Time for Treats

My chickens love treats! I mean, who doesn't, right?! With our family eating melons several times a week during this abysmally hot weather, there is a never ending supply of really cool ways to beat the heat in the summer for our chickens!

They don't mind it when I toss the rind quarters out there but what they really love is when I freeze scratch grain, melon pieces and seeds, and cut up veggies in the rind.

Aren't they pretty? The one on the left just has some various pieces of watermelon, honeydew and the seeds scooped out of the middle. I didn't even add water, just tossed the whole thing in the freezer for a few hours. The middle one sort of speaks for itself; water melon chunks and scratch grain in a honey dew rind. And then the one on the right was filled with the inner scoops from the two melons and some water, then frozen.

The baby chicks are four weeks old and not too sure about this foreign food in their pen. But once one of them tried it, they all came running and tweeting, feverishly vying for a chance at the tasty treat. Of course, the old girls know what is coming when they see one of these rinds in my hand and this day I had two! 

I love backyard chicken keeping. Even though we live in the country, we can't let them run wild because of critters. We are in the process of figuring out how to re-model our two year old coop to include these dozen new chicks. But in the meantime, I am happy with them in our front yard where I can keep an eye on them, plus they are such fun to watch! They are learning to spread their wings and fly so I have to be careful when I open the pen door or they get loose! And trying to round up a dozen wild & crazy baby chicks is not something I want to do on a daily basis. Today, I managed to entice them back in with a treat, so yeah, they know what's coming now and can anticipate the cool refreshment heading their way.

Are you a backyard chicken keeper? Or do you have other animals? What cool treats to do you make to give them during the heat of summer?

~Happy Summer~

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Soybean Harvest

It is like the seed put in the soil - the more one sows, the greater the harvest.

Orison Swett Marden 

 Our neighbor rented his fields this year to a neighboring soybean farmer. Watching them grow through the seasons was delightful. In summer, they were so green and full but there was something equally pleasing about their change in autumn. I thought they were beautiful with the sun highlighting their fuzzy pods at harvest time.

A Gleaner Combine is used to reap the harvest.

As soon as we heard it start up, the windows were quickly closed because it makes a dust cloud that chokes the breath from your lungs. It's a good thing it has an enclosed cab for the farmer! 

Now the fields look bare but they have already planted them with winter wheat and fertilized them with chicken manure. I look forward to seeing a lush green field in the colorless and cold days of winter. You know I will take photos :)

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Rurality Blog Hop

*Thank you for all the prayers and best wishes about my back. With lots of rest, heat and ice, and a doctor visit, it is well on its way to getting better. No more spasms and not nearly as much pain. I may not be back to a full blogging schedule for a while but I am working on it.

Have a blessed day!

Communal eating

I love sitting in my rocking chair and watching these pretty birds as they work on getting those yummy seeds out of this bell. I think they're some kind of Tufted Titmouse but I'm not sure. 

They're beautiful and funny to watch. Every now and then they hang on the screen and peer in the window. One even went so far as to "knock" twice.  

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore -
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping.
Edgar Allan Poe
The Raven.

I think this little bird has something to say...

Matthew 6:25-27  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"

They're not the best shots. I had to take them through the screen and my camera is a Kodak Easy Share. Maybe I just don't know how to use it correctly either. I edited with PicMonkey and a background paper from the Art Painted 5 Sunset Papers that I purchased from My Memories.  

Have a great day in the Lord!

'Pumpkin' Anyone? ~ Rural Thursday

This arachnid is commonly known as a...

wait for it...

Pumpkin Spider!

It's scientific name is 

Araneus marmoreus - Marbled Orb Weaver.

They are venomous.

This one bit my husband. Considering it was camouflaged in the leaves, it is not a surprise. Thankfully, it was a dry bite and he is fine....so far. 

It totally creeps me out! Right now, it's housed in a canning jar awaiting its fate. Wonder what it will be?

Have you seen one of these?!

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Assassin on the loose ~ Rural Thursday

The first year we moved to our little piece of land we didn't know much anything about pesticide free gardening or organic gardening, so we purchased The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control: A Complete Problem-Solving Guide to Keeping Your Garden and Yard Healthy Without Chemicals.
With two little boys, this was a must. Ok. Maybe not. It was really for their mom me, who ran screaming at the sight of most bugs. But no more!

Over the years, our favorite veggie defender, and we think most spectacular, became this guy; only he doesn't just defend the garden :)

This dangerous looking creature, known as a ninja Assassin Bug (aka wheel bug but his Family name sounds so much cooler) was slowly walking along the edge of our roof, right above the front steps, like a sentinel. I think he was trying to get a better look at my husband, who was climbing up the ladder at the time. Thankfully, DH was deemed a good guy!

These awesome bugs are very beneficial. Not only do they keep watch but they eat all kinds of bugs; aphids, spiders, wasps, etc. We don't kill them but use caution when we are near one because their bite hurts! 

Close up of stinger

For science nerds...

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Family Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs)

Subfamily Harpactorinae

Genus Arilus

Species cristatus (Wheel Bug)

Have you ever seen one of these?

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Old & Lonely ~ Rural Thursday

Today's photo is courtesy of my friend, Bill, in Yakima WA. He's quite the weekend explorer and always shares magnificent photos of the mountains. This past week he shared this one that he took  on a journey to Wenas Pass, WA Stagecoach Weigh Station. 

It caught my attention so I asked if I could share and he graciously said yes. 

Well, I suppose that's obvious :O)

There's just something that calls out to me in this photo. 

What do you see?

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A drive in the country ~ Rural Thursday

This little abandoned building on the side of the road captured my husband's eye.

I wonder what it was used for? 

Personally, I think it would make a great play house!

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this or that thursday

Days gone by...

An old homeplace we discovered on one of our back country roads. 

 PicMonkey editing used. I can't help myself! It's so much fun :)

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Country & City...Rural Thursday

Out in the country we're used to seeing signs like this...

 My husband and I recently took a trip to Pennsylvania and as we crossed into the state I couldn't help but snap a photo of the signs that greeted us...

Yay!!! We made it!

What?! 

Funny, huh?

But it is a good warning and true! 

We're not used to driving in city traffic. You know, just a couple of country bumpkins come to see the big city :) 

But my husband and I had a lovely time exploring Philadelphia... 

Independence Hall was spectacular to see!

I can honestly say though, that we were SO glad to go here...

This is the view from Country View B&B in Kinzers, PA, where we stayed a couple of days to explore the Amish and Mennonite country in Lancaster County.

Oh, I want to go back soon!!! It is so beautiful. The farmland is gorgeous beyond words and the folks were so nice. If you are going to the area and need a lovely place to stay for the most affordable rates, check out this B&B. It's run by Eli & Barbara Smucker, a sweet Mennonite couple. They made us feel so welcome, and she is a wonderful cook! 

Here's a little Amish humor for ya'...

You know you're a tourist when you drive slower than a buggy!

~ Have a great day in the Lord ~

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

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Southern Style ~ Rural Thursday

Many times we've driven down the back roads in our county and seen some lovely historic homes but we had missed this one.

The Lightfoot William Hoyle Homestead, sitting way off the road, is an impressive place.  

I really wanted to trespass and get some closeups...

but thought better of it. 

Instead I tried to zoom the best I could with my point and shoot camera. 

This will have to do but to get on the property and explore would be wonderful! 

I might have to ask my neighbor, who is a Hoyle, if she's related in any way. 

If so, maybe I can get a tour ;) 

I think it's so sad that no one inhabits this stately home anymore. In our area, instead of selling to someone who would restore the homes and love them as they should be loved, they usually just let them fall down from decay. I did find out on the internet that Lightfoot William Hoyle (cool name) was born in 1829 and died in 1914, but did he buy this from someone and move his family in, or did he build it? How old is it, exactly? Did they have summer parties on the lawn, and the ladies wear beautiful gowns and sashay around like in Gone with the Wind? We live in a very historic area where several battles from the Civil War took place. Did Lightfoot fight in the war? Was the home used as a hospital?  

Inquiring minds want to know! Well...mine anyway.

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

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Good News

One of the many photos taken on a day trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains - a time of refreshment and renewal - during some extremely difficult days. 

Always remembering that My God Reigns and my daughter is rejoicing in the arms of Jesus!

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Scripture and A Snapshot

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Word-filled Wednesday

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Rural Thursday

Summer Beauty ~ Rural Thursday

This Canna, along with several others, are blooming brightly in my side yard.

Canna are so easy to grow. A friend gave me 3 tubers several years ago, and since then they have multiplied into numerous plants. These beauties are extremely hardy and drought resistant, about 5ft tall and love direct sun. Bugs don't bother them, either. If I watered them regularly (which I don't) they would multiply even more. Dave's Garden website has lots of information on how to grow them. I let mine live & die off naturally. Each year they come back so pretty & healthy. In my book, they are the perfect plant!

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

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Tough job must be done ~ Rural Thursday

BTW- Big guy is very old. Very, very old. That's why he looks the way he does. 

My neighbor, on the other hand, is actually 76 and works with the cows daily. 

Quite an inspiration, isn't he?!

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

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Rainbow ~ Rural Thursday

It's not a very good photo (hence the editing), but this beautiful rainbow appeared after several days of rain.  I do believe the bird was a happy creature too! He was flitting around everywhere.

Genesis 9:13 ~ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

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♥ Barns are Beautiful ♥

Found another barn on the Quilt Barn Trail this past weekend. Isn't this homestead and barn just beautiful?

The owners were on the porch enjoying the cool breeze and waved to us as we were taking pictures. I'm sure they are used to that!

It was a beautiful day!

Here it is up close and with no editing. This shows the pretty colors of the quilt square, and the rustic aging of the barn. 

                I'm linked up with Rural Thursday!

Have a great day in the Lord!

Friend or Foe?! ~ Rural Thursday

My son was mowing and just had to come and get me so I could snap a picture of this big guy. 

He was at least 4 1/2 ft long. 

No lie!

But as I am always complaining about my camera, you can't really see him all that well. 

Plus the clover/grass is pretty thick.

But you get the idea. I do believe he is a friend and not a foe, as he is either a Black Rat Snake or a Racer. 

I'm leaning to Racer as he was fast! 

Nice looking fella'

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

I'm linked with Rural Thursday.