August 2025 On The Homestead
Our August went okay, it flew by and I had mixed feelings about it ending though. We did a few fun things, but definitely not as enjoyable as it normally is. Below you’ll find the recap of August 2025 on the homestead.
FYI these homestead recaps tend to be photo heavy, and may contain affiliate links.
CLEAN UP & PROJECTS
This summer has been one of the hardest times of my life, with my Mom’s passing, so all the projects were put on hold. I just haven’t had the energy or motivation.
Get your own Ipsy BoxyCharm!
I was able to start doing a little catch up towards the end of the month, when all the cluttered spots started getting to me. A before and after of the bathroom vanity, we’ve just lacked on putting things away.
Half of the wood we have stocked for winter! It’s going to be cozy! This is all thanks to our log splitter!
IN THE GARDEN
Garden is still doing great, even though I haven’t been very attentive this summer. We’ve harvested potatoes, cucumbers, calendula, borage, cauliflower, blackberries, sunflowers, lots of herbs, and seeds. I started a few fall crops, keeping it small as I just don’t have the time or energy.
The end of the month we were able to harvest half of our apple trees.
Thankfully the squash is doing so much better this month. We’ve got a few pumpkins growing(sugar & jack o’ lantern), butternut squash(my fav), honeynut squash(not pictured), and it was the year spaghetti squash – we’ve got many growing.
I’ve been collecting a lot of seeds this year, with not being able to harvest so much in time things went to seed. The above is snapdragon seeds, doesn’t the seed pod look like a fish?!
click here for my go-to seed storage container!
animals on the homestead
I’m still taking the natural beekeeping approach, and don’t check on them often. I have started some supplemental feed, but what I can see is they are pretty set for winter in regards to food. They seem to still be foraging.
They are definitely more feisty this time of year, and I got my first bee stings. It was kind of my fault though, as I didn’t use the smoker and I opened them so late in the day when everyone was home. They got me twice, through my pants(I wasn’t wearing the full beesuit or thick pants), one of the ladies got me really good.
I decided to check the white hive first, because they are normally the more aggressive ones. They did fine, and just before popping the lid off the brown hive I noticed my pant legs were not tucked into my boots. Glad I spotted that when I did, because they were not having me that day. I’m so thankful no one flew up my pants & no allergic reaction either!
Bearding on a hot day – it’s a way to help cool themselves off
All the other animals on the farm are doing well. That’s our bird “Pretty” above, I don’t think I’ve ever shown him. We’ve had a young coyote who occasionally comes around, and our husky went after it once and got stuck in the muddy wet land – that was not fun getting her out, but thank God nothing happened to her. Annie definitely loves to protect her chickens.
Chickens are all doing great, and the father/son roosters are still good together. Still getting 5-6 eggs a day, and the youngest six haven’t started laying yet – I’m excited to see if we have any blue layers.
in the kitchen
Sadly, no pictures to share in this section or anything exciting. We just did simple foods and usual recipes in August.
BUT it’s just about to be baking & soup season – I’ve got some fun recipes to share with you all!! Stay tuned…
life & what i’m loving
We really feel like we haven’t had a summer, between grieving and the kids going back to school in August. But I also have this feeling of wanting time to speed up and to get past each holiday/season without my mom being here.
In August we were busy doing PTA stuff, getting ready for school, and still trying to squeeze in some fun. We kept our “ice cream for dinner” tradition, especially since it’s the last one with my oldest. I can’t believe he graduates this year!
We also saw Freakier Friday in the theater’s, Piper and I both liked it – I honestly thought it was better than the first.
We took our first trip in the camper van, spent the weekend at Mount Rainier National Park. It was great & much needed! I’ll share more on the blog soon.
Rocks sent from heaven!
We’ve spent a lot of time at the beach this summer; beach combing, relaxing, and swimming in the salt water. Next summer I’m getting myself a paddleboard!
One of my daughter’s and mine favorite things to do every summer/fall is check out the local farm tour event. It’s a day of visiting local farms that have opened their doors to the public to experience. It’s become our yearly tradition, we do the Kitsap Farm Tour in the summer, and then the Key Peninsula Farm Tour in the fall.
Our favorite things to do is of course visit with all the animals, and get ideas for our own place!
We enjoyed a few walks, and our town’s night market. I’ve also enjoyed MANY afternoon hammock naps.
I did another paint night, which was so much fun & my highland cow turned out pretty good.
We ended the month with visiting my in-laws, and a day on the water. We went crabbing, and explored Patos Island in the San Juans. It was so beautiful & peaceful, I wish it was easier to get to – I’d be there every weekend.
Hope your August & summer were great! I’ll see you in a couple weeks for an September recap.
