Happy Hens

                                                                                       

A & O HAND FEEDING THE HENS

ENJOYING THE SUN ON THE DECK, NOT EATING MY BUGS!


Due to my husbands illness, we decided to give our chickens to our son last winter.  As spring approached and because my inside dogs have had no fleas for several years, I asked him if I could have a few of them back for bug control  for the summer months. 

Dale and Jill loaded up some of the older hens and my little Bantoms and I turned them loose in the yard to feast.   There is just one problem:   They came back spoiled rotten!   Impossible to spoil chickens?  If we leave our back door open they try to come inside......everytime I look out on my deck, there are three to four chickens.  They are supposed to be grazing for bugs but instead they are waiting for us to come out the door and feed them.



                                                                 

LEAVING OUT THE BACK DOOR AFTER EXPLORING INSIDE!

Through the years I have had dogs, cats, a miniature pig, and a miniature horse all make their way into my house.   All of the above were house broke.   But chickens!  I draw the line.....

In case I change my mind, does anyone know how to house break a hen?

Blessings!

Grandma B

KEEP YOUR FLOWERS FRESH

My caring husband brought me these beautiful roses for Valentines Day this year.  He kept apologizing for the color, but truly, I loved them.


It has taken me years of trial and error to keep my cut flowers fresh but I think I have finally figured it out.  These cut roses looked fresh for almost two (2) full weeks.  Note:  These were not a florist bouquet that had been arranged in a vase, but instead they were just cut and I placed them in a vase.


When you take your cut flowers home, immediately take them to your sink and cut approximatly 1/2 to 1 full inch off the stem at an angle  Keep the water running and place the cut flowers under the water while you make the cut.


Fill your vase and put the packet of powder that is with the flowers into the water and mix well.  Place the flowers in the vase and you are almost finished.   Place your flowers in a place that is cool (not in direct sunlight or in front of a heat vent).  


Keep an eye on your flowers and after a few days empty the water that they have been sitting in and run fresh water.  At this time it would be wise to make another fresh cut from the stems.  This is how the flowers receive their nourishment so if the water begins to get cloudy or turns green the flowers can't drink and stay nourished.   With these few steps your next flowers should stay fresh much longer than you ever dreamed.


If you don't have a spouse that pampers you with flowers, don't wait on him, go buy them for yourself.  Do you know why?  Because you are worth it!   Life is short so celebrate by enjoying the simple things in life...like roses.


Blessings,
Grandma B

CAST IRON SKILLET

Through the years I have used many different pots and pans to do my cooking.  I've had cheap skillets, aluminum based pots, T-Fal

(a  really good one) and some old "Guardian Service" picked up from yard sales.  Somehow I always find myself going back to my ole' cast iron skillets. 

Cast iron really heats everything evenly, and for frying, it just can't be beat!  I don't even know if it's possible to fry potatoes in anything else, at least to my liking.

Cast iron has one problem;  you aren't supposed to wash it and when you do it can rust.  I don't know about you, but wiping out a skillet I've cooked in just doesn't feel clean.  The solution:  I wash in a mild soap and water and dry immediatly.  After drying I coat my skillets with a spray on oil like "Pam".  I never have rust spots and best of all, my skillets are always ready for their next use.

TAKE TIME TO PLAY

Sunsets from Southport NC

I remember years ago I stayed so busy that there was no time to play.  Even grown ups need time to play as long as it stays in good balance. 

I remember wanting to make all those adorable crafts I would see and thinking, "Maybe God will give me a little craft corner in heaven so I can play with the crafts."  Well, my time has come and I am having so much fun.


Coasters For Outdoor Lovers



I can't post pics of all the different crafts I play with, but my latest endeavor is coasters.  They are so simple and pretty too. 

All you need is a ceramic tile, modge podge, pictures of your choice,  some felt and a sealer of some sort.  I have used personal photos and pictures from magazines.  Everything I have tried has worked.

I start with a clean blank tile.   Cut a picture the size you want it (I use 4X4 inches).  This size will leave a very small border on the edges.   Place your picture in a small bowl of water to soak for a minute.  Spread the modge podge on the tile.   Take the picture out of the water and remove as much water as possible.  Lay the picture on the tile and press down  until smooth.  I use a brayer to roll out the air bubbles (I learned the hard way).  Let this dry.

When this is dry you can apply a layer of modge podge.  At first I had trouble with brush strokes but did some research online and found if you wet your sponge brush before applying the modge podge the brush marks almost disappear.   When the modge podge has dried I seal it again with a polyurathane.  Some say this step isn't necessary but I feel like it really protects agains scratches and such.

Poinsettas taken from the front of Christmas Cards

Take some time to play today!  It's good for you.

Blessings,

GrandmaB