bits and bobs: A random assortment of things; small remaining pieces and things
Good things come to those who wait. And who like surprises, and sometimes even pay for things sight unseen. CHECK OUT THE MUG the insanely talented potter Sue Tirrell made for me. Ain’t she a beauty?
Back in January I asked Sue if she would make me one of her fabulous mugs when she had some extra time. I asked for something with a chicken, some flowers and HAPPY colors. Those were my only requests. I even told her I didn’t even want to know what the mug looked like until it arrived on my doorstep.
And holy cats Batman, the mug Sue made for me was more than I could have hoped for and more. My morning cuppa will be a delight in this beauty.
The totally unnecessary product my husband bought. Giant baby wipes. He thought they’d be perfect for The Girl to use after her marathon. I just looked at him and said a washcloth with a squirt of soap on it in a zip baggie would have done the trick. But what do I know? I’m only the person who is responsible for purchasing 99% of the household goods around here. I guess this is proof that husbands should never be responsible for “luxury items.” Am I right? Who’s with me on this?
Not having a garbage disposal, is kind of a drag. Although it’s not much, I find myself freezing our food waste until garbage day and then tossing it in the garbage bag right before we get rid of our trash. Our new home has a septic system, but so did our last two places and those both had garbage disposals so we are trying to decide if we should install a disposal or not. Then again, maybe we should just get a pig. That would totally solve the food scrap problem, right? 😉
We still don’t have a riding lawn mower yet, or a snow blower for that matter and the HH is having a hard time trying to decide if we should get a mower and a blower or some sort of little farm tractor with attachments. Personally, I think some sort of front loader to haul dirt and rocks around the property would come in handy. But what do I know? I’m just the little woman.
This weekend we are going to go look at machines. This is totally the HH’s department so I have no idea what he’s looking for exactly, but I told him we aren’t getting any younger and I have zero desire to push anything {especially in the snow} so if we are going to do this, we need to get it right. The neighbor guy across from us has a small John Deer with some sort of cart on the back that looks pretty clever. All I know is the lawn in going to need to be mowed here in the next few weeks and unless he wants to get out there and use the push mower… he better hurry up and make a decision soon.
Shake Shack. Kinda like In-N-Out but instead of shoestring fries they’re crinkle cut. If you find yourself in Boston, YOU MUST get a burger!
And take the time to walk down the “tree streets” and admire all the window boxes and planters people so lovingly put together.
Pussy willows were big and almost everyone had them in their planters.
This dog. I’m pretty sure she’d sleep with the baby chicks in the stock tank at night if we’d let her. She adore’s her babies and is constantly checking on them.
I’ll tell you one thing though, even though my order form said this day old chick was a black australop, I am having some serious doubts. As in 99% sure we were sent something else. But what could if be?
Anyone care to take a guess as to what this little lady is? I tried looking at all the baby chick photos on mypetchicken but I didn’t see a single one that was yellow with black stripes on it’s wings. I thought maybe it could be a barred plymouth rock but the chick pictures on their site are showing birds with black feathers, not yellow.
And last but not least… It’s snowing… again this morning. It’s a good thing I planted strawberries yesterday. 😉 Ahhh New England, your weather is so crazy and unpredictable. I love it.
Have a great Thursday everyone, enjoy the day and stay out of trouble!
~Mavis
Mrs. C. says
I grew up with septic and we have it now. Our protocol: nothing goes down the drain that can’t be composted. If it can’t be composted, it goes in the trash. The garbage disposal is used only to get rid of any small remnants of scrap that make it down the drain. They’re not very expensive, and I know that COSTCO also sells them by mail from time to time.
Lynne says
I planted my onion transplants yesterday and woke up to snow, too! You got to love New England. Hopefully they will survive.
Stephanie from Utah says
Beautiful mug! I’m thinking maybe your chick is an Ameracauna. My Ameracauna has extra fluffy cheeks like that, and there’s lots of color variation in the breed. The My Pet Chicken description of Splash Ameracaunas say they tend to have splashes of black feathers on the wings and tail.
Danni says
We have septic and disposal. Husband does not let me put things in it. What ever. I just throw everything in the chicken yard. They LOVE scraps.
Tractor with mower needs lawn tires. Which won’t help during winter. We have riding mower and tractor. Took us 9 years to buy a tractor as they are so spendy and I’m cheap. But taking care of ten acres without it was hard!
Ali b says
I would recommend a snow blower. Our neighbor has a plow on an ATV but sometimes the snow is too heavy or high for him to push. Blowing the snow also keeps the driveway edges from becoming snow mountains.
Kara says
Three things-
That mug is incredible! Beautiful.
That picture of Lucy is the best, so adorable.
I think you are the only one that’s excited about the snow. LOL! I am so glad I moved to SC a month ago. They are still getting measurable snow where I moved from in western NY. My green bean plants are already sprouting here. And we found a fig tree and blueberry bushes in our backyard. Yahoo!!
Shirley Curtis says
Definitely go for the tractor with attachments! We have one plus a small push mower for fiddely places but as we age we use it less and less and alter the landscaping to fit the tractor.
Julie says
I agree with Shirley. We have a small Kubota that has a front end loader, a belly mower attachment for the yard and a tiller attachment for the back. I love it. It’s small enough to get around our property, easy enough for me to manage, and oh so useful….especially the loader…saves my back and holds so much more than a wheelbarrow. The tiller does a nice job prepping the garden.
Lisa L says
I second a Kubota! They are less money than a John Deere especially if you get a tractor. Kubota sells a small tractor that has a mower attachment and you can get a loader and a scraper (snow mover) for about the price of a cheap car. They have great warranties. It’s so nice to not have to move yards of dirt/bark etc by hand anymore.
Stacy says
Yes- we have a kubota, too. Ours has a big mower deck and a front loader. My hubby removes the mower deck during winter and the few times we need a plow in the winter months, he lowers the bucket and drives in reverse to “plow” the drive.
Karin says
The mug is gorgeous! Your right, that chick is definitely not a black australorp. I’m guessing ameraucana of easter egger. They come in a variety of colors and many have patterns like you see coming in on your chick. They also tend to have greenish legs like your girl.
Karin says
or not of
Judy Johnson says
I agree that your chick is an Easter Egger. It has the proper shank color and puffy cheek down; many of them hatch out in this pretty pattern of white and black. It is not an Australorp as those are solid black chicks, nor is it Barred Rock. Barred Rocks are black at hatch with light spots on their heads that serve as sexing indicators-like sex links, but not quite as easy to determine, and their shanks and feet are pink with a black wash over the skin. The pullets have a darker black wash than the males. Spitzhauben has been suggested, but those have gray shanks. Everything about your chick looks like an Easter Egger to me. We are in the poultry business, so I kind of know what I am looking at. Most Easter Eggers lay blue or green eggs, but can lay tinted or pink; once in a while, an EE will lay plain old light brown eggs. I think your chicks are very lucky little gals.
Laura T. says
That mug is beautiful! Winter won’t quit in Illinois either. I woke up during the night & looked outside to find it snowing. It looked like there was about 2 inches of snow on the ground. It’s finally sunny today so it’s melting fast! My spring flowers are trying to bloom but keep drooping from the cold! They perk up for a bit but then start drooping again! It looks like it will be getting better outside soon! I don’t know anything about chicks but that one is just adorable!!! So is the chick’s guardian angel that’s watching! :0)
Sue R. says
RE: Machine: we have a DR Powerwagon–which is a motorized cart/wheelbarrow. It’s great for moving dirt, rocks, firewood, etc without the hassle of a tractor/trailer. We’ve had ours 20+ years and wouldn’t be without it. We are frugal but often say if this breaks–we’ll get another.
Sandy says
That was my first though: how wonderful that he thought of her and wanted to get something “special” to help her with her goal. What a great father!
Sandy says
My comment was supposed to follow the lady talking about the wipes for the marathon!!! LOL
FarmGirl says
I think the DH was sweet to be thinking of the girl and buy her something he thinks she could use. There aren’t a lot of dads out there that are considerate like that. You are a lucky woman!
ann in E. oregon says
I agree! Your husband seems very thoughtful and kind…
Anita says
I agree. That was a sweet gesture. You’re a lucky woman and The Girl is lucky to have such a thoughtful dad.
Pat says
I too agree. Lucky women.
Sata says
I agree. He actually thought of her. I would praise it, even if I considered it a waste of money. In this case it was actually useful, even you don’t consider it frugal.
Teri says
I was warned not to put anything solid down the drain and to use biodegradable “safe for septic” products exclusively. Did you have to get your septic tank pumped often at your other homes?
Love the mug. Fits in nicely with your rug hooking design.
Brianna says
My husband uses those wipes (different brand) a lot, but he also works overseas and may not get a shower for days or have questionable hygiene facilities. He loves them because they are thick, he can throw them away, and he can get a good clean feeling in all of the stinky areas and get rid of the odors. I use them for the kids and I when we go camping and they are good for sensitive skin.
For snow removal I use a quad with a plow blade and I also have a small snow blower for walkways. I have a trailer I pull behind it that can lift up to pour stuff out and has a small tailgate to do other yard work with. When it comes to moving I have a wide self propelled mower because a riding mower would be too much for our yard. Unfortunately, I have an infestation of voles in it and they have consumed all of my grass over the winter. We didn’t know until the snow melted and I have a huge yard full of tunnels, dirt, and dead grass. I’m seriously thinking of running my tiller through the lawn now since I have no lawn left.
Jenny says
I say riding mower with cart attachment! You can always make nice with the neighbors who have bigger tractors for bigger jobs! We have 2 “neighbors” (we all have at least 8 acres) and we just borrow one of theirs if big jobs are needing to be done. But, my husband is still pushing to get one of his own….they are fun to use, my 9 year old drives/operates it!
Jennifer Jo says
Just dig a hole and dump your scraps. My friend keeps a shovel by the door and buries scraps all through her flower gardens.
Leslie says
I tried this because a friend said he did it, but the rats found everything!
Terri says
Love your chicken mug!
I’m not a chicken expert, but I’ve heard any food grains or vegetables are a welcome treat for chickens. You might consider a compost heap to reduce the food scraps.
Those big wipes look like something awesome to keep in your vehicle. You know, for messy fast food meals, spilled drinks and dirty hands 🙂
Gail says
Hi Mavis,
We live on a couple acres in a climate like yours. We ended up with a skid loader, a powerful 4 wheeler (with an attachable blade for snow) and a huge sit down mower (husband is obsessed with it and loves to mow??) Anyways, we use all 3 items a lot, and it’s helpful if the skid loader has an issue, we can still count on the 4 wheeler for snow removal. The skid loader has been so helpful for many reasons as well, it’s very handy, and ours is 30 years old!
Lisa says
Both my in laws and I have septic systems. While I do not have a garbage disposal, they do (and it was installed by a plumber). On a side note, I live in a french speaking area and they refer to the garbage disposal as “the pig” (but of course in french). It is a good idea to freeze your waste (whatever you don’t compost or give to your chickens) otherwise you’ll attract the raccoons or bears.
We just purchased a Kioti lawn tractor with snowblower and bucket attachments. It has a 5 ft mower deck. Just a note not to get too big a tractor because it will make ruts in your lawn.
Stephanie says
Hi Mavis,
My husband made a food digester years ago and it has added to the richness of our garden soil and makes you feel great when you realize your household isn’t wasting anything. We have 3 garbage cans with holes punched in them halfway up which are buried halfway in the ground. My husband built a heavy-duty wooden cover with a lid around the cans to keep critters out. When one can is full, we place our scraps in the next can while the scraps break down. We end up with rich food for our organic garden and feel good about 0 waste. I’ve included a link for you to check out. This is SO down your alley!
http://www.seattletilth.org/learn/resources-1/compost/HomemadeFoodDigester.pdf
All the best~
Janet says
You should not have a garbage disposal with a septic system. It is very costly to fix problems with your septic tank or drain field. Food products should never go in your septic tank. Take care of your septic tank and drain field. It is not worth the expense. They will need to be replaced sooner.
I think you are referring to meat scraps. They go in the garbage.
Sarah says
I would suggest a small tractor with a good 3 point hitch. That way you can work all the attachments you want, including lots of garden ones.
On the chick…. I’d say it looks like a Spitzhauben to me. Great chickens if you free range as they are very ‘predator aware’ and they do well in cold climates.
Kitty says
I LOVE the CHICKEN MUG! I collect ceramic CHICKENS. Does she make them for anyone? Can you post her info?
thank you!
Enjoy your tea!
Mavis Butterfield says
https://suetirrellceramics.com/
bobbi says
We are on septic and have a disposal. Do they warn against that? lol. Never knew. It seems to work just fine.
Good luck. Really lovin this adventure of yours! Thanks for the weeded tool tips too!
Teri says
I think it may cause the septic tank to have to be pumped more often. But I have heard of people having to pump their tank every year or so which is not something I want to do.
Tracy says
Lucy watching her chicks is too cute. As far as husbands spending money, I figure if you did your own nails then you have room to roll your eyes at him, but if you paid someone for the manicure then you have noooo room to complain!
Mavis Butterfield says
I haven’t owned a bottle of nail polish since high school. 😉 But…. there is that wool collection.
Tracie@SomewhatAwry.com says
Lol!
Keralee says
Chickens are omnivores and will joyfully fight over all meat and fat scraps plus eat most other food scraps. Anything they dont like gets into compost pile with their poops and bedding…then the dear girls turn the compost for me and gobble up the bugs and worms. Free feed. Fantastic eggs. Much faster compost cycle. Fertile garden on the “cheep.” It all starts with a few birds and table scraps. I never buy fertilizers!
Taryn says
We have chickens (in New Zealand) and some are barred rocks. They are black when they hatch and the stripped feathers come in from that. But we’ve had a few crosses/throwbacks that start off white and then get the stripes, so maybe that is what yours are? Someone told me that white is a colour that crossbred poultry ‘reverts’ back to. Love the breeds you have, as we don’t have as many here. What we do have can be quite different as well, because bringing a new breed into the country hasn’t really happened for many years due to quarantine costs.
Gwenn says
With the greenish/slate colored legs & poofy cheeks, I’m being you got an extra Easter Egger chick.
Stephanie Croquez says
Your beautiful mugs reminds of the primitive rug hooking! Great choice. So we bought a weekend lake house in the poconos and also have a septic and I wanted a garbage disposal and was told no no way and I pouted until the neigbor, who had decided to put a garbage disposal and had a ça y back up, pump stop and pipe issue costing them over $14,000. So I happily got over my garbage disposal need.
Susan says
I know it’s auto correct, but I’ll always wonder,
until you explain what
a “ça y back up” was supposed to say.
LauraS says
Left my big, beautiful New England colonial and moved to New Mexico a few years ago. But do miss the easy composting we did and the black gold that I could put on my gardens. Septic system = NO DISPOSAL. But that’s a win for you, your septic system, and the garden. 🙂
Deborah says
We have a septic take and a garbage disposal. I use mine some. No meats or potato peels though. I do use it, not a whole lot. We have a grease trap and 2 five gallon tanks. Thank goodness, we’ve never had to have it cleaned out, yet.
Tammy says
Compost! Even in the winter. Then you won’t have anything to run down a disposal anyhow. 🙂 I only run my disposal to clean it out (stuff slips down there), never purposely to get rid of kitchen scraps. We live in SC now and the compost pile composts down so much faster than when we lived in MI. But even so, we composted in MI and got a lot of good compost for our garden. I would trudge through the snow to put it on the pile!
Heather in Idaho! says
Beautiful mug. The size is great!
I Say Bravo to your dear husband! He is a giver with a big heart! I get “interesting” gifts from my husband sometimes. I need to show my gratefulness and appreciation. I think if I didn’t, I’d hurt his feelings and he might hesitate the next time he feels like buying something for me “just because.”
Your daughter is blessed with a dear father!
Elaine says
I wholeheartedly agree with you! Sometimes (often?) guys miss the mark with gifts but when you look further you’ll often see they’re always thoughtful, even if a bit “odd”. My 12yr old son is already there…he’ll give me a gift and in my head I’m like “whaaaat???” and then he’ll proceed to tell me his whole thought process and then I realize it’s perfect! He’ll be buying giant wipes one day, I’m sure! Ha
Tracy says
I think I may have missed the post on why you do not compost? It seems so much a part of how you do things, I figured you already did! We have chickens and gardens and compost-it’s a nice cycle and definitely cuts down on what you throw out!
Helen in Meridian says
I think the HOA she lived under would not allow anyone to compost.
Torry says
My grandfather always put their garbage into the freezer until pick up day. He would wrap it in newspaper and say to me, “Don’t ever defrost the newspaper stuff, because it is garbage!.”
I remember how upset he was once when a butcher wrapped his purchase, first in butcher paper, and then in newspaper. Grandpa made him take the newspaper off!
renay says
Where can i get one of those mugs? They are beautiful!
Mavis Butterfield says
https://suetirrellceramics.com/
Gina says
That mug! And did I spy a pic of you on Sue Tirrel’s instagram?! You must have made a pitstop en route. Nice!
Rajena says
Hi Mavis! I didn’t have time to look up all the pics of your chicks but I think you have some of your chicks switched around in your post about them. It looks like the chick labeled Easter Egger is your golden cuckoo maran, your black austrolorp is your splash americauna, and your golden cuckoo maran is your black austrolorp. That is as far as I have gotten looking up pictures though because my alarm has told me I need to get my kids up for school. This was just a quick lookup of pictures so I could be wrong but hopefully this info helps. You have picked out some beautiful breeds though. Have a great day!
Pat says
We have a septic system and a disposal. Ours is an aerator system with no field so I don’t know if that makes a difference. Feed anything that can’t be composted to the chickens and compost the rest. I LOVE the mug!
Becky says
That mug is gorgeous!!!
Tamara says
You definently need a Kubota tractor/mower. 2 of our neighbors have them and I am green with envy.
I’m going with Easter Egger for you chick. I breed and show Ameraucanas and its coloring doesn’t look like splash or wheaton varieties…..so yeah. Easter Egger gets my vote! Especially with the beard and muffs!
Jenny Young says
Oh my I love the mug! I browsed her site & honestly did not see any I loved as much as yours. What a treasure.
If you have enough land & don’t have bears…you could bury your food waste. That’s what we do.
We have a small John Deer tractor/riding mower with attachments & it works well for us. Ours is small but they are super tough.
CathyB says
We have a septic system in a cold weather climate and never use our disposal. One thing with places that have long cold winters is that you don’t get enough warm weather to warm up the soil and naturally break down organics that get into your septic system. So I would say it is not worth the potential cost of fixing your septic to use the disposal. Besides, you have chickens now, so they should take care of most of your kitchen scraps!
As for snow removal, IMO snowblowers are a lot more work than a 4-wheeler or small tractor with a blade. We fought with a snowblower for several years and finally got a 4-wheeler and wonder now why it took us so long. The bonus is that it can also be used for so much more around the property. We have a dump trailer that can haul all sorts of stuff around! Plus it is fun for hubby to drive, so snow removal happens much more quickly now. He can hardly wait for it to snow deep enough to get out and play with it!
It looks like you are having fun and also have your hands full. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us!