Friday, October 30, 2015

Chicken Coop:Phase 2

Thursday we were adding Phase 2 to our chicken coop. Mr. Perky got up early and took down the entire entrance wall, framed up that side, added a door, then put up the chicken wire. This took several hours and the chicken run was completely open the entire time. Dudley-Did-Right and the girls had the opportunity to cross the open threshold and run free for the day. But, they weren't ready for that step yet. What were they thinking? What did they perceive was beyond that imaginary barrier? What stopped them from journeying into freedom?
Inside the run we added angled flashing, for some shade. Also it now will serve as a cover for the feed, feeder & water fount. Since the coop looks like a little house, I also added a lamp post in the yard.
Still more to do & more to share...


What I do here is simply share our journey. We would love it if your joined our Perky Gramma Teaches community on Facebook

Items Used this Week:




I participate in the Amazon Associate program, where I receive a small % commission for linking products that I recommend. I only recommend products I personally used and like. Your support is very appreciated, anything you choose to purchase through my link, is helping me to be able to share more things that I do with you. Perky Gramma Teaches Amazon link.


Chicken Runs and God Stuff

Thursday we were adding Phase 2 to our chicken coop. Mr. Perky got up early and took down the entire entrance wall, framed up that side, added a door, then put up the chicken wire. This took several hours and the chicken run was completely open the entire time. Dudley-Did-Right and the girls had the opportunity to cross the open threshold and run free for the day. But, they weren't ready for that step yet. What were they thinking? What did they perceive was beyond that imaginary barrier? What stopped them from journeying into freedom?
Honestly I believe that people allow fear of the unknown stop them in their path; a path they know in their heart they need to take.
Some people simply become overwhelmed by what they see. Mired in fears.
Others step out on faith.
For the last couple of weeks I have been drawn to read Numbers & Joshua in the Bible. When the Israelites reached Canaan the promised land, they wouldn't see what the Lord had promised them any more. They were complacent, sitting on their laurels with a defeated attitude. They were challenged and made the choice to remain lukewarm. 
Fast forward 40 years when Joshua encountered the man with a drawn sword, the commander of the Lord's army just before Jericho. What did he do? He asked what message did the Lord have for him and then he complied.
The Israelites wandered aimlessly because of their attitude. When their passion was ignited again to actually listen to what God commanded them to do...things changed and they were able to take the territory that God promised all along.
Just a thought...
Canaan or Jericho:
which choice, which answer?
  

Thursday, October 29, 2015

How to Make Classic Simple Syrup

Have you ever added sugar to a drink and not have all the sugar dissolve? I know it's not the end of the world, but it is annoying. Considering I occasionally like to sweeten cold beverages (think iced lattes, iced tea) I thought I would share just how easy it is to make classic simple syrup with raw sugar.
It is so simple to make:
Classic Simple Syrup (with raw sugar)
1 cup boiling water
1 cup raw sugar (you may use refined sugar)
Stir until the raw sugar is completely dissolved.
I store my classic simple syrup in a swing top glass bottle in the fridge.That's it.
What I do here is simply share our journey. We would love it if your joined our Perky Gramma Teaches community on Facebook

Items I used today: 

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I participate in the Amazon Associate program, where I receive a small % commission for linking products that I recommend. I only recommend products I personally used and like. Your support is very appreciated, anything you choose to purchase through my link, is helping me to be able to share more things that I do with you. Perky Gramma Teaches Amazon link.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Chicken Rule #21: You don't need a rooster to have eggs...

Don't feel bad if you didn't know this simple fact. 
Think of it like this an egg is a potential chick. Almost every day the chicken produces an egg, but it just that an egg (ovum). 
  1. Ovum: a mature female reproductive cell, especially of a human or other animal, that can divide to give rise to an embryo usually only after fertilization by a male cell.

If you have a rooster who ummm...fertilizes the egg before it is laid then it is possible to have baby chickens. 
In fact, I hadn't planned on even getting a rooster at first. But, Dudley-Did-Right needed a new home and roosters are handy. Ever vigilant he spends a lot of time watching the surroundings and the skies. He basically is the protector, he maintains order in the flock. A watchman who sounds the alarms and would lay down his life for the flock.
As a society we have gotten away from knowing much about our food sources. i want to help connect the dots again.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Nobody Likes Ticks

Part of our morning routine is getting the dogs really for hanging out in the yard. One of my concerns when we moved to the farm was ticks. Obviously nobody likes ticks, so I did some research.
In my reading I found that the following essential oils were recommended as helpful as a tick repellent: lavender, lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus, rose geranium and cedar wood. 
Or you could try Insect Shield which contains the Pure Essential Oils of: Citronella, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Lemongrass, Lavender, Litsea, Tea Tree, Patchouli & Catnip.

Pretty basic, I filled my bottle with the fractionated coconut carrier oil & cedarwood. Because they have sensitive noses added enough drops of oil that I could just smell it. I always add a carrier oil to extend the oils efficacy.  I got some inexpensive paint brushes to apply it to the napes of their necks and bums. I also apply it to the hems of my pants. Twice a day.

 


All I will attest to is that I was using it for weeks and then got out of the habit. When I was using it, they didn't get any ticks. When I stopped, they got a tick. Now we will use it until the first hard frost.


  


I participate in the Amazon Associate program, where I receive a small % commission for linking products that I recommend. I only recommend products I personally used and like. 
Your support is very appreciated, anything you choose to purchase through my link, is helping me to be able to share more things that I do with you. Perky Gramma Teaches Amazon link.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Not a Deuce Coupe but a Pullet Coop...

How I Chose My Chicken Coop
I have been using my Formex Snap Lock Chicken Coop since October 2015 now and I wanted to give you an update. Initially read everything I could, we looked at various coops online and at the stores and while Mr. Perky is very handy we decided on this little chicken dream house. While this coop cost over $700, but coops can get really expensive or even with plans the cost of the supplies was still fairly high. 
We were getting into a pinch because we had 10 chickens coming from the local coop and time was running out.
So I decided to check and see what the Chicken Whisperer suggested. His recommendation was the Formex Snap Lock Chicken Coop. I chose the large one which holds 6-12 chickens. My chickens are a fairly large breed (red sex links) and I admit it's a little snug for my 10 chickens and one rooster. But, they don't seem to mind at all. I found that ordering through Amazon I saved $23.95 with the free shipping. That bought my first bag of of feed & part of my first chicken feeder. (when you included the shipping from the Formex Site) The coop was delivered in less than one week. These are the selling points and I have found each to be true. I listed the predator resistant first because the very first night we had evidence of a visit from a raccoon. I wanted to mention the "Chicken Whisperers" book, because as a newbie chicken momma, it have found it incredibly helpful and an easy reference to use. When I found the muddy paw prints on the coop, I was easily able to identify them from my book.


The house comes with carabiners for every hasp lock.



  • Predator Resistant
  • Locking Access
  • No tools required
  • Insulating double wall construction
  • Impact resistant
  • Ultraviolet resistant
  • Water resistant
  • Chemical resistant
  • Maintenance free
  • Removable litter tray
  • Adjustable ventilation
  • Easy access for egg collection
  • 64” by 39” by 42” tall
  • Room for twelve standard breed hens
  • Three 36” roosts
  • Four laying boxes
  • Larger adjustable ventilation
Next, the coop was relatively easy to put together. The pieces "snap" together. Sometimes we had to fiddle with some of the pieces to get them to set true. The pieces they selves are double wall construction and are very sturdy. I am able to lean heavily on one of the walls without it bending. It held up extremely well during the snowmageddon we had in January. 

The very best feature is how easy it is to clean. I really like the fact that it has a separate little door that opens up (it is in that last photo above) and you can completely remove the floor trays to clean. Super easy to do.




The people who designed this really thought things out. It comes with 3 adjustable roosting bars that slide into recessed cubbies in the walls. The 4 nesting boxes are also recessed into the sides with lids that open over each side for easy access to get the eggs. The actual nesting boxes are removable, you just slide them out and dump them, rinse them, fill them again. Plus the lid actually slides out and back in, great for adding pines chips.

 


It has vents in the gable on two sides. The vents easily slide up and down to adjust the mount of ventilation.


It has five access points. The front door, the two sides with the nesting boxes, one side of the roof opens up & you are able to remove the entire roof. I am frequently using the high slated roof that opens up for easy overall access.







Some people asked me about out gassing (release or give off a substance as a gas or vapor). There is nothing specific that talks about it on their website. The company has been in business for about 4 years. I did check the Better Business Bureau and they don't have any complaints filed. All that and the fact that Andy the Chicken Whisperer endorses that product I felt comfortable that out gassing would not be an issue.We have been using the coop for awhile now.  To wrap it up, I am more than well pleased with and would highly recommend this Formex Snap Lock Chicken Coop


  


What I do here is simply share our journey. We would love it if your joined our Perky Gramma Teaches community on FacebookPerky Gramma Teaches is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I only recommend products I personally used and like. Your support is very appreciated, anything you choose to purchase through my link, is helping me to be able to share more things that I do with you. Perky Gramma Teaches Amazon link.

Monday, October 19, 2015

How To Restore Vintage Linens & Things...

Antique is mostly defined as more than 100 years old (unless it is a car). Vintage is a loosely used word - so for your edification my definition here, I am cleaning vintage 1940's linens from my MIL. As I transition from less paper to more cloth, I thought now would be great time to start work on cleaning the stains on these treasured linens.
One of the first steps for was determining just how important these napkins, tablecloths and hankies were. The only real value for me was sentimental, they are not antiques & I was planning on using them. So, I was willing to take chances and some losses were acceptable.
Like always I did a lot of reading. One of the most helpful things I read wasn't from a blogger, but from an anonymous comment:

I am a studied archival linen purchaser/collector and do not recommend any hydrogen peroxide or related peroxide products, +bleach, or any man-made definably chemical-based formulations to wash or treat linen and/or related fine cottons.
Use of these products creates irreparable hardship on the fibers and you will notice shortly thereafter that the texture of the article(s) will have changed (first detected to the touch, or ‘feel’ as it is deemed) then over time the fabric in question will begin to break and separate in the form of small holes, frayed/worn edges which often appear at the edge-seams or openings of your fabrics, garments or bedding material.
Vinegar, blueing liquid, buttermilk, lemon juice, salt soaks and mild ph detergent soaks (no extreme hot water temperatures must ever be employed) is best recommended. Wash fabrics on the gentle cycle of your washing machine using only a ph balanced soap like “Zero” or equivalent ph balanced soap.
Sun bleaching and/or hang drying is always best for archival fabrics, including natural linen or cotton. Caution: Never use Sun Bleaching if the fabric has been dyed–vegetable dyes will readily fade with sun exposure. Often antiquated quilts have depreciated in value considerably for oversights such as sun exposure and related sun bleaching.

Basically I started with the least harsh method I could find and worked my way up to soaking in bleach. The entire process took  a long time, but eventually I was able to set up a system.


Buttermilk (Step 1)

1 Gallon Water
1 Quart Buttermilk
1 TBS Fresh Lemon Juice

Soak items in the buttermilk recipe up to 24 hours. I added a plate in the pot to weight down the linens & to keep submerged in the solution. 
Rinse twice, then launder.




Step 2 When that method didn't work, I then used a gallon of water and Oxi-Clean. Soaked for 6 hours, rinsed twice, then laundered.

Step 3 Then I use an all fabric bleach and a gallon of water. Soaked for 6 hours, rinsed twice, then laundered.


 

By the time I reached this stage, I was all in. There were a lot of tough stains.
Step 4 I graduated to a bleach pen. I let that set for awhile and there wasn't any improvement I went directly to a cup of bleach in about two gallons of water. This was used of course with only the all white linens.


 

By this time, I manage to salvage almost all the linens. There are a few dots of stain left on a few of the linens and I lost about 4 pieces to deterioration of the fabric. Yet I would still be able to use these pieces. Since I went into this knowing I'd lose a few I was comfortable with the outcome.



Here is why I went to all that trouble. My picture parade of some of the fun and great pieces I am now going to be able to use.

 

 


What I do here is simply share our journey. We would love it if your joined our Perky Gramma Teaches community on Facebook.
Some of the items I have used this week.

   

I participate in the Amazon Associate program, where I receive a small % commission for linking products that I recommend. I only recommend products I personally used and like. Your support is very appreciated, anything you choose to purchase through my link, is helping me to be able to share more things that I do with you. Perky Gramma Teaches Amazon link.



Empanada Recipe with Cream Cheese Crust

We lived in Panama for five years. One of the foods we came to love was empanadas, our favorite recipe is this one with a cream cheese crust. My mom will make these for a party or for a family gathering. She takes the time to make mini versions. Me - I am lazy and make larger ones.
I probably wrote out this recipe in the mid 1970's. First I didn't write all the directions out. Plus, I find it interesting to read these old recipes, Note this recipe called for oleo.
Talk about throw back. 

Empanadas

1 lb. cream cheese
1 lb. butter
4 C. flour


Crust: Have cream cheese & butter at room temp.
Cream butter and cream cheese
Add flour slowly
Chill well

Roll out and cut out circles.
Filling: 1 1/2 lb. ground meat. Add chili, salt, pepper, parsley, Tabasco and garlic to taste.
Add a small portion of meat to half of the circle of crust. Fold over gently and crimp with a fork.

Baked at 350 degrees until golden brown. These freeze and reheat extremely well.


What I do here is simply share our journey. We would love it if your joined our Perky Gramma Teaches community on Facebook
Here are a few things I have recently purchase for the farm. 

   

I participate in the Amazon Associate program, where I receive a small % commission for linking products that I recommend. I only recommend products I personally used and like. Your support is very appreciated, anything you choose to purchase through my link, is helping me to be able to share more things that I do with you. Perky Gramma Teaches Amazon link.


Friday, October 9, 2015

Meeting Andy the Chicken Whisperer...

My girlfriend, two young ladies and I spent the evening listening to the "Chicken Whisperer" chat with his Georgia  charm and wit - about raising chickens. I didn't know what to expect, but I had an absolute blast. Couple of special notes. I LOVED the way he interacted with the young people there. you certainly are able to tell he is family man, he even has his family traveling with him on this tour.
I learned quite a bit, but I also was amazed with how much I had already learned about raising chickens. You know I have had plans for some time to be a self sustaining farm and one of the first things I want is chickens.
He just comes across as a man who loves what he does and also doesn't beat around the bush with his opinions on a wide range of topics. The event was hosted by one of our local Coops to include a Poultry Workshop, Book Signing, Pictures & Autographs, Q&A, 
Everyone in attendance received a FREE Chicken Whisperer Magazine & Bio-security Booklets from the USDA. The booklet has update to date information of securing your livestock from disease, a hot topic these days.


I really like getting to meet real people and Andy is real. I picked up his book "The Chicken Whisperers' Guide to Keeping Chickens: Everything You Need To Know...and Didn't Know You Neded to Know About Bckyard and Urban Chickens"
 and though I haven't finished it I would recommend his book. He is just full of prctical tips.. I recommend you like him on Facebook (Plese tell him I said "hi")., read his blog, sign up for either his hard copy magazine or FREE digital magazine. He also does a radio show.



I am so grateful I was able to attend this event locally. Check his event schedule, he may be coming to a town near you. I am now  big fan of the Chicken Whisperer.

His book I bought tonight available at a less expensive price on Amazon:



I participate in the Amazon Associate program, where I receive a small % commission for linking products that I recommend. I only recommend products I personally used and like. Your support is very appreciated, anything you choose to purchase through my link, is helping me to be able to share more things that I do with you. Perky Gramma Teaches Amazon link.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

5 Tips & How to Use Elderberries for Winter...

I have always been fascinated by homemade homeopathic remedies, so early on I decided to start learning how to make these remedies at home. I've been making elderberry syrup now since 2013. 
Mr. Perky stayed home from work today, which is a really rare occurrence. He was experiencing cold/flu like symptoms. So I went full scale making elderberry juice. I actually made four batches total. 
Today I am sharing various tips I have learned, plus how to dehydrate elderberries (sambucus nigra) and how to make elderberry juice.
Ripe berries The berries ripen varies from late summer to early fall. Mostly you can tell by the birds and the berries. If the birds aren't eating them, they are not ripe. When they are ripe they are soft, turn a deep purple color and are full of red juice.


How To Dehydrate Elderberries


First you need to identify your elderberry bushes, in Virginia they grow wild.
My DH and friends went elderberry picking a couple of weeks ago. Initially I just popped the bag in the freezer. Some of the seeds I am saving to plant this spring in my new home. 
TIPBefore or after dehydrating you need to clean/process the berries. They have short shelf life, so if you are not freezing them immediately they will need to be process within a few days. If you float the berries in a bowl of water after you have removed them, you can easily scoop up any floating debris. You need to remove berries that are not ripe, leaves, stems, old flowers blooms etc. It is time consuming, but leaving these other parts in the mix will leave a bitter taste to your elderberry juice. 
While we tried transplanting some elderberry bushes on our new farmette, I will probably order some elderberry bushes to insure I am getting sambucus nigra elderberries. I will keep you posted.
I find I am able to see a difference between the elderberries that we picked & the ones I purchased from Amazon (associate link). But, they both are really good. 
OLD FARMER TIP: Freeze the clusters, then shake the bag.
Left is before putting the berries in the freezer and the picture on the right is what was in the bottom of the bag after shakingI did still need to pluck some berries, but shaking them certainly saved time. You may also do this when picking.

    

Next, remove the remaining berries from the umbrels & my results.
TIP: Melissa Barnes Blake suggested using a fork to pick the berries off of the umbrels. Definitely going to do that next time.

  

I wasn't sure, but I spread the elderberries out in the 
Excalibur dehydrator tray. (associate link)  I was concerned they were going to fall through, but they didn't. I dehydrated the berries at 135 degrees until they were no longer soft. Probably about 4-5 hours. Honestly, I think that my dehydrator was one of the very best purchases I have made. I use it continually. 

Afterwords I set the trays on a towel (glad I did) and gentle rubbed the berries to remove them from the screen. Next time I will use dark towels.


Put the elderberries into a canning jar.


Then what was left of the towel was added to a canning jar and vacuum seal them.


There you have it. The elderberries on the left are the ones we picked. The ones I got from amazon are on the right. Look good don't they?

TIP: I write the recipe for elderberry juice on the lid of my stored elderberries. I also vacuum seal the jars between usages. Now my berries are ready to make elderberry juice.



How To Make 
Elderberry Juice

Originally I was using a recipe I found online, but I have edited it so much now. Many recipes I have found use 1 cup of honey, which is far too much for my taste.



Ingredients: (personally I now double the batch, since I use it so often)
1 Cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried elderberries.
3 Cups water
1/3 Cup honey (not really needed)

EDITED: Now I add a couple of slices of dehydrated ginger to my recipe. You may also add other medicinal plants.

First, add 1 cup fresh or 1/2 dried elderberries to a pot and add 3 cups of water.
Bring to a boil & then reduce the heat and simmer for 1/2 hour.


Strain everything through a strainer. Then smash the berries to get all the juice out. Previously I used a regular strainer and a spoon, but I have to tell you I just got an Oxo Food Mill.  It's one of those tools that I really wished i had gotten a lot earlier. I love this thing. Particularly, it makes the work so much easier and it is a breeze to clean.


CAUTION: Don't eat the seeds. There is some chance of toxicity. I just googled it & read about it. A couple won't hurt. just use caution.

Lastly, add 1/3 cup of honey. Since the juice is still hot, I pour it back and forth to melt & get all the honey out of the measuring cup. 


Don't you just love this bottle? I like them so much, I got them at Ikea. I just went back and bought some more swing-top bottles. Then I used a funnel and pour into a bottle of jar. You store the syrup in the fridge. It will last for several months.


DOSING: You may take it every 2-3 hours. Personally I have been just drinking an ounce or two at  time. 


REMINDER: Don't use raw honey with young children you are able to use other sweeteners like raw sugar. 

TIP: Since I made 4 batches, I also freeze my elderberry/ginger juice. Recently I have been utilizing the frozen elderberry/ginger. The cubes are super convenient. Which leads us to...





Perky's Go-Go Juice

One of my gramma names is Go-Go, long before Honey Boo Boo's go-go juice came into being. Once I started making the very best blueberry juice ever, I started mixing my elderberry/ginger juice which  I now have frozen and blueberry juice. This is an absolute fantastic afternoon pick me up. While I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on t.v., I am only able to share that this works extremely well for me. 

Items I used in this post and this week.


   
Just so you know I participate in the Amazon associate program. What that means is when you click on a link I post & purchase items; I receive a small percentage from Amazon. your cost is exactly the same. I try to make sure these are products I have used and recommend.

From herbwisdom.com: "Used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis. Elderberry juice was used to treat a flu epidemic in Panama in 1995.
Elderberries (Sambucus) have been a folk remedy for centuries in North America, Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, hence the medicinal benefits of elderberries are being investigated and rediscovered. Elderberry is used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, to improve vision, to boost the immune system, to improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis. Bioflavonoids and other proteins in the juice destroy the ability of cold and flu viruses to infect a cell. People with the flu who took elderberry juice reported less severe symptoms and felt better much faster than those who did not."