Michigan

[BackyardFarmMom]

I don't want to give the men on this thread any ideas, but my husband just came home with a Doctor's note saying he can't do his honey-do list.

This is taking it to new levels, I think.

Seriously though, the poor guy. Both of arms are bright red, swollen and weeping with poison ivy blisters from wrist to elbow. I had asked him to cut down some dead trees in one of the tree lines and we were going to clean that area out for a clothes line. We knew there was poison ivy in there, but didn't realize how bad. He wore gloves and long sleeved shirt and washed as soon as he was done but it wasn't enough. Poor guy is miserable so he went to the Doctor today to get the shot and steroid cream he gets every year when this happens one way or another and the doctor told him he'd not recommend him finishing that particular project. LOL!

Next time... not sure it would help now... On Mythbusters they poured vodka on the parts of their bodies exposed to poison ivy!! It worked. He should probably take a swig then take a vodka shower

... If you are thinking of setting that area on fire (as I would, I hate being itchy) DON'T you can inhale poison ivy and get it in your lungs and stomach (My grandma did that. She thought she would have the last laugh... she did not)

Gee, I love acidity loving plants, gives me something to do with all these coffee grounds I produce!

That is what I need to start doing with my bf's coffee grounds! We bought 2 blueberry bushes because we heard you need more than one because they do not self pollinate. Roses love them and banana peels!!!

 

[swampducks]

Finally, I caught up, been running around like a chicken with my head cut off

the last few days. Last week is now officially this year's week from hell. After the chicks dying and my dog gone missing and essentially imprisoned, on Friday night a very good friend, next door neighbor and bestest dog buddy in this village died suddenly. Everyone is in shock and sort of floundering around. I still can't freakin' believe it.

 

[RaZ]

Gee, I love acidity loving plants, gives me something to do with all these coffee grounds I produce!

Coffee grounds are good, just not what you may have been led to believe.
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda chalker-scott/horticultural myths_files/Myths/Coffee grounds.pdf

I use a pH metre for all my flower beds, pots and compost. My personal experience is that coffee grounds are not near as acidic as one might think. I'm not positive how soil pH varies in soil, but it does vary in water through the day. Not large swings, mind you but a few tenths of a point on the scale.

 

[1muttsfan]

Swampducks, so sorry to hear that

 

[Opa]

Wow you'd better have a good grip on your hat if you go outside. Supposedly the wind is going to abate around 8pm. I certainly hope so.

Taprock For the coconut cream cheese pound cake you will need to first prepare the coconut a day or two before. Mix a 16oz package of coconut with one can of coconut milk and refrigerate. The will give you enough prepared coconut for 3 cakes.

Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

1/2 cup softened butter 1/2 cup shortening
1 8oz package cream cheese 3 cups sugar
6 large eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp basing soda 1/4 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups of prepared coconut 1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp coconut flavoring

Beat butter, shortening, and cream cheese at medium speed for 2 minutes or until creamy
Gradually add sugar, beating 5 to 7 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition until yellow color disappears.

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in coconut, vanilla, and coconut flavorings.

Pour batter into greased and flour 10" tube or Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 30 to 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in to center comes out clean.

Cool in pan on a wire rack to 10-15 minutes; remove from pan, and cool completely on wire rack.

After cake has cooled dust with powdered confectionery sugar. Sometime we make a chocolate frosting (dark chocolate chips, butter, milk, and confectionery sugar) and drizzle it heavily over cake while the frosting is still warm.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Swampducks... That is terrible!

Is that your dogs roaming buddy? Hope it didn't have anything to do with your cranky neighbor...

Are any of you mushroom hunters???? Look what I found in my yard!!!! Are these real morels?

 

[EeyoreD]

Oh swampducks, I'm so sorry.

Raz, which of those wet foot trees grow the fastest and throw the most shade? (except the willow, I don't want one of those)

Olive, you're going to have to catch everything yourself, I don't want poison ick on my fowl!

I feel bad for your husband, I remember when I was a kid my mom sent me, my dad and my brother out to clear some sort of vine off the tree in front of our new house. I don't know what the heck it was but all three of us suffered terribly. My eyes were nearly swollen shut for 3 days and my brother and I were fighting over the witch hazel and who got to lay in front of the fan.

Opa that cake sounds FANTASTIC! I imagine with the dark chocolate frosting it tastes like a Mounds bar.

 

[Opa]

Swampducks... That is terrible!

Is that your dogs roaming buddy? Hope it didn't have anything to do with your cranky neighbor...

Are any of you mushroom hunters???? Look what I found in my yard!!!! Are these real morels?

Yep

 

[sarah92480]

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What are some dos and don'ts of coop building? Just downloaded google sketchups!!! Gonna get to sketchin'!!!

I downloaded that program, and I must be a total moron because I could NOT figure out how to use it. lol

We had some beautiful weather yesterday! Got all the orchids outside along with the banana tree!!!

You have a banana tree? In MIchigan?? I want one!


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Olive - Where are you located? And how much space would those turkeys need coop wise?
I finished my quilt. It's called Precious Peeps. I figured it was appropriate from the crazy chick aunt to be. I've thought of making a few to sell but not sure on that.

Super cute!! I love quilts...always wanted to make one by hand some time, the old fashioned way, but I don't think I'm good enough at sewing by hand for that.

If I had the room... And I didn't worry about the wild toms that were in my yard all the time in the mornings before I let my chickens and ducks out... LOL.

I was going to get some BBWs to raise for dinner, but my Mom is adamant that we don't have turkeys too. She says the chickens are bad enough. I am almost tempted to ask my sister if my mom can have her trailer home when she moves to TX this summer. LOL. BUT, that would mean 2 yards to mow, 2 houses to shop for... BUT, I could also just cook all her meals for the week, and put them in the freezer... Oh... them temptation. THEN I would worry she'd get depressed and croak on me because she wouldn't have the kids to keep her irritated.

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Peanut butter and coffee no bakes...

I am TOTALLY making these. I love no bakes!! And coffee! lol


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OH! Has anyone tried the Pink Lemonade Blueberries? I saw them at TSC today, and am considering 2 bushes. There are blueberry fields across the street... SO, I would guess my soil would be good. I need acidic, so I can have it tested to see... Well anyway, I am interested, but thought I'd ask if anyone else has tried them yet. AND how long/many years would it be before they bare fruit? I know nothing in this regard. And yes... I have a computer and can just research it... BUT I figure RaZ will know.

I saw those too, thought they were cool. I picture them tasting like pink lemonade but I'm sure they don't, lol. I planted a blueberry bush last spring and it's still a mere twig. I tried to acidify the soil some but I don't think it was enough. Does anyone know if I could dig around it and throw some pine needles (or some other acidic additive) into the soil? Would that make any difference at this point?


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P.S. I had a perennial exchange last year, and may do so again if I stop being overwhelmed here, it would probably be in May sometime if I manage it. You should come. And anyone else who may want to, but Nova is the only one that I know is pretty close.

Tell me more!!

 

[1muttsfan]

Opa, yum. I am going to try that too.

Those look like white morels. Yum again.

Snowing sideways here