tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66365185896776765842024-03-05T04:37:58.799-08:00The Bull's PenHaving fun doing a little bit of everything with the Bull family.The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-7481151551371668272018-04-29T12:12:00.001-07:002018-04-29T12:19:44.189-07:00Team Clover Learns Fly Fishing <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although we are having a Bug Themed 4-H year our members still wanted to take a fishing trip. With fishing season just staring to open in our area who wouldn't want to go fishing. Plus we practically live on the banks of the Delaware River so fishing in our area is kind of a must do. So what a better way to tie fishing into learning about bugs then to learn about "Fly Fishing". And who better to teach the members then someone who's job is literally doing guided fishing/hunting tours like Ryan Fifield from Fifield Outfitters.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/team-clover-learns-fly-fishing.html">Thank you Ryan Fifield from Fifield Outfitters for teaching Team Clover to fly fish.</a></td></tr>
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First of all I just want to say that Team Clover was very lucky to be able to have this presentation and we can not thank him enough. Everything was very nicely set up and the members all learned a ton about fly fishing from Ryan. We started off with some basic info, learning about fly fishing, the poles/equipment needed and then went right into learning about fly fishing on a drift boat. It was a great learning experience for members and their families that attended as well. Of course everyone wanted a turn on the boat even though it wasn't in the water so we had to take time for that and they were more then happy to oblige us the photo opp.<br />
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Keeping with our bug themed 4-H year the Fifield's also set up a nice display of local bugs and the fishing flies that represented each that we may encounter when we are fly fishing the Delaware River. Members all had the opportunity to see each of the flies and were a bit surprised that the tied flies didn't look exactly as the bug itself did but would still catch the fish. As a gift from the Fifields each member was also presented with a beginner fly fishing book and a "hatch chart" which would tell them when to expect which bugs to be on the river. During this part of the presentation lots of questions were asked and answered. It was very informative and we can not thank them enough for all the information and help. Oh and the great books too.</div>
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And since no fishing class is complete without actually learning to fish Ryan took each member and showed them the how to properly cast a fly pole into the water. Obviously the members all enjoyed their turns and though none had ever done it before we had quite a few "naturals" when it came to casting the line. Who knows maybe we sparked a new generation of fly fishing men/women? I know its on my kids list of wants to do again. </div>
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Team Clover really enjoyed this opportunity and hopefully some day we can have then back to work with us again. I heard lots of members saying how they wanted to fly fish after this presentation, one family talked about a birthday gift for their member and a friend possibly taking a fishing trip with Fifield Outfitters as well. It truly was a fishing experience that members will remember for years to come. </div>
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Special Thank going out to Ryan Fifield to the members 5th Grade Teacher Mrs. Fifield as they took the time from their very busy schedules to help teach Team Clover about fly fishing. It is a great treat for the club to have such an amazing community to help us in our many adventures we have in 4-H. Knowing we have locals in our community like the Fifields who are willing to help teach these members about what they know makes where we live even better.</div>
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Thinking about taking a fly fishing trip on the Delaware River yourself? Then I recommend you stop by Fifield Outfitters website or facebook pages (links below) and check into one of their guided trips, I'm sure you wont be sorry.</div>
<a href="http://www.fifieldoutfitter.com/">www.fifieldoutfitter.com</a> or at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Fifield-Outfitters">www.facebook.com/Fifield-Outfitters</a>The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-12192033023132205942018-04-18T08:39:00.000-07:002018-04-18T08:39:54.253-07:00Earth Day Projects With 4-H<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/p/4-h-fun.html">Team Clover</a> met in April with only one thing in mind Earth Day! We wanted to do our part and that meant that every project had to be about helping our amazing planet. We also wanted to stick to our "bug" theme for the year.<br />
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So with bugs the theme our first recycling project was making <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/earth-day-project-recycled-bugs.html">Mason Bee Homes</a>. That would have been enough to stick to the "bug" theme of the year but we went a little farther and made the cans we recycled also look like bugs too. Members painted their choice of bug on their can, while the paint dried members had the tedious job of rolling and rolling paper tube inserts to fill toilet paper rolls that would later be inserted into the cans. <br />
This was a great Earth Day Project as we recycled, reused or used left over items from other projects for the entire project. The paint, glue, eyes, screws and even the sticks were left overs from other projects. The cans, newspaper, tp rolls and wings were all recycled for this project. Nothing new was added to the Earth that needed removing later other then adorable bug garden art and who wouldn't want these in their gardens.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPwiRsg2NjZne7eAocUvIgeks75PST1K13AmM7F5Ew0MK0qIs3wEgJU0FXGj9TzkwkHOZqpugH6R_lP17Mo1LluoUzy1eOO7altcI_NNd8hXaA0ET271uVMykWhYecZohbHSMVzaQkkY/s1600/IMG_2271%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPwiRsg2NjZne7eAocUvIgeks75PST1K13AmM7F5Ew0MK0qIs3wEgJU0FXGj9TzkwkHOZqpugH6R_lP17Mo1LluoUzy1eOO7altcI_NNd8hXaA0ET271uVMykWhYecZohbHSMVzaQkkY/s200/IMG_2271%255B1%255D.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzpAiecpFKXnQFq22YiNr6hXanUkW1Rrfw9AICgIUzHe-QKaiT1XqsV8A5Zoj993X_CBQ_qWt4rBodc-fhG5R2bbEa_1OJce7MCdHhrpSwfuUNEug9_78ZfrBS3Y-b4Mw69GXKndUchg/s1600/IMG_2273%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzpAiecpFKXnQFq22YiNr6hXanUkW1Rrfw9AICgIUzHe-QKaiT1XqsV8A5Zoj993X_CBQ_qWt4rBodc-fhG5R2bbEa_1OJce7MCdHhrpSwfuUNEug9_78ZfrBS3Y-b4Mw69GXKndUchg/s200/IMG_2273%255B1%255D.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKl4FQhGplSJBeaK6Mb_mX5kXiFAdi6M0JE9cwF4FHiRGeTn4OqSG2RnEOEeOvsGuC_iOO9QsOW96cRsGv37XfcJJkFr7J4r9uccQEcGjI8yRtW6NqFiuMjfZV4nOlVvBhnI5lUN68SM/s1600/IMG_2281%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKl4FQhGplSJBeaK6Mb_mX5kXiFAdi6M0JE9cwF4FHiRGeTn4OqSG2RnEOEeOvsGuC_iOO9QsOW96cRsGv37XfcJJkFr7J4r9uccQEcGjI8yRtW6NqFiuMjfZV4nOlVvBhnI5lUN68SM/s200/IMG_2281%255B1%255D.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Another fun recycling project we did while paint dried on our cans was making Funny Face Planters. These were a pretty simple project. Members used the same glue and eyes from the other project to attach to recycled snack size containers and then drew on the rest of the face with permanent markers. Members then filled them with organic soil and then chose which seeds to plant in them. They could either choose grass seeds to add fun hair to their planter or Nasturtium flower seeds to feed the mason bees once they moved in their houses or they could replant their <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/leprechaun-traps.html">Leprechaun Trap Garden</a> plants in them when they got home. I think most members chose the flower seeds as we did not have any left.....feeding those pollinators and sticking to a bug theme, love it :)<br />
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If you wondering we used? Our containers are Pringles snack size containers as we had enough of them but any pudding or jello cups would work too. Even a recycled bottle would work but I would recommend that you shy away from any that may have had chemicals, perfumes or dyes in them as we were planting seeds in them.<br />
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Our last fun recycling project and yes were were still waiting for paint to dry on some of our bug cans, was making decorative household storage containers. Using regular shampoo/body wash containers that most homes have and kitchen scissors we cut them to the decorative shapes we wanted. Members were then given the option to use stickers, markers or even modge podge some fabric on them to decorate them. This recycling project is really very quick once your containers are cleaned out. It is also a great way to clean up small clutter, hold pens, pencils or paintbrushes and even work great as cell phone holders.<br />
I am a big "waste not want not" kind of person so I recommend that since we all know you never get all soap out even after you rinse them in the shower be sure after you take your lids off to drain any extra substance into your new bottle rather then just wasting the last bits.<br />
*side not- these take a while to rinse out and they still have a prefumy smell to them even after cleaning so that is one reason I would not recommend these for the funny face planters above. I'm sure there a many more uses for these then the photos below but here are 2 ways they are being used in my house after our meeting.<br />
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These were all very easy projects other then asking kids to wait for stuff to dry as that's never easy. If you are looking for fun easy Earth Day projects I definitely recommend these. <br />I know most of the items we used are recyclable and would (or should) not end up taking up space in a landfill or floating in our oceans but now we can be sure of that as they all have homes with us. <br />The mason bees will be happy to have a nice home and will hopefully pollinate our nasturtium plants and other garden items and I now have a nice place to keep my hole puncher that I am constantly looking for. But the best part of this is that many members were in awe of what could be made from something they would normally toss.<br />And these projects don't have to be just Earth Day projects. Need a quick gift for your mom for Mothers Day, well she would just about love any of them. Or how about a decorative holder for dad to fill with tools, nails/screws or even pens at his desk for Fathers Day. <br />
The sky is the limit with these projects and you can have the satisfaction of knowing you are doing your part to save the plant.<br />Happy Earth Day 2018<br />
<br />The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-20907105248513963012018-04-15T09:10:00.002-07:002018-04-15T09:10:48.915-07:00RoboRaveAnd the winner is......<br />
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.....the Oldest Daughter!!!! Congratulations on your 1st place medal at RoboRave!!! Excellent Job!!!! Yahoo!!!!! We are so proud of you!!!!! And every other great saying out there!!!!!<br />
Not just because you won a medal but even better, because you stuck with something you didn't like at first, tried hard and succeeded!<br />
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There are lots of words to describe the Oldest Daughter. She is kind, she is caring, sweet, helpful and the list goes on and on.<br />Another great word you could use to describing her is "Heart". She has a heart of gold and is always putting everyone's feeling first. She will go out of her way to be nice to someone and just does so many amazing things for everyone. Another reason "Heart" describes her is because she puts her heart into everything she does and actually cares about what the outcome will be.<br />
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Even with all those descriptive words I would have to say the best descriptive word for her is "Determined". She is determined to succeed in everything she does. She is determined to finish (and finish well) and she will give it everything she has to do so. And she is determined to do it all with a kind loving heart.<br />Seriously we are very proud to be her parents. Not many children are such all around nice people and she makes us prouder and prouder every day, no medals required.<br />
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But when the opportunity comes along where she can use her heart and determination to succeed for herself, then we will encourage her even more to do so as she deserves it.<br />
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And now you thinking what does this all have to do with RoboRave? Well back at the beginning of the school year she started Robotics Class and lets just say she was not a fan of it at all. She tried hard like she always does but could just not get where she wanted to be with the class or her grades. A girls who is used to all 90+ for grades and then a 70something grade in this class did not set well with her at all. Of course as her parents and knowing how already amazing she is the grade did not matter to us as much as it did her. We are smart enough to know not everyone is a robo genius and if that was not her strong spot then so be it......<br />
......Fast forward two marking periods to last week and a very excited girl coming home explaining to her parents that if she was able to get her project done before another student that she would be able to go to Robowave that weekend? What, Wait, Hold on? Where? <br />
Okay, knowing how robotics class was going to begin with and not really making a focus of it to keep her from getting to upset about it, lets just say we were not expecting that at all from her. Guess she has had a change of "heart" for robotics class and her determination to succeed at everything worked out to be great character traits to have as she has come a long way in that class, even if her parents were unaware of it. <br />
So you guessed it already but she got her robot built first (which she was determined to do) so her and one other student from her class were off to Robowave, which is a competition for students to compete with other students on how well they can build, design, and program robots to do a variety of tasks. With 20 teams that competed at the competition coming home with a 1st place medal is quite an achievement for the two of them. And the fact that they used the robot that she built made this victory just a little bit more special to her.<br />
Now I'm not going to lie, I was shocked when she even wanted to go. Knowing how it was going before in robotics class we gave her the its okay if you don't do great, just try lecture parents give. But I can say that we sure are proud of her for going. We are proud of her for putting her heart and determination into Robotics. We are proud of her for not giving up!<br />Yes, we are proud of her medal but more importantly we are proud of her and we are proud to be the parents of such a determined girl with a loving heart! <br />Congratulations Sweetie!The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-42904949959750488212018-04-15T07:10:00.001-07:002018-04-15T09:13:49.882-07:00April 15th, 2018And just like that the first 2 weeks of April are gone already. The weather was not quite nice, we did have April Showers but they were in the form of Snow showers....UGH! But April showers whether rain or snow still managed to peek a few daffodils out of the ground however they have not even thought of blooming yet. And like all April snow it all melted in a day or so. We also had some wind, strong damaging wind which usually misses us when it happens as we are tucked down inside this hole by the brook. So strong it broke a gift I was given 12 years ago (the year we bought the house) which made me a bit sad but I guess spring means new beginnings so we will get a new lighting fixture as well.<br />
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And with April upon us and the lack of additional jugs to fill we called an early end to <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/maple-season.html">Maple Season</a>. We were already at the "dark" end of the syrup flavor season anyway and with no time and even less jugs we just decided to call it early this year. We made just 2 gallons less this year then our average so it was still a very successful year. But I think it was a wise decision to call it when we did as we are all cleaned up and packed away already. Usually that takes us forever since we wait till our extra buys time of year starts (now lol) with the gardening season fast approaching and before we know it summer too.</div>
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We were blessed with a nice surprise though. The Oldest Daughter won first prize along with a few other members of the school's robotics team at<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/roborave.html"> RoboRave</a>! Seriously, when she came home rambled off something about finishing a project and she could go to a competition over the weekend I was like hold on, what???? Last I knew she was not that interested in robotics class? Next thing I know permission slip is signed and she was off enjoying herself and was blessed to come home with a 1st Place Medal! Awesome Job! We couldn't' be prouder of her and her determination to be succeed even at something she did not like in the beginning. Read the whole store <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/roborave.html">here</a>.</div>
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The not so little babies were quickly outgrowing their stock tank in the house too. They go from fluffy little cuties to big ole stinky pooping machines so quickly. lol Since we also have the meat birds this year (which grow 10x faster then normal chicks) it was definitely crowed in the tank and it was time to get the new additions up to the <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-brooder-coop.html">Brooder Coop</a>. Now they are all happy in their new space and once again they look like cute little babies again <3</div>
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And before we could think about having a week of slow down the Youngest Daughter and the Big Guy's spring soccer season started with only 1 days notice (sort of).....Oh well they like it and we enjoy watching them so we are off running to games again. Thankfully it was a day off for me as they both outgrew their spikes over winter and needed new ones so it allowed me time to go get them before practice that day, never a boring moment here. <br />
I really hope they have a great Spring Season, the Fall Season was a time of learning for most of the players (new team year) so now that they have some experience under them and the help of the older players I know they will do great!</div>
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I'm sure there is lots more that I didn't remember as times seems to all blend together when your busy. Hopefully with our busy, busy time of year starting I will still be able to update regularly?</div>
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The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-51533411989433930852018-04-08T10:51:00.002-07:002018-04-08T10:51:51.204-07:00The Brooder CoopRemember the <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/new-additions.html">new additions</a>? Well after the Hubby and Youngest daughter went off to pick up some last minute supplies for <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/easter-dinner-2018.html">Easter Dinner</a> we ended up with another 8 babies in the tank. Lets just say it got crowed fast.<br />
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Really after seven years of chickens now if there is one thing I have learned it is they just grow from cute fluffy babies to awkward looking teenager chickens way to fast. So this weekend we moved those awkward looking teenagers up to the brooder coop. Just look at all the room they have to grow now.<br />
So this is great now, the chicks are happy to have room to move. You can't tell by the photo because they are all scared and huddled up from the move but 2 days later they have adjusted well. That's not the only reason its great, in the brooder coop they will also get introduced and be able to adjust to the adult chickens we already have. And its great for us too as our house no longer smells like chicken poo.<br />
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Thinking about chickens for your future? Maybe you have them already and want to add more and aren't sure what to do next or perhaps you are just wondering what the brooder coops even is. Just keep reading so you don't have to learn this lesson the hard way like we did. Obviously we did not always have the brooder coop or this story wouldn't be quite as interesting but I'm sure glad we do now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhs7FXVo7Z1zkE4388rfuCF43sTYZA5iEygGbLAjx6e7pW2NV3vSOHuHO2GWyO4niJZSzpUqDz975tTvICC3tqwXllahkIuL6YUQRtblnoqHW4ce_jgRNPVVym9Nzvgp3j5lg9WBcLCI/s1600/225694_213389795352578_5240101_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhs7FXVo7Z1zkE4388rfuCF43sTYZA5iEygGbLAjx6e7pW2NV3vSOHuHO2GWyO4niJZSzpUqDz975tTvICC3tqwXllahkIuL6YUQRtblnoqHW4ce_jgRNPVVym9Nzvgp3j5lg9WBcLCI/s640/225694_213389795352578_5240101_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building of the Chicken Coop 2011</td></tr>
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I had to do some digging (way back to May of 2011) for the coop photo but as you can see the brooder part of the coop was not always there and neither were the goats, ducks or pigs. Funny how quickly just getting a few chickens made things change so much here. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuPH2NY9rnoPdtQw-F0TtygkSLbuqGS5I8UySwrvzWvsOE1j0HFNvIMt4B2OKFjt9NhLqCTLV5J-UQ_aV85ojuA0n8hYSVAUKM-RS3k0gjnA0v7LBYtxPE37QKvPbOhtH6oCyYb0H0I8/s1600/207551_206316956059862_6463427_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuPH2NY9rnoPdtQw-F0TtygkSLbuqGS5I8UySwrvzWvsOE1j0HFNvIMt4B2OKFjt9NhLqCTLV5J-UQ_aV85ojuA0n8hYSVAUKM-RS3k0gjnA0v7LBYtxPE37QKvPbOhtH6oCyYb0H0I8/s640/207551_206316956059862_6463427_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even more digging for this. March 2011 our first chickens and OMGosh, look how little the kids were <3</td></tr>
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Our first year as chicken owners was a start from scratch year. Back then we had the chicks in a stock tank in the house and that's where they stayed till we were able to get the coop built. Then they had their grow up time in the coop till they were big enough and it was warm enough for them to be outside. We learned the hard way on a lot of it, like the fact that we did not have access to the run from outside and we crawled in and out the chicken door more then once, that was quickly remedied though. And to this day we still wish we had made the height of the run about another foot taller so we don't have to slouch to be in there but it all works out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijy5__mC-gc-0gTnLG14kqTLqBQLgIzDxuL4NVI5e_HCzmSr6B4Vu3nWWCmX3T7poXXcJepe0vnnE0SCc8POhMA3ouQ7ql1gGuMsBLOSsX2GYsotnbpcxtH16MQBl8f756rYN69X-5Jf0/s1600/228101_213390962019128_7826576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijy5__mC-gc-0gTnLG14kqTLqBQLgIzDxuL4NVI5e_HCzmSr6B4Vu3nWWCmX3T7poXXcJepe0vnnE0SCc8POhMA3ouQ7ql1gGuMsBLOSsX2GYsotnbpcxtH16MQBl8f756rYN69X-5Jf0/s320/228101_213390962019128_7826576_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYMxfzMzFeZXb5LEv-h1fom1o2Tp_reGIgn0VZZEvxna939kMCVfjy7l_JWZxjqODvTmnLklF7IDu6Qdeevw_abfFVMsj7R_TLKq-8Azjz6OI56u8dS0wpDaVp4EIz8RxBljXvBw6PRc/s1600/230668_213390688685822_5077964_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYMxfzMzFeZXb5LEv-h1fom1o2Tp_reGIgn0VZZEvxna939kMCVfjy7l_JWZxjqODvTmnLklF7IDu6Qdeevw_abfFVMsj7R_TLKq-8Azjz6OI56u8dS0wpDaVp4EIz8RxBljXvBw6PRc/s200/230668_213390688685822_5077964_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The chickens lived happily in their coop and run and then year two comes along and getting more new chicks happens. Even with the big coop completed, dang it if we still had no place to put chicks again once they grew too big for the stock tank, sheesh. We had a nice coop but it was now full of grown chickens.<br />
This year we were lucky as we had already added to the chickens run for more space and even added a door to access the run from outside the coop. We just took some extra fencing panels and a big pipe and made a makeshift brooder area for the babies. Well we though we were lucky but then just like every spring here Mother Nature decided we needed freezing cold and snow so the chicks were moved back inside our house more then once. We def. learn the hard way here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQmtm_0yiYyQNw_UkcJXiMstcAGIGcc0y_zF0edUEpHEkVbU6Gen6Vw4WRib9QXojcFQ116mKo6YJ2sQiJEtlWp1jka823Sa-I-FAXIRNoOxQsxX27fyDNkcg58UPsN6OVWrPjuDdfrg/s1600/61509_592214310791038_912641763_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQmtm_0yiYyQNw_UkcJXiMstcAGIGcc0y_zF0edUEpHEkVbU6Gen6Vw4WRib9QXojcFQ116mKo6YJ2sQiJEtlWp1jka823Sa-I-FAXIRNoOxQsxX27fyDNkcg58UPsN6OVWrPjuDdfrg/s200/61509_592214310791038_912641763_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHPiA4i1AlAoUylkMrx1wNbtyCkJ1E2Y1g6xelyx6jctP9EDgdSh7K-6pXKYlaKrzDRm74cmumYhb5S1flBtSLXeFXl9jo8nsfXhiBwhFuJ4_fUk9Vt_pcn1-xQWCJle4CRQEPGy1YTY/s1600/58149_590268247652311_2134372778_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHPiA4i1AlAoUylkMrx1wNbtyCkJ1E2Y1g6xelyx6jctP9EDgdSh7K-6pXKYlaKrzDRm74cmumYhb5S1flBtSLXeFXl9jo8nsfXhiBwhFuJ4_fUk9Vt_pcn1-xQWCJle4CRQEPGy1YTY/s320/58149_590268247652311_2134372778_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwyNDkEEMWMhFf1yQqj_l3TwCI8qxPv1l2AXmz7gYL9XrLfhwzo_8hsEVRjgWi7oDzFWr7BCVsbWxDMQBzLNFZS2oTtWqoLaXRiAWaOFulztOQba8ChyY4EyQa8jh3i2h_tiM21Iw8lc/s1600/581702_610738498938619_359452431_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwyNDkEEMWMhFf1yQqj_l3TwCI8qxPv1l2AXmz7gYL9XrLfhwzo_8hsEVRjgWi7oDzFWr7BCVsbWxDMQBzLNFZS2oTtWqoLaXRiAWaOFulztOQba8ChyY4EyQa8jh3i2h_tiM21Iw8lc/s320/581702_610738498938619_359452431_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8x4VDrRhuXWZtCd94TED7AnGbiYCGLDWHtfwqs1xwYmx5Y6-hIv5MFLDadRhAz81Tvl9G1jkDrhCDmi1TYF2d_ECnsu0c01GbZhUon0Idl7IeOTDqf4PGI9UlQArGUGdhOvxMjcG43k/s1600/941521_610741468938322_1023955696_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8x4VDrRhuXWZtCd94TED7AnGbiYCGLDWHtfwqs1xwYmx5Y6-hIv5MFLDadRhAz81Tvl9G1jkDrhCDmi1TYF2d_ECnsu0c01GbZhUon0Idl7IeOTDqf4PGI9UlQArGUGdhOvxMjcG43k/s200/941521_610741468938322_1023955696_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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That year was the end of no room for chicks nonsense. That summer we added on to the coop. And not just a little addition but basically a whole extra coop size was added. The chickens loved the new space as we left it open till next chick season came along. Then we were able to take half the new addition and turn it into a brooding area complete with private run area for the new chicks leaving the other half extra space for the new chickens we were again adding.<br />
Of course it wasn't all presto and done, we learned a few lesson there too. Like the plastic (in the photo belwo) seemed like a good idea that year to keep the chicks warm but honestly with the heat lamp, the sun in the windows that plastic made it a bit too warm so we opted out of that quickly. Now we just enclose the chicks in metal roofing to limit the draft on them and it is easily removed as the days get warmer and they get bigger. <br />The new brooder also allowed the chicks interaction with the grown chickens making the introduction day a lot easier in the pecking department. Since we had already fenced in more run area we also took and divided that up so the chicks would have their own run away from the adult chickens as well which can be opened back up once they adjust to each other.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRYTA6fSRFq8Uid5WpzUQg4RBIR2SbiOtf2Y8EjSx-_WBbGBk7RRJXpAOEmXKuwkQ6CHyJteiZUErnLTrFsdntJmtRRaCwqqExZr0jaQWhp9LHsdPW2QduK-VblLvajtBIisAlfUrSvY/s1600/1974102_762163517129449_1892047689_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRYTA6fSRFq8Uid5WpzUQg4RBIR2SbiOtf2Y8EjSx-_WBbGBk7RRJXpAOEmXKuwkQ6CHyJteiZUErnLTrFsdntJmtRRaCwqqExZr0jaQWhp9LHsdPW2QduK-VblLvajtBIisAlfUrSvY/s640/1974102_762163517129449_1892047689_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking into the brooder from inside the adult chicken part of the coop</td></tr>
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We might have to learn it the hard way but these last few years have been an easy transition from the stock tank into the brooder coop for chicks. Maybe we just made it too easy as now we can't stop ourselves from getting more chicks every year.<br />
<br />The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-89008376497836621922018-04-07T14:25:00.001-07:002018-04-07T14:42:34.401-07:00Earth Day Project - Recycled Bugs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So even though there is still snow in the picture its now April. Earth Day is only two weeks away and our 4-H meeting is next week. I was trying to find a way to incorporate bugs into our projects this month and still do an Earth friendly recycle project that was not just for decoration but had an actual Earth friendly purpose.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/earth-day-project-recycled-bugs.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKyVsffug1YV_ZMSJ9CBOoVbae3GYWqu2iPElWg4mcilMb4mMqQbTC3COdtcl8Hu-GPsv4oboMLJy8TmwkzsXfw2G2pTodV5uc5GbRYfM7TpXO35eOZ0OWh8MNZCqU_RV1wImvZ7nPGs/s640/IMG_2187%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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A Recycled Bug Can Mason Bee Home it is! I know its a bit of long project name but it all makes sense I promise.<br />
This buggy project should definitely get one in the mood for Earth Day with all the recycling and re-purposing we are going to do here. Every item in this project is from recycling, reusing or even just using left over supplies from other projects. We start with recycled vegetable cans, plastic bottles, news paper and even toilet paper rolls. The googly eyes, glue, paint, bamboo stakes and even the screw used to hold it all together are all left overs from previous projects.<br />
And if all that wasn't a great start for an Earth Day project we are also doing our part to help out one of our friendly pollinators the Mason Bee by supplying it a place to call home. Hopefully the Mason Bee will return the favor by pollinating our garden this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiWcBxVYbAEgSNKPHK173xJjaxOxdvrxzVDSYtqPmLiUy0EBpilntBP3SthlSr2qdU1OeoKqCPInxFBHgHucBU75U3NV5dM1DZvzpIM_fBEzioTlm_dc7_pa1REQeYuC84CTARxvd6Bs/s1600/IMG_E2188%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="725" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiWcBxVYbAEgSNKPHK173xJjaxOxdvrxzVDSYtqPmLiUy0EBpilntBP3SthlSr2qdU1OeoKqCPInxFBHgHucBU75U3NV5dM1DZvzpIM_fBEzioTlm_dc7_pa1REQeYuC84CTARxvd6Bs/s640/IMG_E2188%255B1%255D.JPG" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mason_bee">Wikipedia Mason Bee</a></td></tr>
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Not sure what a Mason Bee is or if you have them in your area? According to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mason_bee">Wikipedia, Mason Bees</a> are named for their habit of using mud or other "masonry" products in constructing their nests. When available some species preferentially use hollow stems or holes in wood made buy wood-boring insects. <br />
To learn more about Mason Bees follow the link <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mason_bee">here</a>.<br />
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To Learn how you can make your own Recycled Bug Can Mason Bee Home check out my step by step instructions below.<br />
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First you need to get your tools and supplies ready. We tried to re-purpose, use left over and recycle as much as we could for this project. It was easy for us as after 3yrs of being a 4-H leader I have loads of left over items here and there but if you do not have some of these items on hand it is perfectly fine if you need to actually purchase a few items.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/earth-day-project-recycled-bugs.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgTrOP2fhLMqQqaOwVw0hs_EjGAdlps9Ac_WUx8-HKPses3z9-4reUmm7gk_CFUntgaJIfOSls_7dPJ4Ad6uZ82DKppM6nEBIjhnViQmMEap_vfJspe9BoHRJfwKCW5BRb8_5bXfLc2M/s640/IMG_2169%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Supply list:<br />
Clean Recycled Vegetable Can (or any size)<br />
Clean Recycled Bottle<br />
News Paper<br />
2 Toilet Paper Rolls<br />
Stake (we used a left over bamboo rod but any stick will work)<br />
Waterproof Glue<br />
Googly Eyes<br />
Scissors<br />
Screw Driver and Screw (we used a drywall screw but really any screw will work)<br />
Drill Bit as wide as your stake<br />
Pencil (optional)<br />
Exterior Paint and Primer<br />
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Start by priming your can. We used Spray primer as we had it already but if you wanted a different kind I'm sure it would work. The primer just helps the paint cover better.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/earth-day-project-recycled-bugs.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOIH8spza-MIJbHs5wdYoX-MgH9NnGVnu0pV7KXnVuFVrpxnih8ovx-QA9WYE8qpbUhOcONH1X5M0XNu2iS4p8T2V6EQIPqXvwptMBnD3sckSR13xC6E1ioQWjdeQdzSjOOBK0k7HwGk/s320/IMG_2183%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now you will need to choose the colors you want for your bug. In this one we are making a bumble bee so we just did yellow and black but really you can choose any colors you would like. For best coverage you may need a second coat, we did with our yellow.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/earth-day-project-recycled-bugs.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAifinjAZiv6E_jA_E59CcbHxZjYV9sNoI-jGlN9CA86b2uOtHnAfKqJDMja1cLy0oObku2ue9xYAx8AkDZTgP1PsJreeJJqAVtsGNlHDUlUzqukz18dbVykQDsWDpL7E8tVmdZdhCI4/s320/IMG_2172%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While you are waiting for your paint to dry you can begin to build the Mason Bee Home part of the project. You will need to cut your newspaper into strips that are shorter than the can is long but long enough to wrap around a pencil about 5 times. I just guessed and did what was long enough to wrap around the can. You are making the "hollow stems" mentioned above. You do not need to use the pencil but it did work easier for us. Your stem openings should be around 1/4 to 1/2 an inch wide. As it was hard to keep them all from unrolling while you fill your toilet paper rolls we did use a small piece of tape on each stem to hold them in place.<br />
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When the paint on your can is dry you can begin to make your bug. Using your drill make the hole for your stake. It does go a little smoother if you have something inside the can to support the side. Just be sure it is something that is okay to drill into should the drill go too deep.<br />
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Next cut your wings out of the plastic bottle. We found it easier to cut the bottle top and bottom off so we could flatten the center "wing" section of the bottle. Once you have your center flat cut the wing shape out. We folded ours and cut one side so we would have matching wings. While most would toss the top and bottom of the bottle we are doing a recycle project here so we suggest you save the top to use as a funnel or even a small planter green house. The bottom can be painted and turned into decorative flowers you can use in your garden to help attract more pollinators (see images below)</div>
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Now you can attach your wings and add your Mason Bee home. We screwed down from the top to connect into the stake that goes all the way though the can making the bug house a bit more sturdy. Now you can add your filled toilet paper rolls in the back of the can, one on each side of the stake. Ours fit snugly but you may still want to glue them to your stake to prevent them from falling out. We just used a dab of glue on each roll to hold it to the side of the stake.</div>
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/earth-day-project-recycled-bugs.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdi_yOpWrwuR_AYWs23QNEQDDop_LZP0A5mj2u834AGxHsQ64AjpsYm3FTihxqWvHcvP_8ysANOXlaFte7v6nekc_T_TjsuxmuwEY2PGFkjXor0eSoZSnhBS4oktiUKjy1a3u77dzMjE/s640/IMG_2181%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Almost done, while you have your glue right there handy you can now attach your eyes. Add a smile with a touch of paint and done. </div>
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Be sure you allow 24-48 hours for all your glue and paint to dry thoroughly before placing your Recycled Bug Can Mason Bee Home outside, there is that ridiculously long name again but now it makes sense right? In our cause we have to wait for the ground to defrost before we put ours out but it will be fun to see once we get them out how quickly they become homes for Mason Bees or any other pollinators who need a home. Not only that but now everyone can feel great about doing a little more for Earth Day.</div>
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Happy Earth Day 2018!</div>
The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-70571585840789564422018-04-03T08:17:00.004-07:002018-04-03T08:17:45.976-07:00Easter Dinner 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What an amazing Easter we had. We had our normal morning with the kids. We did the egg hunt and looked at all the stuff the Easter Bunny left us. Then it was time to get busy working on dinner only to have it end with a fun family gathering. I truly hope all of you were just as blessed this Easter as we were.<br />If you followed my blog posts regularly you will see that my last 2 weeks of March were pretty much consumed with <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/easter-dinner-prep.html">Easter Dinner Prep</a> and I know most of you think I'm probably crazy and are wondering why I would put so much effort into a dinner. Well, simple I love nothing more then spending time with family on holidays or actually any day for that fact. I also love to decorate and create. So the need to make it as nice as possible was actually a lot fun for me. <br />That is one of the reason why when my mom offered up the opportunity for us all to host a holiday at our houses now that are all grown with families I jumped at the opportunity to host a dinner. Honestly, maybe I was even a bit bossy and told each of us which holiday we were getting but really it was just because I wanted a holiday at my home the worst way. I chose Easter Dinner for myself, my brother and his wife got Thanksgiving, my Sister already has a huge 4th of July celebration so no point making her do extra with another holiday and my Mom still does Christmas for tradition. I'm sure someday with my Sister being the Oldest of us she will inherit Christmas if she wants. Her family will most likely be the first to have the families great grandchildren anyway.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our kids coloring this years Easter Eggs are the "Youngest" of the grandchildren even though they are not as young as they were 6yrs ago when we started hosting Easter Dinner at our house.</td></tr>
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Wondering why I chose to do Easter? It just made sense for us to do at our house. We have the youngest of the grandchildren and lots of space for the kids to go egg hunting, they could be home to play with their toys and just enjoy themselves while us "older folks" enjoy uninterrupted conversation. The kids are older now but has been a blessing for them to enjoy Easter home all these years so it was well thought out and has worked well for us. <br />Also we raise our own pigs, since I was a kid we have always had a ham for Easter Dinner. With that and the canned goods from the garden the food part is covered for a yummy spring feast here. Plus having it all homegrown is just the best taste and feeling one can have at a nice family dinner.<br />We are also lucky enough to have a huge house to fit everyone in comfortably. This is including the Hubby's family too as Easter is the one holiday that some of the his side of the family can make it to this is the holiday we wanted most.<br />Obviously, I tend to overdecorate or overdo everything depending on how you look at it in the decorating department. Honestly, look at the table displays below even the kids table is fancied up. I made almost all of it from the <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html">Bunny Napkins </a>the new <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/quick-easy-placemats.html">Place Mats</a> just for dinner so you can imagine how the rest of the <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/easter-decorating.html">Easter Decorations</a> must look around here. With us living tucked back in the woods and rarely visitors this is one way I can show it off to everyone. <br />Really, Easter dinner was the perfect fit for us and it has worked out great every year since.<br />
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<br />This year we had 20 guests make it to dinner and 8 more that were invited who were unable to attend due to other obligations and living farther away. It was just the best feeling having everyone here enjoying themselves for dinner. Unfortunately my oldest Niece and Nephews were unable to make it for dinner. While it is sad it is to be expected, they are no longer children and some day they too will be deciding who is hosting which holidays I'm sure. But as sad is was to not have them join us it was just a extra blessing to have the Hubby's 80+yr old Uncle and his Aunt here for dinner this year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost all 20 of our guest made this photo, guess next year we make a mandatory group photo.</td></tr>
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And while everything looked nice, the guests were all having a great time and it was turning out to be the "perfect" as possible Easter Dinner we still had an "oops" in the food department. No it was not the ham as that turned out great, it looked great and tasted even better and it made the prefect tasting best gravy I have made yet (so wish I had snapped a picture of it) the oops came in the from of the turkey. Why a turkey too? The Oldest Daughter who helped so much with the Easter Prep does not eat ham so we decided to make her a small turkey to enjoy something other then potatoes for dinner as a thank you....<br />
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......OOPS. Do you notice something strange with this turkey? While I was busy setting up the ham in one roaster the Hubby was helping get the turkey in the electric roaster. Yes, I did instruct and watch him as he removed the bag from the turkey and the neck prior to rinsing it out and cooking it so I was a bit dumbfounded when I saw this when we went to carve it. Neither of us looked inside the bird as I was not intending to stuff it. It was just supposed to be extra and a treat for the Oldest Daughter who helped so much. Knowing I had witnessed the removal of what I though as the giblets only left me left me wondering where did this come from? Well after much debate and then searching for the previously removed bag (yes in the trash) we found out that the bag was not the giblets but rather a gravy for the bird.<br />
OOPS! We all got a good laugh out of it and the turkey was delicious just the same. With only a few scraps of dark meat and one wing left of what was intended as an extra meat at dinner I'm going to assume no one was bothered by our "oops" at all.<br />
So yes we had an oops but despite that I still have to say this has been one of the best Easter Dinners we have hosted yet. Having both families here for dinner is just the best feeling one can ask for. I have to admit I did miss all the little kids that used to be here running around just a few short years ago but everyone is growing up so it is to be expected. I can only hope that Easter Dinner will be just as special when the next generation of little kids are running around collecting eggs hearing the story of how we cooked the turkey with the giblets still inside.The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-50922586326266333622018-03-29T12:33:00.003-07:002018-03-30T06:24:26.218-07:00Easter Dinner PrepWith the end of March only 2 days away we are in deep Easter Dinner Prep here. The Ham and Turkey (we have a lot of guests coming so we are going with variety) are both defrosting, all the yummy food is just waiting to be cooked and as of today the table setting are all set to go as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/easter-dinner-prep.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEojGwsUJ4s4mU3oB5K08ejZMFx5uKNoyorWSN-j71HStreWktd7xJZJdzn90T-VPFA0n7YpbFew-bC6Q2ALCaA0mFIgu-hAEJHAZ-e64ScT_xJ8oHTaE3mKhAMMjpSt__jJDBpvywmc/s640/HSPH4875%255B1%255D.PNG" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/easter-dinner-prep.html">Pastel yellow, pink, blue and purple is what will be on the tables for Easter Dinner. Oh and flowers they are a must!</a></td></tr>
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While Easter is officially in April, Easter Dinner prep is ending out what was already a very busy month of March for the Bull Family. Thankfully all the stuff that involved us running nonstop happened earlier in March so we could be home working on last minute stuff these last two weeks. You can read about our early March Madness in my<a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/march-19-2018.html"> March 19, 2018</a> review post but if you are here to read about all the fun stuff we did for Easter Dinner keep on scrolling below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/our-easter-bunny.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXs3YdbYmQrCZLTmoEYuQTwVaIOZRDW47uy-QD1mPFB95UipTs7hREwcbvcBJpfXUXJVukI0RKxYIyFTuWyqK2wM8G_BxS6kaNLJSItIpoiYj5PtDvRkI91K2uwR-ZwNWScL2yHcAepY/s400/SBJD7452%255B1%255D.PNG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/our-easter-bunny.html">Our Easter Bunny </a></td></tr>
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We actually <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/easter-decorating.html">decorated for Easter</a> the day after St. Patrick's Day but we had yet to put out our<a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/our-easter-bunny.html"> Easter Bunny</a> so that had to be first on the list of Easter Prep. This bunny has been a decoration here since we lived her and a must for Easter and the Bull Family. I know he is starting to look "ratty" but to us he is perfect. Be sure to click on the picture and see why he is so special to us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/napkins-for-easter-dinner.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOHQ4E6T8v1Mao8bN0VWHG66URTaDf2Dadpco02kNiMlK8W7VufptgDavYj5dvVvs-UkTDzJMhSzwwRatkQi7BaOCg88dJtPr0l12SSo6odj-HQ67_OxM_prNsMCEGhf27rr_9WbLI3c/s400/IMG_1887%255B1%255D.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/napkins-for-easter-dinner.html">New napkins for Easter Dinner.</a></td></tr>
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Cloth napkins are the way to go for the Bull Family and we have been using them for around 6years now. With at least 20 guest coming to dinner we definitely did not have enough <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/napkins-for-easter-dinner.html">napkins for Easter dinner</a> so when I set out to make a new spring table cloth to welcome in the first day of spring I just made up a bunch of napkins too. Wondering why the switch to cloth napkins? You can read why we made the switch at <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/chicken-napkins-save-money.html">Napkins Save Money</a>. Yes, it was definitely worth the switch and not just to save money but we have also saved a ton of waste as well in these 6yrs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GcbGYgOCxI8uoUGDtG0Sme0Iny16xQUptXZhFv-4BPRU4ZBwtZTmKaYQd-1ib1qv2vSICYMw6942J2nslgw2EibxtMWBCjrGn_rHm7lYAPhh3AGCGTfqKyY0EPUhat0DUm0XZHtJCSU/s400/IMG_1913+-+Edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunny Napkins</td></tr>
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We may now have enough napkins for all our dinner guest but they sure as heck didn't match. Some ended up a bit small due to fabric size and there were a variety of colors so to help keep them all "matching" the Oldest Daughter came up with making <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html">Bunny Napkins</a>. So cute and so easy, they are just going to look great on the tables, adding fun and color too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/quick-easy-placemats.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KPS81oE-SET-LMA42E4sfZ3_c375LngT7Bd8KGxCri95zQ_cO91fk3A4AlbW2QwcGEPO55jT4GDTTvXKY4-bGA5j_69E7WPF-XhSg1BVIdH9AGEg36kCPLD8uCwnzY-F0G3UEZ8fUdM/s400/AVIX6395%255B1%255D.PNG" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/quick-easy-placemats.html">Quick Easy Place Mats</a></td></tr>
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And since I had already sewed a bunch of stuff to help make Easter Dinner more fun I figured might as well keep going with some<a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/quick-easy-placemats.html"> Quick Easy Place Mats</a>. These place mats are just as they are described, quick and easy. Anyone could make them and they are going to just make the table setting so nice for Easter Dinner. Even better there will be no more guessing whose spoon is this game now.<br />
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And we close out the table prep with today's pastel yellow table cloth and flower purchase. I'm sure you are all seeing that centerpiece and nice table cloth in the picture that is behind the flowers and table cloth and your probably wondering why the need for the new ones? Simple the centerpiece is made from antique/vintage decorations and I would prefer they not get broken. They will be put up before dinner. The fake flowers in the very old vase are just too tall for diner conversation. We would practically have to stand up or lean over to not feel like we are talking to them. The tulips I purchased were intentionally short to keep them below face level. Besides I just think every Easter Dinner should have real flowers on the table, the pretty smell makes all the delicious food taste that much better.<br />
As for the table cloth, I chose the yellow table cloth to help pull the colors out of the other napkins and all the blues of the place mats should work nicely with it as well and its plastic because I do not have a yellow cloth one. Also the pretty white table cloth in all the photos, that belonged to my Grandma and as much as I would love to have it out for Easter Dinner and enjoy all the Easter Memories of her I would be crushed if something was to happen to it so that too will be replaced with plastic for dinner. Guess sewing table clothes will have to be on next years Easter Prep.<br />
All that is left now is to just wait on the Easter Bunny and for it to be time to cook all the delicious food. Myself, I'm looking forward to the dessert tray and all the springtime treats.The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-82119880963994519062018-03-28T10:59:00.003-07:002018-03-30T05:16:25.495-07:00Quick Easy Place Mats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/quick-easy-placemats.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7AbD_YDJ0vQyqwRVONqUM6LxhtJ_-Cmm6Xl6T5z_PX1AtjEbZIa_837xw8xvs7OAHauaa8RIWnzPDh381BdYsRo5ScM2mRCNdeXfwEaU0BVzns9Pbbn2Pbp-9iknoVPvlScnE8ZAQmI/s640/AVIX6395%255B1%255D.PNG" width="480" /></a></div>
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With yesterday being a go nowhere, do nothing and enjoy the first day of Spring Break day I decided to enjoy the afternoon at the sewing machine. Why because I enjoy sewing and we needed about 20ish place mats for Easter dinner. Well really we did not "need" them but to make it all look nice we wanted them. With all the extra dinner prep I have done this last 2weeks like making all <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/napkins-for-easter-dinner.html">new napkins</a> for everyone, coming up with the <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html">Bunny Napkins</a>, <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/easter-decorating.html">decorating for Easter</a> and I even purchased all new matching plates for everyone I really did not need to make place mats too but I wanted to sew and figured they would just help pull it all together.</div>
The "need" part of them is that while we have a dining room large enough to fit two large tables and all 20 of us in here we are limited to movement once we are set for dinner. The food is done buffet style in the kitchen and not placed on the tables as its easier than trying to pass dishes between 20guests (some that are children) and between tables. Because of this the plates also need to be in the buffet area (kitchen). The Oldest Daughter is determined to have each place setting (minus the plate) set at the table so what a better way to set up then on a place mat. This will also help avoid the confusion of whose spoon is whose.<br />
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To make the process quick I chose to do just a single layer place mat and not doubled or lined. To make them functional and durable mats I did use heavier canvas fabric and not thinner cotton material. Since I only had to sew straight lines its also a very easy sew project that even beginners could do. Literally from start to finish and making 24 mats I was less then 2hrs. That included some ironing at the end and the breaks needed to help the kids with stuff too. It literally is the "quick and easy" project its described as.<br />
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Want to make some for yourself? Here is what you need.<br />
Canvas fabric, sewing machine, thread, measure tape or template and scissors.<br />
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You can measure out your mats to any size that works for you. Myself I just placed an existing mat on the fabric and cut it a bit bigger (I did not measure) all the way around.</div>
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<a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/quick-easy-placemats.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ddLRO12xGpDpNmwbZuRM7-w9Ctt7AHGA8YGXU4vpocx76OkokS5TawDcGr6ctEoh08onmhda6K7BxlX6afNpXjLITyQ6GbIaXFhIY3mNDq-hx55mjeJr1XWZgRs0XY9-C69LM_lP8ng/s320/IMG_1997%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once you have them all cut you can start sewing the seams on them. Because I used canvas material and it tends to unravel I did a double folded seam on edges to help prevent this. I did not iron my folds but rather just ran my fingers down the folds. If it helps you to iron the seams please feel free to do so. Also I did not pin the fabric prior to sewing the seams, again if this helps you please do so.</div>
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Once I completed all 24 mats I did go though and iron each one to take out any wrinkles and to press the seams down. I do have to say I love how they turned out. With all the fun projects I have done for Easter dinner this year I just can not wait for the day to get here so we can all enjoy them.</div>
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The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-7710436620200240102018-03-27T09:13:00.000-07:002018-03-27T09:13:08.100-07:00Our Easter Bunny <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The story of Our Easter Bunny and his tradition here.</div>
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Wile the snow and yuckieness of a slow snow melt are not doing much to enhance the beauty of his surroundings I'm happy to say that our Easter Bunny turned 12 this year. Time did take a bit of a toll on him over the years but considering all the weather he has withstood and lack of real care put into storage of him in his off seasons I have to say he is doing pretty good. We have had to reattach his arm and the cheap acrylic paint I used all those years ago is fading now but back when I made him I never would have guessed that he would become such an important tradition here.</div>
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Its hard to believe we have had this guy as long as we have lived here. I remember being pregnant with the Oldest Daughter (who was born in May) and putting out the few small decorations I had for Easter thinking we had such a big house and I was finally able to put stuff out in my own yard and now I had no real decorations for Easter. I was determined to make something I had no idea what but something. We had just moved here in February and we really did not have a lot of "supplies" to work with like we do now but I went to the basement and searched till I found a few small pine boards and a four foot section of 2x12 that was left by the previous owners. I really had not idea at that time I was making our Easter Bunny but after staring at the few materials I had for a bit making an Easter Bunny was all I could come up with.</div>
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His size is that of the actual piece of board I found. All I did was cut his head and ears to shape at the end of it. His arms are from a small piece of board that I just cut in half and rounded the ends. His bow tie, pocket and the grass were all just pieces of smaller boards. The pink, blue and yellow paint was actually the same paint that was left over from when I painted the nursery making him even more special to me. That same paint is also the reason he has never gotten a touch up painting, I just cant bare to paint over it.<br />Each year Easter comes and goes and the kids love to see him out there welcoming in Easter. At first to them he was just a decoration we put out each year but now after all these years he is part of a special tradition to have out for them as well. Until this year I don't think any of us realized just how old or important of a decoration he had become to us. I'm sure that the previous owner never thought these pieces of left behind wood would have every become the next owners cherished memories but they have. Honestly, on the day I made him I really had no idea how much he would mean to us as the years went by either. I can tell you now though that it's just not Easter without our Bunny out there. </div>
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The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-60018350701633936432018-03-23T08:00:00.001-07:002018-03-23T08:04:57.069-07:00Meat Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR630n7W6-RAWM50VdFZR3Zw8wtMu5Qi1asc6zHJBPcHmWbxVBMI8QpDUWsgprpDpzZEoEVviHc3TaBggU7W4WGF5TRrOYbcUI2MHeqyYvi2wxU81SDmJgZwUr1EQJ59e_oU-rnXZN6z8/s1600/14068603_1263142360364893_2586643216414528412_o+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="921" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR630n7W6-RAWM50VdFZR3Zw8wtMu5Qi1asc6zHJBPcHmWbxVBMI8QpDUWsgprpDpzZEoEVviHc3TaBggU7W4WGF5TRrOYbcUI2MHeqyYvi2wxU81SDmJgZwUr1EQJ59e_oU-rnXZN6z8/s320/14068603_1263142360364893_2586643216414528412_o+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So do we have the time to raise them or not this year? That is the question when it comes to meat birds. We know we want to and we know what they will be once grown (dinner) but sometimes we just don't have the time to put into them they need and finding time to process them in the end. But when we do its so worth it.<br />
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The first few years we went big and got 12 thinking we would have at least one big chicken dinner a month. That didn't happen, by the time it was done we only had 6 birds left to process. I'm not sure why. I guess it could have been a bad year or it could have been bad a bad hatch who knows. Oh and cooking a big chicken dinner in August's heat that is just not happening. So we have scaled down to only six a year and last year we were so busy we did not even raise them. We were sorry, really missed those delicious dinners so they were back on the "menu" this year.<br />
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This year we only went with 6 and we will see how it goes from there. I would love to say we will end up with 6 wonderfully healthy dinners but one can only guess at the outcome when they are tiny chick.....Not like meat birds are ever tiny chicks but you get the idea.<br />
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So after my <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/new-additions.html">New addition for 2018</a> post I was asked by a reader if it is hard to eat something you have raised up for a chick? For that I can only say, not for us as we know that is why we have them. Is it hard to process them? Not for the Hubby he knows what he is doing and has done it multiple times prior to us raising them on the farm he worked on years ago. However, I will admit I don't help do that part and not so much because I would fell bad but because I really don't like the whole blood and feathers thing. The kids on the other hand would sit right there and watch all day. I guess we all know how well these animals were treated and what their purpose was from the beginning so it only make sense to us, if that makes sense. I guess its pretty much the same as when we raise the pigs the same all applies again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmPf1gl4HD3HzQl-ec0E0iv5r6nTrzbZkhlhB8l1EBT2lVDZUN6B3k5EAA32FlgpkmlcpIgKjSjhmnAmIGY8tdv0EIC0O3eO3Z5bk4Mp6ZM5LtLJXfJTkkt87dfV5mry33vxp3QD44Qs/s1600/14068603_1263142360364893_2586643216414528412_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmPf1gl4HD3HzQl-ec0E0iv5r6nTrzbZkhlhB8l1EBT2lVDZUN6B3k5EAA32FlgpkmlcpIgKjSjhmnAmIGY8tdv0EIC0O3eO3Z5bk4Mp6ZM5LtLJXfJTkkt87dfV5mry33vxp3QD44Qs/s640/14068603_1263142360364893_2586643216414528412_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the other part of the cropped photo above. I call it "eggs and bacon" and or "breakfast" even though we have never had a meat bird laying eggs it just seem like a good name for it. The year of this photo was also the last year we raised meat birds and I happily welcome them back to the menu this year. I would even be into roasting one up mid August if I had to :)The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-58259441397411050012018-03-23T03:38:00.000-07:002018-03-30T05:18:46.901-07:00Bunny NapkinsSo we have 20 or so guests coming to dinner for Easter and now they all have pretty new <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/napkins-for-easter-dinner.html">napkins for Easter dinner</a> too. That was the easy part I just got out the fabric and the sewing machine and presto everyone had a new napkin in about an hour and a half. The problem we had is that we do not have enough matching napkins whether it be size or color they were all just a little different. With the Oldest Daughters help we came up with an easy solution to make the mismatched become a matching set and it only took seconds and literally no supplies.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1600" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLToCLWKJZQ2kHLcD9r4ZXerf-tur6EhsHFK2an8p_PImZDxCcfY4DoJeBXWsARR6i9O6uLQPLJ-TWhipLObFgOFyFkit4EtW7LhzO3NuI5kPZonjQLjfY1zdTfqOuTNn8XsHE4zCyW94/s640/IMG_1913+-+Edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These bunny napkins are just prefect for Easter dinner. They add fun to the table for both grownups and children. They nicely pull all the mismatch colors together in a cheerful table display with the variety of colors of both with all the eggs and napkins. Honestly it really makes it look like we planned it out that way but really we did not.<br />
*disclosure- I did not iron my napkins for this project as honestly I'm not a big ironing kind of person. I just used the folded lines to help me find the center of the napkin, if you would prefer to iron please feel free to do so.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQAbiwl7ZMk4J9WiyPt_jVdd7kwWXjnI5_ZBYkl8_dbGndHxjqNXuMteam-21QJrZGdHzZQJa5gxN2LTKPpw_6myfM1Myq7h1efbwdyUkxM7WF5Hk45klCv2hmZ563jKpRmF-nOB8YsU/s320/IMG_1914%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thinking about adding this fun touch to your table? Here is all you need and some simple step by step instructions to help you out.<br />
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Step 1: Get your supplies ready.<br />
1 napkin (we prefer cloth but paper would work too I suppose).<br />
1 clean plastic egg.<br />
1 string or ribbon<br />
1 permanent marker<br />
1 clothespin (optional)<br />
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Step 2: Draw the bunny face on your plastic egg and allow to dry. I recommend a permanent marker so it will not smudge on your napkin. If you want to add a treat inside the egg for the dinner guest such as a candy or a trinket you should do it at this time too.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWAl3ilxNof2D2rBvj688cyDO3W2qA6_9HEihVpMBmPwinTnMmqlUX9SjG0ZpZkJ6zt0XwZ2m1K9Kn1lyYdKnqigLy-XpCOGY73Lo91Qzkg6pT5obm-DV33YE9iVhxUTzdoYT4qLe3aA/s320/IMG_1900%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Step 3: Lay out your napkin flat with the wrong side facing up (see images below)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcIWeAjnzWtMN3He5PPt0y9VpevHKpP6YDb1Lhl9oyqcPxpW2eBxI6EJDdA70RKYQhsTVJHGsbKdtEXKaDOnHabrOvXBnv4K2UEMAqpkuvlEzXcFDllCacer1egugUkRjIVeCwbkM_vM/s1600/IMG_1898%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcIWeAjnzWtMN3He5PPt0y9VpevHKpP6YDb1Lhl9oyqcPxpW2eBxI6EJDdA70RKYQhsTVJHGsbKdtEXKaDOnHabrOvXBnv4K2UEMAqpkuvlEzXcFDllCacer1egugUkRjIVeCwbkM_vM/s320/IMG_1898%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">right side up incorrect </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC-xZqrPNt5oI7asDp6FPHNvvpC37OeVfaM_y8yp11r3IP4RuVmgS4fpiA3BJt4U_byrWp6GmQfKgt2ClFM5U1mGsRZRFy5hZ_yhe3OidRaWKjWqCefLIBTQP8wXf4iCviNS9nYmbwYE/s1600/IMG_1899%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC-xZqrPNt5oI7asDp6FPHNvvpC37OeVfaM_y8yp11r3IP4RuVmgS4fpiA3BJt4U_byrWp6GmQfKgt2ClFM5U1mGsRZRFy5hZ_yhe3OidRaWKjWqCefLIBTQP8wXf4iCviNS9nYmbwYE/s320/IMG_1899%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wrong side up correct way</td></tr>
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Step 3: Fold opposite corner to meet in the center so the right side is now beginning to show.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ31naWGmAvNiBrhJrwy9RkRTCGkmnFg90bIybOPEfXPlf4WrFEIcaVlbenjOr-Zg50dbeHE452N4jgxpkBdxCS4rFIoOthVkEscHnPcTNwh89IJEAbqM5nvzU8CdikYLK_FNwdCKuMjA/s1600/IMG_1901%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ31naWGmAvNiBrhJrwy9RkRTCGkmnFg90bIybOPEfXPlf4WrFEIcaVlbenjOr-Zg50dbeHE452N4jgxpkBdxCS4rFIoOthVkEscHnPcTNwh89IJEAbqM5nvzU8CdikYLK_FNwdCKuMjA/s320/IMG_1901%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Step 4: Continue folding same sides in to the center. My napkin was folded towards the center 4 times but it may vary depending on the size napkin you are using. You don't want it to be too skinny when done or it will not hold the egg well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wD4deatSbfv2lXKvGVXyaP7JQm7prPSxFOi4yYVzaAe_3xNqyVr6JTsfaK6u8SJ1Ujm3lLxU2iSG3vOxwZEo_wb1yUKiP8xy6uZxKuZBTyH8wW25eitm-IGBnPqEQPQQLM12wVJMyYk/s1600/IMG_1907%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wD4deatSbfv2lXKvGVXyaP7JQm7prPSxFOi4yYVzaAe_3xNqyVr6JTsfaK6u8SJ1Ujm3lLxU2iSG3vOxwZEo_wb1yUKiP8xy6uZxKuZBTyH8wW25eitm-IGBnPqEQPQQLM12wVJMyYk/s200/IMG_1907%255B1%255D.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-1lfZSiTiHvj-7_Tw57Y4nDH1zPJYvqIYac6w0RY3HTGDJNjySET6SwCeLGUp0yxpdOetH7SbkpdXl4_OeieHwZdNcTHjdtdWKuCSJvvrtj5nk8r8KTJOgCeiPLnraFRXAH2skhtKvc/s1600/IMG_1902%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-1lfZSiTiHvj-7_Tw57Y4nDH1zPJYvqIYac6w0RY3HTGDJNjySET6SwCeLGUp0yxpdOetH7SbkpdXl4_OeieHwZdNcTHjdtdWKuCSJvvrtj5nk8r8KTJOgCeiPLnraFRXAH2skhtKvc/s200/IMG_1902%255B1%255D.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8Ry_AJfcOkUu7MRsR7NNMTHmNJZCGC_-IXW4GpLDcjYc01jSV_S37F1D3FU7ZV43pK7nVNnO-ogBls4bms3q37OefS8kYUW5aPS8RG0MpjK6ruoLRUnWzTguCTalhOfos_wkaa9btKk/s1600/IMG_1903%255B2%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8Ry_AJfcOkUu7MRsR7NNMTHmNJZCGC_-IXW4GpLDcjYc01jSV_S37F1D3FU7ZV43pK7nVNnO-ogBls4bms3q37OefS8kYUW5aPS8RG0MpjK6ruoLRUnWzTguCTalhOfos_wkaa9btKk/s200/IMG_1903%255B2%255D.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Step 5: Fold both folds together. This is where the clothespin comes in handy to hold it all together while you grab your egg. If you wish to hold it by hand you can skip the clothespin its just easier for photos to have the clothespin as a 3rd hand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhj6e15NJeiwUYnA-ZJ4-XaS1MT2R1RIiTFLD5Cfz3BXbWWGaLHfaMNIqKG31Wctp0uCIMWa8Axi8_U-9sQOwDPXF9_MAZG2FDKVdBjgih8xYwM1aSOUanIxE_Kn0uz8t5k9yn9rbKXJg/s1600/IMG_1908%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhj6e15NJeiwUYnA-ZJ4-XaS1MT2R1RIiTFLD5Cfz3BXbWWGaLHfaMNIqKG31Wctp0uCIMWa8Axi8_U-9sQOwDPXF9_MAZG2FDKVdBjgih8xYwM1aSOUanIxE_Kn0uz8t5k9yn9rbKXJg/s320/IMG_1908%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Step 6: Place the egg in the center and fold napkin around it to form the ears. Be sure to have the opening show and point at the top. The clothespin will help hold the egg and napkin in place so you can move on to the next step.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGNQLDzxo-nDKLbhWm02dfr9TafIkeFd5b0qV949-kPVJXrHGHaG_XmanV7HyIkPE-9ynk_Kdo0vNtFm79olb5rXtIEJt8qn0l0H1ctrgKbbx_spQK6WX-86pnFOpVX6wgbmau5bdueE/s320/IMG_1909%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJN92gSIv5bd-OFf31CEUIBqxkn4mBj0rm1JBgZXSgxloabeDwHL5S5jZYtvlyrctsp3oGOeb-Afz-cIGkt_DCsuoEC-MAZbDgnn7AMI5r0TGQR45EEAmeQUVfFTMMSbLqvnTaTznWxVc/s1600/IMG_1910%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJN92gSIv5bd-OFf31CEUIBqxkn4mBj0rm1JBgZXSgxloabeDwHL5S5jZYtvlyrctsp3oGOeb-Afz-cIGkt_DCsuoEC-MAZbDgnn7AMI5r0TGQR45EEAmeQUVfFTMMSbLqvnTaTznWxVc/s320/IMG_1910%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Step 7: Using ribbon or sting tie a bow securely around the napkin to keep the ears in place. We suggest that you do NOT use a "knot" in your bow as you will want your guests to have easy access to the napkin for dinner use.</div>
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvSI1QFih24TK610Gk2LAYO3Y0qCidlDPqLPbNVlumJ19k1S7FVw3c6AkR4mcAXZzMOqrPayfWI6OX4zdeYeXJx3ZSzflhOD9P49EgiQ0PbFpMFlawZ5diA_c327AjU1Q4KrRYSTNGf8/s640/IMG_1911%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And there you have it. Easy Peasy, Easter Napkins that match using mismatched napkins. </div>
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MHxxrkIodn9JsmqJcwcRatpVF40TfJ22LrMUAu3aczPeCWZLrEZ2PWjhEGuz_BHh2YVqqtVIAxmHMGAHKa_CQNaE8N3RdOLZgEfdRZdsgGB8kb1nTLyT-Clp9HGQJxUxfvs39YyLalk/s640/IMG_1912%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think we will have some happy dinner guests and both of my girls loved helping with this project too so its a good way to get the kids involved in Easter Dinner as well. They even got out the "fancy" stuff (as the Youngest Daughter called it) for this cute little photo display. And they remembered the place setting they learned at the <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/serving-at-corned-beef-dinner.html">Legions Corned Beef Dinner</a> too. Who knew something as simple as a napkin would teach them so much.</div>
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The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-78784274707464710622018-03-21T10:41:00.000-07:002018-03-23T03:40:17.360-07:00Napkins for Easter Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With a guest list of 20 or maybe more we really have no idea who is coming and who is not, Easter dinner is going to be packed at our house and we wouldn't want it any other way. That also means we will need a ton of napkins too so why not sew enough for everyone then make them part of the Easter Decorations for that day.</div>
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So that was not the intention I had when I started out yesterday. My intention was a making a new bright and cherry table cloth to welcome in the first day of Spring. Lets face it the foot plus of snow on the ground and the 2 degrees we had for a temp was just not a good welcome to spring if you ask me. While I couldn't fix the conditions outside I did want to spring it up inside. I dug though the material stash I have until I found the perfect print of flowers, yellow, green blue and of course red as that is a must for my kitchen decor. Then I set to sewing and then the table cloth was done in no time. With the extra material I had I also whipped up 8 new napkins to go with it as we prefer cloth napkins in our house. Its a long expensive story from over 5 years ago but you can read about why the Bull family made the change from paper to cloth napkins at<a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/chicken-napkins-save-money.html"> Chicken Napkins Save Money</a>.<br />
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Really it took no time at all as its just sewing straight lines and I was done before I even had to head out to work. While I may have finished the napkins and tablecloth I didn't have time to clean up all the mess before work so all the other material choices I had out and the sewing machine were sitting right where I left them when I got home yesterday. I really didn't feel like putting it all away at that point so I just decided with so many guests coming to Easter dinner why not make up enough napkins for everyone on the guest list. It would be worth it in the long run as we wouldn't have to purchase paper napkins for Easter and we wouldn't have to wait till I had the time to make up more next time we need new ones. I have to be in the mood to sew to actually get out the machine and sew so sometimes we go a while using rattly, torn up, thing napkins.<br />
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Unfortunately I did not have enough of each material to make all 20+ napkins match each other but the Oldest Daughter came up with a solution for that and even help them go a little better with our plates that they definitely didn't match too....<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html">Bunny Napkins</a> for everyone! Even if the napkins are all different colors we can still make them match by making a colorful bunny napkin for every setting. She really had a great idea here and I'm pretty sure it will work out great given all the different colors of plastic eggs. Making these guys is pretty simple too. You can get step by step directions at <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bunny-napkins.html">Bunny Napkins</a> or you can just roll 2 corners of the napkin to the center of the napkin and fold around an egg. Tie it off with a bow and be done. Plus it really does make a fun addition to the Easter decor at the table.<br />
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The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-10468968171691108112018-03-19T11:25:00.001-07:002018-03-30T08:19:30.026-07:00March 19, 2018The end of the crazy month of February led right into the beginning of an even crazier month of March. Following the old wise tales you could definitely say March came in like a LION!<br />
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While we were finishing up or visit with <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/traveling-tracy.html">Traveling Tracy</a>, enjoying the unseasonable warm temps and even daffodils poking out of the ground March quickly put an end to all that. Week one started off with what would be the first of three Nor-Eaters (big snow storms) in just three weeks to hit our area leaving us buried in snow. Really was not finding it any fun after we were bare in February and our hearts we all set on warm weather and the possibility of any early spring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/traveling-tracy.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MPwEtDMz_3rSRJJrU7OrKO4LCtuaSkdqSbQsbgce9uzLP6RqlRXiUp2PJdH2uNZAhnkGC7Yv64jOqLCuDiPXqXomCSzDnrNQQiyef3NZQb2X1mq-pRCVK_qa_ns4cJmsP3NRwkvw5nE/s640/IMG_1389%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/traveling-tracy.html">Traveling Tracy from Texas experiences a New York style Nor'easter </a></td></tr>
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The big snow not only meant shoveling but it also threw in a snow day for the kids that changed the plans for lots of things like the school's drama club production of Aladdin Jr. It was tense wondering if the show would go on for both of the girls as they both had parts in the play, one preformed and one backstage. Thankfully the show was only on hold for a day and they were able to get both performances in. It was a great little musical and all the performers in front of and behind the scenes did an excellent job. Of course I'm partial to the 2 beauties in the second picture and also very proud of them as well.<br />
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Also rescheduled or I guess it was just a time change as the day was the same was our<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/p/4-h-fun.html"> 4-H </a>meeting for the month. Of course its march so we had to do something St. Patrick's Day themed that still kept with this years theme, Bugs. Now, I'm patting myself on the back for this brilliance and I'm sure Pintrest deserves a little credit too but we ended up making <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bug-house.html">Bug Houses</a> and then used them to make <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/leprechaun-traps.html">Leprechaun Traps</a> too. And if all that wasn't fun we added leprechaun gardens which is like a fairy garden but we used gold and green stuff to help entice the mischievous little things into entering our traps. It thought for sure we would catch one this year but guess our locks were not so great, maybe next year.<br />
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Week 2, with the musical and 4-H meeting over we went right into concert mode thanks to the school's Pop's Concert. Both girls are in the 5th and 6th Grad Band (drums and flute) and one in 5th and 6th grade Chorus so we were running again and shoveling, don't forget about the 2nd snow storm. Thankfully other then making trips for dresses and shoes we were able to be home more that week shoveling snow.<br />
Want to talk about a shocker, the night of the concert at the dinner table the Youngest daughter says "I get to do a solo duet tonight." I tell you it about blew me out of the water, she is a bit more out going then the Oldest daughter but still very shy. Boy, I wish I had know earlier as I would have been bragging her up like crazy to everyone. Congratulations to her and the other 3 who were chosen to do the same. And while I'm bragging her up I should also mention that she was one of only a few 5th graders moved up to perform with the band in the concert that night which meant she is way ahead of many members in the 5th grade band.<br />
And if that don't make a parent proud enough the Oldest Daughter who also happens to be 1st chair flute also performed on her own in band as well. While it was not a "solo" in the sense of performing on her own with out anything else playing it was a part in the song that she was the only flute playing as the others had not learned enough yet to play that part.<br />
Yes, that't right I'm bragging about my kids. And they deserve the acknowledgement too as they do wonderful and try very hard in everything they do. That is something lacking a lot in today's "oh well" youth. So congrats to both the girls and thank you for being such inspirations. We love you very much!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5th and 6th grade band.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Youngest Daughter's Solo Duet, Awe she just looked so tiny next to that much older boy, Great job sweetie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oldest Daughter 1st Chair Flute, Very proud of your amazing job! And front row makes it so much easier to get photos, </td></tr>
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And before the week ended we somehow managed to spare some energy for our <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/p/4-h-fun.html">4-H Club's</a> annual <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/local-basket-party.html">Basket Party</a> and the <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/serving-at-corned-beef-dinner.html">Legions Corned Beef Dinner</a>. For the last 3 years we have combined our effort with the Local Legion, they allow us to sell tickets at their dinner and in return we help them set up, server and clean up at their dinner. Its a win, win for both of our groups as we need a place to sell tickets and host our party and they need help with the dinner. Plus the kids get to squeeze in some community service that they don't even realize they are doing. This year as a special treat as a few of them learned place setting too as they were there to do the table setting as well. I love it how life lessons are learned every day in 4-H and most of the time they are unaware they are learning them.<br />
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Week 3, Daylight Savings Time - which basically means it is going to take us all week to recover from the missed sleep after a busy dinner that night at the legion and a really busy last 2 weeks. Week 3 also gave us a snow storm but this one was nice enough to string out over 3 days, that's right 3 day of shoveling lol, really its not funny now Mother Nature. We had 2 hour delays from school which probably helped the kids as they were cranky from the time change too and unfortunately we used a snow day that we didn't have in the school calendar to spare (we will loose a spring vacation day to make it up) but the break from all the chaos outweighed the need for a vacation day so we were grateful to have the day off. <br />
The only real happenings other then snow for this week was that by the end of the week the sun finally started shining after what seemed like forever and it was St. Patrick's Day. We usually don't go overboard here on this day as we put so much into it already with 4-H and the Legion but we still wanted to do something with "Green" to it so the girls and I grabby my sister and we were off to <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/simply-succulents.html">Simply Succulents</a>, a work shop on growing and using succulent plants. It was some much needed girl time and a great break from all the "winter" we have had lately to be playing with plants.<br />
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This is also the week we got this years <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/new-additions.html">new addition</a> to the list of critters we have. Babies, that always means we are that much closer to spring here, or at least that is what I tell myself. We did not add a ton of new chickens this year as we really don't need them but we couldn't let chick days come and go with out getting any so we settled on Bantams as we only have a few and meat birds for the obvious reason. I'm sure these wont be the last critters added this year but its a nice start with out my typical going overboard on chicks.<br />
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And with St. Patrick's Day over it was a quick take down of the decoration to get up <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/easter-decorating.html">Easter Decorations</a> as fast as possible with it falling so early this year. I even waded though the snow to get the driveway display done too.<br />
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So you see its been a crazy month and with a big family dinner here Easter Sunday (only2weeks away) it will probably not get any slower for us before it ends but the good news is the sun has been shining for almost 4 days now and the snow storm they were predicting for this week is not going to be the big snow they thought and in 2 days spring starts (according to the calendar). We will just have to take the rest as it comes at us and do the best we can till the flowers do come up.The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-377417127795924602018-03-19T10:23:00.002-07:002018-03-19T10:23:26.919-07:00Easter DecoratingDoesn't it seem like we were just decorating for St. Patrick's Day? Well, that is pretty much because we were. Easter is earlier this year and that means we had to get all the green and gold down and all the pretty pastels and bright cheeriness of spring up in one afternoon. It made for a busy day but its okay as we all enjoy decorating here. Why the hurry? Well I host the family Easter Dinner each year. It started out as just my side of the family and has grown to include my sisters in-laws and now some of the Hubby's family comes too and with limited time this year decorating had to happen fast so we could do all the other things to fit us all in here that day.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DIY Egg, wreath alternative for the Bull family this year.</td></tr>
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Our decorating workload was cut in half this year though thanks to some nasty little mice that some how got into the Easter decorations. Anything that was foam filled or cloth was chewed and if they didn't chew it they used it as a toilet. While it was nice to not have to put up as much is stunk that some of our favorites were ruined too. It also left us needing a new wreath for the main entrance door. I had though about making a <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-patricks-day-wreath.html">pool noodle wreath</a> like I did for St. Patrick's Day but then decided I wanted something different. A quick search in the basement found me a piece of scrap plywood and that is how we ended up with an egg on our door. I used every last bit of that piece of plywood as you will notice the top, bottom and part of the one side are a bit flat on the egg as those were the edges of the board but it turned out perfect for what we needed. I love that it's personalized too. Even better was the Hubby who usually don't notice small changes in decorations like a pastel wreath and not a green one could not miss the bright cheery egg when he got home. BTW he like it too.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage dish and chick making for a cute little Easter Fairy Garden.</td></tr>
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Inside decorations were pretty basic given half of them were ruined but the table centerpiece got a taste of our recent <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/simply-succulents.html">Simply Succulent</a> class thanks to the Oldest Daughter. She even added a few of her fairy garden pieces to spruce it up. Now we just need to get some Easter grass to add and it will be an Easter Fairy Garden. Love the vintage glass dish and vintage s&p shaker chick she used too.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driveway Display 2018</td></tr>
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This year's big driveway display was not what I was thinking it would be when I planned it out last year. I planted a nice row of daffodils and some pieces of Forsythia Bush and was going to put the garden bench behind it and make this adorable spring display.....See all that snow, yea it didn't happen. What did happen is I went through the snow, I used the Styrofoam eggs and peep the kids made about 4yrs ago and the same bows and garland I usually use on the fence that is out there and made this display. While cute its still not what I wanted to do, sinking 3 snowstorms in 3 weeks nonsense. Oh well, maybe next year.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Blowmond Eater Bunny</td></tr>
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And the last bit of decorating we managed to get done that day was hooking up my blowmold bunny. I will admit that I just love these vintage decoration whether for Easter or any holiday and I have quite a few of them but that's another days blog. I don't know how old this one is and I think it was part of a set back in its prime days but to me its one of my favorite Easter decorations. I love this guy, the kids on the other hand think its creepy which I can see too but still the nostalgia of it makes it so hard not to love. I do think he needs to be in a big ole basket but for now he is just going to have to sit there showing off his nightly glow on the porch.</div>
The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-62154553261575450642018-03-19T09:30:00.001-07:002018-03-19T09:30:45.834-07:00Simply SucculentsWe don't overdue it here on St. Patrick's Day. We celebrate with fun traditions of <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/leprechaun-traps.html">leprechaun traps </a>and time with the family but after all the hubbub of the Legion's Corned Beef Dinner we are kind of cornbeefed out and then all the extra we do for 4-H this month with St. Patrick's day in mind we like to just enjoy the day rather then go crazy.<br />
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<br />Simply Succulents was a class offered by our local Cornell Cooperative Extension on growing and caring for succulent plants. The glass was given by the same sweet lady who taught the girls to sew their first real clothing pieces that you can see <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2016/04/sew-much-fun-in-4-h.html">here</a>. Since it also took place on St. Patrick's Day I though it would be a fun way to add a little "green" to the day and cure the case of cabin fever that was starting to overcome me after 3 straight weeks of cold temps, gray skies and snow, lots of snow. So I signed us up and I dragged my sister along for the fun too.<br />
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<br />The girls loved the class and had fun learning (I love learning like that) about what they can do with their plants. Even better was that we each came home with 2 plants and 2 different plant leaves to try to propagate ourselves. In all we ended up with 9 new varieties of succulents, it should have only been 8 but I may have snagged up the leaf that fell off the one plant, hey someone had to take it right.<br />
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And look the Oldest Daughter has already put one to good use as part of our Easter center piece on the dining room table.<br />
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<br />The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-72633184288208653262018-03-19T06:28:00.003-07:002018-03-19T06:31:03.798-07:00New Additions for 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Awe, New Babies <3</div>
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I will admit even though we really don't need more chickens it just wouldn't be right not to have a tank fully of peeping babies to cuddle to get me though my cabin fever part of the year.<br />
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This year we didn't go over board (yet) with chicken additions. We went with just Bantam Chicks and Meat Birds. I know its a bit backwards to get the biggest and smallest birds available but like I said we didn't need a ton of new chickens this year. At first we were not adding any (insert sad face) but then we decided if we could get a new breed to add to our flock or just a few more meat birds and then well we were just going to get some chickens, not a lot but some and then it was just one breed.......anyway we got a few new chicks. </div>
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The bantams from last year have just turned out to be the friendliest chickens of all our chickens so we knew we wanted a few more of them. Hopefully we will have the same result again. This is the one I call Banty Girl. I just love her, she is friendly, will sit on your solder and let you walk all over with her like a parrot and will greet you at the feed freezer (old chest freezer we store our feed it to keep it from rodents and scavengers) every morning soon as the coop is open. First she will try to eat directly out of the feed scoop because she thinks she deserves first selection and then when you make her move she will jump down in the freezer and clean up any spills.<br />
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We will definitely need to keep an eye out each time we do chores now not to close her in but she usually joins the rest of the flock to eat before we are done doing chores so it hasn't been an issue yet.<br />
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Unfortunately there is a down side to all the cute little peeping that is happening in the house right now, and that is our Allergy Girl (the youngest daughter) is in full blown allergy attacks with itching, scratching, sore throat and a cough from the babies or the pine shavings or both as she is allergic to most critters, trees and dust, poor girl. So to prevent her from having asthma attacks the chicks will be making their way down to the basement where they will be just as happy and content and she will be able to breath better. She just loves her critters too especially her chickens and Ruby her Rhode Island Red is probably her favorite of all the critters. Poor girl, I know with them in the basement she will still mess with them but the little feathers and dust will not float around as much in the living area of the house and that will help her out.<br />
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So from no chicks this year to a few chicks this year and lets just hope the feed store doesn't get any awesome breed of chicks in and we will be set for our new additions this year. <br />
That is till we get our 4-H pheasants and then turkey chicks (if we can find them close enough) and maybe a cow as its on the list too. Obviously we have not reached out max critter addition for the year but I'll update if we do. haha<br />
The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-76724607979535972662018-03-15T08:42:00.002-07:002018-03-15T09:42:40.252-07:00Oreo, Hubby's Other Puppy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oreo came down say have a good day as we left for school and work today. Just look at that silly boy.<br />
Oreo is a Nigerian Dwarf Goat but don't tell him that as he really thinks he is a dog and follows the Hubby around just like Puppy (our actual dog) does. He is also the "Hubby's Goat" and not because the Hubby raised him up from a baby or anything but because Oreo chose the Hubby and that is how it has been since the day we got him. Its really amazing the bond he has for the Hubby, I can do chores and feed Oreo for a week straight and while yes he is a good boy he just really could care less about anything other than the feed he knows I have in the scoop. Yet, just let the Hubby show up for even a second and Oreo is there at his side. He has even assumed the roll of a waiting dog and knows exactly when it is time for the Hubby to be home from work and will wait at the gate searching till he does. Soon as he hears the Hubby's truck Oreo is down the pasture (when its not a snowy mess) to greet him at the edge of the lawn.<br />
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For those that don't know, Oreo came to us via an online friend (you know the acquaintances you know but don't really know them kind of friend) when he was just about a year old. I saw him and fell in love with his cute little face and knowing nothing about raising goats I begged the Hubby and we took on raising goats. We knew he was going to need a friend and so he wouldn't be lonely so we got him a "girl friend" Heidi (a Pygmy goat) but she absolutely despises him, go figure. Maybe that is why Oreo has taken to the Hubby so?<br />
Either way Oreo just took to the Hubby. He always plays with him, he follows him all over as soon as the gate is open and he has sort of become like the Hubby's shadow. <br />
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This winter has just been a pain this year. I know winters are winters and its part of where we live but this year is crazy, we had horrible cold and record temps and that was just February. There has been no snow and then too much snow, still as I type you can see just how much snow in the photo. And with this only the 15th day of March we have had 3 Nor-Easter snow storms this month alone with the possibility of one next week too so as you can see now the goats pasture is buried in a foot and a half of snow and Oreo does not have much place to roam. We have shoveled and shoveled but its not much more then a bunch of snow piles. Bringing us to today and the first photo when the Hubby had to come down from shoveling more snow to fix a wiper blade on the car before I could go to work Oreo decided to take advantage of the open gate and the nicely shoveled paths and come down too. One would expect him to just run and take advantage of the new open space but Oreo did not go any farther than the Hubby and soon as the Hubby said the word he was right back up to the animal pen. Really it the most just amazing thing between the two of them. It truly showed the love Oreo has for him (and us hopefully too. lol) and the bond they have developed Oh and our actual dog Puppy who is Oreo's other friend (yes they even play together) he was right in the mix too, just not this particular photo.The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-46890671965928973022018-03-11T10:57:00.000-07:002018-03-11T11:00:53.337-07:00Serving At the Corned Beef Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For any non local followers let me start like this. We are a small town 4-H club and by small town I mean when a gathering needs to take place the local Legion Hall is 1 of only 2 available places in town available to use. So when we want to have our 4-H meetings outside of our home we usually use the Legion Hall. </div>
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We could always use the Fire Hall (our other meeting option) but I feel as a club we benefit more from using the Legion Hall. Why, not just because its convenient with the Hubby being a member and it allows us enough space to work on multiple projects in the same location plus supplies kitchen use as well because the fire hall offers those same advantages (minus the Hubby's membership). But I think the best reason we use the Legion Hall is because the Legion Hall benefits just as much as we benefit from us when we use their hall. That in itself is a benefit to what we are teaching our 4-members every meeting. </div>
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Of course there are the material benefits involved for example in return for the use of the Hall our first 2 community service projects both benefited the Legion (as a thank you) and we do all we can to help out when we use the hall like extra cleaning. Each year we cohost the <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2016/06/flag-retiring-ceremony.html">Flag Retiring Ceremony</a> with the Legion and Girl Scouts. We also cleared out their garage in return that we got to use it as part of our Halloween Party.<br />
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What is not seen in all the material benefits is how much it is benefiting our members by teaching them responsibly and respect for what they have and what they earn. I'm sure most of our members don't realize that they are getting this benefit and to some it is just a location for all of us to meet but someday when they look back I hope they know how lucky they were to have the legion hall for all the important lessons they didn't even know they were learning. So for that I can only say Thank You James S. Moore Post #167!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cj374mh21miDU1Zf13SdVcwSIjj5sRFSrZlVp1nazNAa-pAUmJoywWAU1ufIObP64t_92Zej22hytpZstbJ0xjhKFq_Ecc78nlTgJjT2isTpMAYB73Lil23M2-arSN07APvVYlNcWEI/s1600/28576341_1553946638055227_8623226135974004545_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cj374mh21miDU1Zf13SdVcwSIjj5sRFSrZlVp1nazNAa-pAUmJoywWAU1ufIObP64t_92Zej22hytpZstbJ0xjhKFq_Ecc78nlTgJjT2isTpMAYB73Lil23M2-arSN07APvVYlNcWEI/s640/28576341_1553946638055227_8623226135974004545_n.jpg" width="562" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit to the James S. Moore Post #167</td></tr>
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So with that in mind another great benefit for us and the American Legion is when the Legion puts on its annual Corned Beef Dinner. For the last 3 years the Legion has graciously allowed us to end our big <a href="http://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/local-basket-party.html">Basket Party</a> (funding for our community service) at their dinner and in return the club will help out with the dinner. With the 2 combined happenings the dinner has increased in guests steadily for the last 3 years you can see it really is a win, win for both of us.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of our members (missing one in photo) who worked the Legion's Dinner </td></tr>
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Like all big dinners the Legions dinner starts with the prep work, thankfully we do not have to do the cooking but we do help with the table set up and getting everything in the dining area set. Usually there are other helpers there to do the place setting but this year the younger members were right in the mix getting a important how to set a table lesson and yes they did have to go back and fix any oopsies to the correct setting placement. Another lesson learned I'm sure.<br />
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It didn't take long before there was a Packed House! Every seat in the Legion was full and guests were waiting at the door. These kids id not let this deter them all and just kept right on serving and cleaning up to keep everyone in hot fresh food.<br />
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Of course not every member should be carrying hot food near paying guests so our younger members were busy selling tickets for our basket party, serving desert and helping wash dishes. For our youngest member it was also a big learning lesson as she had never seen such a commotion of food and people serving. She did not shy away or fear any of it and just kept right on selling tickets. Her best comment of the night "wow I guess its lots of hungry people" and boy was she right with all the guests. I think it must have been a record serving for the Legion as they sold out with in an hour and I know it was record ticket sales for the 4-H Basket Party.<br />
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They all worked very hard and some of them even hung around till the very end for clean up. It really was a job well done by members and whether they knew it or not they learned a lot at that dinner be it was just basic table setting or dish washing, waitress/waiter skill or sales skill they all learned and that's the importance of this. I'm sure they all learned a little lesson in communicating with others as well.<br />
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For that we again say Thank You to the James S. Moor Post #167 and its members for allowing the members of the Team Clover 4-H Club to be at your Corned Beef Dinner<br />
<br />The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-14216750081605257542018-03-07T07:53:00.001-08:002018-03-07T07:53:35.230-08:00Traveling TracyWelcome to Downsville NY Traveling Tracy<br />
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Tracy is from Texas where she is in 3rd grade with her friend Elena. Elena's dad and Mr. Bull were in the Army together over 20 years ago so when Tracy decided that she wanted to go learn about other areas of the country Elena knew that it would be fun for Tracy to come and enjoy a few weeks in New York with the Bull children Elaina, Dorothy and Raymon. And guess what she found out, Raymon Bull is also a 3rd grader too so hopefully he will be able to share the fun with his class as well.<br />
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The Bull family lives a few miles outside of the town of Downsville on old farm land. We do not have a farm with a big barn or even cows but we do have 2 goats, a bunch of chickens, some ducks, a dog, a cat, a turtle, sometimes we have pigs and we even have a rabbit so there was plenty to keep Tracy busy on her visit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy visiting with "Little Guy" the rooster. He really is not so "little" though.</td></tr>
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Winter time in Downsville is usually quiet and calm, school kids are just hoping for snow days (which we had while Tracy visited) and parents are just trying to keep the house warm. But the end of winter is a different story all together and Tracy visited at that special time of year, or as it's better know as "Maple Season". Maple Season is the time of year when winter days start warming up above freezing temperatures but it is still very cold at night. Most of the snow has melted but not all of it so the ground will start melting slowly allowing the sleeping Maple Trees to wake up and start the process of making new leaves. The tree brings moisture in from its roots and Sap (a sweet watery liquid) flows through the trees. Maple Syrup producers (like the Bull family) drill holes into the trees to collect the sap, don't worry it does not hurt the trees but it does allow them to insert a pipe know as a spiel into the tree to collect the Sap.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy Helping "Tap" a maple tree and show how a spile works.</td></tr>
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Buckets are then attached under the spiels on the trees and the sap then drips one drop of sap at a time until the buckets are full. It usually takes one full day to fill a 2gallon bucket with sap if it is dripping fast enough. Each day the buckets are emptied and then put back to collect again. When Maple Producers have collected enough sap they will cook it for a long time until it becomes much thicker. Once it reaches a certain thickness it become Maple Syrup, yes the same maple syrup that is put on pancakes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy showing you a "Sap Bush". Multiple Maple trees all in the same area that produce sap is knows as a Sap Bush. Look how many buckets Tracy helped empty each day. Wow! That's a lot of hard work</td></tr>
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Want to know how hard Tracy worked to make her syrup to bring back home? Well, it takes 40 gallons of sap from a maple tree to cook enough to make one gallon of Maple Syrup. That's a lot of trees and a lot of sap to collect but the reward is so sweet! Hope she shares it with everyone else in Texas.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy with a quart jug of Pure Maple Syrup</td></tr>
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It wasn't all hard work for Tracy. Even though it was winter we still showed her around town and the local tourist attractions.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer time view from the Mountains looking out at Downsville. The large water supply is the Peapacton Reservior </td></tr>
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When most people hear of New York they think of the New York City with all its hustle and bustle of a big city, large building and even the Statue of Liberty but just a few hours north of the city is the peaceful little 200 year old town of Downsville. Located in the Catskill Mountains, Downsville was named after Able Downs who settled in the area and had a leather tannery in the 1770's. One of Able's Children George Downs was also a huge help in the building of the town. He built many building and businesses that helped form what is now the town of Downsville. George was laid to rest at Downs Point (known to locals as Down's Grave) a hill top view overlooking the little town he had helped create. This has been a popular hiking area by locals and visitors as well as there is a splendid view overlooking the town.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down's Grave early photo showing the rolling hills of the Catskill Mountains - credit Town of Colchester Historian.</td></tr>
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There is just one school in Downsville for elementary, middle school and high school students. All 3 of the Bull children attend the same school, home of the Eagles. Go Eagles! Since we live in such a rural area most of the students have to ride the bus to school and some of them are on the bus for almost an hour just getting to school.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downsville Central School. Go Eagles!</td></tr>
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One of our tourist attractions our beloved covered bridge. Downsville has lots of brooks and streams that flow into the East Branch of the Delaware River. One of our local treasures is an amazing covered bridge that spans the river. We have even dedicated a little sitting/park area for everyone to go and enjoy not only the bridge but the river and wild life that call it home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traveling Tracy visiting the Downsville Covered Bridge on the East Branch of the Delaware River.</td></tr>
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Another one of our amazing waterways is the Pepacton Reservoir that sits just at the beginning of town. The reservoir was built to help supply water for New York City. New York City purchased the large valley area at the beginning of the Delaware River in 1942. Work began a short time later and the dam was completed in 1954. The Filling of the reservoir was completed in 1955. The large dam in the photo has a spillway on the other end that releases water back into the East Branch of the Delaware River.<br />
While it is not an idea place in February for visiting as its usually frozen over the reservoir is a big attraction for your town once it warms up as many tourists come to the area for the great fishing it provides. And the view of the mountains surrounding the reservoir are just breathtaking in the summer and fall. If the fishing and view do not draw your attention to the reservoir it is also supplies visitors with some great wild life interaction. White tailed deer, beavers, raccoons, porcupines, coyotes, black bear, bob cats, lynx, ducks, geese and many more animals right down to the chipmunk call the reservoir home. With all the small rodent types of pray and the great supply of fish it is also a great feeding grounds for the Bald Eagle and Golden Eagles which is a common daily sight. Go Eagles!!!<br />
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We didn't have much snow here for Tracy to play in when she first got to New York which is rare for February. Usually all the snow is just starting to melt but with all the warm weather we had in February the ground was getting pretty bare and thawing quickly so it was looking like Tracy might not get to experience a snow ball or the fun of a Snow Day from school with the kids. I guess Mother Nature wasn't going to let that happen because we got a blizzard and over 20 inches of snow! Tracy can now say she survived a blizzard but she was not much help with the snow shovel haha.<br />
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We had a great time showing Tracy around our little town. Hope Tracy enjoyed her visit and learned a lot about Downsville and New York.The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-40147050771885008082018-03-07T07:21:00.000-08:002018-03-30T05:20:06.709-07:00Leprechaun Traps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Can you can catch a Leprechaun? <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/p/4-h-fun.html">Team Clover 4-H Club</a> is going to give it a try on St. Patrick's Day are you going to try too? See how we combined wood working, STEM engineering and gardening to celebrate the fun holiday tradition. </div>
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Sticking with our "Bug" themed year we did some simple wood working to make <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bug-house.html">Bug Houses</a> that we used as a trap for the Leprechauns. Don't worry we can still use them for studying bugs after we release our leprechauns.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyNTmmT14DzN7c50lKdDVfxoRVF7m3DwoZAqZCZVZof5EewG_zvh9vDt1HplcBDUYCp0ieD7Pm5kaD2-KkPjtZvm7T9RKA9PulAUNTipVhsmqqHFeZqwu34y4pcEU-KMVbeu6i1IFmCo/s1600/IMG_1510%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyNTmmT14DzN7c50lKdDVfxoRVF7m3DwoZAqZCZVZof5EewG_zvh9vDt1HplcBDUYCp0ieD7Pm5kaD2-KkPjtZvm7T9RKA9PulAUNTipVhsmqqHFeZqwu34y4pcEU-KMVbeu6i1IFmCo/s200/IMG_1510%255B1%255D.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzrMumb7ysWr1TbMiB88bvEfqykJIKG07Wp4uYxn40SCcJshOThxDoQj74GFrCt1oA_sHVW5-0z9-x_Ga_c9ITKXppqk-hKuZkIfPkP7bhHJ7pmv5xdrsB0D34Jb7aaOhSHwVF85Q0YM/s1600/IMG_1519%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzrMumb7ysWr1TbMiB88bvEfqykJIKG07Wp4uYxn40SCcJshOThxDoQj74GFrCt1oA_sHVW5-0z9-x_Ga_c9ITKXppqk-hKuZkIfPkP7bhHJ7pmv5xdrsB0D34Jb7aaOhSHwVF85Q0YM/s200/IMG_1519%255B1%255D.JPG" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzu5gPoj8bLpVY-kXjcf4bkVr8jD65dI5LapcZ6ZzCfUOkeQUQ1eItUwOXagXVzPJLmjm72u9EVpMNBd1WDtY30VWI7rDKFrrI4Q-XgyMm8ITODMi90zYRIATljDM0w8YSM762w0ZQqg/s1600/IMG_1621%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzu5gPoj8bLpVY-kXjcf4bkVr8jD65dI5LapcZ6ZzCfUOkeQUQ1eItUwOXagXVzPJLmjm72u9EVpMNBd1WDtY30VWI7rDKFrrI4Q-XgyMm8ITODMi90zYRIATljDM0w8YSM762w0ZQqg/s200/IMG_1621%255B1%255D.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Using a variety of materials (string, sticks, rope, paper, straws, etc) members all had to come up with their own working trap design to lock in their Leprechauns once they enter. They used a lot of logic and did some pretty great engineering on these traps. I'm sure their leprechauns will not escape the amazing traps.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/leprechaun-traps.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qKFAI0U_TnR62FxLh7acytjUG4qCUiq93NZg3UR3nWIj53e1qU7huF1hcoo09qcJ4nakOrac3y8maTTc3zPFdhnQToOW2yQ_0chkmmXuOcIqWkagHQCU3V03sHGYZgkU5FMh35nP5Hw/s320/IMG_1550%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/leprechaun-traps.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfC_3G1MK8GtBh-RxfZ6z2BW13vP1UUzEz7a2lQWRUzP5h0k-PQRQcDL387JRNlLZNrqcikdXIzGYr4-vJdDXs2nRrklkN0wK1ZZzkzevUNNkE2xJ8cJSmQMh8MzlMgFSB2FRguj5jMAQ/s320/IMG_1539%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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To help entice the mischievous little leprechauns we made Leprechaun Gardens. What's a Leprechaun Garden you ask? Its sort of like a fairy garden but since we didn't want to catch a fairy so we used lots of gold, green things and all the things a mischievous little leprechaun could not resist. We completed our decorative little gardens with great little plants too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnhCW9jB_t-YYUt4rG7OoDkSoZ-8I4JGnecbnJrqEJ7usDbbLHyNf_Et1X8CYB97wQSxx9yLLjTBAwccWnx5jgBDQIsTzf9BcplxLHZT1HsNV3j4vtnC70IqP7rX491GL1PzMGjADS_4/s1600/IMG_1549%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnhCW9jB_t-YYUt4rG7OoDkSoZ-8I4JGnecbnJrqEJ7usDbbLHyNf_Et1X8CYB97wQSxx9yLLjTBAwccWnx5jgBDQIsTzf9BcplxLHZT1HsNV3j4vtnC70IqP7rX491GL1PzMGjADS_4/s320/IMG_1549%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/leprechaun-traps.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsevLPHMbWZNIYWyYGd10kXBKw0DQ6yS_qwVfAwBDTGzgR1kncS2QNcx-TMjR_DRy9Tsdg16HG_IKRpDIHcA5eCqBT3uPqYwfiVpdgStPSZn63NQHI23YSbgV3iu6AzWsjNdyw1jQW8I/s320/IMG_1511%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The end result are traps that no leprechaun could resist, don't you agree. The uniqueness of each trap and the way it is tailored to each of the members personalities are just the best. We could not have asked for better results, I mean just look at these amazing traps.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HGMa4pjKVE5GbtcmOYkmUd36L-gIkMQDjOD5UaXfnAZpQ_BxNI3KfWI9N8sSOSu1857pTxAHddZ_wJhsR6e4kzFXSLQGhKW9FxayzIJ-ze26lyvDnY1oqvSpNpf2S_Ylo66m6F5l2j4/s1600/IMG_1568%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HGMa4pjKVE5GbtcmOYkmUd36L-gIkMQDjOD5UaXfnAZpQ_BxNI3KfWI9N8sSOSu1857pTxAHddZ_wJhsR6e4kzFXSLQGhKW9FxayzIJ-ze26lyvDnY1oqvSpNpf2S_Ylo66m6F5l2j4/s640/IMG_1568%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-84362837053151405602018-03-07T06:20:00.000-08:002018-03-30T05:22:15.663-07:00Bug House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Quick DIY Bug House.</div>
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Got kids that love bugs? We are learning about bugs in our 4-H Club this year and what a better way to learn about a bug then to watch it in action. </div>
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Want to make a bug house for some fun bug watching check out my how to instructions below.</div>
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bug-house.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1402" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNKojkgpbXmnlcpXb49UI8wP5kTMmPl7x6YQAqCsaOeeRumHn4KrSQ2IETjU8rCv5cMmIyc6hqx3qjurgviLCQy-GJcoacuR0CIhGJtuCzPkPQka1dsJWeGBsg5_D0dafxfsuKlzVZlc/s320/IMG_E1608%255B1%255D.JPG" width="280" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTasPHQHypSgfXc5su2Kg-YBj2FuCs_FSGaSAj13dKLtOb2hIxDH8dKk25QowPPyR4UmUSurvbmvaFzLIwdlZLEqcVBQw6w_BYmule7I0fjO2LNF_Pmp20C-cYxZMW4RYjecJb1vTmOc/s1600/IMG_1612%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTasPHQHypSgfXc5su2Kg-YBj2FuCs_FSGaSAj13dKLtOb2hIxDH8dKk25QowPPyR4UmUSurvbmvaFzLIwdlZLEqcVBQw6w_BYmule7I0fjO2LNF_Pmp20C-cYxZMW4RYjecJb1vTmOc/s320/IMG_1612%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
First thing you will need is to get all your supplies together.<br />
Screwdriver<br />
Drill and bit<br />
Jig saw<br />
Hand saw<br />
Stapler and Staples<br />
Plywood (I used 3/4 inch)<br />
Luan Board 1/4 inch<br />
1 inch dowel<br />
Screws<br />
Screen<br />
Rope<br />
Hinges<br />
*There are 2 options for a door on your bug house so I have included the supplies for both, if you choose a screw door like above you can omit the hinges from your supplies but you will need to add the wood screws in the 2nd photo.<br />
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Step 1.<br />
Once you have decided the design and size you want your bug house you will need to cut out your pieces. My bug house is 4 1/2 inches wide by 14 inches long by 7 inches tall but depending on what size you will need/want you can adjust measurements to fit your needs.<br />
I just took a 4 1/2 strip off the plywood and then measured and cut it out to 26 inches long. I then marked out the pieces by rounding the ends and measuring in 6 inches to make my end pieces.<br />
Before you cut out and assemble the boards you will need to mark out and cut out your door way. Cutting the hole first allows you more space and stability of the board. To make your door opening dill a hole in it to start your jig saw and then just cut it out.<br />
Cut across the board on the now marked 6 inch lines thus giving you the 3 pieces above.<br />
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*So I'm not going to lie I basically designed my bug house around a piece of scrap plywood we already had on hand and the door is made using Luan board we also already had so that is how I ended up with the measurements I used. Yours can be what every shape/size you need.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bug-house.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtCMqd-fpUU2VRTWeLtTTVE2KDIa8DsUAQtuzh1eTouyNVDSKyPGMXF2LrNXQL05eFlMm2B8c93ofBnTatHtf9r_tsNmz6crDIAbohSU75elNufmVPEE0ub9cx8mhDcNly6-Lq6JbqN4/s640/IMG_1609%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Step 2<br />
Attach your pieces as pictured above. I used just 4 drywall screws (1 5/8 inch) up from the bottom to attach the end pieces as my house is only 4 and half inches wide. If you are making a wider house you will probably need more screws.<br />
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Step 3<br />
Measure and cut your dowel the distance from the inside of the end pieces. Be sure to square up your ends to get the proper distance.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bug-house.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnMSAjVb51pdCSAUxyqLPFYHBDRMUI7L9VA6anLmRu1rSVzj4ctPH8RoISOEIhJYVm98RlPOe4vg6vpoaszOFBQKi705VrWh6N2mOADEYsUyP726SHmZz5eCF3MA2K-6cijFDncyMz8E/s640/IMG_1611%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Step 4<br />
I used drywall screws to attach the dowel inside the ends. You may want to predrill the holes so not to split the dowel.<br />
The purpose of the dowel is to help support the frame and screen once completed. It is not intended as a handle so you could use a piece of plywood if you didn't want to purchase a dowel.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bug-house.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLT952KLHYIqmvnbvr5QnSSt8LHiu4S45peMTiuyVj-G0GErUVHVn6RtJQwIDU_qtF4ZuNSS-4UTn1yMcbQZ82Ptqf7CJGzrapQonb4MVO-MaptPXyn-eRimfGjd4VTWmopnC32XRJXE/s640/IMG_1613%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Step 5<br />
Attach your door. I chose a door that swings from side to side but you may want a hinge type door the choice is yours. If you do choose the swing door you will need to drill the hole in your door a bit bigger then the screw you are using so the door swings freely on the screw.I used the screws and drill bit in the 2nd supply photo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIHpPScsrQyPcHx0hx7uQbRgcZYMPu7H9DQcFEN1OsXErGBM6EmLGm98VWfnTIBOkSdzL9-OfdABm1LS5QX-iqz-sLRVq7sBJm7H6_Wtc1ceWN4am9Ul37-lS7JrEMVlZ9BMZUFpP_N4/s1600/IMG_1614%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIHpPScsrQyPcHx0hx7uQbRgcZYMPu7H9DQcFEN1OsXErGBM6EmLGm98VWfnTIBOkSdzL9-OfdABm1LS5QX-iqz-sLRVq7sBJm7H6_Wtc1ceWN4am9Ul37-lS7JrEMVlZ9BMZUFpP_N4/s320/IMG_1614%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bug-house.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcp4R4ygRWPGpaO2WjnR0TkyYLmwBN-Z4WOa1S6k1fllLoGLUhKfUwXcB_ERoeZ2sx1J5Q2EM1RxDesK0HkRibq9VwyuS2OMEoaaG4QEaKGgmkm8ewouLZZhFOtYWTc-eMOfzNQYIFmY/s320/IMG_1616%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Step 6<br />
Using a Stapler attach your screen. Make sure to fold your screen under for durability and it will help keep any bugs from escaping.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bug-house.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9sMyZQ83xTt5jIPfyr4jqwskl1oq1wMXZnWohhaE-N_CXvB1IkZg9P0q08rFFUUvRK3mZVkGxwC-CchZ7xiaoHo9JPDnWempBIHd28Mrv0OTPpXl0OMvxivOdvGDAKyFUl3JMgJLtoA/s640/IMG_1617%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Step 7<br />
Attach your rope handle for easy carrying when you are bug catching.<br />
Put a knot in each end of your rope so that it does not slip off and then staple it to your house.<br />
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<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/bug-house.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSAKYfb5u2s5xPPfdEAFMM7b62ghaaLOpv02rv48rDRD1U6tDSQVirPcjlG0jYxFLcteldU9eaPVztEfHhaL681h-822RRqP4V42VlbWTMOWfCgx384IpehB9b5sh_QhVSeGwBFoFIoA/s640/IMG_1621%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
And there you have it, a grand bug house for watching and learning all about bugs.<br />
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So we made these in our 4-H Club but unfortunately the seasonal timing was off for learning about bugs as its early March in Upstate NY and we are in the middle of back to back Noreasters (heavy snow storms) that is going to leave us with about 2 1/2 to 3 feet of snow on the ground so we don't have bugs out yet but we will soon enough and we will be ready when we do. While we wait on bugs to come out of their winter resting places we decided to use our bug houses to make<a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/leprechaun-traps.html"> Leprechaun Traps</a>, be sure to see all the creative ideas the kids had on our Team Clover 4-H Club page.The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-29688638432551130732018-02-25T13:28:00.001-08:002018-02-25T13:28:44.996-08:00Love BugsFebruary is not exactly the Sunniest month or the Buggiest month in NY but February is definitely the "Love" month so with love in mind and bugs the theme we set up to make Love Bugs in with our 4-H Club. Oh and candy right you can't have Valentine's Day with out chocolates.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stained Glass Bug sun catcher made by the Oldest Daughter at the Feb. 4-H meeting. Beautiful!</td></tr>
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Our Love Bugs came in the form of some pretty amazing stained glass sun catchers. Each member had a turn at learning the art of copper foil soldering stain glass just as Mr. Tiffany did many years ago. Well, I'm sure our version was a lot simpler then his as he cut all his foil pieces by hand from large sheets of copper and we had modern age copper tape to use but you get the idea. <br />
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The kids just did amazing! None of them had ever soldered before and you know the thought of touching broken glass pieces and smoking hot soldering irons has to be a bit intimidating to the younger members but the results speak for themselves.<br />
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These may not be "Tiffany Glass" masterpieces but even better! I'm am in awe of these wonderful kids and their master pieces are just as impressive when you consider our youngest member is only 6yrs old and did it all on her own! I absolutely could not be prouder of these kids. Love the determination and trust they put into my hair brained projects.<br />
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Oh and don't forget the chocolates! We only had 4 soldering irons and 14 members so we had a side project of making Valentines candies, in bug shapes of course. A sweet reward for all their hard work<br />
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<br />The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-48731182026087829372018-02-25T12:23:00.005-08:002018-03-21T08:28:31.110-07:00February 2018So I am patting myself on the back as I managed to post a lot since January. Well, a lot compared to not posting for a year and a half so I guess you could consider it intense posting. haha <br />
February usually mean we are smack in the middle of <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/maple-season.html">Maple Season</a> which is one of my favorite parts of this time of year. It smell and tastes so delicious out in the sap house it can almost make you forget about all the mud you are sinking in while collecting sap. <br />
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February is also "Love" month. So our 4-H club had a <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/love-bugs_25.html">Love Bug</a> meeting. Members made Stained Glass Bugs and Chocolate bug shaped candies.<br />
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This month is also prime ticket sales time for our 4-H club's <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/local-basket-party.html">Basket Party</a> so its a bit of a crazy time of year for us. Which basically leads us right into March as it ends with helping the local American Legion with their annual Corned Beef dinner just days shy of St. Patrick's Day.<br />
Since we have a large Iris presence on both the Hubby and My sides of the family I try to do a little extra for St. Patty's Day. One thing is I really like to do is decorate for it. I usually just stick to indoor decorations as the weather stinks this time of year for putting anything outside. Its usually cold or wet and definitely muddy but I really wanted a wreath on the door this year so with my typical last minute decision, limited supplies and no wreath frame I whipped up a quick <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-patricks-day-wreath.html">pool noodle wreath</a> using a noodle we had from last summer. Although skeptical at the frame at first so far its holding shape well and I'm really quite happy with how it turned out.<br />
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It really has seemed like we have just run non stop this month and its not over yet. It is also time for the Schools Drama production, which both of the girls are in so we have been making regular trips town for practice. We have added to the non stop traveling back and forth this month by making extra trips around town trying to visit all of our local attractions. Not exactly the best season for sight seeing but we have <a href="https://thebullspenblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/traveling-tracy.html">Traveling Tracy</a> visiting us from Texas and we want to show her a good time. We are showing her around all the fun places like the Covered Bridge, the Pepacton Reservoir and showing her how to make Maple Syrup and feed chickens. Hope she is enjoying her visit as we have to send her back next week. Don't worry I'll be sure to share all her fun with everyone after she leaves.<br />
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Hopefully I will be able to keep up the great posting streak for everyone as I have tons I still want to share with everyone but for now I have to go collect sap to make more Maple Syrup.The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636518589677676584.post-61130653520847076742018-02-23T06:05:00.000-08:002018-02-23T06:05:33.803-08:00St. Patrick's Day WreathNo wreath for St Patrick's day? No problem, you can make this one up Easy Peasy with just a few simple items. And if you are a craft hoarder like me you probably have them on hand already. Of course if your a craft hoarder like me finding your supplies was just part of the fun of all craft projects.<br />
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This simple wreath was made using a pool noodle, some felt, and ribbon and a little tape and glue.<br />Connect the ends of your pool noodle using some duct tape (I used gorilla glue tape) to form a circle and presto you have a wreath frame. Next wrap strips of felt around your new wreath frame. I used felt from previous projects so its a bit darker then I would have probably chosen if I was purchasing some but since it's for St. Patrick's Day the greens worked well and made the ribbon (yes I already had this stashed in the St. Pat. decorations) pop out nicely.<br />I have to admit I was a bit unsure of the pool noodle being able to hold weight as a wreath frame so I did try to keep the decorations to a minimum on the wreath. So far its holding up well for the little I did put on it so I'm sure it would be able to hold more if I wanted to add them. <br />
My decorations are just little pieces of scrap felt and let the kids cut me out some shamrock shapes. I loved how they turned out and add special touches to the wreath.<br />
Seems like we always have pool noodles around so I definitely think it was a great quick hack for a wreath frame. I will be giving this method a try for other wreaths Maybe I'll do a Pool themed wreath for Summer? I mean it is a pool noodle after all.<br />
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<span id="goog_644275097"></span><span id="goog_644275098"></span>The Bull's Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12116278770473749461noreply@blogger.com0