Feathered Friend Friday

Welcome to our series "Feathered Friend Friday." Every Friday I write a post with interesting facts, photos, or funny stories about our chickens and guineas. If you need to catch up, you'll find all the Feathered Friend Friday posts here.       

First of all, I'd like to thank each of you who read and commented on our last post about losing Buttercup. We read every comment and truly appreciate all the kind words. You guys are the best :)
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Our chickens stay inside an enclosed run (with our guard dog Duchess) for their protection because there are lots of predators out here in the middle of the woods. We made the fenced in space pretty large since we knew they'd spend most of their time inside and we also wanted to give Duchess some room to roam.

When we are home and are able to keep an eye on them, we will let the chickens out to free range. They stay pretty close to the run but enjoy nibbling on grass and any bugs they can dig up. One of my favorite things to do is sit outside and watch as they happily graze. I find that it really eases any stress or worry and makes me feel instantly calm.

No matter how bad of a day I've had, they can always cheer me up.

They have fluffy bottoms again after their molt!

Spending time with my chickens who are still here has helped me so much after Buttercup passed away earlier this week. Petting their soft feathers and having them jump up on my lap for cuddles makes me realize how much joy they bring to my life and how grateful I am for the time I have with them.

"When the heart grieves over what it has lost, the spirit rejoices over what it has left." - Sufi epigram

Today I am rejoicing, because I have a lot left.

~Tammy

Shared with Tilly's Nest 

Buttercup

Tonight at 6:00 pm, I said goodbye to my sweet girl Buttercup.

She had been sick for a very long time so we knew this day would come. It was a lot of back and forth with her, and I had already said my goodbyes several times before it actually happened.

Still, that doesn't make it any easier. I was glad that I was home when I noticed her slipping away and I was able to put her up on my lap and talk to her for about 15 minutes before she was gone.

I told her that I loved her, and I thanked her for changing my life. I can't even imagine where my life would be today if she hadn't been in it. Everything changed after we got our chickens. We found our passion, realized our dreams, and got up the courage to change our circumstances to live the life we imagined for ourselves. Without Buttercup, none of this would have happened.

The last photo taken of Buttercup

I think that's why it's so hard to let her go. She was so much more than just a chicken. She and the four other girls we have lost so far will always be in our hearts and I will always be thankful for them.

~Tammy

Shared with Farmgirl Friday, Weekly Top Shot, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Barn Hop, The Backyard Farming Connection, Farm Girl Friday Blog Fest, Tilly's Nest

Indian-Spiced Bean & Tomato Soup

I used to be all about canned beans until my friend Heather convinced me start cooking my own (much cheaper and much tastier). Since then, I've been buying up dried beans and haven't looked back! One of my favorite ways to use cooked beans is in soups, and this recipe has been in my rotation for a few weeks now.

Indian-Spiced Bean & Tomato Soup
Adapted from Martha Stewart

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
1 T olive or vegetable oil
1 finely chopped onion
4 cloves minced garlic
2-inch piece of ginger peeled and finely grated
1 seeded chopped jalapeno (or more if you like it spicy)
1 t ground cumin
1 t ground coriander
1/4 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t ground turmeric
1/4 t smoked paprika
1 can (15 ounces) peeled plum tomatoes with juice
4 cups cooked kidney beans, plus 2 cups cooking liquid
Pinch of coarse salt

Directions:
1. Heat oil in a 4-quart pot over medium heat. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, jalapeno, and spices; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
2. Stir in tomatoes and their juice, beans and their liquid, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.
3. Coarsely mash the tomatoes and beans using a potato masher until reached desired consistency; stir to blend.

This is a very thick and hearty soup that is perfect with pita chips on the side. It is inexpensive to make since dried beans are a steal, and if you have a bulk spices bin at your disposal, you can buy the spices for next to nothing. It's also very good for you with the high protein and fiber content from the beans and healing properties of the warm spices.

If you are on a low-calorie diet or simply looking for a healthy bowl of soup with lots of flavor, this is the soup for you!

~Tammy

This post shared with Tweak It Tuesday, Show Me What You Got, Barn Hop, Old Time Party, Meatless Monday, Mix It Up Monday, On The Menu Monday, Tasty Tuesdays, Tiny Tip Tuesday, Hearth & Soul Hop, Thursday Favorite Things, Healthy Vegan Friday, Clever Chicks Blog Hop

Sweet Saturday Blog Hop

Happy Saturday everyone! I usually don't post on the weekends, but my friend Jessica at Healthy Mommy, Healthy Baby asked me to co-host her Sweet Saturday link party and I am excited to join her!

I am linking up my banana pancakes with honey and granola. They are the perfect weekend breakfast with your family and loved ones.

Go here to check out the recipe.

Now, onto the party!

There are just a few guidelines for this blog hop, so read up then get to linking up your posts -

1. Link up something sweet to really WOW us all - your blog, Etsy store, Pinterest, Facebook...whatever you want.

2. Link up as many posts as you'd like and please follow me and the hostess, Jessica @ Healthy Mommy, Healthy Baby. Leave us a comment if you are a new follower so we can follow you back!

3. Hop around to different links and say hi.

4. Please share the button or put a text link into the post you are sharing so others can join in the fun as well.

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