The daily animal chores are a big part of our life around here, and they get us outside multiple times a day, no matter the weather. I have really come to appreciate that the last few years.

When the weather is warm, and garden season is in full swing, it’s easy to spend lots of time outside without even realizing how long we’re out there. There are parts of the year when it feels like we practically live outdoors, and we love that.

Winter is our cold, rainy season in Western Oregon. Being outdoors in the winter is different. (As well as that transition time in early spring, and late fall.) There are times when it’s not appealing to head outdoors in the morning- when the weather is so cold, or it’s not just a light rain but a heavy downpour (and nothing seems nicer than the cozy woodstove.) Once I’m out there, though, I always feel grateful that the animal chores force me to go outside.

Our family loves being outdoors and we get outside a lot, but the animal chores get us out there even more than we normally would, especially during the colder months. Firewood brings us outside a lot that time of year, there are always plenty of homestead projects to do, and we love hiking with friends regularly, year round. When it comes to really getting us outside multiple times a day, every single day, though, we have animal chores to thank.

And I appreciate that the animal chores keep me moving. Not to mention, we have some pretty great company and hilarious entertainment! (That is Muffin, pictured above, by the way. Funny and sweet little silkie chicken. She is quite the character, and we all get a kick out of her. I wrote all about the silkie chickens in this post.)

Getting us outside every day is just one of the many great things about having animals on the homestead!