The chicken garden

I started seeds in our house a while back. When they were less tender, I moved them to the green house to live with the chickens. I read about how carbon monoxide from chickens helps plants to grow better.

I placed wire over the hens to protect the plants.

Several days later I found 3 hens had learned to climb through the wire. They ate all the new plants. They also ate down a rose bush in the larger pot in the back. This was sad because it is a start of the wild rose bush from my great, great grandparent's property in West Virginia. I think I was most upset about that. I am hoping it comes back to life.

Do you have these in your kitchen?

My friend posted her recipe for "Banana pancakes". I tried it. It is super tasty. Eggs, bananas ans vanilla are the only ingredients.
In a bowl mix 3 eggs to every 1 banana. Add 1/2 tsp vanilla (optional). A blender would work well.
Stir the mixture before scooping onto hot griddle. It tends to separate.
Enjoy! The above picture is with a plain yogurt/honey mixture. They taste like banana bread, and have the texture of a firm crepe. They are very sweet. Taste them before you even think of adding syrup.

Warning: Do not tell your children they are pancakes.

Our kiddo's were disappointed. They expected pancakes with syrup. Different was not "Good".

"But I didn't want it to happen"

"But I didn't want it to happen" Luke says to me.

I'd sent him out with a garbage bag earlier in the day. A while later we stumble upon this mess.
A good teaching moment for sure. Especially about doing things proper the first time. I felt really bad for Luke. He does not like sticky, dirty things. But it was good for him to clean up all the garbage.

He now reports back to me after taking out the garbage. "Mama, I put the bag ALL the way in the garbage and shut the shed door"

A good idea

We used a rubbermaid tote and cut holes in the top for ventilation. Within 2 weeks we knew it was not going to work any longer. Chickens stink. Even if you change the litter and wash the inside.

So off to the garage. Until the garage stench became so strong it wafted into the house. We had to get them out. I was thinking about the green house. It would stay warm, had electricity, and would be safe from predators. I couldn't figure out how to make it work.

Thanks to Elisha, an idea was born. I had to come up with materials. Since it is temporary, I used what I could find. It works well. But holding up the "Coop" is cardboard, duck tape, a washing machine drip pan, and wire taken from around a tree. It's like a homeless shelter for chickens.

Chickens

They are finally here. I have planned for chickens for several years now. We have 11 Barred Plymouth Rock and one Red sex link. We had to return one of the original chicks. All the feed store had left was Red sex link. So that is how we acquired "Goldy".

Goldy is Luke's chick. Luke just adores her. He carries her all over the yard.

Our family decided to let Chloe and Lilly name some chicks too. When I asked Chloe, she told me she wanted her chick to be named "Chicky". A good solid chicken name. I probably would have chosen the same when I was her age.

Then there was Lilly. She said she wanted to name her chick "Princess Leia" because "Luke likes Star Wars". I thought she said "Princess Lay-er". I asked if she had said "Lay-er". She started cracking up! I love when children are mature enough to understand that something is funny.

She was stern and serious with me the other day on the phone. She wanted to make sure it was "Leia" and not "Lay-er". She then told me she would name another "Lucky Charms".

Snow is no joke here

We've lived in Oregon most of our lives. We thought we knew about snow. Well...we didn't really. This is from 2 days of snow. 18 inches of wet, heavy snow. Our new driveway is more than 10 acres long. It took Ryan 2 days of scooping with the tractor to get us out! But I don't think he minded too much.

Funny when they're two. Not cute when they are older.

Pouting...I do not know where she picked it up. This is one of the first times she did it. It is also one of the last times she did it.

Snow day, and some pictures of our land

This is where the property begins. Our land is set 5 acres off a road, down a hill.

This is our large pond, and front pasture at the begining of the property.

This is the gate access to the pond.

This is a view from the driveway down to the lower pasture. The fence line is the boundary. At this point the property levels out.

This is one of the bigger trees on the property.

This is a picture of Luke next to the big tree, from the back side.

This is looking down the driveway. The lower pasture is on the right.

This is the gate access to the upper pastures. Behind Luke is the garden area, then the drop to the lower land.

This picture is facing the front of the barn. To the left is the garden, then the lower pasture. To the right is the two upper pastures.

This is the small pond in the front yard.

This is a picture of the driveway close to the house. From left to right: the house, wood shed, shop and in front of the shop, the RV storage. The driveway is on the boundary line. Our property is the two pastures on the left. Where the house sits is the other boundary line. Just past it is a private owned, large acre parcel. It is thick with evergreen trees and maples.

The Back yard.

"Please don't"... Instruction on some less common table manners

Please don't eat the mystery food from the booster seat.

Please don't put your feet on the table.

Please don't pretend there are tiny screaming people on the piece of broccoli and then eat them like you are a giant...at the table.

How to make your parents laugh

Ask Mom to sit on Dad's lap.

A globe for Christmas

This year, Luke asked Santa for a globe.

"A globe?" Repeated mall Santa.

"Yes." Said Luke.

"Do you know what that is?" Said mall Santa.

"Yes. It is a small earth that spins around and you can look and find Africa and Kodiak Island! Do you know about Kodiak Island? I will go there to fish with my Dad and Uncle B when I am older." Said Luke.

Mall Santa asked Ryan and I to come over. He said no child had ever asked him for a globe. He said he has been a santa for a long time. He thought it was neat that a 5 year old was interested in the earth, and traveling.

Thank you Uncle Oby and Auntie Josie!

Grandpa's Fort

During Christmas this last year. The washer and dryer went out. So a couple of days before Christmas, we went shopping and bought a new set. Of course there was a wonderfully large box. So Grandpa took his knife out and made a fort for Luke and Daphne. I really don't know who had more fun? What do you think?