Freelance Writer (Pets & Gardening) | Proofreader | Content Marketer | Email Marketing =♥️ | Horses, History, and Home | Drop me a line at: miraclewelsh@gmail.com
Planning a Seed Swap
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Looking for an easy way to expand your seeds for this year’s garden and a way to build community at the same time? Why not plan a seed swap?
Clothesline Confessions
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
I have a clothesline. And I use it.
Living out here in the blissful oblivion of rural America, I had no idea that clotheslines are no longer a thing.
Meet the Icelandic Horse
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
The island country of Iceland is nestled where the waters of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans meet, with Greenland to the west and Norway to the east. It’s a country of approximately 370,000 people, and is home to one of the world’s most beloved gaited breeds: the Icelandic horse.
Breed Spotlight: Norwegian Fjord Horse
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
If you’ve seen the popular movie Frozen—and who hasn’t?—you’re familiar with the animated rendition of the breed. Anna’s pleasantly plump mount and Hans’ majestic equine companion are both Norwegian Fjord Horses. A highly appropriate choice for a film set in Norway!
Meet the Herbs: Rosemary
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
We’re northern gardeners, so we lovingly embrace our short growing season and we don’t whine about winter weather (at least not very often). But that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate a bit of Mediterranean flair in our gardens, and rosemary fits the bill!
Italian Livestock Breeds
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
We have Italy to thank for some really awesome cheeses: mozzarella, Gorgonzola, ricotta …and it's no surprise that Italy is also responsible for the development of some fascinating cattle and goat breeds. After all, that milk had to come from somewhere!
And Italy, with its mixture of mountains, sea, and farms, is home to some interesting—and sometimes rare—non-dairy livestock breeds as well.
Breed Spotlight: Fabulous Friesians
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Big, bold and brilliant, with stunning good looks and plenty of talent and power, the Friesian is easily recognizable thanks to its striking black coloring and abundant leg feathering. Here are 14 things you might not know about this majestic and noble breed.
Horses of Many Unique Colors
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Everyone knows “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” and we also know that a good horse can come in any color. But let’s be honest. You’ve probably looked at a flashy, colorful horse and thought, “Wow!” And it’s easy to see why we’re drawn to these unique horse colors—they’re fun, they’re eye-catching, and they’re just plain pretty.
A Veritable Variety: A Guide To Eggs Of 4 Poultry Species
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON & DANIEL JOHNSON
So you’re planning on eating eggs for breakfast. Sound simple? Maybe not. Because we all love our chicken eggs, it’s easy to forget that other types of domestic birds also produce tasty, nutritious eggs of various sizes and types.
The funny thing about eggs is that most people say they all taste about the same. If you prepare a dish using duck, goose or even quail eggs, guests may notice subtle differences but usually will say it tastes like a chicken egg.
Why I Love Judging Trail Classes
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
I’ve previously expressed my deep love of judging leadline classes, but I also have another favorite set of classes to judge: trail.
Some judges dread trail classes because they “take too long” and are “sooo repetitive,” but I put trail classes near the top of my list of favorite classes to judge. Why? What’s to love about the humble trail class?
Just about everything.
How to Keep Your Birdbath from Freezing
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
You kept your backyard birdbath filled all summer. You cleaned it when necessary and were rewarded with many delightful bird sightings. And the birdbath "rewarded" the birds with a reliable water source they could count on.
But what happens when you and the birds wake up to a chilly, sub 32°F morning and a brittle ring of ice around the birdbath?
Do cats like snow?
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
It's no secret some cats can be a little finicky about their creature comforts. On a chilly, rainy day, many cats prefer staying warm and dry in the house, looking out the window at their canine counterparts that may be happily frolicking through puddles without a care. But what about snow? Do cats enjoy being outdoors on a snowy day in the winter? Do they enjoy playing in the snow? What about cold weather itself? Do cats like that?
Cats: a Warm, Dry Heritage
Before diving into whether cats l...
How do stray cats survive cold weather?
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
It's lovely to come indoors on a blustery winter day, turn up the thermostat, make a warm beverage and settle in for a cozy afternoon. But it's hard to feel as snug and cozy with the thought of neighborhood community cats — the feral cats and the strays — struggling to survive the winter. But are they even struggling? Or are they able to handle the cold weather? How do stray cats survive cold weather? And is there anything you can do to help?
Cut Flower Varieties that Love the North
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
What’s more glorious than a vase overflowing with gorgeous, colorful blooms? If you daydream about growing your own cut flowers, you’ll want to set yourself up for success by growing flowers that thrive in the North.
Meet the Herbs: Thyme
BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Is your garden in need of a plant that’s charming, tasty, delicate and hardy? Then it’s high thyme you plant this herb and begin exploring all the delights of this crowd favorite: thyme.