Say Hello, to the Chickens, Cookies & Closings – Community Kitchen!

by Samantha Nelson

Say Hello, to the Chickens, Cookies & Closings – Community Kitchen!

As a real estate agent, I’ve always believed that a house is more than just walls and a roof—it’s the people inside that make it a home. And what better place to bring people together than the kitchen? Whether it’s a fresh batch of cookies straight from the oven, a Sunday dinner that warms the soul, or a kitchen mishap that turns into a family story for years to come—our kitchens are the heart of our homes. That’s why I created the Chickens, Cookies & Closings – Community Kitchen Facebook group—a space where we can gather, learn, share, and build confidence in the kitchen together.

What’s This Group All About?

This community is for anyone who loves to bake, cook, or just wants to learn! Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or someone who still measures love in store-bought cookie dough, you belong here. My goal is to create a warm, welcoming space where we can:

Swap favorite recipes—family treasures, quick weeknight meals, or those “made with love” dishes that never fail.
Learn new skills and techniques, from sourdough starters to perfecting that flaky pie crust.
Ask questions, share kitchen wins (and fails—because let’s be real, we’ve all had them!)
Encourage and uplift each other to feel confident and capable in the kitchen.
Connect as a community—not just through food, but through real, meaningful relationships.

Why Join?

This isn’t just a recipe group—it’s a community. My passion for real estate is rooted in helping people find a place to call home, and I believe that a strong community starts with shared experiences. This group is about more than just cooking; it’s about making real connections, inspiring each other, and sparking joy in our everyday lives. I’ll be sharing my favorite tried-and-true recipes, tips from my own kitchen adventures, and even some fun challenges to keep things interesting!

Let’s Do This Together!

I’d love for you to be part of this growing kitchen family. Click the link below to join the Chickens, Cookies & Closings – Community Kitchen on Facebook, and let’s get cooking, baking, and learning together. Bring your favorite recipes, your questions, and of course, your love for good food and great company!

Join the Community Kitchen Here!

Can’t wait to see you there!

Sam

Freshly Baked & Full of Comfort • Uncategorized • March 31, 2025

Balancing Homeschooling, Homesteading, and Real Estate: A Day in the Life

by Samantha Nelson

Balancing Homeschooling, Homesteading, and Real Estate: A Day in the Life

Welcome to my world, where the cluck of chickens harmonizes with the rustle of property listings, and grammar lessons are squeezed between baking sessions and client calls. As a real estate professional, homeschooling mom, and dedicated chicken enthusiast, my days are a delicate dance of priorities. Here’s a glimpse into how I navigate this dynamic lifestyle, along with insights into the ever-changing real estate market and practical tips for keeping everything in balance.

Morning: Rise and Shine with the Roosters

The day begins at dawn, as the chickens demand their breakfast and the garden awaits its morning inspection. Tending to the homestead not only provides fresh produce and eggs but also instills a sense of responsibility and connection to nature with me and my son.

Mid-Morning: Homeschooling Adventures

With the homestead chores complete, we transition to schooling. The flexibility of homeschooling allows us to tailor lessons to my son’s interests, making learning both effective and enjoyable. Whether it’s a science experiment in the kitchen or a math lesson that involves calculating the area of our chicken coop, education is seamlessly integrated into our daily lives.

Afternoon: Real Estate Hustle

Post-lunch, it’s time to dive into the world of real estate. The current market is dynamic, with trends shifting rapidly. In areas like Riverside/San Bernardino/Ontario, California, mortgage-to-income ratios have reached 67.8%, indicating a highly competitive and overvalued market. Staying informed about these trends is crucial to provide clients with accurate guidance.

Balancing Act: Tips for Managing Multiple Roles

Structured Flexibility: While having a schedule is essential, it’s equally important to remain adaptable. Unexpected client meetings or homestead emergencies can arise, so building buffer times into your day can help manage unforeseen events.
Integrated Learning: Use real-life scenarios from homesteading and real estate to teach practical lessons. For instance, involving your child in budgeting for homestead projects or analyzing market trends can provide hands-on educational experiences.
Community Support: Engage with local homeschooling groups and real estate networks. Sharing experiences and resources can offer new strategies and emotional support.
Self-Care: Remember to carve out time for yourself. Balancing multiple roles can be taxing, and maintaining your well-being is vital for sustaining this lifestyle.

Evening: Reflection and Preparation

As the day winds down, we gather as a family to reflect on our accomplishments and plan for tomorrow. This time reinforces our bond and ensures that we are aligned in our goals and expectations.

Embracing the roles of a homeschooling parent, homesteader, and real estate professional is undoubtedly challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. By staying informed about market trends, integrating learning into daily activities, and maintaining a flexible yet structured approach, it’s possible to thrive in this multifaceted lifestyle. Remember, it’s not about achieving perfection but finding harmony in the chaos.

Freshly Baked & Full of Comfort • Uncategorized • March 28, 2025

Homesteading & Self-Sufficiency: Raising Chickens, Gardening, and Preserving Food

by Samantha Nelson

In a world that often feels disconnected from the land, homesteading is a way to reclaim self-sufficiency, slow down, and reconnect with nature. Whether you’re raising backyard chickens, growing a thriving garden, or preserving food for the future, each step towards self-reliance is a rewarding journey. For me, homesteading has been a deeply personal adventure—one that fills my home with nourishment and my heart with joy. Let’s dive into the essentials of homesteading and how you can cultivate a lifestyle of sustainability and abundance.

Raising Chickens: The Gateway to Homesteading

Chickens are often called the “gateway animal” to homesteading—and for good reason! They provide fresh eggs, help with pest control, and add a touch of personality to any backyard. My own flock has become such an important part of my homestead, and every day I learn something new from them.

Getting Started with Chickens

Choose the Right Breed: Whether you want high egg production (like Rhode Island Reds), friendly companions (like Silkies), or colorful eggs (like Ameraucanas), selecting the right breed for your needs is key.
Coop and Run Setup: Chickens need a safe, predator-proof coop with plenty of ventilation and nesting boxes.
Daily Care: Fresh food, clean water, and space to forage keep your flock healthy and happy.

Chickens not only provide food security, but their manure makes an excellent fertilizer for your garden—a perfect cycle of sustainability!

Gardening: Growing Your Own Food

A home garden is one of the most empowering ways to feed your family. Whether you have acres of land or just a few raised beds, growing your own produce brings unmatched satisfaction. Each year, I learn something new in the garden—whether it’s a better way to trellis my tomatoes or how to companion plant for natural pest control. The beauty of gardening is that you’re always learning while nourishing your family.

Tips for a Thriving Garden

Start Small: If you’re new to gardening, begin with easy-to-grow crops like tomatoes, zucchini, and lettuce.
Build Healthy Soil: Composting kitchen scraps, using mulch, and rotating crops can improve soil fertility.
Plan for Year-Round Harvests: Grow cool-season crops (like kale and carrots) in the fall and warm-season crops (like peppers and cucumbers) in the summer.

Nothing beats the taste of a sun-ripened tomato or the crunch of a fresh cucumber straight from your backyard!

Preserving the Harvest: Food Security for All Seasons

Growing food is only half the battle—learning to preserve it ensures you can enjoy your harvest all year long. Over the years, I’ve canned spaghetti sauce, four kinds of jam, and applesauce. More recently, I started dehydrating food and making my own garlic and onion powders. The feeling of opening a jar of home-canned goodness or seasoning a meal with herbs I dried myself is pure satisfaction!

Popular Food Preservation Methods

Canning: Water bath canning is great for high-acid foods like jams and tomatoes, while pressure canning is essential for low-acid foods like meats and beans.
Freezing: Many fruits and vegetables freeze well, making for quick and easy meal prep.
Dehydrating: Great for herbs, fruits, and even making your own jerky. Homemade garlic and onion powders have been a game-changer in my kitchen!
Fermenting: Sauerkraut, pickles, and homemade yogurt are probiotic-rich foods that enhance gut health.

Preserving food not only cuts down on waste but also gives you a pantry full of homegrown goodness, free of preservatives and additives.

The Homesteading Mindset

Homesteading is more than just a collection of skills—it’s a mindset of resourcefulness, patience, and learning from nature. Whether you live on a rural farm or in a suburban backyard, every small step you take toward self-sufficiency is a victory.

For me, this journey is about more than just growing food—it’s about building a lifestyle where my family is nourished, my hands stay busy, and my heart stays full. Embrace the process, celebrate the harvest, and enjoy the deep satisfaction of knowing where your food comes from. Homesteading isn’t just about survival—it’s about thriving in harmony with the land.

What part of homesteading excites you the most? Share your journey in the comments!

Freshly Baked & Full of Comfort • Uncategorized • March 21, 2025

Baking From Scratch: Building an Ingredient Household

by Samantha Nelson

In a world where convenience reigns supreme, it’s easy to rely on pre-packaged foods and ready-made meals. But what if we took a step back—way back—to a time when our kitchens were stocked with ingredients, not products? That’s the journey my family is on, and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer.

Why Switch to an Ingredient Household?

An “ingredient household” is exactly what it sounds like—a home stocked with raw, whole ingredients instead of processed, store-bought versions. Instead of grabbing a box of pancake mix, we reach for flour, eggs, and milk. Instead of buying a frozen pizza, we make our own dough, sauce, and toppings.

Why? Because the closer our food is to its original form, the healthier it is. Processed foods are packed with preservatives, artificial flavors, and unnecessary sugars that our bodies don’t need. By making our meals from scratch, we eliminate those mystery ingredients and take control of what goes into our food.

Not only is homemade food healthier, but it’s also cheaper in the long run. A bag of flour, a jar of honey, and a dozen eggs go a lot further than a package of store-bought cookies or a frozen dinner. And let’s not forget the taste—once you’ve had homemade bread fresh from the oven, you’ll never want to go back to the store-bought kind.

Teaching the Next Generation: Cooking with a Young Child

Now, I won’t lie—baking from scratch while wrangling a 5-year-old is an adventure. There’s flour on the floor, eggshells in the dough, and more taste-testing than actual mixing some days. But this process is so important for him to learn.

I want my son to grow up knowing how to feed himself without relying on a grocery store full of pre-packaged meals. I want him to understand where food comes from, how it’s made, and why real ingredients matter. Right now, making cookies together might just seem like fun, but it’s teaching him lifelong skills.

And let’s be real—kids LOVE to help in the kitchen. Stirring batter, kneading dough, cracking eggs (even if we lose a few to the floor)—it all makes them feel capable and involved. Plus, when they help make the food, they’re way more likely to eat it. Picky eater? Let them help bake the bread, and suddenly, it’s the best thing ever.

Breaking the Grocery Store Dependence

One of the biggest motivations for making this switch is self-sufficiency. The more we rely on whole ingredients, the less we’re at the mercy of grocery stores, supply chain issues, and rising food prices. When you can make your own bread, yogurt, or even butter, those empty store shelves don’t seem so scary.

We also focus on growing our own food as much as possible—fresh eggs from our chickens, veggies from the garden, herbs from the windowsill. It all adds up to a more independent way of living. And while we’re not completely off-grid (yet!), every step toward self-sufficiency feels like a win.

Getting Started with Scratch Baking

If the idea of making everything from scratch sounds overwhelming, start small. Here are a few easy swaps:

Bread: A simple no-knead bread recipe can replace store-bought loaves.
Pancakes & Waffles: Ditch the boxed mix and make your own with just flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt.
Cookies & Muffins: Homemade versions use real butter, real sugar, and none of the artificial junk.
Pizza Dough: Flour, water, yeast, salt, and a little patience = homemade pizza night!
Broths & Stocks: Instead of buying cartons, save veggie scraps and bones to make your own flavorful stock.

Each little change adds up, and before you know it, your kitchen is filled with ingredients instead of boxes.

The Heart of the Home

Baking from scratch isn’t just about food—it’s about connection. It’s about slowing down, embracing the mess, and creating something with love. It’s about teaching our kids that food doesn’t just come from a package, but from our hands, our farms, and our effort.

So, if you’re thinking about making the switch to an ingredient household, start today. Grab some flour, roll up your sleeves, and get baking. You won’t regret it—and neither will your taste buds.

Freshly Baked & Full of Comfort • Uncategorized • March 14, 2025

Hatching Chicks for the First Time: A Journey with Felicia!

by Samantha Nelson

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be hovering over a broody little Silkie hen, excitedly checking on a clutch of eggs, I might have laughed. But here we are—our sweet Silkie girl, Felicia, is sitting on eight precious eggs, and the excitement in our home is through the roof!

The Magic of a Broody Hen

Felicia has taken her motherly duties very seriously. From the moment she decided to go broody, she’s been tucked in her nesting box, only leaving briefly to eat, drink, and stretch her little feathery legs. It’s fascinating how instinct kicks in, and she just knows what to do! Watching her fluff up and protect her eggs with all the determination of a much larger bird is both adorable and awe-inspiring.

Candling: The Window to Life

One of the most exciting parts of this journey has been candling the eggs. If you’ve never candled eggs before, it’s an experience like no other! About a week into incubation, we took a small flashlight, gently lifted each egg (while Felicia gave us the stink eye), and shined the light through the shell. And guess what? We saw veins! Tiny little spider-like veins forming inside the eggs, a sure sign that new life is developing inside.

By day 14, we could see little movements—tiny chicks wiggling inside their shells! The amazement on my little one's face as we watched the eggs glow and reveal their hidden world was priceless. Raising chickens alongside a child makes the experience even more magical. It’s hands-on learning at its best, teaching patience, responsibility, and the wonder of nature.

Counting Down to Hatch Day

Now, we’re in the final stretch! In just a little over a week, we should hear tiny peeps coming from inside the eggs as the chicks prepare to hatch. We’re making sure Felicia has everything she needs—fresh food, water, and a cozy, quiet space to do her job. It’s nerve-wracking and exciting all at once!

Hatching chicks for the first time is such an incredible journey, and I love that our little one gets to be part of it. The joy of witnessing new life, learning about the delicate balance of nature, and experiencing the patience and care involved in raising baby chicks is something we’ll never forget.

Stay tuned—soon, we’ll (hopefully) have eight fluffy new additions to our flock! Have you ever hatched chicks before? I’d love to hear your experiences!

Freshly Baked & Full of Comfort • Uncategorized • March 3, 2025

The Softest Brown Butter Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies

by Samantha Nelson

If you're looking for the softest, chewiest, most flavor-packed chocolate chip cookie, look no further. These Brown Butter Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies are a game changer! The nuttiness of brown butter, the slight tang of sourdough discard, and pools of melty chocolate create the ultimate cookie experience. If you've been searching for the perfect balance of soft and chewy, this recipe will not disappoint!

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

Soft and Chewy – Thanks to the combination of sourdough discard and cornstarch, these cookies stay incredibly tender.
Brown Butter Magic – The toasty, nutty depth of brown butter elevates the flavor to another level.
No Waste Baking – A fantastic way to use up extra sourdough discard.
Rich and Complex Flavor – The fermentation in the discard adds a slight tang that perfectly complements the sweetness of the cookie.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, browned and cooled
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
½ cup sourdough discard (unfed)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
Flaky sea salt (for topping, optional but recommended)

How to Make the Softest Sourdough Cookies

1. Brown the Butter

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally. It will foam, then begin to develop a golden brown color and nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and browned butter until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, sourdough discard, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

4. Add the Chocolate

Fold in the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate until evenly distributed.

5. Chill the Dough

Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours (or up to 24 hours). Chilling is key to developing deep flavors and keeping the cookies thick and soft.

6. Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop dough balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and place them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just golden but the centers are still soft.

7. Finishing Touches

As soon as they come out of the oven, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for a gourmet touch. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Tips for the Best Cookies

Don’t skip the chilling time! This helps develop flavor and prevents spreading.
Use chopped chocolate for pools of melty goodness instead of just chips.
Weigh your ingredients if possible for accuracy.
Store in an airtight container for up to a week – but let’s be real, they won’t last that long!

The Final Verdict

These Brown Butter Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies are hands-down some of the softest, most flavorful cookies you’ll ever make. The brown butter and sourdough discard create an irresistible depth of flavor, while the chewy texture keeps you coming back for more. Perfect for using up sourdough discard or just treating yourself to the ultimate cookie experience!

Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think! Happy baking!

Freshly Baked & Full of Comfort • Uncategorized • February 24, 2025

Keeping Your Chicken Coop Clean: Tips for a Fresh & Happy Flock

by Samantha Nelson

Keeping Your Chicken Coop Clean: Tips for a Fresh & Happy Flock

If you've been raising chickens for a while, you know that keeping a clean coop is a must—not just for your nose but for the health and happiness of your flock. No one wants to visit a coop that smells like, well... a barnyard disaster. So, let’s talk about ways to keep your coop fresh, odor-free, and (mostly) fly-free while keeping things simple and fun!

1. Clean Regularly, But Make It Easy

Cleaning a chicken coop doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore! Keep it manageable by setting up a simple routine. Here’s a basic cleaning schedule:

Daily: Quick poop scoop from high-traffic areas like roosting bars and nesting boxes.
Weekly: Replace bedding and do a light scrub of food and water containers.
Monthly: Deep clean—scrub down surfaces, rake out old bedding, and do an overall refresh.

Pro Tip: Use a coop design that makes cleaning easy. A removable roosting bar or a floor that tilts for easy raking can be a game-changer.

2. Choose the Right Bedding

Not all bedding is created equal when it comes to keeping things fresh. Here are a few solid options:

Pine shavings – Great for odor control and absorbency.
Straw – Works well but needs frequent changing.
Sand – Super easy to scoop like cat litter and dries things out quickly.
Deep Litter Method – A composting-style approach that can help naturally control odor.

Experiment to see what works best for your setup, but remember: the key to success is dry bedding!

3. Odor Control Hacks

Chicken coops don’t have to smell bad. Here are a few tricks to help keep that “farm fresh” vibe:

Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth (DE) or Sweet PDZ: These natural odor-absorbing materials help keep moisture and smells in check.
Ventilation is Your Best Friend: A well-ventilated coop allows fresh air to move through, keeping things dry and preventing ammonia buildup.
Herbs Aren’t Just for Cooking: Toss fresh lavender, mint, or rosemary into the bedding for a natural, fresh scent.

4. Fly Control Without the Fuss

Flies love damp, smelly areas, so the cleaner and drier your coop, the fewer flies you’ll see. But if those pesky bugs are still hanging around, try these:

Fly Traps & Sticky Ribbons – Hang them up outside the coop to catch flies before they get in.
Diatomaceous Earth – Sprinkle it around the coop floor to keep flies from breeding.
Natural Fly Repellents – Apple cider vinegar traps, citrus peels, and essential oil sprays can help keep flies at bay.
Chickens as Pest Control – If your girls free-range, let them feast on fly larvae in compost piles before they become a problem!

5. Keep the Water Fresh & Clean

Stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria and bugs. Keep waterers clean and refill them with fresh water daily. If you want to go the extra mile, add a little apple cider vinegar to the water—it’s great for chicken health and helps keep slime out of the waterer.

6. Bonus Tip: The Power of Coop-Friendly Plants

Consider planting fly-repelling herbs like basil, mint, or citronella around the coop. Not only do they smell great, but they can also help keep pests away!

A Fresh Coop = Happy Chickens (and a Happy You!)

Keeping your coop clean doesn’t have to be a big headache. With a few simple habits and natural odor-fighting tricks, you can keep your flock comfortable and your nose happy. Plus, a clean coop means healthier chickens, which means more delicious eggs for you!

Got any tried-and-true coop-cleaning tips? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear them!

Freshly Baked & Full of Comfort • Uncategorized • February 21, 2025

Raising Backyard Chickens: My Journey with Ameraucana’s, Silkies, and More

by Samantha Nelson

Raising chickens in the backyard has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I’m excited to share a bit about the joy and learning that comes with it. For the past three years, my little flock has grown and flourished. I own a mix of breeds, including Rhode Island Reds, Blue Australorps, Ameraucanas (Easter Egger), and Silkies. Each one brings something unique to the coop, and I’ve learned so much along the way!

Why Raise Chickens?

You might be wondering what’s so special about raising chickens. Well, for me, it’s the perfect combination of sustainability, companionship, and joy. There’s something so satisfying about gathering fresh eggs from the backyard every morning. Not to mention, chickens are incredibly fun to watch! They each have their own personalities—some are outgoing, others a little shy, but all of them are incredibly lovable.

But beyond the daily perks of fresh eggs and feathery friends, raising chickens has been a fantastic way to connect with nature and understand where our food comes from. As someone who is still learning the ins and outs of chicken care, I can honestly say there’s never a dull moment!

Getting Started with Chickens

Starting out, I was a little intimidated by the idea of caring for chickens. There’s so much to know—from setting up the right environment to making sure they’re healthy and happy. The good news is that chickens are pretty resilient, and as long as you give them the basics, they thrive. My first tip is to make sure you have a safe, secure chicken coop. The safety of your chickens should be a top priority, as they are vulnerable to predators like raccoons, hawks, and even neighborhood dogs.

Meet My Flock

I’m lucky to have such a diverse flock! Each breed has its own distinct characteristics, and getting to know them has been one of the highlights of raising chickens.

Reba, Our Rhode Island Red is a hardworking layer, providing us with a steady supply of eggs. She's friendly but can be a bit more independent compared to some of the other breeds. Reba gives us Large Brown eggs.
Bluey, Our Blue Australorp, is gentle and calm. They’re a favorite in our flock for their sweet temperament and consistent egg production. Bluey gives us Pink eggs.
Pickles & Betty, Our Ameraucanas are a bit quirky with their tufted ears, fluffy beards and greenish-blue eggs. They’re always fun to have around because they’re so curious and playful.
Felicia & Chauncey, Our Silkies are like little fluff balls of joy. They’re not great egg layers, but they make up for it with their adorable looks and gentle nature. They love being pampered, which is perfect for anyone looking for a more hands-on experience with their chickens. Chauncey(roo) & Felicia(hen) came to us as a pair and they are the cutest!

Still Learning the Process

I’ll admit, I’m still learning all of the processes involved in chicken-keeping. Each season brings new lessons. There’s always something new to figure out—whether it’s how to properly care for them during the winter, dealing with feather molting, or figuring out what treats they love best.

But even with all of the trial and error, it’s all worth it. Chickens are resilient, and as long as you put in the time and effort, they’ll reward you with endless entertainment and, of course, fresh eggs! Over time, I’ve learned that patience is key, and you have to let yourself grow along with your flock.

Final Thoughts

Raising chickens has been one of the most fulfilling experiences for me, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested. It’s a learning process, yes, but it’s also a journey that’s full of rewards. Whether you’re raising chickens for eggs, companionship, or simply the joy of seeing them roam around your yard, there’s so much to love about it.

As I continue learning from my Rhode Island Reds, Silkies, Blue Australorps, and Ameraucanas, I can’t wait to see what the next few years will bring. If you’re thinking about starting your own backyard flock, don’t be afraid to dive in—because every day with chickens is an adventure!

Happy chicken-keeping! 🐔🌿

Freshly Baked & Full of Comfort • Uncategorized • February 21, 2025

Baking Cookies with a 5-Year-Old: Fun, Messy, and Totally Worth It!

by Samantha Nelson

Incubator Update: Not the Ending We Hoped For, But Not the End of the Story

By Samantha Nelson | Apr 22, 2025

Hey friends, I wanted to give y’all an update on the eggs we had incubating over the last few weeks. As you know, we were so excited about the possibility of adding some fluffy little additions to our flock. We watched the calendar like hawks, counted down the days, and held our breath in those […]

The Ultimate Family Favorite: Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

By Samantha Nelson | Apr 3, 2025

The Ultimate Family Favorite: Homemade Chicken Pot Pie There’s something magical about a homemade chicken pot pie—golden, flaky crust, a creamy filling packed with tender chicken and veggies, and just enough savory goodness to make your whole family feel like they’ve been wrapped in a warm hug. As a mom, I love making it because […]

Say Hello, to the Chickens, Cookies & Closings – Community Kitchen!

By Samantha Nelson | Apr 1, 2025

Say Hello, to the Chickens, Cookies & Closings – Community Kitchen! As a real estate agent, I’ve always believed that a house is more than just walls and a roof—it’s the people inside that make it a home. And what better place to bring people together than the kitchen? Whether it’s a fresh batch of […]

Balancing Homeschooling, Homesteading, and Real Estate: A Day in the Life

By Samantha Nelson | Mar 31, 2025

Balancing Homeschooling, Homesteading, and Real Estate: A Day in the Life Welcome to my world, where the cluck of chickens harmonizes with the rustle of property listings, and grammar lessons are squeezed between baking sessions and client calls. As a real estate professional, homeschooling mom, and dedicated chicken enthusiast, my days are a delicate dance […]

Homesteading & Self-Sufficiency: Raising Chickens, Gardening, and Preserving Food

By Samantha Nelson | Mar 28, 2025

Baking From Scratch: Building an Ingredient Household

By Samantha Nelson | Mar 21, 2025

Hatching Chicks for the First Time: A Journey with Felicia!

By Samantha Nelson | Mar 14, 2025

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be hovering over a broody little Silkie hen, excitedly checking on a clutch of eggs, I might have laughed. But here we are-our sweet Silkie girl, Felicia, is sitting on eight precious eggs, and the excitement in our home is through the roof! The […]

The Softest Brown Butter Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies

By Samantha Nelson | Mar 3, 2025

If you’re looking for the softest, chewiest, most flavor-packed chocolate chip cookie, look no further. These Brown Butter Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies are a game changer! The nuttiness of brown butter, the slight tang of sourdough discard, and pools of melty chocolate create the ultimate cookie experience. If you’ve been searching for the perfect balance […]

Keeping Your Chicken Coop Clean: Tips for a Fresh & Happy Flock

By Samantha Nelson | Feb 24, 2025

Keeping Your Chicken Coop Clean: Tips for a Fresh & Happy Flock If you’ve been raising chickens for a while, you know that keeping a clean coop is a must-not just for your nose but for the health and happiness of your flock. No one wants to visit a coop that smells like, well… a […]

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