Author: Ryan Kraeger
"I only remember the very first part of the book where he described the man of steel and velvet and I remember the deep chord that phrase struck. I remember the image I had of a hand of living steel wearing a velvet glove, a hand that could crush or caress, strike a killing blow or wipe away tears, lift mountains or cradle an infant. The rest of the book was an afterthought."
From an essay about Aubrey Andelin's "Man of Steel and Velvet".
Saturdays and Soups
Nothing goes better with late winter weather than soup and fresh bread. Especially when you have been Rosary ruck marching. Like a man. Saturday was a divide and conquer day. After First Saturday Mass, Mommy and the older girls went shopping for one set of necessities (mostly fabric), while Daddy and the little two went… Continue reading Saturdays and Soups
Thanksgiving: A Very Catholic Post
This is going to be a very Catholic post, so if you are offended by Catholic stuff... read on. Back at the beginning of December we said a Novena to Our Lady of Loreto for the intention of selling our Tennessee property so we could afford to remodel the farmhouse so we can move in… Continue reading Thanksgiving: A Very Catholic Post
A Farm Day (Finally!)
Welcome to the first farm day of 2026! That is, the first day Daddy was able to spend more than a few minutes at the farm with time to get some actual work done. Winnie is finally winning over Matilda. The key is snacks (a.k.a. Alfalfa). Pancakes for Candlemas! Tuesday morning began with the usual… Continue reading A Farm Day (Finally!)
Focaccia!
Ellie finished her school early. So she gets to learn how to make focaccia! Focaccia is one of the easiest breads to make. It is very simple, but time consuming to make it. We weigh out 500mg of high gluten pizza dough. Then we whisk in 3 tsp yeast, and a teaspoon of salt. We… Continue reading Focaccia!
Matilda!!!
Matilda is Winnie’s favorite sheep. https://youtube.com/shorts/lMtwrbF4qOM?feature=share Probably because she is the smallest of the sheep. https://youtube.com/shorts/KtzdBAf4sCQ?feature=share 
Boy, Let Me Tell You!
Howdy folks! Boy it has been a minute! Welcome back, Three Hearts Farm! How have you been these last 2 1/2 weeks? My goodness has it really been that long? Yes it has. We thought Cascadia had arisen and slid y'all off into the Pacific Ocean. No, it hasn't but thanks for the healthy perspective.… Continue reading Boy, Let Me Tell You!
Happy Epiphany
Daddy is off to Nationally Guard again. But first, let’s bless the house. After the Saturday vigil, since Daddy had to be on an airplane at 5 AM. Happy feast of the epiphany!
Culling the Flock
Last Monday we culled the roosters and drakes. This really should have been done at the start of Autumn, but, hey, we get to it when we can. Roosters and drakes eat feed, but they do not lay eggs. Therefore they are an economic drain instead of a resource. We really only need two roosters… Continue reading Culling the Flock
Finishing the Fence
Way back at the beginning of December.... We built a fence. We got a lot of work done in a single day, but left some of the brackets unattached, but this was no big deal we came back and got 3/4 of them put in a few days later. Couldn't quite finish before sundown and… Continue reading Finishing the Fence
Little Farm in the Big City 