The chicken...hot tub?

It all began simple enough. Bring the chickens hot water in a plastic container in 25 degree weather.Nothing new. The Captain reports as soon as he put that steaming water down, they went crazy. Knocking each other over, screaming and then... they discovered the warmth. One chick decided to sprawl out next to it, with it's head over hanging into the container. As though it were enjoying a facial steam. Then another decided to just hop in and sprawl out...like it was a hot tub. Just laid there as others continued to drink.

He laughed and said "stupid chicken". I said "wow, a chicken hot tub". 

The problem came when The Captain went back 15 minutes later and discovered our "hot tub chicken" almost dead. Apparently it decided a walk outside their coop was in order after such a relaxing dip.

Feathers had icicles. The Captain thought it was dead for sure.

He scooped her up and brought her inside. You could barely see the weak shake in her legs as I got to work. A few minutes more outside and I'm not sure my effort would have worked.

After letting room temp water bring up her exterior temperature, I wrapped her up in a towel and used the blow dryer on low. You could hear the weak peeps begin to escape. 5 minutes more, her eyes would open up for a second or two. Ming, who tries so hard to play with the chickens {much to their horror},  has a most disturbing and insatiable desire for...chicken butts. How do you break a dog of that !?

 She was quick to Hop in & help. Licking her legs and head, seeming to stimulate the freezing chicken. She laid claim and we nicknamed it Ming's "Precious". Once dried, she went into the now empty container she used as a hot tub. A heating pad underneath for extra warmth.

Ming would not leave her side. She laid on the ground towel and kept as close as she could .

Eventually her "precious" was strong enough to hop out of her warm nest and strolled around the living room, never more then a few inches from her new friend. She earned her "bracelet" which is reserved  for special chickens. Like the one nice rooster out of the 4 I have counted in this batch.

Ming did try playing with her and that silly chicken could care less. Brain damaged or a strange bond between dog & poultry? Time will tell.

 They strolled together a good half hour before I felt she was well enough to go back into chicken world. 

It was best she went back out. After all, seeing Ming check out that chicken bottom became a bit disturbing.

Sweet dreams,

~Tammie

My Kitchen herbal nook...

As I dusted off my little herbal family altar, I began thinking of how rare it is to see such a space in other homes. I wondered if there were others whom had that special space  laid in view to all who entered. The thought of sharing it with you came from a post I read over at the Green Woman's blog. My sacred space. My altar of life containing items that span almost a lifetime for me.

On the bottom shelf I have my special trinkets. Items with special meanings also found or given to me through the span of my adult life. To name a few, one is the Glass heart which inspired Panda's Crow girl costume & story of this last Halloween. A special sea stone discovered on Coquina beach walking with an old flame. It has the perfect 8 shape hole in its core, a stone which is said to be of great luck to the finder.

3 antique keys bought during the first Mother daughter trip Panda & I had. And a heart shaped rock found while playing in a creek with my wee ones during a hike not too long ago. 

On the second to bottom shelf I have our most often used Apothecary of herbs. From ones used daily in our Tea time to those used medicinally. I have yet to have their labels printed out in the old Apothecary look I have worked on. Not having a printer has prolonged the matter.

There are some herbs missing due to not having enough space but I am eyeing the very top 2 shelves for organizing the left out jars. I have a cherished picture of my baby brother and his lovely wife, just below my most cherished gift from her. A plaque sculpture of the Triple Moon Goddess she picked up while in Ireland, on her return trip to the states after serving our country overseas. {From the works of Wild Goose studios in Kinsale, Ireland } She shared that when she saw it, she immediately thought of me & had to bring it back.

The second to the top shelf holds our array of antique tea cups and ware. I removed the wine glass spacers just for this purpose. I also have special pictures of my children spread throughout this nook. Ones that bring a smile to my face and memories of the moment. The very top shelf houses my never used glass dessert cups of my Naturewood dishes. All the more reason to put them away in a cupboard & use the space for more herbal jars. A few special tokens up there as well. The last yarrow flower of the season hung to dry. A swarvoski crystal clock from The Captains month long trip to Ireland the which he returned from just a week before I met him. The crystal bride/groom given to me from a cousin that adorned our wedding cake table.

 

To anyone else, these items mean nothing. Maybe even seen as clutter. But to me, it is a nook full of memories & moments. Smiles and love. My altar of family & life.

Sweet dreams,

~Tammie

Making seed Tape for the carrot plot

With the weather dipping back into a more snow friendly range, Frog & I got to work on a new project. Her choice of tending in the garden this year will be carrots & flowers.  Frog has chosen a rainbow of carrot colors and  an array of flowers to arrange in bouquets for her profiting from the market stand. No problem. Easy enough, right?

BUT there IS a problem when you think of how that carrot planting may turn out with a 5 year old doing the work. Crooked rows, clumped seeding. large bare spots. The thought of her plot outcome had me brainstorming damage control.

Enter The Bathroom tissue paper solution. I have had her at my side whipping these up and although it is easy to make, the time can be consuming with 4 packets of carrot seed {along with said 5 year old}.

A glue solution was made of flour & water. about 1/2 cup of flour mixed with small amounts of water until a glue consistency has been reached. I had an almost empty bottle of basic liquid school glue, which I emptied and rinsed before placing the flour glue into the bottle. The twist top point tip is PERFECT for all ages. Less mess, dependpent upon, how well one's child may create a mess out of nothing.

Then, roll out 1to 2 feet long sections of the bathroom tissue. Put a drop of your glue solution every 2 inches or so down the sides of the bathroom tissue. Place one seed into each drop and lay a second layer of tissue over the first {of same length}. Lightly press down to seal the spots between layers. Let lay flat until dry. Then just roll them up, place in a zippy bag to store until planting.

As for the carrot patch damage control?
In the end, You will happy with the extra effort. Your carrot patch will look so much nicer. But if you are accompanied by an independent 5 year old... be prepared to call it Modern Garden art.....

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie

Sometimes ya just gotta mess with peoples heads....

Poor Frog has been sick so I had to enlist the help of a friend for picking up the chicken coop. The Captain {very willingly since he works odd hours}, stayed home with our sick wee one. Upon arrival we discovered the truck bed was not wide enough due to the wheel hubs. We made due & strapped her down good.

We were not a mile into the ride home before seeing the many odd stares & pointing. As with all those I call Friend, Chris & I began joking around. Taunts of it being a new home to live in.  Which eventually had us chuckling like a group of school kids choking on giggles and jabbing at each other.

As if this site going down the road was not enough to cause the stares:

Our next move was a cherry on top. We pulled over to check the straps & added my idea for a spoof on the economy. The next hour ride home had brought much laughter to many passersby and plenty of double takes:

"It reads "Home Sweet Home. Thanks Obama"

Call it a political statement, call it being funny. But sometimes ya just have to let the little kid out and laugh. Being serious all the time will just encourage early grey hairs.

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie

Coop almost done update & 1920s dining set {many pics}

Jim, the owner of Triple Braid Farms, maker of those very nice & affordable chicken coops, has sent me a few shots of my coop in construction. I thought I would share a peek with you before I begin the project of La Poulet Maison.

This is the first picture I opened and instantly "ohhh, I love that window" escaped my lips, despite no one around to hear it.

The nesting box area where I plan to hang my Fresh Eggs sign project, made last week.

We are having some issues with the truck which I am hoping will be fixed in time. I have an hour or so to drive down for picking the coop. Is that not the way it seems to always go? But Larry the mechanic {an old school chum of my husband & brother in law} knows of my ...ummm urgent need, to get the coop. He is trying to get things done so I can be on way my in time.

I must share one of the weekends antique freebie finds.

We outgrew our family hand me down many years ago. Originally The Captain wanted a marble top table where I cared for old charm. One made of real wood and detailed craftsmanship. Things that have become expensive & rare these days. I came into this very nice 1920s dining set for the taking and could not be happier. Well that's not true. I would be happier if I did not have a few chair joints to tighten, match some stain for covering up the wear on edges and the need to refinish its main table top that has scratches & a few water shadow stains. And of course reupholster the chair cushions.

If you lift the main top, 2 end leaves pull out to expand the table for seating 10.

And the chairs? 5 of the original set, plus 2 that must have come later.

Wide with lovely detail .

So the projects are lining up. Not a problem since they are projects I willingly take on with passion.

Sweet dreams,

~Tammie

Signs of Spring & bike of sunshine

I scrapped my post of the day for a brighter subject. I had a weak point which I realized goes against my  "brush past the negative & embrace the positive". I am back in my little happy place after a nice walk outside in the bright sun & fresh air.

You know Spring is close when every week is constant change of weather. Cold & snow to warm & sunny then snow all over again. This is around the time of year we become excited with the awakening of Mother Nature. Green sprouts. Bird songs change. The sun shines brighter & air begins to take on the scent of what's to come.

Just last week, the view from our windows looked like this:

sun rising view from upstairs

Suddenly today the sun is shining, melting away the snow and revealing these surprise bulbs I discovered scattered in the front garden beds. I wonder what they will be....:

On the subject of Spring signs, the 3 Canadice seedless grapes I picked up earlier this week have lots of beautiful green leaves. These will go out by the garden for the Grape arbor/pagoda we plan for later this Spring:

And see the little sproutings in the background? Medicinal herbs & many heirloom vegetables. I am very excited that my Banana melon seeds have all sprouted! It's a melon that is shaped like a banana, smells like a banana & even tastes similar to a fresh banana!  Seed was purchased through Baker Creek Heirlooms.

We are looking forward to that first fruit off it's vine. Something new & different!

And guess what I have sitting in my living room? Something I picked up a few weeks ago and have not advanced past taking it all apart to clean then putting it back together again. A bright { in need of a paint job & a tune up}yellow " Schwinn Spitfire " bike from mid to late 50's!

Hopefully the sun remains for tomorrow & we can hit the road together....Maybe just a block or two since the front end forks & handle bars are a tad crooked {I could not get the two to come apart. Looks like I may have to call in The Captain's strength for this one}.

Sweet dreams,

~Tammie