Hoppenings From the Homestead
Hoppenings From the Homestead
December 24, 2025
🎄 A Very Merry Christmas from the Buns 🎄
Hello, dear friends,
We wanted to hop by before the day gets too busy with hay refills and cozy naps to wish you a very Merry Christmas from all of us here at the Homestead.
Today, the air feels a little quieter. The light is softer. Our humans move a bit slower, and we don’t mind one bit. We’re tucked into clean bedding, listening to familiar voices, watching the winter sun shift across the floor, and enjoying the simple goodness of being safe, warm, and loved.
Some of us are stretched out in contentment.
Some of us are standing on our hind feet, hoping for an extra sprig of parsley.
All of us are grateful.
This season reminds us that not everything needs to be busy to be meaningful. Sometimes the best gifts are steady hands, gentle care, full hay racks, and the people who show up every day—especially when life feels heavy.
From our little corners of the Homestead to your homes, we hope your Christmas is filled with peace, warmth, and moments of quiet joy. Whether your day is loud or simple, full or sparse, we hope you know how deeply you are appreciated.
Thank you for being part of our extended warren this year.
We’re glad you’re here.
With soft noses and warm wishes,
🐰 The Buns of the Homestead
PS...Amy the Human is down with a virus, but she sends her love and wishes for a blessed Christmas Season for all of our readers.
December 6, 2025
A New Resource for Bunny Families!
We’ve been busy here at Hot Cross Buns Homestead, and today we’re delighted to share something brand new for our bunny-loving community! After years of helping families prepare for vacations, weekends away, and all the unexpected moments life brings, we finally put everything we know into one helpful, easy-to-use guide.
Introducing the Bunny Sitter Packet — a printable bundle designed to help every bunny parent feel confident when leaving their rabbit in someone else’s care. Whether a trusted friend, a grandparent, a teen sitter, or a professional pet sitter steps in, this packet guides them through exactly what your bunny needs each day.
It includes clear feeding instructions, habitat care tips, safe foods lists, emergency signs to watch for, and space to jot down all the little preferences that make your bunny unique. There’s a full-color version as well as a simple black-and-white edition — perfect for quick printing.
If you’ve ever felt nervous about leaving your bunny behind, this packet is here to bring you peace of mind and help your sitter hop into the job with confidence. 💛
You can now find it in our Hot Cross Buns Mercantile!
Wishing you and your fluffy ones a calm, cozy weekend!
— The Hot Cross Buns Homestead Crew
December 4, 2025
It has been a full and tender week here at Hot Cross Buns Homestead, and I wanted to share a few updates from the rabbit room.
First, sweet Rosie is recovering beautifully from her spay on Wednesday. She came through the procedure safely, and while I think all of us were holding our breath a bit, she’s resting comfortably now and showing every sign of healing well. I'm so thankful.
We also had a bit of a scare with Finnegan earlier in the week. His eyes were crusty and he was squinting, which raised immediate concern. After a thorough exam—including dental check, staining to check for corneal ulcers, and inspection of the tear ducts—our vet gave him a completely clean bill of health. No entropion, no ulcers, no dental trouble. He simply needs a week of special drops to settle a bit of inflammation. He should be back to normal very soon, and we are beyond relieved.
Lastly, if you haven’t seen it yet, we quietly opened a new section on our website called Buns Seeking Families. It’s not a sales page—just a gentle space where we share profiles of Buns who may be ready for a quiet, loving home of their own. Nothing urgent or pressured; simply a heartfelt way of introducing rabbits who might thrive with the right match.
Thank you, as always, for following our Homestead journey. Your kindness means more than you know.
December 1, 2025
🐾✨ Hoppenings from Kipling: A Very Important Announcement! ✨🐾
Good afternoon, friends!
Your ever-dutiful Homestead Reporter, Kipling, tapping in with breaking news from the Hot Cross Buns headquarters — and oh, is this a headline worthy of extra-large font!
After months of secret negotiations, whispered discussions in the hayroom, and one very official meeting beneath the pellet hopper, the results are in:
Loofah has officially handed in his two weeks’ notice!
Yes indeed — our fluffy friend has accepted a brand-new position as HusBun to the beautiful and delightfully sassy Winnie (formerly known around here as Snap).
This highly competitive role attracted a very small but elite pool of applicants (namely Gumption and, ahem, yours truly). We were all on the short list, whiskers brushed and resumes polished, but when the offer was extended…
Winnie chose Loofah, paws down.
And honestly? She has outstanding taste.
While his new manager — er, Bun Mom — Cassady prepares his office space and settles the final onboarding details, Loofah will remain in his current role on the Product Development Team, continuing to innovate, inspire, and occasionally nap in the workspace.
The whole company is already buzzing as we prepare for his Going-Away Party. Crops of dandelions are being washed, the celebratory treat trays are being arranged, and the bucks…
Well…
The bucks are positively green with envy.
(Not literally. HR made me say that.)
Loofah is a truly beloved member of the Homestead team — loyal, tender-hearted, and blessed with a magnificent coat. We will miss him deeply, but our whiskers quiver with joy knowing he’s stepping into this brand-new chapter as Winnie’s adored HusBun.
Please join me in offering him your most enthusiastic nose-boops and well wishes as he prepares to hop into his new life.
Congratulations, Loofah!
We’re so proud of you.
Reporting with both joy and just a teeny bit of jealousy,
— Kipling, Homestead Reporter 🐾📰✨
November 26, 2025 - Thanksgiving Eve
Thanksgiving Eve arrived quietly on the Homestead this year, and honestly, the slower pace has been welcome. After the whirlwind of Operation Christmas Child Collection Week, today felt like the first real chance to breathe. The animals seemed to sense it too — everyone settled into their routines without much fuss.
I spent part of the day tying up the loose ends that always seem to gather right before winter: checking on the trees we wrapped in cattle panels, making sure the compost and worm bins are where they need to be, and clearing a few corners that were starting to nag at me every time I walked by.
There’s still plenty waiting to be done, but tonight it feels enough just to pause and be grateful — for the people who showed up this past week, for the animals who give structure to my days, and for the little pockets of quiet that show up exactly when I need them.
Wishing you a grounded, peaceful Thanksgiving Eve from all of us at the Homestead.
November 25, 2025 - A Kipling Kind of Tuesday
Hello everybun and every human!
Kipling here — your Official Homestead Reporter, freshly returned from my extremely short and completely undeserved “rest period.”
I have been informed (very gently, but still) that I will now be reporting only two or three times a week. At first, I thought this was a terrible mistake — after all, how can a Homestead function without constant news coverage from its most handsome journalist? But then I realized something very important:
If I report fewer days, that means I have more time to gather EXTRA juicy stories!
So now I am choosing to think of this as my “quality over quantity” era. A mature reporter thing.
And let me tell you: today is a day FULL of newsworthy happenings.
First of all, the entire Homestead is still buzzing with joy after the humans collected 935 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I tried to stack them myself, but apparently that was “not helpful.” (I disagree.)
Out in the yard, the goats have appointed themselves Supervisors of All Things Noisy and continue to shout their opinions at the wind. The ducks have begun a detailed survey of every puddle on the property — a very serious scientific study, I’m told. And the Buns? Well, we’re all feeling extra bouncy after so many calm days. Several documented binkies occurred this morning. Several.
I also inspected the newly installed “anti-deer forcefields” around the young fruit trees. Very secure. Very professional. I approve.
The vermicompost bins got a good drink yesterday, so today they are humming along nicely — the worms say morale is high.
As for me, I am hopping into this week with great enthusiasm. Fewer reporting days only means that when I DO appear, you can expect top-tier investigative journalism, riveting updates, and possibly more photos of my whiskers.
Until next time — likely in another day or two —
This is Kipling, your devoted Homestead Reporter, signing off!
P.S. I’m already gathering more headlines. Stay tuned. 🐾✨
November 24 , 2025 - Operation Christmas Child Wrap-Up
This evening feels especially peaceful on the Homestead. Operation Christmas Child Collection Week has officially wrapped up, and we’re grateful, tired, and deeply encouraged. Our Drop-Off Center collected 935 shoeboxes this year—a new record for us, and a beautiful reminder of how much good can happen when people come together with generous hearts.
The Homestead itself seemed to match the mood today: calm, quiet, and a bit reflective. I was able to complete some chores I've been wanting to get done before winter sets in. I've been noting that deer have been nibbling on our very young fruit trees, so looped a cattle panel around each individual tree for protection. The vermicompost bins needed some water, so were cared with a handy-dandy watering can.
With collection week behind us, the coming days will be about settling back into our normal rhythm—tending to chores, catching up on laundry, enjoying the animals, and easing our way toward Thanksgiving. There’s something sweet about this in-between time, when one big chapter closes and the next gently waits its turn.
Wishing everyone a restful start to the week from all of us here at the Hot Cross Buns Homestead.
Kipling will be bringing tomorrow's update, so please be prepared for his enthusiasm. :D
November 21 , 2025
Not Kipling today, but Amy, the main human behind the scenes at the Hot Cross Buns Homestead. Kipling needed a day off after working himself into a tizzy yesterday. I think we will be limiting his Hoppenings update participation to 2-3 times per weeks.
The Homestead is settling into that peaceful, in-between place that always arrives after a big event. With the craft fair behind us and Operation Christmas Child in full swing this week, today has felt like a gentle exhale.
A big milestone yesterday was finishing all of the Staff Directory bios—every Bun officially has their story told. It feels good to have that entire chorus of voices finally introduced, and we’ll start sharing little snippets from their daily lives in the weeks ahead. You may have noticed some name changes...Hopscotch became Tansy (my daughter Evelyn never could remember her name so we tried something different.) Frisbee became Kipling. Cabana is now Oona, and Kayak is Coreopsis (Corrie), which is one of my favorite flowers.
An unexpected twist: after months of silence, we received three messages asking about available rabbits. It’s bittersweet, because the rabbitry chapter has closed and we’re no longer breeding. If only we had heard from them a month or two ago, perhaps our rabbitry chapter would be able to continue. The Buns who are here now are part of the permanent Homestead family, and our focus has shifted from producing litters to caring faithfully for the rabbits we have. It’s funny how inquiries arrived after the decision was made, but seasons tend to shift that way—quietly, and then all at once.
Around the Homestead, everyone seems to be enjoying the crisp air. The goats were particularly spirited this morning, the ducks are excavating a new puddle they’re convinced is a magical pond, and several of the Buns were frisking and binkying in their pens. Even the compost bins are humming along at their own steady pace.
This afternoon will be a mix of homestead and homemaking: cutting out a dress to sew for my daughter, picking up a new crochet project, and contemplating whether some of those crochet creations should be added to the online Homestead Mercantile rather than offered only at craft fairs and farmer’s markets. And of course, preparations continue for another Operation Christmas Child collection day.
More small updates coming soon as we ease toward Thanksgiving and Advent.
November 20 , 2025
Kipling’s Midday Extra! All Paws on Deck! Big News!
Greetings, dear friends of the Homestead!
It is I, Kipling, your humble reporter, esteemed hallway sentinel, and part-time snack enthusiast. I interrupt your regularly scheduled Thursday to bring you an important and very exciting update:
The Staff Directory is officially COMPLETE!
Every Bun, from A to Z (and yes, we do have a Z—she is very proud), now has a finished biography available for all to read.
The humans may say they finished the writing, but I was supervising very closely, offering moral support, editorial insight, and the occasional reminder that a quick snuggle improves typing accuracy. I am pleased to report that the result is magnificent. Everybun’s personality shines—our talents, our quirks, our job titles, our contributions to Homestead life… it is all there, beautifully captured.
Around the room, the reactions have been delightful:
Boggle immediately began investigating her own page for accuracy.
Coreopsis gave a regal nod of approval.
Gumption pretended to be unimpressed, but his whiskers twitched (a sure sign of pride).
Francesca performed quality control on the snack situation, which she insists is a vital part of any celebration.
Zinnia burst into spontaneous zoomies, which nearly took out a hay bin but greatly improved morale.
As for me, I feel positively puffed with pride. Our Homestead now has a complete record of who we are in this special season—a sanctuary of Perma-Culture Buns, each with our own important place in the rhythm of daily life. Visitors can finally meet all of us, learn our stories, and share in the joy we bring to this little patch of the world.
With the directory complete, the room feels lighter today. There’s a sense of accomplishment in the air, a little sparkle that comes from finishing something meaningful. The humans are smiling more. We Buns are flopping more. It is a very good day.
I look forward to more Hoppenings to report soon. But for now, I think a celebratory nap is in order. One must rest after such intense supervision.
With warm whiskers and a proud little chest puff,
Kipling
Assistant to the Assistant Director of Important Hoppenings
Hot Cross Buns Homestead
November 19 , 2025
Kipling’s Report on Important Hoppenings (and Smaller, Yet Still Important Hoppenings)
Greetings, dear friends of the Homestead!
It is I, Kipling, your faithful correspondent and floor-level observer of all things meaningful, mysterious, and mildly crunchy (those would be the hay dust). I bring you today's update with great enthusiasm—and only a few interruptions from my own reflection in the water bowl.
This week is a special one on the Homestead because the humans are preparing for Operation Christmas Child. Even though we Buns aren’t allowed to pack shoeboxes (something about “chew risk,” which I find a little insulting), we still take the responsibility seriously.
From my well-chosen observation spot, I’ve noticed the humans sorting small treasures, carefully selecting gifts, and talking about children around the world who will open these boxes with big, bright smiles. If I were allowed to contribute, I would personally recommend hay. Hay is always appropriate. Alas, my suggestions were politely declined.
Still, there’s a lovely sense of purpose in the air—something kind and steady that reaches even us whiskered residents. We may not handle the items, but we support the mission by being our calm, comforting selves. Coreopsis supervised with quiet dignity. Boggle tried to help but became too interested in the crinkly sounds. Gumption pretended the shoeboxes contained compost notes needing review. And Francesca performed quality control on the humans’ snack breaks. She takes her duties seriously.
Meanwhile, the Homestead feels peaceful in the wake of the craft fair—no piles of supplies to dodge, no last-minute bagging or labeling, no frantic “Where did I put the twine?” drifting through the house. Everything has settled into that after hush, where routines resume and the humans finally have time to rest their minds and warm their hands around mugs of something soothing.
As for me, I’ve resumed work on the next batch of Staff Bios. Now that the big event is behind us, I can dedicate more time to capturing the personalities of my fellow Buns with accuracy, affection, and appropriate dramatic flair. I’m going alphabetically, as all civilized archivists should, so the next profiles will appear as soon as my paws and patience permit.
In the meantime, life carries on at its gentle pace: hay is eaten, flops are performed, and the atmosphere is filled with a soft sense of gratitude—for warmth, for safety, for full tummies, and for the chance to bring little bits of joy into the world, near and far.
Until my next report, may your heart be full and your hay basket even fuller.
Warmly (and slightly fuzzily),
Kipling
Assistant to the Assistant Director of Important Hoppenings
Hot Cross Buns Homestead
November 18 - A New Beginning
A Word from Kipling, Assistant to the Assistant Director of Important Hoppenings
Greetings, dear friends of Hot Cross Buns Homestead!
It is I, Kipling, your ever-vigilant observer of Hoppenings, dedicated hallway patroller, and recently appointed chronicler of all things Bun. I’ve been hard at work (between naps, pellets, and the occasional enthusiastic binky) preparing something exciting for you.
You can now visit the Staff Directory and read the first set of completed Bun Staff Bios—written in strict alphabetical order, just as any respectable, hay-dust-free archive should be. As of today, the following bios are officially ready to explore:
Boggle
Chummy
Coreopsis
Finnegan
Francesca
Goldilocks
Gumption
Henrietta
Kipling (that’s me!)
Each page gives you a peek into our daily lives and very important responsibilities here on the Homestead—from Boggle’s nonstop investigations to Francesca’s uncompromising quality control, from Finnegan’s snuggle-based morale program to Gumption’s vermicomposting leadership. Everybun contributes in their own special way to keeping the Homestead lively, productive, and full of heart.
If you’re wondering where the rest of the Buns are—don’t worry. More bios will follow as I am able to write them. My paws are swift, but the work is delicate, and I insist on getting every detail just right. After all, these pages are part of our Homestead legacy as we grow into a joyful, permanent sanctuary for all the Perma-Culture Buns who call this place home.
Thank you for stopping by, thank you for cheering us on, and thank you for being part of our Hoppenings. Please check back soon—more stories are coming as quickly as a bunny can (responsibly) type.
With whisker wiggles and a freshly fluffed tail,
Kipling
Assistant to the Assistant Director of Important Hoppenings
Hot Cross Buns Homestead