Feathers and Brine

Feathers and Brine Homestead on less than a 1/2 acre in Central PA exploring self-sufficiency in a modern world.

05/31/2026

Turning my empty seed packets into art 🎨

I'd say I'm behind (because I am) but with the weather being so chilly lately, maybe I'm right on track. Finally potting...
05/12/2026

I'd say I'm behind (because I am) but with the weather being so chilly lately, maybe I'm right on track. Finally potting up the rest of my seedlings today and reflecting on the lessons I've already learned this year.

1. Coconut coir alone is not a good medium for seed starting. Yes, it's very affordable. It's compact until you're ready to use it. It is also just fiber and void of nutrients, so once your seedling has used up the energy in the seed germ, growth will stop. So I ended up with plants who could stay alive but couldn't muster enough energy to make more than one set of true leaves, if that.

2. My garden wishlist now includes a tumbling composter drum...or whatever it's called. This is the first year I'm actually pulling compost from my bin and let's just say mistakes were made. But it's free and it's working!

3. You can never have enough grow lights.

4. The paper seed pots are awesome. Never buying individual seed cells again!

5. Remember that every year involves some trial and error. Give yourself ALL the grace and keep in mind that learning is part of the fun! Now I just have to figure out where I'm going to put all the seedlings that still remain...

Brooder breach!
05/11/2026

Brooder breach!

This photo popped up in my memories from my personal page today. Our first chickens ever perched next to my favorite chi...
05/05/2026

This photo popped up in my memories from my personal page today. Our first chickens ever perched next to my favorite chick (who is almost a teenager now)! So much has changed since then, and yet the good things have stayed the same or multiplied.

This isn't winning a best photo award, but it was super yummy. Martha Stewart's salmon with creamy leek sauce, pulled fr...
05/03/2026

This isn't winning a best photo award, but it was super yummy. Martha Stewart's salmon with creamy leek sauce, pulled from her 2003 "best of" collection. It was simple but packed in great flavor with seasonal ingredients, and I think I'd like to make this again!

Tomorrow's meal plan includes a Cajun white chicken chili recipe that I pinned on Pinterest too long ago, and it's just time to make it. Also, let's just appreciate that Cinco de Mayo is once again falling on a Tuesday. I think the last time that happened, we were in quarantine. Remember that? Wild.

I've been searching for a lamp for my piano so we can stop using the big light all the time (IYKYK). I came across this ...
05/02/2026

I've been searching for a lamp for my piano so we can stop using the big light all the time (IYKYK). I came across this find the other weekend by and had to have it! Guys...it's a lantern fly. In a lamp. The irony was just too much to pass up. Annndddd I found the shade at a yard sale this morning for a quarter! This is your reminder that you should buy more weird stuff made by cool weird people.

Our pretty Dahlia Jane is FIVE today! She got to spend lots of time outside in the sun today, which is her second favori...
04/16/2026

Our pretty Dahlia Jane is FIVE today! She got to spend lots of time outside in the sun today, which is her second favorite thing. My husband is about to cook her an egg, which is her first favorite thing, and as soon as he got out of his chair, she knew exactly what was coming her way. And although they weren't specifically for her, she got to meet some new babies who went into the brooder this afternoon. Chick content to follow!

Picked up this planting square at the thrift for less than $2 and used it to start some seeds in the garden today. I pla...
04/04/2026

Picked up this planting square at the thrift for less than $2 and used it to start some seeds in the garden today. I planted some leafy greens, peas, cucumbers, radishes, beans, and zucchini. Total investment in the garden so far this year= less than $5.

Another Easter season, another coconut cream pie.
03/29/2026

Another Easter season, another coconut cream pie.

Okay segue from gardening content for the moment...I just tore this book UP! This was so masterfully done. An instant ho...
03/27/2026

Okay segue from gardening content for the moment...I just tore this book UP! This was so masterfully done. An instant hook that builds to such a satisfying crescendo, a feminist triumph about pulling away the caul of patriarchy and getting HERS. This is a sapphic Gothic thriller that is reminiscent of Kate Chopin's "The Awakening," Bram Stoker's "Dracula," and Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper." If you're looking for a "good for her" story with a lot of intrigue and a little spice, you should read this one!

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214 N Lexington St.
Pittsburgh, PA
15208

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