• Chicken Coops: What 28 Years of Raising Chickens Taught Me About Building vs Buying

    Chicken Coops: What 28 Years of Raising Chickens Taught Me About Building vs Buying

    I got my first chicken at the Butler Fair when I was three years old. That’s not a figure of speech; my parents have the photo. Twenty-eight years later I’m running Silkies and ISA Browns at Stella Manor, and I’ve been through just about every coop configuration you can imagine: coops I built from scratch,…

  • First Connealy Total Package Calf on the Ground And She’s Exactly What We Were After

    First Connealy Total Package Calf on the Ground And She’s Exactly What We Were After

    It’s been a busy spring and summer here at Stella Manor, and I’ve been putting off writing this update because, honestly, things haven’t slowed down enough to sit at a keyboard. But this one deserves its own post. We have our first Connealy Total Package calf on the ground, a heifer, and she has the…

  • New Arrival: A Total Package Heifer Hits the Ground at Stella Manor

    New Arrival: A Total Package Heifer Hits the Ground at Stella Manor

    We had a heifer calf born on March 29th out of 117M, one of our first-calf heifers, sired by Connealy Total Package. She came in at 78 pounds, was up quick, and latched onto colostrum without any issues. That’s about all you can ask for from a heifer’s first calving. She’s already looking the part.…

  • Early Mornings and Quiet Water in Naples, Florida

    Early Mornings and Quiet Water in Naples, Florida

    I recently spent a few days in Naples, Florida, and it ended up being one of those trips that felt simple in the best way. The weather was perfect the entire time. Warm, calm, and predictable, which made it easy to settle into a routine. I found myself waking up around 5:30 every morning without…

  • Leavenworth, Washington: Bavarian Charm, Mountain Views, and the Cost of Getting There

    Leavenworth, Washington: Bavarian Charm, Mountain Views, and the Cost of Getting There

    Leavenworth, Washington sits tucked into the Cascade Mountains, a small town that committed fully to a Bavarian identity decades ago and somehow made it work. Timber-framed buildings, alpine storefronts, walkable streets, and a steady hum of tourism define the place. It is not subtle, but it is intentional, and that is part of why it…

  • 239L Welcomes Her First Calf

    239L Welcomes Her First Calf

    This week was an exciting milestone at Deluisio Angus as 239L delivered her first calf. He is already showing a friendly temperament, a trait we place a lot of value on in our herd. Watching him interact in the pasture, it’s clear he carries himself with confidence and curiosity. Pedigree Strength This calf is sired…

  • Pizza Review – Uncle Maddio’s 16″ Extra Large CYO

    Pizza Review – Uncle Maddio’s 16″ Extra Large CYO

    Rating: 8.3/10 Sauce Excellent balance of herbs and spice. The herb pesto base adds depth, and the spice level enhances without overpowering. Cheese The mozzarella stands out. Distinct flavor with fresh mozzarella providing creaminess and a noticeable taste difference from standard blends. Crust Just the right amount of crispiness while maintaining a pleasant chew. Perfectly…

  • Review: Wendy’s “Meal of Misfortune”

    Review: Wendy’s “Meal of Misfortune”

    I tried Wendy’s new Meal of Misfortune, part of their collaboration with Netflix’s Wednesday. Overall, the branding is strong, the presentation is fun, and it adds a bit of variety to the usual menu. Raven’s Blood Frosty The highlight for me was the Raven’s Blood Frosty. It’s fruity, but hard to pin down to a…

  • Why Your Guests Hate Smart TVs (And What to Use Instead)

    Why Your Guests Hate Smart TVs (And What to Use Instead)

    For years, hotels led the way in in-room entertainment. They brought cable, satellite TV, pay-per-view movies, and high-speed internet into the mainstream before most homes ever had them. But times have changed, and today, the gold standard isn’t a TV with 300 channels. It’s the ability to stream your own content from your own device.…

  • How to Determine the Cause of a Disconnected UniFi Device

    How to Determine the Cause of a Disconnected UniFi Device

    When a UniFi device shows as disconnected or offline in the UniFi Network application, it doesn’t always mean the users connected to that device are experiencing internet issues. Understanding the root cause is key to fixing the problem and preventing future outages. Does “Disconnected” Mean the Internet is Down? Not always. A disconnected device simply…