tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77253961780822922442024-03-05T13:48:09.098-08:00The Little Biddy Hen HouseRural Life in the 'Boro - moving towards a permaculture and sustainable life.Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-72915151449863393392022-04-10T04:00:00.002-07:002022-04-10T20:20:28.969-07:00Multiplying Comfrey<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Dug out one of the emerging comfrey plants - this was a solid row. They are Bocking 14 and do not reproduce from seed; therefore it does not take over. In fact, in my heavy clay soil, they behave quite nicely.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1o3_tYmBNS9FmXCiSDVEra8aDp7tNgkIl" height="400" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1o3_tYmBNS9FmXCiSDVEra8aDp7tNgkIl" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="300" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The plant yielded 4 crowns (the ones with leaves) and 14 root cuttings a little bigger in diameter than a pencil. This is what it looked like on planting day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1px9z1mm1fdlJqL3Kc0OXFAFwL-n-mKLo" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1px9z1mm1fdlJqL3Kc0OXFAFwL-n-mKLo" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: auto;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A week later the crowns are already showing new growth, although not top growth from the roots yet. I don't have the doors on my little cattle panel hoop house, but it does keep the wind off of them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1zFVoQLp1gaElkDSksFonSV1fBSNCLBd6" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1zFVoQLp1gaElkDSksFonSV1fBSNCLBd6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: auto;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A week later and you can't even see where I dug up the plant. Leaves on the ones in cups are still small, but the leaves on the ones in the ground are quite a bit bigger. In a few more weeks the leaves in the ones in the ground will be longer than my hand and then by summer will be almost as long as my arm.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1UidB9s_Y7-kVQxO1QOLaS5WEKblbaTbW" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1UidB9s_Y7-kVQxO1QOLaS5WEKblbaTbW" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: auto;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">This is what one of the crowns looked like when I went to check root growth. Totally amazed and happy -- can't believe this is less than two weeks since this bit of crown went into cups.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Rr2TI-Mp8Pje_lXmzEXGnmelFtXD4Xzp" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Rr2TI-Mp8Pje_lXmzEXGnmelFtXD4Xzp" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Potted them up. Hopefully they will grow even better root systems. I know I am giving away at least two of these plants. Do I sell the rest? Plant them in a circle around a tree? Or? So many options that last night I dug another plant from a different area and made more. Hopefully I will see top growth from my root cuttings in the next few weeks.<span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=13syfdL5C1Dc27xXKzeIgihlwnkzioI0j" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=13syfdL5C1Dc27xXKzeIgihlwnkzioI0j" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: auto;" /><br /></div>Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.7128918.780006163821156 -130.869141 65.400473836178847 -60.556641tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-83966557456446856532022-03-05T08:00:00.009-08:002022-04-10T20:22:44.229-07:00Daffodil Sunshine<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I missed most of Daffodil Season as I was on business travel for most of it. Still got to enjoy a lovely little bouquet. Nothing says, "Spring <i>will</i> come" like Daffodils.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1zQwVLIssh2sB8UVWNKOirYOx8TzactUe" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1zQwVLIssh2sB8UVWNKOirYOx8TzactUe" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-29600557581317939232021-02-28T17:20:00.002-08:002021-02-28T17:37:16.504-08:002020 Homestead Recap<span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Lists! I'm a list maker! So here, in no particular order, is my recap and lessons learned for 2020 and dreams and opportunities for 2021.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>Built a Greenhouse</b>!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It is a Texas Prepper 2 hoop style greenhouse. During the summer I had the south side wall rolled up and the frame covered in tule fabric to keep out bugs. The tulle allowed a lovely breeze to keep the greenhouse cool during those hot, humid, Southern days and worked for keeping out most of the mosquitos. During the winter I double layered the plastic and during the worst nights, hung old sheets inside and ran a small space heater. Pricey on the electricity, but on a 12*F night, it kept it just above 40*F. I didn't build real doors - just roll up the plastic on the ends. I love this baby. </span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Built it all myself!</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Had to have help moving the bottom frame into place - could not build the frame in place because I did not design my little orchard to have space for a greenhouse - Permaculture Type One Error - Although I would not trade this little lovely greenhouse - if I had planned for the possibility 5 years ago, what a better setup I would have. Still, my little space is the jungle is wonderful.</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">200 feet of heavy outdoor contractor extension cord was the best thing I did. And the second best thing I did after it got run over by our bush hog... repaired the original, but no longer feel comfortable leaving it outside in our temperate rain forest and mud climate.</span></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi9UzXDwG1GrEcZjEQtiAc0exlXisP5BP8Xyolc3NrNsCu9d_5pi5zWOZJEWcz8ewDcj57RaaILrUQ8PhJsv8QJwDHTVWzykF174wWuPIXjdqn4PPX-Bs_UJlBSKDLIZ3nMAjI3_tLKN_/s2048/IMG_0523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi9UzXDwG1GrEcZjEQtiAc0exlXisP5BP8Xyolc3NrNsCu9d_5pi5zWOZJEWcz8ewDcj57RaaILrUQ8PhJsv8QJwDHTVWzykF174wWuPIXjdqn4PPX-Bs_UJlBSKDLIZ3nMAjI3_tLKN_/w400-h300/IMG_0523.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>Firsts</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Firsts are usually done on a small scale for fun and exploration. The goal is to usually spend $25 or less on a project. If I can do it for less than $5, even better. The nutrients for the Kraty were kind of pricey, but the other projects cost me $5 or less and used stuff I already had, so I figured it averaged out and splurged. And the pH meter and PPM meter were things I was going to buy anyway. Or so my story goes.</span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Overwintered lettuce and mixed greens. Fresh salad greens for Thanksgiving and Christmas. And the bok choi survived the February snow and ice storm.</span></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwoT12QVT6hh-9dtuGIPg7d6bPMVdv-gNWeuAHEHYy5X8TCZjdZn2d5emFpYl3-hz33lX4x7M194VNCSJceOsko_kd0AGqKUiO-fk2ZB4kVhXpNT8kcdebPU0pXeDDmOKmvjty4-CFyJz/s2048/IMG_3656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwoT12QVT6hh-9dtuGIPg7d6bPMVdv-gNWeuAHEHYy5X8TCZjdZn2d5emFpYl3-hz33lX4x7M194VNCSJceOsko_kd0AGqKUiO-fk2ZB4kVhXpNT8kcdebPU0pXeDDmOKmvjty4-CFyJz/w300-h400/IMG_3656.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Made microgreen bowls in old Panera Bread salad bowls for winter cut and come again lettuces under grow lights during early spring 2020 - the fall outdoor lettuce were way less work and produced more food - but the bowls were fun. Bring to the kitchen to harvest and put them back out the next morning. I mean, even less than 5 minutes from harvest to tummy.</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Tried the Kratky method for growing some herbs - the containers that I used were generally too small, and with the heat of summer, the plants just sucked up the nutrients - they grew well, but I killed the herbs through neglect and evaporation. The cuttings I took from tomato plants are sitting on my kitchen counter right now just waiting for the sun to return.</span></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6a70HwQY7jmBcsn4yWwY_LcwefaTMV9NBavxUyuFH_QEdwKd0Zr2lvpThoN8JZb-inlZVVlA-6Qe4JAUgjWrJjeCEz5663tzMY2hWP4fH4i1v4w32zwR21r5GALR9sn7P2NwWxs2trrZ/s2048/IMG_2746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6a70HwQY7jmBcsn4yWwY_LcwefaTMV9NBavxUyuFH_QEdwKd0Zr2lvpThoN8JZb-inlZVVlA-6Qe4JAUgjWrJjeCEz5663tzMY2hWP4fH4i1v4w32zwR21r5GALR9sn7P2NwWxs2trrZ/w300-h400/IMG_2746.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Growing ginger - started a few rhizomes from the store. Currently living a kraty-ish hydroponic life. May plant some in pots outdoors. We have winters way too cold for ginger. Can I overwinter enough of them to continuously have my own starts for the summer? In 5 months of heat and humidity, can they produce enough for me to use each year?</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;">Grew enough flowers to have flowers in the house all summer - I've never been one to grow my own flowers - but with working from home, I wanted to bring some of the outside inside.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzms54t6g73C6_UYsVWjo8I9MdBTr1di9HEMfHqk-wVZon7X8EcveFy-MejUO_zf2IJ17D1iWXhUQ90JTwERHw2yk4CUL2FJjg87UsWhRjR90VMk2tEC7VZ2pPx5QyISRL3YxfffUGYYkh/s2048/IMG_2079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzms54t6g73C6_UYsVWjo8I9MdBTr1di9HEMfHqk-wVZon7X8EcveFy-MejUO_zf2IJ17D1iWXhUQ90JTwERHw2yk4CUL2FJjg87UsWhRjR90VMk2tEC7VZ2pPx5QyISRL3YxfffUGYYkh/w300-h400/IMG_2079.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /></span></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>The Good</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The good things are either things that were wildly successful (to me, anyway), or brought me a special joy.</span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Greenhouse - built a greenhouse on the cheap using the Texas Prepper 2 method, and I love it! Extended my season and even though I brought the plants indoors before I went on a month long trip in mid-January, it allowed me to overwinter some tomato plant cuttings. Of course, I didn't label them, so I will have a bed of "Surprise!" tomatoes this year.</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Tenacity - a number of small disasters happened, and there was some sad and unexpected loss of chicken life - but I am resilient and we made it through</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">First Luna moth sighting - sitting on my greenhouse screen door. I had heard that we were in their territory, but in nearly a decade here, this was the first one I had seen.</span></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3txYen9JpNZP6s0EvQlRJ6qNJQmndRuvbRktRJHApqWYe2S3BGNlzFjQfMMb77Py-CrVH1H6Lxxny7YH4UWV46Ru9HFK1V60cglK-amG-8BZV7t5JGq3bGMbp3uFvS8WI6OE2JdmMaVL0/s2048/IMG_0735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3txYen9JpNZP6s0EvQlRJ6qNJQmndRuvbRktRJHApqWYe2S3BGNlzFjQfMMb77Py-CrVH1H6Lxxny7YH4UWV46Ru9HFK1V60cglK-amG-8BZV7t5JGq3bGMbp3uFvS8WI6OE2JdmMaVL0/w300-h400/IMG_0735.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Chickens - proved I can raise up chickens and have mama chickens raise up chickens, even in winter. Winter is a brutal time to raise babies. My preference is to not.</span></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nYjMM6419DDtB06a_DTnjddTe9kxn9mLtn47XM5A1IDSpyBIUvLmCRmBoPd7uGo90MNSWhhy9gCBMJs_y8f_P-ut0EJRX-B1eaP5n9KNbAk4kv3R_WjdVYDnvsYs29PPJZKSL7HkM-c1/s2048/IMG_2600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nYjMM6419DDtB06a_DTnjddTe9kxn9mLtn47XM5A1IDSpyBIUvLmCRmBoPd7uGo90MNSWhhy9gCBMJs_y8f_P-ut0EJRX-B1eaP5n9KNbAk4kv3R_WjdVYDnvsYs29PPJZKSL7HkM-c1/w400-h300/IMG_2600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">COVID work from home gave me 10-14 hours a week back in my life to hang out and enjoy the homestead (although I miss driving 90 MPH down the highway).</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Tea in the garden before work! Hot chocolate in the greenhouse at night! Fresh blackberries and raspberries to graze on any time I was in the garden. These little 4 inch sticks from Stark Bros. that I planted out two years before had found their stride. Berry heaven! I am in the process of lining all of my garden fencing with bramble berries! Sweet wonderfulness!</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Temporary electricity to the greenhouse for heating - and for my lovely little string of decorative lights. I hope they survived the deep freeze.</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Pumpkins - in spite of squash bugs gallor, both the Rouge Vif D'Etampes and the Musquee de Provance pumpkins thrived, each one producing 3 - 4 medium sized pumpkins. I didn't cure them well, though, so while some made it as puree into the freezer, most went to the chickens when they started to go soft. C. moschata and C. maxima - so they should not have crossbred. The only two squash I grew. Got more than 100 seeds of each. Will see if they come true to seed this year.</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Ordered my 2021 season seeds early in January - a little late for me - but still got most all that was on my list. Who knew that by late February most of my faves would be sold out. </span></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WbaaZDwlmw_CJwiOVopMeC-b3CYMFEvuKpN9XRdNcV4cKZeiz1pUOFFnI_-knMDvwlbd0CrRmzIR69gtkVOLvUv0X3nDon4hy-xSCeB38QT3CAXZIrSbd5YBEUtAXJxJ-lK5fCtLA8nu/s2048/IMG_3659_Crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1463" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WbaaZDwlmw_CJwiOVopMeC-b3CYMFEvuKpN9XRdNcV4cKZeiz1pUOFFnI_-knMDvwlbd0CrRmzIR69gtkVOLvUv0X3nDon4hy-xSCeB38QT3CAXZIrSbd5YBEUtAXJxJ-lK5fCtLA8nu/w286-h400/IMG_3659_Crop.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>The Bad</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Things that didn't turn out so well. Mostly due to my fault. Some of which I seem to keep repeating over the years. But the list is short, because how much bad can their be when you get to live in a little slice of heaven? </span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Spent too much money on seeds that I didn't plant. Did not improve this for the 2021 season.</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Wasted time on things other than the homestead garden and chickens</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Procrastinated a lot - and Procrastination Kills Plants</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Cold Spring and late Last Frost caused some plants to die. Especially since I wasn't Johnny-on-the-spot with frost blankets.</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Finishing my Masters during the early growing season really cut into the time I spent caring for chickens and plants</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Lost the two tomato plants from seed that I got from my sister from another mother's mom due to weather and mostly neglect. I have a few more seeds. Going to try again.</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Did not react fast enough to predator issues with chickens and lost all of my old birds and some of my very young birds (thus having to raise babies in winter).</span></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>Surprises from 2018</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The debacle of the winter sowing experiment of 2018</span> <span style="font-size: 21.3333px;">yielded</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> some puny scrawny salvia, hyssop and rudbeckia plants. They kind of limped along in 2019. And in 2020 they found their stride and went bananas!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCHQ-Bg_IX9m0bj2c7XRBRYMTv3VKzJjv9LSAf8-gFNDcGQ0sXjJ1u6309NHGMPPLyeNB8yKYdVceFv8zBulzzlbOylm0GhMxe2hx4ZnujBBQkeUmQJHLBAuu1txcPsvTdxaLZp06ABOQ/s2048/IMG_2480.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCHQ-Bg_IX9m0bj2c7XRBRYMTv3VKzJjv9LSAf8-gFNDcGQ0sXjJ1u6309NHGMPPLyeNB8yKYdVceFv8zBulzzlbOylm0GhMxe2hx4ZnujBBQkeUmQJHLBAuu1txcPsvTdxaLZp06ABOQ/w400-h300/IMG_2480.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>Keep Doing This</b></span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Trying new things</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Going outside every day, even if the weather is cruddy and outside is sitting on the back porch for 5 minutes</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Growing things</span></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>Stop Doing That</b></span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Spending time and money on people and things I don't love and care about</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Acquiring stuff for stuff's sake</span></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>Opportunities for 2021</b></span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Spring plant sale - can I sell 1000 tomato plants, 500 pepper plants and 500 herb plants? That is 2000 plants in addition to the starts that I will start for myself. Oh, and cuttings. Can I grow some weeping willow,</span> <span style="font-size: 21.3333px;">variegated</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> willow, hybrid poplar and dogwood cuttings?</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Repair garden fencing</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Provide mobile fencing for chickens and maybe tractors to get them out on the land more</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Improve perimeter fencing to keep dogs from wandering</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Farm Stand - eggs, tomatoes, other produce, sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos and "canning jar bouquets"</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Enough berries to make a jar of jam?</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Small scale canning - ordered an electric pressure canner - do I sell my loverly All American?</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Set up to have baby sex-linked chicks for next Spring</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Sunflower seeds, pumpkins and such for chickens, deer, song birds and other wild life - can I grow pumpkin and sunflowers in the field under the power wires?</span></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Can I make $1000 in revenue from my homestead? If I make $3000 I might actually make a profit?</span></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span>Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-40177587381158657312021-02-11T19:58:00.003-08:002021-02-11T19:58:26.434-08:00Introducing New Chickens to the Flock<I>Gardening in Middle Tennessee</I>
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<iframe id="lbry-iframe" width="560" height="315" src="https://odysee.com/$/embed/IntegratingChickenFlocks/72ea440069869c4781a2caf1dec9d39b4409e01b?r=8xQaiXm8QfTjvvQszbXHZfTmvRoyiYce" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Generally speaking, I prefer to raise chicks up in the late spring and early summer so that they are ready to integrate into the flock while the weather is still warm. There are a number of advantages to growing out chicks during this time. One is that they can come out of the brooder sooner, both in terms of permanantly being out of the brooder and for enjoying short excursions outside of the brooder. Another is that they will likely skip their first autumn molt. The important one for me, however, is that they will come into lay during winter and all of those young chicken hormones will keep them laying right through the dark of winter. The chicks in this video were born in October and I can say from experience that it takes more feed and more time to raise up babies during that time. And due to cold weather, the babies could only be outside to hang out acroos the fence from their future flock-mates for only a few hours or so during the heat of the day.
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Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-36254994626110335542021-02-07T21:18:00.000-08:002021-02-07T21:18:06.171-08:00Chicks for 2021<i>Homesteading in Middle Tennessee</i>
<div>I will be offering day-old (few days old) and "out of the brooder" age chickens for sale again in 2021. Here is a photo shoot video of some of the Class of 2017. If you are interested in the Spring Class of 2021, please email me at Karla.Upton@yahoo.com</div><div><br /></div>
<iframe id="lbry-iframe" width="560" height="315" src="https://odysee.com/$/embed/ClassOf2017-Chicks/252c2c3b3122e74da28b3ae6d3ec5ba7dda94a14?r=8xQaiXm8QfTjvvQszbXHZfTmvRoyiYce" allowfullscreen></iframe>Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-27787919520998104342018-12-11T23:48:00.002-08:002018-12-12T00:44:32.099-08:00Journal Entries & Combining Blogs<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been keeping a hand-written journal of my gardening and homesteading activities for over 10 years. I had started a separate blog to post those thousands and thousands of entries; however, managing more than one blog, playing with chickens and working at a full-time corporate job just wasn't cutting it. So, now I'm in the progress of moving these journal entries to The Little Biddy Henhouse. Most of them won't be nearly as elaborate as an actual blogpost, and probably there won't be many photos to accompany them; however, if you want a peek into what gardening was like in the Nevada High Desert and how it is here in Middle Tennessee, they might do that. In addition, as I move the entries, I've had some time to reflect and/or comment on those thoughts from years past. Have a wonderful Holiday Season. Looking forward to the Winter Solstice when the days begin lengthening.
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Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-56409539808892796692017-12-23T19:25:00.000-08:002017-12-23T19:25:40.938-08:00A Sleeping Promise from Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've inventoried my seed collection, faced once again with the thought that I may have a problem with hoarding. Over 400 varieties. Some seeds so old that germination may be iffy. Some seeds arriving just in time for the Winter Solstice. A resolution to plant at least 70% of the varieties out. A resolution always broken. But, at least some go into the ground to get their chance at <i>being</i>. Perhaps what I have is not too much hoarding, but an abundance of optimism? Each sleeping seed a promise that <i>Spring will come.</i> </div>
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Southern Pea (cowpea): Colossus. </div>
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Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-48986418682435263182017-12-16T23:19:00.000-08:002017-12-16T23:26:08.169-08:00Backyard Bird PhotographsI should probably name these, but in the interest of actually getting the photos edited and posted, I'm just going to toss them on here. I'll name the ones I know...
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPHKd5Q17WkBVXE9OHdhyphenhyphenzKybmpE42M_lvvsDm5lDyInXStdHoRpIVDxwlyaaf-RmYtWLOjhqx9Cd2mJmMIU9lVSdthGRk0WpjhCactOM3OyfM2sjGLeDzpbwHPqGR2usa9lyNomZM9tJ/s1600/DSC_0108-CR-Crop-48p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="764" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPHKd5Q17WkBVXE9OHdhyphenhyphenzKybmpE42M_lvvsDm5lDyInXStdHoRpIVDxwlyaaf-RmYtWLOjhqx9Cd2mJmMIU9lVSdthGRk0WpjhCactOM3OyfM2sjGLeDzpbwHPqGR2usa9lyNomZM9tJ/s640/DSC_0108-CR-Crop-48p.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Cardinal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOJomLlCttBUpaLvKgk_jomRes2Ir7R5CBv0hwrfj5bj0aRIS6DKKkJIi7ADwn5vVZC11aK0TLsa1_Ap2uGswP9PvVQk-P0bbraKu2G7RPjYy5XtjH3zDSoUGk26s7AsYI5POpjiRanBZ/s1600/DSC_0092-CR-Crop-40p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="738" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOJomLlCttBUpaLvKgk_jomRes2Ir7R5CBv0hwrfj5bj0aRIS6DKKkJIi7ADwn5vVZC11aK0TLsa1_Ap2uGswP9PvVQk-P0bbraKu2G7RPjYy5XtjH3zDSoUGk26s7AsYI5POpjiRanBZ/s640/DSC_0092-CR-Crop-40p.jpg" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby it's cold out here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR7vr4XAqm1hg5K-Z8Uyf8No5jGgd8_7UIyLiKwMIJaZN02bloGKgmVLHYicQgGx7e6m1Zq0-Tsb3TIAcKXcBAqxVl7Yo1ZsSs5uKXCIpao0b0ND42oxR6xFS0ZHyuFHf0rlYlr0k5b73/s1600/DSC_0566-CR-Crop-34p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR7vr4XAqm1hg5K-Z8Uyf8No5jGgd8_7UIyLiKwMIJaZN02bloGKgmVLHYicQgGx7e6m1Zq0-Tsb3TIAcKXcBAqxVl7Yo1ZsSs5uKXCIpao0b0ND42oxR6xFS0ZHyuFHf0rlYlr0k5b73/s640/DSC_0566-CR-Crop-34p.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But yes, cracked corn!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4POLDUqeJuqqJqkfAMD9FmFUMf3dfuEONn1z0WG-sDQ99niX6RfomLSkBGmwYlIkVeobFATRU_63JJCSq6Y_psochaRrFDLRyGSsbW8VjMuepywgE2exSMWG_RiGDlfq6f82K5JRdpLC/s1600/DSC_0241-CR-Crop-40p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="699" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4POLDUqeJuqqJqkfAMD9FmFUMf3dfuEONn1z0WG-sDQ99niX6RfomLSkBGmwYlIkVeobFATRU_63JJCSq6Y_psochaRrFDLRyGSsbW8VjMuepywgE2exSMWG_RiGDlfq6f82K5JRdpLC/s640/DSC_0241-CR-Crop-40p.jpg" width="419" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady Cardinal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2BzK7vxRmiCjhuOI7bh9ElLMX2osrgzk-k2ZFOmNDmeosIvp2gWCtVmH1q6Wtns6vyMXSPAmHP0WV0YVrTRuF_9ubVsAKug17k-5YaZeT4Aym_ko9yE2lrHA_kkq3etJJRrsYGHbe3Ad/s1600/DSC_0251CR-Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="614" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2BzK7vxRmiCjhuOI7bh9ElLMX2osrgzk-k2ZFOmNDmeosIvp2gWCtVmH1q6Wtns6vyMXSPAmHP0WV0YVrTRuF_9ubVsAKug17k-5YaZeT4Aym_ko9yE2lrHA_kkq3etJJRrsYGHbe3Ad/s640/DSC_0251CR-Crop.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why hello!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JZ8mMpQy0Havjg21N9rfWpOJPu2VFKHiEiYAfWGVQyMPPF5BkntrJztHUT1tV-csbEqkvdFQfFOxBydAwkq1YzyUjjQPr59_2XlWs1tQkwxbC2AQ8WlQ-sSGmLs75bQ9o-9F3ntM8aTc/s1600/DSC_0011-Cr-Crop-68p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1282" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JZ8mMpQy0Havjg21N9rfWpOJPu2VFKHiEiYAfWGVQyMPPF5BkntrJztHUT1tV-csbEqkvdFQfFOxBydAwkq1YzyUjjQPr59_2XlWs1tQkwxbC2AQ8WlQ-sSGmLs75bQ9o-9F3ntM8aTc/s400/DSC_0011-Cr-Crop-68p.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodpecker</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUDsW6lkcWmDzmyOj9sWsIjzuwyHZc-lvulNYE1htEn01Zvcr4d3puR8-kzq69J9BG-lFU8df8XQ73pTrp4pKstc_BAKej24wKZVEvsmuxqH4XPokY-2_PvDRggJj1EQQuq4dCLmr2qOK/s1600/DSC_0143-CR-Crop-64p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1307" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUDsW6lkcWmDzmyOj9sWsIjzuwyHZc-lvulNYE1htEn01Zvcr4d3puR8-kzq69J9BG-lFU8df8XQ73pTrp4pKstc_BAKej24wKZVEvsmuxqH4XPokY-2_PvDRggJj1EQQuq4dCLmr2qOK/s400/DSC_0143-CR-Crop-64p.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same one?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pOv6WaxPGaMBfeSzzNaEPdpGmxPcKKOU8G99gdph8BTEKvMkuS8EKlUT3HxT0GyA6DwR_TE8itQci06WeIGv5htak7BbLELGeY53dlRJLBQ0isi5UFwBkWyF_hhkpikBvlqatx0RkjyF/s1600/DSC_0289-CR-Crop-48p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="748" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pOv6WaxPGaMBfeSzzNaEPdpGmxPcKKOU8G99gdph8BTEKvMkuS8EKlUT3HxT0GyA6DwR_TE8itQci06WeIGv5htak7BbLELGeY53dlRJLBQ0isi5UFwBkWyF_hhkpikBvlqatx0RkjyF/s640/DSC_0289-CR-Crop-48p.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A different woodpecker.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFi4SF9IOlxDaC0gFnRA9cxPwBfXBfeI9PULvRp7claPSvfaMYCmRsUu3NACcAqijgpnxSF8EeKZV00Ke3qT1hvUfiM2zvfkxRgY4gLaLS0L27kSf9Wff6koyBzpZf5Q2nEIXXEHK-JIMl/s1600/DSC_0498-CR-Crop-32p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="729" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFi4SF9IOlxDaC0gFnRA9cxPwBfXBfeI9PULvRp7claPSvfaMYCmRsUu3NACcAqijgpnxSF8EeKZV00Ke3qT1hvUfiM2zvfkxRgY4gLaLS0L27kSf9Wff6koyBzpZf5Q2nEIXXEHK-JIMl/s640/DSC_0498-CR-Crop-32p.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDVMcLnqm_xWCtSWjo7ghf80BCmkHanzgd6IJmvVwsa7DCWgMJwlOagXsdgfnf6-YddNonvcw-dV7Qb0awHa9N3txE5JDpJEGxjZ9NEnGQa3R3efOI3xL4A8wN_Ub_bv5WU_7U7dxJ2mZ/s1600/DSC_0477-CR-crop-38p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="752" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDVMcLnqm_xWCtSWjo7ghf80BCmkHanzgd6IJmvVwsa7DCWgMJwlOagXsdgfnf6-YddNonvcw-dV7Qb0awHa9N3txE5JDpJEGxjZ9NEnGQa3R3efOI3xL4A8wN_Ub_bv5WU_7U7dxJ2mZ/s640/DSC_0477-CR-crop-38p.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a more natural setting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEght_z1kCXpvSR_N1NzYXOhhr0K2fxpbAbjvVfiJXUcksy4x9vQ3d3evZm87dwggNdAWjtx785jCRr6pyfTdGW6E2HlkYJyl0SUAD8-63MsVOhVhC-tenKrAi5q5H__qwiuqwXax2w0Wsvo/s1600/DSC_0023-CR-Crop-66p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEght_z1kCXpvSR_N1NzYXOhhr0K2fxpbAbjvVfiJXUcksy4x9vQ3d3evZm87dwggNdAWjtx785jCRr6pyfTdGW6E2HlkYJyl0SUAD8-63MsVOhVhC-tenKrAi5q5H__qwiuqwXax2w0Wsvo/s640/DSC_0023-CR-Crop-66p.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickadee-dee-dee!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3yfjTCmZD6bp8nL29aFgTtJ9Zt8vL4yHT7fHlkjx9XBCk_DtEBMLSVMMt_VmTme56q6MDxfKblaBqiulnkODjyBr4m-cdzGhJJlRIsSnpkO6InQ6Dyu3T2RvTc6kvPnSUNQI67iq-oYc/s1600/DSC_0028-CR-Crop-66p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="761" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3yfjTCmZD6bp8nL29aFgTtJ9Zt8vL4yHT7fHlkjx9XBCk_DtEBMLSVMMt_VmTme56q6MDxfKblaBqiulnkODjyBr4m-cdzGhJJlRIsSnpkO6InQ6Dyu3T2RvTc6kvPnSUNQI67iq-oYc/s640/DSC_0028-CR-Crop-66p.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look who got the prize!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbZamkwd0bwj4113Oj-ShX82c3PHhq0x68qqGymgpBxvS31tWEu88SOoRDZKfS39yWDIO4-sjmZvBTQwioJq7-KWVkD1fsJ8jDGkzcbWsBRAPKD4Ybfxv45MQ31qdJ7CEfPH7wi6hrBXy/s1600/DSC_0080-CR-Crop-56p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="762" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbZamkwd0bwj4113Oj-ShX82c3PHhq0x68qqGymgpBxvS31tWEu88SOoRDZKfS39yWDIO4-sjmZvBTQwioJq7-KWVkD1fsJ8jDGkzcbWsBRAPKD4Ybfxv45MQ31qdJ7CEfPH7wi6hrBXy/s640/DSC_0080-CR-Crop-56p.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Titmouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sJsruu5LVFD8qoB424UZ8G067lGeF5cL5ylhK6Bg5xTFXW9FIFBz59XifrM43fgF64hl8h1pwGS7C2gFTMvPweW-u7c9BzFLqPWrOCUWdYC5cABRtweriDbNrUtFaJEaHEGMr74tGI_P/s1600/DSC_0504-CR-Crop-48p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="708" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sJsruu5LVFD8qoB424UZ8G067lGeF5cL5ylhK6Bg5xTFXW9FIFBz59XifrM43fgF64hl8h1pwGS7C2gFTMvPweW-u7c9BzFLqPWrOCUWdYC5cABRtweriDbNrUtFaJEaHEGMr74tGI_P/s640/DSC_0504-CR-Crop-48p.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High in a tree with poor lighting
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnk1ed-lEzeq71gFD5Gq84RyGYI9jX061WVyUXsrUnTb2MxMrBdVJn16bze6X4ctbwq7oAPLo6YyRoqXzBYbihSA12tmXHmGKPcWm5zd5tKeSEzggM_o9QJ7BpKM9-1pxQVJiHEwYjNAO/s1600/DSC_0326-cr-crop-44p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1331" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnk1ed-lEzeq71gFD5Gq84RyGYI9jX061WVyUXsrUnTb2MxMrBdVJn16bze6X4ctbwq7oAPLo6YyRoqXzBYbihSA12tmXHmGKPcWm5zd5tKeSEzggM_o9QJ7BpKM9-1pxQVJiHEwYjNAO/s400/DSC_0326-cr-crop-44p.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown, but maybe male & female of the same?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMhz8Yyk2lrmpDntzKLpzpdt_vrIymOMnB0dW2v_u89brO2vtS0E2vjntjacl3m5rzv-f8uFLhWaAxhQu05ldEddb84xa1Q064OC4tPkBLXjYHm4F8saMEXYD3SuwKv7jsluYxAc90wqB/s1600/DSC_0297-CR-Crop-26p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="849" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMhz8Yyk2lrmpDntzKLpzpdt_vrIymOMnB0dW2v_u89brO2vtS0E2vjntjacl3m5rzv-f8uFLhWaAxhQu05ldEddb84xa1Q064OC4tPkBLXjYHm4F8saMEXYD3SuwKv7jsluYxAc90wqB/s640/DSC_0297-CR-Crop-26p.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of action going on</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WENNb0x-MfiaLpSlDK891fp464t91Vj3lgAtr01D7KMiK4NrhJQ_cr31MvZoliXjunrbiirdAEfMcI2u4URNs5LOxg-Q1_16mCD91IViJNkOGcznE9ReO-Zu-Eqp_pg-z_FUEYJ71g2q/s1600/DSC_0301cr-crop-72p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1293" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WENNb0x-MfiaLpSlDK891fp464t91Vj3lgAtr01D7KMiK4NrhJQ_cr31MvZoliXjunrbiirdAEfMcI2u4URNs5LOxg-Q1_16mCD91IViJNkOGcznE9ReO-Zu-Eqp_pg-z_FUEYJ71g2q/s400/DSC_0301cr-crop-72p.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who am I?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWHUHvVjnUkDngTl_lkDIo6IPhZtzwrwMaMIgdo0U4yr_CQUl1rRI6aAhg5pdRontvdfDnStIcIEYpKXnAB7u_2eYew7wdaeQ3MlPolorFwUhZ95f5-RlBzmqIHqVjnSWhz9somJmWKuM/s1600/DSC_0127-CR-Crop-50p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="776" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWHUHvVjnUkDngTl_lkDIo6IPhZtzwrwMaMIgdo0U4yr_CQUl1rRI6aAhg5pdRontvdfDnStIcIEYpKXnAB7u_2eYew7wdaeQ3MlPolorFwUhZ95f5-RlBzmqIHqVjnSWhz9somJmWKuM/s640/DSC_0127-CR-Crop-50p.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Cuckoo Marans Rooster Crowing about the day</div>
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(short tail feathers due to recent molt)</div>
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Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-88990917416099166932017-12-16T20:20:00.000-08:002017-12-16T20:28:06.744-08:00Spring Bulb Raised Beds<div style="text-align: justify;">
The bounty of next Summer starts with preparations in Winter. Got most of my Spring Bulbs planted out - Beds #1 and #2 for 2018. Plant once, never plant again. These varieties should come back year after year. In fact, they should multiply and I should have many more to plant out within a few to several more years. For the last two seasons I have been gardening in raised beds that were essentially mounds of dirt. Well, the crab grass pretty much took over last summer as I gallivanted around the country for work. I have always wanted "real" raised beds with wooden sides so I could turn them into cold frames if desired. So, this is the year that I start. I made my beds almost 3 foot by almost 6 foot due to material size and the fact that I am short. Many people make their beds 4 foot wide; however, 3 feet works better for me - and saves on materials.</div>
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Materials:</div>
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6 Cedar or Pressure Treated fence boards</div>
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1 4" x 4" x 6' Pressure Treated fence post</div>
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Nails</div>
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10 cu ft dirt (12 cu ft would have been better)</div>
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Lots of mulch</div>
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I am fortunate that my husband is a man who can build anything and who collects tools like I collect seeds and plants. His nail gun and chop saw made quick work. Sorry no instructions, but hopefully the photos will give you a good enough idea.</div>
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I set the raised beds over two layers of cardboard (I love Amazon; I hoard cardboard.) right over the dried weeds from last year. Eventually the cardboard will decompose; however, the theory is that those weed seeds will be covered by 6-10 inches of soil at that point that they will not have a chance to germinate until I am long dead and decomposing myself. The white plastic looking stuff are dog and chicken food bags cut open and inside up. They will get covered by cardboard, too. And then mulch. They will become the isles between the beds. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NIcBk_xe6dwmtbfXCpMHrMNnvAQi8p7MEYoP0X-zg0T1CepO7D4J11tlDKYgWxFkO1w82n5IFiz7aEapv4ocRjZhq9BG_Le9IJJWocmqsOXlehCzb8P2Nwo4uZDAIerJR5GPBXw1yQI0/s1600/BlulbBed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1024" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NIcBk_xe6dwmtbfXCpMHrMNnvAQi8p7MEYoP0X-zg0T1CepO7D4J11tlDKYgWxFkO1w82n5IFiz7aEapv4ocRjZhq9BG_Le9IJJWocmqsOXlehCzb8P2Nwo4uZDAIerJR5GPBXw1yQI0/s400/BlulbBed-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I threw a thin layer of mulch all over the top of the cardboard inside of the bed. The theory being that it would help hold water and also inoculate the bed with fungi at some point.
The mixed wood mulch is free for the hauling from the city. Yay!</div>
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Here is some detail to show what the sides and corner of the bed looks like. The posts are flush on the top, but because a 6 foot post is not exactly 6 foot, the bottoms are not. Don't forget to click on any of the photos to see full-sized.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFRcD0WgFk6aLWn2XjhocV7aO6AUeULb_ApQVwcYzgyKBjxy7iirkEgzRXNz62mOlhCm3FKAJPxj2WS_0k9Je-IqWyjR5WFgWRKM3O1TLtDNpvqj8CB6vA2YFSiwLTbga9Z-8yKu_IAsL/s1600/BlulbBed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1024" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFRcD0WgFk6aLWn2XjhocV7aO6AUeULb_ApQVwcYzgyKBjxy7iirkEgzRXNz62mOlhCm3FKAJPxj2WS_0k9Je-IqWyjR5WFgWRKM3O1TLtDNpvqj8CB6vA2YFSiwLTbga9Z-8yKu_IAsL/s400/BlulbBed-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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10 Cubic Feet of purchased garden soil. Compost not done, and don't want to add more weed seeds than will just blow in from around the dead weed filled garden and surroundings. I probably should have used more dirt so that the roots could go down further, but I didn't. I did top off with more mulch after planting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZ_Aw61cj1qusfodOQzFq5WOyJPEO-sWIHphA9jbmgDrgaEpWsqcd4jApw9PZLkcQ1OYJjVknjzEg819Obq5LNLpA8kip2JRBB20AhA5GREjWB-UFLNJxyn51UjqpLTP5YkHT5xFYkf1i/s1600/BlulbBed-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1024" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZ_Aw61cj1qusfodOQzFq5WOyJPEO-sWIHphA9jbmgDrgaEpWsqcd4jApw9PZLkcQ1OYJjVknjzEg819Obq5LNLpA8kip2JRBB20AhA5GREjWB-UFLNJxyn51UjqpLTP5YkHT5xFYkf1i/s400/BlulbBed-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Daffodils from Brent and Becky's bulbs were large and many were "double-nosed." Means more blooms, healthy plants, and a high probability that they will come back year after year and "go forth and multiply." 8 Dutch Irises (Blue Magic) surrounded by Daffodils. Early, Mid-, and Late seasoned Daffodils - there should be spring color for more than a month from these beds. Thinking of over-seeding with creeping herbs, such as Oregano and Thyme for summer production. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68NR7KK3l8q0XOjz0nsHNWk3VvpnrqkfnWV5Q5R2ZKRFWa_2mHGcJpgcvfWUwWoh9hTRpX6H-Z8hIGpPhglp8q0eWLps6klHsVjxPaNGm5s1_7qyhDZqclCUa9Pm6jePBoK1JcLkNFViD/s1600/BlulbBed-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1024" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68NR7KK3l8q0XOjz0nsHNWk3VvpnrqkfnWV5Q5R2ZKRFWa_2mHGcJpgcvfWUwWoh9hTRpX6H-Z8hIGpPhglp8q0eWLps6klHsVjxPaNGm5s1_7qyhDZqclCUa9Pm6jePBoK1JcLkNFViD/s400/BlulbBed-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is a view of the bed and what will become the path - all covered in mulch for a good Winter's nap.
A thin layer over the dirt in the bed, and a thicker layer in the pathways. I'd like to get 6 inches in the pathways, but have to get the brakes fixed on my truck before I can get another load of mulch from the city.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rpDBPG80NO124_AyNsEzlVaZjfvqTgHIY6bZKLJgMpU9QPjz6r7XyCcE5PlDI7ZYVbQKX5AUteM8FOsOlJrL7qpJVCHhpAlF8D5K3-WrMpxOnZ1DMdndU9ekkMl9EYZgvtHPbt4MhzmN/s1600/BlulbBed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1024" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rpDBPG80NO124_AyNsEzlVaZjfvqTgHIY6bZKLJgMpU9QPjz6r7XyCcE5PlDI7ZYVbQKX5AUteM8FOsOlJrL7qpJVCHhpAlF8D5K3-WrMpxOnZ1DMdndU9ekkMl9EYZgvtHPbt4MhzmN/s400/BlulbBed-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the planting schemes for the two beds. At some point I plan on painting the beds white and then stenciling inspirational sayings and such. Ok, yeah, right. In reality, I'll be doing good to stencil the bed numbers on them. But, gardens are for dreaming, so I'll say that it could happen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S9CQgsreT0CGGzf3M3VYe4PG9lPNzraXrjdnpGMpA_JlGEGe9UHPjvzwqAxy04oCLLG99LcqFuLVP4JWt-Cjp6bFSo0hbxKPTxT9v_yv87vM_4fmIauygTNOKtOeoaZYiWzIpq2rQXPI/s1600/BlulbBed-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1024" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S9CQgsreT0CGGzf3M3VYe4PG9lPNzraXrjdnpGMpA_JlGEGe9UHPjvzwqAxy04oCLLG99LcqFuLVP4JWt-Cjp6bFSo0hbxKPTxT9v_yv87vM_4fmIauygTNOKtOeoaZYiWzIpq2rQXPI/s400/BlulbBed-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-73455215380108283072017-11-30T08:20:00.000-08:002017-11-30T08:28:00.160-08:00The Next Season is Always The Best<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQvOtXJvTbYJBjdOYum_1eZFjuRZaHmqsT2a4WvB6rP56JEMfJwfv0vtcfk7OQz1oEN38UTIRyVSRyzcadYgEiw8JTLy9vj8fBwNP4apPVhO0gLxUBiqhuKv2WK1gQ0iVbe47XxOKW68I/s1600/Cardinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="653" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQvOtXJvTbYJBjdOYum_1eZFjuRZaHmqsT2a4WvB6rP56JEMfJwfv0vtcfk7OQz1oEN38UTIRyVSRyzcadYgEiw8JTLy9vj8fBwNP4apPVhO0gLxUBiqhuKv2WK1gQ0iVbe47XxOKW68I/s400/Cardinal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Male Cardinal enjoying some cracked corn.</div>
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(Click to view larger)</div>
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I am ambitious and optimistic, if nothing else! (And made of unlimited amounts of cash, it would seem.) I did my raised beds without sides the last few years, and the crab grass just took over. The few beds that had sides and thick mulch in the rows did much better. So the plan is to convert all the beds this winter... hahahaha! </div>
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<h2>
Regular Beds - 3 x 6 x 2 boards high</h2>
<ol>
<li>Spring Bulbs over planted with herbs - 2017 - built - Planted</li>
<li>Spring Bulbs over planted with herbs - 2017 - built</li>
<li>Bush green beans - mixed - for eating</li>
<li>Bush shelling beans - mixed - for eating</li>
<li>Bush beans & Cow peas - for seed saving - BB/CP/BB</li>
<li> Planted away from other beans/cow peas, I could save a total of 3 varieties of each total</li>
<li>Bush beans & Cow peas - for seed saving - CP/BB/CP</li>
<li> Planted away from other beans/cow peas, I could save a total of 3 varieties of each total</li>
<li>Cow Peas - mixed for eating</li>
<li>Soy Beans </li>
<li>Sunflowers - small varieties for succession planting &amp; cutting</li>
<li>Sunflowers - large headed - for eating - Build wire sides for containment</li>
<li>Onions</li>
<li>Lettuce/Greens/Spinach - with Cukes on a flat trellis</li>
<li>Lettuce/Greens/Spinach - with Cukes on a flat trellis</li>
<li>Tomatoes</li>
<li>Tomatoes</li>
<li>Roma Tomatoes</li>
<li>Blue Herbs - Hyssop & Sages & Lupines</li>
<li>Prairie - Cone Flowers, Lupines, Poppies, Bunnie Tails, Sunflowers, Monarda, Ornamental </li>
<li>Sages</li>
<li>Prairie - Cone Flowers, Lupines, Poppies, Bunnie Tails, Sunflowers, Monarda, Ornamental </li>
<li>Sages</li>
<li>Herbs</li>
<li>Ornamental Sages</li>
<li>Ornamental Asgaches</li>
</ol>
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<br />Deep Bed 3 x 6 x 3 boards</h2>
<ol>
<li> Baby Tree Nursery</li>
</ol>
<h2>
<br />Mound Beds Tall - 3 x 3 x 3 boards high</h2>
Mound up with more soil and mulch as time goes on<br />
<ol>
<li>Sweet potatoes</li>
<li>Potatoes</li>
<li>Peanuts</li>
</ol>
<h2>
<br />Mound Beds Short - 3 x 3 x 2 boards high</h2>
Deep mulch over thick cardboard where vines will grow<br />
<ol>
<li>Pumpkin</li>
<li>Pumpkin</li>
<li>Watermelon</li>
<li>Cantaloupe</li>
<li>Honeydew</li>
<li>Pole Bean Tent</li>
<li>Peas followed by Pole Bean Tent</li>
<li>Peas followed by Pole Bean Tent</li>
</ol>
<br />Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-45250920575047666752017-07-05T04:00:00.000-07:002017-11-30T13:09:40.989-08:00An afternoon walk<div style="text-align: justify;">
Summer can be hot, humid, and somewhat oppressive; however, with a hammock and the sounds of birds, it can also be a slice of heaven. Most of the little woods is still wild and full of vines choking trees. Sr. has be hard at work to turn some of it into a park. For my and my hammock's benefit, for sure, but also to take down the vines that are trying to kill the trees. Where the vines have been removed, the trees are definitely showing signs of improved growth.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszTxtJxXl-J95LCGOMeqv4W5m965A80C2-7ot3FDaJ28Eknzp5SMCql90sc0dZPcnGMxIikTfzMXrNWQWNDUi0ethOus_5ow6m0QTEYPmFHkjShT-dG5ZyhW3X7cSQydp55EPpMCAOoU1/s1600/DSC_0090_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="653" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszTxtJxXl-J95LCGOMeqv4W5m965A80C2-7ot3FDaJ28Eknzp5SMCql90sc0dZPcnGMxIikTfzMXrNWQWNDUi0ethOus_5ow6m0QTEYPmFHkjShT-dG5ZyhW3X7cSQydp55EPpMCAOoU1/s640/DSC_0090_CR_Crop.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees in the wild parts being engulfed by vines.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa9BaSz5wv10FPhejbWUxf-AjXer26wTlHZoucnujl2rTq71FkZN0cm7CSmZtFN998BfTH54u70U-FIeFnvADOsPyQ_T3g1DmNHUP98fJbkVpYz7aJ3CZ5wtzKZ04EINaMjIyP179sVRM/s1600/DSC_0089_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1225" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa9BaSz5wv10FPhejbWUxf-AjXer26wTlHZoucnujl2rTq71FkZN0cm7CSmZtFN998BfTH54u70U-FIeFnvADOsPyQ_T3g1DmNHUP98fJbkVpYz7aJ3CZ5wtzKZ04EINaMjIyP179sVRM/s400/DSC_0089_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild parts that are mostly impassable to people and filled with ticks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOVV4BlVnpcNONpT-HtdVcQ9quUW3eFDHxkbFc5DRXPFtjJlg7HjGOFX14rXP-XmAyT3UJoHezhLScCfSzzanQNaJn01Ez45sK_ne-co8Me2MHsDcUx5juQhpP33j5R0ov3rpg7NwM7S8/s1600/DSC_0064_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1232" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOVV4BlVnpcNONpT-HtdVcQ9quUW3eFDHxkbFc5DRXPFtjJlg7HjGOFX14rXP-XmAyT3UJoHezhLScCfSzzanQNaJn01Ez45sK_ne-co8Me2MHsDcUx5juQhpP33j5R0ov3rpg7NwM7S8/s400/DSC_0064_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park-like area where I can hang with my hammock and the dogs.</td></tr>
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Leaving some of it wild, however, provides food and cover for the rabbits that like to taunt the dogs. Also provides cover and browse for the deer that like to visit. Alas, it also provides habitat for the adorable but stinky skunks.</div>
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Flowers are starting to really come into their own this time of year. Little yellow Rudbeckias are beginning to bloom around the edges of the woods. Passion flowers are blooming among the weeds. Queen Ann's Lace is starting to set seed. And a few Honey Suckle blooms can be spotted here and there. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDkE5SUjU39HRlF_V6fGdlgbRnNmyp4XDlsCyQ8QV6ypgr-CtPCaJvyMcOVLMm9pQXDu6XQ9tU9x9kFLxbfIQMHvwXEiHJ-F5tM-kBP-0iuVH637rhqYnLmDRtTL2XfxgmrL2qxkmSOkE/s1600/DSC_0001_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="845" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDkE5SUjU39HRlF_V6fGdlgbRnNmyp4XDlsCyQ8QV6ypgr-CtPCaJvyMcOVLMm9pQXDu6XQ9tU9x9kFLxbfIQMHvwXEiHJ-F5tM-kBP-0iuVH637rhqYnLmDRtTL2XfxgmrL2qxkmSOkE/s400/DSC_0001_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion Flower.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRcgDIF70RbjWFBNCJh2oi-x16LS5K3kRSwfKSFv_CnjxyH7Qo_PWqJx5sX8rvAFdQ742uccRYdJm79FTg9XylqtKaVxbHI56w3PDMcMOTPxGnY7QiDxMnmrTp0a2UDk8T3p8JWgMTfIs/s1600/DSC_0017_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="994" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRcgDIF70RbjWFBNCJh2oi-x16LS5K3kRSwfKSFv_CnjxyH7Qo_PWqJx5sX8rvAFdQ742uccRYdJm79FTg9XylqtKaVxbHI56w3PDMcMOTPxGnY7QiDxMnmrTp0a2UDk8T3p8JWgMTfIs/s400/DSC_0017_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grows everywhere.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYwKn993RnXV8BtbG0aDoqg8E1O4ATzoRUfx5WNl1gAGfObpuP42pjfaOqLs7Lijy1d6u3R-g2r3SxYsBylokpQj-rnuFyHOKMU8Zf-4c_fjEB7H50HM0hDYpX9Y8varv5pXWfpv2i5nb/s1600/DSC_0027_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="681" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYwKn993RnXV8BtbG0aDoqg8E1O4ATzoRUfx5WNl1gAGfObpuP42pjfaOqLs7Lijy1d6u3R-g2r3SxYsBylokpQj-rnuFyHOKMU8Zf-4c_fjEB7H50HM0hDYpX9Y8varv5pXWfpv2i5nb/s400/DSC_0027_CR_Crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen Ann's Lace going to seed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCSpUo4BE5azTmxhRT68qa95-lNqoMy_Uq8x-KvE7P_JVcfmkKIS9-CEQqF6X2lwnLrCFNcawSvDTwXitEKpanwRFa1q6tF6LyiStszwox3VgO7Ex6Uee3acgxqupqGG5P9Z4cu0-uyP9/s1600/DSC_0037_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1142" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCSpUo4BE5azTmxhRT68qa95-lNqoMy_Uq8x-KvE7P_JVcfmkKIS9-CEQqF6X2lwnLrCFNcawSvDTwXitEKpanwRFa1q6tF6LyiStszwox3VgO7Ex6Uee3acgxqupqGG5P9Z4cu0-uyP9/s400/DSC_0037_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown weed similar to Queen Ann's lace in flower form,<br />
but much smaller and with different leaves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmZSZILByiDUrvZjo2OnjTZlhBa3-NemNs46M5IRa4iGPtHe4U_lta62pC6y68dgicRhdvR8tYhxBJCSm55c-98xQkGwIKuDQuIqaUD6CCpGoygT6PkhtTKVt6w4JC2GCJFCkGQONbQqT/s1600/DSC_0054_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmZSZILByiDUrvZjo2OnjTZlhBa3-NemNs46M5IRa4iGPtHe4U_lta62pC6y68dgicRhdvR8tYhxBJCSm55c-98xQkGwIKuDQuIqaUD6CCpGoygT6PkhtTKVt6w4JC2GCJFCkGQONbQqT/s400/DSC_0054_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comfrey - hey, I actually planted this one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dsWORYHvdKPaLzuTnQ4GoMphkakmQQBYda6_GVIKpsSd8LcNyI2o98VKTLH1Lb9V9j9tGDB2splhYZjDugFesHU1PecPe-UWrPb59XIQo2T9nHdjNg6hcSwzOi3WRIWeyGUYYOKY9eeA/s1600/DSC_0083_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="732" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dsWORYHvdKPaLzuTnQ4GoMphkakmQQBYda6_GVIKpsSd8LcNyI2o98VKTLH1Lb9V9j9tGDB2splhYZjDugFesHU1PecPe-UWrPb59XIQo2T9nHdjNg6hcSwzOi3WRIWeyGUYYOKY9eeA/s400/DSC_0083_CR_Crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blooms about 1 1/2 inches across -<br />
going to be an explosion of yellow under the trees soon.</td></tr>
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Some say that the power lines are an eye-sore, but I have come to see them as protection from suburbia coming too close. The tree line on the left is 75 feet from the middle of the power lines - the closest they can build on the neighboring property. Our fence line on the right is 75 feed from the middle of the power lines - the closest we can have trees or other structures. That means that, should the wild acres next door to us be sold, the closes they can build houses to us is 150 feet. I'm hoping that is enough buffer to protect our little bit of paradise.<br />
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Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-8944404002438031552017-07-04T10:13:00.000-07:002017-07-04T10:13:05.195-07:00Drying Tomatoes<div style="text-align: justify;">
Years ago someone gave me a few slices of (store bought) sun dried tomatoes. I instantly fell in love - until I saw the price - over $20 a pound. For someone who can eat dried tomatoes like candy - well, that was going to be a pretty expensive habit! Tomatoes are prolific here, and even when mine drown or get stepped on by large puppies, they are abundant at the weekly summer farmers market. Turns out, I can make my own for pennies on the dollar.</div>
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While in theory one could solar dry tomatoes in The South, the amount of rain that we normally get here in Middle TN combined with this years exceptional rain production means that solar is not a practical solution - it's warm enough, but too humid. Even so, I wasn't too keen on spending several hundred dollars on a large dehydrator - what if this dried tomato thing was just a passing craze?</div>
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After much research, I found an under $100 version that had both temperature control and an integrated timer. Both being particularly useful if you will not always be home during drying time. Turns out that I really like that it tells me what temperature to use right on the lid - I know evernote and google would tell me - but just having it there is pretty nice.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="636" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBpQSWA1wB4U2EYa4daoGlkjt67BXWpHH-Cbu59oFrtTpry-8tkB-GEh8XgEpXMDe2rl33zwfaDL2CA0MU7GxsPwvJsrWiGfOyzDa7GTWpS2T2okOACZw6axEfOhg1phX9TLhzWABqr2C/s400/IMG_7635_CR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="298" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best photos, but you get the idea.</td></tr>
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So this batch started off as 3 pounds of Roma Tomatoes and a few slices from a tomato used for BLTs. Some of the tomatoes had a pretty dense core, so I cut the centers out of those. But for ones that had softer cores, I just left them. I hand sliced about 1/4 in thick - but some were thicker and some were thinner. Being more consistent in slicing thickness probably would have improved the overall quality of the batch, but, well, even though some tomatoes got a little over done (turned black), they were still tasty. No burn flavor at all. And they were kinda crunchy instead of chewy. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGhli3R9fIBxTn5EUrCgfsTri6dwsKK77acLG8VXXhM-SgwYtnQb0GxP9kjOq0aJ5mJT3TXrTkutzBi-7QTnMaQt8P5ypQokrI4GBoxNqsBUZxycZuv0wdkvHRA5_haFxwzcG-0CixfyH/s1600/IMG_7620_CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="914" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGhli3R9fIBxTn5EUrCgfsTri6dwsKK77acLG8VXXhM-SgwYtnQb0GxP9kjOq0aJ5mJT3TXrTkutzBi-7QTnMaQt8P5ypQokrI4GBoxNqsBUZxycZuv0wdkvHRA5_haFxwzcG-0CixfyH/s400/IMG_7620_CR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the cored toms in the front and non-cored ones in the back.</td></tr>
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Didn't think to take "before" photos. This tray was edge to edge tomato rings with the tomatoes barely separated from each other. They dried down to less than half size. They will last nearly forever in the freezer. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7H8quHFlRfoRiZQjGo6rx4athdoToIzmLrqgmgrR6gc3Ccp4hIs0qqbTa93YLgWHUdquABUlARFPoniYz1pxYSimS36G-6zT77430JUsA6jS6LvOu54oKqRQfjicZJRNmQ57UMy8utnk/s1600/IMG_7624_CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7H8quHFlRfoRiZQjGo6rx4athdoToIzmLrqgmgrR6gc3Ccp4hIs0qqbTa93YLgWHUdquABUlARFPoniYz1pxYSimS36G-6zT77430JUsA6jS6LvOu54oKqRQfjicZJRNmQ57UMy8utnk/s640/IMG_7624_CR.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They will last nearly forever in the freezer.</td></tr>
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My tomatoes have pretty much succumbed to Early Blight; however, it is only the beginning of tomato season at the Farmers Market! And now, to go dry Serano hot peppers. I dry the tomatoes in the house to capture that yummy tomatoes aroma. I dry hot peppers outside so as not to burn my eyes from the "fumes!"</div>
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Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-11681493353786547352017-07-02T17:51:00.000-07:002017-07-02T17:51:37.752-07:00Loverly Weeds<div style="text-align: justify;">
Between school and work and trying to get some sleep, the garden has fallen into quite some disrepair, by human standards. The weeds and the bugs are enjoying, however. Mother Nature never sleeps.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6rY1zAEE3VPsheyJ5Sz1gaJ3cLi8GLg3QhO2AYzav1Ujh-M6PRhpJFUIyOz_JoABFIskcaX1PLRHluGJxZA_8EP3hoV2G5weRqhs5h1L6pO-swWTOuR7qf03ETfhS-E_KEEmCBgyHZhV/s1600/IMG_7597_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="881" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6rY1zAEE3VPsheyJ5Sz1gaJ3cLi8GLg3QhO2AYzav1Ujh-M6PRhpJFUIyOz_JoABFIskcaX1PLRHluGJxZA_8EP3hoV2G5weRqhs5h1L6pO-swWTOuR7qf03ETfhS-E_KEEmCBgyHZhV/s400/IMG_7597_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen Ann's Lace going to seed.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6djrOIoa2rLmrB3mZ2wAbwKTJFV07p5Ba6I2DgGboOdonkMur_V4I4RktFV4kcV_8ZGTDCuBIZOzKQ33jvDPSYx3G9RJbfAaZRiJsUsMiOGDLFA7Z4Qo0xC5V2SviibBPlI7Id5BUigE/s1600/IMG_7599_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1253" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6djrOIoa2rLmrB3mZ2wAbwKTJFV07p5Ba6I2DgGboOdonkMur_V4I4RktFV4kcV_8ZGTDCuBIZOzKQ33jvDPSYx3G9RJbfAaZRiJsUsMiOGDLFA7Z4Qo0xC5V2SviibBPlI7Id5BUigE/s400/IMG_7599_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion Flower Fruit and a random Morning Glory Leaf.</td></tr>
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Rain 4 or 5 days out of every 7 has made this a horrible year for Cedar Apple Rust. Some of the apple varieties have been hit worse than others. Having wet, humidity holding weeds all around, doesn't help. Cleared the weeds away from this one today. It's the only one that hasn't shown signs of growing new leaves since the initial onslaught. I hope I can save it.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV2pjUY0nq7Rb3XDliIv36TkZSkPmtp13DmHgNgQEVUNlJOxekgjzSzlS2aIxQoazUemIkE9YtfU04OGLV4p1JAphbUyz2mIcJ6ZCrAdtkF1UrHRBEgFPMELT4huW1WAap4j6PS_tNw36/s1600/IMG_7614_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="881" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV2pjUY0nq7Rb3XDliIv36TkZSkPmtp13DmHgNgQEVUNlJOxekgjzSzlS2aIxQoazUemIkE9YtfU04OGLV4p1JAphbUyz2mIcJ6ZCrAdtkF1UrHRBEgFPMELT4huW1WAap4j6PS_tNw36/s400/IMG_7614_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Apple Rust damaged two year old apple tree.</td></tr>
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Some of the apple trees got hit early on, but then recovered - difficult to see in this photo, but the tree below has regrown almost 100% of the leaves that it lost to Cedar-Apple Rust. I know that better hygiene for the trees would help - and possibly some toxic gick spray. So I will just have to pay attention to who can survive this wet, humid, Southern world, and plant more of them. Didn't have this issue in the desert!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrTeldmrOh-UO7WfNdXpsj1JksUdbTI-cVVSTzvOlV1JZPdWVit2iOMH-KieHRDa-DZpKdY028oRCq0pfqewuALi9zkQw5rrtSuwCpp0g1lg1kbIVCScGFLm8HT1g3BPBBGCZ0detB_A6/s1600/IMG_7610_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1277" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrTeldmrOh-UO7WfNdXpsj1JksUdbTI-cVVSTzvOlV1JZPdWVit2iOMH-KieHRDa-DZpKdY028oRCq0pfqewuALi9zkQw5rrtSuwCpp0g1lg1kbIVCScGFLm8HT1g3BPBBGCZ0detB_A6/s400/IMG_7610_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple tree behind the weeds - recovering from Cedar-Apple Rust.</td></tr>
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One good thing about having a diverse and semi-wild garden is that, while one plant suffers from too much rain, another just gobbles up the rain and goes crazy. Wild black raspberries are springing up everywhere with strong, 3-5 foot arching canes - nice and healthy for next year's production. Alas, they are invading, and I have been chopping them down at every turn. I am keeping 3 of the healthiest stands, however. So if I can remember to cover them at the appropriate time, I will get to eat more of them. But harvesting song bird viewings is not a bad yield for a garden. And the blooms are like clouds of miniature white roses.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUGiwcCyxkuRvGDhl23f6bF2tJa5BDan7WlPHv91bL6aatJ3EggXw_jZ73BI_7P-N9UoCjIYJAWDDJf0NKMhQ0drPMz70yiQQVefZQu45sg-QsyWSlDFKdcjNNdoHXiwSxwSQlmPWdPof/s1600/IMG_7604_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="881" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUGiwcCyxkuRvGDhl23f6bF2tJa5BDan7WlPHv91bL6aatJ3EggXw_jZ73BI_7P-N9UoCjIYJAWDDJf0NKMhQ0drPMz70yiQQVefZQu45sg-QsyWSlDFKdcjNNdoHXiwSxwSQlmPWdPof/s400/IMG_7604_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black raspberries - next year's harvest growing strong.</td></tr>
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And then there are volunteers from plants grown on purpose in years past. Nothing like a random Sunflower to brighten one's day. Each year I say I'm going to plant them sooner, and plant more of them. And I was saddened to think that I didn't plant any at all this year because of school and work and life in general. And then Nature came along and sent me a few to cheer me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDLr7P3m8HVm1SMPNf41rwPR3LZk2ajETTEsSRXnmgNKRAGEuBNkDtBVzFVUntLnNynHJe6lF2F05S4IK8s5alUkXs2098bazpAeAzIOFlS73IwFeS4r92uYkpijqqs5vrjP_nT18ZDSs/s1600/IMG_7607_CR_CROP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="881" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDLr7P3m8HVm1SMPNf41rwPR3LZk2ajETTEsSRXnmgNKRAGEuBNkDtBVzFVUntLnNynHJe6lF2F05S4IK8s5alUkXs2098bazpAeAzIOFlS73IwFeS4r92uYkpijqqs5vrjP_nT18ZDSs/s400/IMG_7607_CR_CROP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteer Sunflower for the Volunteer State.</td></tr>
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So while the puppies stomped on many of the pepper plants, and rain and rain and more rain drowned the tomatoes and brought on early blight, the weeds entertained me today as I spent a hot, muggy, rainy, sticky, glorious day outside. A rare treat, but now time to study - Managerial Accounting! Ugh!</div>
Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-51523323477405735792017-04-20T22:16:00.000-07:002017-04-20T22:16:30.494-07:00Compost Turners<div style="text-align: justify;">
These are 10 month old Buff Rocks and Colombian Wyandottes turning some 5 week old compost. This batch is about 50% chickie poo pine litter, 25% dried leaves from last autumn, and 25% shredded tree trimming compost from the city. Still not enough carbon to nitrogen (chickie poo) so it burns and off gasses ammonia for a few weeks. I turn daily during that stage - but once the ammonia smell is gone, I let the girls have at it, raking it back into a pile every few days. By week 5, there are all kinds of tasty creepy crawlies in the compost pile as it cools down and starts smelling like woodland earth. At least tasty to an ambitious hen. This pile started out as about 6 wheelbarrows full of stuff and now barely makes one wheelbarrow full. It is technically ready to mix in the garden beds; however, I haven't had time, so I let the biddies continue to enjoy turning it. In theory, I should be starting another compost pile... but, well, yeah, <i>what was I thinking</i> when I decided to go back to school!</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BSpOl1KAsR1/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Karla Upton (@kmom246)</a> on <time datetime="2017-04-09T00:17:42+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 8, 2017 at 5:17pm PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-68551905476068718092017-03-24T23:08:00.000-07:002017-03-24T23:09:20.713-07:00My How They've Grown Chickies that were "Day Olds" in Feb 2016 and July 2016. All grown up and producing 12-18 eggs a day. Too many predators to let them free range while I'm at work, but they do get an hour or more before work, and longer periods during the weekend. At least as good as therapy!<br />
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(Somehow, the video moniker doesn't always display; however, these <i>are</i> videos.) <br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BSBZtO7g9wY/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Karla Upton (@kmom246)</a> on <time datetime="2017-03-24T13:05:13+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 24, 2017 at 6:05am PDT</time></div>
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And, of course, video of the current batch of babies. I've been bad about posting lately. In fact, work and work have been pretty all consuming. But, getting to a better place. They will be outside on the grass tomorrow before the storm rolls in. They are definitely enjoying flying these days. Going to build them a larger play pen for outside so they can really get some exercise.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BR5miXuAL9f/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Karla Upton (@kmom246)</a> on <time datetime="2017-03-21T12:23:24+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 21, 2017 at 5:23am PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-35600845572936558032017-03-17T19:34:00.001-07:002017-03-17T19:34:39.555-07:00Day 11 - More PhotosBeen under the weather, and barely able to keep my own life together, but here are more photos from Saturday, 3/11. Aren't we cute?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQbecbPZpLC2rie9ul-i5wSDgn84xOM7NWKtihtZhnYVOQVtAATaXpbG2qTQVCEraOLKqYTG1-C4siET81tmRnS7M9411OUTIHgtL1Wp2pmv3JeszzXLZOyYv_wqk3flJKPTeQuaJVnNW/s1600/DSC_0122_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQbecbPZpLC2rie9ul-i5wSDgn84xOM7NWKtihtZhnYVOQVtAATaXpbG2qTQVCEraOLKqYTG1-C4siET81tmRnS7M9411OUTIHgtL1Wp2pmv3JeszzXLZOyYv_wqk3flJKPTeQuaJVnNW/s640/DSC_0122_CR_Crop.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLJQ3xUDbvxvZa0l0SY15QKtC7CXkumZZQAWJyoObVkFHhWKsB0E_G5QRBcQXrn_6AaJQp8F5QwDPYbZUB-qb9HNt1W8np6b2EudkxVp9Iss63FAj2tT7id5Rox__eUM_TaXkgf8Njhun/s1600/DSC_0101_CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLJQ3xUDbvxvZa0l0SY15QKtC7CXkumZZQAWJyoObVkFHhWKsB0E_G5QRBcQXrn_6AaJQp8F5QwDPYbZUB-qb9HNt1W8np6b2EudkxVp9Iss63FAj2tT7id5Rox__eUM_TaXkgf8Njhun/s400/DSC_0101_CR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90BeFec22m613kqCZy6FVOBmGjlXEpngJt7tGr4NkSv3RH4VxFyIcyD-r6bAv0qDwKLkpfPyD8B_aO4onwst9G_69a4tnF5xufOQ3u8Q6fSGnwjdmQ0mflpneXcSZqoJsyhcSY8EC-o0s/s1600/DSC_0186_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90BeFec22m613kqCZy6FVOBmGjlXEpngJt7tGr4NkSv3RH4VxFyIcyD-r6bAv0qDwKLkpfPyD8B_aO4onwst9G_69a4tnF5xufOQ3u8Q6fSGnwjdmQ0mflpneXcSZqoJsyhcSY8EC-o0s/s400/DSC_0186_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-4927983369158113132017-03-13T19:12:00.000-07:002017-03-13T19:12:14.937-07:00Day 11 - The Little Chickie Photo Op Teaser<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just a teaser today. Heated my little mini-green house up to 90*F and took a bunch of photos on Sunday (by bunch, I mean hundreds). They were quite happy at 90*F. I was sweltering. Click on the picture to see larger versions of the photos.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaFTAtGhye2ucdBLmmgh_s6uhyphenhyphenCfuu1ndPNQKQvT63f4Eac5FXf8COIVEHrfoX7DdaNfTUNEmKkvaMrfUnMHd1qVdRFAbkx1RnTpuTXieiqm5L5myerjP6QqxpH0vVu5ShRKQUWEZQZe7/s1600/DSC_0012_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaFTAtGhye2ucdBLmmgh_s6uhyphenhyphenCfuu1ndPNQKQvT63f4Eac5FXf8COIVEHrfoX7DdaNfTUNEmKkvaMrfUnMHd1qVdRFAbkx1RnTpuTXieiqm5L5myerjP6QqxpH0vVu5ShRKQUWEZQZe7/s400/DSC_0012_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What came first, the chicken or the egg?<br />
Eggs from my big girls. Probably from our Buff Rocks.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViZEo2g5b_c9aG8gnZh64D8NN_00T5WLfFCz5Ded36BMatHWcniQed1Ms8z2ip6hsOxxdG6cLRy09lVY6bRXQPmld4IEGh1-TzYq-yvPFQLUs9oTpwnASPR2BX9a6NpjHfj6PmOEswa-C/s1600/DSC_0017_CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViZEo2g5b_c9aG8gnZh64D8NN_00T5WLfFCz5Ded36BMatHWcniQed1Ms8z2ip6hsOxxdG6cLRy09lVY6bRXQPmld4IEGh1-TzYq-yvPFQLUs9oTpwnASPR2BX9a6NpjHfj6PmOEswa-C/s640/DSC_0017_CR.jpg" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing our attitude. Am I a Dominique or a Barred Rock?<br />
You can't see my feet, but judging by my feet color, I might be a Dominique.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf3vTjdoKuebGa3YQ63JHol8IfTqCpl_qXwUbVt0wZDa3q_EdDzcAHCfr4vaq3LqkJWcdEQ7H3q_Tg27LIoooj7aaIU9CCX-fOsqu1FxxiMJernMfhANglkhuBFYpGZwpXq1Oa-02FS7_/s1600/DSC_0034_CR_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf3vTjdoKuebGa3YQ63JHol8IfTqCpl_qXwUbVt0wZDa3q_EdDzcAHCfr4vaq3LqkJWcdEQ7H3q_Tg27LIoooj7aaIU9CCX-fOsqu1FxxiMJernMfhANglkhuBFYpGZwpXq1Oa-02FS7_/s400/DSC_0034_CR_Crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've got a secret!</td></tr>
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<br />Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-4148541420101765562017-03-11T20:36:00.000-08:002017-03-11T20:36:27.871-08:00Day 10 - Some real flyingSome real flying going on these days. And more eating and more pooping, but so far, no more Pasty Butt. Reducing temps. Range is from 80 - 98*F so they can choose their temp. They tend to sleep in the warmer areas of the stock tank, and run around in the cooler areas. They tend to run around at the same time, eating, and flittering, and making noise. Then a few will decide it's nap time. Someone else will see that there are two snuggling down, and then will run over to join. Then someone else will come running and run on top of everyone and generally unsettle the whole little flock. Eventually everyone snuggles up with their friends and takes a nap.<br />
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Here, they are clearly not in the nap mode!<br />
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I am cutting grass, dandelion leaves and flowers, lemon balm, oregano, and clover into tiny bits and sprinkling it and chickie grit on top of their food a few times a day now. Not too much of any one thing (don't want to induce PB!) - just so they get a taste for such things.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJk1fMK_Ty4CdZ2RTs5YR8ob_heyIAP5qkBeO7qvFA7Kh3BKogxuiE0MnEAnbe-jjvCiWuLYb0XuNgGZSbqd68x29KbejTafBpOpXz6OU7nn-MXelhdHdahQm2AHlj4uoq89Y-VKpqgTkh/s1600/IMG_6382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJk1fMK_Ty4CdZ2RTs5YR8ob_heyIAP5qkBeO7qvFA7Kh3BKogxuiE0MnEAnbe-jjvCiWuLYb0XuNgGZSbqd68x29KbejTafBpOpXz6OU7nn-MXelhdHdahQm2AHlj4uoq89Y-VKpqgTkh/s640/IMG_6382.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Summer babies would already have experienced grass (ok, weeds) by this time - but, eh, tornado warnings and then snow? Yeah, they'll be staying in their little stock tank world for now...<br />
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Spent a lot of time outside early this morning (like at sunrise - had a full day in by 9 am) before the snow flurries. Here are some scenes from our micro-mini farm life from earlier this month.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4CrslDhznKsvpWv4vhxAkraF-ZecDPeZ5Sl1EQp5SNqg2RgR9ifnbEZgxPvnfj3SAg7RMFR7Z6m_-p-kgv9mW_YS4KMPGniKazUVNqmtQRD5lhJeBRRludYE6YH5ZLG9-2hCbdNvXMZW/s1600/IMG_5791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4CrslDhznKsvpWv4vhxAkraF-ZecDPeZ5Sl1EQp5SNqg2RgR9ifnbEZgxPvnfj3SAg7RMFR7Z6m_-p-kgv9mW_YS4KMPGniKazUVNqmtQRD5lhJeBRRludYE6YH5ZLG9-2hCbdNvXMZW/s640/IMG_5791.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wing clipping - Silver Laced Wyandotte - I didn't clip enough of the flight feather tips - this<br />
girl could still fly. I had to take another inch off before she stopped going over a 6 ft fence. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYn7NGRvSkdLVgIn6lSweuKwGMCeHPUeqzArXd5uUGX1OLoDg9B4RVRwcqtI35lXTQYCe0sK7ri6RulgcxS7ZqZNO_U0DuaCTlK2M06TLrnIdQ48USYYbE1Ygg0caVFiQZJXsEedSSK45/s1600/IMG_6127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYn7NGRvSkdLVgIn6lSweuKwGMCeHPUeqzArXd5uUGX1OLoDg9B4RVRwcqtI35lXTQYCe0sK7ri6RulgcxS7ZqZNO_U0DuaCTlK2M06TLrnIdQ48USYYbE1Ygg0caVFiQZJXsEedSSK45/s400/IMG_6127.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From earlier in the year - he used to be able to crawl through the steps<br />
and is confused why he no longer fits.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have a Happy Chickie Day!</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_48278050"></span><span id="goog_48278051"></span><br />Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-17086341614733511962017-03-11T00:03:00.001-08:002017-03-11T00:03:32.073-08:00Day 9 - Tiny Tail Feathers<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tail feathers are appearing, wing feathers are almost completely in for most of the little ones, and flying is a thing now. If the weather will cooperate, they will go outside for 15 minutes or so a few times this weekend. Since my son and I put in a mobile chicken fence system, the big girls have not been hanging out around the house. Sun, rain, snow should have helped cleanse that area of most chickie pathogens. Babies will get to play where chickies or chickens have not recently hung out.</div>
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See all that beautiful Tennessee rock. Electric fence and step-in posts? Yeah, not here. Big girls and one of my roos hanging out. 3 - 2x4x8's create 2 posts. This is NOT predator-proof, and my girls' who still like to fly have their wings clipped. I already had 100 feet of this wire fencing, so I used it - it's only 4 ft tall - but if I had to buy the fencing, I probably would go higher. Even with clipped feathers on one wing, most of the girls could clear a 4 foot fence if they really wanted to. Their run has 6 foot fencing and the Brown Leghorns go over it with ease if I don't keep their wing clipped.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLqFPzR4wbaIfPEGDKIAww61H9LJzUs78-msVN7wYDb6Q71fq44hjjuLP-qF29Vh9-tzeBwE6YDxgpi9GvCn-hYMpSFPKKJZfrKET2daXxNlSs-CNf5fzx6c2EyoDj4QEK_uf7zUSUMcg/s1600/IMG_6176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLqFPzR4wbaIfPEGDKIAww61H9LJzUs78-msVN7wYDb6Q71fq44hjjuLP-qF29Vh9-tzeBwE6YDxgpi9GvCn-hYMpSFPKKJZfrKET2daXxNlSs-CNf5fzx6c2EyoDj4QEK_uf7zUSUMcg/s400/IMG_6176.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on the photo to see a larger version.</td></tr>
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Food consumption has doubled. Water needs to be changed more frequently now because they kick pine shavings in it. I hand wash the waterers every day - and once a week they get sanitized. If I need to go minimalist on a day that I have to work an extra long shift, I can get chickie care done in 20 minutes - 10 minutes in the morning, and 10 in the evening. But if I want to enjoy taking care of babies, it's more like 20 minutes in the morning, and 20 in the evening, and a few minutes to play with them every few hours.</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BResWPughFY/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Karla Upton (@kmom246)</a> on <time datetime="2017-03-11T01:34:41+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 10, 2017 at 5:34pm PST</time></div>
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Little chickies are growing up on <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/natures-best-organic-chick-starter-grower-crumbles-40-lb?cm_vc=-10005">Nature's Best Organic Chick Starter</a>. I love my local Tractor Supply. Babies will have eaten nearly two 40 lb bags by the time they go to their new homes.<br />
<br />Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-61419255399614627912017-03-09T21:07:00.001-08:002017-03-09T21:07:16.139-08:00(No Day 7) Day Eight - Flutter-byes Posing for the paparazzi after Pasty Butt inspections this morning. About 20% has a little bit of the butt this morning, but nothing alarming. This is probably the last bit of it that we'll see.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRa7tsggjjU/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Karla Upton (@kmom246)</a> on <time datetime="2017-03-09T14:31:59+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 9, 2017 at 6:31am PST</time></div>
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Will be lowering temps on the thermostat tomorrow. Will be set to turn off at 90*F and back on at 85*F. So far the girls have eaten about 10 pounds of chickie food and about 1 cup of chickie grit. They've used 50 or so paper towels and about 1/10th of a bale of pine shavings. They go through about 1/2 gallon of water a day. Used pine shavings and paper towels will be added to the next compost pile to become part of the garden that will help feed my husband and I, and my resident hens. The hens, in turn, will produce more compost materials, and food for our doggies and for us. Right now I am giving away about 5 dozen eggs a week at work and still have too many eggs. But then, that's what happens when you have 20 something little biddies!
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No chickies were baked during the setting up and testing of the thermostat and remote temperature sensors!
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Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-83003741639467949152017-03-07T19:57:00.000-08:002017-03-07T19:57:04.259-08:00Day Six - Showing Off Pretty Wing FeathersBabies are totally used to me reaching down and working around them, picking them up, and such. They aren't happy when I actually lift them out of the brooder - I think being away from the flock, colder air, and no walls is still pretty alarming. That will change as they associate being picked up with going outside into a little mini-chickie low tunnel greenhouse that has a lot more space where they can actually fly.
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A post shared by Karla Upton (@kmom246) on <time datetime="2017-03-08T03:41:58+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 7, 2017 at 7:41pm PST</time></div>
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Still having some trouble keeping the temperature adjusted to the best heat - still getting on the warm side right under the heat lamp. The hottest area gets over 100*F, and the coolest area gets as cool as about 80*F. The chicks don't worry much, though - the stock tank is big enough that they can choose if they want to be in a warm spot or a cooler spot. If they are huddled together, they are too cold, if they stand around with their wings spread and panting, they are too hot. If they are running around like a pack of kindergartners, then the temps are just right. Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-80186377869127245032017-03-07T06:02:00.001-08:002017-03-07T06:02:56.869-08:00Day Five - Doubled in Size<div style="text-align: justify;">
Babies have nearly doubled in size. Introducing baby chickie grit - just a little sprinkle - in anticipation of chopped up fresh dandilion and clover tomorrow. Sunday looks like sun & 50*F or so. May be warm enough to let them play in the little chickie mini-hoop house with some supplemental heat. Crossing my fingers.</div>
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And, another Pasty Butt Free day. Could we be done with Pasty Butt for this group of young ladies? One can hope!</div>
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Had the food and water removed for less than 10 minutes to clean the
waterer and put down some fresh bedding. You would have thought they
didn't eat for days with the way they attacked the food when I set it
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<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-28878404093856130692017-03-05T16:58:00.001-08:002017-03-05T17:02:01.672-08:00Day Four - Fluffy Butts and Popcorn<div style="text-align: justify;">
Seems like I spend a lot of time thinking about Pasty Butts and Fluffy Butts, and the condition of chickie rear ends! But, in my experience, it is the first indicator that a chick may be in trouble, health wise. So I am happy to report that all butts were fluffy during inspection today!</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRRpFyxBUD4/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Karla Upton (@kmom246)</a> on <time datetime="2017-03-05T23:56:05+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 5, 2017 at 3:56pm PST</time></div>
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It is amazing to me that by day four, the baby "flight feathers" are already so developed. That's where a lot of the protein in baby (and grownup) food goes - into making feathers. In the next few days the chickies will start going into what is sometimes called "the popcorn stage." During that stage, when a chickie is startled, it jumps - pops - straight up, feathers all aflutter. They can pop 2 feet or higher. I am surmising that this is because four day old chicks are starting to range away from their moms and predators find them quite tasty! Popping up into a predator's face might startle the predator just enough to allow a chick a quick escape. And indeed, that is how they try and escape from the brooder, too! </div>
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Click on today's video to watch fluffy butts running around on "fine" pine shavings. For those of you who hang out at Tractor Supply, it's the stuff in the yellow bales. $5 a bale on sale, and that will keep two dozen or so babies in clean quarters for about 4 weeks. Longer if the weather is better and babies can run around on grass and clover for a period of time each day. Winter babies don't get as much outside time as summer babies, so by the end of this week, I will be finely chopping clover, grass, and lettuce for them. Of course, with the introduction of grownup food, I'll need to add chickie grit to their diet. Chickens don't have teeth - they use rough rocks (or in this case, sharp sand) in their gizzard to grind up food. Processed chickie food turns to mash when they drink water, so no grit needed for that.</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRRpel0hvrf/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Karla Upton (@kmom246)</a> on <time datetime="2017-03-05T23:59:28+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 5, 2017 at 3:59pm PST</time></div>
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Waterers are on plastic tray lids covered in paper towels. Going to have to start changing the water out a lot more frequently as the little chickies learn to kick and scratch pine shavings everywhere. I suppose I could leave them on paper towels longer, but they do love kicking and scratching around. Maybe it strengthens their little legs? Anyway, by day four, the whole bottom of the brooder is covered in about an inch of pine shavings. For the next few days, unless there is a spilt water issue, I'll be layering another layer of paper towels and another inch of pine shavings each day. Then next weekend we'll do a full clean out, again. If Pasty Butt returns in force, we will clean and sanitize sooner.
Side note: Used pine shavings and paper towels will get composted and become end of season garden additions.
Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-4325449570711473602017-03-04T13:00:00.001-08:002017-03-04T13:00:49.710-08:00Day 3 - Adendum - Cleaning Pasty Butt Chicks[Warning: Turd and chickie butt photos below]<br />
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Not sure why it happens, but my experience is<br />
<ul>
<li>Winter Babies are more susceptible</li>
<li> Usually starts showing up on Day 3</li>
<li>If a chick is going to get it, they will usually get it by the end of Week 1</li>
<li>By Week 2, it's usually gone</li>
<li>Most of the time, a chick will only need one or two cleanings</li>
<li>Sometimes a particular chickie has a more long term issue, but is still usually cleared up by Week 2</li>
<li>Chickie grit may help reduce the incidents, but I haven't kept good enough records to say that this is conclusively so</li>
<li>Chickie electrolytes may help the chickies through the stress of butt cleaning (and shipping and other traumas), but I have had near perfect results of chickies making it to adulthood with and without it </li>
</ul>
Post cleaning, when put back on it's feet, besides an indignant shake and feather flap, one of the first things that the chickie will do is make a giant (for a chickie) turd. Pasty Butt really <i>can</i> kill babies by not allowing the waste to leave the body.<br />
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Preparation<br />
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The objective is to keep the chick wet and distressed the least amount of time, so prep work is important. <br />
<ul>
<li>Run heater in the bathroom and bring the temp up to 95*F or so</li>
<li>Put some pretty warm water in a bowl</li>
<li>Tear up large paper towels into fourths and smaller ones in half</li>
<li>Some people use Q-tips in place of or in addition to; I don't use them "in place of" because it takes too long. I don't use "in addition to" because I find that mostly I just knock them on the floor</li>
<li>Have some kitchen towels or clean shop rags available to dry off chickies</li>
<li>Put sheets of paper towels in the bottom of a box that just barely allows for one and a half times the number of chicks you plan to work on</li>
</ul>
Identifying Who Needs Butt Cleaning<br />
<ul>
<li>Instead of trying to figure out who needs cleaning and potentially picking up many chicks more than once, I put them all in a box in the brooder (so everyone stays warm), and then remove anyone who is a fluffy butt.</li>
<li>Pasty Butts go into the smaller box and are whisked away into the pre-heated bathroom</li>
<li>I usually note what breed and how many had Pasty Butt on any given day </li>
</ul>
Cleaning<br />
[I am right handed; you may wish to reverse the hands if you are left handed.]<br />
<ul>
<li>Make a C with your left hand - you are going to pick up the chick so the their butt is showing through the C and their head is pointing towards the floor. You want to fold the legs and wings against the body like how they are when they are sitting on the ground. </li>
<li>Grasp tight enough that the wings and legs cannot flap, but soft enough that they aren't crushed (well, duh). A firm grip will keep them from struggling. If they are wiggling, you may be gripping too gently.</li>
<li>Turn hand upside down and dunk butt into water. Hold in the very warm water for 10-15 to 20 seconds, depending how big and hard the stuck on chickie poo is. </li>
<li>Remove chickie's butt from water, pat dry with a paper towel piece</li>
<li>Dampen a paper towel piece and use to remove the poo</li>
<li>Be careful not to rip the skin or damage the little butt hole, but also make sure to clean well so the next time the chickie poos, it doesn't get caught on left over pieces. </li>
<li>Some chickies will require a second dunking</li>
<li>If more than two dunkings of the chickie but in nearly hot water are needed, I let the chickie warm up, dry off, and take an hour or two break. Usually even if there is still crud on it, they will be able to relieve themself.</li>
<li>When clean, I pat dry with a dish cloth, and return to their Pasty Butt flock-mates in their little box</li>
<li>Former Pasty Butts are usually pooping like crazy at this point, so if I have more than 2 or 3 Pasty Butts, I check and add a fresh layer of paper towels in their box as needed.</li>
</ul>
Post Cleaning Care
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<ul>
<li>I semi-close the lid of the box or drape a clean dish towel over the top after the last one. This dims the lighting and usually puts everyone to sleep or at least calms them down. </li>
<li>I keep them in the warm bathroom until they are dry</li>
<li>When I return them to the brooder, I set them down one at a time, right in front of the waterer - they are often thirsty and will drink a lot of water at this point</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXjkwTNs9FU3KnHGUKCeunzrwqDNWV-3waOyhEGJizkpo9op1Aq5OSfXVgCiL1wDx903jnvbWIoEGrSRW76QrCPXdnDq6dju7XFFLpfaC14nVqN9nI6K5KP-AvodptDlZuDAueu8myHNe/s1600/IMG_6287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXjkwTNs9FU3KnHGUKCeunzrwqDNWV-3waOyhEGJizkpo9op1Aq5OSfXVgCiL1wDx903jnvbWIoEGrSRW76QrCPXdnDq6dju7XFFLpfaC14nVqN9nI6K5KP-AvodptDlZuDAueu8myHNe/s400/IMG_6287.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasty Butt</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean Butt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725396178082292244.post-58655480245298582732017-03-04T10:36:00.001-08:002017-03-04T10:44:43.134-08:00Day 3 - Flight Feathers & Pasty Butt right on schedule<div style="text-align: justify;">
Look, Ma, we're getting tiny wing feathers! Aren't I cute?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLJSIXyufXH485pcyKakmxx0R8Vlu9JM3h4ftuVEgdpXZdD05jKHxHz9nDt_WWq_owALd112MPE0JKwhW-1AURmOjDx7yUsi0JecCizIYua7jdjuuvi5Jh3AGq2aPrs6pkEj5cylISTJs/s1600/IMG_WingFeathersDay3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLJSIXyufXH485pcyKakmxx0R8Vlu9JM3h4ftuVEgdpXZdD05jKHxHz9nDt_WWq_owALd112MPE0JKwhW-1AURmOjDx7yUsi0JecCizIYua7jdjuuvi5Jh3AGq2aPrs6pkEj5cylISTJs/s640/IMG_WingFeathersDay3.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've got a fluffy butt - no bathing for me!</td></tr>
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And, the first case of Pasty-Butt right on schedule. Mama's warming up the bathroom to 95*F and it will be butt cleaning time soon. We won't like it, but that's how it goes if we want to have fluffy butts! Babies raised later in the year seem to have less of this kind of problem - but if one wants eggs by late summer, now's the time to be growing up babies!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbUxpFdZ13BGqfxnBN6Jf1uxW1YAaQkXe60H5sVsPLbGqhyXKUyV3BCvUO66OHtfmDA9h7z_zFQEGfq6mSX_isqg7g0MnBdeD0j6v21oIjfGWAmMjjSDt8Lur9zN6RpcB3-B0ykNfXGsz/s1600/IMG_6279-pastybutt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbUxpFdZ13BGqfxnBN6Jf1uxW1YAaQkXe60H5sVsPLbGqhyXKUyV3BCvUO66OHtfmDA9h7z_zFQEGfq6mSX_isqg7g0MnBdeD0j6v21oIjfGWAmMjjSDt8Lur9zN6RpcB3-B0ykNfXGsz/s1600/IMG_6279-pastybutt.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Polish girl on the left looks like she has a ruff around her neck and a fuzzy hat on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BROggndhrMw/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">#thelittlebiddyhenhouse Yes, we look kind of dead when we're sleeping! After raising hundreds of babies it's still kind of freaks mommy out!</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Karla Upton (@kmom246) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-03-04T18:43:23+00:00">Mar 4, 2017 at 10:43am PST</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Karla Uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126730636082652517noreply@blogger.com0