Consolidated Kansas

[chicken danz]

I was thinking reading about your cattails Sunflower, that if a person had a chipper/shredder if they got some that it would make really nice stuff regardless of any stocks. As long as it wasn't one that cut it too fine. I do think you should ask for a donation though because your boyfriend is burning up gas to rnow that stuff. It's so dry here I think my cattails may have actually died. There were huge bunches of them on one end of my pond but 2 years without much rain and they didn't even grow this summer.

I have at least 3 Swedish flower hens hatched. I looked in the incubator with a flashlight and the one I saw has a crest. I saw 2 other open eggs in there so I know there were more. I'm trying not to disturb them until they are all hatched and dry. Wish me luck with these!
I've got to get busy around here this afternoon and get some cleaning done. I have the kids and families coming next weekend and that means I've got to get organized and try to keep it that way. Of course knowing me I won't get it done until Friday night.
I'd like to get the yard cleaned too but that won't happen. That darned pup will drag anything I pick up right back out again.
My daughter who lives in Austin has really lucked out this year on weather. Last year their weather was like ours, but this year they have had cooler temperatures and rain. They had some major heat the last couple days and she lost one of her favorite hens. Her birds are all like very dear pets and loosing one would be like loosing a dog or a cat to most people.
I am kind of concerned about getting more expensive breeds for that reason. If I loose a $50-$100 bird that's a lot worse than loosing a $3-$10 bird. It sure would be nice if I knew what the weather would be like for the next few years.

 

[medawinks]

The homemade pantry book I bought is at this link

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/030788726X

I have made quite a bit of it this summer and hope to learn how to time manage/ energy manage to continue through the school year. Everything we have made has been fun to make together. I have my kids all help in the kitchen and meal prep and clean up is truly a family chore/ positive time together. The rush of school schedules limits that during the week for us though. So I also us onceamonthmom.com for the whole foods recipes and sometimes the others as well. I too struggle with knowing what I have and getting it thawed etc... But this year my oldest and I have put a google calendar together with our meals and recipes so that we know what we made and see it on the calendar to get out to thaw.... I am hoping it helps.

I also love to try new things from cooking blogs. We make a new recipe each week and decide if it is a keeper or a reject. It makes it fun. The kids live to take "secret ballots". I do enjoy cooking. It was a special time for me as a kid to spend with my grandmother. Of course she also cooked with whole foods, not premade mixes, so that may very well have been where the seed was planted for me

I honestly had never eaten lentils except in a mixed bean stew. I bought some yesterday and it is on the plan for today's cooking. ( I generally do the bulk of the weeks cooking on Sunday afternoons- shop on Sat That kibble sounds perfect to pack in a school lunch thermos. My littles love rice and tomatoes for all their meals too!

I went out this morning hoping to see an egg from someone besides our little Bloom. Nothing. I think I am going nuts waiting to see what colors and sizes each of the birds will lay. I have a 22 week old BO, D'uccle, white rock, ameracauna, 2 EE's and 2 BCMs. Someone should start soon!! They are all red in the face and noisier....

 

[medawinks]

Well... The link won't seem to work on tapatalk ( from my phone)

Here is a pic of it. I ordered mine on kindle.

And if this link will work, this is the link to the author's blog. I have only made a few things from here, but they were all keepers.
http://www.eatingfromthegroundup.com/recipes/

 

[chicken danz]

I think the heat is probably keeping your girls from starting. It has that effect. Just give it some cooler days and you'll wonder how you are going to use all those eggs.
I love to cook big holiday meals and those things that take forever to get done. But I absolutely hate with a passion the idea of rushing some fast meal after a days work. I run out of ideas and DH is a bit of a picky eater. I would live on fish and fresh fruits and veggies if I had my choice but he likes high carb, high fat crap. After my kids all left home I just let him take over the cooking. I fix any special meals and once in a while I make something when he is working for when he gets home. I like making soups and stews. I love baking deserts but then I end up eating 90% of it ....because it is there.
Freezer meals don't work well with me. I forget they are there and then they get frost burnt. I should be a little more proactive in that I'm sure. I guess once I no longer feel I have to have a dozen frozen pop bottles full of ice in the freezer I could make room for more food.
Medawinks I'm still not sure weather that buff laced polish is a roo or a hen. It is in that really awkward stage right now. I keep hoping to determine he's a she so I can give the kids another chicken. When is Sera's next surgery scheduled by the way?

 

[cityhick]

Does anyone know where I can find some frizzles near Topeka?. I would prefer crested. Is anyone going to the swap meet at the north Topeka tractor supply Co next Sunday the 19th?

 

[medawinks]

We made Kibble today . Keeper!! My two little ones will be eating this in their lunch boxes too, since it was even good cold. I never knew I would like lentils. I will have to try the other recipe with bananas and pineapple.

Danz, I understand about freezer burn. I am so hoping our new system will keep us on track on crazy evenings, which sound like will be daily... Between marching band, chorale, soccer and music lessons, it is going to be crazy.

Sera will have her next surgery the first week of Oct. She is a little trooper for them. She was out with me this evening trying to talk the chickens into laying eggs .

We just remodeled bedrooms, so that while she and Aubri still share a big bedroom, visually they are very personal spaces. Sera wanted light aqua blue walls and grass green floor. We are painting bamboo on her walls and she has pandas everywhere. Her carpet is actually artificial turf. Her lighting is little and big white Asian lanterns. She requested all of it and has just had a blast having a "space" all of her own that she doesn't have to share . My oldest has dark purple floors, medium purple walls, brushed metal full size futon bunk and white twinkly lights everywhere. We are going to tile a Stone path through the entry and though Sera's space to the closets. It looks like a garden path even now They are starting the school year with their own places to study and relax. Not so easy with a freshman and a second grader in the same space.They both are so happy.... And mom is worn out!

No eggs today, except for our constant little pink egg Bloom leaves us. Maybe they listened to Sera and we will find some tomorrow though

 

[medawinks]

Jamaican meat pies and Irish hand pies..... Those sound interesting!

I love little Fern! Thank you for sharing her cuteness!!! These GPs are all so photogenic and just exude an air of gentle intelligence. Someday..... Owning one is on my bucket list!

Sera is wanting to show her silkies next year at the fair Danz . If the "bed head" is a pullet, she will be so thrilled! Andy will too! Thank you so much! They talk about you and your birds every time they see a peacock or a duck Sera was telling Topaz tonight that her "bird zoo momma" wasn't going to be very proud of her if she doesn't lay eggs. I had to laugh as I reminded her that Topaz wouldn't be laying eggs for another few months. She so wants her and our splash to lay eggs like Blooms so that she only eats pink eggs . I love this age!

 

[HEChicken]

We made Kibble today . Keeper!! My two little ones will be eating this in their lunch boxes too, since it was even good cold. I never knew I would like lentils. I will have to try the other recipe with bananas and pineapple.
Danz, I understand about freezer burn. I am so hoping our new system will keep us on track on crazy evenings, which sound like will be daily... Between marching band, chorale, soccer and music lessons, it is going to be crazy.
Sera will have her next surgery the first week of Oct. She is a little trooper for them. She was out with me this evening trying to talk the chickens into laying eggs .
We just remodeled bedrooms, so that while she and Aubri still share a big bedroom, visually they are very personal spaces. Sera wanted light aqua blue walls and grass green floor. We are painting bamboo on her walls and she has pandas everywhere. Her carpet is actually artificial turf. Her lighting is little and big white Asian lanterns. She requested all of it and has just had a blast having a "space" all of her own that she doesn't have to share . My oldest has dark purple floors, medium purple walls, brushed metal full size futon bunk and white twinkly lights everywhere. We are going to tile a Stone path through the entry and though Sera's space to the closets. It looks like a garden path even now They are starting the school year with their own places to study and relax. Not so easy with a freshman and a second grader in the same space.They both are so happy.... And mom is worn out!
No eggs today, except for our constant little pink egg Bloom leaves us. Maybe they listened to Sera and we will find some tomorrow though

I'm so glad you liked the Kibble. I'm eager to try the one with fruit too

You are an awesome mom to be able to make each of the girls their own space - you sound very creative. I am NOT when it comes to decorating. I did my kids' rooms when they were little from matching components I was able to buy at Kohl's. They had wall borders and curtains/valances and light switch covers and comforter sets in various themes so I got those and then painted their rooms a color to match their theme and felt very pleased with myself but what you did sounds so much more creative and fun.

 

[HEChicken]

Well, it only took the fox 3 weeks to find us and the mice about 2 months. Sheesh. I thought I'd get more of a break than that. So I'm going to try to get some Buckeyes since none of my birds seems inclined to do anything about it. When things settle down later this week, I might also try taking the cat down to the coop in the evenings. He is a little afraid of the birds so doesn't like to be locked in the coop but if I sit there with him and he gets a whiff of a mouse, he'll be more inclined to stay there and try to catch some. He's a pretty good mouser once he gets over his fear of the birds. Still, having some buckeyes on the job during the day to help his night-time efforts would be a good thing. I haven't heard anyone on here mention having Buckeyes but if anyone does, please let me know. Otherwise I guess I'll have to order some Buckeye hatching eggs and hope for the best on incubating them.

 

[cherwill]

We made Kibble today . Keeper!! My two little ones will be eating this in their lunch boxes too, since it was even good cold. I never knew I would like lentils. I will have to try the other recipe with bananas and pineapple.
Danz, I understand about freezer burn. I am so hoping our new system will keep us on track on crazy evenings, which sound like will be daily... Between marching band, chorale, soccer and music lessons, it is going to be crazy.
Sera will have her next surgery the first week of Oct. She is a little trooper for them. She was out with me this evening trying to talk the chickens into laying eggs .
We just remodeled bedrooms, so that while she and Aubri still share a big bedroom, visually they are very personal spaces. Sera wanted light aqua blue walls and grass green floor. We are painting bamboo on her walls and she has pandas everywhere. Her carpet is actually artificial turf. Her lighting is little and big white Asian lanterns. She requested all of it and has just had a blast having a "space" all of her own that she doesn't have to share . My oldest has dark purple floors, medium purple walls, brushed metal full size futon bunk and white twinkly lights everywhere. We are going to tile a Stone path through the entry and though Sera's space to the closets. It looks like a garden path even now They are starting the school year with their own places to study and relax. Not so easy with a freshman and a second grader in the same space.They both are so happy.... And mom is worn out!
No eggs today, except for our constant little pink egg Bloom leaves us. Maybe they listened to Sera and we will find some tomorrow though

I sure hope those chickens listen to Sera! Her and Aubri's room sounds really neat.