I Know, I Know!!!

Woah now, no hate mail please!!!  I know it has been way toooooo long since I posted. With work, church, garden, chickens, b-days, house, trips, and what the heck lets throw in the hubby too, it has been BUSY!!!!  I almost don't even know where to begin. Ok, here goes.

GARDEN

Didn't get everything out of the garden that we had hoped for but overall it was a success. As usual we learned a ton which can only help in the long run. The following list is everything we planted and how it turned out.

Asparagus- plenty to keep us happy
Corn- did fairly well for selected strain, we let it dry due to cob size and will use for parched corn
Beets- good harvest, picked them a bit early
Yams/Sweet Potato- tops eaten by animal most of season, upon harvest were small in size but edible
Carrots- good yield for amount planted
Cantaloupe- demolished by CHICKENS (little buggers)
Zucchini (3 varieties)- did amazing
Squash (2 varieties)- did amazing
Watermelon- fair (planted to late)
Bell Peppers- half did nothing, other half did great but we're extremely late for harvest
Jalapeños- good harvest
Green Beans- great harvest
Half Runner Beans- good yield, should have trellis to vine, hard to pick
San Marzano tomato- great harvest
Tomato- multiple varieties; did OK
Kohlrabi- great harvest
Peas- good harvest, need to plant more next year
Greens (including lettuce)- amazing harvest
Herbs- (sage, onion chives, garlic chives, basil, thyme)- all abundant, my basil plants were BUSHES!

Here are a few pics I took throughout the season.

Asparagus and Herbs

Garden/New Grapevines

Squash/Zucchini

Basil

Cabbage/Tomato/Cantaloupe

Peas/Watermelon/ Sour Cherries

I am proud to say we used, canned, or gave away most everything we had from the garden.  We canned green beans (regular and pickled), tomato, beets, and made jelly with the sour cherries.  We froze cabbage, jalapeño's, basil, and bell pepper purée. I am sure there are tons of info I am leaving out but my memory is failing me at the moment!!

I will continue updating on the past few months as time allows. Maybe the next update should be CHICKENS!!!!

Enjoy!

Baby update and zucchini on the way!!

Just wanted everyone to see how the baby Bantams are getting along and check in on the garden.

Yesterday I let Mama G and the babies out of the hutch to see how they would like roaming around the yard.  It was just amazing at how quick they learn.  Mama G would let out certain "clucks" and it was like they new exactly what to do.  Mama G found the perfect place for a much over due dust bath and it wasn't two minutes later the babies were imitating her behavior.

The garden is coming right along as well.  We have already picked a few round of peas and lettuce. Even more exciting... in the next couple of days we will have zucchini and squash on the table.  The beans, beets, tomatoes and some pepper plants are looking GOOD as well!!  We made a last minute decision to add a few watermelon plants so our whole garden may become one huge vine by the end of summer.

Last on the docket for today is our new grape vines!! We found a deal on a few grape vines so we decided to give them a shot.  It required some man hours (THANK you Nicky) to build a trellis but I think the reward will be SWEET!!

HAPPY Gardening!!

New Arrivals!!!

We Have BABIES!!!

I have a quick but exciting story to share with you. Last night we were suppose to get this gnarly storm so beforehand we moved all the patio furniture and other odds and ins inside to avoid any disaster.  I decided I better check on Mama G out in the compost pile to make sure she is secure for the oncoming storm.  Being the protective Mama, as I approached she slowly started to do her normal clucking. But all of a sudden I swore I heard a "chirp".  I put the flash light on Mama G and I saw a perfectly cracked shell which means only one thing... there must be a baby chick somewhere.  Now let me just remind you that the thunder and lightening is getting closer and closer.  So I reach under and instantly felt a baby and pulled it out. I started screaming to Nicky "we have a baby".  So I proceeded to put the baby chick back when I realized I should probably see if there are any more.  Most of the time a clutch of chicks will all hatch in 24 hours of each other.  I lifted Mama G off the nest for a closer look and "BAM" a total of 9 babies.  Somehow I miss counted the projected due date because I was not expecting them until the weekend.  

Well since the storm was coming I didn't want to disturb them to much so we decided to let them be for the night.  Baby chicks do NOT require food or water for the first 24 hrs.  So the sun came up and we did a few house chores and I started to venture out to check on Mama G and her chicks.  I looked out toward the coop and there she was walking around the yard with babies in tow.  It was the cutest.  

I decided for their comfort and safety to move them to the rabbit hutch till they are a bit bigger. They are bantams so they are no bigger than a golf ball when they are born.  Below are a couple videos of the newbies!!

It's been tooooo Long!!

I know, I know...It has been forever since I have been on here. Trust me I have been thinking about writing this for over a week.  Things around here are definitely ramping up!!! Let me start off with yesterday and go backwards... it just sounds more fun.

Yesterday we went to the Amish Produce Auction which is one of my favorite things especially during the summer.  We went today for the first time this year so I wasn't sure how much they would be selling.  But don't fret we still came home with a car load.  And it only gets better as the growing season continues.  Our loot today was strawberries (for jam, smoothies, and lemonade), cheddar cauliflower (just to try it), Raw Honey, Marigolds (for garden pests), and six different flats of plants for the garden. The story is tooooo long on how we ended up with six flats of plants but I will tell you what varieties ended up in the car.  Kohlrabi, purple kohlrabi, cantaloupe, watermelon, and cucumber.  I guess we better make room in the garden. Oh wait, it's pretty much full!!!!????!!! Hmmmmm, decisions, decisions.

After our spending spree on strawberries we decided we better get busy making something.  We decided to make Low Sugar Strawberry Jam using only pectin, raw honey, and strawberries.  It turned out perfect and Delish!!! I have to give a shout out to Amanda M. for inspiring me to make my first batch!!

Speaking of gardening everything is moving right along.  We have everything in (except what we just bought) and we even have all our tomato plants staked and ready to go.  I will have to post some photos of the garden when I get a chance.

The only other exciting bit of news is.... I am about to be an unexpected mother once again!!! I kept wondering why one of my Banty Hens (now named Mama G) kept insisting on getting out of the spectacular electric fence???? Come to find out she had laid herself a nice clutch of eggs in the compost pile.  Not only did she lay 12 of her own but she is a surrogate to one large brown egg as well. So by next week we should have some baby chicks...AGAIN!!!

There is so much to write that it would take me days. Fact is "storms a comin' " and I better turn off this computer!! Hope you enjoyed the update and trust me...many more pics to come.  

Happy Gardening!!

Busy, Busy, Busy

A lot has been going on in this household we call Lumpkin Lodge.  Gardening, chickens, yard work, my work, Nicky's work, and the list goes on.  So here is an update on all things in general.

First - The Garden is about to be full force.  We hesitated on planting the tomatoes and pepper plants because as hard as it is to believe "they" were threatening us with a frost last night.  But trust me they are ready to go outside!! So currently we have lettuce, peas, arugula, beets, onions, rhubarb, a few herbs, and last years artichokes coming up.  Also just as exciting is our fig tree we started last year is coming back as well.

Second - The chickens are doing great. As many of you know we decided to get some electrified poultry netting to make it easy for them to come and go especially when we are out of town.  The fence it self is AMAZING.  BUT chickens aren't the smartest creatures on earth so occasionally when they get startled and they don't know where to escape they start fluttering around and bouncing off one another and one of them ends up tumbling over the fence.  It is quite the scene.  After it happens they just kinda stand there and look around as if they have no idea why they are on the outside and everyone else is on the inside. But overall we are extremely happy with the fence.  In fact we are tossing around the idea of getting another roll to increase the amount of roaming space.
Everyone has also been asking me about my new baby chicks that were donated to the flock in April.  They are slowly but surely learning their pecking order in the Coop.  They are not to keen on traveling outside at this time so they spend their days inside the coop.  The newest thing they are learning is how to get up on the 6-7 feet high roosting rods.  As of last night three had successfully found a spot on the roosting rod and three were camping out on the ramp that attaches to the roost.  That is a huge deal considering the other chickens are huge bullies when it comes to sharing the roost.

Third - All I have to say about yard work, it is a good thing we don't live in a neighborhood because we would probably be getting nasty grams about mowing our grass more often and not weed eating!!!! The rain is not cooperating with our work schedules so sometimes it gets a little tall. Just sayin'.

Fourth - Work, Work, Work!! It pays the bills!!  This past week Nicky had a gig in Charlotte, NC and I had to show you a pic. He was working with Smithfield and they have the best slogan right now. They gave me a bumper magnet for my car that says FueledByBacon.  I LOVE it!!!

FRESH, FRESH, FRESH

In Ohio you always know when planting season and warmer weather is on the way.  The asparagus and rhubarb starts popping up and the herbs revitalize.  And low and behold this past week it finally happened.  Nicky and I leave several of our herbs in the ground over winter because they have no problem coming back in the spring.  Sage, onion chives, garlic chives, horseradish and thyme.  I did manage to keep the Italian parsley and spearmint alive in pots inside the house this winter. 

As far as the garden goes it is getting closer and closer to putting everything in the ground.  We already have the peas (which are about 2-3 inches tall), lettuce and arugula in the ground and coming up.  Very soon the beets and onions will go in.  After that tomatoes, squash, zucchini, corn, peppers, cantaloupe, green beans, sugar snap peas and anything else I happen to find at a nursery that I want to try. 

I can't wait for all this stuff to come up and start producing!!

UPDATE: The electric fence is working wonderful for the chickens.  I did order 8 more step in foot post for support.  If you have flat ground they would not be necessary.  Occasionally we have a bantam chicken or two escape through a small opening at the beginning of the fence next to the coop but overall they seem to not mind the confinement.  The first couple of days my egg production did decrease but with in a week we were back to normal.

Last but not least..... PEOPLE get out there and plant something!! It does not have to be anything huge.  Pick one thing you like having fresh and plant one next to the house or even in a pot.  If you do plant something leave me a comment below about what you are planting this year. 

Big 100!!

It was a BIG, BIG day yesterday. Not for us but for our dear friend Geraldine.  She turned 100 yesterday and her hometown threw her a big party.  Complete with food, friends, photos, and 100 BALLOONS!!!  I can not imagine what me or this world will be like if I survive to be 100.  When I was leaving the party I saw this basket full of handkerchiefs sitting on this table with cookies.  There was a note on the basket that said Geraldine would like all her lady friends to take a handkerchief as they leave.  She must of had 100's of these throughout her life.  And the best part was not one of them were alike.  Geraldine was always so fashionable!!

Congrats Geraldine and may you have many more!!

AND yes, the cookies were Delish!!

Bday Menu 2013 - Ducks with a side of chips and Apple

Saturday was my Birthday and nothing is better than a homemade card, saving some ducks and a trip to the Apple Store.

The best part of the whole day was being greeted with my Birthday card from Nicky!! I have been searching high and low for the new Lay's Sriracha potato chip.  It is a test flavor they have on the market for a short period of time and I have been dying to try them.  That is by far my favorite hot sauce.  Nicky, my husband, called Lay's and long story short he found the chips.  AMAZING that man!!  He then wrote on the bag to make it my birthday card.  I was laughing so hard when he pulled a bag of chips out of his closet!!  The bonus was at the end of his message.  It said, " I hope you enjoy your i?"  I just looked at him puzzled and he said, " you know...ipad, iPhone, ipackage...whatever you choose???" 

We both had a case of the giggles laughing about the whole scenario.  So the day went on and it was time to take my nephew, Owen, to drum lessons.  Of course as we pull into the parking lot I see a female Mallard and 12 babies.  Dodging cars left and right.  After a few phone calls and patience we (Nicky, Owen and I) managed to get the whole team to safety and water.  

STEP 1: Getting them out of the parking lot to the sidewalk

STEP 2: Finding grass/water in the area

STEP 3: SUCCESS

After rescuing the ducks we were off to the Apple store.  Problem is anyone who knows me well also knows that most decisions do not come easy for me.  I must research and weigh the options before making a purchase.  So after approx. 2 1/2 hours... I finally made my decision. YES, I said 2 1/2 hours.  After that trip to the Apple store Nicky may ban me from going back!!! 

Luckily we got done just in time to head to my Mother-in-laws house for chicken and noodles, greens, and some awesome mashed potatoes. Oh, and homemade dinner rolls!!

Overall it was an AMAZING day!!! Thanks to everyone for all the gifts, cards, and Birthday wishes.  

PS- the chips are really good!!

Surprise...New Arrivals

Just a quick post tonight from Lumpkin Lodge!! Thanks to Miss Ava we have six new baby chicks added to Coop 'deville.  She has taken amazing care of these little ones so it makes it much easier for them to adjust to their new home.  They have a nice baby coop set up with everything they love!!! Below are a couple pics of the newbies. 

Thanks again Miss Ava and Happy Birthday!!!

Trial and Error...or shall I say SHOCK!

Many of you already knew we were preparing to install an electric fence around the coop.  The main reason is to keep the chickens from destroying the garden.  The second reason was to deter predators around the coop so the chickens can come in and out a bit more freely.  After rain, work, more rain, two trips to the hardware store, and four calls to Kencove we finally managed to completely install the electric poultry netting that we got from Kencove.com.  I am giving them a shout out because every time I have called and had questions they were extremely helpful.  

In the end I ordered:

• 165' of electric poultry netting
• Kencove 1 joule Dual Purpose energizer
• Quick Ground Rod
• Insulated Cable (to run from fence to building)
• 4 Extra Net Post - for additional support
• 3 packs of anchor stakes
• 1 Jumper lead clip to connect underground wire to fence
• 1 Ground rod clamp to connect wire to ground rod
• Voltage tester

This fence went up so easy for it to be our first time.  AND if we knew more about electrical work it probably would not have taken more than an hour to complete the assembly from start to finish!! We wanted to bury the cable from the coop to the building that was housing the energizer which added a little more work.  You can just hook up a battery to the energizer as well but we preferred an outlet.

After all was said and done we were quite happy!! We opened the coop and let the chickens out into their new fenced territory to see what happened.  At first they were just happy to get out of the coop and get some treats. Then they decided to flutter around and get all worked up and one Hen did manage to fly out.  Once they all calmed back down it was exploration time.  They would creep close to the fence and peck around and then get curious about the fence and peck at it... only to realize OUCH that was not cool!! 

In this video the white Hen touches the fence with her comb and runs in to opposite direction and shakes it off!!

Long story short it is working. I think over the next few days they will realize the amount of respect they should have for the fence.  My one and only concern is when they get spooked they do attempt to fly to safety/cover. Hopefully they will learn to go back into the coop instead.  I guess it is a waiting game at this point. 

Spring has SPRUNG!!

Wow, what a beautiful day here in Ohio.  Makes me want to lay outside in the sun.  Not only am I enjoying this nice sunny weather but so are the Chickens.  They are not going to pass up a chance to get a nice DUST bath in for the day.  Yes, I said dust bath. It may sound a bit ironic but chickens take dust baths to stay clean and mite/lice free.  Basically they attempt to bury themselves as much as possible by flapping their wings and scratching their feet in the dirt.  Then once they are done with the dusting they stand up and shake and flap till all the dust comes off.  After you watch the video you are probably thinking... there is no way that white chicken will be white after rolling in all that dirt???  However I promise you if I was to take a picture of that same chicken later today you would have no clue she doused herself in dirt earlier today!!

Tomorrow's project... Electrified poultry netting for the chickens because yes it is gardening season and last year they had their way with it. NOT this year!!! I did not even get one cantaloupe last year because of my feathered friends.  So much to my disappointment I have to rope'em in for a bit.  That being said I am giving them more than enough space to roam about outside to eat their bugs and grass.

Have a GREAT day and if it is nice in your part of the WORLD (yes I have readers from around the world) GET OUTSIDE!!!!

Happy SPRING!!!

Beautiful Bride!!!

Well, I have finally returned from a wonderful time with my family back in Texas.  Not only to celebrate Easter but my Beautiful sister got "hitched".  I would like to officially welcome my new Bro-in-law, Luke to the fambam.

On a side note Nicky and I are collecting to many of the same names in our families. Nicky and I each have an Andy, Luke, and Owen.  You should hear us have a conversation: Me -" I was talking to Andy the other day...", Nicky- "My Andy or your Andy?"

Anyways, the wedding was wonderful and everyone had a great time.  My sister put me to the creativity test. I helped her with the invitations, corsage/boutonnieres and the photography.  It was worth all the work to see her happy on her special day!!

Blacked out to protect the innocent!!

Corsage for the Moms

For Luke and the Boys

Hope all of my readers had a WONDERFUL Easter weekend!!  It is finally warm enough to start in the garden so get ready!!!

CONGRATS and Happy Honeymooning to my lil' Sis!!

Welcome Spring!

Another exciting week here in Ohio.  Nothing like welcoming Spring than with a nice Snow fall????!!!!

We did manage to get one nice day this week so we could introduce the ladies to their new nest boxes.  As soon as we installed them they were hopping in and out trying to figure out what was going on.  The roosters were just as curious. Overall we love these front roll out nest boxes.  As soon as the Hen lays an egg it rolls forward into a small basket under the perch.  No more broken, pecked at, stepped on eggs!! Yeah!!

Even though we had snow this week, Nicky had started the garden seeds inside last week so we could get a jump start on the garden.  He started onion seed, two types of tomato seed, herbs, peppers and a few others. As it warms up we will slowly introduce them to the outdoors. Giving them a few hours of sun and getting them toughened up to be transplanted.  We have about six to eight trays of seeds started which means when it is time to take them out it is six to eight trips to get them outside.  SOLUTION- we found a little greenhouse called the Early Start Greenhouse at Home Depot. It isn't anything fancy but with two people it will be one trip to get the new plants outside. 

That just about sums up my wisdom and knowledge for this week... Have a BLESSED Easter weekend and enjoy the time with your friends and family. 

PS: Cool idea for coloring eggs (from Facebook)

SHAVING CREAM EGG DYE
1. Spread cheap white shaving cream in a cookie sheet
2. Apply drops of neon food coloring across surface
3. Use toothpicks to swirl colors around
4. Roll the dried, cooled hardboiled eggs in the colorful cream (use disposable kitchen gloves to reduce the tattoo effect)
5. Allow to set for 3-4 minutes on a paper plate
6. Wipe off shaving cream with paper towel and rinse! Done!!

SO much....so little time!

So much to talk about this week I almost don't know where to start.  Maybe I will just lay it all out there.
First, I got new nesting boxes (for the ladies) for my B-day and although they are not actually in the coop they are put together and look fantastic!!! Thanks Mom!

6 Hole Front Roll-Out Nest box

Second, Nicky and I sent a GIGANTIC mixer (5 gallon bowl) to get painted and after 9 months we finally got it back. He is like a kid in a candy store when he can play with big kitchen equipment!

Why would we paint a mixer you ask??? That was the marital deal... must be painted and cleaned before coming into the house.  This thing is huge. It used to be used at an Elementary School in town and Nicky had to have it.  He can now make more pasta, bread and pizza dough easier/faster so it was worth it.

Making Pasta

So needless to say we (Nicky) have been busy. We made a ton of different pasta and stored it in the freezer and we also have some amazing bread. 

And for any of you bread and butter lovers out there I have quite the treat for you!! Amish Roll Butter.  That's right a big huge chunk of DELISH fat/lard/cream whatever you want to call it. It is great on homemade bread. It comes in one huge log. We prefer to slice the roll and then put the extra in the freezer. We can then just remove one piece at a time. 

As you can tell between chickens/Coop, work, helping Chef Nicky, and everything in between it was a fun filled week.  

Last but not least I am sure you're all on the edge of your seats wondering how the cleanse is going... we are currently in week two and as you can see from our dinner we have adopted the philosophy that it is all about balance!!!!

You know what I mean.  Eat homemade pizza then FLUSH it out with cabbage!!!

Spring Cleanse...and I'm not talkin' about the house!

This may be T.M.I. but a couple times a year we break down and try to detox.  I'm not saying that we don't slip up here and there but I say we get an "E" for effort.  The last time I was at Trader Joe's I bought their Complete Body Cleanse.  It is a GENTLE two week cleanse that doesn't starve you.  It does recommend reducing the intake of processed foods, beef, pork, dairy, wheat, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, potatoes, saturated fats and artificial sweeteners.  Ok, that just about rules everything out BUT we try our best.  Needless to say we eat A LOT of vegetable soup.  It isn't on the NO-NO list and it is low in calorie.  So after the two weeks we are not only cleaner but we are usually a little leaner as well!!  It's like getting a two for one special.

We are currently on day three of the cleanse and YUP you guessed it, vegetable soup for dinner.  It is one of my favorites so I didn't mind.

PS: I will never be able to stay away from dairy!!! oh, and wheat!

YES... it was Delish!!

Well the warm weather day before yesterday was just a teaser. Yesterday back to the 30's and possibility of snow tonight.  On a brighter note I wanted to share some pictures from the canning we did the other night. Last night we went to my mother in laws house and had homemade spaghetti and meatballs with some of the sauce we canned and it was DELISH! I think we decided it was even better than what we canned in 2012.  It is so nice and convienent to be able to come home and pop open a jar of homemade sauce. Since we can so much at a time it last at least a year if not longer. Well WORTH it!!

Sauce ready for Jars

Packing the Jars

Double canners going!!

After 3 rounds in the canner...DONE!!

Oh so worth it!! Give it a try sometime. 

The house is a Poppin'

Wow what a BEAUTIFUL day we had here today.  After getting over five inches of snow last week it was almost 70 degrees today.  Must have been something in the air but this weather put us in the canning mood.  While our nephew Max kept the chickens on their toes this afternoon Nicky started the process of homemade tomato and pizza sauce.  I don't think any one would argue that nothing taste better than homemade....anything!!!  When I got home from work Nicky had the sauce almost ready for the jars.  It could be a one man process but we like the two man/woman method.  Ya know... BONDING time!! Dr. Phil says it's important (kidding, I don't watch Dr. Phil). After all was said and done we canned about 11 gallons between the tomato and pizza sauce combined. I have to say the most satisfying part of the day is when the house starts a "poppin".  Anyone who has canned before knows exactly what I am talking about.  After the cans are removed from the pressure cooker they slowly start to seal. Once they "POP" the process is complete. So tonight I just wanted to let ya know that the house is a "poppin".

Pictures to follow!!

One Rooster Down...

Over the past few weeks I have been trying to find a home for a few of my Roosters.  I posted on Craigslist and finally got a call this week.  As soon as I called the person back I started freaking out inside my head wondering what they were going to do with a Rooster if they bought one.  The one he would be buying was hatched from eggs that my Bantam hens had laid right here in my own coop!!  

First Eggs hatched, the chick in back sold today.

Roosters are typically hard to get rid of because you do not need as many roosters as you do hens.  So when the guy called I asked him if he already had chickens to feel him out on what his plans were for this Rooster.  I wanted to try my best to make sure he was not buying them to fight or torture???  After two days of worrying today was the final straw.  I gave the guy my address and hoped for the best.  In the end it worked out very well; he was a teenage boy with plenty of hens to keep my little Rooster happy.  

After he left the other Roosters were looking around as if they couldn't quite figure out what just went down... they are probably having nightmares tonight about whether they are getting carted off tomorrow!! Everyone better be on their best behavior or THEY could be next!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a wonderful start to your week.

FYI: in case you wondered what's for dinner....Turkey POT PIE!!