Ducks ALIVE in 2025!

[ducks4you]

We are now in our normal winter weather pattern, 35-40 degrees F during the day, below freezing at night, and that means "mud season" has begun.
I cleaned up my kitchen floor this weekend with my Bissell floor and low nap rug cleaner that I bought 3 years ago.
DD's were wanting one, but I suggested that it travel in between homes bc I don't use it everyday and they didn't either.
I put down my "muddy mat," that I like a LOT

Muddymats is rated "Great" with 3.8 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with Muddymats's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 719 customers have already said.

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DON'T BUY ON TEMU or ANYTHING ON TEMU!
They advertise on tv and it's legit.
Quality is up to you, but I really like mine.
My side entrance goes 12 ft back to the washer and dryer, and then you turn east into the kitchen. I think that there used to be a door there--might put one back in the future-- and that's where the muddy mat is, good place to catch wet doggy feet!

 

[ducks4you]

So...do I have enough seeds yet?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
DH said "I want to start the tobacco seeds."
I don't have any...
so...

Items in this shipment​

Pennsylvania Broadleaf Tobacco × 1 TN90 Burley Tobacco × 1 Packet

My order was a little less than $11.00
Victory Seeds carries over 30 types of heirloom tobacco seeds for sale and they are organic seeds.
My choices were:
1) I Don't need a ton of these seeds, each packet holds approx. 100 seeds.
They are Tiny, to you don't sneeze when planting them.

It Ain't Just For Smoking: Known But Beneficial Uses For Tobacco | Ready Nutrition

Over the course of centuries, tobacco was hailed for it's medicinal uses and cures. But in today's world, the tobacco plant has a really bad reputation. But it has more uses than just for smoking and chewing. In fact, any person who is planning for a long term emergency situation should have a...

readynutrition.com

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

I use Musher’s Secret on all my dogs feet and on the dogs nose , it is designed to protect not only paws but also other areas like the snout, ears, and elbows, making it safe to apply to a dog's nose, especially if it is dry or cracked.
Hills Science diet is a safe food for dogs. There are many types available for dogs of all ages, sizes and health issues. Our vet recommended it. This brand is trusted by vets for its science-based nutrition, and it is formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional standards and certified.
Sometimes I make dog food using chicken,turkey, peas ,carrots brrown rice and beets. There’s recipes on line for added supplements. Check with your vet first before adding supplements. Making bone broth using bone marrow is a good supplement. Making treats from sweet potatoes chopped like fries and wrapped in chicken then dried in a low heated oven is a favorite .

 

[ducks4you]

I need to ask if it's a dog food allergy. I have fed her Blue Buffalo since she was a puppy.
Dunno anything about dogs developing allergies to food, But I could see this being a problem.
My older dog, "Pyg" was the Reason I started making broth.

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

We are now in our normal winter weather pattern, 35-40 degrees F during the day, below freezing at night, and that means "mud season" has begun.
I cleaned up my kitchen floor this weekend with my Bissell floor and low nap rug cleaner that I bought 3 years ago.
DD's were wanting one, but I suggested that it travel in between homes bc I don't use it everyday and they didn't either.
I put down my "muddy mat," that I like a LOT

Muddymats is rated "Great" with 3.8 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with Muddymats's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 719 customers have already said.

www.trustpilot.com

DON'T BUY ON TEMU or ANYTHING ON TEMU!
They advertise on tv and it's legit.
Quality is up to you, but I really like mine.
My side entrance goes 12 ft back to the washer and dryer, and then you turn east into the kitchen. I think that there used to be a door there--might put one back in the future-- and that's where the muddy mat is, good place to catch wet doggy feet!

For wet soggy paws mats we use thick spongy bath mats covered with absorbing micro fibers . This works well for the dogs with several placed outside on the covered porch by the entry door. Soaks up mushy wet paws instantly. And entry large throw rug to help . Good time to practice sits and stays.

For mud I found whole leaves applied around the dogs path areas outside keep the mud managed outside. Inside a small waiting area with bath mats if needed for mopping soggy paws. The trick around here is not to leave the dogs out to long but just for a few minutes…training them to come right back inside helps. Sometimes they can get distracted by birds etc. but this system over all works well for us.

I have made a doggie playpen on the outside covered patio , fenced in surround so they are safe and no way to escape . Added beds and toys to keep them safe and occupied.

The Puppy Bowl is on before the Super Bowl this weekend. I usually record it for the dogs to watch , they can really get involved with watching the puppies running after toys and barking. It’s a nice winter time inside tool for bored Boarder collies.

 

[ducks4you]

DD's and I spend a lot of time of Messenger.
This is one example of stuff that they come up with to send to me:

 

[ducks4you]

Ice storm. Supposed to be this morning, now freezing rain/rain starting at 2PM, and freezing rain from 6-8PM.
Ponies are in their stalls. Yesterday, I did the following:
1) filled manger in the shelter, involving climbing the loft stairs
2) dropped down from the loft 4 (65 lb) bales of hay, then stacked in supply stall
(picked up and dropped over 3 ft railing)
3) cleaned out 2 stall water buckets and filled with water
4) put evening hay in stalls for both
5) filled sweet feed in stalls for both, then removed so that they wouldn't play with them
6) filled 5 full buckets (5/6 full), then carried to barn, so I would not have to carry water and walk on ice
7) moved trash receptacle to the street, filled with barn trash bag, kitchen trash bag, used cat litter and 40 gallon plastic waterer that cracked--thanked it for it's 10 years of service
8) put out 1/4 plastic cat litter box, with Mr. Clean soap, to get rained on and cleaned out (3 more to go...), sitting next to the picnic table
9) let ponies in, should remain there until Saturday
I was going to start going to the small local gym with DD's this morning, but I figured that I Got my workout.

 

[ducks4you]

Somehow all 5 of us, me, DH, and all 3 DD's are on a clean out and throw away and fix binge!
I left tools and things in odd places and today I found a pruner and DH said that he knows where in the tool shed we have some files for sharpening. I brought it inside this morning, but I pruned back a few weeds and small unwanted saplings first.
I started filling up empty boxes in my office with trash paper. When full they go into my plastic fill up burn barrel by the back door, which goes out to the fire pit when full.

 

[ducks4you]

I have a LOT of real estate for growing. Not everybody here has that, so I love when I find news ways to grow.
Here is a video on a great way to grow carrots in a small space:

 

[ducks4you]

Doing more research on the growing stages of Zucchini, Cucumbers, Cantaloupe, Pumpkins and Watermelon, ALL affected by the squash vine borer and squash bugs.
They all grow at different rates. They all flower at different times and it's the flower that attracts the vine borer moth.
I plan to having 2 crops of zucchini and cucumbers this year, and pull the spring plants the first week in July, then have a Fall planting of both.
The others will have to be started indoors and other special treatment probably involving some of them growing on my screened in front porch first before transplanting.
I have discovered articles and you tube videos that show life cycles, day by day.
I have created computer files to refer to and I am about ready to write in my new garden journal.
Should be an interesting gardening year for me!