouri…  Oh Missouri, you tricky character.  We took a trip with my mom that tested patience, stretched boundaries, and reminded me that family vacations are rarely just about sightseeing.  They’re about resilience, humor, and the occasional deep breath while muttering, “I love these people, I love these people…”

Here’s the thing: while I was away from the keyboard, life kept showing up with lessons.  And that’s the beauty of stepping back.  You don’t stop living; you start listening.

Now we’re back, blog family.  A little more seasoned, a little more stretched, and ready to share it all with you again.  Because sometimes, when you step away… life steps in, and hands you exactly the stories you were meant to tell.

What I Learned This Month (a.k.a. Life’s Free Souvenirs):

Gratitude shows up loudest after a scare.  Tristan’s accident reminded me to hug tighter and say “I love you” more often.

Every new season is a fresh chapter.  Watching Eva start school taught me that beginnings are both messy and magical, and definitely worth celebrating.

Patience is a muscle.  Missouri stretched mine in ways I didn’t know it could be stretched.  Family trips are basically emotional boot camps with snacks and pee breaks.

Breaks aren’t blank spaces.  Stepping away isn’t wasted time, it’s gathering time.  All the best stories are out there waiting while you pause.

So here’s to pausing, gathering, and returning.  Thanks for waiting for me, friends, the blog is back, and I can’t wait to dig in with you again! 🤗🥰

Something strange has been happening lately, and if you’ve felt it, you’re not alone.
It’s not just you.
It’s not “hormones” or “retrogrades” or whatever trendy term they’re slapping on spiritual unrest these days.

No.
This is older.
It’s the veil.  And it’s thinning.

The veil is that invisible layer between what we’re told is real and what actually is real.
Between the world we see with our eyes, and the one we feel in our gut.
It’s been there a long time, fogging up our instincts, keeping us asleep at the wheel.

And now?  Now it’s wearing thin like old lace.  And things are slipping through.

Ever walk into a room and forget why you went in, but feel like someone was waiting for you there?
Ever dream something, then see pieces of it play out in waking life?
Ever hear a song, smell the dirt, feel the pull to light a candle and couldn’t explain why?

That’s not just “woo.”
That’s the veil pulling back.  That’s the invitation.

And no, it doesn’t come with instructions.
It does come with a memory.
A deep-down, bone-deep kind of memory, like you’ve done this before.
Like you’ve been here before.

The garden knows it.
The bees know it.
The fire knows it.
Even your dog has been looking at things a little too long lately, haven’t they?

We’re remembering.  That’s what awakening really is.
It’s not adding more knowledge, it’s scraping away what was never ours to begin with.
The false stories.  The shame.  The noise.

What’s left is raw.
And very true.

This is the time to slow down.
To trust your senses more than your feed.
To keep salt near the door.
To speak to your dead.
To plant what wants to grow.
To stare at the moon until she starts talking back.

Because she will.
They all will.
The land, the air, your own soul, they’re all trying to remind you of what you used to know.

So if you’ve been feeling out of place, too tender, too tired to play along with the world’s nonsense anymore…

That’s not weakness.

That’s wisdom finally waking up.

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