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Spring Is Definitely In The Air! – Baby Chick Time!!

 

I love all things spring!  Yes, I know it’s allergy season with all the high pollen counts, but it’s still spring and the weather is warming up nicely.  I love being able to open up my windows and doors and enjoy the nice spring breezes that blow through.  An added bonus is the lower electric bills that brings.  That’s always nice. 

Another thing I love about spring is all the baby animals being born.  Everywhere I look, I’ve seen baby calves.  They are so cute running around , kicking up their heels without a care in the world! 

It also means baby chick time at our house!  And this year,I actually have a broody hen that decided to set for me! 

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(Look how mean she looks!  LOL – She really does mean business and does not like me messing with her or her eggs AT ALL!)

She started out with 12 eggs but is now down to 9.  After candling them on day 10, 3 eggs had gone absolutely nowhere, so I pulled them out so that she could concentrate on the ones that were growing and thriving.  By next weekend, April 24th, we should start seeing some babies hatching!  I can’t wait!

I’ve got another hen that’s thinking about it.  If she does, I’ll give her some eggs of her own. I’d love to be able to add some fresh layers to my flock this year. 

Katie is going to raise chicks again this year for 4-H and we’ve already gotten them. If we do as well this year and we did last year, we’ll probably sell them to recoup some of the expense of raising them. 

Hopefully, this next week, we’ll finally get the garden in the ground.  It’s been such a crazy couple of weeks that we’ve not been able to, but I’m making it a priority next week because I want lots of fresh garden veggies this year!  I’ll keep you posted on how that goes! 

Hope you all are having a great spring!  I know I am!

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Menu Plan: 04/04 – 04-10

 

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Well, it’s another week!  We had a great Easter weekend.  I hope you did, as well.  It’s nice getting together with family and friends and celebrating our risen Lord!  Now, we just need to make sure that we remember His sacrifice every day of the rest of the year. 

I’m actually fixing my family a small Easter dinner tonight.  It’s something I enjoy doing and was unable to fix dinner at home this year, so we’re extending our Easter celebration by an extra day! 

I’m also trying to make do with what I already have on hand and not buy any unnecessary groceries.  This will help to keep our grocery budget down which is always a battle.   I didn’t get around to make the Poor Man’s Soup last week, so that meal will be carried over to this week.  

Here’s my menu for the week:

Breakfast:

Lunch:

  • Sandwiches
  • Leftovers

Dinner:

  • Easter Dinner with extended family
  • Easter Dinner @ home – ham is the main course
  • Poor Man’s Soup with grilled cheese sandwiches
  • Spaghetti with homemade garlic bread
  • Baked potatoes with favorite toppings
  • Breakfast: pancakes, bacon, & eggs
  • Leftovers

 

Don’t forget to check out Organizing Junkie for more menu plans this week! 

 

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** I LOVE my clothesline! **

 

It’s finally done!!  After 2-1/2 years, I finally have my clothesline done and in use!  Brian built the posts last fall while I dug the the holes, and we poured the concrete and let them set.  Then things went crazy and we never got to finish it. 

So, almost 2 weeks ago, I went out and dug the holes for the anchors, mixed and poured the concrete and set those.  A few days later, Brian hung the lines and ran the lines for the anchors.  After the concrete had set a little over a week, we went out and tightened the lines.  I finally got to use it for the first time yesterday! 

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We made 3 posts and have 200 feet of line.  We bought 200 feet of 1700 lb vinyl coated wire (like this found online at Lehman’s).  It is guaranteed not to stretch or break.  Overkill?  I don’t think so.  It should hold up very well over time and still be going strong when the cheaper line that is normally recommended  is stretching and breaking and in need of replacement.  I’m going to be able to hand 6 to 7 loads of laundry out at a time (if I need to, LOL)!  I did hold off on laundry for a couple of days just so I could hang out a few loads at once.  I have really missed having a true clothesline to use in the warmer months.  I do have drying racks that I used and had ran a line on our screened in back porch, but there’s nothing like looking out and seeing all my nice, clean laundry drying in the sunshine and blowing in the breeze. Not only is a wonderful to see, but it saves me money by not having to use my dryer all the time!  Just a wonderful added bonus for me!

Thank you, sweetheart for the wonderful clothesline!  I love it!  I plan to use use my clothesline for many years to come!

 

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