Project: Chalkboard Plant Tags

Here's an easy project to get you in the mood for gardening this spring:  chalkboard plant tags!

Work in a well-ventilated area

You will need:
Popsicle sticks (collected or purchased from a craft supply store)
Chalkboard spray paint
A surface on which you can spray paint (newspaper, butcher paper, etc)
A well-ventilated area in which to work

 

Instructions:
Lay all the popsicle sticks out on the paper.  Spray with a light coat of paint.  Let it dry, then coat with another light coat of paint.  2-3 coats should cover.

After the first side is completely dry, turn the sticks over and repeat.

I wrote on my sticks with a white charcoal pencil.  It has poured rain for several consecutive days since I stuck these in the ground, and they are still easy to read!

seedlings

Kale seedlings are coming up.  I think spring is finally on it's way!

Have I introduced the ladies?

These are the four new additions to my urban homestead in-the-making.  Hopefully they will be supplying me with eggs starting in July.  They are now about 5 weeks old, but in this picture they are more like 3 or 3 1/2 weeks old.

I'm excited that spring is almost (almost!) here.  I've got my three raised beds composted and ready for seeds, all my seeds are purchased, a few are started indoors.  I just need the stars to align and give me a weekend day where it's not dumping rain or blowing wind for a few minutes, so I can get my early seeds planted!  I have visions of an idyllic garden, where crops burst with vitality and color from the raised beds, pumpkins sprawl lazily on their vines, and the berry bushes are full of juicy, ripe berries for months on end.

We'll see how it turns out.  I realize that this is quite possibly a daydream.

The chickens should have a coop up in the sideyard in a week or so.  They are getting feathered out and are almost ready to be "hardened off" to the reality of living outside.  Yay!  They were all cute and fluffy in that picture above, here they are now:

Oh, what a difference ten days can make.  They grow up so fast.

Protein-Packed Breakfast Bars

I came across a version of this recipe in the comments section of a post on the kitchn.  I modified it based on what I had, and I think it's a keeper!  There is lots of potential for yummy variations, and best of all, it was fast.

You will need:
1 1/2 C. Oats
1 1/4 C. protein powder (any flavor you like/have)
1 C. peanut butter
1/2 C. honey

Directions:
Melt the peanut butter and honey together over a double boiler or in the microwave, until combined.  Add the protein powder and oats.  The mixture can get a little dry, so you may want to knead it a bit with your hands (be careful if the mixture is still warm).  Press into an ungreased 8x8" pan.  Cover loosely with waxed paper and put in the fridge to cool for at least one hour.  Cut bars for serving. Makes 9 bars.

Easy, tasty, and quick in the morning.  I plan on eating these with some fruit and a mug of black tea.