Seriously, there are five other nests, girls. I know this is typical hen behavior, and I have seen two of my hens trying to lay in the same nest box before, but three? Chaos. After the picture they all were lifted out to get some air and treats. Later, my eldest found three eggs in the box, so they managed to all eventually lay there.
We’ve upped our container gardening this year, and bought a water tank to use as a raised bed. It goes with the “modern farmhouse” theme of our property, and is easier to reach and tend. My husband set it up, and I’ve planted aspire melons and basil seed (because that is what I grow best) and set up the watering system. I poked some onion seeds in, but I don’t have high hopes for those (because they aren’t basil). The green in the middle is a basil plant I picked up at the hardware store, since I had a late start putting in the seeds.
The strawberries are trying to put out fruit. I put up a gate around some of the patch, with hopes that I will get to the ripe berries before other critters.
I relocated the fancy pots to the front porch, and thought I would put in some pretty flowers, then a lavender plant caught my eye, and I remembered that my rosemary plant didn’t survive the freeze, so they turned into herb pots rather than flower pots. The big pot I left empty because it sprouts cat.
A couple of the hens have decided the corner of the coop needs a nest. The pine shavings pile up there, and they made a nice indent in the top and laid their eggs. I only have six other nest boxes. At least it is an easy place to check for eggs.
I felt the need to card my washed cream alpaca fiber. All of it. I don’t usually do it all at once, but go as needed because the rolags are the most airy and open right after carding, which makes spinning easier.
It is therapeutic to turn the chaotic mass into fluffy white clouds. Even though I washed the fiber, it still has a significant amount of dirt and vegetable matter, most of which comes out as I card it.
Carding also increases the volume of the fiber because the clumps and locks are opened up. The mass of fiber about tripled in size with carding.
Now to figure out a good way to get to spinning all these lovely little clouds. Although I can’t go for spinning walks yet, I do get some reprieve from the boot, as long as I’m walking on smooth even surfaces. Standing for long periods is also still problematic. Hm.
My sourdough bread needs work, but one of my readers suggested a sourdough cracker recipe for the discards. It works wonderfully! Much easier than unleavened crackers, as well as lighter and crispier. Because of our relative humidity, I do leave my crackers to cool in the oven and this time forgot to crack the oven door, so the crackers are dark, but still taste good.
I left out the herbs this time around since my kids aren’t always keen on added flavor, but there are so many possibilities to explore with additions! Yum!
Critters and Craft 