Monday, March 20, 2017

Happy Spring!


Dear Friends,

Spring is in the air! The hens are laying again, proving how interesting they can be. The hen in the top photo is Madeleine, who refuses to lay her egg in a nest box, but instead comes around to the front door, waiting until we notice. Evangeline usually finds her and sticks her in a small cardboard box with a gold ball in it, on top of the kitchen table. Madeleine happily sits there for up to two hours, until her egg is laid, and then she lets us know that she wants back out. Like I said, INTERESTING!

We've been enjoying the wild greens in the yard, along with goodies from the grocery store. This salad has dandelion, wild carrot, and speedwell greens, in addition to arugula and lettuce. Nothing brings a feeling of energy into the body like lots of fresh greens. They have a vitality to them, like nothing else, and are the perfect antidote to winter's heavy meals and lack of fresh air.



We've been studying birds lately, and thought it would be fun to have everyone make a different type of bird's nest in the backyard, to gain sympathy for how difficult it must be. It was quite an experiment, and everyone had a lot of fun.

Here we see the beginnings of the nest of a kiwi bird~


The completed nest.

~A robin's nest will be made on this platform,


The completed robin's nest.


And here a pair of eagles decided to use the picnic table as an eyrie.



This spring certainly has had its ups and downs as far as the temperature goes! It reminds us of this old Disney cartoon (from back when Disney was clean family enertainment)~


Love,

Marqueta

11 comments:

  1. Very nice and life-like nests! It is amazing to watch the birds build! There is a Bald Eagle's nest nearby and the nest just fell down...so those eagles have to rebuild! Very healthy eating...I would have to sprinkle in chocolate chips for my kids to eat something healthy..ha..just kidding...almost...love,andrea

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    1. I hope your eagles can rebuild their nest, Andrea! That is funny thinking of you sprinkling chocolate chips on everything to get your children to eat it. :)

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  2. Good afternoon, what a very fun project making all the nests-an eagle nest on your picnic table? that's amazing I thought they liked to be up high? we have eagles nearby here too but on occasion we see them in our wildlife food plots.
    the weather has been so unusual here that I totally forgot about harvesting wild foods--last year I collected-dried and placed in olive oil lots of healing herbs-can't believe a year has passed already-these will be perfect for making some healing salves now.
    Loved the video-brings back childhood memories-now I am aging myself lol

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  3. That is one interesting hen :0) Thank you for sharing dear lady :0) mari

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    1. Hi Mari,

      Thank you so much for coming by! She is quite an interesting hen, indeed!

      Love,

      Marqueta

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  4. Madeleine is such a wonderful hen. So cute! Spring has arrived and I so enjoyed the pictures of your children and their nests. I always learn something new visiting you, Marqueta. Thank you!

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    1. Thank you for coming by, Gina! My children are always coming up with something creative, for sure!

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  5. Now that's a well-trained hen, Marqueta! Sure makes an easy job of gathering eggs. Wonderful idea about building the nests. You're always thinking of the most interesting and fun activities. BTW, I enjoyed the video on your YouTube channel.

    Hugs
    Jane

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    1. Hi Jane,

      I'm glad you enjoyed the video I put on YouTube (I think we're talking about the Venetia episode?). I love that program!

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  6. What an interesting hen indeed!! Oh my! I would love to have a chicken or two someday. We shall see. The wild salad ingredients sound wonderful! I hope you all have an awesome weekend!
    Love,
    Lynn

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