SHOWS-MAKING BIRD TREATS AND FEEDERS-THE FIRST EGG-HELEN UPDATE

GREETINGS

I am so happy to be back blogging.  We have had such warm weather for November, cooler temps are coming in this afternoon but still not too cold.  I am grateful for the time to get things in order on the farm and still have a few tasks to complete before the ground freezes.  The sunsets here have been so beautiful.

SHOWS

The Crafts of Colrain was a well attended event and I enjoyed the crowds, friends visiting and many new people came .I am busily making new inventory.  

The Shelburne Falls Autumn Farmers Market is one of my favorite shows.  So many different vendors with farmers set up with their fall and winter veggies.  Lots of fun and a easy, relaxing show.

MAKING BIRD TREATS AND FEEDERS

I found this recipe to make the suit block out of coconut oil.  I bought a small bag of mixed seed and nuts and made it.  Its so much cheaper to make  (for me at least because I buy my coconut oil  in 50 lb containers)  They say its better for the birds and they are enjoying it.  The whole thing takes about 5 minutes to make.  I layer a container with foil and add with about an inch of the seed and nut mix then melt the coconut oil at low temp and pour  over it and let it harden.

FEEDERS

I love this feeder.  I won it at the Heath Fair some years ago.  This year I put it on top of a 4×4 and it has attracted so many birds.  I think I can make one so in the spring I will attempt it and put it on the other side of the porch.

THE FIRST EGG

It has been well over 6 weeks since I have gotten any eggs.  I did buy a dozen but even though they say they are organic they don’t look or taste as fresh as mine

Matilda has laid the first one and continues to lay and egg a day.  I am sure the others will follow suit soon.

HELEN UPDATE

She is doing well and living inside till next spring.  Her house is ready for her, Mrs. Brown and Hazel  will be put where there are no grasses .

Many thanks for reading my blog on this rainy day.  Carole

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MORTICIA-WREN FAMILY IN THE FRONT BIRD HOUSE-SURPRISE IN THE MAIL-THEOLD SINK

GREETINGS

MORTICIA

Morticia is sitting on two eggs this morning and acting very broody.  As soon as the two roosters start crowing she and Samantha will be moved outside, sharing the side yard with Mrs. Brown,Hazel and Millie.  They will be separated for a time until they get used to each other.

A FAMILY OF WRENS

Mom and Dad have been feeding the young in the front bird house.

.  They are small birds with sweet voices.  I think they are Wrens.

 

 

 The side bird house has chickadee’sin it this year.  There is a large Robin’s nest in the willow tree and a Blue Jay nest in the CHestnut tree next door.  The morning songs are wonderful.

GREENFIELD FARMERS COOP

The Greenfield Farmers Coop lost a valuable employee this past week.  Jimmy passed away suddenly.  He was my to go to person for anything to do with animals.  He was helpful, funny and kind.  He will be sorely missed.  It reminds me to take the time to tell people how much I appreciate them.

A SURPRISE IN THE MAIL

Yesterday I got a surprise in the mail from my friend Susan.  T wonderful red embroidery pieces.  

I just love them and will incorporate them into a small bed pillows.  I have bed pillows and use them every night and Minnie does too.

 They made my day.  I want to do more embroidery this year and last year bought a book on patterns.  I have started one but used a flimsy muslin and now realize that I really needed a stronger more dense fabric. The boys and I cleaned out the most of the bottom of the barn yesterday.  It is all orderly and things easy to get to.  They both are so very  helpful to me.  Today we will spend some time in the attic.  I want to clean it out and label each box.  It will be time consuming to do that but in the end I will save lots of time knowing what is in each box.  I am sure I will find some treasures too.

THE OLD SINK OR ZINK AS MY GRANDMOTHER CALLED IT

This sink was at the side of the road.  I loved it and had many ideas of what could be done with it.  But it was fall then so it was put in the back of the downstairs barn. Rediscovered again yesterday, Ricky will make a bird bath for the side yard out of it.

Many thanks for reading my blog today and I hope you have a wonderful day. Carole and Minnie

HUMMINGBIRDS-MOURNING DOVES-HOUSE SPARROWS AND BIRDHOUSES

Hello

,Today is a funny day with heat and humidity, sun, thunderstorms and rain.

 

The Hummingbirds

This morning while checking my e-mail a Hummingbird was out with the Jewel weed.   Darting from flower to flower I wish I had my camera and then it came right over to the window. The bee’s have been there since they started blooming too.    We always have hummingbirds here and once I was lucky enough to see one at rest.

       MOURNING DOVES

Today while up in the barn I saw the two Mourning Doves that hang around the farm, they were in the pasture.  It got me to wondering where do they nest.  I have never seen one.  SO I looked them up and they can either nest on the ground or in trees.  People can help them by making cone shapes out of hardware cloth and put them in the V’s of trees.  I am putting that on my calendar to do next spring.

HOUSE SPARROWS

People either love them or despise them,  I really like them.  Since planting places for them to hide and feeding them in the winter I have had many here all year round.  They hide in the Holly and Christmas tree out front.  I need to have an area in back for them and this year got two Canadian Hemlock but neither took.  That hot spell even with lots of watering killed them off.  Next spring I will have to get some larger stock.  This year there was a nest in the Crab apple tree just outside the kitchen window, I could hear the young call for food and watched them as they learned to fly.  I love their song.

BIRD HOUSES

 

It seems that this year was the year to fix bird houses.  I took done the white church that Debbie gave me, that bird house always reminded me of my Dad.   Many Chickadee’s have been raised in it but not this year.  I am going to fix it and put the steeple back on and put it around  near the computer room.

WE ARE THE PEOPLE. OUR VOICES SHOULD BE HEARD

Jf  you are for a war with Syria or against let your voice be heard.  I e-mailed the President and my Congressman to let them know my feelings about this today.  I urge you to do the same.

Many thanks for reading my blog and I hope you have a wonderful day.  Carole