Rooster or the Hen?

I love to 'watch' chickens.

Recently I've been viewing YouTube Vlogs

posted by Homesteaders.

While 'off grid' homesteading isn't on the horizon for us, I am drawn to the simplicity of the lifestyle

and am content spending the majority of my time homemaking.

Which brings me to the chickens.
Many of the videos feature chickens.

They are so much fun to watch.

Strutting, bobbing up and down, 

cocking their heads in such an inquisitive way

and establishing a pecking order.

Click 'here' for a favorite video

from OFF GRID with DOUG and STACY.

The chickens are featured from minutes 2 thru 4.

My dad raised a few chickens from time to time for meat

and our PA. Dutch farmer neighbor always had a flock

I was familiar with. So I know the downsides too but 

still enjoy watching them from afar.

Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup 

brings childhood memories of lunch.

Not to forget the nutritional value of

the meat and eggs.

These chicken tenders are so simple

and delicious served hot or cold with a tasty dip.

A recipe for the rub was included but I opted for 

a similar pre-packaged mix the RG had purchased previously.

Click 'here' for the recipe.

So 'cluck,cluck' or 'cock-a-doodle-doo'?

Thankful Reminders . . .

of warmer weather to come.

These tuffs of snow reminded me of cotton bolls of summer.

Cotton Boll: The round, fluffy clumps in which cotton grows. 

Joining Thankful Thursday

Aquamarine

A favorite dish.

This dish may have been designed as an ash tray.

I use it for mints, candies or soaps.

Joining Macro Monday 2

Thankful for the Calm . . .

before the storm

If the sky and the weather predictors are correct,

we are in for a wintry week-end.

'red sky in the morning, sailors warning'

Joining

Thankful Thursday

Skywatch Friday

'Time' to be Thankful

Today I'm thankful for Time

Time is the indefinite continued progress of existence and events that occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time

No one in this household should ever be late.

Joining

Thankful Thursday

A Calculated Risk

Definition of calculated risk. 1 : a hazard or chance of failure whose degree of probability has been reckoned or estimated before some undertaking is entered upon. 

In years gone by I have participated in this sport.

and the RG continues to look forward to 'safe' ice every year.

With temps below 10 degrees for several days

the ice at our local State Park has reached 'safety' levels

in areas that seasoned anglers head for.

On this day last Saturday the RG reported 7 inches of ice.

Sad to say a lone fisherman miscalculated 

a few days before Christmas and lost his life on 3 inches.

Was it thicker when he went out; and melted through the morning?

Something that will never be known.

Anyone contemplating this sport 

must consider several factors before venturing forth

and follow safety recommendations

including never go alone and always wear a flotation device.

And be vigilant in observing changing conditions 

throughout the hours 'on the ice'.

Despite the dangers it can be 

a pleasurable and rewarding past time.

I recall a day on Misery Bay at Lake Erie

when we fished in warm bright sunshine

and other visitors to Presque Isle 

walked out in bermuda shorts to chat.

Those conditions are however not the 'norm'.

Most ventures out include an ice shed 

such as the two examples in these photos.

(photo compliments of the RG)

P.S. the RG claims the fish taste better 

when taken through the ice.

Joining 

Our World Tuesday

Nature Notes

Making Tracks In the New Year

Turkey Tracks - Foghorn Stringband - >click to hear the tune

(photo courtesy of the RG)

Leave your prints wherever you go.

Try something new in your world of photography.

Share them for all of us to enjoy and be inspired.

Happy New Year to One and All!

Joining Foto Tunes