Fabulous Friday - a new recipe to try!

Things are gearing up for me - getting things ready for the  new school year and a grade change. I realized looking at my calendar that there isn't much time left and I needed to get busy. As a result, I've been a bit focused on school stuff and less on house projects - but I'm seeking balance. 

First, an update on the Dingle Twits. They've been sequestered to the coop and run until they figure out that it is their home.  So far it's been working - I've only had to go lock up - everyone's been inside. This decision came Monday when I went to close up: three of the Dingle Twits were sitting on TOP of the umbrella. A fourth was trying to climb up to sit with. The fifth was on a tree branch waiting her turn.  Just as I was getting close enough to take a picture, the fourth one made it to the top - and brought the whole umbrella toppling down. Missed the picture by seconds, but got one of them on the ground looking at it as if to say, "Well, THAT didn't go as planned!"  Too funny. 

I've let the Goddesses out everyday to give the Dingle Twits some time to get used to the run. It's been nice - by 7:30 the goddesses are all hanging out by the door, so I let them in. I have only had to go lock up at 9:15. Fingers crossed this keeps working. 

Now for the recipe . . . 

I mentioned that I've been pretty busy with curriculum work - the last thing I want to do is spend a ton of time in the kitchen making food.  My solution: Mexican Wontons

Ingredients: 
wontons
favorite nacho/burrito/taco ingredients


I lined a cupcake pan with three wontons (overlapping to make a cup because my pan makes large cupcakes) 

Then I added:
 a scoop of re-fried beans
some shredded cheese
some salsa
some chopped olives
Mrs. Dash chili lime seasoning

I topped it with another wonton and some cheese and salsa and baked it at 385 until the wontons were crispy and golden. 


They popped right out of my silpat pans - and right into our mouths. Yummo! 

So many things to do - not enough hours in the day

My day started in the chicken coop -  now it's raked clean, wiped down, and smelling pretty. 

• I made an coop air freshener and I really like how it turned out. 

 4 ounces dish soap

 12 ounces water

 10 drops tea-tree oil

10 drops lavender oil

10 drops peppermint oil

10 drops grapefruit extract 

I put it all in a spray bottle, gave it a swirl, and misted the coop when I finished cleaning up - now the coop smells fresh and clean. 

• I tried a recipe for a chicken treat but I  think it will be back to the drawing board for this one - they barely touched it.  I used ingredients from the treat list I've been working through and the consistency was similar to the Chicken Pumpkin Pie recipe I came across some time ago but they turned up their nose  at it:

I had an avocado I needed to use or toss (bought some for making guacamole and had an extra). I combined the flesh of it with some oats and some Omega egg yummies.    I mixed it together and served it on a pretty plate. I'll make it with pumpkin next time -- I just didn't have any, fresh or canned. 

• I assembled all my materials for a Chicken First Aid box and placed an order for the items I didn't have (I found everything at Amazon which beat driving all over creation and at least 6 stores to find the items on my list.  I REALLY need to find a good feed/farm store around here. 

Ordered from Amazon (couldn't find them locally without going to 6 stores and driving all over creation)

1. Blu-Kote
2. Vetericyn
3. VetRx
4. Nutridrench
5. Kocci-Free

Pick up from grocery store or round up at home:

1. Honey
2. Cornstarch (stops bleeding)
3. Gauze pads
4. Q-Tips
5. sharp scissors
6. Tweezers
7. Saline Solution

I'm going to put it all together in a sealed bucket or galvanized tin and I'm all set in the event we need it.

• I made a self-feeder for my chickens. 

I followed a plan I found on The Chicken Chick and it all came together without too much fuss. 

I cut a 10 foot section of 4" wide PVC pipe in half  so I have enough for 2 feeders. 

I made a oyster shell feeder from one of the pipe caps

The only difference I had with my construction was the attachment. I used long zip ties and secured the pipe directly  to one of the 4x4 support beams instead of to a 2x4. It's holding quite well and the chickens took right to it. 

I made a open dispenser for oyster shells for the chicks too. 

I built a new perch for the run area of the coop.

This natural perch is by far their favorite - they were hopping onto it before I even finished putting it in.  I think I might switch out the other 1x2 perches we originally put it with more natural ones. Goodness knows we have enough branches about, I could make hundreds of them.   

I think I also need to switch out the 2x4 perch I put in the coop for a natural round branch - maybe that's why they don't use their perch inside much. We'll see. 

• I harvested some raspberries and blackberries - enough to eat as a snack or make a tart, but not enough for jam. There's so many more - I just can't get to them. 

While I was trying to reach the berries in the middle of the stands I got an idea for next season. When things go dormant this year I want to move them apart and anchor them onto an arbor high trellis that way I can walk down the middle and still reach everything. 

• I did some research on riding lawn mowers V. garden tractor  - - garden tractor for the win! 

Husqvarna GT52XLS (52") 24HP Kawasaki Garden Tractor (2013 Model) - I could buy 3 of these for the cost of the one below, but the Kubota  could be used for SO much more at Our Haven. . . 

So, I will be mowing the lawn by hand for a while some time more. 

• I finished the geography unit I'm designing for my 4th graders 

It has turned out well and I'm very happy with it. It just needs a few finishing touches, then I'm going to package it and offer it on my TpT store with a few other things I've been thinking of putting out there. 

Then it's on to the next thing on my ToDo list for the new school year. 

My dinner's in the oven and my "wish" now is to enjoy it with with a few boys - either "Mike" or "Jose"  Not sure wish.     ^.^

Fabulous Friday - Remedies, Recipes, and Cleaners

 I have been converting the cleaning products I use to all natural and home made for quite some time.  I either made or purchased awhile, a "natural" version as one of the regular bands I had already had ran out -- I didn't want to just throw out good money which is what I would be doing if I tossed a 1/2 empty bottle of 409 or something.   

Why would I go to the trouble? I want to get away from the harsh cleaning agents and limit the chemicals my family is exposed to. It will be better for our septic system in the long run as well. After all, my grandma was able to clean just fine with vinegar, borax, baking soda, and some muscle.  

The recipes are out there, and they are plentiful. One weekend I tried a recipe for laundry soap that someone had Pinned. I thought, why not.  I tried a liquid soap recipe  but something wasn't quite right about it (whether it was cook error or recipe, I'm not sure). So, it was back to the drawing board - or supermarket for me. . . 

One if the switches I made was to Mrs. Meyers. It does a good job, I love that I can tailor the fragrance I use, it's OK with my septic system, and the best part - I can just pick it up of the shelf.   The down side?  It's as expensive as the other stuff - definitely not a way to save money.  Still, it was a good transition given the convenience. 

Now that it's summer, and I have more time (and I'm almost out of soap) I thought I'd give it another try.  In my test kitchen today - laundry soap for HE machines. Most recipes were variations of the one I eventually used - can't wait to try it on towels.

Ingredients & supplies:
An airtight container (gallon size at least)
cheese grater
food processor 
4 cups Borax 
4 cups Washing Soda
2 bars grated bar soap
I used Ivory, cause it's what I had on hand - other recommendations are Castille or Fell's Naptha
2 cups Oxiclean (dye and fragrance free)
There seems to be great debate as to the "naturalness of this product" but I leave it to you to decide - it has Sodium Carbonate (washing soda)  and Sodium Percarbonate (basically hydrogen peroxide in solid form which probably explains why it works so darn well. 
10-15 drops Lavender essential oil 
You could also use TeaTree, Camomile, or whatever you prefer - just remember a little goes a long way.


Steps: 
1. I ran the powder 2 cups at a time through my Vitamix (except for the Oxi - it was already very fine). 
2. I added each portion to my airtight storage container
3. Mixed it it all together once I was done (next time I'll add the soap last - I discovered it stuck to the container a bit when I mixed it)
4. Added the essential oil, put the lid on and gave it a shake. 

2 tablespoon for regular loads and 3 tablespoons for heavily soiled loads should be plenty, I'll let you know. 

I didn't think to stop and take pictures along the way. I have to remember that for next time. 

Also, I did some extra research and feel safe using this recipe with our septic system because there are ZERO phosphates and ZERO fillers. That means there's nothing to harm necessary septic bacteria. Yea!