Welcome to
A little farm with a big personality. This is where we keep track of the flock, the farm, and everything in between.
Rin’s exists because all the random, slightly eccentric, completely unnecessary stories and ideas needed somewhere to go.”
I’m Rin.
I’m a little bit farm girl, a little bit corporate, and apparently the kind of person who gets an idea and thinks, I could probably do that.
This is how someone who had never built anything ended up building a chicken coop from scratch. It’s how 30 chickens showed up. It’s how flower gardens have been planted, removed and inevitably planted again. And it’s how getting a few fresh eggs somehow led to a logo, which obviously led to a website.
I live in my grandparents’ former home with my two dogs, surrounded by chickens, flowers, family and an ever-growing list of projects I probably don’t need.
Somewhere between dress shoes and garden clogs, spreadsheets and tractors, Cindy Bartel and a designated chicken poop hat, I’ve created a little corner of the world that makes me happy.
There’s no grand plan for Rin’s.
Just stories, projects, people I love, animals with questionable personalities, and whatever idea I decide I can probably do next.
Welcome to Rin’s.
Featured Stories
No stories match that search yet.
Never Miss a Story
Get a note in your inbox whenever a new Journal story goes up — just the story, nothing else.
Meet the Residents
Meet the flock, the security team, and the humans who keep the whole operation running — every one of them with their own particular way of doing things.
Tiny but mighty. Favorites of the Chicken Trainer, and fully aware of it.
No two are alike. Which is helpful, because we already have enough chickens that are hard to tell apart.
Without them, the flock would be considerably less attractive.
Big hair. Limited visibility. Absolutely no concern about either.
Very fancy. They care about their looks and their rest. Please do not disturb them while dust bathing. They have a schedule.
It’s hard to tell them apart. The first one we see is Snap, the second is Crackle, and the third is Pop.
Sophisticated, fancy, and convinced the egg basket looks better in blue.
Theo and Thomas, keeping an eye on the whole operation.
The family who keep the whole operation running.
Hank
Tiny but mighty. They treat the coop like a corporate office they completely own.
Dan
Tiny but mighty. They treat the coop like a corporate office they completely own.
Girlie Girl
Tiny but mighty. They treat the coop like a corporate office they completely own.
Dot
Tiny but mighty. They treat the coop like a corporate office they completely own.
Chicken Little
Tiny but mighty. They treat the coop like a corporate office they completely own.
Angus
Overseeing the visual aesthetics department, turning out gorgeous, unexpected egg shades. Big Bertha takes her space, and Queenie rules her corner.
Big Bertha
Overseeing the visual aesthetics department, turning out gorgeous, unexpected egg shades. Big Bertha takes her space, and Queenie rules her corner.
Esther
Overseeing the visual aesthetics department, turning out gorgeous, unexpected egg shades. Big Bertha takes her space, and Queenie rules her corner.
Queenie
Overseeing the visual aesthetics department, turning out gorgeous, unexpected egg shades. Big Bertha takes her space, and Queenie rules her corner.
Ilo
Keeping things artistic and fiercely independent. Spot is always keeping an eye on things.
Spot
Keeping things artistic and fiercely independent. Spot is always keeping an eye on things.
D.D.
Keeping things artistic and fiercely independent. Spot is always keeping an eye on things.
Flo
Walking around looking like they just stepped out of a retro hair salon. Their vision is limited by their massive hairdos, but their style is completely unmatched.
Flo-B
Walking around looking like they just stepped out of a retro hair salon. Their vision is limited by their massive hairdos, but their style is completely unmatched.
Care Bear
A tightly knit rock group. They go everywhere together, make a lot of noise, and refuse to split up the band.
Tinker Bell
A tightly knit rock group. They go everywhere together, make a lot of noise, and refuse to split up the band.
CBT
A tightly knit rock group. They go everywhere together, make a lot of noise, and refuse to split up the band.
Sister
A tightly knit rock group. They go everywhere together, make a lot of noise, and refuse to split up the band.
Snap
The background rhythm section of the coop. Always busy scratching, chatting, and keeping the daily beat going.
Crackle
The background rhythm section of the coop. Always busy scratching, chatting, and keeping the daily beat going.
Pop
The background rhythm section of the coop. Always busy scratching, chatting, and keeping the daily beat going.
Dustie
Sophisticated, fancy, and bringing that beautiful blue-egg flair to the morning harvest.
Blanche
Sophisticated, fancy, and bringing that beautiful blue-egg flair to the morning harvest.
Ginger
Sophisticated, fancy, and bringing that beautiful blue-egg flair to the morning harvest.
Gris-Gris
Sophisticated, fancy, and bringing that beautiful blue-egg flair to the morning harvest.
Theo
Specialty: Strategic Retreats & High-Speed Pursuits. Theo is the sophisticated member of the department. His compensation package includes his own dedicated dining recliner because his paws apparently cannot be expected to touch a chilly floor. He also requires fresh chicken or ground beef prepared weekly to accompany his kibble. Other menu offerings may result in labor action. Theo specializes in high-speed rabbit pursuits and maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding unauthorized fence activity. When an actual threat appears, however, Theo utilizes a highly sophisticated management strategy. He sends Thomas. Then watches. From a safe distance. Leadership.
Thomas
Specialty: Ground Support & Aesthetic Loitering. Thomas provides the muscle. His compensation package also includes a dining recliner, plus a full-service hand-feeding experience involving high-grade kibble and cheese. Apparently we’ve created a union. When Thomas isn’t securing the perimeter, he can often be found enjoying his legally mandated break with a chicken feather hanging out of his mouth. A chicken cigarette. He looks remarkably relaxed. Theo would never. He has standards. Neither dog has completely determined whether the chickens are friends or foes. They remain fairly confident that one small taste would provide the information necessary to reach a final decision. Their request has been denied.
Izzy
Izzy isn’t here full-time, but when she is, security gets an immediate upgrade. She’s faster than you can blink and, unlike Theo and Thomas, isn’t restricted by the yard fence. This gives her responsibility for the outer perimeter and any suspicious activity occurring further afield. Theo and Thomas love having the backup. With Izzy covering the extended territory, they’re free to take a well-earned break from their extremely demanding security responsibilities. Izzy handles long-range patrol. Theo supervises from inside the fence. Thomas does whatever Thomas does.
Carin
Farmer, founder, and the reason any of this exists. What started as one "I should do that" idea turned into building a coop, raising a flock, and creating something the whole family now shows up for — if it happens at Rin’s, chances are it started with her.
Leon
My dad has a personality bigger than all of us combined and has forgotten more than I will probably ever know. Years ago, my relationship with Dad and projects generally went something like this: “Can you build this?” He would. “Okay. What about this?” He would build that too. Slowly, that arrangement changed. Now I come up with the idea. And Dad stands behind me and makes sure I can actually execute it without causing catastrophic injury. He lets me figure things out, offers advice and steps in when I really need him. It’s probably the reason I’ve learned how to do as much as I have. It’s also the reason I still have all ten fingers.
Kathleen
My mom is sweet as can be, and just spicy enough to keep everyone on their toes. She’s a master of the one-liner, and you never know when she is going to let one out. Her gardens are beautiful. All year. I don’t know how she does it, and at this point I’ve accepted that she possesses knowledge I do not. She has also patiently listened to years of my gardening plans, revisions, complaints and declarations that I am absolutely finished changing things. She knows I’m lying.
Clint
My brother. My longest friend. When I have a new idea, a problem, need a reality check or simply want to hear a calming voice, Clint is usually my first call. He also keeps me supplied with whatever piece of equipment I’ve suddenly decided is essential, which is helpful but probably qualifies as enabling. I also keep him updated on my funeral plans. You never know. He takes these conversations remarkably well.
Cara
My sister. Cara is firmly Team Cindy Bartel. She hates chickens. More accurately, she believes chickens are actively trying to attack her. I’ve witnessed a few interactions. She may have a point. She supports my ideas — just preferably the ones that don’t have feathers. She is one of a kind and perfectly content to support Rin’s from a chicken-safe distance.
Candice
My sister. Candice is Team Rin. Whatever random thing I’ve decided to do, she’s generally willing to get involved. She likes the chickens. She handles the chickens. She tames the chickens. She probably has a favorite chicken and simply hasn’t formally disclosed it. At some point, she also decided we co-parent them. I did agree to joint custody, but I am not sure what that means.
Jess
Jess is my sister-in-law, a great mom to my nephews and a person who absolutely does not like onions. We do. Then there was the Great Garlic Ice Incident. At one point, Jess became convinced someone was putting garlic in her drink. This seemed unlikely. It turned out to be my ice. Apparently, it had been in the freezer long enough to acquire flavor profiles. Jess has never used my ice again. I don’t blame her. But Jess, if you’re reading this, I change it much more frequently now.
Mark
Mark has a personal vendetta against honeysuckle. If honeysuckle exists somewhere on the property, Mark will find it. And Mark will destroy it. We refer to this activity as suckling. If Mark disappears during a family gathering, there’s a reasonable chance he is somewhere in the woods with a saw. He also likes fire. Possibly a little too much. So if the woods suddenly look considerably better and there is an unusually large fire burning nearby, we generally know where to find Mark.
Hayden
Hayden keeps his cards pretty close to his chest. He likes to read, play video games, acquire his Dad’s pocket knives and axes and has found something he really loves in Sea Cadets. He observes everything going on around him, although what he actually thinks about any of it remains classified information. Every now and then he’ll let you in. The rest of the time, your guess is as good as mine. And, of course, he enjoys hanging out with Aunt Rin. I assume. He hasn’t formally confirmed it.
Hudson
Hudson is the gentle giant of the group. He goes with the flow, gives fantastic hugs and has a sense of humor that is completely my jam. He also enjoys spending time with Aunt Rin. Which obviously makes sense. I don’t make the facts. I just report them.
Henry
Henry may be the smallest of the group, but he has the biggest heart. If you need a helping hand, call Henry. He likes to fish, hunt and trap and has somehow convinced Grandpa to supply him with a surprisingly extensive collection of tools of the trade. He also enjoys spending time at Aunt Rin’s. Unless there is bad weather. Then apparently our bond has limits.
A peek at the day-to-day.
A Rainy Day at Rin’s
Coming SoonThe year, one season at a time.
Every season looks a little different around here — flowers, projects, chickens, gardens, and the slower months in between.
Starting Up
Flowers, projects, chickens, and more time outside.
In Full Swing
Long days, full gardens, and plenty going on around here.
Winding Down
Cooler days, cleanup, and getting ready for winter.
Slowing Down
A quieter time around Rin’s. At least in theory.
A Few Things from Rin’s
I made a logo. Then I needed things to put it on. So here we are. A tote bag and a mug.
07Visual Storytelling
Farm & Flock Gallery
The chickens, the projects, the people, and everything in between.
In Loving Memory
Over the Rainbow Bridge
Squeakers got her name honestly. She squeaked. Constantly. She was tiny, ridiculously cute, and had a serious love of mealworms. The second the mealworm bowl appeared, Squeakers would fly straight up to it to make sure she got there before everyone else. Waiting her turn was apparently not something she believed in. She was a little chicken with a lot of personality, and things around here are a little quieter without her.
We'd love to hear
from you.
Questions, comments, stories, or just saying hello — send me a note.
It usually starts with “I have an idea.”
And somehow ends with “So here’s the plan…”
Tell us what brought you by — Rin reads every note herself.