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Skeffling Lavender Farm on Squidoo - Homesteading, Chickenry, Gardening, Savvy Shopping, Zazzling, Antique Linens!

Ranked #1,327 in Squidoo Community, #142,614 overall

I write about chickens, and anything else I like!

I have learned a few cool things about farming, self sufficiency, shopping, life and thought I`d share them on Squidoo. I have been on Squidoo since April and wanted to share a little. I emigrated to Canada in 1989 with my family from England. I guess you could say Skeffling is my home town and my Grandmother still lives there. For the past 4 years we have had very rare heritage breed chickens and a small Lavender Farm up near the rugged Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada. Making soaps, lotions and sachets is fun but I can't keep up!

Oh, and for those wondering, my sister knitted my hat for Christmas last year! That picture was taken Christmas Day!

Homesteader & Jam Maker

Sharing recipes and how-tos on jam making is great. I don't know what gives me more pleasure, harvesting the fruit on a warm sunny afternoon with my honey bees buzzing around, creating the crystal clear jellies and jam, packed with fruit, or enjoying that jam on a warm, freshly-baked croissant. No matter really.

When my sister and I were little, my Mum used to make jam with us watching on from the doorway so we didn't get splashed with the hot sugary jam. She was always so strict about how we'd get burned if we go too close. It didn't stop us both independently as adults making our own jam. With long-sleeved shorts and tea-towel over us for further protection!

So I learned about jams, jellies, salsa and chutney making, and pickling. I have a musty, ingredient-stained collection of old Women's Institute and other specific jelly making books to prove it. And the row upon row of jars with treats in the pantry. I have made cheese, wine, bread and other goodies too. Hope I can share some tasty recipes here on Infobarrel!

Organic Gardener

Homesteading necessitates gardening, harvesting goodies to store for the rest of the year. I love my raised bed garden and make it as little work as possible. The raised bed garden is ornamental so I can sit in there with a cup of tea, til the urge to just pull one or two weeds hits.

This is our 4th vegetable garden in 11 years as we have moved a few times. But the raised beds just get better and easier with a simpler layout when we set them up. We were so lucky to read "The Vegetable Gardeneners Bible" when it first came out and totally did it the easy way after the first summer of trying to mulch with hay then mowing the weeds and twitch grass between our long rows of veggies as it got away on us! You know, when you pull the vicious knitting needle twitch grass root out of a tiny 2" onion bulb it squeaks.

Chickenry

We are fine tuning our set-up to make it easier!

In the last 4 years we have had over 40 rare breeds and have distilled it down to the ones we adore! And have a few articles on them already! I still want to try a few more Heritage breeds, Buckeyes, and Faverolles for sure. I know about chicken psychology (you have to when you have them), breeds, quirks, handling, taming, medically, and recipes. Did I say recipes!? Waste not want not.

Having chickens is fun and should be easy but can be tiring and a chore, like looking after any pet. We've had some ideas to take the back-break out of it (when you have lots) and give you some freedom.

If anyone needs help with chicken problems, let me know. I am happy to help and it may save you losing birds. Having chickens is fun and should be easy but can be tiring and a chore. Sharing chicken care tips may make your life easier. http://easychickenry.com/

This is the book to get you hooked!

It got me hooked on chooks!

Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds

Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds

by: Carol Ekarius

Amazon Price: $12.16 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

This awesome book is loaded with beautiful pictures of rare poultry breeds. There is tons of useful information on temperament, breed colours, standards and egg-laying abilities. I have had mine 4 years and still use it as a reference! The tricky thing is not using it as a catalogue! If you get it you will be hooked! You should see the cockeral on page 112. I have one and he is such a pet!

Rainbow Eggs and Rare Poultry Gifts on Zazzle

Rainbow eggs from Our Rare and Heritage Hens!

That's what it says on our crystal clear cartons! These are some of our gorgeous free range fresh eggs. I sell the eggs in mixed rainbow dozens and people love them especially at Easter. We usually have a waiting list then! The inside of the eggs is an even better colour than the outside as the yolks are dark and orange and full of goodness as my hens free range!

Your neighbours will love your extra eggs! That`s how we met some of our neighbours out in the country, when we put the 'eggs for sale' sign up! Having clean eggs ready in the fridge will go a long way to keeping you prepared!
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The Belted Galloway Store on Zazzle

We were lucky enough to have these gentle cows for a year, and took lots of pictures as they are so cute! I am sharing them and my designs in our Zazzle store!
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For your fresh egg business!

Or for the kids to play

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Antique Linen Dealer

I sold Antique Linens on Ebay for 8 or 9 years. I was Mill*Pond*Cottage. Still am really, but no time with the farm. I have a few treasures I still have and one day I will list them! I love restoring fine linens to their original clean, smooth beauty then photographing the linens and capturing them in that clean state.

I taught myself about antique linens after buying 3 rare rare books in Boxes at auction for $1 and and $40, looked them up on ABE Books, then spent the $1200 US I made, on books on Linens as I knew nothing before! I love restoring fine linens to their original clean, smooth beauty then photographing the linens and capturing them in that clean state. Then I got a kick out of researching and describing and sharing them with the world, with people who were thrilled to buy them. Very addictive stuff!

Skeffling Designs on Zazzle

Images of the finest rarest antique lace on gifts

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Antiques & Old Artwork!

I love old poultry images and landscapes and I have many picked up from auctions or sales. It has inspired me to make an Easter store on Zazzle using only pre-1923 antique Easter postcards (no copyright or sharing issues which is the right way to do it!) with beautiful homesteading, chicken and poultry images them.

Check out these adorable images. I am totally in love with them and love working on restoring more and adding them to my Antique Easter Postcards & Gifts Store! This doesn't mix them up very well, so check out the store for more delightful vintage designs.
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Ecologist

I did a degree in Ecology and Environmental Science as well and can identify all manner of trees, plants and birds. Even in high school in Withernsea, I loved ecology and was may favourite part of my A levels. Way better than physics!

Part of why we live here is because of the field trips from University to the wild Bruce Peninsula! Even in high school in Withernsea, I loved ecology and was may favourite part of my A levels. Way better than physics! Ugh. Now we have 15 acres of woods to walk through that are all ours!

On Humber Bank, the view from Skeffling to Lincolnshire. 

Skeffling's Lenses

Well here I am blabbering way and no list of lenses yet. Here they are all of them!

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St Helens Church, Humber Lane, Skeffling. 

Where I tend to hang out online

In the forums as Skeffling Lavender Farm

Euskal Oiloa Chicken Forum
A place to find out more and share what you know about this awesome rare poultry breed | Euskal Oiloa Chicken Forum

My own forum, I set up to share what we know about the Euskal Oiloa Basque Chickens and help people find breeders near them!
Easy Tips on Raising Chickens & Building Henhouses - Making Life Easier for the Chicken Keeper
Hints on building and locating Henhouses, their Plans, Automatic Henhouse Doors, Chicken Incubators, Books, Choosing Chicken Breeds, Our Chickens Articles, Coccidiosis in Chickens

FREE Chicken coops Down Load on Henhouses Page
Poultry Swap Ontario %u2022 Index page
Poultry Swap Ontario, your FREE online source to buy/sell/trade livestock and farm related items in Ontario. You can find items/animals for sale in the forums section of the site. We also have a list of hatcheries and poultry supply.

Full of crazy chicken lovers in Ontario.
AlbertaChickensEtc
Canadian Farms Forum - Chickens, Eggs, Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Horses, Pets - Across Canada For Sale And Want Ads Forum

Canada`s Biggest Poultry Forum. Always something going on there. I have 6000+ post there! So you`ll see me there!
Free forum : Western Canada Poultry Swap
A forum dedicated to the buying and selling of quality heritage poultry in Western Canada.

A smaller newer site with a nearly all experienced poultry keepers and friends!
BackYardChickens Forum
A colossal Poultry Forum based in the US but with members worldwide!
Skeffling on HubPages
My Homesteading Hubs over there. I am so addicted to writing now! I hope it is helpful anyway. lol! Learn how to bid at an auction, make Toad in the hole and not stung by bees when beekeeping!

So you don't have to scroll, if you liked the lens you can thumbs up here. Thanks!

This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.

Add this to your lens »

I'd love for you to say Hi! I am meeting more squidooers all the time!!

And if you liked our page, feel free to vote or 'Like' us! Cheers.

  • marsha32 May 13, 2012 @ 4:49 pm | delete
    my middle daughter and I talk so much about homesteading.....I would love to give it a good try, at least for many aspects of life.
  • bloomingrose Apr 14, 2012 @ 2:16 am | delete
    Very beautiful lens. Blessed because of your lifestyle as much as the lens, you have made the American dream come through in your own way.
  • siobhanryan Apr 2, 2012 @ 8:19 pm | delete
    Love it--wish I was as good as you at homesteading.
  • Tipi Mar 19, 2012 @ 8:46 pm | delete
    Just beautiful and down to earth. :)
    Cheers!
  • Ddraig Feb 20, 2012 @ 5:48 pm | delete
    Hiya hun. Finally decided to hunt you down here as well. Now I feel like a stalker haha. Love reading this lens. I am so jealous of your veg garden, it is so well constructed.
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skeffling

I love homesteading and have been doing it for 12 years. Being self-sufficient is awesome, the food we grow tastes great, but most of all I love the f... more »

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Single Most Important Piece of equipment if Hatching Chicks! 

Highly Accurate Digital Spot Check Incubator Thermometer

Highly Accurate Digital Spot Check Incubator Thermometer

Amazon Price: $21.99 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

These have saved the lives of more chicks than any other piece of equipment I have had!!

I cannot say enough out these great thermometers! On poultry forums I see People I have recommended to, telling newbies to get one! Seldom do two thermometers read the same, it is frustrating figuring out the real temperature. And can be heart-breaking if you find it was wrong, too late.

If you put this accurate one beside all your others (I have over $100 of ones that are really no good for anything but the brooder-but you can reuse them there!) you will see which are the furthest off because you CAN depend on these Spot Checks!

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