Friday, March 15, 2024

Homestead Happenings

 


We’re expanding our flock this season.
When Omlet came out with this larger coop,
we knew we needed more living space for our girls.
The other thought was that it would mean
only one coop to clean for me.
How exciting it was to find these awaiting me 
when I arrived home one afternoon.

Omlet gives you everything you need!


Omlet coops come with great, easy-to-follow instructions,
and there are videos found online if needed.
Big K and I had this assembled in a couple of hours.


The improvements, like the new ramp,
should make life even better for the chooks.
There are so many wonderful features about this coop
that I really love,
like the new separated nesting boxes,
which allow hens more privacy,
the larger size, and the enhanced security doors.
It is worth the high price tag,
because we’ll never need to buy another coop.
I don't endorse many products, 
but I believe in Omlet products so much,
that I became an ambassador.


The second improvement we made for the chooks,
was replacing our janky fencing
with a new enclosed run.


Another diy project,
Big K and I tackled this job in steps.
The frame came with chicken wire,
but we wanted a sturdier material for the surrounding cage.
This 1x1 inch welded wire did the trick.
We also found stainless steel tie wraps 
to connect the wire to the frame.


It took us about 6 hours over a few days, as weather permitted,
to get the structure up.
We love the more streamlined look,
and the chooks are getting used to their new digs.
It makes me feel better
knowing that the hawks that live in our neighborhood,
will have to go elsewhere for their lunch.
The buffet is closed.


Remember I said that one of the reasons
I wanted a bigger coop was so that I would have 
only 1 to clean?
Well, that didn't really work out,
because Betty, our barred rock,
still has issues with her balance,
and I don't think she'd be able to use the ramp.
She is also mercilessly picked on by three of the girls,
so we have her and Queenie living in style
on the other side of the big run.
This will get some updates as well,
we just haven't gotten to them yet.
For now, they seem content in their Omlet Go.


Big K installed this automatic door to the run,
so that the chooks can free range at least once a day.
We have it set to open for an hour in the afternoon.
The bonus is that we now have a working camera out there,
so that we can check on them from inside the house.



Overall, we're happy with the added security,
and although we've only had one predator attack (a dog)
in the three years we've been chicken tending,
these additional measures should give this chicken momma
a lot of peace of mind.

What’s new on your homestead?



Friday, March 8, 2024

Homestead Happenings




Big changes are happening on our homestead,
as signs of spring emerge.
These sweet lil’ crocus blooms are a sure predictor
of the changes ahead.


The winter sowing continues to give us ample opportunity 
to celebrate the abundance in the garden.


These lettuce starts were ready for more space,
so they were transplanted into small (repurposed) pots.
The roots were fairly strong,


so they were planted in a light potting soil,
mixed with vermiculite and perlite.


As you can see, we have no shortage of transplants.
This batch includes chamomile, kale, 
leeks, and lettuces.
More starts will be transferred this weekend.


The sweet potato slips are starting
to take off.
A bit of light from this east facing window
and topping off the water in the can
is all that is required.
Several cans line the windowsill.


Two new Birdie beds are being added to the garden this season,
although their final placement is not yet secure.
They've been assembled, so they will soon be ready to grow.
These are the first tall beds I’m trying.
The bottom 2/3 will be filled with logs,
branches, twigs and leaves, before the soil is added.


The potatoes we planted in cages a few weeks ago
are finally sprouting.
We used some spuds from last fall's harvest.
We will be adding hardware cloth underneath the potato cages, 
as well as under beds and plantings, 
due to a recently discovered pesky problem.



I’m fairly certain these are vole holes.
They are covering most of the area around our drain field.
We’ve had a few holes from time to time,
but it looks like they are moving in!
Still researching organic ways to discourage them,
but we’re starting with garlic or coffee grounds in the holes.
The scent is supposed to repel them. 
We’ll see.


Last week, two elderberry trees got moved.
They had been on the northeast side of the property,
and were leaning to reach the sun.
Hopefully, they’ll enjoy their new spot.


We sowed alyssum seeds as a border
all along the front flower bed,
and I noticed yesterday that they are emerging.
Thank you rain!
Nasturtiums were also placed here.



The freshly harvested broccoli has been relished.
The side shoots are so tender and barely need steaming.


Daffodils are popping up all over the neighborhood,
including in our pollinator bed.
I also see tulips coming up,
and the candytuft just rocks on!



The other morning,
Big K noticed this squirrel on the back deck.
It is consuming a camellia flower.
Who knew?


A friend recently wanted to make room 
in her gorgeous garden for some new plants,
and asked me if I wanted her hydrangeas.
Uh...yeah!
They've been living in our landscape for
nearly a month now,
and the new growth has started!
I'm so excited, because when I lived in Florida,
I always envied folks who had these plants.
Further south, they don't grow well
because there is not enough cold through the winter.
What a blessing!


A batch of vanilla was put together.
It was overdo,
as I try to make it at the start of the new year.
It’s so simple,
and the bonus is that I was able to add the vanilla bean trimmings 
to the basket of my percolator.
It adds a mellow flavor to my morning Joe.


There are other new developments to report,
but I think those will have to wait for another post.
Wishing you peace and prosperity on your homestead.


Friday, February 23, 2024

Homestead Happenings



Greetings to you from Maple Hill 101!
We have a few things to share this week
about our homestead activities.
This little winter vignette has brought me so much comfort,
with the delicate white lights and the cheery bear on the card.
Several times a day I'll find myself just smiling
when I catch a glimpse of it.


Winter sowing continues, as spring inches closer.
We have had some success with chamomile, dill, kale, leek, 
lettuce, onions and dianthus germinating well.
The beans, parsley and thyme have not done well,
but will be resown in the next week or so.

lots of lettuce!



A large bin of broccoli shoots was harvested
and will no doubt be enjoyed all weekend.


The cabbage is finally started to head.
I can't wait to sample this homegrown newbie!


These chives decided to come back to life
after looking mighty bad most of the winter.
Bring on the potato salad!


The sweet potato slips have been started.


These were homegrown sweet potatoes
that were saved from our fall harvest.
Matchsticks were used in place of toothpicks
(we don't buy those) to suspend the spuds in the cans.
In a few weeks, we should have slips!


Last time I mentioned this heritage flour
from Sunrise Flour Mill in Minnesota.
A friend recommended it to me,
as she knows I have issues with gluten sensitivity.


I'm happy to report that not only was the bread de-lish,
there was absolutely no reaction to my skin
after devouring the entire loaf myself!
Yeah!
Dinner rolls or challah bread will be tried next.


The new chook run has been started.
It came in one ginormous box that weighed a ton.
Fortunately, the assembly was fairly easy,
especially since Big K was there to help.


We are awaiting the hardware cloth to be delivered,
so that we can finish it up.  The outer fence will be taken down,
and used underneath the perimeter of the new run,
to act as a predator deterrent.
We'll also have some sort of stone all along the outside
to keep trouble makers at bay.
We hope to complete the build by next weekend.
This will allow me to commence working on the new design
of the garden, which is to the left of the run.
Things need to be rearranged, but the run has to be finished first. 


We lost our beloved Ruby last week.
She was such a sweet and gentle soul.
We think the culprit was water belly,
of which I knew very little.
Unfortunately, it is a condition that has no cure.
We miss you dearly, sweet girl,
but know that we'll see you again someday.


I hope you'll share what's happening on your homestead.




Tuesday, February 20, 2024

A Twist on Gratitude

 


Every...

step forward,
joyful sprouted seedling,
morning of stillness,
noontime church bell ringing clearly,
soothing cup of tea,

IS
        A
                         GIFT.


Your turn...

Friday, February 9, 2024

Homestead Happenings

 


Winter sowing is under way!
As you can see, the butter crunch lettuce is coming up.
It’s amazing to me how well this method works.
When the seeds are ready, they germinate,
and since they are already outside,
there is no need for hardening off the plants.
Read more about Winter Sowing here.


These potatoes had been saved from our last harvest 
and placed in a paper sack in my closet for safe keeping.
As you may be able to tell, they want to grow.
Far be it for me to stand in the way!


 Three planting rings were created using chicken wire.
These rings had been used a couple of years ago for growing potatoes.
I decided to use this method again,
since these needed to be planted quickly.
Another batch of spuds will be planted in a few weeks
using the Ruth Stout method of growing in straw.


A few buckets of homemade compost
await behind the shed for use later in the season.
It’s wonderful having a space for all of the garden materials.


This handy-dandy sled helps me get loads delivered,
while saving my back from heavy lifting.
A piece of baling twine was strung through two holes drilled into the end of this bin,
which was given to me by a neighbor.
A scrap section of old hose makes a great handle.
This simple tool gets used all the time,
and makes moving things around so much easier.
I am reluctant to ask for help,
so this little set up works well for me.


The (repurposed) bags filled with shredded leaves
finally made it to the back of the property.
In the fall, we used our backpack shredder
to tidy up both our yard, and our neighbors'.
It seems there were more dropped leaves 
than usual last year.
Did you experience that as well?
The bounty will be used in the garden as mulch,
to keep the soil covered.


It’s early February, but the daffodils are already showing signs of awakening.
Several neighbors have actual blooms already.
Unless we get blasted with a late freeze,
We should be having an early colorful spring!


Sedums have become one of my favorite plants.
They are coming back after a somewhat fickle winter.
The constant shift in temperatures didn’t seem to affect them one bit.
I see a few more in my future.


Chilly temperatures kept me inside one morning last week,
so I took the opportunity to clean and sharpen my favorite pruners.
These get used almost daily, 
and it was worth the trouble to dismantle them and give them a thorough scrub.
Here’s a video on the process.


On most rainy days, you’ll find me in the kitchen baking.
I’m not sure what it is about the inclement weather,
but it encourages me to create comforting foods.
These gf pecan sandies got tweaked by the addition of chocolate chips.
My favorite chocolate brand, Hu, is the cleanest sweet treat I’ve found.
Read more here.


The same sugar free chips were used in these
pumpkin muffins.
I usually make these in the fall,
but somehow didn’t get around to it last season.
Ah well, my tummy is none the wiser.
You can find both of these recipes underneath my header
listed as “Scratch Recipes “ or “Allergy-Friendly Recipes “.
(The pumpkin muffin recipe was made gluten free
by subbing out the white flour with a combination of oat and almond flours.)


A friend shared with me this milled flour,
made from ancient grains.
I've learned over the past year or so,
that my eczema is aggravated by gluten,
so I've mostly avoided it.
The transition to gf products has not been diffiicult,
as I've been cooking and baking that way for years for my boy.
This flour is tolerated by some who have a 
gluten sensitivity, so I thought I would give it a go.
This upcoming rainy weekend may find me baking homemade bread to enjoy.
Fingers crossed.

What's happening on your homestead?