Category: Homestead

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Halloween Pattern Roundup

Find a spooky craft in Liz Chandler's Halloween craft roundup.

Halloween DIY Craft Roundup: Knitting, Crochet, and Craft Patterns from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels

It’s spooky season! I’ve gathered up all the creepy, crawly, and goofy DIY projects here in the Halloween DIY Craft Roundup. Find fun homemade costumes pieces and decorations. Whether you’re looking to dress as the Princess or her Pumpkin, knit, crochet, and craft your way to the cutest Halloween ever.

Explore Halloween DIY Projects

Below you’ll find the most exciting handmade holiday crafts:

🎃 Pumpkin Hat and Gloves Knitting Pattern Set

🧣 School Colors Scarf Knitting Pattern

❄️ Blue Snowflake Mitten Knitting Pattern

👠 Leg Warmers Knitting Pattern

🐸 Little Frog Knitting Pattern

🦀 Hermit Crab Hat Crochet Pattern

🍬 Candy Pillow Toy Knitting Pattern

Pumpkin Hat and Gloves Knitting Pattern Set

Be the cutest pumpkin in the land with this festive and adorable knitwear set. A cute and cozy pumpkin hat pairs perfectly with snuggly fingerless gloves. And there are sizes for adults and babies.
🎃 Find the pattern here

For some autumn fun or a spooky Halloween make the Pumpkin hat and gloves knitting pattern set by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

School Colors Scarf Knitting Pattern

Ready to show your school pride? Choose your house and knit the School Colors scarf. It works up so fast, it’s like magic. 🪄
🎃 Find the pattern here

Knit a scarf in your favorite school colors. Wear it for Halloween or to the next sports match. Free knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Blue Snowflake Mitten Knitting Pattern

Even the coldest princess can keep her hands warm and cozy in these frozen blue snowflake mittens. Add these cute mittens to your princess costume with the free knitting pattern.
🎃 Find the pattern here

Free frozen snowflake mittens knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Leg Warmers Knitting Pattern

Go full 1980s with handmade leg warmers. Add tall stiletto pumps in and cute leggings and tease that hair to be the ’80s party queen of your dreams.
🎃 Find the pattern here

Knit your own leg warmers for ballet, fashion, or costume with this simple knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Little Frog Knitting Pattern

Looking for a tiny prince? This little frog is your man. Knit him up and take him with you trick-or-treating.
🎃 Find the pattern here

Little frog knitting pattern, free from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels

Hermit Crab Hat Crochet Pattern

Feeling crabby this year? This Hermit Crab Hat Crochet Pattern makes an excellent Halloween costume DIY project. Costume idea: many customers have worn this crab hat to compliment a little mermaid buddy while trick-or-treating.

🎃 Find the pattern here

Hermit crab hat handmade crochet ear flap hat by PurlsAndPixels

Candy Pillow Toy Knitting Pattern

Don’t forget to sweeten up your home decor this Halloween. Knit candy toy pillows for every room with this super-simple knitting pattern.

🎃 Find the pattern here

Even kids and beginners can knit this easy Candy Toy Pillow. Get the printable PDF knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

More Holiday Craft Ideas

Looking for more inspiration? Browse my holiday articles filled with cozy crafts and clever gift ideas:

🎅 Holiday Pattern Roundup

🎄 Liz’s Holiday Gift Guide

🎁 DIY Gift Ideas

💞 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas: Handcrafted with Love

🏡 Cozy Home Inspiration

🛍️ Shop Cozy Gifts on Amazon

Happy Halloween! Happy Crafting!

I hope this Holiday Pattern Roundup got you in the mood to create something amazing! I can’t wait to see what you create!

Cozy Lifestyle
Learn to Knit
Shop Books and Patterns

Don’t Miss a Stitch! 🧶

Love cozy knitting projects? Join me on YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram! And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to get more free patterns, helpful tips, and updates straight to your inbox. 💌

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Chunky Ghost Hat Free Knitting Pattern

Learn to knit fast and easy ghost hats with the PDF knitting pattern by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

by Liz Chandler @PurlsandPixels

Looking for a fast and festive knit? The Chunky Ghost Hat Free Knitting Pattern is a cozy, one-hour project perfect for Halloween or chilly fall days. Made with super bulky yarn and big needles, this hat is soft, spooky, and surprisingly simple. Knit one while you settle in with your favorite scary movie and a warm drink.

One time, when I was little, my dad was put in charge of Halloween costumes. He showed up to the store late, and the only thing left were clown wigs. My brother and I were terrified for all the wrong reasons, but we wore them anyway. They were itchy, plasticky, and ridiculous. This hat is for anyone who’s been there: short on time but still determined to have some Halloween spirit. 👻

Liz Chandler's Fast & Easy Ghost Knit Hat PDF Knitting Pattern shown outside.

Prefer to knit offline? (Download the Printable Chunky Ghost Hat Knitting Pattern)

This pattern is free to read below, but if you’d rather print it or save it for later, I’ve created a clean, ad-free PDF version for you.

  • Includes complete, row-by-row instructions
  • Easy to print or use on your tablet
  • Supports my small business 💖
Download the Chunky Ghost Hat PDF – $9.99
Get the chunky ghost hat knitting pattern pdf printable by Liz Chandler at PurlsAndPixels.

This chunky ghost hat has personality. Its wavy bottom edge looks like the fluttering feet of a friendly ghost, and the button eyes give it a playful face that says “boo.” It’s simple, forgiving, and perfect for beginners who want quick results without complicated stitches.

How this Chunky Ghost Hat Free Knitting Pattern is Made

This easy Ghost Hat is knit seamlessly in the round. You’ll use super bulky yarn and circular knitting needles to knit the hat from the bottom, up. When you’ve finished knitting, the hat brim will curl naturally. Just add three buttons (or felt circles) to make eyes and a little surprised mouth.

You will need to know how to:

Materials

Yarn

One 108-yard (3.5 ounce) skein of super bulky weight yarn* (shown in Bernat Softee Chunky yarn in the color “White”), in your choice of color.

  • Baby size uses about 27.8 yards (0.9 ounces)
  • One-Size-Fits-Most uses about 64.8 yards (2.1 ounces)

*Weights estimated with Bernat Softee Chunky yarn; other yarn weights may vary. Weight does not include gauge swatch.

Needles

Short Circular Needles
• 16-inch (41cm) long US No. 13 (9.0 mm) circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)

Notions

Gauge

7 stitches and 12 rows in stockinette stitch = 4 inches by 4 inches square. Learn how to check your gauge in this free knitting lesson.

Abbreviations

Instructions: Baby Size Chunky Ghost Knit Hat        

(10.5-inch to 16-inch [26.67-cm to 40.64-cm] head circumference)

Use the Long-Tail Cast On method. Knit in the round.

Row 1: Cast on 20 stitches. (20 stitches)

Row 2: Join the round (taking care not to twist stitches) and k 20. (20 stitches)

Rows 3 – 21: k 20. (20 stitches) [Work should measure 6 inches at this point.]

Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. With a darning needle, draw yarn tightly through the remaining 20 stitches. Weave in ends.

On the body of the hat, arrange the two larger buttons to look like eyes and the small button to look like a mouth. Sew on with thread or yarn that matches the buttons. For baby size, try to use safety buttons, crochet black circles, or felt pieces. (Never let babies play with an item that has regular buttons; they could choke.)

Instructions: One-Size-Fits-Most Chunky Ghost Knit Hat     

(16-inch to 25-inch [40.64-cm to 63.5-cm] head circumference)

Use the Long-Tail Cast On method. Knit in the round.

Row 1: Cast on 32 stitches. (32 stitches)

Row 2: Join the round (taking care not to twist stitches) and k 32. (32 stitches)

Rows 3 – 33: k 32. (32 stitches) [Work should measure 11 inches at this point.]

Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. With a darning needle, draw yarn tightly through the remaining 20 stitches. Weave in ends.

On the body of the hat, arrange the two larger buttons to look like eyes and the small button to look like a mouth. Sew on with thread or yarn that matches the buttons.

Printable version of this free knitting pattern

Printable Ghost Hat PDF Knitting Pattern

The simple Chunky Ghost seamless knit hat is made with just knit stitches has a naturally rolling brim. Get the PDF knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Care

If you use the materials called for in the Chunky Ghost Hat Free Knitting Pattern, your final product will be machine washable. To keep your Ghost Hat looking its best, hand wash or machine wash separately on delicate cycle in cold water. You may tumble dry on low heat or lay flat to dry.

🛁 Read more Knitwear Care Tips

This fast and easy chunky knit ghost hat is perfect for your very first project. Both kids and adults will love making these simple seamless knit hats with super bulky yarn. Get the free knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

©2025, Liz Chandler of PurlsAndPixels.

This pattern is for personal use, gifting, and charitable donation of completed items. You may also sell handmade items created using this pattern. Do not copy this pattern and distribute it. If you’d like to share the pattern, refer your friends to my website, purlsandpixels.com so they may obtain a copy.

If you find any errors or have any questions, email purlsandpixels@gmail.com and I will do my best to help.

I’d love to see your finished work! Tag your photos with @PurlsAndPixels on Twitter or Instagram.

More Patterns You’ll Love

🎃 Pumpkin Hat and Gloves Knitting Pattern Set

🍬 Candy Pillow Toy Knitting Pattern

🧣 School Colors Scarf Knitting Pattern

❄️ Blue Snowflake Mitten Knitting Pattern

🧺 All Knitting Patterns from Liz @PurlsAndPixels: Learn to Knit All the Things

Read More

Learn to Knit
Shop Books and Patterns
Home & Garden DIY

Don’t Miss a Stitch! 🧶

Love cozy knitting projects? Join me on YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram! And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to get more free patterns, helpful tips, and updates straight to your inbox. 💌

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Stupid Smartphones

Someone please take my smart phone away. I'd like a digital detox and some real freedom. Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

The Tech Trap and My Mini-Digital Detox Tips 📵✨

Here is the truth: I hate my so-called “smart” phone. Everyone treats it like a lifeline, but to me, it feels more like a leash. It is supposed to connect me to the world, yet it mostly makes me slower. Instead of thinking for myself, I tap a screen and wait for the answers to appear. Instead of enjoying the quiet click of knitting needles, the smell of bread baking, or the calm of watering plants, I stack pressure I do not need. I take photos of every row, snap shots of every loaf, and churn out “content” for half a dozen platforms before the moment even cools in my hands.

Simple joys used to be my pause button. Now they feel like a book report. Someone please take my smart phone away from me.

Always On, Never Free

Some days it feels like I am on call for the internet. Miss a call? People think I have disappeared. Do not answer a text in five minutes? Someone is convinced I am gone. Meanwhile, my cousin tracks me like I am a tagged sea turtle (and while it is nice that someone cares I am alive, it also means I am never truly unattended). The “freedom” of being connected everywhere really just means I am never left alone.

I want to knit on my porch without guilt. I want to cook dinner without someone buzzing in my pocket. I want to just be. I want to hear silence instead of the constant ding of reminders telling me I am behind.

Sometimes I feel like a tracked sea turtle in a fish bowl. Why I hate my smartphone and how I'm trying to digitally detox responsibly. Photo and article by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

The End of Wonder

I remember when I could look up at the sky and say, “I wonder what that star is called?” and then just… wonder. Now my instinct is to shove the question into a search bar. The mystery vanishes before it has time to become magical. Technology killed wonder. The internet gave me every answer, but in exchange it stole the fun of thinking about it first.

Colorado auroras would be so much more magical if we didn't know they were coming or feel required to share the moment with the entire world. But here is my aurora picutre... Look up at the sky and wonder about the stars. Get off the smart phone and get smart. Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Even my brain feels slower. I type clumsily now, because autocorrect babysits my spelling and AI tries to predict what I will say. It is too easy to just select the prediction. The more I use it, the less sharp I feel. Technology is stealing not just my attention, but my skills.

What I Do (My Little Secret) 🤫

It is not enough, but here is what I do. I put my phone on sleep mode early and keep it there until late. That way, I get time without the constant buzzing and chirping. People think I am lazy or sleeping too much, but really I am sneaking in a bite of pre-smartphone freedom. Giving myself permission to step away has helped me feel calmer and sharper.

When the phone is asleep, I go analog. I keep a real pencil and a real notebook handy. I jot down ideas on paper before I ever hand them over to a screen. When I start uninfluenced, I stay in charge of my own voice. Then, if I decide to share later, it is truly mine (not something tech tried to write for me). Is it perfect that way? No. Is it me? Absolutely.

Who needs digital tech? Write for yourself unscripted by AI by using something revolutionary: a paper notebook and a pencil. Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Choosing Joy, Not Chains

I do not want my joy filtered through a screen. I want it to come from wool running through my fingers, bread cooling on the counter, dirt under my nails after a day in the garden, or the satisfaction of “just one more row.” And, I want to enjoy these things because I love them, not because the algorithm demands proof of them this week.

Technology is here to stay, but that does not mean I have to let it own me. Some days, the bravest thing I can do is shut off the stupid smart phone, pick up the needles, knead the dough, or water the tomatoes. And sometimes the most radical act is choosing not to post proof that it happened.

Because freedom is not in the palm of my hand. It is in my hands (wrapped in yarn, covered in flour, or smudged with soil). And that is enough.

Slow down and get off the stupid "smart" phone. It doesn't make you happier or smarter. Learn more with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

And maybe that is the good news: the choice is mine. I can keep my skills sharp, protect my wonder, and find real connection in the things I make with love. The phone will still be there when I need it. But my hands remind me who I am when I put it down.

And if you happen to call while my phone is off, you will need to leave me an old-school voicemail or send a text. Otherwise, I will not even know you tried. (Consider this your friendly reminder that my digital detox comes with caller ID amnesia.) 😉 ☎️

Want more cozy calm?

You can read my other posts or learn to knit with me here at PurlsAndPixels.com. Start small, grab a pattern, or just peek at my free beginner lessons. The yarn, the needles, and the quiet are waiting for you.

🧣 Learn to Knit: Free Knitting Lessons from Start to Finish

🧶 Knitting, Wellness, and the Science of Flow

🛁 How to Knit a Washcloth: A Beginner-Friendly Tutorial

🙏 Gratitude Blanket Pattern: Cozy Comfort for Every Home

🍂 5 Easy Fall Knits to Cast On Now

🐔 What is Yarn Chicken?

🥑 Avocado Cowboy

Knitting Lessons
Cozy Lifestyle
Shop Books and Patterns

Don’t Miss a Stitch! 🧶

Love cozy projects? Sign up for my newsletter to get free patterns, helpful tips, and updates straight to your inbox. 💌

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Messy Eggs?

Messy eggs? Learn How to Keep Chickens from Leaving Poo in the Nest Boxes with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

How to Keep Chickens from Leaving Poo in the Nest Boxes 🥚🐔

If you’ve ever reached into a nest box expecting a warm egg and instead found… a little pile of poo, you know the frustration. 😕 Chickens don’t always know the difference between a nest and a perch, which means sometimes they leave more than just eggs behind. The good news? With a few simple adjustments, you can keep your boxes clean, your eggs fresher, and your mornings much more pleasant. 🌞

I learned this lesson after hatching 24 eggs (21 of them hens). 🐣 I hadn’t expected such a high hatch rate, but suddenly I had a flock of young layers all looking for a place to sleep. A few tried roosting on top of the metal nest box, which turns into a slide when a chicken dozes off. To fix it, I added more roost bars so everyone had space, replaced the old excelsior pad (affiliate link), and shooed one broody mamma outside (sorry, Sweetie). The result? Clean eggs again and a calmer, happier coop. 🍳

A single, very clean green egg. Messy eggs? Learn How to Keep Chickens from Leaving Poo in the Nest Boxes with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Why Chickens Poo in Nest Boxes 🤔

Nest boxes are cozy, private, and usually the cleanest part of the coop. That makes them perfect for laying, but also tempting as a nighttime perch. Chickens poo the most while they’re roosting, so if they decide to sleep in the nest boxes, you’ll end up with messy eggs.

In my experience, the main culprits are:

  • Not enough nest boxes: You’ll want about one box for every three hens. Crowded hens stay put longer, which leads to mess.
  • Wrong location: Hens prefer darker, calmer corners. Nest boxes in quiet spots get used properly.
  • Not collecting eggs often enough: When eggs pile up, hens may decide to sit tight and go broody. And once a hen goes broody, the nest box turns messy fast. 🐓
To Keep Chickens from Leaving Poo in the Nest Boxes, Give them Somewhere Better to sleep. Find other tips from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

1: Provide Proper Roosts 🪵

Chickens need a higher, more comfortable spot to sleep. Install sturdy roosting bars above the nest boxes. Give each bird at least 8 to 10 inches of space. Flat wooden bars or dowels, about 2 inches wide, are ideal for their feet. If your roost is too low or cramped, your flock will head for the boxes instead.

2: Block Access at Night 🌙

If you have stubborn sleepers, close the nest boxes at dusk. A hinged cover, burlap curtain, or piece of plywood works fine. Open them again after sunrise, and your hens will get the hint.

3: Make Nest Boxes Less Appealing for Sleeping 😴

Add slanted tops to keep birds from lounging on top, and keep bedding soft and fresh. Boxes that are too big or flat often become bunk beds. A snug 12×12×12-inch space is ideal—plenty of room for laying, but not enough for a sleepover.

4: Keep Things Clean 🧹

Stay ahead of the mess. Scoop out dirty bedding daily and replace it often. Fresh herbs or clean shavings make the boxes smell inviting for eggs only. Dry bedding is best—never let it stay damp or packed. If you have broody hens, refresh even more often.

5: Add Distractions 🛝

Sometimes hens need redirection. Provide dust-bathing spots, extra perches, or even a hanging cabbage. Busy hens won’t see the nest boxes as their playground.

6: Don’t Let Hens Go Broody 🐥

A broody hen often claims a nest box, settles in, and makes a mess while she’s at it. Broody mammas = messy eggs. If you’re not raising chicks, break broodiness early.

  • Collect eggs regularly; leaving them to pile up invites broodiness.
  • Create a “broody break” pen or shady separation spot if needed.
  • Choose breeds less prone to broodiness if clean eggs are your priority.
Broody hens make messy eggs. Learn how to keep chickens from pooping in the nest box with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Quick Fix Checklist ✅

  1. 🪵 Give your flock sturdy roosts set higher than the nest boxes
  2. 🚪 Close off nest boxes at night to train stubborn sleepers
  3. 😴 Design nest boxes so they’re snug and less tempting for naps
  4. 🧹 Refresh bedding often to keep the boxes clean and welcoming for eggs
  5. 🎲 Offer fun extras like dust baths or hanging treats to keep hens busy
  6. 🥚 Gather eggs daily so hens don’t settle in and go broody
Give chickens a good place to sleep, line the nest boxes with excelsior pads, and collect the eggs regularly to keep them clean. Read more about how to keep chicken poo out of the nest boxes and off the eggs at PurlsAndPixels.

Find More Chicken-Keeping Tips 🐓

🐔 Visit the Homestead Animals section for practical, cozy guides to happy hens and cleaner chores.

🛒 Get all the essential chicken keeping tools I love on Amazon (affiliate link).

What’s Next? 🔜

Now that your nest boxes are poo-free and your hens are less tempted to go broody, you’re ready for the next chicken-keeping challenge: winterizing the chicken coop.

👉 Want more cozy homestead tips? Sign up for email updates, and I’ll send the next lesson straight to your inbox.

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Knitting, Wellness, and the Science of Flow 🧶

Learn the science behind knit wellness. Knitting can make you happy. Ask science!

When I pick up my needles, I’m not just making a scarf or a cozy washcloth. I’m slipping into what researchers call a flow state: a space where everyday stress softens, worries melt, and the world feels lighter stitch by stitch. In my cozy home at PurlsAndPixels, knitting is more than craft; it’s therapy spun from yarn. And the best part? Science agrees. Knitting, wellness, and flow go hand in hand.

Picking up your knitting is relaxing. Don't believe me? Ask science.

The Brain on Knitting

Knitting is a form of mindful handwork. That gentle rhythm – knit, purl, knit, purl – activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress and calming the body, as shown in a study by Riley and colleagues. Translation: your heart rate steadies, your breath evens out, and suddenly you’re not the frazzled squirrel who misplaced her acorn stash.

Scientists studying activities that require “just the right amount” of challenge, like music practice or martial arts, call this balance flow. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi found that flow sparks happiness, builds resilience, and strengthens learning. Knitting hits the sweet spot: engaging enough to keep your mind busy but repetitive enough to soothe.

Knitting as Moving Meditation

Mindfulness doesn’t have to mean sitting cross-legged trying not to think about what’s for dinner. Knitting is mindfulness in motion. A study on textile crafts found that 81% of knitters felt happier after a session, with many noticing less stress and sharper clarity.

I can tell you from experience: when life feels noisy, my needles ground me. Each row reminds me that progress doesn’t have to be fast to be powerful.

Picking up your knitting is relaxing. Don't believe me? Ask science.

The Knitting Wellness Benefits, Stitch by Stitch

Here’s why knitting deserves a spot in your self-care routine:

  • Stress reduction: Repetitive stitching lowers cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, according to a study by Riley and colleagues.
  • Mood boost: Flow activities release dopamine, the “feel-good” brain chemical Csikszentmihalyi, 1990.
  • Cognitive support: Counting stitches and reading patterns keep your memory sharp and flexible Corkhill et al., 2014.
  • Community connection: Community connection: Knitting circles knit more than yarn; they build social ties that protect long-term health Park et al., 2014.
  • Crossing the midline: Crossing the midline: Many knitting movements involve hands crossing the body’s centerline, which occupational therapists highlight as a way to support coordination and brain integration (Math & Movement article).

Every project is secretly a brain workout and a spa day rolled into one. 💪 🛁

Making Flow Work for You

Want to capture that sweet knitting calm? Try this:

  1. Pick a Goldilocks project. Too easy and you’ll drift. Too hard and you’ll tense up. Choose a just-right challenge. (My Gratitude Blanket Pattern is a great place to start)
  2. Create your nest. Good light, a comfy chair, and maybe tea (or wine – I’m not here to judge).
  3. Let go of perfection. Flow is about being absorbed, not flawless edges or magazine-worthy tension.
Some of the coziest home decor is handmade, like my chunky Gratitude Blanket. Knit along with the free knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels

The Bottom Line

Knitting isn’t just craft; it’s self-care disguised as creativity. Whether you’re learning your first stitches or casting on a complicated lace shawl, you’re giving your brain a reset while making something beautiful. Around here, I call that staying sharp with pointy sticks.

A Little Disclaimer

I am a knitter, not a doctor. The information above is for educational and inspirational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have health concerns, please consult a licensed healthcare provider. 💞

✨ Ready to Knit?

Try these relaxing, beginner-friendly patterns:

🧣 Simple Ribbed Scarf

🛁 Classic Seed Stitch Washcloth

🥳 Beginner Stockinette Hat

🧶 Knitting Pattern Library: Explore more patterns

Join My Knitting Community

Knitting is better with friends. Share your progress, ask questions, and connect with other beginners:

📱 Instagram: @PurlsAndPixels

📍 Pinterest

🏷️ Tag your posts: @PurlsAndPixels

💌 Sign up for my email list below and get all the cozy updates

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My Accidental Wildflower Garden

Meadowscaping is allowing a native wildflower garden to grow from local plants. Join Liz Chandler and create your own pollinator haven at PurlsAndPixels.

A Busy Gardener’s Guide to Meadowscaping 🌻🐝

Have you heard of meadowscaping? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Until I accidentally created a thriving native wildflower patch, I had no idea this would be the simplest and most satisfying corner of my garden.

Meadowscaping is allowing a wildflower garden to grow from native flowers and plants. Join Liz Chandler and create your own pollinator haven at PurlsAndPixels.

When I moved to my little patch of high-desert Colorado, I had big plans. Rows of squash. Seas of kale. Raised beds galore.

But while I was making lists, one quirky garden bed decided to write its own story. No irrigation. No mulch. Just a riot of wildflowers and what some might call “weeds.”

And smack in the middle? My pet dandelion.

Yes, I said pet dandelion 🌼

A healthy dandelion is the centerpiece of my meadowscape. Though people say these are weeds the butterflies love them and humans can eat them too. Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

It wasn’t planned. It kept popping up, year after year, like a little golden guest who refused to leave. Finally, I decided anything that strong deserved to survive. I let it stay. Then I let everything else around it stay.

And just like that, I had a meadowscape.

What Is Meadowscaping?

Meadowscaping is a cheerful rebellion against tidy, high-maintenance gardening. Instead of fighting nature, you team up with it:

  • Let native wildflowers and grasses do their thing
  • Skip the pesticides and the mower
  • Invite pollinators in and give them a place to stay

It’s sustainable. It’s hands-off. And it brings instant joy the moment you spot your first bee doing a happy little dance in your goldenrod.

Wild goldenrod fills out the meadowscape wildflower garden beautifully and makes the pollinators happy. Read more from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

How to Start a Meadowscape Garden (and Still Look Like You Know What You’re Doing)

You don’t need a prairie. I started with one oddly shaped 4×8 bed and a willingness to stop yanking up every unfamiliar plant.

Step 1: Observe Before You Weed
Spend a few days just watching. If something’s blooming and buzzing, it might already be a pollinator hero in disguise.

Step 2: Give It a Frame
I edged my bed with chunky cedar branches from the yard. It says, “Yes, this is on purpose,” even when the asters go full sprawl-mode.

Step 3: Add a Little Structure
Stepping stones, a log pile, or a birdbath can give your bed a cozy focal point. It also tricks your brain into thinking the chaos is curated (because it is).

What’s Growing in My Wildflower Bed?

I’d love to add more to this little patch, like the wild Penstemon and Adam’s Needle that live peacefully among my trees. And these sunny wild sunflowers that grow carefree along my driveway? I’d move them too if they’d let me. But every time I try, they throw a fit and refuse to thrive. So I leave them be. This bed just has to be what it is: no forcing, no fussing, just admiration.

Bees love the pollen from local wild sunflowers. Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

These native (and native-ish) plants are thriving here in southwest Colorado, no watering required:

Rocky Mountain Aster
Gorgeous and a little dramatic. Sprawling, blooming, and stealing the spotlight like it’s their job.

Goldenrod
Non-stop bee party. Also: not the cause of your allergies. Just pretty. Let it live.

Common Yarrow
Delicate-looking, but tough as nails. Grows anywhere, asks for nothing, makes everything prettier.

Wild white yarrow has both beautiful flowers and serves as excellent groundcover. Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Tools I Actually Use in My Meadowscape

Literally nothing.

I meant to cultivate the bed, truly. But as the wildflowers filled in and the bees moved in, I didn’t see the point in disturbing them. Nature was clearly doing just fine without my interference.

But, if you want to explore some fun and helpful garden tools for the other parts of your garden, find my favorites from my Amazon Garden Affiliate shop.

Shop Liz Chandler's garden tool recommendations like a kitchen top planter, seed kit, or digging tools with these affiliate links.

What Meadowscaping Taught Me

This little bed reminded me that sometimes, the best thing you can do is get out of the way.

  • Control isn’t the same as care
  • Wildflowers don’t need your approval to thrive
  • Weeds can be wildly charming
  • A little mess makes room for magic
A bouquet of wild aster flowers are cute little purple daisies with a yellow center. They make an hearty, drought tolerant, and adorable addition to your meadowscape. Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Want to Start Your Own Wildflower Patch?

Start with one bed. Frame it gently. Watch what shows up. Let the bees do the teaching.

And if a pet dandelion moves in? Well, you know what to do.

Sometimes, the wildest parts of your garden turn out to be the most joyful.

🌻 Thriving with Native Plants: Pollinator-Friendly Gardening in the High Desert of Southwest Colorado

🥕 Harvesting Carrots: A Mystery Critter and a Happy Haul

🌱 Building Your Backyard Garden from Scratch: Essential Tips for Success

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Shooting in Rural Neighborhoods

Is it normal to hear shooting rural neighborhoods? Find out with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

When hearing gunshots from the neighbors property is normal 🎯

If you’ve ever lived in the country, you’ve probably heard it: BANG. Followed by another. And another. Sometimes it’s target practice. Sometimes it’s pest control. And sometimes it’s just someone blowing off steam.

In rural neighborhoods, hearing gunshots isn’t unusual. However, that does not mean it should be reckless. There is a difference between responsible firearm use and behavior that makes your neighbors feel unsafe.

When Is It Normal to Hear Gunshots in the Country?

In most rural areas:

  • Target practice on private land is common.
  • Pest control (like rock squirrels or prairie dogs) is a necessity.
  • Wildlife deterrence, because sometimes predators only respond to a warning bang.
  • Hunting season brings regular firearm use.

Many people move to the country specifically because they can legally shoot on their land. It is part of rural living. However, like all freedoms, it comes with responsibility.

Some visitors freak out when they hear the bang, and then are baffled when I am unbothered. I usually just say, “That’s not aimed at us,” and keep going. You learn to tell the difference between safe shooting and something that is off. It is not indifference (it is experience).

When one neighbor fires off a shot before 7 a.m. to annoy another neighbor, I just shout, “Good morning, Vietnam!” out the door like I am Robin Williams. It does not solve anything, but it rattles just enough cages to make me laugh.

You may want to holler “Good Morning, Vietnam!” when target practice start before 7 am every day.

When Gunfire Crosses the Line

Not every neighbor is a good shot (or a good person). You may need to speak up if someone:

  • Fires in the direction of homes or roads
  • Shoots recklessly without a proper backstop
  • Uses firearms to intimidate or provoke
  • Fires repeatedly at odd hours just to make noise

My neighbor thinks it is funny to do a wake-up shot or two at his homemade target range when the HOA gets on his nerves. That is a far cry from a gun rampage in the city, but it still gets people talking (and give me a giggle). 

This jackrabbit heard gunshots in the countryside and was frightened, but it's ok. Nobody was shooting at him! Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsandPixels.

What to Do If Your Neighbor Is Shooting Too Much or Too Close

✅ Know Your Local Gun Laws for Rural Areas

County ordinances vary, and so do state laws. In many places, discharging a firearm near a home, school, or road is illegal, even on private land. Look up your local regulations on firearm discharge and noise complaints.

✅ Talk to Your Neighbors About Gunfire

Sometimes people just do not realize how far sound carries or how close they are to your home. A calm, respectful conversation often goes a long way. (But I would not recommend yelling at the person with a firearm, so be nice!)

✅ Document Unsafe Shooting

If someone is endangering others, document it. Record times, dates, videos if safe to do so, and call your local sheriff. In rural areas, it helps to be specific and clear about your concerns.

✅ Use Sound Barriers and Noise Buffers

You cannot stop all the noise, but planting trees, using sound barriers, and adding insulation to buildings can reduce the chaos a bit. These tips can also help when neighbors shoot guns often.

Rural Gun Safety Is Non-Negotiable

Firearm safety is not optional just because you live on acreage. That means:

  • Always shooting into a solid backstop
  • Keeping guns unloaded and locked up when not in use
  • Never mixing alcohol and firearms
  • Respecting the peace of the land and the people on it

Country living comes with space and freedom. However, it also includes a shared understanding that we look out for each other.

Hearing gunshots in rural country? It could be normal. Find out more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Rural does not mean lawless. It means responsible people keeping things safe, so we can all enjoy the quiet we came here for.

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Avocado Cowboy

What I learned from the Avocado Cowboy. With grocery prices soaring and fear rising, it's time to remember kindness. A moment from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

How Two Pieces of Fruit Broke a Strong Man and Opened My Eyes 🥑

I scanned my items as quickly as I could, feeling the pressure of the self-check out line eyeing my machine.

We all wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. The grocery store is no longer a fun place to greet neighbors. It’s become a shared trauma zone, especially in small town America. We all think others are judging our purchases, but now they really are:

“She’s buying a lot of wine.”
“Why did that man need 6 cartons of eggs?”
“I wonder if they just live far from town or if they are hoarding because they know something I don’t.”

The things we think waiting in line have changed. “Am I in danger?” never once crossed my mind on a childhood grocery trip.

Now, I’m watching my six like a trained combat soldier while trying to hold in gasps of shock. It’s “Where would I hide?” combined with “I can’t afford that anymore?” And I know that I’m not alone in this feeling.

As I try to rush through my self-checkout I tell my son – loudly enough for the people in line to hear – “I wish the lady in the machine would be quiet.”

“$12.99. Savings 50¢,” the robot voice loudly mocks, screaming prices at the entire grocery store.

“It’s very distracting. It’s so hard to go quickly,” I say even more loudly.

The scowlers look away, but don’t stop scowling.

Behind us on the next self-checkout is an older, almost stereotypical rancher. Cowboy hat. Flannel shirt tucked neatly into his Levi jeans, clearly worn for decades, but clean and untattered.

After a hard morning's work moving cattle a cowboy needs a small break.

As I struggle with the robot voice in the self-checkout machine, I hear him exclaim, “$8 for 2 avocados? EIGHT DOLLARS?!”

The young check out attendant scurried over to help the gentleman. “Maybe it’s a mistake?” the cowboy said more quietly, trying to divert attention from his unfiltered outburst. “I just got two small avocados from your produce section. It says $8? That can’t be right.”

I resumed scanning my items. We are monthly shoppers with a full cart, so I also resumed my social anxiety about holding up others.

But then the Avocado Cowboy, made me jump. He was clearly the type to prefer “Yes,” “No,” or “Ma’am” to be his entire public vocabulary, as is the cowboy way. But he lost it. He just couldn’t take it.

“Really? They’re actually $8? TWO avocados?” He was stunned to silence for just a moment.

And in past years, under similar circumstances, a man of his background would leave it at that. Maybe feign ignorance at current grocery prices and ask the wife later.

But no. This Cowboy knew his avocados. It seemed like a gift he’d get his wife regularly. Like flowers, but practical.

The register wasn't wrong, but it is a shock when you'd think two avocados should cost about $3 and it rings up as $8.
Screenshot

He loudly told the attendant “I feel sorry for your generation, just getting started. I don’t know how they expect you to do it. Grocery prices are out of control.”

He turned red in the face, thanked the attendant, and hung his head as he left with his receipt and two sad avocados.

I’ll never forget the Avocado Cowboy. I wanted to hug him, or thank him, or comfort him in some way.

But I’m scared, too.

It has begun to feel like no good deed goes unpunished. So, I, like many these days, did not do the good deed. I did not thank the Avocado Cowboy.

But I’m saying it now. I see you. I am you. We are all confused. Disappointed. Sad. And resentful.

But I hope we all know…
Nobody knows the end of this story.
Let’s keep trying to make it good.

A boot on a fencepost can mean a number of things, none of which are easy or pleasant. But it is a sign we can get thru hard things together.

Feeling the Pressure, too?

Try what I do when I am feeling stressed:

Keep Your Homestead Running Smoothly (Even When Life Feels Chaotic)