Baby Chicks, Ducks, and Goats oh my

Bringing another addition of our baby chicks plus Bella and Mr. Bill snagging a little photo time. The adventures began with a trip to see the chicken coop. These cute little ladies are only a few days old so they are currently living in "the big coop" aka our house:) we have them in a large tub with a heat lamp. 

With their perching skills almost mastered some chicks were courageous enough to take it to the next level. 

 Of course, it would be at this point in our day that Mr. Bill joins. He is Rouen which is like a cousin to the commonly known Mallard. The difference between them is size. Mr. Bill is the larger version and the extra weight prevents him from achieving flight. He can however lift himself several feet off the ground. 

Bella doesn't mind playing taxi and giving this lady a ride around.

Have a great weekend everybody. Stay classy.

Newest Farmily (farm-family) Members

Life isn't always a bowl full of chicks...but yesterday was!  I would like to introduce our newest farmily members (currently they are un-named because at this point they don't really have distinct personalities and just care about their food only, haha) 

After making sure that they had their fill of crumble, we all took off for an adventure. Exploring the great wide abyss known as our backyard. We have an acre that the chickens will call theirs when they are older but that much space isn't necessary. While chickens do need room to run around, a regular suburban backyard would suit just fine. Don't try to raise chickens in just a coop alone. Think about how your own quality of life would be if you were confined. 

While out learning the ways of the world the chicks ran into their older siblings. Introductions went smoothly and Blackie even provided the young'uns with some tips on perching.

Here, shes giving her left side, her right wide, and her crazy side.

Pete Pete has a way of demanding my attention so here he is looking good and showing off his very weak perching skills. I say weak because he really isn't any good. His talents are showcased at the lake were he can swim. Feathers on a duck act as zippers and seal to one another forming a perfect wet suit. After swimming Pete Pete is as dry as paper:) 

Not everyday is just for play; so Bella rounded the chicks up and put them to work. I'm pretty sure I don't need to side note that chickens are not actually capable of operating farm equipment, haha. Wouldn't it be great if they could. I would have 100. Chickens are a wonderful source of eggs (duh) but they also keep your pest down and the coop cleanings make great fertilizer for your garden. It's basically a win win situation. 

After all that hard work it was time for a much deserved nap. 

Notice Bella's cute cowlick. 

Hope you enjoyed another fur and feather post. Our homestead continues to grow and with each new life our hearts grow. Have a blessed day and remember to stay classy. 

Easy Lentils and Rice Recipe

Meatless meals can be cheap, easy, and delicious. Most nights I end up staring in the frig and blanking out in front of the pantry just racking my brain, what's for dinner? I sorta feel like every night is a Chopped challenge, haha. Tuesday night's challenge consisted of a super flavor packed spicy lentils and rice finished with fresh avocado sided along a summer green salad topped with a drizzle of homemade ranch. 

Lentils and Rice

4 cups water - season with basic three (salt, pepper, and garlic) 

1 cup rice

3/4 cup lentils

1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes 

1 avocado 

Seasoning - pepper, paprika, chili powder, minced garlic, sea salt, and crushed red pepper flakes

Green Salad

Roman lettuce

Green leaf 

Iceberg lettuce

Scallions

Green bell pepper

Get seasoned water boiling.

Add lentils and rice. Cook 15-20 minutes, stirring every few until the lentils soften.

Pour in the entire can of tomatoes, undrained. Add seasoning then simmer off the excess liquid 5-10 minutes stirring occasionally. Serve with avocado slices.  We love it hot, hot, hot so that lovely red sauce is sriracha and Franks... If you know the Frank's slogan, then, you know to put that $&$@ on everything :) 

Also on the agenda was the premier of America's Got Talent! I love, love, love that show. It really show cases a variety of talents, some I've never seen before. (True story a 93 year old man pulled a car with his teeth!) The beginning of the season is the best because not only do they showcase talent they are highlighting failed attempts. It is hilarious how clueless some people are. Let's be humble people, you may not be the best. . . But you can make the best lentils and rice if you use this recipe :) 

Homestead Flea Control

Today I want to talk about pest control. Now that the weather is warming up, here in Texas it's always warm, pest are coming out to attack not only you but your furry family too. I'm talking about fleas folks.

Now, I came across this ole farmers trick a while back and have been using it with great success. Using Bayer Advanced tree and shrub as directed in your yard you will eliminate mainly of the pesky buggers but then your pets would still be carrying around mainly fleas and flea eggs. To rid your pup of fleas apply a small amount of the Tree and Shrub to your pet. 

I hope I didn't lose you there, I did in fact say to put some on your pet. Here's how that works. The active ingredient is Imidacloprid at .74% which is the same active ingredient in topically applied flea poison. I was a bit hesitant too, I mean this is my family we are talking about but eventually after doing massive amounts of research I tried it and was astonished at how well and quickly it worked. 

Here's how to DIY

Playing things on the safer side I don't apply directly to my pets but rather on their harness. 

Every harness works in the general way and wraps around so that there is a portion behind their head between their shoulders, this is where you apply. 

Use a Q tip dipped in the solution and rub the Q tip over the desired area applying in total just about one drop. 

This is quality not quantity so small, small amount only. After, just a few days you will notice a decrease in fleas. 

At that point give your pet a nice bath and check them over. Reapply if necessary. 

Ok this is so unrelated that I probably shouldn't mix pest control with food but... This is the special treat we allowed ourselves for Memorial Day and they are way too cute not to share. 

Organize with Recycling

In an effort to downsize, I have been recycling and repurposing but most importantly I have been organizing. Today's organizing with recycling is so easy that instructions really aren't necessary.

Supplies to DIY - 

Metal cover to an oscillating fan

Magnets

Butterfly clips

Bills, banking, and other paper work clutter

Quick run down - 

Hang the fan cover near your front door or your home office. Grab some magnets...side note ...Not all magnets are the same so check the strength. Once, it's hung you are basically done. Just put what ever paperwork is currently cluttering your desk up. The butterfly clip can be attached to something small that you want up that a magnet alone couldn't hold. For example, I have up a pack of post it's but clearly a magnet can hold through all that paper so It holds the metal on the butterfly clip. So easy. 

Sharing is caring, wishing you good times for your weekend :) 

Project Studio - the floor

Last I spoke of Project Studio I had discussed putting the walls up. I recently found the pictures of the floor process so I wanted to share in greater detail how this was achieved.

The frame of the floor was built first on the ground over the support post. Once it was built we (the "we" represents my Mr. and me) raised the frame to approximately four feet off the ground. I say approximately because the ground was not level where the posts were placed so each post had a slightly different height. We were able to reach a completely level floor with the slightest of adjustments. 

High on our accomplishments we plowed ahead. .. After a trip to the local hardware store and a little goofiness. 

Next on the agenda was insulation and making the floor into a floor and not just beams. For this we used construction grade plastic that we stapled, then sealed with duck tape.  Funny how no matter what project you find yourself working on there is almost always a way to incorporate duck tape. Over the floor beams we screwed down plywood in 4x8 sheets. 

That beautiful branch was show cased in the last Project Studio post. Isn't it lovely. This is the very first photo of the branch from the "studio" (well, I was standing on the floor of the future studio so it totally counts). 

Of course, my lazy Mr. Sainic and Sir Beckendorff took to the shade that the new floor provided for a nice afternoon nap. 

Look at that gorgeous floor. Ok it isn't yet gorgeous but you can stand on it so that makes it the perfect floor:) 

 

Hope you have enjoyed another Project Studio. Sorry for the crazy order of things. 

As always please pin/post/follow and if you want to hit me up its lakesidehomestead@gmail.com

Stay classy readers, happy Friday :)