A Mother's Day Giveaway for the BIRDS

Dear friends,
A little birdie told me where to find the perfect Mother's Day gift ( for the mom who loves country living) and I found it for you. There's no sweeter sound than that of birds singing in the garden in springtime. What better way to welcome them back to your little patch of earth than with an original Scrap Wood Swirl Birdhouse created by blogger/designer/gardener, my gal pal from Texas, Carole West of  Garden Up Green.


 I love checking in on Carole to see what she's building from time to time. That girl can make anything she sets her mind to and I love her Garden Up Green Style.There's no end to her imaginative ideas for creating projects for the home and garden, naturally.
I can't thank Carole enough for doing this generous giveaway for us! Whoever wins will be the recipient of a lovely garden treasure.

Thank you, Carole!
Leave a comment to enter and go say howdy to Carole on Facebook. Tell her I sent ya!
GOOD LUCK everyone.

What kinds of backyard birds do you feed in your neck of the woods? 

PS. Carole will gladly ship anywhere in the US.
Deb

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 194

Welcome back to the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop! Where farmgirls from far and wide gather to strut their stuff in all things  homesteading, DIY, traditional crafts and skills and yummy recipes from the BEST homestead kitchens! Check out our Farmgirl Friday Kitchen Pinterest Board. You'll find over over 400 down home recipes. You're sure to find something deliciously homemade whether it be a main dish, desert or appetizer. If it's canning information you're looking for there's plenty of that too!

Something else farmgirls are very good at is re-purposing. It's in our blood I think! I was bowled over by the amazing piano table Lyn Moon from Re purposed for Life blog created! It reminded me of an old piano my in-laws have in their entry hall that would be amazing as a keepsake for a family member who wanted to take on such a challenge. Hm? I just might know someone!

What a beautiful way to preserve a family heirloom or show off your love of music in your home. And what a creative conversation starter, too!

What's new in your farmgirl world this week? Let it all hang out with Debbie  ( who is off enjoying some family time with her adorable grandson and dog sitting ) and I and we'll see you on the hop!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJane Butters

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 193 and Easter Quiche

  Happy Farmgirl Friday and Happy Easter too! 

Have you been busy this week planning your Easter Menu?

 We're going to a pot-luck Easter Brunch and I'm bringing our favorite Bacon, Egg and Cheese quiche! It's fast and easy to make the morning of and transports well in a vintage pie basket or in a cooler if you're traveling long distances.

 Deb's Easter Quiche

• 7 medium sized eggs
•  3/4 cup half and half
• 1 cup Monterrey jack cheese
• 1/2 pound bacon 
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• dash of red pepper flakes
• one prepared pie crust ( or homemade)

 Preheat oven to 350
Mix eggs and milk in a large bowl or glass pitcher. Cook bacon and set aside to cool. Once it's cool enough tear it into bite sized pieces. Add cheese, salt and pepper to egg mixture and stir until blended well. Pour into crust and sprinkle the top with red pepper flakes.
Place the quiche on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven on the center rack.
Bake 40 - 50 minutes or until egg mixture is nice and browned.
Serve warm or cold!

 Tammy Taylor of Taylor Made Ranch blog shared her  Homemade Country Style BUTTERMILK Biscuits last week and I think they would make a wonderful side to ANY quiche or even a yummy midnight snack with hot melted butter and grape jelly!  Thank you, Tammy!

 Debbie and I look forward to seeing what you're up to for Easter so don't be shy! Enter your posts and share the link to this blog hop with all of your blogging friends.

You don't have to live on a farm to be a farmgirl!

Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJaneButters

Fun With Chicken Feathers

 

While doing some sprucing up for spring this weekend, I came across a collection of chicken feathers I've saved from our little flock. We've kept several different breeds over the years. I just love studying the different colors and patterns of chicken feathers!   

Can you guess what some of them were by looking at the photo above?

Nature is the ultimate designer when it comes to color, form and pattern. Artists enjoy working with chicken feathers as a medium too! I'm sure you've seen some of the beautiful artwork and jewelery being created today inspired by our feathered friends. 

I simply wanted to enjoy my little collection of chicken feathers so I arranged them in an antique creamer and placed them on my buffet in our kitchen where I can see them everyday.

It makes me smile to look at them and reminds me of the old adage, 
" Some Days Chickens, Some Days Feathers."

The top photo is a little sedum plant that was given to me by a fellow chicken keeper and friend. She tucked a feather into the pot for an added touch of whimsy and after the long winter we've had that's just what this girl needed! 

Do you collect feathers from your flock too? 

What do you like to do with them?

I'm sharing this post on the Simple Saturdays Blog Hop!
 Check it out for more great posts on simple lessons in Self Reliance