Swarm 2011

Emily and I try to catch our first swarm! Jim noticed it on a cherry tree behind our beehive when he was returning from hunting for turkeys. Luckily we had a nuc box ready. I asked Jim and Allison to hurry up and put some frames together and Emily and I suited up to "catch" the swarm. This swarm is so big it doesn't fit in the nuc box.

Hens and Chicks- gardening style

Today, I also ventured down to the Fellows Riverside Garden Plant sale. I've never been before,but thought I'd take a chance. What a lovely selection of plants,trees, shrubs, and containers. You name it, I'm sure they have it!
Now, something on my wishlist this year was to try to make a hen and chick wreath. And the Gardens had all the fixins ... wreath, liner and plants. So in pictures I take you from wire frame to soil, to plants to finished product. The "experts" at the Gardens informed me that it will take the entire season for this to fill out. And something else truly cool, I can hang it up. They also suggested in the winter that I can bring it in the house and use it as a centerpiece for the table, just add a candle to the center! What a neat idea. Enjoy.

Gardening

The spring has been really wet. However,God has given us a break the last few days. I have been out in the garden, planting everything I can get my hands on. My problem garden is with my herbs. It seems that I never quite find the right place. So this year... I'm using containers.

This container is thyme and the itty bitty sprouts next to it are beebee tree sprouts. I was given some beebee seeds at our last beekeepers meeting. These beebee trees are supposed to bloom during summer when little else is blooming. I hope they grow big and strong.




This is my basil and parsley container. No I didn't consult a companion planting guide, I'm winging it!


This is lavender and tri-colored sage.


This is my mint container. I have spearmint in the middle surrounded by apple mint, pineapple mint and chocolate mint! This smells heavenly.

Spring is.... Springing!

I found the "chick" feeders. They come in purple and green. I don't really need both, but what the heck, I'll decide which to use tomorrow. I like to keep my options open.


Remember that spring garden I planted a while back? Well, here it is. Looks like a box of mud with little sprigs in it. Some onions, peas and lettuce made it. I will most likely replant the rest.

The chickens sooooo want the land to dry out a bit. Their yard is mud, mud, mud.

And the Alpacas? This is their.... "I'm ignoring you" pose. This is the one they favor by the way. You see, they ignore me all the time. Unless, of course, it's feeding time! :)

Apricot Tree... I think. Since it has never born any fruit, I can't say for sure.

Apple - planted last year. Looks good

Pear tree minus the Partridge (smile).

Cherry Tree - This tree is host to our bird feeders!

Magnolia - notice the browse line. The browse line is created by some lovely creatures we share the planet with. The white tail deer nibble on everything they can reach. When this tree blossoms... you can quite clearly see the part they like to munch on! (When is deer season in again?)

One thing leads to another!

It all started with a recipe for essential oils using apple peels. Well, I wasn't going to peel some apples without doing something with the the rest of the fruit. So, I decided to make apple cake!







Then I thought about my personal bread quest. I had wanted to make a spinach flat bread recipe ever since I tried some two weeks ago. It looks good. I can't wait until it cools off.




And the critters got the good vegie scraps!
(I cleaned out the vegetable bins in the refrigerator) :)

Homemade Essential Oils | eHow.com

Ok, I was inspired to make my own liquid hand soap. I enjoy using the Bath and Bodyworks apple scented foaming liquid soap. It is expensive and they do not carry refills. What a waste. So in reading the Chickens in the Road blog, I was inspired to try to make my own dispenser with liquid soap. The theory I'm formulating is if I water down the liquid soap,it will work through the dispenser. However, what about the apple scent. I found information on eHow on how to make essential oils. Seems like a reasonable theory that should work. I'm off.... I will let you know what happens in my kitchen today. Take care everyone.
Homemade Essential Oils | eHow.com

Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile, and Very Good Uses Youve Probably Never Thought Of by Vicki Lansky

I bought this book at Barnes and Noble last night. It has ideas I've never pondered.

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile, and Very Good Uses Youve Probably Never Thought Of by Vicki Lansky

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