Feathered Friday

Our bantam hen with the 15 baby chicks got upgraded from the brooder once her babies got bigger.  We started them off in a large dog pen.  The chicks could go through the fence, but the mama hen could not.  This ensured that the babies stayed close by.

Once the babies got a bit bigger, we let the mama hen out with them.  They followed her and roamed all over the yard.  With the hot summer weather they often sought shade for a break.  One afternoon I found them resting and snacking under the fig tree in our yard.

Then would fly up into the low branches of the fig tree to peck at the figs.  After their break they went back to looking for bugs.  Each evening they return to their pen for supper and bedtime.

New House Update

I posted an update on the new house project here.  I have a few more planned for the rest of this week so hope over to A New Home in the Country to catch up on the progress!

Weekend Book Review: Modern Potluck

Modern Potluck by Kristin Donnelly takes potluck recipes to a new level.  I was excited to receive this book as potlucks are pretty popular in the south.  The book includes some rules for potlucks such has "It will hold up on a buffet table".  The recipes range from snacks to salads and casseroles to desserts.  A bonus is the absence of processed foods.  The recipes include gluten-free, vegetarian,  and vegan options.

The highs for me are the Middle Eastern Seven-Layer Salad with Quinoa, Slow-Roasted Lemon-Soy-Honey Pork Shoulder, and Potato Chip-Crusted Magic Bars.  Any of these would be a hit at the next church or family dinner.

The low point is that many of the dishes are a bit too modern for the potluck crowd I would be serving.  I do not know many people who would even slow down for Lentil and Pecan Pate.  The modern ingredients might not be a problem if you have adventurous potluck eaters.  The bottom line is that you should decide which side of the fence your target group falls on before choosing this book.

disclosure:  I received this book from Blogging for Books but was not otherwise compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Reviews

First up is the Field Guide to the Wildflowers of Georgia and Surrounding States by Linda G Chafin.  This wonderful book might focus on Georgia, but it really covers all of the southeastern United States.  The book has three main parts.  First is the introduction which covers everything from the definition of a wildflower to pronunciation.  Next is the species descriptions.  Each of these include a good photo, in-depth description, and the growing range.  Finally readers can find the color thumbnails which are photos and names sorted by color.  This is especially good for quick reference.  The book is an exceptional reference guide.  I know that I will refer to it quite often, and it really covers most of the southeast despite the title.

Wanda E Brunstetter's Amish Friends Harvest Cookbook is a collection of recipes and gardening tips.  The recipes include soups, salads, main dishes, sides, and desserts.  A section of recipes for preserving your garden harvest is also included.  Do not expect any health foods as these are time tested favorites.  You can easily find most of the ingredients in your own pantry or at your local grocery store.  These Amish favorites will soon be favorites at your home too.

Kathleen Y'Barbo's book, 365 Family Dinners and Devotions, has you covered with delicious recipes and daily devotions.  The "dinners" part of the title is a bit misleading.  Many of the recipes are for snacks, sides, or desserts rather than being all dinners.  That is not a bad thing.  The recipes are simple enough for any busy family.  I love that it can bring a family together with yummy food and Bible time.  The topics are appropriate for the entire family, and the food will appeal to everyone!

disclosure:  I received these e-books from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Reviews

Food Forensics by Mike Adams has the subtitle "The Hidden Toxins Lurking in Your Food and How You Can Avoid Them for Lifelong Health".  I started reading the book with high hopes but ended up disappointed.  The author admits that the book is technical which is fine.  The problem was with the second half of the subtitle "How You Can Avoid Them".  I felt the author never really came through.  Most of the information was on one of the authors many websites.  That seems to information that would be included in the book.

Nancy Coco's latest book, All You Need is Fudge, is book four in the Candy Coated Mystery series.  While this is the first book in the series I have read, I was easily able to slip into the characters and story based on Mackinac Island.  The book was average.  The story line fell a bit flat for me.  I did not find the main character, Allie, completely engaging.  My problem was her incessant phone calls to her boyfriend.  She came across as a weak, needy person.  The mystery and setting were interesting enough, and I would be willing to give Allie a second chance.

Death at the Day Lily Cafe by Wendy Sand Eckel introduced me to Rosalie Hart.  I loved the side plot lines of the small town characters.  Having a main character who names her chickens does not hurt either.  The book was a fun and light mystery.  Rosalie's new cafe, her farm, and a mystery are the main themes.  I found myself staying up much too late to read, but that is always the sign of a good book!

disclosure:  I received these e-books from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Review: The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane

Ellen Berry's book, The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane, deserved its very own review post.  This book is one of the best that I have read recently.  In a word it is charming.  Della's mother passes away, and she takes her mother's cookbooks - all 900+.  With her husband Mark growing more disconnected and her daughter headed to college, Della gets the grand idea of opening a bookshop full of nothing but cookbooks.  Mark is totally against the idea, but Della presses forward.

I loved Della's spunk and sense of adventure even when things are not always going her way.  The idea of a bookshop full of cookbooks is wonderful.  I can relate perfectly to collecting cookbooks.  The only bad thing was that I did reach the end of the book.  I was thrilled to find that two more books are in the works.  I will definitely be taking a trip back to Della's Rosemary Lane!

If you are looking for a heartwarming story, I highly recommend The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane.  You will not be disappointed.

disclosure:  I received this e-book from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own!

Taking a Short Break

W has taken a few weeks off work so we can work full-time on the new house.  My posting will be sporadic for at least the next three weeks.  I will be back after that!