In the Garden

Some things I have been thinking that might help me have been being in the word of God. I got a New Testament yesterday. It is The Battlefield of the Mind edition by Joyce Meyer. A lovely teal color light weight one. Some days I cannot read through the tears so I just hold it to my breast so the words will be close to my heart.

Gardening helps today I got a rose bush delivered to the door step from the Company Hubby used to work for. Thank you Lewiston Pre Mix! It is a white rose. I will plant it in the rose garden. I have a spot for it.

Yesterday I spent quite a bit of time doing errands, I had an Rx to get, a few grocery items, and some seeds a few veg. and herb plants I have to bring in at night so I did not get too many. That can be quite a bit of work. Some bulbs asiaitiac Lily assortment two bags 6 bulbs in all for a bright spot of color in the yard. I took out onions that were prolific and potted them up they are in the colorful pots I painted last year and I put them in the front yard. I intended on giving to pots away but the thrift shops are closed. [This was a great break from all the paper sorting I had been doing.]

I found the free meal card so got lunch to go and had that when I got home. I walked with our daughter at sunset that was great.

Staying Healthy

I got exercise today I mowed the yard both the front and back not a riding mower. I found four Easter eggs when I mowed too that made it even more fun. I got the plants moved that I needed to dig up and put in flower beds.

I got on grand daughters stingray bike and took the dog around the block sort of a training ride. Trying to see if I can ride a bike and take the dog. She did really well! I was very pleased.

Feeling better after a walk with her too. I chatted with a friend on the walk we kept our distance. The dog is napping now.

I froze up a crustless quiche got it labeled and dated glad to have that accomplished and washed the dish it was in as well.

I changed up some of the decor in the dining room, and moved the fold out chair to the back bedroom and the bedding that was on it. Got the area rug vacuumed. The trash can is back in from the curb now too. So I am feeling more productive now today.

Got on the stationary bike and that made me feel much better and get the off on a right start especially on the not so nice weather days.

Scary Rooms

I have been working on a couple of scary rooms. Purging old filing cabinets, and the closet. Has been my task today.  Musical desks is a big job but satisfying when it is done. I have one room rescued and now working on the scary room.

Sorting old papers feels productive for me. We had a couple office in a bag we were no longer using so I got got them cleaned out. I love seeing this progress and how that makes me feel.

We had a cloudy wet rainy day so it was the perfect weather for a project like this. I cleared out more drawers of old papers on files have freed up space in the first room. The scary room is coming along.

I am revamping the filing system and updating that it was time. I need to move some of my crafting stuff out of the way that will help. I had to reclaim the kitchen and dining room after that. Getting the old smaller two drawer filing cabinets out the door and waiting for dryer weather before moving them to the shed to wait for thrift shops to reopen to donate my collection of items for them.

Last summer we got different 2 drawer files to put a door on for a desk and it is a great time to let go of the ones that were not the same height. One was a top opening style that did not work for us. Simplifying and streamlining that is great.

I was able to put the fold up chair in the spare room now. It is good to see this coming along now. Yea for progress! 



 

Ups and Downs

I watched a video about grief. It talked about how the process of grief was more like a roller coaster than the steps of grief. It said that each person is different and journaling is suggested I do that. Hormones and holidays always seem to get me.

We had wind and that weirds me out when the trees are creaking. When I walked the dog she kept looking back at me it was like she wanted to check and see that I was still there after the gusts of winds.

I was SO glad I got the stuff done outside yesterday because it was not so pleasant in the wind that is for sure. Not so many folks were out walking in the blustery weather. Not uncommon for mid - April.

I felt a bit unraveled at several points in my weekend, I had to take a time out and regroup. Then got more mail that will require what I call "homework" some research not the fun kind. I knew it was coming. I am not opening that until later. As I remind myself to breathe. I sat down and did a few rows on my current knitting project. White dish cloths that stitch up into round motifs I need to figure out how connect in to a prayer shawl. I have made these for others it is my turn for one now.

I realized I need to drive the truck this week and have a bit of a list going for my next store run.

Gardening is my solace at least on the nice days. I enjoy music it seems to soothe or stir my soul, however love songs seem to send my into a tail spin so I change the channel when they come on. I try to remember my fun list and do some of those things, I need to make a list of the things to paint. Unfortunately today chocolate was one of them.

I keep looking at the tote of camping gear, might have to do a sleep over and back yard camping. Some neighbors down the street are doing a fire night in their back yard this evening. It is a lovely night but a bit cool for me to that.

After a bit more activity on Easter weekend it is a bit of a let down. Food all the food in the fridge and with just me here just one more thing to deal with. I now understand what folks mean when the talk about that. I am wondering if you can freeze boiled eggs nope google said they do not freeze well. A ham and egg salad sandwich sounds great but the hams were gone so that is not happening.

The word battle weary came to mind after a long battle folks just become weary it could be from an illness like cancer, cv - 19 , or what ever. So more self care is in order. I did a pedicure counting that. more on that in a different post. 

Easter

This Easter was different and fun, I listened to a couple of services online. Made preprations for Easter dinner made deviled eggs and got stuff ready for lunch at two. Got Easter baskets ready and hid eggs for the grand kids in the back yard with my daughter. Two of the older grands, and dear son were working.

We did not have a ham learned they were sold out on Sun. so bacon was prepared by above mentioned daughter. It was round like Canadian bacon. I had to keep reminding the cook to leave the brown sugar glaze off of mine. Older grand took a plate to her dad's on the way home.

The dog found one piece of chocolate in one of the plastic eggs with no ill effects that was a relief. The egg hunt was fun.

Dear grand son brought my bike back and I was able to ride it yea! They got kites in their Easter baskets and had success flying those at the field. Hardly any one was there when we first arrived. One family was at the basketball area playing. Another was riding bikes.

They decided to have a sleep over and we got blankets out and made pizza and cookies for dinner.

New Journal

This week I started a new journal. My writing is great therapy and I am embracing that this week. Speaking of therapy I looking up some grief support on the funeral home site. It was good but not really new info. Do what makes you feel good basically.

Got a card from the Catholic hospital hubby was in for a while saying that they had a monthly service for ones that had passed but the time and date was scratched out saying it was cancelled. But they would pray. I had mixed emotions about that. I have a basket full of sympathy cards those bring me comfort. I am saving them to show the kids. And when / if we do a celebration.

I understand they have classes and or counseling normally but I suspect that is on hold. What I have learned in the death of other family members is serving me well now. Being in the word doing Bible study at home on my own. Going over the verse I found this week "Joy comes in the morning" on my walks. Daily walks with the dog. I do not feel alone. Chats over the back fence with neighbors, digging in the dirt and crafts are helping me. I have been a home body last fall and getting to do some spring cleaning has been productive for me one room this month, some in the plant area and carport.

I am navigating the budgeting experience, found a couple of holes in it like fuel, and one of the cards that had a different amounts due monthly. Forgot to write down the date when I paid one this week. Rolling my eyes. Learning as I go here.

Been realizing that it is not as overwhelming as I had feared in the beginning as I can do some of the paperwork each day, week it is not all consuming like I had thought it would be. As I cleared off the desk I found info. for taxes and did a google search on info. needed and one question was answered as I did that.

As I type this I am watching Lucky Dog about rescue dogs that get a new start in life and how the guy trains them. I suggest this to people I see on walks that are struggling with their dogs. What a great time to focus on training your pooch in these times!

I tried using some different filters on my tablet this week. It is a great time to learn something. Might be painting the basement this month summer is a great time for this. I just need to decide on a color to tint the white paint with.

I have a long list of crafts to embrace, and when travel is lifted the mountains are calling. I am going to get my bike back and will be doing some bike riding rolling down the road not just in the living room! I am going to need to figure out how to train the dog to run beside the bike. Some of the things looking ahead to.

Keep turning off the news and plant something! These are some of the types of thoughts that go in my journal. The Grief book was not in stock. So I settled for watching birds seeing wild canaries in the bird bath works for me! It is good to make a note of what IS working for me and focusing on good news.

Planning & Prep

Today I was doing some planning and prep. on paper. It helps to have an idea of what some of my goals are and just to have it written down and out of my head. Seeds and plants to put in later. It is too cold to plant yet here outside because if it going to be freezing tonight.

I got quite a bit done yesterday I was happy with that. Getting the living room vacuumed before the day was done. Pruning the dwarf plum tree. Cleaning in the carport some. Decluttering a box. Cleaning out a laundry basket for a back yard game with a frisbee. I did not have a frisbee but some pie tins for that.

A friend brought by a basket of flowers with roots, and sympathy card last evening that was a delight. We kept our distance but had a quick chat.

I have other baskets I am getting ready to use this spring. Like the one for seed packets I need to do up from the seeds I saved last summer. I found them in the pantry yesterday I have been hunting for them.

I have a plant and seed wish list now after looking at plant catalogs. That was fun. It is too cold to plant now we have freezing temps in our forecast tonight.

At the store yesterday I was the only customer when I went early, and noticed they had a one doz. per customer limit on eggs. Quite a change from years in the past. I found mocha pie, no cheese cake or chocolate pie but these will work. Soup was available but not a lot on the shelves.

Neighborhoods were going to show support for seniors and spring sports that were cancelled with Friday night light car parades in our area gave people something to look forward to this week.   

Yesterday I got the dwarf plum tree topmost branches pruned, some of those had some blooms and I was able to put them in a container to enjoy the blooms this weekend.

Last evening at dusk I was able to go outside and enjoy the orange glow of the sunset by the fire pit I made last summer it was very peaceful and relaxing.

Easter Prep

Last night when I was doing my evening devotions I found a verse God promised me beauty for ashes, jor for morning. Isa. 61:3 I will need to look that one up and write it out in my faith planner. It is a great work for this season in my life. I have some affirmations to go along with it that I will write out as well.

This year Easter looks different than in years past. Because of the social restrictions, lock downs, and guidelines. So I am trying to think how this is doable with out going to the store. Then I woke up remembering the two loaves of bread I had in the freezer, the baking supplies I have in the pantry for cookies, the eggs to devil in the fridge, and the packs of frozen veg in the freezer. I can do this.

I have done some of the cleaning to do and the grass has been mowed. I have started my watering. I have rounded up the seeds I had gathered last year from plants I grew. The bucket and baskets in the plant cage are coming in handy. I found the nozzle to water with I was looking for turned up. 

Folks have figured out drive through banking, drive up celebrations for church, cheering on the things like spring sports, and graduates a car parade. So that is going on tonight giving people some thing to look forward to.

I walk the dog and patrol the back yard for things to do, I dug out a couple of small seedlings yesterday I had planted them in an spot that was a challange to mow around.

Planters are on the steps in the front of the house for decor and a new look that is bright and cheery. I moved the lawn chairs 6' apart.

Good News

I am doing okay. The nice weather 70* in the forecast is and kids being in contact with me helps.

The neighbors daughter had a birthday and they had balloons on their fence. Last evening they had a parade of friends drive by honking and sending out well wishes. I was able to have a great view from the living room window. That was fun to see!

Got some good news a family member that works in a nursing home was tested and does not have the virus!

I helped out daughter with her bike tire she got the tube replaced. So estatic to be able to go with her son my grand son on a bike ride.

I am happy that I am sleeping better with more normal sleep patterns now.

Looking ahead I have a ladder that is cut out and ready to assemble I need to get some dimensions on the steps for it. Also some bandanas for masks they an be used two at a time and folded these need hemmed. So this is part of our new normal considering masks. I got some more cut out yesterday.

I am giving some thought to Easter prep. thinking on that what I have that I can use here with out to much fuss and extra prep. except using the vacuum and doing the floors that have hard surfaces.

The yard looks SO much better than when I had hens!

Focus

I had to change my focus yesterday, I got some news about a paperwork snafu. I had to deal with. Had to leave the house because some paper work needed to be mailed back and redone. I had to keep telling myself it was not my fault.

I tried to do some other business by phone at the bank, and the Rx place both were swamped. I was able to do that in person and walked the dog so it turned out good.

Later in the day I was able to get out in the garden for some vit. D putzing around in my garden moving a planter, weeding and picking up a bit it was good to get outside in the fresh air and hear the bees in the trees that are in bloom. I pick up after the dog in the back yard and walk around checking on the progress of my spring blooms that is fun.

I broke down a box in the carport freeing up some space in the carport.

I dug in to my fabric stash and cut up some pieces to be bandanas for funm print masks, and other projects was fun for me.

I love one thing I heard turn off the news and plant a garden. That is helping with my perspective. I dug up some onions to share go in a planter with our daughter. Great for soups and seasoning things like noodles and more.

I got out more planters I put some in the front of the house. It looks more festive. I found a tick on the dog after walking in the field a bit yesterday so took care of that.   

Our daughter is tuning up the bike so they can do a bike ride together. It is lovely weather for that here now.

Dogs

My dog helps, with companionship, and to reminded me to check my blood sugar also as my pup heater at night. We walk together and she is with me in the yard as I garden and do chores outside. She loves doggie dates with the grand dog, she does not love going up and down the stairs when I am doing stuff in the basement but she does come and check on me. There are times she reminds me I need to feed her by grabbing my hand in her mouth and pulling to get me up.

Other things like the neighbors new dog that is big and stands at the fence and looks over my dog challenges that and jumps and barks. We are working on the new dog to learn the "down" command it is a young dog and learning neighbors are working on that as well.

My sister got a Yorkie for her birthday from a family member and we compare notes on our dogs.

Our son said it is good to get a new dog when the old dog can show it the ropes.

I keep spare leads in the rig for walks. We like to walk in the field and around the ponds fishing holes and along the river in our area or did before they closed the parks because of the CV - 19 recomendations.

Walking around the neighborhood is a good activity for me to clear my head. People are good to give each other space with dogs crossing to the other side of the street.

Progress Not Perfection!

I took a stroll around the yard yesterday to gaze at the flowers blooming and was surprised to get to see the bees were working on gathering pollen. Spring bloom is still going on this year. The sun rise is lovely today. I cleaned off the out door kitchen area and swept the patio. I need to get the mower going the grass is green and growing. Walking the dog still a part of my day more fun on warmer days. Iot the yard mowed I was excited when the mower started!

I am bringing in the tomato plants at night it is still too cold to plant them outside. The back yard needs to be picked up so I can mow lawn chairs need moved from around the fire pit.

My mood was not so good yesterday, I had allergies. I found some onion sets that had started to grow and mold in the pantry. Getting those out of here greatly helped that!

As well as changing my focus to things that went right with my day. I had a lot that was right in my day like finding yarn in stock for a I am knitting on, and the tomato sets were in, also the large box of Neutrigrain bars also in stock, getting drive through for lunch a first for me during this pandemic. It was good to remember that.

I made a list for today. Resting in the afternoon then getting going on some tasks in the evening  to get a head start on my day.

I was not able to find the book I was looking for but I can still journal and look up the verses I found on line with resources from it.

I sorted another box things, and took some boards outside for a ladder to build and a project is now in the carport instead of the basement.

I heard something "progess not perfection" that is my new go to phrase.

Daily

Life is so daily. I do not put much about daily stuff routines etc. getting going with that is on Flylady it is helpful. I started out with the card file system the predecessors before her created back in the day. Got up morning med. routine check blood sugar, turn on the coffee, made the bed, did my journaling and planning, quiet time and did my exercise on the stationary bike, it was a great time to process things going on now. I just had breakfast one of those breakfast shake things.

My eight D's are chores I like to accomplish at least each week
Dinner what is for dinner, Duds is the laundry current, Dishes rinse and put away them, De-clutter sort donations and figure out what needs to be tossed or donated. Declaw the paper tiger tackle paper piles  and deal with some of that. Dust seems I need to be reminded to do that one! Dump trash do that the day of or the day before trash pick up. Do zone work focus room for the week or month, area that needs attn. like the storage area I am working on this week. Daily bathroom spiff is a current goal of mine.

B.W.P. is Basic Weekly Plan my weekly stuff like sweep and mop floors, bathooms, clean sheets back on the bed, sort clothes.

Tried to make some plans for a family gathering to honor the passing of hubby via fb messenger in a group chat worked well until the gov. extended that stay at home ruling sigh so had to push that back. {After that I needed an attitude check.}

There are other things to deal with business in nature, correspondence, budgeting that goes on the list.

This is me trying not to whine about the weather it is cold outside at night. Not so exciting but in times like this routines help keep us sane! LOL!   

The extra Happy Planners I got earlier in the year are coming in handy now! I got tomato starts that grew well for me last year.

What is Working!

My success was a bit of a struggle to do some signing of papers for arrangements I made. Getting the program to work and sync with the other folks was a challenge took several tries but got that done via e-mail. Glad for that with the CV - 17 stuff going on not much other choice because I was not going to do extra travel.

I cleaned sorted and went through clothes found papers needed and I am trying to get a better system of filing and sorting papers in rounds that is helping.

Walking the dog is a great diversion, and going to the basement when tornado's happen in the area. I was folding clothes down stairs when the earth quake hit this week. Away from the winds rain sleet and hail. Cozy in the sewing room was a blessing.

I am working with some writing prompts I found on FB putting them in my journal. Journaling is one of the things that helps for thoughts.

I got out the hoses this week the grass is greening up and will need mowing at some point.

I got a pen pal letter written and need to mail that. A basket for cards is good as well.

We have had a change of plans during this process nearly every week. So planning was over rated remaining flexible has helped.  Some things from other family members that have passed before us that experience has been helpful remembering that we get through this too.

I am trying to look ahead some garden things would be great to work on but it is just too dang cold and freezing at night. The weather is NOT helping! I made up some puppets. I have yarn for a fun colorful project yet to be determined.

Got rid of the hens summer before last and last summer I focused on gardening and getting the yard back into shape. The hens went to a farm. Then I set up the coop as a potting shed and plant cage.

We worked on de-cluttering last year and got the shed emptied out so I could use it for painting thrifted items I found at yard sales and thrift shops, except it was hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

Been Gone

It's been a while. I am processing. Trying to regroup. The world is in the midst of the cv-19 thing. I am just trying to get through one step at a time and one day at a time. There was an earth quake and rare tornado in the area. Things are really weird.

I am trying to remember my focus and review my purpose. The things I knew have changed. I have food in the house I did fill the freezer last fall, and restarted that again in Jan. this year so that is good. I have ensure and protein powder if food runs low. Plans have been changed.

The dog is good company. I do great if the weather is good. I do not do so well if the weather is not good.

Hubby passed from cancer this month so that has me reeling. It is good that hubby did not want a funeral. I talked with the kids about closure with a fuss and we are okay with that . Maybe when all this cv thing is over. Maybe we can think about a family meal or something.

I saw a thing that we should be journal - ing to help document these days and that helps relieve stress. Family has been checking on me.

I could draw to document what is going on in my sketch book. I was behind in my planner so got that current yesterday, things were a blurr that past week or so. Hospital, hospace house, trips to and from there.

So many things on my mind and decisions, things I could do and there is time to consider a bit of down time. I have been cleaning sorting and going through things here. It helps. I have a letter I wrote and am rethinking all of that. Paperwork to sort and make since of.

This is weird times. My bullet journal serves me well. As do my routines
I have been considering how to tweak them. For now they help.

I like what my sister said to write it down and make a list. We have been emailing and that is good. My faith is helping it is time to dig in, get to the prayer closet and get in touch with spiritual roots.

Talking with my sis we said that it is up to God if we make it through this. I had to be in the ICU where hubby was in one hosp. then he was life flighted to a diff. one. As I was going through that I lost contact ability to touch base with a message board group. Using diff. pc and tablet.

Now with the arrangements, getting the learning curve of things with this part of life for me. I must say that solitude of the essential social distancing is not all bad. It is a time of healing and I need to re group.

I seem to get the sense that God has me set apart for this season, and not just me. I had been fasting one meal a day for lent but the week before Psalm Sunday got off track with that. It did make the food last longer.

Some writers are  using this as a time to hunker down and get to some writing done. I have been making crochet puppets. I would like to garden I have seeds. But it is just not warm enough. I walked the dog early before the winds rain snow hit today that was good.

I have some invetory "homework" to do but got stuck and did not get to that today. Churches and Bible study , and knitting groups are not meeting.

I realized on my walk last night that I am doing so much better than I was a week ago!

One Step At A Time

I am taking things one step at a time.

Got my Bullet Journal Page filled out
I try to do three to five productive things each day.
I do not always reach that goal but the focus is good.

I keep a done list for misc. things that get done.

I have a prayer list I fill in each day.
World & USA
Family & Friends
Healing

Also a gratitude list of three things for the previous day.
*
*
*

Next steps help for what I am thinking might be coming up.
*
*
*

Plus three things I look forward to.
*
*
*

Fun things ~
Knit on a project.
Crochet on a puppet.
Draw do a sketch in the sketch book.
Walk the dog.

Done~ the things I did today.

My daily list helps me with the list of chores I have on a sticky
post it not gets moved from week to week.

B.W.P. a list of my Basic Weekly Plan one each day.

This is forward progress that is helpful.

Yesterday was off track for me I wanted to get outside and work in the garden and we had hail & rain, big sigh so I headed to the basement and worked on the laundry. Also getting to some things in the sewing zone
cutting up old jeans so I could upcycle that fabric later.

I got out a tray to sort papers declawing the paper tiger.
I put a basket of some cards out they have a home for now.
Plans for the future are being formulated in my mind and I wrote those down.

I have been sorting things to declutter and got them rounded up in to
the spot I am putting them.

I have a book I want to get my cousin recommended.
A Season Of Grief
By Bill Dunn

Ideas

I got the idea to put the plastic jars with the bottom cut out they make it so much easier to fill chick feeders and waterers. I even double stacked the feeder so it would hold more. I saw at the tractor supply store the had waterers sitting on short two by four wood blocks to keep the water clean longer.

This week we are checking into poly-something a corrigated type of sheeting to go over the run to keep rain and snow off this fall and winter. We will have to order it in.

Sept.

The hens have been enjoying the fresh plums this year. I picked them last week. The squirrels were really getting after the plums so I was glad to get them picked. I pruned the plum tree too.

The chickens have also been enjoying the grapes on the deck as well. 

It's been hot we have had more summer after tbe school year started again. The weather is suosed to change. The hens will be glad for the relief
from the heat.

The hens enjoy the hose being on a bit they wade in the water on the ground to cool off their feet.

This week

I am using this with a blue tooth key board to post. 

Chickens are done molting now the new feathers came in with white fleck kind of like they are going grey! At the feed store they said a new higher protein feed is out for chickens that are molting.

Yesterday I cleaned the run I covered the run with plastic; we've had thunder storms ìn the area this week. The run cover needs to have some tweaking to get it more secure, we did get some leakage where it blew back and the water in. I need to get it a bit more secure on the top before the next rain storm.

We need to repair a shelf but I need to get the brackets for that project before we begin. 

Post from new tablet

I am trying out a post from my new gal. tab 3 seeing how it works.  Some have had issues w gal. But they have been working on a fix for it.

Okay I am able to edit. there is a learning curve with this.

This edit is from my chrome browser♡ 

New Samsung Galaxy 3 Tablet

I got a new Samsung Galaxy 3 tablet it's a 7" and I'm learning how to use it so I can post chicken pics and videos. Having a ball with my new techie toy for my bday. But there is a definite learning curve. Our son wants to see it aka translates to mom can I play w/ your new toy! LOL! 

After taking back the newest Google Nexus froze up & I had to return it because of some issue with map apps in locating my location when I was in photo taking mode. So I did not check that box on this one that identifies where I am. I'm very happy with this so far and the Samsung apps. too. I choose a white one. 

Now I'm waiting on the case to come in they were out of stock when I was at the store. 

Broken

Yesterday I got a Google Nexus 7 a bday & 40th wedding ann. gift and it is broken in less than 24 hrs. it froze up in the camera function. ACK! I was outside trying to get some photos of the chickens and it stopped working. I can't get it to do anything! Gr-r!!! I'm not happy and I'm taking it back. 

Pros of this are clear pixels on it and the stuff I used except for the camera did work. I was trying to get it up and running so I could have a Bible on it for church this morning. I got the battery all charged up last night so it would be good to go for today. 

I'm trying to see what I can get resolved. I did manage to get a few photos taken before it froze up and those were saved b/c I'd synced some stuff before hand. [I had not even learned where the flash function was on it.]  No off line owners manual came with it. 

The unit is hot and I do not know how to disengage the battery. Guess I'm going to take it back asap. before it blows up what a bummer! 


Today I got a Samsung galaxy tab 3 & I'm learning how to post from it!

Egg Custard

Egg custard 
3 eggs 
1 c. milk 
1/2 c. sugar 
1 tablespoon vanilla 
dash of nut meg. 

Whiz in blender & bake until center is set. I put mine in the crock pot on high cooked it apx. 2 hrs. and checked it after doing some chores outside and it was done yummy!

Crock Pot Cobbler

Fruit Cobbler 
Two cups fruit your choice in season I used one cup black berries and one cup plums. One cup brown sugar. One teaspoon cinnamon. Mix and place in large crock pot on high setting. 

One yellow cake mix 
Two cups milk
Three eggs [medium]  
One tablespoon vanilla 
One cube butter melted [1/2 cup] 

Mix cake mix milk, eggs, vanilla, butter, until it is pan cake batter consistency. Pour one cup over fruit. Save the rest of the batter for other cobblers. Cook until done mine took apx. two hours I was working out side in the yard. Serve warm with ice cream. This is what I remember having when I was a kid yummy. 

Try other variations with peach apple cherry canned pie filling will work for this as well. 

For a variation it's fun to sprinkle oatmeal and cinnamon on top for more texture. 

Eggs in the Crock Pot!

I made custard in the crock pot tastes great I'll use less sugar next time and tweak it with splenda at some point. --it turned out pretty well. 

Bread pudding I made in the crock pot vanished very quickly! 

Cobbler I cooked in the crock pot our grand daughters were competing who got to crack the eggs and put them in this recipe and helped mix it up making recipe so much more fun to do. What I learned was the cobbler should have been in the bigger crock pot, the custard needed to be mixed more.  Still tweaking these recipes a bit. 

Crust-less spinach quiche' was a surprise that it was such a hit! We had ours in a wrap the carb count is better and the family liked it that way; but it was a bit watery because I did not put flour in it. Next time I'll do it in the crock pot as well. Tonight we'll have egg salad in a wrap, or tuna salad in a wrap.  

I may try poached eggs as well. 
Recipes coming I have saved them some where around here! 

Got it!

For a treats the hens got crumbs from the box of vanilla wafer cookies and raisin bran cereal, some green grapes with seeds, and one green plum. 

I cleaned under the roost again today and got a frame I'm considering for a frame to hold the plastic we will put up over the wire mesh on part of the roof. The hens do not mind the rain as much as I do when it drips down my neck when I'm out doing chores the tin ends right on the walk way where I go through from one door to the other. I hope this will work. Last year we did not put up plastic because we figured the wind on the wire would just shred it. 

Part of the nest box has a nail loose and the bottom is coming out so we need to repair that this weekend. We moved it to solve that problem. I got 12 eggs today. The days are getting shorter so next month I'll be thinking about getting the light up and fall stuff we need to do. 

This week I've been trying out some recipes and I'll be posting those I finally got the cobbler one to turn out like I wanted. 

August News

Each week it seems I learn some thing new with chickens here. This weekend at a flea market an old timer had some eggs for sale and I was getting some pointers on what to do with a broody hen w no rooster that should be done sitting. I like what he said that they did. They moved the chicken that were broody out away from the others without any eggs, in to an isolation area then after a week they were ready to rejoin the flock. 

What I've been doing is moving the broody hen to a cage away from the others in the morning and then when the hens are done laying at noon closing the coop if there are stragglers they can use the outside nesting boxes. Then I let the broody hen out of the cage and she is more than ready to rejoin the flock. 

Today the broody hen that I was working with  has rejoined the flock after only a day and a half. I'm SO happy about that. Then today found another two that have gone broody of this years hens so I have isolated one and will do what I did yesterday with the other one next. It seems to be working. 

Today I gathered eleven eggs I got a thin shelled egg today so I added oyster shell calcium to the feed, they have it in the run but thought I'd better put it in their feeder as well. And one cracked egg so I had those for my brunch. 

I put up the big feeder that holds a lot for our weekend away. I've removed that one an put up the others. The hens were having a hard time getting the last of it out of the big feeder so I poured it out for them. 

The road construction in our area does not seem to bother the hens at all this week. 
Ten eggs yesterday one was not salvageable was broken. The cracked ones went for boiled eggs I'm thinking egg salad sandwiches or on half a bagel open faced style. That would be fun on the mini ones as well. 

I dug up some bulbs on the West side of the coop, the hens liked getting bugs, our grand daughter had so much fun digging in the dirt with me! First I had to move some wood and then  I watered it so the digging would be easier and would attract more bugs, then I put the hose on another section in front of that to do some more digging on later. 

We are rethinking the placement of the red coop to use for brooders it needs to be closer to the main coop and power source We may be redesigning one to fit on the current coop and incorporate the window we have on it for a hen access place.  


I've put of an eggs for sale sign in our window this week. 

Herding Hens

We've had some thunder and rain here this week. I've fed the chickens this morning and let them out. Today I need to water them and fill their big water font. Plus fill up the big feeder to see if it lasts a couple of days I got it hung up yesterday in the chicken run. 

I dismantled the nest of the broody hen that went next door to for an unsuccessful hatch not surprising with no roo. After a month it was time. The grand kids helped me heard her back home after she went back to that spot she was sitting again. She has showered in the rain and returned to the flock now. That's a relief!The other broody hen is still sitting on a golf ball but is in the coop. 

We got the smallest egg I've ever seen today about an inch and a half long I suspect it is just yolk. It's a very pretty egg dark and speckled a lovely egg. One of the New Hampshire red pullets have already started to lay eggs. We gathered eight eggs today. 

I made deviled eggs and our grand daughter helped me mix up two different kinds of cookie dough. 

Peanut Butter Cake mix cookies

P.B. Cake Mix Cookies 
Preheat oven 350* 
Prep. 5-10 min. 

Ingredients: 
1 yellow or chocolate cake mix
2 small eggs 
1 Tablespoon vanilla 
2 Tablespoons water
1 c. peanut butter 
1 cup toppings we like chocolate chips optional. 
Cinnamon

Directions: 
Stir eggs in to cake mix with vanilla peanut butter and water. 
spoon on cookie sheet; sprinkle cinnamon on top make fork marks on top. 

Option: add 7 chocolate chips or m & m's on each cookie for a variation 
Bake 10-12 min.@ 350 cool and enjoy. 
Great for ice cream sandwiches. 

Trip to the Tractor Supply Store

After breakfast our dear grand son helped with the chicken chores he's the fill in person to help out when needed around here. I had the grand kids eat breakfast on the deck I put a table cloth on it dear grand daughter wanted to know why there was a "cloth" on the table. Later we did some errands to the Tractor Supply Store got the hens some more food, putting away stuff from the farm and tractor store. 

I got a galvanized chick feeder I wanted a spare and they were out last time I was checking on them. I cut the bottom out of a plastic mayo. jar so I could use it for this one it makes so much easier to fill the feeder just being able to pour it in. The hens use this as well. 

Then Hubby got busy trying to beat the heat fixed the roosts and perch in the chicken run. The hens were not happy with him messing around out there in the chicken run one was really squawking a lot. It was really quiet outside unsualy so not a sound from other birds; I said "maybe that hawk is back who knows". Then I got busy with the tasks at hand and I rinsed off the ramps for the roosts got the roosts scraped off and the chicken ramps got those back up. 

Hubs grilled lunch yummy burgers for us for our lunch those were great. We also got a small five gallon sized galvanized bucket, like a trash cans we had when I was a kid. This one is like a miniature one of those. Saw they had them on sale, this one is for chicken feed. The clerk said this shipment came without a handle but I knew we had a wooden knob at home from another project. So I rounded that up and hubby put it on while the burgers were cooking. I filled the galvanized mini can with the bottom of the bag feed that was left and I'm glad that worked out so well. 

One egg was broken today when I gathered them seven so far today. Yesterday our grandson came up to the deck grinning ear to ear our grand daughter was tattling that "he got eggs without the basket"; he had eggs stuffed in all of his pockets; such memories we are building around here! They do love to gather eggs and help with the chicken chores.  

I set the waterer up on some 2" x 4" blocks to get the water up off the ground to keep it cleaner that is working well. 

I got a plastic egg carton for the fridge and some of the foam cartons for when folks want eggs those were on my list. 

Mopsy and Flopsy

After my walk today the two hens I'm calling Mopsy and Flopsy one has a floppy comb. Were busy in the nest box hanging out and lots of cluck cluck CLUCK clucking was going on. 

I was watering with the hose and spotted a hawk fly off out of the tree in the neighbor's back yard so it was a warning call to take cover that time instead of the "I've just laid and egg" clucking. I picked apples for them after getting on the old rickety ladder I've decided next time I need to get out the other one that's better and taller. I raked the chicken yard and got fresh apples chopped up for the hens so they can have the worms inside them too. 

I freshened up the nest boxes with shavings and cleaned under their roosts. I Saw one of the nest box perches needs some repair and I stabilized it for now until we can get to it in the morning when it's cooler this weekend. 

I gathered ten eggs today so far yea for a full basket of eggs. Of course when production was down I gave away all the egg cartons I had collected. [Me rolling my eyes.] I do have a couple of spares I keep the clear ones and some I cut in half to use when production is less so they will do for now. The broody hens took a break in the afternoon and got a drink stretch and had some food. The do not poo in their nests. 

One of the younger pullets sort of pecked at my hand when I went outside and had no food for them it was like she was saying "hey don't forget about us"! I picked her up and packed her out to the chicken run and put her by the food. A couple of them are tame enough to be petted and she was one of those. I'm going to see about getting them to eat out of my hand but I'll put on my leather gloves first. 

Summer Heat

Our chickens are all alive and well we have plenty of shade and water buckets all around the yard under shady areas. Some frozen treats or okay with the hens now they have decided. I've been watering the hot spots during the day to cool it off a bit and they enjoy the cool grass. They've been eating less feed. We got eight eggs yesterday. The guy from hubby's work was very happy with his eggs, on Sunday for family breakfast they made making pancakes and got a double yolk-er the kids got a kick out of seeing that they were helping to make the batter! Out of that doz. several were double yolkers. It's a challenge to explain that double yolk eggs are sort of random and do not all come from the same hen as far as I know any way. 

When I open up the coop window one hen jumps up on the ledge and I jump back expecting a chicken bomb, that's when a chicken takes flight and you need to get out of the way! But this one did not fly just saying hi and I petted her so that's the new routine a couple of them are tame enough so that's great. 

Our granddaughter got between the feed and one got pecked once so now she will not go out in to the chicken yard or coop she is afraid. Not all bad if we get a roo it's good that she remains a healthy distance from them but so far none are roos. The hens from this spring's crop of Rhode Island Reds all seem to be laying. Delaying my summer plans to paint the inside of the coop as it's a pretty busy place through out the morning. Maybe in the afternoon but it's been in the triple digits this week here so that's not very appealing. 

Chicken Notes & Ideas

Today I got one egg first thing today it was cold so had been laid a while ago none in the nest box last night when I last checked. 

U.S. farm report had good info. but an hour long was too much time. will have to try to catch the rest later on the net. I like to follow info. on crops and stuff and get ideas about feed. http://www.rfdtv.com/shows/agriculture/u.s._farm_report/

Speaking of feed I'm going to put the corn meal in the freezer to kill any potential bugs from hatching. I'd not thought about G.M.O. corn being in the feed we use until I saw the show this week,  I'll be giving that some thought. 

Decided we might try to get some Rhode Island White in the fall to have them ready to lay by spring to prevent the lag time we had this year. It's sort of an art from keeping on top of that. I'll have to call and put in my order. 

The hens are not keeping up with the apples at this point. I got a shrub rake, I had to attach the handle before I could use it. Then I cleaned out the coop and run yesterday. After that I Freshened up the nest boxes with new shavings hoping to prevent the occasional cracked eggs. Surprised how long it took me to figure that out! LOL! 

Beginning the new tech. stuff will get a new cable modem tomorrow afternoon. To get the tech. net stuff on the smart phones we have will double the bill so we will not be doing that. Bummer. =( Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to get a tablet and do it with that using the cable net. 

Soft Shell

 Hoping to get some new technology by fall so I can put up some chicken videos, & pic. 

The other day a chicken laid an egg directly in front of me, it was a soft shelled one. So I upped the amount of oyster shells in with their feed. That was amazing and I could tell that she was one of the hens with the crook in her comb. 

I've been getting between 4-6 eggs a day this week. Only the EE is laying from the older hens. 

Hubby brought home a cage to use for chicks or isolation from a guy at work that wanted to trade it for eggs. I have sent the first doz. with hubby to work for the guy. He lives in the city limits and cannot have chickens and is really missing the fresh eggs. I was glad to hear that he did not mind green eggs! 

Grand kids have been having fun helping to feed and gather eggs naming the chickens that are their favorites. It's a challenge to tell them apart with most all of them the same breed this year. 

Ours do not like the frozen treats so much in the hot weather they wait until the treats of frozen fruit are thawed to eat it. 

Double

Double yolker egg today elongated shaped. That was a fun one to find it was an elongated egg more so than the average egg. Last night I put my gloves on and picked up the broody hen briefly so I could check her eggs and she had two pullet eggs in her nest so she's sitting on three eggs now. So the new hens have been laying for a week now. 

I got some herb plants marked down one each of lemon thyme and regular thyme planted those in the front yard, where the chickens will not eat them so much. 

At the farmers market I got some zucchini  Swiss chard, and carrots. Then I realized after I got home that I should have had the guy leave the tops on the carrots when he asked I could have given them to the chickens! 

I dropped of feed sacks to the gal that uses them to make feed sack totes and next time I'll ask if she does the feed sack aprons. Picked up another sack of feed while we were down town. This one is a new design! 

Egg-citing News!

Exciting news here from the hen house! Loud clucking was heard this morning and one of the new Rhode Island Red [RIR] pullets has laid an egg; so at 22-23 weeks we have a new productive batch of hens here! Yippie!  I suppose it is so silly to get this excited over such a tiny egg golf ball sized egg! I noticed she had been hanging out around the hen house a lot lately sitting in the nest boxes and being friendly with the others that were sitting & laying.  Our 5 year old grand daughter found it and was the most excited! We got 3 eggs yesterday one green one the Easter Egger has been laying really consistently this week. Plus one beige egg with a pointy end I'm trying to figure out which hen lays that one. 

While I was out in the yard I found a pink tomato but the chickens found it first and was 3/4ths of the way eaten; but I'm in such a good mood about having a new layer I'll forgive them this time. I put the tomato cage up it needs to be wrapped with netting still. That will be next up on my to do list.

When I was out in the yard the other broody hen came flying over the fence from next door clucking loudly as if to say "I'm home!" I had to step back because I was in her "flight path" so she could have a safe landing! She was home for food and water.

Other neighbors have their house up for sale and are clearing out stuff and I got a couple of new to me egg gathering baskets and crock pot for the chickens water-er in the winter to keep that from freezing. I'm going to try that out hoping it's not too hot.  I have sun tea brewing on the deck now so I'll be sipping on that soon. 

Looking forward to the farmers markets this weekend. Today one of the roos woke me up at 5:15 sort of a squack not really a crow; he's still learning. I'm not sure if it was Stewie or Golden Boy there are two I think are roos in this batch. It's time to think about getting their pen ready to go. The hen coop needs to be repainted. 

Fence Fixing and other 4th Activities

Yesterday our five year old grand daughter helped me fix the fence. Doesn't every farm girl fix fence at some point in her life on the 4th even plastic fences count! Then I cleaned up under the roost and moved a the feeders into the wagons and while I did that the chickens thought that was great fun to get up in the wagon to eat!  

I heard the the boody hen off her nest clucking in the back yard so I scurried out to take a look - see I was amazed at how many eggs she had in her clutch I counted between 9 to12 she was in a spot hard to see and took a pic of it but you could not tell much from it. 

We picked apples for the chickens to eat and took photos of the red tomato, and sunflowers in the yard and baked up come cookies for other fun activities. 

The chickens survived another loud night of fire works from the streets in front and behind us. Some one had a radio going and that seemed to help calm the chickens down some what. I will be glad when the fireworks are done especially the really loud ones! 

Chickens and Fireworks

This is the first 4th we've had chickens. lots of our neighbors are avid fireworks fans so I've been nervous about this holiday week. So last night I rounded up the chickens early and got them in to their run before the noise began. I must admit this is my least favorite holiday.  

Some kids buzzing around on an obnoxiously loud mini bike past the cop's house and he was out with a couple of chirps of his siren and lights going  and after their second trip round the block  they stopped. 

Today I've fed the chickens a bit late they were squawking to get out. They were okay after the fireworks not much worse than a T-storm here last night. I got them rounded up and in the run pen a bit early last night. But I know tonight will be worse. We are supposed to have some significant winds here today so that maybe delaying some of those. 

Broody Hen Found!

Today I found the broody hen had not seen her for a few days; she is alive and well. I put some water out for her near her nest and will take out some special treats in a bit. So glad she is okay.  She is in some underbrush in a well hidden spot. So all the chickens have survived this last heat wave we had. Yea! 

The heat and broody hens have taken away from egg production but the young hens are healthy and I'm so happy about that! Glad we took in to consideration how hot it gets here when we were thinking about the kind of chicks to raise last spring. 

This morning we've picked some cherry plums for them to eat from the purple leaf plum tree one of their favorite treats. 

Record Heat

I've been up since before five when hubby's alarm went off, thunder was rumbling, lightening was flashing and we even got a few big drops of rain. It's muggy out today. We've had record hi. temps here, yesterday we have a new hi. for this date 105* phew that's hot! 

The chickens seem to be doing okay. I've been putting out watering stations in the shade at various points in the yard. They like frozen fruit, I put it up last year cleaning out the freezer. With some left over corn on the cob for a breakfast treat as well. 

One of the Rhode Island reds grabbed an apple we were picked for them and took off with it across  the yard and off to the chicken run to eat it! That chicken got it's prize!

Flock Owner's Rainy Day Chili

This is the perfect flock owners crock pot chili recipe that I use. 

In crock pot pour in and stir gently. 

2 cans [15 oz.] Nalley's turkey chili 

1 small can tomato sauce 

2 turkey sausage patties cooked & crumbled

1-2 sliced sausage cheese dogs

1/4 cup salsa 

1 can pork n beans drained or red beans I was out today.

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

Mix ingredients in and cook on low 4 hrs.

Missing Hen Found

Missing Hen Found! Earlier this morning I realized that one of the black hens was missing. I have not found a pile of black feathers so that is good news I suppose. I looked all over the back yard and under the shed in and even in the neighbors yard they hang out sometimes I did not see her. Then later in the morning after I told hubby that I could not find here he opens up the kitchen door just as she flew in on top of the coop and had breakfast! 

I looked under the broody hen she is sitting on one egg. Today I made up omelet for Father's day for hubby and the two Easter Egger green eggs were both fertile that I used I've heard fertile eggs are supposed to be the best for you. 

As I type this I'm trying to think of what happened with the chickens here this week pretty uneventful. I had to buy eggs at the farmer's market this week to have enough to boil for lunches. Production is down a couple of the hens have gone broody and the older ones are slowing down in production. They young ones are not in production yet so we are sort of in between.  

The young roos are starting to scuffle among themselves now. The smaller one pullets are nearly fryer size are leary of them. 

The currents are nearly gone now, the chickens love the cherry sized plums from the purple leaved plum tree and eat the small green apples from the back yard so they are keeping that cleaned up. Now if I could just get them to catch and eat the yellow jackets! 

We are thinking of the cooking surface for the patio and we're thinking an outdoor sink would make butchering day a lot easier so we looked at some for that hoping to get a used sink for that. 

New Chicken Yard Fence

This week end we put up the new fencing in the chicken yard the other one was temporary and I learned I needed more access so we put in an additional point of access a make shift gate. The green plastic fencing is not permanent but should last better than the other one. 

Today the chickens are in the back yard while I water the chicken yard when ever I go out to change the sprinkler they think it's feeding time. When I moved it last time I put buckets upside down by the current berry bushes so they could get the taller berries. They seem to really enjoy them. The ones by the wagon were picked clean! Great free chicken food. 

Roses in the chicken yard have grown a lot this year that was great to see. I'm thinking where I can put one more old fashioned rose in as it's great cover for them. I've learned that they do not bother the things I plant as much if I let them get the bugs out first and then after planting but the netting around it. 

It's getting more difficult to tell the difference in the young birds and the older ones as they are all nearing the same size. Some are getting courser sounding squawk in their clucking making me thing this might be a roo. 

I got paint for the coop and I'm thinking how to get the wall inside the run done and dry in time for their nightly roosting.  I guess I'll be out cleaning it bright and early before I begin and then locking it up after they are out they don't mind feeders being moved out side under the trees. 

We need a bigger latch for the back gate/door and lower front one as they seem to be the ones I fight with to get to close not enough give in them it's frustrating and I'll be glad to have that problem solved! 

Chicken Adventures

Chicken adventures are expanding the neighbor kid is done with high school gave his chickens (2 hens) away to a friend and gave the coop to us we are going to remodel it for an isolation cage / roo run/ or brooder. So it was a very exciting day to get that last weekend! It's red the other neighbor made it I need to ask him if it is paint or stain the top needs a new coat. 

We are down to six hens we got rid of the older mean hens. Also we still have all ten of the chicks they are now fryer size and some are as big as the smaller hens. The four we got later are pullet size now of those four looks like only one is a hen.  :roll: 

This week hubby cut a 2" x 4" for a second roost and things have calmed down at night when they go to roost now that they have more room. We had been talking about doing that for a while. I put up a temporary one of a tree branch that broke off one of the the trees in the yard in a wind storm but it was too unstable for any of the bigger ones to use. The really like the 2" x 4" on the four inch part to roost on at night. 

I've changed them over to pellets and have less feed lost to song birds / mice stealing it because of the larger size. The chickens also love corn, canned corn I found some at a yard sale down the street,  and corn on the cob I got an extra one for them to enjoy. I need to go pick up the cobs! 

The younger chickens are learning to enjoy the backyard I have a few holes to plug up so they ones do not escape, but it's an easy fix as so far only one spot has been a problem.

Chicken Yard

I've been keeping the hens in until noon at least so they lay in the nest boxes, the pullets go out first so they can eat without the fryers bugging them, then the fryers get out in to the chicken yard. Having breakfast seems to be one of their favorite things! The pullets are all feathered out and incorporated in with the rest of the flock and now they want on the top roost too. [No eggs yesterday.] The day before the broody hen started to lay again so that is good news. Last weekend we culled some of the older ones so egg count is down. 

Yesterday I made up some fabric feed bags in various sizes smaller than the feed sacks I can lift them; I struggle with the 50-80 lb. ones. So these work out great! I was hoping to find corn print for cornmeal at the fabric store but no luck so I got yellow instead. I got some turkey hand print like kids do in school to make a print for turkey crafts. I can put the all flock feed in that one! I have one bag for the scratch made up and another one for the layer feed done. I need one for the grit next I think. These are fun to make up and fast! 

Speaking of fabric I got some different [green] fencing fabric to put up; the orange stuff is not so durable and when I put it up I knew it was just temporary. 

I need to decide what kind of fence area for an isolation / roo cage. I'm also hoping to change the chicken yard area so I can put them in different parts of it and rotate the over grazed parts to let it recover and put the chickens in under the apple tree when apples are on to help clean that up. They are great for eating the weed seed so that's helping. 

Last weekend I pulled chick weed was hoping they would eat that but they don't seem to like it. The roses are blooming in the chicken yard and we have some small fruit coming on now. 

This weekend we will be grilling one of the home grown chickens we raised yum! On interesting thing this week was finding a dead mouse in the water bucket that had dround and another outside the bucket in the coop so I had our grandson help bury those out side of the chicken area. 

Last week I cut out the bottom of a plastic apple sauce  jar to screw on the round chicken feeder to make it easier to fill that sure works better saves a lot of time and mess. 

Pumpkin Tree

Today I got up late it was raining the hens did not seem to mind waiting until the rain stopped to get up. I've been out to feed the chickens. No eggs yesterday that is rare that they all take the same day off. The spring egg push is over now I guess. I'll need to buy eggs if we are going to have deviled eggs and omelettes this weekend. 

Yesterday I did some gardening and I planted a pumpkin tree I by put seeds under a tree in the front yard.  Those white pumpkin seeds and it only had six seeds in the pack. I'm hoping they all grow! I got the carrot seeds in and mowed the front yard also.  I'm glad I did that before it rained. I enjoyed my day and spending some time outside cleaning the patio hanging out with the chickens hubby calls it playing with them! 

Looking forward to using the table on the deck and enjoying watching the chickens from the patio expansion we did last summer. This week I dug up some tulip bulbs that were poorly placed by it and not working out and move those the hens thought it was great fun to get the bugs when I dug in the yard doing that. 

Hubby said when he got home he had to take the broom after one of the Barred rock hens pecking the heck out of one of the pullets. Later it was fine.  I'm trying to incorporate the pullets in with the main flock this week. He thinks I should just keep them locked longer. The temporary fence is starting to give up so we need to figure out a different solution for the chicken yard. So I've been pondering various solutions for that. The broody hen is off her nest now and back with the flock. 

We can think about getting the coop back to the hens now that the pullets are out and put the other nest box set up back inside after I clean the coop out. But I might wait until after I've painted it I do have paint for that project. The hens seem to enjoy the lawn clippings for nesting material.  I've gotten one egg today so far another hen on the outside nest. 

It would be a great day to dig up some bulbs to move as it's been raining. I figured out where to move the next crop of onions to as they are going putting on this years crop of new sets/starts on now. 

Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Peppers one thing I've never tried because I did not think I liked it boy was I wrong! I did these after deseeding the sweet red peppers and giving the seeds to the hens. I froze the peppers. Later I had to think how to do a low carb. version of meat loaf thawing out two ground beef patties I seasoned the filling added an egg and chopped carrots celery and onion tops from the garden stuffed the peppers and seasoned the baked them in the oven then added cheese. This was yummy and could be done with ground turkey or sausage hubby said that it was a keeper!  

For breakfast today we had omelettes with onion tops, mushrooms, cheese and eggs from our hens that's always a weekend treat around here after doing chores.

Next week will be chicken on the grill. 

May Flowers

We have flowers blooming in the free range area iris and roses, they love to dust bathe under the roses. I'm going to mow bag clippings for chickens this week. 

I got up at five today let out the fryers hens were still on the roost. Pullets were ok with the door to the run open last night they slept in the coop and came out to the run when I fed them and let the fryers out. 

Two of the four pullets New Hampshire Reds are chest bumping indicating roos what a bummer! I was hoping they were hens I wanted to know how they did laying compared to the Rhode Island Reds. I like the looks of the Rhode Island Reds so much better than the N.H. reds. I'll try some Rhode Island whites for replacements next spring. 

After putting some replacement sod patches down last weekend we had a lot of sand from that and put it in the chicken run with old sod we took out around it for a dust bath area all of the chickens have been enjoying scratching and pecking in it.  

Pepper seeds from deseeding peppers seem to be a favorite for some of the hens. A friend works at organic produce vegetable stand so the hens get scraps from there. 

Fruit is starting to set on here and we will be getting fruit next month for the chickens to eat currents are on first then the summer apples begin and later on apricots and plum cherries, nectarines and peaches followed by grapes and plums. 

We've planted tomatoes in the front flower beds this year. Some of the marigolds in the back as well. So far the chickens have left them alone yea! 


The broody hen moved sitting spot and left a nice clutch of eggs this week. 

Sunny Days

We are all enjoying the sunny days in our forecast this week. The fryers have learned the boundaries of the first free range pen now after a day or two they got used to that and were running out with the hens when I opened the door this morning. They were looking for worms! 

Hens clucking woke me up at 5:45 a.m. today. Our grandson helped me dig sod out of the last area and we removed it from the yard and we gave it to the chickens they love sod! It has bugs worms and they eat the grass too. 

I have more to move that we dug out earlier and then we can get to the garden area. our grandson brought some friends by after school to see the chickens earlier in the week. Our granddaughter can't wait to come and "help" dig today. She only likes to dig after I've removed sod and spaded it up it's easier. The hens are right there where the shovel is getting the prime spot for worms and bugs. Others want to see the set up when they come by as well. I'm glad the fryers are tame enough to catch and let visitors pet when I hold them. 

Broody Hen Again

This was the county fair weekend here I saw that they had three baby goats born at the fair! They were a hit!

The winds we had blew the one branch I was using for a roost down and we had to put it back up a couple of times. I cleaned the sod clumps out of the coop that the fryers had eaten the grass off of and put some fresh ones back in.

The pullets were under the light this morning, we have freeze warnings out for our area so they need the heat a bit more. I'll wait to plant the tomatoes and marigolds and bring those in tonight.

One hen has gone broody again so I've moved her to a nest more out of the way and she has not abandoned it like she has done in the past we will see how she does I took the golf balls out that she was sitting on the other hens added eggs to her clutch at one point there were three hens in that nest at the same time this weekend.

One of the birds is a male I'm thinking, we are still getting fertile eggs. That one we call Marshmallow is a  white Easter egger and does not crow or fight much so it's good. The four youngest birds pullets are doing good out in the coop, the fryers are getting along with the hens for the most part. If any hatch they will be the barn yard mix. The grand kids are still enthralled as we are with this process of gathering eggs and raising chicks.

I opened up the front and back of the nest boxes and the hens were able to get into back into the run at dusk, so I did not have to worry so much about them when we were not home before sunset. However two of them were in the top of the coop so had to be moved when we got home later than our norm one night.

We are still getting eggs from the one that lays thin shelled frustrating so it looks like we'll be culling all of the barred rocks sadly to say they are great for getting bugs and grubbing around in the dirt and follow me around the yard when I'm gardening, doing chores and yard work.