Eggs Anyone?

Since the gardening season is over in Central Oregon there is not much going on at my house.  The garden is tilled and awaiting the spring.  The worms are happy and quickly turning their bin.  I have been sewing a lot more lately.  It is more like teaching myself to sew with the expertise of some sewing friends.  My latest project is going to be a quilt.  I will show you it in a couple of years when it is done, LOL.  I am still composting.  Soon I think I will tarp the compost to help keep it a little warmer during the winter.  I don’t know for sure that this works, but I feel like I am doing something productive.  I plan on getting some fresh apples and canning them soon.

…and the chickens…

I was told that if you want your chickens to keep laying during the winter you have to put a heat lamp in with them.  I kept it in mind but only got it in there about 2 1/2 weeks ago.  Through the summer we were getting 3 eggs a day from our 3 lovely ladies.  I noticed that before we got the light in there we were only getting maybe 1 egg on a good day.  So in went the lamp.  It took about a week, but we are up to 2-3 eggs a day.

So… I guess it has been proven.  My girls are laying well again and we will be leaving the lamp in until the nights warm up again.  Today, that seems like a LONG time.

ALSO…

This is the time of year that we shop more than normal.  Lets be sure we are doing our part by taking those reusable bags into the store with us.  Sometimes they are easy to forget, but lets try real hard to not contribute to more plastic bags.

Blah blah blah

I have entered my baked goods in the fair and am awaiting the judging outcome.  My son, Cameron also entered a couple of things this year as well. 

Nothing much is going on in the garden, just sucking up tons of water because of the heat.  They love the heat though.  I am getting pumpkins galore, gourds too.  Lots of green tomatoes, none red yet.  The corn is huge and is producing well so far.  Not ready to pick though. 

The chickens have started laying.  Little baby eggs.  There are really cute.  My little girls are becoming hens.

Crystal, Omerosa, and Trixy

The clothes don’t take long to dry on the clothesline because it is so hot.  I do love the clothesline.

 

Potty Training

My compost would be complete if I would leave it alone and quit adding to it.  I have a couple of pumpkins I allowed to stay growing in it.  I have finally been able to construct a second story home for the worms.  If I could only get them to move out of the first story just a bit quicker, that would be great.  They are movin’ on up SLOWLY.  Mostly the baby worms for now.

The Chicken Coop… Part 1

Another one of my “spring” projects is a chicken coop.  I am sure this will be quite the undertaking because it has to fit all of my chickens.  That’s right all 2 of them.  I only really need one, but I couldn’t let her be lonely.  I am not sure what I am more excited about the fresh eggs or the poo for my compost!

Today Jim, Cam, Addi and I went to pick up the wood to start the project.  Huge Thank You to our long time friends the Capps Family!!!  I am pretty indecisive so I know how big the coop will be and the rest I will figure out along the way.  I am sure that’s how all great plans start, right???  This is Part 1 for a reason, be prepared for the play by plays.

 

The Chicken Coop 2-15-09