Mother Nature Network: 8 Awesome Urban Chicken Coops

Something I thought you might like:
Clucking Cool

Sew Thrifty

This week I was pleasantly surprised to realize that in the back corner of the local thrift store a huge selection of patterns was hiding from me. Lots of things from vintage to new patterns that I happen to know are still on the shelf at the local fabric store! Many of them were uncut particularly if you were talking children's clothing. Probably many well intentioned seamstresses out there whose kids grew up too fast! Then much to my delight a dear friend shared some patterns with me as well. Her daughter had grown up and rather than toss them, she shared them! In all, I picked up about 20 patterns this week for the grand sum of $5.00!

I also scored some vintage knit fabrics. I think they will make super fun tops. Precisely the type of odd thing my friends would expect to see me in! I couldn't be happier!

Winter Watering

If you have not done so already, these warm February days are an excellent time to drag out the hose and give all of your trees and shrubs a good winter watering. Often Colorado winters are not wet enough to get woody plant material through the winter months. This is especially true if you have newly planted trees and shrubs. It is not as big of an issue for well established plant material. All you need to do is pick a sunny day, drag out the hose and hand water anything you think could use a drink.

More Signs of Spring

Another sign that spring is on the horizon is the fact the the ladies have started to kick to the egg laying. In my experience, young ones really don't get started until the spring after they are purchased. Wahoo! Fresh eggs! I am thinking we will most likely get 2-3 more chicks this spring. For me, spring is not spring with out a baby something. I'm pretty sure I am not going to get away with a baby goat, lamb or calf so I better stick to the baby chicks!

Thanks ladies, your treats are most delectable!

Bagels

I know that sometimes I seem to post things that seem a bit random and off of the general crafty, gardening, farming topic but to me it is all related. Take for instance my husbands desire to make bagels. Yes, you can make bagels in your own kitchen. You just need a willingness to delay gratification and investigate the process. Agricultural living takes time. You do a lot of things for yourself and enjoy the process of doing it. It really is a lifestyle and the satisfaction that is had from "doing it yourself" lasts much longer than the experience of plucking the bag from the grocery store shelf! Thanks for the bagels baby, you are amazing!

Kneading out the dough

Shaping into bagels

Boiling the bagels

After baking and coated with poppy seed goodness!

Happy Valentines Day!

From our Valentine Tree to yours!

National Bird Feeding Month

Its National Bird Feeding Month! This month was established as such in 1994 in an effort to encourage individuals to help feed, water and shelter wild birds through the winter. Food stores are typically low and a little extra helps go a long way. The benefit to you is what you may get the opportunity to appreciate in your own backyard! You might be surprised by what you would find just putting out some heated water! So dig out those sunflower heads that I told you to stash in the garage and don't cut down the flower seed heads quite yet as there is still some forage value left for our feathered friends.