Maine

[superchemicalgirl]

Thanks for teaching me how to can, Ash. Apple-Cranberry Jam today.

Might make another batch of that tomorrow, and I'll try to dice the apples instead of food processing them into strips so they're prettier. Gotta make some bread now to go with it for breakfast tomorrow.

 

[hoppy]

beautiful

Thanks for teaching me how to can, Ash. Apple-Cranberry Jam today.

Might make another batch of that tomorrow, and I'll try to dice the apples instead of food processing them into strips so they're prettier. Gotta make some bread now to go with it for breakfast tomorrow.

 

[gracejr]

That jam looks delicious! Even with the strips.


Hoping the rain holds off enough tomorrow to finally go apple picking with the kids. Any favorite recipes, things I just MUST make?


Also, thoughts on using an extension cord to the coop? For a water heater of some sort and lighting in there on a timer. Would be an outdoor type cord, hooked into an inside outlet. No garage or outside receptacles in this house. Outlet would not be GFCI. And... favorite water heaters? We have one of the big metal waterers from TSC, I do *not* want to be hauling my big pregnant self out there constantly with fresh water!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

That jam looks delicious! Even with the strips.

Hoping the rain holds off enough tomorrow to finally go apple picking with the kids. Any favorite recipes, things I just MUST make?
Also, thoughts on using an extension cord to the coop? For a water heater of some sort and lighting in there on a timer. Would be an outdoor type cord, hooked into an inside outlet. No garage or outside receptacles in this house. Outlet would not be GFCI. And... favorite water heaters? We have one of the big metal waterers from TSC, I do *not* want to be hauling my big pregnant self out there constantly with fresh water!

I use an extension cord out to the coop, but it is run from an outdoor outlet. I run it above ground so it doesnt get damaged by pecking, stepping, etc. I use the heated water base with a big metal waterer. It gets changed every other day.

We always make apple crisp, new recipe this year (I skipped the cranberry part):

Preheat oven to 350

3/4 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup brandy, boiling
Soak cranberries in brandy for 20 minutes to rehydrate. Drain.

4 lbs granny smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch slices
3/4 cup maple syrup
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp all purpose flour
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
Toss with rehydrated cranberries.
Transfer to 9 x13 baking dish.

1 & 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 sticks cold unsalted butter, diced
Whisk together first 4 ingredients. Cut butter into mixture until butter is pea-sized.

3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Mix into flour and butter mixture with hands until thoroughly combined. Cover apple mixture with streusel and bake for 50 minutes or until apples are tender. Let cool for 30 minutes before serving.


I also really like this recipe for apple butter and will probably make some of that this year again, too.

 

[hoppy]

I use an outdoor extension cord and run it above the ground in the trees. I have a timer attached to the lights in the coop with a splitter and have my outdoor dog bowl which turns on if the temp drops below 30degrees.
and my favorite apple recipe, is crockpot apple crisp.

That jam looks delicious! Even with the strips.

Hoping the rain holds off enough tomorrow to finally go apple picking with the kids. Any favorite recipes, things I just MUST make?
Also, thoughts on using an extension cord to the coop? For a water heater of some sort and lighting in there on a timer. Would be an outdoor type cord, hooked into an inside outlet. No garage or outside receptacles in this house. Outlet would not be GFCI. And... favorite water heaters? We have one of the big metal waterers from TSC, I do *not* want to be hauling my big pregnant self out there constantly with fresh water!

 

[buckabucka]

This year we plan to do the extension cord. Not sure how we're going to rig it up exactly. I like the heated dog bowls. I think it holds a gallon+.

I want to make some of those individual apple pie servings in canning jars that you once posted, SCG. I love cooked apples. Great weekend for cooking. I also have a very crazy experiment going here: I am attempting to make a nest box of sorts using cornstalks. I don't expect it to last, but if I can figure out how to put it together, it will be pretty.

 

[ScienceTchr]

What are these heated dog bowls? We want to do something heated for this year for the girls so we don't have to chop ice and refill constantly.

Last winter we ran a heat lamp in the coop just running an extension cord. This year we'll nix the heat lamp (I read here I think that is is better to let them adjust to the cold) but we'll put a light on a timer in the coop.

Our girls rarely go out in the winter - is there a trick to getting them outside? I feel bad that they stay in their coop all winter but it is by choice, they just have such a nice big run it would be nice to see them use it and get some fresh air in the winter.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Our girls rarely go out in the winter - is there a trick to getting them outside? I feel bad that they stay in their coop all winter but it is by choice, they just have such a nice big run it would be nice to see them use it and get some fresh air in the winter.

I have a few that prefer to stay indoors, but the majority of the flock goes out most of the day. I generally only have to coax them out after it snows. You have to shovel, because they won't jump out into a white abyss. I shovel about 10% of the (big) run that I have for them in winter. Then I put down hay or shavings from the coop right outside the pop door so they can see it is indeed safe ground. Sometimes if they need a lot of coaxing I throw sunflower seeds or scratch into the shavings/hay. I also put a bowl of food outside each morning when I open the pop door, regardless of season - in the winter I use hot water to soften it, it gives them another reason to come out and something to play with, because when it's really cold it freezes, then they peck it all day. I also shovel to the turtle sandbox and open it on nice days. They love to dustbathe in there, especially when the ground is frozen in winter.

Hope these give you some ideas.

Edited to add: we're making apple pancakes for breakfast, today. Those are divine, too.

 

[Mainechick168]

I always make apple crisp, but for a change this year I made apple upside down cake- very good for a change!!

 

[ashandvine]

My new favorite is cranberry crisp.

I have been considering something another woman does and has for years. I am not sold on it but will share here. Maybe you all can tear it apart where my tired brain will not.
She takes a milk crate and lines it with screen or mesh. She then puts it over a small light bulb or heating bulb under the crate and on top of that she puts the large waterer. The waterer holds it all down, the mesh keeps shavings and critters out, the light provides enough heat for the water not to freeze and a little for the coop. It may be on a timer. I do not know. I have been considering these horse or dog dishes as well. One woman I know uses a cookie sheet warmer. I am not fond of running electricity out there. I only need to for one coop but its still a pain. I also have to find a way to direct the water I slosh out when emptying these waterers for cleaning away from the barn doors so I don't have mount saint ice at the door. I have been assured the water in the barn basement does not freeze. Now to worry about winter boredom.... for the chickens too.

SCG... you aren't cooking your apples a bit before putting them in your jars?? If you are shredding them and they are still looking like apple worms after you have processed I would recommend that you cook your batch of jam in the pot and either blend heavily before ladling into jars or precook your apples a bit so they dissolve. I don't think the pieces are unattractive but if you are shooting for a different aesthetic there are easy ways to achieve them. The bright color and apple strings lends me to think maybe you aren't cooking it quite long enough as cranberries go very dark when they are cooked and apples tend to become saucy/pulp.

Hoppy, yes I was asking about the loud noises of a show. The small one at the fair was quiet but knowing how big this one at Windsor will be I was concerned that there would be a LOT of crowing going on and then all those people. I am asking my family to consider coming with me. My son is getting more and more into chicken information and he enjoyed the show at the fair with me so it will at least be me and he and baby. I would like (I think) all of us to go... but I might regret that later. Three kids, two adults and a baby. Not sure how we will all fit down the aisles but I am excited to see the birds DONE WELL.