Archives for May 2014
Inspirational Quotes: Learn To Listen
How Attract Tufted Titmouse
Today, let’s talk about how to attract the Tufted Titmouse to your backyard. Meet my Tufted Titmouse. I love these backyard birds. They’re a beautiful gray and white with a little tuft on top of their head. They are marked with a touch of orange on their sides. They’re abundant in my backyard.
How to Attract Tufted Titmouse:
The Tufted Titmouse likes to nest in holes in trees or a vacated woodpecker nest although they will also use nesting boxes. I have plenty of woodpeckers around, so they have lots of holes to nest in. They are known to pluck hair from live animals or humans for their nest. They mate for life. The male does most of the singing, but the female will sing a softer version at times. I will continue to supply black oil sunflower seeds, as they are permanent backyard residents that I can enjoy year round. Their young are ready to leave the nest in 16 days.
I’m currently having problems with Starlings devouring the sunflower seed in hours. So, I’m in the process of purchasing a new feeder and Safflower Seeds. I’m thinking about a feeder that is enclosed in a cage, so only small song birds will be able to enter and eat from it. I will be filling the other tube feeders with black oil sunflower seeds and thistle for the finches. I’ll still use my platform feeder for the cardinals, but I will be mixing in the sunflower seeds with safflower seeds as well. Cardinals love Safflower Seeds, and they will eat from the platform feeder. Squirrels and Starlings don’t like Safflower Seed. I’ll keep you posted on this change at the feeding station, and how it works out.
Check out my other posts on attracting backyard birds. You may also like Suet Feeders For Backyard Birds
How To Find Mentors When Mom or Dad Is Absent
My ex-husband was involved in my daughter’s life after we divorced, but it was on his terms. His priorities were all wrong. For example, the responsibility of getting my daughter up, providing clothing, feeding her, educating her, taking her to activities and turning her into a young lady was my responsibility. For the most part, he thought if he handed over money he had done his part. As a result, I ended up divorce and making it on my own.
Regardless of whether you have a son or daughter, they will need a male influence in their life. You can and you must provide a strong male figure. Speaking from a male perspective is something we as women simply can not do. However I do have a a few tips on how I accomplished that goal and provided male role models for my daughter. Here’s a few tips on how to find mentors:
- First, call a trusted family member. A sister, brother, cousin aunt or uncle who has an established a home can make great mentors. I’m sure their husband or wife would be willing to spend time talking to and teaching your child how to become a positive person in our society.
- Next, contact your local Big Brother and Sister organization – They have volunteers who wish to spend time with local children. Also, one of my male employees was a volunteer for a little girl. As a matter of fact, he was a huge supporter for most of her life and is still involved now that she is an adult.
- Also, church activities are great. Preferably with someone who is trustworthy. We hear so much about Catholic Priests and ministers who abuse children. Take the necessary steps, and ensure your child is around those who can truly be trusted. Predators choose churches because we as parents make the mistake of thinking that everyone is holy.
- Furthermore, camps are also a good way for your child to learn about leadership from both a male and female perspective. This can be a church camp, sports, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or whatever organizations you can find locally.
- Fathers and grandfathers have great influence on their grandchildren.
- Recreational centers are another way to provide role models and mentors for your child.
- Last, if you have positive nieces or nephews, have them spend quality time with your son or daughter. They will share things with each other that most won’t talk about in front of their parents. This will give your child an opportunity to hear things from a different perspective too.
How To Build A Green Bean Trellis
I had made a trellis for my green beans in an earlier growing season. But, I decided to modify it to maximize my green bean harvest rather than plant bush beans. My goal was to add bars to the trellis teepee so I could plant beans completely around it. However, one side was left open. I wanted my grandchildren to have a seat inside of the teepee while I’m gardening. So, an adorable miniature chair will be placed inside the green bean trellis for them to sit.
Making a bean teepee can be simple and inexpensive. I used the bamboo poles from last season and cuttings from my bamboo squash trellis. I found left over string from other projects under my sink and used it to tie the smaller bars around the legs of the teepee. String is great for the tendrils of the plant to latch onto. Lowes and Home Depot sell bamboo poles that won’t break the bank if you can’t found a resource locally. The Dollar Store sells string. My brother has a yard full of bamboo, so I luck out.
Here’s what you will need to build a green bean trellis:
- The poles should be 6 – 8 feet tall and you will need 4 pieces.
- I used (4) 7 foot poles and 5 bars across.
- 1 5 ft. fence T-post
- Be sure to secure the poles tightly at the top and get them deep into ground before you tie on the horizontal poles.
Here’s the steps for building a green bean trellis:
1. Tie your 4 poles at the top securely.
2. Your poles should look like A-frames.
3. Place the frames in the ground deep enough to hold them securely.
4. Tie the smaller pieces (20) across the bars to form 3 sides. Leave an opening to place a chair for the kids or spacing for growing lettuce through the summer, which requires shade. The leaves of the beans will provide the shade.
5. Plant your choice of pole beans completely around the bottom of the teepee and watch them climb.
6. Place a 5 foot garden t-post on the rear of the teepee. Re-enforce the teepee by tying string from the top of the teepee to the T-Post. This will give the teepee strength when it is covered with vines and green beans.
Last, I use Blue Lake pole beans. I believe they are more flavorful and less stringy than other beans. However, planting Jade Bush Beans along with the pole beans will prove beneficial. Also, companion plant green beans with tomatoes and cucumbers. Place your green bean teepee close to your tomatoes and cucumbers. Here’s a picture of the teepee covered with green beans. It was so heavy with beans it started to lean forward. We pulled it back and re-enforced it with a fence t-post stake in the back of the teepee.
It is now straight and loaded with enough of green beans to freeze several quarts for winter. Perfect for soup and green beans and corn.
You may also like: Using Eggshells In The Garden
5 Health Reasons To Garden
Summer is around the corner and I’m looking forward to having fresh and chemical free vegetables. Backyard Vegetable Gardening has become a part of my soul. My grandfather was a gardener, and I guess it seeped into my heart when I visited his farmette during the summer. There are many reasons to garden, but the health benefits alone are a good enough reason to at least have a small garden.
I’ve been backyard gardening for several years and wanted to share the health benefits of having a kitchen garden:
1. High In Antioxidants
Garden herbs help reduce heart attacks. Additionally, they are high in antioxidants according to Fitness Magazine. Oregano, basil, rosemary and parsley are a few of the herbs that you will find in my backyard kitchen garden. I love using oregano and basil in my sauces, parsley on potatoes and rosemary on chicken and in stuffing dishes.
2. Exercise
Having a backyard kitchen garden provides an opportunity to get moderate exercise. It required you to use your arms to rake and hoe, bend and stoop to plant vegetables, herbs and flowers. Furthermore, you stretch and use muscles that you haven’t used for some time. Personally, the first few days in my backyard garden leaves my muscles sore and helps for me get a good night’s sleep.
3. Boosts Vitamin D
Sunshine is the best way to boost Vitamin D intake. I could be in my garden for an hour or two several days a week. So, I wear a sunhat and plenty of sunscreen while gardening. Bug spray helps too.
4. Reduces Stress
Gardening reduces the Cortisol level, which is produced when you’re feeling stressed. Pulling weeds and nurturing your backyard garden plants can be therapeutic. It provides an opportunity to clean your head, think about life and make future plans.
5. Better Nutrition
Home grown vegetables, herbs and fruits provide better nutrition and are more flavorful than most store produce. Most importantly, my backyard garden is organic. No harmful chemicals are used in our around my garden.
So, home grown herbs and vegetables have become an important staple in my home. Additionally, I look forward to picking fresh lettuce, tomatoes and herbs for my dishes And, preserving them for use during the winter. The flavor versus what is purchased in a grocery store is beyond comparison. I enjoy walking into my garden and retrieving peppers and tomatoes straight from the vine when I’m cooking. The fresh herbs provide a wonderful enhancement to sauces, stuffing and salads. Fresh cucumbers straight from the vine, basil and spring water makes a refreshing drink on hot summer days.
Start planting and reap these health benefits as well as a new found flavor and perspective on fruits and vegetables. Start with container gardening. Plant a few herbs and tomatoes in containers, and than start planning for next year’s raised bed or roll gardens.
You may also like: