Seven Acres Farm

06/14/2026

06/14/2026

I needed to step away from the outdoors because I was getting eaten alive.
Just behind the chicken coops we have an intermittent stream that runs down to the brook on the south end of our woods.
This time of year it is a magnet for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
Well they are in full force today 😞
Then I remembered that I had made my all natural pest deterrent balm and spray. I only use simple and all natural ingredients and I can tell you it deters pests just as well as the poisons they sell in a can.
Bug Off Balm $10
Bug Off Spray $15 or 2/$25

06/14/2026

Someone paid a visit to the brook.

06/14/2026

I'm glad my dad and Larry have taught me how to do things.
I may not do them perfectly but each time I get a bit better.

06/11/2026

Larry thought I was cute washing and de-shedding the dogs.
I was anything except cute nor was it fun. Two 100lbs dogs that don't want to be clean or brushed is not fun at all.
Oh, and Delilah thought she was funny digging and zooming around in the dry dirt right after I finished with her.
Now I'm exhausted and filthy.
Good times 😂

06/11/2026

Have you ever watched a developing chick embryo wiggle inside its shell?
That’s exactly what my very first chick incubation clients are experiencing right now!
Around Day 10 of incubation, it's time to candle the eggs. Candling allows us to shine a bright light through the shell to check on the developing embryo. At this stage, healthy eggs will typically show a network of blood vessels and, if you're lucky, you may even see the tiny chick moving inside.
Eggs that do not show blood vessels or movement are often either infertile or the embryo stopped developing early in the incubation process.
Watching life develop inside an egg is truly one of nature's most fascinating experiences. Every day brings new growth, and with each candle check, the excitement builds as hatch day gets closer!
Have you ever candled an egg before?

06/11/2026

The bumblebees are so excited with the honeysuckle.

06/09/2026

I took this photo last night in the garden
I'm not sure why but it really inspired me. Perhaps it was the warm glow of the lights or the tranquility it embraced. Anyways, I was inspired, so I wrote about it.

The Nighttime Garden Greeter
All through the night, this little fellow kept his lantern glowing, welcoming nighttime visitors of every shape and size.
Lofty moths fluttered through the garden until they found the perfect leaf to rest upon, while swift field mice tucked themselves into cozy corners for a peaceful nap. Croaking frogs hopped along the garden paths, searching for midnight snacks beneath the moonlit sky.
Now the sun has risen, and his lantern has been extinguished.
He'll spend the day basking in the warm sunshine, resting and gathering his energy, so that when darkness falls once more, he'll be ready to light the way and welcome his nighttime friends back to the garden.

06/08/2026

🌿 Wildcrafting Jewelweed & Making Jewelweed Balm 🌿

One of my favorite summer traditions is wildcrafting jewelweed and turning it into a soothing herbal balm.

Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), sometimes called spotted touch-me-not, grows in moist areas along streams, woodland edges, and shaded wetlands. The plant is easily recognized by its delicate orange flowers and stems filled with watery sap. When harvesting, it's important to practice ethical wildcrafting by only take what you need, leave plenty behind for wildlife and pollinators, and never harvest from protected areas.

After harvesting, the stems and leaves can be infused into oil, which is then combined with beeswax to create a nourishing jewelweed balm.

Benefits of Jewelweed Balm

🌿 Traditionally used to soothe skin irritated by poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

🌿 Helps calm itching caused by insect bites, mosquito bites, and minor skin irritations.

🌿 May provide relief for mild rashes, nettle stings, and other forms of contact dermatitis.

🌿 The infused oils can help moisturize and comfort dry, irritated skin.

🌿 A convenient addition to a natural first-aid kit for outdoor adventures.

There is something especially rewarding about creating a remedy from a plant growing right in the landscape around us. Wildcrafting encourages us to slow down, learn the plants in our environment, and deepen our connection to the natural world—while gaining an appreciation for the traditional knowledge that has been passed down through generations.

Have you tried our jewelweed balm for poison ivy or bug bites? 🌱✨