Wordless Wednesday

The Maple Hill Hop 39

Welcome to 
The Maple Hill Hop,
where we share our outdoor posts, 
no matter the season.
Grab the button and join on in!

Last week we shared our adventure with these visitors
to our deed-restricted suburban neighborhood,
where the HOA tries to run your life
livestock is not permitted.

Neighbors had noticed them criss-crossing the street,
going from yard to yard scratching for juicy morsels
in the way of bugs, worms and other underground treats.

I knew it was just a matter of time before someone called the paddy wagon
to come and pick them up.
We enjoyed watching them forage in our yard,
knowing that since we don't use chemicals,
they'd have a safe place to find some scrumptious fare.

The experience also helped me visualize 
what our life will be like
when we have chickens of our own.
I think this is God's way of telling me
to hang in there, it won't be long now.
It's been difficult having our house on the market,
then off, and now deciding to put it back on
so that we can move forward with our plans to relocate further north
and find a place where chicks are part of the neighborhood landscape.

This whole adventure was so timely.
Just the week before, 
I had listed some plants I had to give away
on Craig's List.
I had over 20 responses to the ad.
What are the chances that the woman I chose to call back first
has chickens, among other critters on her farm?
So, when I couldn't get the chickens corralled,
who do you think I called?

It took two days,
but after following Ms. Rita's suggestions,
I lured the chicks into the patio with bread.
There they stayed safe-n-sound until she came to get them.

Even Lil' Guy, who is usually quite leery about new experiences,
enjoyed watching their antics.
I have to say, never having been close to chickens,
I was quite proud that I managed to wrangle two of the three myself.

Ms. Rita said that they were a bit on the thin side,
so she will remedy that ASAP.
I'm so glad that they ended up here,
and knowing they will have a loving home made it easier to say goodbye.

Ms. Rita even invited us to come and visit them,
as her farm is in the next town.
Thankfully, there are folks like Ms. Rita 
who have enough love in their hearts to care for critters
who are injured or have been abandoned.
What a generous soul she is.
Blessings, chickies!

What's going on outside where you are?
HOP ON!

An InLinkz Link-up

Colorful Crape Myrtle

Crape Myrtles are exploding with color here in Central Florida right now.



Everywhere we travel around town,
a sea of subtle hues greet us.
These lovely trees dot the landscape from
South Florida all the way up to northern Virgina,
with new varieties being created to withstand more northern conditions.
It seems everyone loves this fantastic bloomer.

In a spectrum of color ranging from crisp white
to deep, dark magenta blooms,
any homeowner can find the perfect shade to add to the garden.

Enjoying full sun, these beauties will keep the flowers coming
through the summer and even into the fall months.

   
Included in the list of Florida-friendly plants,
we have several growing 
in our low-maintenance backyard garden.
Bees and butterflies alike enjoy them almost year-round.




There are a few volunteers in our back bed that need transplanting.
I just love a plant that keeps on giving!

Crape Myrtles can be grown as a shrub,
or if well-pruned, make graceful trees,
allowing the handsome bark to be featured.

With moderate watering needed,
these trees are as easy to care for,
as they are to behold.

We were happy to spy them on vacation in North Carolina,
so we know that when we make our move,
we'll be able to grow them on our property there.
They add a welcoming feeling to any homestead.

Crape Myrtles are one of the best things 
about living in the South.

Here's an informative article about this Southern staple.

Thrifty Thursday-Lean, Clean Washing Machine

We've had our washing machine for going on 9 years now.
We bought this washer/dryer duo when we moved into our house.
They have worked well for us,
and we plan to take them with us when we relocate later in the year.

We maintain our own machines whenever possible
and it seemed like a good idea to clean it out to keep it running well.
After completing this easy task,
we will probably end up doing it once a year from now on.

Some front-loaders have a small panel on the front of the machine,
but ours is inside the main panel.
We referred to our owner's manual to find out how to take it apart.

Big K took out the three screws holding the panel in place.

The first thing we did was wipe down the rubber liner that surrounds the opening.

After pulling it back, we found a potholder wedged in there.
If you're missing socks or other small items,
chances are, you'll find 'em here.

Here's what it looks like without the panel.
The small white tube with the twist-off cover is where we focused our attention next.

As it was loosened, a little water came out of the tube.
We used some rags to soak up the moisture,
and only untwisted it a bit at a time.

If you're eating right now,
you may not want to see what comes next.
Consider yourself warned.

When the cover was taken out of the tube,
this was what we found.
Years of lint, fiber and other debris had encased itself on the interior of the tube.
There was even a broken rubberband,
and jammed deeper inside the tube,
Big K found a fabric nametag that had come off of one of his shirts.
We were amazed that the machine has worked as well as it has
with all that gunk in there.

Here's what the tube looked like after a cleaning.
We just screwed it back in the tube
and replaced the panel.

We also plan to clean behind the machines,
with special attention to the lint hose behind the dryer.
 Taking care of appliances can help them last longer,
saving money, time and aggravation.
Being proactive is always easier, no matter the task.

Ready for the next load!

Wordless Wednesday