Pioneer Woman at Heart

  We have all been shocked at having several days of 80-90 degree weather in May.  Tuesday morning was much more doable for outside work, but only early in the day.  I managed to get the rest of the flowers planted, and dumped 10 bags of mulch, but we will need more.    We've been eating easy breakfast meals and salads for the last few days.  The hot weather is the reason.  Breakfast is pumpkin oatmeal bake (with our home grown pumpkin), and  scrambled farm fresh eggs. I treated the chickens to some home grown sprouts ( I use a sprout jar system, but you can do this in any quart canning jar with a screen top), and boy were they excited about it.  I have since then, restocked their meal worms. Crazy as it sounds for such hot weather, but I finally finished this scrap yarn lap afghan. Hot Weather ~ Chit Chat © May 2024 by  Kristina  at  Pioneer Woman at Heart

  Last summer, the lentil sprouts I grew in the sprout jars did great.  However, this past month they would not sprout much at all.  I thought I had bought bad lentils, and refilled the jars with new lentils.  Again, it was a week and a half, and hardly any sprouts. I figured out what was hindering the germination - salt in the water softener hooked to our well water.  I didn't even think about it.  Apparently, the salt was shut off for watering the garden in the morning last year.  At the same time the sprouts were rinsed.  Makes sense.  No salt in the well water. Also, if your house is too cold in winter, it can also hinder your lentils from sprouting.  Humidity can play a part in sprouts vs. no sprouts as well. Another fact, is that our well water is freezing cold this time of year.  It's pretty cold year round, but during winter, it is very cold. I have to set water out to get to room temperature, just to water plants....

  We've been blessed with some beautiful sun-shiny days, and we are so thankful.  We get more clouds this time of year in our area.  It really does make a difference in your mood. Hallway update:  all of the door and window trim has been painted.  Plugs have been ordered for the entry door off the hall.  I guess I never noticed they were missing, until I scrubbed the door and window for priming.   The plugs have been shipped.  One side had them, and the other did not have them.  We just need to install them before priming.  I didn't have to do this, but future cleaning and any future painting will be much easier.  It will look nicer too.  I used an old toothbrush/vinegar water to clean the holes out. I finished painting the entire upstairs flooring.  Stairs will be next, but only when I have time.  The hallway is getting full attention right now. I little ditty about this book.  Mom gave it to me a while bac...

  We are having some wonderfully warmer weather, causing spring fever around here, but it is more like a "teaser" for us.  It will hang around a few days, and then return to colder weather. The spring-like temperatures are making me yearn for the gardens again.  Half of my chickens are laying again.  Woohoo to that.   I'm also growing sprouts for a "spring" weather treat for the chickens.  They will be tickled pink when they are ready. I was just reading about how lettuce will thrive better, if you plant it with your chives.  Have any of my garden growing blogger friends done this? My chives are in my herb garden, so I am hesitant to plant anything but herbs in the same area, so I don't bring in any bugs/worms that may be attracted to it.  I once planted Swiss chard in my herb garden, and it grew wonderfully (without any additional insect issues). The idea of trying this method, with the lettuce, is intriguing.  One, the lettuce would be...

  You can go to my post HERE to see the jar/rack kit I purchased.  I bought it on Amazon, but can't remember the brand etc.  Anyway, I love this set!  The jar lids are wide lids, and fit any wide lid 1 quart jar (came with 2 as well).  The lids have groves to hold the jars sideways, which is needed to keep the jars drained between daily rinsing, and the tray underneath is perfect to catch any drips.  I had been using a kitchen towel.  Anyway, this was the next day after soaking and rinsing day 1.  Works perfect, and no hassles trying to balance the jars on the counter. This was 2 days after initial soaking.  By the way, I soak for the first day, rinse and drain for the night.  I rinse daily.  I will be sprouting some microgreens for us soon using these.  Current sprouts are lentils, I sprouted for the chickens.  I take the black out cover off to rinse, then wipe the jar and cover again. Day 3 after the initial soak and dra...

I'm growing sprouts for my ladies (chickens) right now.  So easy to do, healthy and fun for the chickens, and in expensive to do. I bought a large splatter screen at the nearest Dollar Tree store.  You can of course, order a seed sprout lid online as well. I then used my quart jar to draw a template, and then cut those out to match the tops of the jars.  Simple right? Fill your quart jar with water to the top.  Each day, soak, dump and rinse.  You can get complete instructions online (never leave them soak over night). After each day of that process, I let it sit upside down on a towel for a bit.  I wanted to make sure all of the older water was out before leaning the jar on it's side, and covering with a towel.  It gets air flow, and sprouts grow this way.  They have gadget kits for standing your jar(s) tilted.  I'm just easy peasy, use what I have right now. In about 3-4 days your sprouts will look like this.  Fun for the ladies and he...