[Ellendra]

My garden isn't producing as well as it usually does. Mostly the result of neglect, I've been so busy with the chickens and with trying to earn some extra money, that I haven't been weeding as much as I should. There have also been several delays with getting my field tilled up. The tractor is working, but the days I have off work, it's almost always raining!

The way things are going, I'm just hoping to get it tilled in time for the fall-planted crops.

I may be picking up a new hobby soon. I found a book on at-home wine making. Normally that wouldn't be of interest, I've never liked the taste of wine, it always tasted like mold. But, twice this spring I tasted wines that I actually liked. No moldy flavor at all! I'm determined to figure out how to replicate that. And if I get my berry bushes all planted like I want to, I'm going to have plenty of ingredients :)

Just for fun, here's a pic of the chickies playing:

[greeneyes]

Thanks for the picture. Nice birds.

[tubebender]

Cute Chickens :)

[Black Agnes]

What great birds!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

LOVE! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Girlfriend! Don’t hide your light! Post pictures of the chicken coop that YOU built! It’s AWESOME! :)

(We know one another in, ‘The Real World.’)

[Qiviut]

My SIL was down to 3 old hens (around 5 years old) this spring so she got some chicks - 13 to be exact. She’s got 5 Buff Orpingtons, 5 Aracauna, & 3 black ones - not sure what breed, but those 3 are extremely curious and outgoing. The black ones weren’t at the feed store until a week after the Buffs & Aracaunas so she got 3, thinking 15 was just too many. Anyway, the “chicks” are now looking like young hens & I can’t wait for them to start laying - I love fresh eggs.

Last night, my brother texted me to say that he has pictures of a bobcat hanging out behind his house. Ruh roh! My SIL is running the bobcat equivalent of Chik-Fil-A!! She lets the chickens out every day & they run around the yard, garden, woods bordering the yard .... I’m really surprised Mr. Bob hasn’t picked off one or more already.

My uncle made wine - his plum wine was The Best. Although he grew many berries, & had fruit trees, he made friends with the produce guy(s) at a local grocery store and he would go by periodically to see if there were any fruits that were going to be thrown out because they would let him have it. He would go through it, pick out what he could use, and make wine from it. He would experiment, too - even made potato wine (not something he made twice!). Talented guy - he also was a beekeeper so we had a local source for honey.

[CottonBall]

Oh, your chickens are beautiful. I can’t wait to get some.

[CottonBall]

I would love to see the chicken coop you built too! We’re going to have to build one, so all ideas will be very appreciated.