Author: Jesse

Jesse’s Instagram

I like to support my farmer's market friends all year long! I was out of my favorite honey and market season in Georgia is over so I reached out to The Snellville Bee Guy to stock up. The is fantastic in hot tea when you're feeling sick! His number is right there on the bottle if you need some too! (His name is Edward but he definitely responds to Bee Guy.)

I like to support my farmer’s market friends all year long! I was out of my favorite honey and market season in Georgia is over so I reached out to The Snellville Bee Guy to stock up. The #GingerHoney is fantastic in hot tea when you’re feeling sick! His number is right there on the bottle if you need some too! (His name is Edward but he definitely responds to Bee Guy.)
#localhoney #eatlocal #snellville #gingerhoney #gingerhoneytea #GwinnettCounty #zone7b #beekeeper #beefarm #snellvillebeeguy

Jesse’s Instagram

Zero embarrassment from my freeloaders. Someone has resumed laying minieggs but the rest of them are still "in recovery" from the great molt of 2019. Drama queens.

Zero embarrassment from my freeloaders. Someone has resumed laying minieggs but the rest of them are still “in recovery” from the great molt of 2019. Drama queens.
#petchickens #backyardchickens #fresheggs #farmtotable #tinyfarmer #minieggs

Jesse’s Instagram

The Squashtimist is still trying even though it is below freezing. If it weren't 30 feet of vine I might try to find a way to keep it warm. Ah well, maybe next year.

The Squashtimist is still trying even though it is below freezing. If it weren’t 30 feet of vine I might try to find a way to keep it warm. Ah well, maybe next year.
#pumpkin #zone7b #GwinnettCounty #vine #firstfreeze

Jesse’s Instagram

Ummm, one of these chickens is suspiciously squirrelly. This fluff-tailed bantam (?) joined our supervised free range time today. He sipped from the random water bowl just like the rest of the flock, then retreated to the tree line when he realized I was a human. Come by anytime!

Ummm, one of these chickens is suspiciously squirrelly. This fluff-tailed bantam (?) joined our supervised free range time today. He sipped from the random water bowl just like the rest of the flock, then retreated to the tree line when he realized I was a human. Come by anytime!
#petsquirrel #petchickens #freerangechickens #foraging #PolishChicken #whitecrestedblackpolish #Kahlo #greysquirrel #GwinnettCounty #zone7b

Jesse’s Instagram

The Saga of the Road Turtle.
Spotted, mid road crossing, near my driveway. Kindly helped to cross safely. Knocked, but no one answered. The door to the shell was solidly shut. Came back an hour later for a welfare check. Now half buried under pine needles, actively digging deeper. Hibernation? Shy?

The Saga of the Road Turtle.
Spotted, mid road crossing, near my driveway. Kindly helped to cross safely. Knocked, but no one answered. The door to the shell was solidly shut. Came back an hour later for a welfare check. Now half buried under pine needles, actively digging deeper. Hibernation? Shy?
#Georgia #turtle #turtlecrossing #wildlife #zone7b #tribblemill #GwinnettCounty #boxturtle #easternboxturtle

Jesse’s Instagram

No one is more dedicated to the piñata than Donna. If you don't already hang treats for your chickens, you should start. It is endlessly entertaining, for humans and chickens alike. I recommend a height *just* high enough so that they have to jump. Jumping chickens are hilarious!

No one is more dedicated to the piñata than Donna. If you don’t already hang treats for your chickens, you should start. It is endlessly entertaining, for humans and chickens alike. I recommend a height *just* high enough so that they have to jump. Jumping chickens are hilarious!
#petchickens #silkie #donnamartin #gloriavanderbuilt #Gretchen #SicilianButtercup #pinata #backyardchickens #partygames #bitterlettuce #zone7b

Jesse’s Instagram

We've been living a lie! I was just informed that Violet is a Dark Brahma! I thought she was a Cochin. Did she lie to me? Did I lie to her? I feel like she knew and didn't tell me. Does this change anything? Where do we go from here? I think we'll take a few days to process and then discuss our action plan. Who else isn't what they say they are?! Are these even chickens? Was that a quack?

We’ve been living a lie! I was just informed that Violet is a Dark Brahma! I thought she was a Cochin. Did she lie to me? Did I lie to her? I feel like she knew and didn’t tell me. Does this change anything? Where do we go from here? I think we’ll take a few days to process and then discuss our action plan. Who else isn’t what they say they are?! Are these even chickens? Was that a quack?
#misidentified #scandal #darkbrahma #Brahma #petchicken #chickenselfie #chickenportrait #wattlemodel #VioletZindars #beautyqueen #biggirl #backyardchickens

Jesse’s Instagram

I think the squirrels planted this corn, hoping for a late fall harvest. I'll go ahead and water it but I don't think it is going to work out. I appreciate the ingenuity.

I think the squirrels planted this corn, hoping for a late fall harvest. I’ll go ahead and water it but I don’t think it is going to work out. I appreciate the ingenuity.
#corn #volunteercorn #gardenhelper #zone7b #wintercrops

Jesse’s Instagram

Kahlo knows I am following her around to get a picture with ZERO tail feathers and seems rather peeved about it. Bryce does not understand what I am doing but is generally psychotic about everything so keeps sprinting away and squawking even though I am not following her.

Kahlo knows I am following her around to get a picture with ZERO tail feathers and seems rather peeved about it. Bryce does not understand what I am doing but is generally psychotic about everything so keeps sprinting away and squawking even though I am not following her.
#petchickens #myflock #molting #friendsnotfood #backyardchickens #Kahlo #brycedallashoward #WhiteLacedRedCornish #whitecrestedblackpolish

Jesse’s Instagram

Kahlo is also molting but has kept her bouffant intact. Swipe to see her super embarassing ONE tailfeather. She didn't want you to see.

Kahlo is also molting but has kept her bouffant intact. Swipe to see her super embarassing ONE tailfeather. She didn’t want you to see.
#whitecrestedblackpolish #PolishChicken #Kahlo #ornamentallayers #petchickens #molting #GwinnettCounty

Jesse’s Instagram

She's having a rough molt, ok? She's just Becky with the ratty hair right now. Give it two weeks and the Good Hair will be back!

She’s having a rough molt, ok? She’s just Becky with the ratty hair right now. Give it two weeks and the Good Hair will be back!
#beckywiththegoodhair #PolishChicken #BuffLacedPolish #ornamentallayers #beardedchickens #petchickens #backyardchickens #poof #Violet #donnamartin

Jesse’s Instagram

Sweet Cubes! This is like relish but chunkier and better. You'd love it.

Directions: Cube a bunch of veggies, boil in vinegar/sugar, process in the canner. 
This was four small and six from my that started this week, two onions and six peppers from my own garden. I cut them, salted and then soaked in ice water for two hours. Drain.

Next, I brought 5 cups of vinegar and 4 cups of sugar to boil and added a handful of mustard seed and dill seed. Add the drained veggies and boil for 10 minutes.

Fill the jars and process for 10 minutes as recommended by your canning method. I got two big jars and two pints.

Sweet Cubes! This is like relish but chunkier and better. You’d love it.

Directions: Cube a bunch of veggies, boil in vinegar/sugar, process in the canner.
This was four small #zucchini and six #cucumbers from my #CSA that started this week, two onions and six peppers from my own garden. I cut them, salted and then soaked in ice water for two hours. Drain.

Next, I brought 5 cups of vinegar and 4 cups of sugar to boil and added a handful of mustard seed and dill seed. Add the drained veggies and boil for 10 minutes.

Fill the jars and process for 10 minutes as recommended by your canning method. I got two big jars and two pints.

#canning #FallCSA #homegrown #wastenotwantnot #sweetcubes #homemaderelish #zucchinirelish #growningeorgia #eatlocal #ballcanning

Jesse’s Instagram

Now it feels like fall. I pulled nearly all the summer crops out of the garden today. I found a couple of onions, the last of the tomatoes, saved some marigolds seeds and rescued a gorgeous red bell pepper from the weeds. The peppers are still producing so they got to stay but that's about it! I need to go pick up some winter crop seedlings for the chickens winter snacks!

Now it feels like fall. I pulled nearly all the summer crops out of the garden today. I found a couple of onions, the last of the #CherokeePurple tomatoes, saved some marigolds seeds and rescued a gorgeous red bell pepper from the weeds. The peppers are still producing so they got to stay but that’s about it! I need to go pick up some winter crop seedlings for the chickens winter snacks!
#gardeningingeorgia #zone7b #fallingeorgia #bonnieplants #tinyfarmer #eatlocal

Jesse’s Instagram

Becky with the Good Hair is an ICON! That 'do! That beard! The golden highlights! It's almost too much. Tone it down Becky.

Becky with the Good Hair is an ICON! That ‘do! That beard! The golden highlights! It’s almost too much. Tone it down Becky.
#PolishChicken #beckywiththegoodhair #BuffLacedPolish #petchicken #backyardchickens #chickenportrait #bearded #hotstuff

Jesse’s Instagram

You better lock up your roosters, Bryce is going out tonight! She's a real redhead and has legs for days.

You better lock up your roosters, Bryce is going out tonight! She’s a real redhead and has legs for days.
#brycedallashoward #WhiteLacedRedCornish #cornishhen #backyardchickens #petchicken #chickenportrait #covermodel #redhead #beautyqueen

Jesse’s Instagram

Bryce, for the millionth time, you cannot hatch Ruthie! She is your sister. You are both two years old. Why do I have to explain this to you? That protective wing is ridiculous!

Bryce, for the millionth time, you cannot hatch Ruthie! She is your sister. You are both two years old. Why do I have to explain this to you? That protective wing is ridiculous!
#broodies #BroodyBunch #broodybesties #broodychicken #petchicken #nestingbox #tinyfarm #silkie #WhiteLacedRedCornish #brycedallashoward #ruthbaderginsburg

Jesse’s Instagram

I feel very judged. I bet you feel very judged too. Violet is powerful beyond measure and her superpower is disapproval.

I feel very judged. I bet you feel very judged too. Violet is powerful beyond measure and her superpower is disapproval.
#VioletZindars #Cochin #petchicken #backyardchickens #mybestgirl #beautyqueen #sideeye #roosterspotting

Jesse’s Instagram

Semi-patiently waiting for a group of to ripen at the same time so I can eat them for a snack.

Semi-patiently waiting for a group of #sweetsnackingpeppers to ripen at the same time so I can eat them for a snack.
#orangepeppers #lunchbox #bellpeppers #bonnieplants #snackingpeppers #eattherainbow #homegrown #zone7b

Jesse’s Instagram

Girl gang. These four live together in the rooster free coop and choose to spend their free ranging time together too. I love all my chickens equally (but these are my favorites)! Top to bottom: Becky with the Good Hair, Violet Zindars, Donna Martin and Kahlo.

Girl gang. These four live together in the rooster free coop and choose to spend their free ranging time together too. I love all my chickens equally (but these are my favorites)! Top to bottom: Becky with the Good Hair, Violet Zindars, Donna Martin and Kahlo.
#squad #squadgoals #petchickens #PolishChicken #Cochin #silkie #partridgesilkie #besties #dirtbath #flockgoals #noboysallowed #beckywiththegoodhair #donnamartin

Jesse’s Instagram

Moving sale! While I respect Turkey Vultures as an important part of the ecosytem and recognize their common bird characteristics, they are terrifying nightmare-birds with freakishly large wingspans that cannot share my space. The monsters are napping in my front yard, waiting for the cover of darkness. I will begin packing. Goodbye house!

Moving sale! While I respect Turkey Vultures as an important part of the ecosytem and recognize their common bird characteristics, they are terrifying nightmare-birds with freakishly large wingspans that cannot share my space. The monsters are napping in my front yard, waiting for the cover of darkness. I will begin packing. Goodbye house!
#turkeyvulture #terror #unacceptable #carnivores #bigbird #nightmarebirds

Jesse’s Instagram

Pickled Coolapeños! I don't like hot peppers so when I saw the seedlings I knew they were for me! Then I had a pile on the counter and knew I needed a recipe. These are just a quick pickle with vinegar, sugar and salt. Easy to make and the result is crunchy and tangy but not hot. Winner!

Pickled Coolapeños! I don’t like hot peppers so when I saw the #coolapenos seedlings I knew they were for me! Then I had a pile on the counter and knew I needed a recipe. These are just a quick pickle with vinegar, sugar and salt. Easy to make and the result is crunchy and tangy but not hot. Winner!
#quickpickle #pickling #preservation #homegrown #zone7b #coolapeno #jalepeno #canning #farmtotable #bonnieplants #ballcanning

Jesse’s Instagram

This is the most delicious pepper I have ever grown! Bonnie's Lunchbox Orange Sweet Snacking Peppers.  When waiting for peppers to turn colors I usually miss and end up with rotten peppers. This one is very forgiving. It is also super juicy, flavorful and very productive. I would plant lots of these! I bet they would sell for $6 a pint at a farmers market. Highly recommend.

This is the most delicious pepper I have ever grown! Bonnie’s Lunchbox Orange Sweet Snacking Peppers. When waiting for peppers to turn colors I usually miss and end up with rotten peppers. This one is very forgiving. It is also super juicy, flavorful and very productive. I would plant lots of these! I bet they would sell for $6 a pint at a farmers market. Highly recommend.
#homegrown #peppers #snackingpeppers #sweetsnackingpeppers #orangepeppers #bonnieplants #zone7b #organicgardening #growningeorgia #tinyfarmer

Jesse’s Instagram

Happy #NationalDogDay! These are my dogs. Rare breeds: Spotted Trouble Maker and Poofy Bully.

Happy #NationalDogDay! These are my dogs. Rare breeds: Spotted Trouble Maker and Poofy Bully.
#petchicken #Gretchen #SicilianButtercup #beckywiththegoodhair #BuffLacedPolish #backyardchickens #mydogslayeggs #crazyeyes

Jesse’s Instagram

There were three kittens at the park! My mile times were very bad but my smile times were much better than usual. I went back to look for them later but they had cleared out. No worries! They were bright eyed, active and well-fed. I am sure their supervisor was just on a break when I saw them.

There were three kittens at the park! My mile times were very bad but my smile times were much better than usual. I went back to look for them later but they had cleared out. No worries! They were bright eyed, active and well-fed. I am sure their supervisor was just on a break when I saw them.
#GwinnettCounty #kittens #freemansmillpark #animalphotography #straykittens

Jesse’s Instagram

This guy jumped up on the bench next to me with an audible PLOP! I think he and his buddies are the source of some major noise from the tree line. He's only about an inch long but I feel his power.

This guy jumped up on the bench next to me with an audible PLOP! I think he and his buddies are the source of some major noise from the tree line. He’s only about an inch long but I feel his power.
#treefrog #frog #gardenfriends #gwinnettcounty #itsnoteasybeinggreen

Jesse’s Instagram

Just a minute of my girls eating a head of lettuce I skewered to the ground. I love all the little cameos as they circle for position and avoid those above them in the pecking order. Of course, separate lettuce was provided to those who cannot be near the rooster.

Just a minute of my girls eating a head of lettuce I skewered to the ground. I love all the little cameos as they circle for position and avoid those above them in the pecking order. Of course, separate lettuce was provided to those who cannot be near the rooster.
#petchickens #chickendrama #chickentreats #crazythingschickenpeopledo #iceberglettuce #SicilianButtercup #silkie #PolishChicken #snackcircle #petrooster #EvilRoo

Jesse’s Instagram

Violet and the rooster are enemies. The rooster and I are enemies. Violet shall be protected. Keep your distance tiny rooster. I have the hose.

Violet and the rooster are enemies. The rooster and I are enemies. Violet shall be protected. Keep your distance tiny rooster. I have the hose.
#VioletZindars #Cochin #petchicken #Mygirl #silkierooster #SoniaSotomayor #swornenemies #peckingorder

Jesse’s Instagram

This is new. Let's call it terraced dust bathing. Normally they just fight about who gets to stand on top of the dirt pile but today they are digging themselves baths. If you have a compost pile you really should have chicken helpers. Their sworn enemy is The Pile. Over time they can easily take a five foot pile to the ground.

This is new. Let’s call it terraced dust bathing. Normally they just fight about who gets to stand on top of the dirt pile but today they are digging themselves baths. If you have a compost pile you really should have chicken helpers. Their sworn enemy is The Pile. Over time they can easily take a five foot pile to the ground.
#petchicken #dustbath #silkie #WhiteLacedRedCornish #donnamartin #gloriavanderbuilt #wilgefortis #brycedallashoward #Gretchen #weeds #happychickens #compostpile

Jesse’s Instagram

Whatever is eating my tomatoes missed a few! I've got a and a few to enjoy. Thanks for sharing squirrel-assisted-raccoons or bird-aided-possums.

Whatever is eating my tomatoes missed a few! I’ve got a #LemonBoy and a few #ChocolateCherryTomatoes to enjoy. Thanks for sharing squirrel-assisted-raccoons or bird-aided-possums.
#zone7b #homegrowntomatoes #yardtotable #tinyfarmer #harvest #eatlocal