Transforming the backyard garden...

Rob tilled up the garden...we planted more lettuce and wheat.  There is still kale growing, it's green with purple undertones.  The girls each got a red oak seedling about 5 years ago at the library, they are both very pretty now...their leaves have turned a reddish hue.

Our tomatoes are ripening up...one week of sitting on the windowsill!
P.S. We got our Christmas cards from Shutterfly (I won a $50 gift card on Jamie's blog!) and have been signing each one, address them to friends and family.  

I know it seems early, but last year I started preparing for Christmas in November, too. Get ready for your own a book-a-day countdown...we started last year and ♥ it, better and more meaningful than a chocolate calendar!

Just molting...

Well, this past week, I was surprised that Nutmeg, our Rhode Island Red, hadn't laid an egg....since she started laying eggs last November, she'd been a consistent layer.  Everyday about 1 o'clock she'd have a pretty brown egg there for us. 

Then, I got really worried as I went out the backdoor and down the steps and saw a bunch of feathers!  Oh, no!  Had there been an attack?   

Chickens, however, molt, that means they loose their feathers and new ones will grow in, yearly.  During that time, which can be a few months, they do not lay eggs.  Here is a great description of exactly what goes on:  http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

Rob tilled up the overgrown lettuce and radishes, then planted more lettuce and swiss chard seeds.

She loves to eat kale leaves and seeds.  And I picked another Poona Kheera cucumber today: