Tilly's Nest

Down Home Blog Hop~Number 42 + A DIY Garden Flag

2013-06-19T01:00:00.000-04:00

This week I am sharing with you how to make a one of a kind flag for your garden.This is an easy project that you can do in an hour or two and makes great use of fabric scraps or remnants. I could not decide between the visual concept that I had for two flags so I decided to just make them both!

I made one version where there is a little sewing involved. A beginner can easily accomplish this flag, but if it seems too difficult, these flags can be made using some fabric glue. In fact, the both the center medallions on the flags are attached with washable fabric glue.

I think they turned out super cute!

Now, if I can just get the kids to agree on which flag to hang on the gate each day.

For all the DIY directions, head on over and visit my post on HGTV Gardens.

Now onto the Blog Hop...

We had a great time last week sharing! Once again, you all shared some fabulous posts. Thank you! Last week's most visited link-up was Murano Chicken Farm- Wry Neck in Chicks. I wonder who will be featured next week? I can't wait to find out.

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Back in the Saddle Again

2013-06-17T11:14:00.003-04:00

Sunshine eyeing up Dolly as she heads out into the run.

A couple of weeks ago, like clockwork Dolly went broody again. So as the routine goes, Sunshine pecks the feathers off Dolly's head and I retrieve a hen saddle because she refuses to vacate the flock's favorite nesting box. Dolly has been wearing the same saddle off and on for the past year. A couple weeks ago when I was out with the girls, I noticed the saddle laying out in the run. I scooped it up to find that the snaps were still in place. Somehow she had removed the saddle. I just figured that perhaps the elastic bands were stretched out from the year of use and reordered another one.

Two new adorable saddles arrived just in time. I pulled Dolly's warm body from the vacant nesting box and plopped her on my lap. It is as if she knew what I was about to do. I gently unsnapped the saddle’s elastic, wrapped the elastic around her wing, and snapped it securely in place. She's such a good girl and sits patiently knowing that she has no choice. I did the other side too, gave her a kiss on the head and returned her to the run. The saddle fit her beautifully. It was nice to see a new one on her that was not faded from the sun. I felt good that she was once again protected.

Two days later, I was out visiting the girls in the afternoon. It was snack time. All the girls came running including Dolly. Yet, when I saw Dolly, I mistook her for Autumn for a moment. No, it was Dolly, happy as a clam, she was just missing her saddle. As the girls were enjoying their treats, I began to look for the saddle. It was not in the nesting boxes. Nor was it in the coop. Then I saw it in the run soiled with dirt. The snaps were still buttoned. Somehow Dolly must have slipped out of the saddle on her own despite it fitting securely. I am not entirely sure how she did it. Was there an accomplice? Did it take a matter of minutes or only hours? The only thing that I do know is that she does not want to wear the saddle.

Sometimes, even though we like to think we know what is best for others, we can’t always be the judge. I like to think that Dolly was protected by the saddle but this behavior is new. I don’t understand why she did this and perhaps never will. I decided to not replace the saddle despite knowing the possible consequences. It is not possible to have control over all things- trying to keep everyone out of harms way all the time. I'm learning as a parent and a chicken keeper that sometimes it is best to let them things lie and be there to pick up the pieces as only a mother knows how.

Photo Credit: Tilly's Nest

Giveaway: Slug Shield's Stem Barriers and Perimeter Barrier

2013-06-15T11:42:00.000-04:00

Spring this year on Cape Cod has been wet to say the least. We have had record amounts of rain. The lawn is the greenest I have seen in years and the chicken run has plenty of shade from the leaves on the trees. The grass is growing at record pace and tiny mushrooms are peeping up everywhere from the ground. Unfortunately with all the rain comes two bugs that I do not like, ticks and slugs.

A few weeks ago, I was approached by a new company that I had never heard of, Slug Shield. They asked if I would be interested in testing out their products in my gardens. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity because I have many plants in the garden that slugs just adore. From vegetables, to Hostas and Joe Pye Weed, my gardens are a slug's dream. Not to mention how bad slugs can be for your backyard chickens.

I typically use ground up eggshells and an organic gardening product that contains iron phosphate to battle these slimy critters. I have had good success, but was there something better on the market that would last more than one season, be effective and organic? I was introduced to Slug Shield.

I was sent some wrap-around varieties called Stem Barriers.

These quickly wrap around the stems of the plants like so.

I was also sent the Perimeter Barrier that can be applied to raised beds or they can be inserted into the ground and form a barrier around a bunch of plants/stems.

I can tell you that these are effective. They work and have helped combat slugs in my garden. I also love that they do not bother the chickens one bit! I did a side by side test using the iron phosphate on a Hosta and only the Perimeter Barrier on the Joe Pye Weed. After three weeks, there was a little bit of munching on the Joe Pye Weed, but it was my own fault. The plant had grown to touch the garden gate and those mischievous slugs found there way to the plant that way.

My happy Hosta and Joe Pye Weed

THE GIVEAWAY

3 Sets to 3 Winners

each set contains one 32 foot roll of Perimeter Barrier + a 12 pack of Stem Barriers

each set is valued at $49.50

Here's how to enter to win a set of your very own for your garden:

Four ways to enter!

1. Visit Slug Shield's website and tell me what you like best about their product. (1 entry)

2. Pay them a visit on Facebook, Tell them Tilly sent you. (1 entry)

3. Becomes a subscriber of Tilly's Nest, your options are on the right (1 entry)

4. Leave a comment on this post with your email address. (1 entry-mandatory) Be sure to leave your address, I can't contact you unless you do.

Fine Print: The opinions in this article are my own. I was provided complimentary products for this review. Three winners will be selected at random. Items ship to US residents only. Four entries only per person. Giveaway ends 6/19/13.

Photo Credits: Slug Shield and Tilly's Nest

Winner: Treats for Chickens T-Shirt + Goodies

2013-06-14T17:00:00.001-04:00

Thank you so much to everyone who enter the giveaway sponsored by Treats for Chickens. One winner was randomly selected from all the entries.

Congratulations

Cluckcacklescratchnpeck

You are the winner!

Please check your email!

Down Home Blog Hop~Number 41 + Grow A Beer Garden

2013-06-12T08:14:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe that Father's Day is next weekend. My husband is one of those people that it is impossible to shop for and the kids and I always rack our brains to find something that is perfect for him each year. In our household, we always love to give at least one homemade gift on these special days. The kids reminded me that the two things that Dad loves the best are coffee and beer! My gears started turning and the kids and I decided to plant a Beer Garden for Dad!

Our local nursery was full of these beer inspired plantings. For thousands of years all across the globe wonderful herbs and plants have been incorporated into the beer making process. A few that will fit into a container garden nicely are:

Hops

Lavender

Mint

Ginger

Rosemary

Woodruff

Yarrow

Sweet Gale

Cilantro

We added a beer bottle trellis to give the Hops a place to climb.

For all the DIY instructions please visit my post on HGTV Gardens. Also, for my chicken friends, when the hops begins to outgrow the container garden, transplant it near the coop. It will grow on the coop, provide shade, return year after year and best of all, the chickens will leave it alone.

Cheers!

Now onto the Blog Hop...

Thank you everyone for sharing in last week's blog hop. What a great time and such inspiration from you all! Last week's most visited link-up was The Chicken Mama-Ready...Set...No, Don't Set. I wonder who will be featured next week.? Join in on the fun below.

An InLinkz Link-up

This post is linked up to the Farm Girl Blog Hop, Fluster's Creative Muster, Clever Chick's Blog Hop, Homestead Barn Hop, and Sunny Simple Mondays

A Day at the Country Living Fair

2013-06-10T09:41:00.002-04:00

This past weekend, I decided to make the trip to Rhinebeck, New York for the Country Living Fair. As my in-laws live three hours away from my home on Cape Cod, this was the perfect place to make for a home base with the family. Rhinebeck is only about an hour and a half drive from where they live. It made for a perfect day trip. I woke up early this past Saturday morning and arrived early enough to take advantage of the early bird admission. I ended up with lots of goodies. I saw old friends and made some new ones. I must say that I have never in my life attended an event where everyone was so incredibly nice. From the vendors to the patrons like me, I saw well-behaved children, polite manners, considerate folks, and helpful strangers. It felt really good to be in their company.

I was able to reconnect with Cooper Boone. It was as if we picked up where we never left off!

I meet Josh and Brent, The Beekman Boys. I must say I just adore these two. Following their journey has been amazing and they are a huge inspiration to me.

I also reconnected with Sarah Gray Miller, the editor of Country Living Magazine. I wanted to thank her and her staff for all of the windows and doors that opened for me after winning their Blue Ribbon Blogger Award two years ago.

So what did I bring home? Here are my favorites!

An entirely collapsible egg basket

A miniature egg basket perfect for little eggs and hands

Some sweet egg baskets

An old margarine crate that screamed good luck

and a wonderful old wire urn for my Rabbit Foot Fern

There are three more Country Living Fairs happening this later this year in
Columbus~Ohio, Atlanta~Georgia, and Austin~Texas.
Click here to find out how you can attend one too!

Photo Credit: Tilly's Nest

Giveaway: Treats for Chickens T-Shirt + Goodies

2013-06-07T09:17:00.003-04:00

It's that time again! Have we got a treat for you and our flock! Our fantastic sponsor Treats for Chickens is giving away goodies to our subscribers again. This time there is an "I Ate The Worm" t-shirt in the size of your choice and two 1 pound bags of their Pumpkin Seed Snacks for your flock!

Our Pumpkin Seed Snacks™ are a lot more than just pumpkin seeds. Loaded with organic pumpkin seeds, organic buckwheat groats, organic quinoa, organic cracked corn, organic flax and organic sunflower seeds, organic alfalfa leaf, organic coconut and marigold petals. Hand feed, mix with food or sprinkle on the ground as a treat for your chickens. For Porridge: add 2 cups boling water to 1 cup 'snacks', simmer 5 minutes, remove from heat, cool to room temperature and serve. Pumpkin Seed Snacks™ is a great mixture for the whole flock: chicks and pullets love the smaller grains and seeds while the older, wiser and mature feathered fowl go for it all. It's an irresistible snack! Either way it's a great goodie and treat for happy chickens to have. Does not contain any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives - and, is darn tasty!

They didn't even mention that pumpkin seeds are a great natural de-wormer for your flock too!

If you haven't taken a moment to visit Treats for Chickens than you are missing out. Even before they were a sponsor of Tilly's Nest, they have been my go to place for unique, organic, treats and goodies from my flock. They have 12 original products exclusive to their company. Others have tried to copy two these twelve original products (Mealworm Delight and Nesting Box Blend). They are that good! Do your flock a favor and pay them a visit!

How To Enter

3 possible entries per person

1. Leave a comment on this blog post letting me know which of the three entries you have done with an email address so that I can contact you. I can't tell you how many people have won, but I am unsuccessful at reaching! (1 entry-Mandatory)

2. Visit Treats for Chickens on Facebook and tell them Tilly sent you! (1 entry)

3. Become a subscriber to Tilly's Nest. The options are on the right (1entry)

Fine Print: This giveaway is valued at $54.00 Dollars. Three entries per person. Items ship to US address only. Winner will be emailed. This giveaway ends on 6/13/13.

Photo Credits: Treats for Chickens

Down Home Blog Hop~Number 40 + A Fairy Garden

2013-06-05T13:49:00.002-04:00

It is no secret that one of my gardening loves is to garden in miniature. I am over the moon that I was able to share with folks how to plant their very own miniature fairy garden over on HGTV Gardens. There I have shared over 30 photos of the garden. Here's a preview.

I have also shared lots of ideas on how to accessorize your garden and how to craft 5 miniature items for your garden including this sweet miniature egg basket.

Fairy Gardening Resources

Bushnell Gardens

Country Gardens (for those on Cape Cod)

Enchanted Gardens

Jermerie Corp.

Miniature Garden Shop

Miniature Gardening

Two Green Thumbs

A fantastic read for all miniature gardeners that I had that chance to review just this past week

is due out June 19th from Timber Press. Put this one on your list for sure!

Now onto the Blog Hop...

Thank you everyone for sharing in last week's blog hop. You have all been so very busy! Last week's most visited link-up was Grey and Brianna's-Our Chickens are Dustbathing. I wonder who will be featured next week.? Join in on the fun below.

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Fennel Doesn't Have Friends: A Guide to Companion Planting

2013-06-03T12:01:00.001-04:00

If you are like us, you enjoy growing, harvesting and eating home grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. As we have transitioned to gardening entirely organically at Tilly's Nest, we have come to learn of some fascinating gardening techniques that can help you get the best from your plantings. One such technique is companion planting. Companion planting involves placing plants that can benefit from one another adjacent to each other the garden. It also involves keeping some plants far away from one another, as they can be detrimental to one another's growth. In fact, this year is my first year growing fennel. I picked up one bulb and sadly, it has no home. I will have to plant it in a container.

Today, I'm sharing what I have learned from years of reading and researching gardening, personal experience, and the like. The list is far from comprehensive, but it gives you an idea of plants that are happy together. Most of these plants are what we grow here in our own gardens. With a little bit of planning, I have to admit that this technique of gardening is really quite amazing. It works especially well if you are short on space. It also is a great way to mix and match your plantings in raised gardening beds.

The table below is how I have taught my children this technique in the garden. This is the easiest way for them to relate. When you are school age, everyone has a BFF. They have kids they prefer to avoid and know some kids that are just so amazingly cool that everyone wants to hang out with them.

Tilly’s Nest Guide to Companion Planting ©
Plant	Best Friends	Foes	Friends with Superpowers Plant these near your plants for added benefits
Artichoke	Asparagus, Corn, Sunflower	Potatoes
Asparagus	Tomato, Basil, Strawberry, Parsley, Dill, Cilantro	Potatoes, Garlic, Onion	Marigolds-Beetles Basil-Asparagus Beetle Petunia-Beetles
Basil	Peppers, Tomatoes, , Oregano, Asparagus	Rosemary, Sage
Beets	Bush Beans, Onion, Lettuces, Cabbage, Broccoli	Pole Beans
Bell Peppers	Tomatoes, Basil, Carrots, Parsley	Fennel
Broccoli	Mint, Rosemary, Sage	Tomatoes, Eggplant, Peppers, Beans, Strawberries
Beans	Eggplant, Cucumbers, Celery, Corn, Lettuce, Peas	Beets, Onion, Marigolds
Cabbage	Bush Beans, Strawberry, Potato, Lettuce, Peas, Radish, Eggplant		Rosemary- Cabbage Flies Geraniums-Cabbage Worms Celery-repels White Cabbage Butterflies Dill-Cabbage Looper
Carrots	All beans, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Tomatoes, Sage	Dill, Parsnip
Celery	Tomatoes, Leeks, Bush Beans, Cabbage	Potatoes, Corn
Chard	All Beans, Cabbage, Onions	Corn, Cucumbers, Melons
Cucumbers	All Beans, Corn, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Radish, Dill	Potatoes	Nasturtium-Cucumber Beetle
Eggplant	All Beans
Garlic	Tomatoes, Beets, Carrots	Beans, Peas
Lettuce	All Beans, Carrots, Cucumbers, Strawberries, Onions	Celery, Cabbage, Parsley, Potatoes
Onions	Beets, Cabbage, Carrot, Celery, Cucumber, Lettuce, Pepper, Squash, Strawberry, Tomatoes, Cauliflower, Broccoli	All Beans and Peas
Potatoes	Bush Beans, Cabbage, Carrot, Peas, Onion	Cucumber, Squash, Turnip, Fennel, Tomato	Bush Beans-Colorado Potato Beetle
Pole Beans	Cucumbers, Eggplant, lettuces	Beets, onions, garlic
Tomatoes	Carrots, lettuces, Asparagus	Corn, Fennel, Potatoes,Broccoli, Cabbage	Dill-Tomato Horn Worm Basil-Tomato Horn Worm
Rosemary	Cabbage, Beans, Carrots	Basil
Strawberries	Onions, Lettuces, bush beans	Cabbages
Squash	Corn, Onion, Marigold, Melons,	Potatoes	Lemon Balm-Squash Bug
Zucchini	Beans, Corn, Onion	Cucumbers, Potatoes

Photo Credits: Tilly's Nest

The Chickens of Key West

2013-05-31T08:48:00.000-04:00

My husband was away on business down in Key West. He saw some beautiful birds while he was away. Some he had never seen before. It was very exciting for him to add these to his growing "Life List" of all the birds he has seen. Yet, he never imagined that he would discover a thriving feral chicken population living on the island.

A local business has even set up this chick brooder for baby chicks that are discovered motherless in the streets. Abandoned chicks can live in this orphanage until they are strong enough to survive on their own.

I think this sign he found a a local eatery says it all, looks like it is all about the chickens here!

Photo Credits: Mr. Tilly's Nest

Down Home Blog Hop~Number 39

2013-05-29T10:28:00.001-04:00

Welcome to week number 39 of the Down Home Blog Hop. We have had so much rain over the past week that I was beginning to believe that we would never see the sun again. Yet, yesterday it was beautiful, sunny and not a cloud was in the sky. Despite the rain, spring is my absolute favorite season. The spring blooms are just making the yard smell heavenly. I love lilacs and lily of the valley.

The chickens are laying in full force too. I have so many eggs, that we joke that we are lacking places to put them. Do you think it is possible to become an egg hoarder? I think it is time to make some quiche for dinner.

Today it's raining again. In fact, as I type it is pouring cats and dogs. I think it is just a perfect day for a blog hop. Don't you? Oh, and be sure to visit the others that have joined in on the party. Last week's most popular link was shared by~

Little Egg Flock

You are all invited to share. It's easy. Just click on the link below and follow the directions. Who know's you might be this week's most popular post.

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Buzz Off: Preventing Flystrike from Happening in Your Flock

2013-05-26T20:53:00.000-04:00

This past week, I received a message from a friend of Tilly's Nest.

"This weekend we lost a big beautiful black australorp hen - seemingly out of the blue - but as I look back, I should have know something was wrong when she did not roost with the others for two nights. (I just thought it was because we had recently - within the past month - introduced 3 new flock members and there was some re-arranging.) I had noticed an increase of flies in the coop, but thought it was due to the change to warmer weather. ....We have been in near drought conditions - so the coop was nice and dry, and clean with fresh shavings and DE. On Sunday, we noticed her out in the run with the flock, but laying down and not dust-bathing -just laying down. My son picked her up and screamed that she had maggots! In fact, it was fly-strike and she was plumb full of them - to the point that her innards were eaten away and rotting. I have never seen anything like it - she died within the hour and we buried her immediately. All of the other hens look fine. I can only imagine that she had a scratch or wound when it started."

Photo Credit: aslakr

So what is flystrike?

The scientific name for flystrike is Myiasis. It is also is sometimes called fly blown. Myiasis can strike animals and humans alike . Flies are attracted to exposed tissue. It can be through odor such as fecal material, vomit, infection, open wounds or sores, eye drainage, cuts and even scrapes. The worst part is that is happens very quickly. Flies lay their eggs and within eight to twelve hours, maggots emerge to begin eating on the affected flesh. This is irritating and painful to those inflicted. This typically occurs in mid to late summer and can be fatal if not caught quickly enough. It moves very rapidly and can happen both indoors and outside. In the US, human cases of Myiasis are a rarity and are more common in South America and Africa.

The nesting box blend

Preventing Flystrike

Inspect your flock daily.
Keep your flock's bottoms clean.. If needed, bathe them. Treat vent gleet and feather picking/missing feathers. Treat any open wounds.
Keep the coop clean and dry. You might consider avoiding the deep litter method in warm weather.
Utilize fresh blends of dried herbs and flowers such as Nesting Box Blend from Treats for Chickens.
Try dusting your coop with food grade Diatomaceous Earth.
Try hanging the tree shaped Vanilla Air Fresheners in your coop and run-flies supposidly hate these.
Run a fan creating a gentle breeze through the coop and run.
Fill some clear containers/baggies with pennies and water and deter flies-it bother's their eyes. Read more here. I think it is worth a try.
Add screens to your coop's window and doors.
Close the coop doors at night.
Plant some fresh herbs around the coop-Flies avoid Mint, Lavender, Basil and Rosemary

Lavender peeks from behind the dill.

Treating Flystrike

Remove any maggots.
Clean the wound and it most likely will be necessary to make a trip to the vet to have the decaying tissue removed.
Antibiotics might required.

For more information and other ideas about preventing flies, please click here.

References:

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/f/FAQ_flystrike.htm

http://science.howstuffworks.com/zoology/insects-arachnids/water-bags-repel-flies.htm

http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/helpandadvice/flystrike

http://www.merckmanuals.com/pethealth/dog_disorders_and_diseases/skin_disorders_of_dogs/flies_and_mosquitoes_of_dogs.html
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/368487/flies-no-more-found-the-perfect-fly-repellent/40
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/herbs-deter-flies-naturally.htm

Photo Credit: Tilly's Nest unless otherwise specified

Harmony in the Hen House

2013-05-25T08:25:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I have shared any stories about the girls. Perhaps, that is because we have finally found a flock that jives with personalities. There are no more roosters to wreak havoc. There are no more bully hens. The chicken drama has been gone for a while. Everything and everyone has just settled into their daily routines. I do have to admit that it is a wonderful thing knowing that everyone is happy. Of course that doesn't mean that there isn't an occasional fight over a goodie that I have shared from the kitchen.

Or that our Silkies have stopped going broody every three weeks.

Or that Sunshine can't resist eating an egg now and then...Bad chicken.

Or that 4 chickens don't try to cram into the same hole for a dust bath. Yes, there are 4 chickens in there.

I think that there is definitely something to be said for harmony in the hen house.

Photo Credits: Tilly's Nest

Craft A Set of Terracotta Utensil Holders

2013-05-24T03:30:00.000-04:00

I love to entertain outdoors. I love gardening and I just adore clever ways to bring the garden to the table. This upcoming Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer here on Cape Cod. So I decided to create a lovely arrangement that could be functional as well as beautiful-garden inspired utensil holders.

Each holder comes with its own miniature bud vase for the daintiest flower arrangements. These were simple to make and incredibly budget friendly. To make a set your own, head on over to HGTV Gardens where I share all the details. Happy Crafting!

Photo Credit: Tilly's Nest

Down Home Blog Hop~Number 38 & Garden Pest Control with Plants

2013-05-22T01:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to this week's Down Home Blog Hop. Thank you so much to everyone who linked up last week! This week, I thought I'd share some techniques to prevent pests from eating your freshly planted gardens. There are super plants that can help to keep garden pests at bay and attract beneficial insects. This cuts down on the use of fertilizers and other chemicals that we do not wish to use in our gardens. After all, we do keep honeybees and have chickens roaming the place! The list is by no means comprehensive, but I wanted to share what I have picked up along the way in my gardening adventures. I started with well known plants that are recognizable to most gardeners and are also readily available at most local nurseries.

Garlic bulbs ready for planting this past fall.

Those garlic bulbs this spring

Flower Power & Herbal Bug Busters

Basil

Wards off mosquitoes, flies, aphids, Tomato Hornworm and Asparagus Beetles.

Marigolds

Wards off beetles, spider mites, some say it will ward off small animals such as rabbits

Dill

Repels carrot flies, attracts spiders, ladybugs and praying mantis.

Garlic

Repels aphids, weevils, carrot flies, moles and fruit tree borers, rust flies and some worms, Protects tomatoes from red spiders. Protects roses-black spot, mildew and aphids.

Lavender

Keeps mice and moles at bay, wards off ticks, fleas and moths

Marigold

Repels harmful worms, keeps small animals away, beetles

Mint

Wards off aphids, White Moths and flea beetles. Attracts Bees. Wards off ants

Nasturtium

Wards off aphids, cucumber beetles, white flies and squash bugs.

Petunias

Wards off leaf hoppers, aphids, Tomato Worms, Asparagus Beetle, Bean Beetles and general pests.

Rhubarb

Wards off mites

Rosemary

Cabbage Flies, Carrot Moths, Bean Beetles

Now it is your turn. This is a blog hop. Share with us your stories, crafts, cooking, baking, homemade creations, talents, animal keeping and the like. Feel free to share this hop with your friends and family because all are invited and with this hop, there can never be too many wonderful places to connect.

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A Taste of Thai Stir-Fry

2013-05-20T13:03:00.000-04:00

Serves 4

Sitr-fry Ingredients:
4 boneless chicken breasts-cut into strips

1 cup celery-sliced on an angle
1 cup carrots-cut into bite size pieces
2 cups sugar snap peas
1 cup broccoli florets
1 medium onion-sliced in strips
1 cup chicken stock
salt and pepper to taste
4 tbsp cooking oil

Sauce ingredients:

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
3 cloves garlic-diced
2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp lemongrass paste (look in fresh produce area of your local grocery store)
1 tbsp ginger paste (look in fresh produce area of your local grocery store)
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp fresh cilantro-chopped
3 scallions-diced
1/2 tbsp cornstarch

For the rest of the recipe, please visit my post over on Community Chickens. I created this recipe just for them. I hope you enjoy it. My family practically licked their bowls clean.

Photo Credit: Tilly's Nest

Craft a Home Sweet Home for Ladybugs

2013-05-17T08:45:00.001-04:00

This week we made a lady bug house. Lady bugs are just one type of beneficial insect that can help in and around the garden. It sure beats using pesticides any day and stays in line with our organic gardening, even the roof is green with succulents! I used a birdhouse we found on-sale at the craft store, salvaged some fallen bamboo from around Cape Cod and of course-chicken wire was used on the roof. Learn how to make one of your own, head on over to HGTV Gardens where I have shared all of the instructions.

Photo Credit: Tilly's Nest

Down Home Blog Hop~Number 37

2013-05-14T21:03:00.000-04:00

Typing is a strange thing. Sometimes, it seems as though my fingers are faster than my brain. Do my subconscious thoughts sometimes flow from my fingers as I place the words upon the pages? I think so. Sometimes when I begin to type "chi...", chicken will automatically appear on the page, typed by my hands. When it was supposed to be chill, children, chip or the like. Today, as I was entering the title of this post when I came to the word "Hop" my fingers typed Hope.

Perhaps my mind is trying to tell me something. Life around Tilly's Nest has been taking its sweet time to emerge from its winter slumber. The chickens are now laying eggs regularly everyday. The gardens are beginning to bloom. The spring peepers are croaking in the pond and gentle evening breezes blow through the window fragrances of life; hope.

These past few weeks I have spent many hours tending to the gardens. Connecting with delicate new fronds of ferns, dainty Lilies of the Valley blooms, and gently mulching around the tenderest of tiny stalks of Lavender. All these give me hope. Audrey Hepburn said it best, "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow."

The Columbines are blooming.

The tulips I planted last fall are spectacular.

The Robins have returned to nest.

The bees are busy in the gardens.

The garden is beginning to grow.

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Winner: Chickens in Five Minutes A Day

2013-05-13T16:24:00.000-04:00

Thank you so much to Randall Burkey Hatchery for sponsoring this giveaway. If you would like to read more about my review of this book, click here. One winner was randomly selected to win their very own copy.

Congratulations

~~Pumpkinpatchprim~~

Unfortunately you did not leave an email address and I did not hear back from you,

so I had to redraw another winner.

Jennifer Collier

You won!

~~Please email me your US shipping address so that we can get a copy to you in the mail. You have until 5/18/13 to get in touch with me.~~

I had your email address, so check your inbox! Thank you to everyone who entered.

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly in Keeping Chickens

2013-05-10T09:50:00.001-04:00

Good

Fresh eggs

Entertainment

Chicken snuggles

Life's Lessons

Companionship

Composters

Pest Exterminators

Bad

They are addictive.

Sometimes you can't pull yourself away from watching them.

Saying goodbye to a flock member

Relentless broody hens

Overzealous garden assistants

Dirty fluffy butts

Jewelry Theives

Mean roosters
Frozen Waterers

Ugly

Broody poop

Predator Attacks

When chicken poop gets on your clothes

Bully hens

What else would you add?

Down Home Blog Hop~Number 36 & A Giveaway: Chickens in Five Minutes a Day

2013-05-08T09:58:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted to review a new book on keeping chickens. Murray McMurray Hatchery has a book that will release later this month. Truthfully, I am surprised that it took a large hatchery this long to bring a book like this to market.

Murray McMurray Hatchery has been bringing chickens into people's lives for over 100 years. They sell oodles of baby chicks and chicken keeping supplies every year. Immediately, I found the title catchy! I was intrigued. Like all introductory books, all aspects of getting started with backyard chickens are covered. It is an introductory book perfect for the beginner. Like all backyard chicken keepers, they too have their own style in raising chickens that they suggest in the book. I especially could not help smile, when I read the section when they called watching backyard chickens, Chicken T.V. I did a post titled, Chicken T.V, on just that subject back in 2011!

What I love about the book is:

It has lovely abundant illustrations.

It is simply written and anyone can pick up this book and feel confident in starting out with chickens.

It is thorough and concise.

They are sharing their own techniques on raising chicks.

They stress the ease and minimal time requirement to keep a flock.

They keep things uncomplicated.

I can say that most of the book runs parallel to what I recommend to fellow chicken keepers and other times, suggests different techniques that are effective but that I do not feel are are not always necessary, such as adding sugar and Quik Chik (a product exclusive to their hatchery) to chick's drinking supply or trimming a chicken's beak to deal with pecking.

Overall, it is a nice addition to add to one's chicken keeping library. It is also another wonderful place to start out for beginners. Of course, once you do get chickens I think you will find that you will find yourself wanting to spend more than 5 minutes a day with them.

Enter to win!

Chickens in Five Minutes a Day

1. Leave a comment on this blog post. Be sure to leave an email address so that I can contact you.

2. Subscribe to Tilly's Nest (options are on the right) or follow us on Facebook.

If you can't wait, you can pre-order a copy here.. Also be sure to check out all of our friends that have linked up to this week's blog hop below. I always enjoy visiting new places. I think you will too! Link up your site as well. I'd love to come visit.

Fine Print: One comment per person. One winner will be randomly selected. This item will ship to a US address only. I was provided a complimentary copy for review, but the opinions shared in this post are my own. This giveaway ends on 5/13/13 at 12 noon EST.

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A Simple Garden Fence

2013-05-06T16:42:00.000-04:00

I have been spending most of my time outdoors these past few weeks getting the yard in shape. I have mulched, planted the vegetable garden, and have been busy with the beehives. The chicken coop got an inspection and will need some reinforcements of the latches and some dabs of paint here are there. But this past week, most of my time was occupied with building a small fence to keep the bunnies out of the raised garden beds. I also wanted to add a small extension of the fence to keep the puppy away from the beehives. As of today, the only final touches left to put on the fence include trimming down the fence posts and adding the decorative caps.

I have never put in a fence before, but with a bit of research and muscles I think it came out nicely. It had to meet a few criteria.

1. It had to be attractive.
2. It could not block the view into the garden.
3. It had to be cost-effective.
4. It had to keep out the critters and deter the chickens.
5. It had to be simple enough not to be intimidating for me to tackle.

Here is what I did:

Map out your fence blueprint style. Take measurements. Decide on placement of your gate and which way it will swing. Determine how deep and how you wish to secure your posts. Also determine what type of lumber you will be using. It is best to avoid pressure treated lumber in the garden.

Working on one side, place the first and last post into the ground with a post hole digger. Be sure that they are level on adjacent sides.

Once the posts are level, tie a string between those two end posts to create a straight line for your fence posts on that side of the fence. Typically fence posts are 6 to 8 feet apart. Place the posts at equal intervals.

Using deck screws, screw in some cross rails to the top and bottom of the fence posts. Be sure they are level. Repeat the above steps on the remaining sides of your fence.

Build and hang your garden gate.

Finally, with heavy- duty staples, staple some garden wiring or chicken wire from the top rail to the bottom of the ground to keep the critters out.

Thanks to Susan at Itzy Bitzy Farm for lending a hand on my
second to last day and to David with the gates!

Photo Credit: Tilly's Nest

How to Requeen a Beehive: My Latest Adventure

2013-05-03T06:30:00.000-04:00

A queen cage-the queen bee and five attendants

Beekeeping is never predictable. This is why I think I enjoy it so much. They are very much in control of their world. I am only a privileged observer, trying to help anticipate and tend to their needs.

When we last left off, Briar was going gang busters and had yet to be fully inspected for the spring. The numbers were excellent, so my mentor and I deferred from Briar and focused our energies on Willow-my recently struggling hive. Upon my previous inspection, there was little brood and I could not see any visible eggs or larvae. I did not see the queen. So, luckily, I was able to pick up a queen from the local association. My mentor would be over tomorrow to help me split Briar. Late in the afternoon, I laid the queen between two frames in Willow and used the empty candy board as a shim. The bees immediately came to investigate the new queen in her cage.

Investigating the new queen in her cage.

Tomorrow came, and we decided to do the split first. However, when we opened up my bustling hive,Briar, no queen could be found. Was this hive queenless too? Three of us scoured the hive looking, seeking and hoping to see signs of her or discover her on a frame. We never did. This hive needed a queen.

Next we took a peek in Willow. Unbelievably when I peeked into the queen cage, two of her attendants were dead-most likely stung to death. Was there a queen in the hive after all? Last time I went in there were no signs of a living queen. We did a complete inspection. There was very minimal brood. Then in one frame we saw eggs. She had laid quite a bit of them since I was in there last. Then, we found the queen. She looked good, plump and moving around the frame. Perhaps, she had been stunned by that one chilly evening we had a little over a week ago when it dipped down into the 20s. So we removed the new queen from Willow and placed her in Briar. The bees immediately surrounded her. There we placed her on top of the frames, with the candy board shim, inner cover and outer cover in place. In approximately three days, if the bees have not eaten through the candy plug, I will remove it and hopefully she will begin to lay.

An inverted candy board makes a great shim

To say these last few days have been an adventure would be an understatement. The learning curve has been high. I have been wrong. I have been disappointed in myself. Yet, the bees are teaching me lessons about myself as a person. I am enjoying being wrong. I am enjoying not predicting what has occurred. I am enjoying not being in control of a situation. I am enjoying letting nature take its course. I am enjoying learning to let things just be. I am enjoying not having answers. I am enjoying not knowing. I am enjoying being a beekeeper.

How to Requeen a Hive:

1. Do a thorough hive inspection and look for the queen or signs of the queen. If you see the queen you will need to squish her.

2. Remove any queen cells. (Some folks just leave them be and let the new queen deal with them. It all comes down to personal style.)

I removed this capped queen cell from Willow.

3. Remove the cork on the side with the sugar plug. Leave the other side's plug intact.

Two corks on the cage. Remove the one on the side with the food.

4. Place the queen cage between the top of two frames so the bees can tend to the queen.

5. Wait three days. Check the hive again to see if the queen has emerged. If not, you can remove the plug and carefully release the queen down into the hive.

Photo Credits: Tilly's Nest

Winner: Timber Press~Ready, Set, Grow Giveaway

2013-05-02T20:08:00.000-04:00

Congratulations

Brenda

You won a copy of Vertical Vegetables and Fruit.

Please check your email for details.

For more chances to win from Timber Press, head on over to enter

their Ready, Set, Grow prize pack for May. Thank you so much to everyone who entered.

Down Home Blog Hop~Number 35 & A Pressed Flower Cell Phone Case

2013-05-01T01:00:00.000-04:00

It all started with the beautiful ruffled pansies that I picked up the local garden center. Their blooms were too pretty not to preserve, so I pressed them into little delicate works of art.

I then decided that adding them to the back of a plain cell phone case would make a

very lovely homemade Mother's Day gift.

So that is exactly what I did. You can find the tutorial on this crafting project over on my

blog post for HGTV Gardens.

Thank you so much to everyone for linking up last week! It was so wonderful visiting all of your blogs and websites. I can't wait to see what you will share this week. Feel free to tell your stories. Inspire us with your creativity or what has been happening in your neck of the woods. All are welcome. Thank you for linking up to this week's blog hop.

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