tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40606116610348802352024-03-19T02:13:40.483-07:00Dingbatters in ParadiseHomesteading on a small scale and learning to become more self sufficient, on a small, quirky island off the coast of Carolina.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-54545359585441346652017-04-30T17:20:00.000-07:002017-04-30T17:20:25.583-07:00<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Mystery #1</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
About 10 days ago, my daughter and I noticed that one of her big, light brahma chickens, was missing her tail feathers. Every one was gone, like something had pulled them out. She was also acting very nervous and was very hard to catch. Not like herself at all. It was all really strange and, in the end, we chalked it up to maybe the hen was having a spring molt.<br />
<br />
<b>Mystery #2</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This past Monday morning, I let our dogs out the front door and noticed what I thought was a white plastic bag laying in our front pond, about 4 feet out from the bank. The more I looked, the more I realized that it was not a bag, that it was, in fact, one of our Pekin ducks. I quickly waded into the pond and saw that she was still alive, but barely. I wrapped her in a towel and got her up on the porch. The feathers had been torn out from her back, she was barely breathing, and she was obviously in bad shape. Long story short, I ended up having to put her down. It was a shitty experience that I have no desire to ever repeat, and for the love of us we could not figure out just what the hell had happened to her.<br />
<br />
<b>The Answer to Our Questions</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Friday, Pookie and I rode the Harley down to Wilmington. The day was beautiful, and after pretty much two weeks of mostly rain, it felt good to be out in the sun and "in the wind". While we were gone, our daughter let the chickens/guineas out for their usual roam in the yard. We got home, and as we were getting off the bike, my husband's phone rang. It was our neighbor telling us that a large dog had gotten hold of one of our chickens and carried it into his yard. We were very fortunate that he managed to wrestle the hen out of the dogs mouth. It was one of my black australorps, Ella (aka "Crazy Eye"). She was alive, had a chunk of feathers missing from her back, and her skin was torn in two places. We carried her back to our yard, only to see the very dog that had hurt her splashing around in our pond, very interested in our remaining 3 ducks. He ended up running from our yard, our daughter in hot pursuit. In the end: #1 - we got close enough to see that he had on a collar with no tags. #2 - no one in the neighborhood knew who he belonged to, but they had been seeing him on and off for about a week and a half. And, #3 - the last we saw of him he was heading down the street.<br />
<br />
So, today my husband and I went over to Tractor Supply and bought a gate for the driveway. Then when we got it home, my awesome, amazing husband hung it for me, even though he absolutely hates the idea of having one to open and close whenever he leaves or comes home. This fact makes me love him even more.<br />
<br />
P.S. As I type this, Crazy Eye is recuperating out in the feed room. Two times a day I clean her wounds with peroxide, then I slather on antibiotic ointment. She is eating and drinking and we are cautiously optimistic about her recovery. The rest of the flock are out happily pecking around our fenced in 4 acres. Complete with a gate.<br />
<br />
<br />
~SueSue<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYNtV7KiBVzzw7S8AdWSzha5DV8-_Zotz_Ad2y3X-nWfatEPlJvQyW9S33Lu9ISIGouZNGocEFjgfrIt9kVF0Masz1rvcNUhJMH7otd5H8rW_vAdOmhtJftrRfxk7WI7nmCpeie9mNno/s1600/18193910_10203099390161418_4509365397434065983_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYNtV7KiBVzzw7S8AdWSzha5DV8-_Zotz_Ad2y3X-nWfatEPlJvQyW9S33Lu9ISIGouZNGocEFjgfrIt9kVF0Masz1rvcNUhJMH7otd5H8rW_vAdOmhtJftrRfxk7WI7nmCpeie9mNno/s320/18193910_10203099390161418_4509365397434065983_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-65873428955782846492017-02-23T08:01:00.000-08:002017-02-23T19:41:27.960-08:00<br />
<br />
<b>All Creatures Great and Small</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
Blue Herons are beautiful creatures.<br />
<br />
Thanks to our ponds we have an abundance of waterfowl that visit us on a daily basis, and since living here we have had the privilege of seeing more Blue Herons than most people will ever see in a lifetime.<br />
<br />
Things that I have learned about the Blue Heron:<br />
<br />
Blue Herons are large birds. I'm talking HUGE. When they are full grown, they can reach 4 1/2 feet tall and have a wingspan of 6 feet 6 inches - that's as tall as Pookie!<br />
<br />
Blue Herons have long, sharp bills which have been described as both 'impressive dagger-like', and 'sharp blade-like'.<br />
<br />
Blue Herons are very patient. They stand very quietly at the edge of our pond, almost blending in with the grass and bank, just waiting for the perfect opportunity, the perfect snack, to swim by. Then, in a flash, they strike with that long, sharp bill and voila! Supper. Then they slowly, slowly, move a few feet down to their next fishing spot. This activity can last for hours.<br />
<br />
I have seen Blue Herons at our front pond just before dawn, so herons are early risers too. There is something almost unearthly about seeing a Great Blue standing quietly there in the mist, just as the sun is trying to sneak up on the East'ard side of the Island. Always gives me goosebumps.<br />
<br />
This morning I discovered that Blue Herons can also be vicious.<br />
<br />
I had been over to the coop to let the chickens out. I had gathered their waterers and was over by the hose filling them, when I heard a racket coming from across the pond. I looked over and saw two herons, one on top of the other. I initially thought, "Well, hey! It's almost Spring". Then I saw the larger one, which was on the back of the smaller one, draw back that terrible, great bill and strike the much smaller one in the head. I immediately dropped the hose and ran around the pond waving my arms and screaming like a wild woman. I think I yelled "Hey! Stop it!" or some other useless phrase that I'm sure the heron could have given two shits less about. Anyway, I guess the combination of my yelling/arm waving/morning bed-head hair was enough to scare him and he stopped his attack and flew away. The smaller heron was obviously hurt and unable to stand. I went inside and got Pookie, and a blanket, and we walked back over to where it lay. After much discussion, we decided that maybe it was stunned and would recover in a bit. I would keep check on it, and if it didn't come around, I would call the wildlife center and carry it over to them, bundled up in a blanket in the back of the Jeep.<br />
<br />
I am sad to write, that less than 30 minutes after the attack, it passed away.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the ducks are off the hook with their obsession of furthering the flock, the trees are just starting to show buds, my Hillbilly Tomato seeds should be arriving by mail any day now, and I saw daffodils blooming in a yard on my way home from work yesterday. Spring is indeed in the air...and I have a Blue Heron to bury.<br />
<br />
<br />
~Sue Sue<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-6032238369732239382016-11-30T07:35:00.001-08:002016-11-30T07:35:46.254-08:00<b>Those Damn Guineas</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
The other day, there was a huge Blue Heron sitting on the roof of our house. He was watching our guineas as they walked down our driveway. I'm pretty sure he was trying to figure out what they were and why they were so noisy. Good luck with that.<br />
<br />
Speaking of noisy, for those of you who haven't had the pleasure (?) of hearing the sound guineas make, it's a combination of a screech mixed in with what sounds like the words "buck wheat". Throw in some clicking noises for good measure, and you pretty much have it.<br />
<br />
Every morning we let the chickens and guineas out of the coop and into the run. The guineas promptly fly out (which is what they are suppose to do). Unfortunately they entice the chickens to fly out too. Then they take them on, what we call, "a walk-about". I have a feeling that our neighbors call it something else. We finally had to clip the chicken's wings. Guineas are trouble makers.<br />
<br />
We have that <i>one</i> guinea. She is louder and more obnoxious than the rest. I looked at her the other day and realized that she looks just like Phyllis Diller. Sometimes they just name themselves.<br />
<br />
Out of our 6 guineas, we ended up with 5 females and 1 male, which we named Wallace J. Guinea-keet. Wally for short. He is the only male in the hen house. The other day I happened upon an article online about how guineas and chickens can mate. Their offspring are called "Guin-Hens". If you want to see ugly, google that.<br />
<br />
Pookie and I were outside watching the flock the other day. We had let them out of the run and they were all having a large time walking around the yard. Something spooked one of the guineas, and mass pandamonium ensued. Pookie looked at me and said "I wish we had never gotten those damn guineas. They are a mess!" I said "I know. Aren't they great?!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
~Sue Sue<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-83074596923473557872016-10-06T11:19:00.000-07:002016-10-06T11:47:53.307-07:00<br />
<br />
<b>I'M SURE JIM CANTORE IS A NICE GUY, BUT...</b><br />
<br />
<br />
As I type this, it looks like the coast of North Carolina is going to be spared from most of the effects of hurricane Matthew. The entire Crystal Coast has taken a collective sigh of relief.<br />
<br />
However, that doesn't mean that we, here at Dingbatters Roost, aren't still taking some precautions.<br />
<br />
My youngest daughter and I headed over to Tractor Supply yesterday on a feed run. It doesn't hurt to stock up a little on the essentials just in case, you know, like chicken and duck feed and cracked corn. Oh! And bird seed - the chickens and guineas love wild bird seed, and we give them a handful of it as a treat every couple of days.<br />
<br />
The inside animals, Old Dog (who turned 17 this month!) and Poodle, Big Kitty and White Cat, also have plenty of food/treats/kitty litter to last for a good while.<br />
<br />
Later today we will go outside and make sure anything that can blow about is either tied down or brought inside. They are calling for 35 - 40 mph winds with gusts up to 50 mph to blow in here Saturday night into Sunday. Rain is a given with possible totals of at least 5 inches - probably more.<br />
<br />
We had an incident with the tropical storm/tornado that came through here in September and took the roof off the duck house, so the ducks will be going into the feed room section of the chicken coop Saturday evening where they should be tons safer. They won't be very happy about being stuffed into a dog carrier one by one and carried out there, but they will just have to deal with it.<br />
<br />
Laundry is pretty much caught up and the generator has been tested and gas cans filled. So has the tank on the Jeep and the propane tank for the house. We have also made sure we have plenty of matches to light our inside stove with if we loose power. The generator will be used for the freezer and fridge and one small TV.<br />
<br />
The garden is just about finished for the season so we are not too concerned with it. We are still getting some green peppers, hot peppers, and okra though, and I cut whatever I could and brought it inside yesterday. On the herbal front, I harvested some oregano from the garden and have it in the dehydrator now, and I really need to cut a bunch more of the basil and catnip before Saturday. I also have a bowl of dandelion root that needs to go on the dehydrator in the next day or two.<br />
<br />
There is wine, beer and O.J. in the fridge, tequila in the cabinet and plenty of food in the pantry. Toilet paper is also in supply, so we got both ends covered, so to speak.<br />
<br />
I would say we are as prepared as we can be.<br />
<br />
So stay safe out there. If you are told to evacuate, do it. And as always: PREPARE FOR THE WORSE, HOPE FOR THE BEST.<br />
<br />
And don't forget the toilet paper!<br />
<br />
<br />
~Sue Sue<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-71565610590793446482016-08-20T14:11:00.000-07:002016-08-20T14:53:38.428-07:00<b>The Old Tin Cup</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
When I was growing up, my Granddad lived in an big old house on the side of a mountain, in the very small town of Piedmont, West Virginia. In his kitchen was a big, old fashioned cast iron sink, and on that sink sat a tin cup.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Water never tasted better or colder than when we drank it out of that old tin cup, and whenever my cousins or I visited, it was the first thing we would do.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Even to this day, I can close my eyes and still see my Granddad standing there by that sink after his shift at the mill, drinking "good ole mountain water" from that cup.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Many years later, when my Granddad passed away (at the age of 103!), my Dad got the old cup and brought it home. Eventually, he gave it to me. It has sat on the windowsill above the sink of every house I have ever lived in since I have had it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It isn't worth much, it's rusted a bit inside and worn, but that old tin cup is listed in my will, and will be passed down to my eldest child, eventually.<br />
<br />
I hope that she will cherish it as much as I have.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOxeP_T7gxMYTTtQALIAoDEO1o9cF1xkuiWRtxHId3SZNY0bIwgxDXM5IkClV4r-NbjYXZmNyD_1Mko0SJMPHqpraftiazhMpXXIYEov8oMHVz1WeixROaj-xdmUdC1BetOmN7Usv2LA/s1600/14107918_10202040703094903_8881215335238021379_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOxeP_T7gxMYTTtQALIAoDEO1o9cF1xkuiWRtxHId3SZNY0bIwgxDXM5IkClV4r-NbjYXZmNyD_1Mko0SJMPHqpraftiazhMpXXIYEov8oMHVz1WeixROaj-xdmUdC1BetOmN7Usv2LA/s320/14107918_10202040703094903_8881215335238021379_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
~Sue Sue<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-64819799318427784102016-07-18T14:48:00.002-07:002016-07-18T19:57:06.421-07:00<br />
<b>Summertime, and the Living is... HOT!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
It's been hotter than the proverbial "Forty Hells" here. The humidity is off the charts and what little breeze we have feels more like a blast furnace coming off the water. The three H's (Hazy, Hot, and Humid) have hit with a vengeance and keeping the garden watered has become both a blessing and a curse.<br />
<br />
This past Friday, it was 110 degrees out in the chicken house, even with the windows and run door opened. Luckily, I had a little fan for the coop and kept that running. It helped some. Yes, people, summer has indeed hit Eastern NC, and it's done so in a big way.<br />
<br />
Speaking of hot chickens, earlier today, I headed up to our Dollar General and bought a $4.00 kitty litter box (extra points 'cause it was cheap <i>and</i> purple). When I got home I filled it half with sand, and half with wood ashes from our recent brush pile burning. Then I put it out in the chicken run, closed the gate, sat down in the shade and waited. The guineas figured it out first, which I admit was kind of surprising since they don't seem like the sharpest fowl in the barnyard. They had a large time in their first real dust bath. The chickens still haven't figured it out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthxLVdoPfb6tmXvqQVGLDIDsdTyFGmoriP8N4nKQK5pE0aYQqBgdo9ihIGPOxG-mhsoNz7zweQP8dvMvtawfTUTpAHyQzABy7iRDnTqsMyZ_fsduwU9u605Xf7EFEzhShURdFeVntGwE/s1600/13700984_10201922250293657_3700507124755005057_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthxLVdoPfb6tmXvqQVGLDIDsdTyFGmoriP8N4nKQK5pE0aYQqBgdo9ihIGPOxG-mhsoNz7zweQP8dvMvtawfTUTpAHyQzABy7iRDnTqsMyZ_fsduwU9u605Xf7EFEzhShURdFeVntGwE/s320/13700984_10201922250293657_3700507124755005057_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
(Aren't our daughter's Light Brahma chickens beautiful?!)<br />
<br />
Yesterday afternoon we had great excitement in the duck house. When I opened the back to clean it out, there were two eggs inside, the larger one a double yolker. By the shenanigans in the pond, I would say they were most probably fertile. Speaking of which, we ended up with 4 drakes and 2 females.<br />
<br />
As far as the herbal harvest goes: chamomile is doing great and I have been working at drying it along with some beautiful catnip that seems to be loving the heat. The basil is gorgeous and is just starting to want to bloom. Everything else looks really good and we have quite a collection of jars slowly filling up on top of our pie safe.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, out in the garden, full grown cucumbers just appear overnight.<br />
<br />
For the past two nights, we have had a critter over at our side pond. I know this because at night when I take the pups out I shine the flashlight around (I'm nosey that way). Judging from the eye shine, if I had to make a guess, I would say it was probably a rather large raccoon. Most likely one that really likes corn and sunflowers, since something ate most of both from our back garden last month.<br />
<br />
All this month my eldest Granddaughter has been here on the island with us. She has been a joy to have around and we are really going to hate to see her go home next weekend. She and my youngest daughter have been having a blast trying to "Catch 'em all" (Pokemon reference there). We also had our two youngest Granddaughters here for the last two weeks of June. They are ages 7 and 5, in a big way. They were so helpful with the chickens and ducks, and in the garden. Things sure got quiet when we took them back home.<br />
<br />
So, as July slowly and surely leaves us for another year, and I try to come up with suppers in the evening that don't heat the inside of the house to the temperature of the outside, we know we have at least one thing to look forward to: August in Carolina is always hotter than July.<br />
<br />
Forget Pokemon - I think I gotta catch me a pool!<br />
<br />
<br />
~Sue Sue<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-73312388223054979412016-05-15T07:58:00.000-07:002016-05-15T07:58:49.450-07:00<b>Spring Has Sprung</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
This morning Pookie was up at the crack of dawn (as usual) and got an early start on cutting the grass on our 4 1/4 acres. I got up a bit later at the crack of mid-morning and made my way outside to hang for a while.<br />
<br />
After he was finished, we took a stroll around the property to see how things were going. He showed me a ton of wild blackberries, figs on our newly planted fig tree, and the new growth on two of my elderberries, both of which I thought had died. The ancient pear tree on the back of our property has even stepped up this year and has a ton of pears on it. The thornless blackberry bush that he and my youngest gave me for Mother's Day has berries too.<br />
<br />
Next we headed to the "corn field", which is in fact 5 rows of bi-color corn that our daughter requested we plant. The corn is up about 5 inches which is amazing since the ground here is mostly sand (we do live on an island) and straw from the duck house. The sunflowers that I planted along the edge are getting flower heads too, which I'm sure the chickens that are coming in about another week and a half will surely love as much as we will.<br />
<br />
Out to the side, the kitchen garden beds that Pookie built us are coming along. We already have some baby squash, tomatoes, and sweet peas. The onions are finally starting to look like onions and not marbles, and the potato's in the potato box look pretty good. Most of the herbs that I planted in pots out there have come up, except for the Rosemary. Rosemary is being a stubborn lady for me and it looks like I will have to end up getting some plants to fill in the pot. Take that Rosemary.<br />
<br />
As for our ducks, they are big, and beautiful, and a joy to watch. They are still in their pen that Pookie made for them that has access to a small corner of the front pond. I know that it is getting time to turn them loose so they can have the run of the property, but I have become so protective of them that I'm scared to turn them out. Hopefully they will be smart enough to return to their duck house in the evening so that I can tuck them in for the night (LOL).<br />
<br />
The one year anniversary of when we moved to our new place here is coming up in August, and it will mark the first full year of trying our hand at becoming more self sufficient. We have made great strides so far with the duck enclosure, chicken coop (which is about finished), kitchen garden beds, some fruit trees and berry bushes. Pookie also has his garage in place so the motorcycle has finally come home from storage (YES!). Every day I thank the good Lord for letting us find this unique property smack dab in the middle of the Island.<br />
<br />
My biggest tip for others out there that may be thinking about trying their hand at the whole "becoming more self sufficient" thing: READ. There is a ton of information out there, on the internet as well as in books. You may just discover how truly satisfying getting back to the old, healthy way of doing things really is.<br />
<br />
<br />
~SueSue<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDALygfnvjjZlalbKPyagZSzjprwF4CByQKxSLrVzitK5B4BmVz5oQ4jf_CCsONNxqWPvzxkUVRhy1AEBFBBRvEli8YoeccfdyMphElVPsrDs-BtFXZy1R_z6cLOgbgSrrmJC-dFUlFI/s1600/IMG_0505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDALygfnvjjZlalbKPyagZSzjprwF4CByQKxSLrVzitK5B4BmVz5oQ4jf_CCsONNxqWPvzxkUVRhy1AEBFBBRvEli8YoeccfdyMphElVPsrDs-BtFXZy1R_z6cLOgbgSrrmJC-dFUlFI/s320/IMG_0505.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-61808277998753710352016-03-19T13:42:00.001-07:002016-03-19T13:42:39.410-07:00<b>Chicks, and Guineas, and Ducks, OH MY!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Our chick and guinea order went in three weeks ago.<br />
<br />
Youngest daughter and I spent quite a few hours deciding exactly what kinds of chickens we wanted. Well, mostly our daughter spent time trying to figure out what kind <i>she</i> wanted. I already knew that for my 3 chickens I wanted Black Austrolorps. I have been taken with the breed ever since I saw some at the state fair one year. After much deciding, youngest daughter settled on White Brahamas for her choice. She loved their color and the fact that they have feathered feet was an added bonus.<br />
<br />
Guineas were easier: 6 lavenders and 6 royal purples to be split with friends of ours. So 6 chickens and 6 guineas seemed a good number. We are expecting our order mid-May, which gave us plenty of time to build the coop. Life was good.<br />
<br />
Then we went to Tractor Supply.<br />
<br />
They had ducks. Not just any ducks, mind you, but the exact kind that we wanted: the Pekin.<br />
<br />
I have some experience with the Pekin breed. When my two oldest children were little we bought them a Pekin duckling at Easter. We named it "Rodney" and it acted more like a dog than a duck. It became apparent that Rodney was a girl one morning when we found an egg in her duck house. She was quite a character and would make her rounds to the neighbors houses and beg for food. Sometime later, someone gave us another Pekin, which turned out to be a drake and soon we had a flock in our backyard.<br />
<br />
So, anyways, that morning in Tractor Supply, we picked out 6 ducklings and brought them home. Pookie wasn't as thrilled with them as we were, since he hadn't had time to build a chicken coop much less a duck house, but we convinced him that he would have at least 6 weeks before they would be ready to go outside. Right now they are in a large stock tank out in the garage. They are about 4 weeks old and we can't believe how fast they are growing! This afternoon we rigged a temporary pen in the yard so that they could be outside a few hours a day to stretch their legs. They seemed to really enjoy it.<br />
<br />
Now, I don't know how many of you have ever had ducks, but they are a pure mess! They have just about wore me out trying to keep their container clean and dry and their waterer filled. Ducks love water and everything gets soaked within minutes. I tried putting a block of wood under the waterer to raise it, thinking that would solve the problem. Nope. Then yesterday in Tractor Supply (I am at Tractor Supply A LOT), I spied something.<br />
<br />
*Lightbulb moment*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bFpCauBayOa90pr9qQEpoymCoGJXmUsSfF1LkG2X3geDtCLnV4W4pCFeyUk5Y9A4A846odI9Rz4WJweacOWt1HATbDxASq-SctzNuypUDWGSOysp24oLNk8zeYIXfiEr2tXHk2GFaxY/s1600/12418052_10201455302700259_5449332471190970089_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bFpCauBayOa90pr9qQEpoymCoGJXmUsSfF1LkG2X3geDtCLnV4W4pCFeyUk5Y9A4A846odI9Rz4WJweacOWt1HATbDxASq-SctzNuypUDWGSOysp24oLNk8zeYIXfiEr2tXHk2GFaxY/s320/12418052_10201455302700259_5449332471190970089_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the HOG PAN!<br />
<br />
They come in different sizes and I picked the smaller one. I brought it home and put their waterer inside it on top of the block of wood. What a difference! The pan catches most of the water they splash out, and they have learned to drink the overflow from it. Their container stays dryer and it's a lot easier to clean out, so, GO ME!<br />
<br />
Also, while I was in Tractor Supply yesterday it came to me that, at this point in my life, the only reason I still work is to finance my duck and chicken habit.<br />
<br />
Can I get an Amen!?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLYLOcrnV7QQoitHOMmNYBnS4mwQkUPnTgAvcmfb02gsKE__ccgJ88wWn6NwVGT0Z8434vrXaxAHxUggfxy8HaIhOZ-YwPcUuWZYuc_BHiXsKotqXfLKNHSbBdHx2twSQGs8E_umhLOM/s1600/10345823_10201455070774461_4174572035903536563_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLYLOcrnV7QQoitHOMmNYBnS4mwQkUPnTgAvcmfb02gsKE__ccgJ88wWn6NwVGT0Z8434vrXaxAHxUggfxy8HaIhOZ-YwPcUuWZYuc_BHiXsKotqXfLKNHSbBdHx2twSQGs8E_umhLOM/s320/10345823_10201455070774461_4174572035903536563_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-50068294621906947122016-02-18T16:02:00.001-08:002016-02-20T12:22:26.036-08:00<b>February, The Hardest Month</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Growing up in West Virginia my Mom always said that February was the hardest month. It's far enough into winter to make it seem like warm weather will never get here, which makes spring seem far too distant. February in West Virginia is mostly gray with a chance of snow.<br />
<br />
Since moving to The South, that has gotten some better. It's not as cold as West Virginia here and there is little or no snow, but I still agree with my Mom about February. However, recently I have found a golden lining to February: seed and chick orders.<br />
<br />
I love looking through all the seed catalogs. So many choices, so many possibilities. Below are a few of my favorite catalogs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKa8mlU_8EQnPB7PaAmjUAIR40gOo4l3Xc0uOtzXXGv2M7hlxSMhUcX9J5pempeh4-VW6ptVe1-q6QQMmOI2dwOB6oTTQoXDJS7uaFDPGDhQmCaQgUC0hy32g2F2hjU-P7T_DrJEJu3Hc/s1600/10988515_10201353779282237_1624318917243021620_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKa8mlU_8EQnPB7PaAmjUAIR40gOo4l3Xc0uOtzXXGv2M7hlxSMhUcX9J5pempeh4-VW6ptVe1-q6QQMmOI2dwOB6oTTQoXDJS7uaFDPGDhQmCaQgUC0hy32g2F2hjU-P7T_DrJEJu3Hc/s320/10988515_10201353779282237_1624318917243021620_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have sentimental feelings for <b>R.H. Shumway's.</b> My dad use to order seeds from them, so every spring the catalog was in our house. They have a great selection of seeds. My personal favorite is the heirloom tomato variety "Hillbilly", it's an old variety from West Virginia. They get big (1 to 2 lbs.), have a great taste and just have that homegrown look about them. I have a flat of them started in my mini-greenhouse.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <b>Rare Seeds</b> catalog from Baker Creek, is just a pure pleasure to look at, plus their seeds are non GMO. They have a little bit of everything in there with varieties that you may not be able to find elsewhere. I was able to find and order Yarrow and Marshmallow from them. If you're a butterfly lover they have hard to find Milkweed seeds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My personal favorite is <b>Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. </b> I love this catalog! This is the go to catalog if you live along the southern coast and want to plant a garden. It's chock full of information from how to grow each seed, to harvesting, to diseases, to medicinal uses. It's absolutely amazing, and I will keep it with my reference books. I placed a huge order this morning for my medicinal herbs. Also, for some really neat Lemon Cucumbers which I'm going to try to pickle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This past fall, my youngest daughter and I were shopping in Tuesday Mornings and found 2 mini- greenhouses on sale for $5.00 each. I bought both of them and stored them back in our junk, I mean storage room. Last week my wonderful daughter put one of them together and it's not bad. I just love deals.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFa-lG7Bz-_pEEfgeCexvIdIU0jBnpZsBXO5t0HeZKHNxJs9lNTlRPiMDvfJvsYsZaPIvRdGYTTna8mx4jCZNnO2uvJonWcAxRuRoBBhBiKrgb7MV0ZYdp2PfRiePFanfM7s6pe_AsLQ/s1600/12718264_10201353827123433_8531065879140744594_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFa-lG7Bz-_pEEfgeCexvIdIU0jBnpZsBXO5t0HeZKHNxJs9lNTlRPiMDvfJvsYsZaPIvRdGYTTna8mx4jCZNnO2uvJonWcAxRuRoBBhBiKrgb7MV0ZYdp2PfRiePFanfM7s6pe_AsLQ/s320/12718264_10201353827123433_8531065879140744594_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Speaking of deals, right now our Tractor Supply store has a really good deal on 56 lb. bags of garden soil. They are $6.99 each and so far we have accumulated 5 bags. We will use it to fill the pots we're going to plant our herbs in. You can never have too much garden soil, can you?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, February, I have decided that there just may be hope for you yet. And if not, hey you're only 28 days long.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next blog we get to talk about CHICKS!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-38467706566443875142016-01-10T11:51:00.002-08:002016-01-10T11:51:39.376-08:00<b>'Granny Pods' - They're a Thing Now</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
My youngest daughter and I were sitting on the couch the other night with our laptops, and I happened to look over at her's. This is the conversation that followed (WARNING, strong language)<br />
<br />
Me: What the hell is that?<br />
<br />
YD: It's called a 'Granny Pod'. It's what we're going to put you in when you get old.<br />
<br />
Me: I don't think so.<br />
<br />
YD: Yep. It's the latest thing now, you put them out in the back yard. Want to see what it looks like inside?<br />
<br />
Me: I guess if you're planning on sticking me in one of them I might as well.<br />
<br />
(She shows me pictures of the inside)<br />
<br />
Me: Where the hell is the door to the sleeping area and the bathroom, and why is the toilet out in the open like that?<br />
<br />
YD: There are no doors, it's one big open space inside.<br />
<br />
Me: Well, that's pretty crappy. You mean I can lay in bed and see the toilet, and sit on the toilet and be next to my bed?<br />
<br />
YD:Yep.<br />
<br />
Me: No way, and what the hell are those camera looking thingy's down by the wall outlets?<br />
<br />
YD: They are cameras so we can see if you've fallen, you know, and can't get up.<br />
<br />
(At this point in the narrative I look at her like she has two heads)<br />
<br />
YD: (In a soothing voice) It's O.K, we can only see you from the knees down.<br />
<br />
Me: Well, I'll be damn if you all are going to be spying on my ankles! These 'Granny Pod' thingy's are shit for the birds! You know what I'm going to do if you all stick me out in one of them? I'm going to buy a big pack of chewing gum and go around and put a wad over every camera lens in the place! You'll not be spying on me for your warped entertainment!<br />
<br />
YD: (Shaking her head) Mom, you are not right.<br />
<br />
The end<br />
<br />
So folks, it seems that 'Granny Pods' are a thing now. Buy one, stick it out back in your yard and keep your parents/grandparents close. Here is an example of what I'm talking about:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RG3fibYJu_5bsK893cdMPLUjW7Ded-zYzuMzU9EpUYb3Zua7tPlHjsNhJFseLRE1Z3r9gFJ9qHoo53iI16PtQApxMOkioxry_JHPdoRU-0p1upnQIlhOo8jjkFpEMy2VXMMr8mYPbV4/s1600/12472234_10201235508765548_947739929493497732_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RG3fibYJu_5bsK893cdMPLUjW7Ded-zYzuMzU9EpUYb3Zua7tPlHjsNhJFseLRE1Z3r9gFJ9qHoo53iI16PtQApxMOkioxry_JHPdoRU-0p1upnQIlhOo8jjkFpEMy2VXMMr8mYPbV4/s320/12472234_10201235508765548_947739929493497732_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
On a side note:<br />
<br />
Notice the guy looking in the window, on the left of this photo. Maybe 'Granny Peeping' is a thing now too. Ewwww.<br />
<br />
In all honesty 'Granny Pods' are probably a great thing, for some people. I just don't think it's for me. At least not for another, oh, say, 40 years or so. Maybe by then they'll have a model with a damn bathroom door.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-71383382716267205882015-12-16T17:56:00.001-08:002015-12-17T07:26:17.728-08:00<b>Thanks!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I don't know about you all out there, but we had an excellent Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
The oldest daughter, her husband and the three granddaughters came up and stayed through the long weekend with us. They even brought their dog with them, which was a bit of a challenge. But, in the end neither of our cats were eaten, both of our dogs were unscathed and Grand Dog was his old goofy self, so things worked out well.<br />
<br />
As part of our Thanksgiving we decided to use some of the foods that we had put-up during the summer. The green beans that we had canned tasted so much better than the canned store bought ones and the homemade jam we used for breakfast was also a huge hit. Things just taste so much better when they are homemade.<br />
<br />
Each of the Granddaughters got the "go withs" for supper that they had requested: macaroni and cheese casserole for the middle one, homemade cheesecake for the oldest, and, believe it or not, Lucky Charms cereal for the youngest (I know, right?!). Hubby's 20 pound turkey was done to perfection and the collard greens were amazing. We ate like pigs without the troughs.<br />
<br />
On Saturday, my Son In Law made me a big pot of his spaghetti sauce. Let me tell you, he makes a good sauce. He used some of the dehydrated mushrooms and basil that I had dried in October. I canned 5 quarts of sauce so that we could have some for later in the year.<br />
<br />
Saturday night the guys went out in the boat flounder gigging. They managed to get a few, and we added them (the fish, not the guys) to our freezer.<br />
<br />
Sunday came way too soon, and the kids packed up and headed home. And the house got way too quiet.<br />
<br />
So, even though our Fall garden failed and the only herb I managed to plant this summer was basil, we were still able to enjoy for Thanksgiving some of the things that we had put up. Things not from our garden, but from supermarket sales on veggies and from local farmers markets. Our freezer is pretty much stocked with local shrimp we bought while they were running and with meats that we buy as we find sales at the grocery. I guess my point is, you don't have to have a huge garden to can stuff, or raise your own livestock to butcher and stock your freezer with. Check out your local farmers markets and grocery stores for sales. Do what you can with what is available to you. It may not be a big start, but it's a start.<br />
<br />
Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with good food, family, and lots and lots of love.<br />
<br />
Now, bring on Christmas!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-10477743381644624262015-11-18T16:08:00.000-08:002015-12-26T17:56:34.742-08:00<b>Today Was a GOOD Day</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
Today was a good day. The stars aligned and all was right with the world. At least it was in my world.<br />
<br />
It started earlier than usual. Old Pup got me up at 6:00 am instead of her usual 7:00(-ish). Both pups went outside then came in to an early breakfast (it was a good day for them too). Even though it rained just after I brought them inside, by 8:30 the sun was out and it was a beautiful fall Carolina morning = GOOD Day.<br />
<br />
I had a list of things to do, and high on that list was our annual hunt for the elusive un-seasoned bread cubes I use to make our Thanksgiving dressing (No stuffing here, my forbearers were dead set against stuffing). Every year it gets harder and harder to find the darn things. What's up with that? Anyway, next came car insurance for our teen and tags for her car, both of which she was paying - SCORE! Somewhere in there I had bills to pay and a spring form pan to buy so oldest Granddaughter could have cheesecake for Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
We didn't get very far. Less than 3 miles from home, when I hit the stretch of road with the 55mph speed limit, it became apparent that something was wrong with the Jeepster. Try as it might it just couldn't shift into that final gear. Well crap. Carried it to Hubby, who determined that somehow the Overdrive button had gotten pushed (or un-pushed, which ever the case). Simple fix = GOOD Day.<br />
<br />
Next came the insurance company and I've got to say it was painless. Nice Lady at the desk gave Our Youngest a great rate (did I mention she paid it herself?!) and we got a ginormous break because she is no longer on our policy = GOOD Day.<br />
<br />
Tags were a breeze and there was NO LINE = GOOD Day.<br />
<br />
Somewhere along the way, I received ABSOLUTELY THE MOST FANTASTIC NEWS EVER about a friend = GOOD Day.<br />
<br />
Then I got to shop in my Most Happiest Place That Was Ever Created, Ross Dress For Less, where I not only found an awesome set of spring form pans, I was able to get a really cute sweater and top in my size = GOOD Day.<br />
<br />
We ended our trip at Walmart. You know, I actually really like Walmart. Especially because they had my un-seasoned bread cubes = GOOD Day.<br />
<br />
They also had a giant frozen turkey that called my name. I only hope I can find a pan big enough to roast the thing in.<br />
<br />
GOOD DAY!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-48380035916896576572015-10-26T11:37:00.000-07:002015-10-26T11:52:03.755-07:00<b>RIP Fall Garden</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
We are saddened to report that Fall Garden has passed away. At the time of his death, he (she?) was surrounded by a hoard of fire ants and pennywort. Fall Garden ultimately met his demise due to the 20+ inches of rain that pounded him relentlessly for 4 days earlier this month. He is survived by the only vegetable bed that made it: the asparagus.<br />
<br />
Fall Garden was laid to rest this past Sunday, October 25th, when his caretakers took steps to eradicate the pennywort and fire ants that actually seemed to thrive despite the flooding. He will be sorely missed. The pennywort and the fire ants, not so much.<br />
<br />
A memorial garden, the Summer Garden, will be planted in his memory in early Spring 2016.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-87515891001650239622015-10-06T12:35:00.002-07:002015-10-06T12:48:28.591-07:00<b>Water Water Everywhere</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
Whew. This past week our coast has taken a beating. A storm system that pretty much stalled over us dumped about 15 inches of rain in 5 days here on our little island. To say we are practically floating would not be much of an overstatement. In some places roads were impassable and business' over in town had water damage. Our ponds were just about filled to capacity and several other mini-ponds sprang up on our place. But, the sun is shining this morning and things are starting to dry out a bit. Just in time for hurricane Joaquin to make an appearance later on this week and drop another (possible) 10" of rain on us. I'm telling you, we need to start building an ark!<br />
<br />
Our garden took a beating too. Everything is pretty much water logged and beat down. Hopefully things will dry out a bit today while the sun is shining. With the hurricane coming up the coast and the potential of so much more rain, we are not holding out much hope that our fall garden will have a bumper crop of anything.<br />
<br />
With the threat of our first hurricane of the season I got to thinking about what we should do to be prepared, not only for hurricanes but for any disaster that may come our way. The website www.Ready.gov has lots of information on just about any disaster we may face, it's worth checking out.<br />
<br />
As for us, during hurricane season we make sure we:<br />
<br />
1. Have plenty of candles, and just as important, <b>matches or a lighter</b>. Candles won't do you much good if you can't light them.<br />
<br />
2. We like to use oil lamps also. They seem to throw off more light than candles and we have several of them. Don't forget to stock up on <b>lamp oil</b> also.<br />
<br />
3. Have <b>bottled water</b>.<br />
<br />
4. Have our prescription medicines filled and that we have enough to get us through at least 7 days.<br />
<br />
5. Have plenty of snacks and easy to heat canned foods (soups, stews, etc.) on hand. We are lucky because we have a gas stove. If we loose electric we can always heat stuff up on the stove.<br />
<br />
6. Have an <b>old fashioned can opener</b> (not electric). You're going to have to get those cans open somehow, right?<br />
<br />
7. We are coffee drinkers. A couple of years ago, we bought a <b>french press. </b>If we loose electric, we can heat water on our gas stove and using the french press we can still have coffee. Coffee = happiness.<br />
<br />
8. We make sure that our <b>propane tank </b>on our gas grill is filled, that way we will be able to grill/cook meals.<br />
<br />
9. Don't forget your pets - make sure your fur babies have enough <b>dog food and cat food </b>to get by on for at least a week.<br />
<br />
10. And speaking about your pets, make sure you have a copy of their <b>current shot records</b> on hand in case you need to evacuate. Most places that you may evacuate to require that your pets be current on at least their rabies shot.<br />
<br />
11. We also make sure that we catch up on as much laundry as we can before a storm hits. That way if we are without power for an extended time, we can at least have clean under britches and clothes to wear.<br />
<br />
12. We make sure to <b>fill up our gas tanks on our cars</b> also. That way if we have to get outta' Dodge, we won't have to wait in line to fill up.<br />
<br />
Here's hoping that none of us ever be caught unprepared for any type of an emergency.<br />
<br />
Stay safe and <b>GET PREPARED!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-60788068864309541482015-09-22T13:23:00.000-07:002015-09-22T13:23:16.837-07:00<b>This and That</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Wow. Where did summer go? Today is the last official day of summer, tomorrow fall will make it's entrance, and, before you know it, winter will be here. Let that sink in for a moment.<br />
<br />
All and all our fall garden is doing good. We could use a few days of rain, but things seem to be coming along. (See picture at bottom). Hopefully by next summer we will have water out by the garden so we won't have to dip from the pond during dry spells. Dipping from the pond pretty much is a chore.<br />
<br />
As I write this, I have 5 trays of bananas in the dehydrator. I have no idea how they will turn out or what I will eventually use them for, but I will have them anyways. I hope to do apples next, now those I have plans for!<br />
<br />
One evening a month, I head out to a local tea room, owned by my friend Libby, and meet up with 11 other ladies, most of which are fellow dingbatters. We are the local Bunco team and we call ourselves "The Mad Hatters". Bunco is a very hard game to describe but easy to pick up on once you sit in. It's kinda like dice on steroids and it's a pure blast, plus we get to eat a great meal and drink some delicious tea. Oh, and if you're lucky you get to win money. It's the social highlight of our calendar.<br />
<br />
If anyone out there wants to learn more about herbal remedies or uses, I highly recommend Rosemary Gladstar's book "Medicinal Herbs, A Beginner's Guide". I can't wait till spring so I can get started planting my herb garden.<br />
<br />
On a sad note, for the past couple of weeks the turtle we called "ET" had been missing. He was the first to come in the afternoons when we called, and would actually come part way out of the water to meet us. Over the weekend I found him dead up on the bank on the other side of the pond. Hubby buried him out under one of the cottonwoods. We have no idea what happened, but hubby said that his shell looked a bit deformed. Believe it or not, we miss him.<br />
<br />
Well, guess I had better go get ready for my big evening out. Wish me luck - Mama needs a new pair of shoes!!!! LOL!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
P.S. Is there anything sexier than a man tilling up a garden?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAr-FNZ-ALlnupQeZUREnMZrK8JNcs0ygnfPUgwg48qOFxLramgMzscpEEuBDjHimaijWliUwy34BsbIClLGRKMqdlkFeeOT686rKPLWEzedFyHrVEDUUhqY23Ncu9JvJ5V5Ih5dNlwec/s1600/12002954_10200958412278309_7913022725138411774_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAr-FNZ-ALlnupQeZUREnMZrK8JNcs0ygnfPUgwg48qOFxLramgMzscpEEuBDjHimaijWliUwy34BsbIClLGRKMqdlkFeeOT686rKPLWEzedFyHrVEDUUhqY23Ncu9JvJ5V5Ih5dNlwec/s320/12002954_10200958412278309_7913022725138411774_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-58307753336980861612015-09-12T21:28:00.000-07:002015-09-12T21:28:39.351-07:00<b>How Many Times Can I Use the Word "Dehydrating"?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
My friend Donna, over at the OLD WAYS, NEW TIMES blog, has been telling me about how great her dehydrators are. She has three of them going practically round the clock and has been dehydrating just about everything she finds on sale at the markets. She is a dehydrating Queen, I tell ya!<br />
<b><br /></b>
Two days ago I was at our local market and they had a really good sale on sliced mushrooms. I stood there thinking, "These would be perfect for dehydrating". After much debate I ended up buying 5 pounds of them. The debating came about because, while they were perfect for dehydrating I didn't actually have a dehydrator yet. So, after I left there, I headed over to the BigK and luckily they had what I was looking for, plus it was on sale (SCORE!).<br />
<br />
I have to say, so far I love the thing. For the past two days I have been sucking the moisture out of mushrooms right and left! Out of the 5 pounds of mushrooms I have dehydrated and vacuum canned 5 pints, which should be enough to get us through the winter soup/stew season. The only downside so far is that hubby and daughter have discovered that they don't much like the smell of mushrooms being dehydrated. They are really glad that I am finished.<br />
<br />
Today when we went over to town we stopped at the grocery store. They had an amazing sale on onions: four 3 pound bags for $5.00. You guessed it, I now have 12 pounds of onions to prepare and dry.<br />
<br />
My husband and daughter's noses may never be the same again.<br />
<br />
Donna, you have created a monster.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-35110495953452014672015-09-07T12:01:00.000-07:002015-09-07T12:46:27.482-07:00<b>But What if They Don't Want to "Coexist"?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
We have a big problem here on our little island. It's one that many of you may also be dealing with right now.<br />
<br />
Coyotes<br />
<br />
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has a lovely website, www.ncwildlife.org, which describes how to coexist with coyotes. According to the NCWRC website, coyotes are here in all 100 NC counties as a result of "Natural range expansion from neighboring states", and we should just learn to "coexist" with them because they really aren't that big of a deal. Yeah. Right.<br />
<br />
Now, I knew that there were coyotes in our county. A friend of mine who lives "off island", about 15 minutes away, has lost her entire flock, including her turkeys and her guinea fowl to them. A local farmer over that way has had a time with them eating watermelons out of his field. But it never occurred to me that they could make their way over here - we are on an island for God's sake!<br />
<br />
How did they get here? Some people say that they swam across from the mainland. Some locals even swear that they walk across the bridge at 2 in the morning (I haven't decided yet if they are kidding about the bridge or not). I guess it really doesn't matter at this point how they got here, what matters is that they are here now, and it sucks.<br />
<br />
People on our island are starting to have chickens go missing. Cats are disappearing too. A neighbor of mine has been finding scat in her yard with fur in it - lovely. I guess it doesn't matter much to a hungry coyote what he is eating. It sure matters to us though. People here on the island are getting worried.<br />
<br />
So, what are our options? The NC Wildlife Resources Commission does have some good information on the website about things to do to prevent conflicts with coyotes and what to do if you have a problem with them. It's worth checking out. As for us, we haven't gotten our chickens yet (planning to in the spring), so we don't have that worry, yet. Our cats are kept indoors and we have become extra careful while walking the pups, especially at night when we take them out for their last walk before bed. They are kept on a leash and we constantly scan the yard with a flashlight. We are also keeping a loaded rifle by the door. Hopefully we won't have to use it, but if we have to, we will. I repeat: this whole coyote thing sucks.<br />
<br />
I think that I would be really happy if the varmints just ran right back over the bridge to where they came from. That would solve the problem for us here anyway.<br />
<br />
NOT holding my breath on that though.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-32012196541783772662015-09-03T19:17:00.001-07:002015-09-03T20:32:10.436-07:00<b>Yes, You Can Can!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
If you like to can, it's a great time right now in Eastern Carolina. Last week the figs ripened, this week the pears and the wild scuppernong grapes. If you have never had wild scuppernong grapes you are missing out - they are the bomb! My pantry is starting to fill up with home grown, home canned fruits and veggies.<br />
<br />
It's exciting, really. I'm glad I'm pushing myself to dust off the canning books and to get in the kitchen and do something really healthy for my family. Searching for canning recipes in some of my vintage canning books is really fun too. I love reading the old pamphlets and cookbooks. They have lots of great old recipes and good information in them that is still relevant today.<br />
<br />
Since we didn't get into our place until late July, we didn't have a chance to put in a summer garden. We ended up buying corn from our local farmers market to can and to freeze. I also found a fantastic sale on carrots at our grocery store and we canned about 10 pounds of those too. So, just because you haven't actually grown anything yourself, you can always find vegetables at your local produce stand or market. You can can!<br />
<br />
Anyway, I know that it may not seem like much, but it's a start until our fall garden comes in. And speaking of the fall garden - I really am going to need A LOT more canning jars!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxzAbzoil35si_3FUCpBcwHAtGdjah28Lw8l_wU2CC0907ghzmUcCuxycx-rvgTey4xHhd0FTY-02kRvbfRbjIeUUiX_kzMiJVDuC6AR_oVp5AhTtgNyVdJ37_Kfb4jfr6a9JLXo_FdE/s1600/1601379_1482179128774112_5750035128624518762_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxzAbzoil35si_3FUCpBcwHAtGdjah28Lw8l_wU2CC0907ghzmUcCuxycx-rvgTey4xHhd0FTY-02kRvbfRbjIeUUiX_kzMiJVDuC6AR_oVp5AhTtgNyVdJ37_Kfb4jfr6a9JLXo_FdE/s320/1601379_1482179128774112_5750035128624518762_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-16111053722632919752015-08-31T07:47:00.000-07:002015-08-31T11:22:45.334-07:00<b>Fall? Is That You?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I may have caught a glimpse of Fall yesterday morning when I took the pups for their morning walk around the pond. There was a light breeze and practically no humidity, and the sky had that Fall look about it. You know, when the angle of the sun has changed just a smidgen and the light looks different somehow than it does in the Summer sky.<br />
<br />
It's hard to judge here on the Island about Fall. We have mostly water oaks and pine trees and it stays pretty green here year round, which means no Fall colors, which kinda sucks. I miss Fall colors.<br />
<br />
Anyway, today that has all changed. It's 90 degrees and Mr. Humidity has taken up residence again. It's overcast and looks like we may get some rain. That's a good thing because it means we won't have to dip water from the pond for the garden. So, I guess Summer is not ready to give up quite yet. But if I were her I would keep an eye on my rear-view mirror, because I'm pretty sure Fall is sneaking in behind her.<br />
<b><br /></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-21509321138868962932015-08-30T07:57:00.000-07:002015-08-30T08:02:57.065-07:00<b>How Does My Garden Grow?</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
For the past two weeks I've been after my husband to till up an area for a fall garden. Now, my poor husband has about a bazillion things on his to-do list, but this past Saturday, when I came home from my Day Job, he had tilled me up a nice big area for a garden. I could hardly wait for Monday so Teen Daughter and I could hit the garden center for just a few plants to get us started. Only something happened when we got to the garden center. I didn't just buy a few. When I saw all those beautiful flats of vegetable plants, I may have gotten just a wee bit carried away. Let's just say that I was relieved that we could fit them all into the wayback of the Jeep. We had to fold down the back seats to do it, but they fit. To make matters worse, on our way home I realized that we had forgotten to buy kale (btw: kale is NOT a Yankee green!), so we stopped at Ace and I bought some of that too. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Monday evening after supper, my husband and our daughter and I went out to our new garden and planted: 78 collard plants, 64 cabbages, 48 cauliflower plants, 48 broccoli, and 24 kale. THATS 262 PLANTS PEOPLE!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yep, I would say that I got just a wee bit carried away.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060611661034880235.post-20455351841768218132015-08-29T14:12:00.000-07:002015-08-29T19:05:29.017-07:00<b>Of Ponds and Turtles</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
When my husband and I first bought our 4 and 1/4 acres, before our house was set, we spent every spare moment we could on our land. Cutting grass, fishing in one of our 3 ponds, or just sitting in the shade and looking at OUR LAND, we enjoyed every moment we could here.<br />
<br />
In that first month it became evident that our front pond had turtles. One turtle, in particular was humongous! Now in turtle, humongous = ancient and this guy had to be closing in on the 100 year mark. We promptly named him Abraham.<br />
<br />
A month later, Hubby started the task of cleaning out the pond with a mini excavator. While the looks of the pond greatly improved, we were sad to note that Abraham seemed to have "flew the coop", so to speak. We figured that the noise had been too much and he had crawled on over to one of the other ponds or ditches in the area.<br />
<br />
After what has seemed like an eternity, we have gotten settled into our house and are enjoying our little "farm-ette" to be. I have started buying cat food from our Dollar General (also known as the Down-East Walmart) to feed our large population of water turtles. The little shits have gotten pretty used to being fed and actually come when we call them. One that we named ET swims over to us and crawls up on the bank when he hears us. He loves tomatoes. The other day while Teen Daughter and I were feeding them she said, "Mom! What is that"? I looked over to where she was pointing and saw the LARGEST turtle head ever in the middle of the pond. As we watched he surfaced briefly and we caught a glimpse of his huge shell. "Well", I said. "It's either the Loch Ness Monster or Abraham is back".<br />
<br />
Welcome back, Abraham. Welcome back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla12adL9_h5630ojJ3NuNEQMAoRzHKbtgYHC7ckagOLk81cRpSXK9IyEAGTvKpJBUDIPMWeAjn2f_n_-0lIkpE9BkWl6bw0wvL_SnZnKI7owgZ8ZTn7yukInaFh28_C8xfZU7At09cYc/s1600/11156245_10200414960732360_8692145942254905977_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla12adL9_h5630ojJ3NuNEQMAoRzHKbtgYHC7ckagOLk81cRpSXK9IyEAGTvKpJBUDIPMWeAjn2f_n_-0lIkpE9BkWl6bw0wvL_SnZnKI7owgZ8ZTn7yukInaFh28_C8xfZU7At09cYc/s320/11156245_10200414960732360_8692145942254905977_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14629157896050970742noreply@blogger.com0