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​ALONG WITH LINKS TO THIRD PARTY WEBSITES AND VIDEOS MENTIONED IN THE POST.*

We're finally doing it. We've talked and talked and talked about doing it, but the timing just never felt right. Until now. And we are so excited!

We have been sharing our lives, our family, and our faith online for a long time. Between the blog, our family vlog, and social media posts, our hope as always been to be an encouragement to other families. And over the years, many have reached out to us to ask questions or get advice. (Something that has been both humbling and exciting.)

But as we come into a new season of life and ministry, we have begun thinking and praying about how we might get a little more serious and take things to the next level. We are thrilled to announce, we are launching a podcast!

Watch the video below for more...

As you heard in the vlog, we are hoping to begin recording a little later this summer, with our first season going live the early Fall. Right now we are focused on planning, recruiting guests, and getting ready to launch some formal promotion spots later this summer.

In the meantime, help us dream. What topics would you be interested in hearing? Are there any questions you'd like to ask? You can leave comments below, or email us at [email protected].

We're truly looking forward to the start of something new and exciting.

- jay & amy

* THIS POST CONTAINS BOTH AFFILIATE AND PRODUCT LINKS,
​ALONG WITH LINKS TO THIRD PARTY WEBSITES AND VIDEOS MENTIONED IN THE POST.*

Last week we officially entered the summer season. That means, if we were on the farm, we would be well on our way with the garden, our layers, and the ducks. But we are not on the farm. No, since the move, we are still in search of our future farm-stead. But while we search, we decided, we're still going to grow something. It's not the farm, but we're trying.

The housing market, at present, is a tough market. In our current area, housing are posted and under contract  within hours. No kidding. So, it's a bit difficult finding a house, much less a house with space to actually have a garden and in an area where chickens, ducks, and other farm animals are allowed. There is not much land available. And while we could look in slightly more rural communities , we do have jobs and want to stay relatively close to where we work.

No worries, we have decided to do a couple of things. First, we're going to be patient and trust that God will show us the right house with the right space in the right location at the right time. Second, we're going to be flexible. While we dream of the 10 to 20 acre farm/homestead with space for the kids to visit and stay, a barn, pond, and grazing pastures, we might end up with 1 acre and shed where we have to create our own water feature. In the meantime, however, it is growing season and we're going to give it a shot.

We've decided to keep it simple this season. Because we are renting, and the yard is very small, we've chosen to plant just a few of our favorite and easy to grow vegetables and herbs. And because we do not own the property that we are renting, we're growing everything in buckets or pots, so to eliminate having to dig and refill holes or fill raised bed only to have move dirt when we move out. And because we are planting in buckets and pots, the variety of plants we growing is limited.

So what are we growing this season?  Great question. Let's take a look.

TOMATOES
Tomatoes is an easy choice for us. We have been growing tomatoes for years, both in the ground and in buckets. They are relatively easy to care for, don't take up a lot of space, and Amy enjoys garden fresh tomatoes.

​We have chosen to grow BetterBoys, Grape Cherry, Yellow Cherry, and a simple Cherry Tomato.

PEPPERS
Peppers is another favorite and a plant that we grow every year. Like the tomatoes, we have grown peppers in both buckets and in the ground. They too are fairly easy to mange, can grow quite bushy, and still be somewhat space saving when grown in buckets.

These summer we are growing Red and Yellow Bell Peppers, and Sweet Yellow Banana Peppers.

CUCUMBERS
Last year we grew our first Straight Cucumbers. These were great cucumbers. So this year we picked up three Straight Eight plants for this season. But unlike last year, our cucumbers are in a large planter pot instead of being in the ground. In fact, I have never grown cucumbers in pots. I've always planted in the ground. So this year will be a bit of an experiment as we try growing in pots.

PICKLES
We also picked up a couple pickling cucumber plants for this summer. Over the last couple of years, we have really enjoyed pickling and canning our cucumbers. The hope is that we will be able to grow enough pickles to actually can a few this year. Although, because our housing situation is smaller, I'm not really sure how it will all work out. But we'll see.

HERBS
And of course, we have herbs. We have really enjoyed having fresh herbs for cooking. Each year we grow our staples; basil, parsley, cilantro, and rosemary. This year we've added dill (which we always struggle with), oregano, purple leaf basil, thyme, and a chocolate mint. We have already started clipping and using the basil, parsley and cilantro.

This growing season will be a drastic change from last years garden. But we're trusting that this season is only temporary and next year we'll be able to get back to building our farm-stead. We will just keep improving  upon what we know and learning what we don't know, and of course, sharing it all with you. And, when the time is right, we'll get back to having our laying hens, ducks, bunnies, meat birds, turkeys, and all the other wonderful creatures and plants with dream of growing and caring for. Until then, it might not be the farm, but we're still trying.

​- jay & amy

* THIS POST CONTAINS BOTH AFFILIATE AND PRODUCT LINKS,
​ALONG WITH LINKS TO THIRD PARTY WEBSITES AND VIDEOS MENTIONED IN THE POST.*

One of the things we love about the backyard farm is all that we are learning as we grow our own vegetables and raise our laying hens and ducks. The planting, the growing, the harvesting, the canning and freezing. Then there's the chickens and ducks; caring for the chicks and duckling, feeding cleaning, egg laying. We have learned so much.

One of the things we have been wanting to add to the farm is bees. For years we've heard about the benefits of locally harvested honey, especially for allergies. We're also aware of the benefits to flowers, vegetable gardens, and surrounding plant life. So naturally we've wanted to see bees on the farm-stead to help with our pollination and future honey production.

Last summer, we picked up a starter hive kit, with plans to start our first hive. We did a bunch of research, started following some beekeepers, and began looking for or first queen. As we shopped around, we learned that we needed to do a little more research before making our purchase.

Then, unexpectedly, we were preparing to relocate. That put the bees on hold. We moved. We packed up the backyard farm, and moved. And to be honesty, we weren't really sure what this season of growing would look like. I mean, we knew we wanted to plant a few of our favorite vegetables, we just weren't sure how. Then an exciting opportunity came our way.

A number of months ago I was introduced to family who had a farm. As we talked, he shared how he had attempted to raise bees on the farm, but was unsuccessful. He had planned to try again this summer, and asked if I wanted to join him with my own hive and together we learn how to keep bees.

Last Friday, we welcomed our new bees to the farm. 

Through a connection made at church, I met a woman who raises bees. Over the last number of years, what started as a hobby has turned into a small business. She raises, breeds, gathers honey, and helps future beekeepers start their own hives. She came over with two brand new hives (nucs) to get us started.

Along with some tutoring, she helped us set up our two hives. It was fascinating. While the hives are up and running, there is still a lot that we have to learn about keeping bees. But that partly what the farm is all about, trying something new, learning, and sharing what we're doing to encourage someone else.

So come along with us as we start this new adventure with bees!

Be sure to join us for more from LIfe in the Higham House and Just Ducky Farm.

​- the higham family

* THIS POST CONTAINS BOTH AFFILIATE AND PRODUCT LINKS,
​ALONG WITH LINKS TO THIRD PARTY WEBSITES AND VIDEOS MENTIONED IN THE POST.*

It's done. The move of 2025 is complete. We have officially left West Virginia. We are no longer Mountaineers. From October 2019 to May 31, 2025, West Virginia was home. We embraced the rolling hills, windy roads, beautiful views, adventurous travels, and chilly winters. We tried to take advantage of the resources that were near us. We made some amazing new friends, and some of the best neighbors we've ever had.

It was in this home that we weathered the Covid lock-downs. Everything stopped, all the kids came home. And we enjoyed a year of being together. This home was also were we learned of Amy's breast cancer, where we mourned the loss of both our fathers, and journeyed through one of the tough two years of our marriage. It was in this home where we had to make some tough decisions, step out in faith, and trust God.

It was also in this home that our family grew. We welcomed our first daughter-in-law and our first two grandkids. It was in this home where we celebrated a second engagement leading to another daughter-in-law coming in August. It was this home where we celebrated the best holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and family milestones. In this home we got serious with backyard homesteading. And it was this home where we decided to start a brand new chapter.

Looking back at the last 5 years, we can't help but be moved by God's faithfulness. Through Covid, cancer, deaths, job changes, graduation, kids moving out, and kids moving on, He never failed us. He would just keep showing up over and over again.

At the end of May we closed on the house. Paperwork was signed and we said our farewells to the house and West Virginia. As we walked through the house, we were sad. It was a great house. We made it ours. From the updates inside to the gorgeous landscaping and gardens outside, it was ours. It was us. It was a sweet place to live and raise our family. And while we're sad to say goodbye, the only thing we're really leaving behind are the empty rooms. The celebrations and memories, they're all coming with us.

But life is a story. And as one chapter ends, another begins. And that's what this post is all about. It's not the end of our story, just the end of a chapter. We're turning the page. A new chapter, filled with new friends, new adventures, new memories to make.

As we begin this new chapter, we're excited about what God has in store for us, for our family, and for the ministries He has called us to serve in this season. No doubt we will continue to share what God is teaching us as we continue to live for His glory.

Thanks for being a faith reader and supporter of Life in the Higham House. We're glad you are joining us for this adventure!

​- the higham family