Chicken greens

On November 2, 2020 By CarynIn chickens

I have a steady variety of greens going out to my hens. I sprout alfalfa and mung beans in a counter-top seed sprouter and take out the wee seedlings when they are ready (I know it is time for the bean sprouts to go out when they lift the lid and make a bid for freedom). The wheat grass salad bars in the runs have been thriving with occasional reseeding. I discovered I can wedge several stalks of basil in the hole in the chicken swing (the basil stalks are quite sturdy and this secures the stems so the chickens can pluck off bits of leaf). And I still do hang the occasional cabbage or pumpkin for consumption. (I bought the cabbage intending to make sauerkraut, but jars are ridiculously expensive right now, so I’ll try another time!)

Basil stalks shoved in an open hole in the 2×4

Cabbage hung with a screw eye on a carabeener

Makeshift green house

On November 1, 2020December 1, 2020 By CarynIn Garden

Since my herbs are all in pots along the fence, I thought I could try a tent-like green house made of two clear shower curtain liners. The liners are inexpensive and come with handy holes at the top! I thought this might be easier than dealing with a plant blanket. I had a set of shower curtain hangers (because I am using a pretty snowy tree scene shower curtain as my Zoom backdrop which came with rings), and those hooked into my wire fence easily. I hung one curtain on each side and weighted the bottom with rocks and brick. I’m hoping this will keep my basil alive for a little longer through the cold snaps. The oregano and peas (or should I say pea) did fine without much protection last winter, but the basil turned black at the first breath of cold.

Shower curtain liners hung on a fence as an trial green house

P.S. the first freeze froze all the plants, even with the cover. Back to the drawing board!

Happy Halloween!

On October 31, 2020October 25, 2020 By CarynIn art, meme

Eye in tree bark. — The trees are watching, trick-o-treet!

I had some fun with Photoshop for this one. The tree already had a nice knot, it just needed help refining the eye. This is a strange Halloween, and we will be staying in. My youngest thinks a game night would be awesome, maybe with a scavenger hunt for candy (although she doesn’t eat any, it is still fun to find). We’ll probably put out some candy for those without immune issues, and a sign on the door asking not to knock or ring, because the youngest has immune issues. May you all have an enjoyable evening, whether you like to be scared, or do the scaring, whether the ghosts and ghouls are scarier than spewed droplets or not.

Ghostly crown

On October 30, 2020 By CarynIn Craft

It is probably strange that when I found a fallen branch with lovely fall colors in the meadow my first thought was to make a crown for my masked ghost. Ah well, the ghost looks pleased with her adornment, and although the others seem to gaze on with envy, there can only be one queen.

Growing

On October 29, 2020October 25, 2020 By CarynIn Cats, dog

Missy the puppy has reached 11.6 pounds. This makes her officially heavier than Izzy the cat. Not longer, just with more weight. They take up my whole lap. The cat still rules the house, though, which is as it should be.