Winter Bird Action

I've done a better job of maintaining bird feeders and baths this winter, much to the delight of my 2 new feline ornithologists. And as a result there are lots of birds to watch everyday, Bushtits, Goldfinches, Downy Woodpeckers and lots of Chickadees.

Lately there have been flocks of Dark Eyed Juncos foraging in the front and backyard. I'm very happy to see them, since they feed on the ground and I see them eating seeds from the clover that has taken over many of my paths and planting areas.

I know it's my own fault, because when I weed this clover it shoots seeds everywhere, so I feel like I'm doing more harm than good. I'm not just trying to justify not weeding. So I am happy to see the juncos disposing of the seeds for these evil weeds and enjoying a snack at the same time. Just another example of good delegating.

PS Cats are kept indoors while ground foragers are in the yard.

Winter Roses

Well, it's not really a rose, or even a flower. But something this beautiful in the garden is such a treat during the cold, damp, dark days of Oregon winter. These are Raddichio, planted last spring. These plants actually benefit from the colder temps. It enhances their color and makes them a little sweeter, not so bitter.

Cabbages also seem to be doing fine. I may need to bait for slugs pretty soon and I'm sure all the plants would benefit from a little fertilizer treat.

The Celery has made a valiant comeback since the freeze, and should be great into the spring and summer. Current edibles include Beets, Turnips, Kale, some of the hardier Lettuce, I think it is Miner's Lettuce, chives, which have just started to sprout, and Oregano, as always.

Although I have friends who are sure that spring is just around the corner because they saw a robin or because they took down their Christmas tree, I am not ready to get out the shorts and flip flops yet. I haven't seen any daffodils.

We still have most of January, all of February, March and April, the cruelest month, according to T.S. Eliot . “April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.”

Which reminds me, we aren't that far away from the arrival of lilac, with it's gorgeous fragrance.

Winter Jasmine and Forsythia are sporting their tiny yellow flowers. Columbine has started to send up exploratory shoots, and the tulips and Narcissus I planted last fall have sprouted. So even though I'm not ready to set myself up for the disappointment of yearning for spring in the middle of winter, I have begun to see signs that it may arrive eventually.

I Got Punk'd

...by my own chickens.

At some point this morning I became aware of a lack of squawking coming from the chicken coop. Usually they wake up eat a little chicken chow and start asking to be let out into the larger, open run. But this morning they were silent, ominously silent. I immediately imagined some awful carnage had taken place and it must be because of negligence on my part.

I approached cautiously and strained to hear any sounds coming from the coop. Nothing. I checked the latches and doors to see if any breach was visible. All appeared to be in order, but still no sounds.

Filled with dread at what I might find inside, I slipped the latch and slowly pulled the front door open, ready to fend off a sated raccoon if necessary.

And what did I find inside the coop? 1 warm egg and 3 calm, intact hens, with expressions on their faces as if to say "what?, we're just hanging out in the coop, why are you freaking out?" I think I saw one of them elbow the other and roll her eyes.

So I let them out, treated them to an extra big serving of cracked corn, as a way of acknowledging their brilliant prank. Pure genius, cunningly conceived and flawlessly executed. As good as The Sting.

And Now the Days Are Getting Longer

...or so they say. I know it's true, but it doesn't feel that way yet. One of the ways I like to drive my long suffering husband crazy is to constantly remark about the length of daylight compared to night. I say things like, "I've never seen so many sunrises in my life until we moved to Oregon, and it's not because I get up early". In no time I'll be complaining that it's 10pm and the sun is still shining.

The birds are making the most of the feeders lately, and now that the bird bath is thawed they can wash it all down with rainwater. Aaahh.

I haven't done much in the garden since the big freeze, except clean up some of the casualties. We had lots of rain after the thaw and some plants have begun to rebound, like mustard greens, turnips, parsley and a few of the lettuces look like they'll pull through. I used turnips in a braised short rib stew last night.

And inside, the Pimiento de Padron pepper is hamming it up like a hothouse flower. Still blooming and producing little cocktail peppers. Don't know why I never did this before, but this plant will have a huge head start when I bring it back outside once it warms up.

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

Winter Chill

Well up until just a few days ago there was still plenty to eat coming from the garden. Mustard greens, turnips, lettuces, kale, pea sprouts, beets, rapini, Chinese broccoli, chard, celery, oregano, and parsley. I know, I know, it all sounds little too healthy.

But a few days ago it turned cold, really cold, well really cold for Oregon. I can hear mid-westerners and east coasters chuckling. Really cold, really dry and really windy. Get out the chapstick. Last night it got down below 20 degrees and the water for the chickens was frozen, as was the birdbath, and hummingbird feeder.

Most all of the plants are slumped over, not looking very happy. And this just after I've been bragging about my "cold tolerant peppers". Well they don't look like they're cold tolerant enough. Luckily I brought some of them inside, where they seem to be quite comfortable.

I've put a heat lamp in the coop, just to knock a little of the chill off, especially since two of the birds have been molting. They are almost re-feathered, but I don't want their semi-naked butts to be too cold. The trouble is that they awake at about 5am and start to squawk, so I get up and turn off the light and go back to bed. And so do they, until dawn when I let them out to peck at the frozen ground.

Oh, and there were lot of these things in the garden too. Luckily I harvested before the freeze.

Jerusalem artichoke, or Sunchokes
We ate some in salads, and stir fry, and the rest of them became pickles, along with some cauliflower and onions. Sweet, sour, and very crisp.

The Little Hen Who Could...

CROW!

Yep, Queenie is broadening her repertoire to include not just contented clucking and the enthusiastic bawk bawk bawk bacaaaawk that announces the arrival of an egg, but a rooster-like cock a doodle do. Well she only makes it as far as cock a do...

It's kind of abbreviated, well more like strangled at the end. So far she only does it in the mornings, to notify me that she and her gal pals would like to be let out into the yard. Yes, my birds have trained me to rush outside and let them out into the yard to play and peck and scratch for the day. So these days I rise before they do, in the summer I get a real jump on the day, rising at 4:30 or 5. They wake when the sun comes up.

Since the weather is cold, the neighbors have their windows and doors closed. Only a few of them have confirmed hearing this strange sound. And neither of the other two hens seem interested in acquiring this new skill. But then Queenie is the top of the pecking order and they probably don't want to question her authority.

Recently she has stopped doing it everyday and is, perhaps, keeping it as a special party trick, just to be used on auspicious occasions. I've talked to a few other chicken owners and none of them have had this experience or heard of it.

Maybe it's time to call Animal Planet to see if there is money to be made from this animal anomaly. Of course as soon as I sign the contract she will refuse to crow ever again.

Cute Fruit

This is, quite possibly, the most adorable vegetable I have ever grown. Although it is technically classified as a fruit, allowing my, oh so clever title. Everything about them is miniature, which I find irresistible. Tiny curlicue climbing tendrils, itty bitty yellow flowers, and small, ivy-like leaves. And the fruits themselves look just like a watermelon, perfect for Tom Thumb.

They are bite-sized, crunchy, and just the slightest bit sour.

This is another treat from Territorial Seeds. It's the Mexican Sour Gherkin, listed in their catalog under "Novelty Cucumbers".

Were I in the business of coaxing children to eat vegetables I would use this as a secret weapon. And I feel justified in writing about these dainty treats on the cusp of November, because the plants are still bearing fruit. I don't know of too many cukes that can accomplish that feat this late in the season.