***Tuesday's Tip***

Ducklings are on their way!  Today or tomorrow!  Time to get ready for the babies with a brooder.  Ducklings need to be kept at 90 degrees for the first 7 days.  Then you lower the temperature by 5 degrees each day.  You may wonder how this is accomplished, it is actually very easy and super low tech.  Here is how I made my brooder for the dozen ducks that are to arrive anytime now!  

All you need is an utility knife and an awl.  Some large paper fasteners (I found these beauties at a thrift shop!) (I am also a fan of Sears Craftsman Tools...good tools, reasonably priced, and there warranty is unbeatable!).  And you need some large pieces of cardboard.

Simply cut your cardboard into big flat pieces.  Attach with the paper fasteners by poking the cardboard with the awl and connect the cardboard into any shape that suits your needs.

Here is my finished brooder that is inside Duckingham Palace! Keeping the ducklings confined will help them stay warm under the heat lamp.  When the ducks are big enough for the whole house I will be able to remove the paper fasteners and use the cardboard for garden mulch!

Feeders all cleaned with a good hosing & brushing (never use bleach *Toxic*)

All ready to go!  I use 2 heat lamps at first just in case one burns out.  By raising and lower the lamps you can control the heat on your ducks or chicks. I use wood shavings from the feed store for the bedding and I am good to go!   As simple as that!  So stay tuned for cute little baby duckies!

☼ Forest & Field Happenings ☼

Can't do a whole lot in the gardens with all the wet.  Wet or no I just need to get outside everyday.  So during a lull when the downpours were only a drizzle I took a little walk around to see what I could see!

Baby Peas

& Baby Lettuce!

Bobolink looking rather damp!

Pond Life Does Not Mind the Rain


And the Best For Last

RAVENS!

3 Nestlings! 

I watched them hop in and out of the nest.  They are not yet flying.  It is hard to see from the photo, but these are a bit smaller than the parent birds.  So wonderful to watch! I feel so privileged to be accepted and allowed to stand quietly and just look at them without causing them distress.

Parent Bird Returns!

Of course I leave a thank-you gift...cat food...don't tell Vern!

He is not a big fan of all the rain!

~~~Gratitude~~~

The Earth Laughs in Flowers ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

A very rainy May here in Maine especially this past week or so.  When the sun occasionally shines I have been trying to find a few moments to enjoy what May has to offer.  I do not have formal flower gardens.  I plant a few bee loving rows of wildflower mixes in the vegetable gardens. Mostly, I enjoy what nature has to offer as far as blooms go.  Things are blooming!  Some moment of pause during the break neck spring work around here....

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. 

These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.

Joseph Addison

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/flowers.html#Mzgo61UJHvmLjHIm.99

Grateful for Flowers & Smiles

It is my intention, each Sunday, to share something that fills me with Gratitude. 

I write ~~~Gratitude~~~ with the wavy lines to represent the gratitude ENERGY~~~~~! 

I hope you will join me and share your gratitude moments. 

~~~Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste'~~~

---Shop News--- Peace Flags

I have so many dreams!  My mind looks similar to this box of old threads, tangled with thoughts, colors, and inspiration.  Everyday I have intentions quite grand...very, very, seldom do I complete what I intend to do.  But I have come to a place of peace around my dogmatic doing.  I have let go of the desire that creates the "suffering" around the uncompleted tasks.  These projects are like children to me with a life of their own, in a way, and I love them all!  So finally, yesterday, between the planting of the gardens, spending time with my son who is home from college, life's daily tasks, I listed my Peace Flags!  I made them all sometime when the snow was flying......

Peace Works

PEACE FLAGS

As a home based sewer I feel a common thread with garment workers across the world.  I wanted to find away to give back through my Etsy Shop and bring awareness to a cause near and dear to my heart, fairness for all. So with proceeds from the sale of a PEACE FLAG......

I will DONATE $5.00 to The Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights 

These are the folks that helped the people in the garment factory that burned in Bangladesh.  They are all about creating fairness in the garment industry around the world.

Each PEACE FLAG is made using a sewing technique that I developed to upcycle old thread.  I collect old wooden spools (don't ask me why). Usually the thread on these spools are too weak for sewing but they are still vibrate with color.  So I sew these threads with new threads and include a symbol of peace that is digitally printed on to 100% cotton.  

Social Justice and Eco Friendly a wrapped up in one little bit of fiber art!

Om

we are all one

infinite possibilities 

to see the dream of

PEACE

~~~fly~~~

☼ Forest & Field Happenings ☼

Plant Babies got moved to the Big Shed

Things are getting busy, buzzy, and buggy!  A warm day today. A good amount of  time spent in the gardens.  Feels good to get things done then come inside and find a bunch of Etsy sales.  It was a very good day!

 Made even better with the first asparagus for dinner!

Runa nabbed one too!

Planted early potatoes today so this garden is all planted!

DH rototilled on the weekend so just getting started with the Big Garden.

Artichokes in the ground!

Sunflower House Planted!

My planting outfit...white repels blackflies?!?

Not much time for the forest today...took a little tidbit to the Ravens.

This is the first time they both stayed in the nest and were quiet when I came!

Think they are becoming accustom to me and know I am a bringer of gifts.

Wishing you well with however you spend your spring!

☼ Forest & Field Happenings ☼

These days are numbered...starting to see the first black flies so woods walks will be fewer.

Lovely to explore along the little creek.

Things are still pretty wet in the woods.

A fair amount of trail work to do in the forest....but first....

...need to focus on the fields.

☼ Forest & Field Happenings ☼

The earth is waking up~~~Finally!

Ravens are very active and seem to be accepting me more each day. I found some gifted venison in the freezer...I was too polite to say no but didn't really want to eat it.  Chopped it up and am leaving for the Ravens!

I was talking to this Raven...seems to be listening!

Finally captured a view in the nest!

Trilliums about to bloom!

First Dandelions ~ Saw my first bumblebee today!

Grass seems to have greened up over night!

Finished my Raspberry Rehab Project ~ 20 bags of cedar mulch workout!

Teeny Tiny Asparagus Emerges!

 Can you see my path into the woods~ Pause & See

AND Finally...a young man returns for the summer...one year down 3 to go!

a very !!!! week!