This place, you guys is a magic and a mind bending experience. Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry (CLDQ) at Jurassic National Monument contains the densest concentration of Jurassic-aged dinosaur bones ever found. Over 12,000 bones (belonging to at least 74 individual dinosaurs) have been excavated at the quarry. https://www.blm.gov/national-conservation-lands/utah/jurassic-national-monument

This is still an active Quarry!!! Their museum is fabulous!!! So much history and educational areas.

As you walk out through the back doors, you will see the quarry and a spectacular trial where you can actually look for real dinosaur bones. Some are in the rocks (Photo Below) and others are laying on the ground. Please put them back so other can also enjoy.

You also have the option to go into the quarry to see where some of the bones were found and how they were laying at the time they were discovered.

There is also a trail that goes up above the whole area. SOOOOO PRETTY!

One thing that stood out to me is all the different colored Lichen on the rocks and the pretty bloom.

Camping at the Wedge aka The Mini Grand Canyon

Just imagine waking up in the most majestic place possible, this is The Wedge. The Campground is right on the Wedge and across the dirt road. You wake up feeling the energy. You can tent camp or bring your camper.

Its about 30-40 min away from the Lloyd-Cleveland Quarry. All Dirt road….. pretty cool.

We loved this time together and will definitely be back.

I typically wait to bring the babies out when they are at least a week to 2 week old. The biggest deciding factor is the temp needs to be at least in the upper 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 24 degrees Celsius and in an area with direct sun and shade option. I always lay a blanket out for home base. If you observe a mother hen, she will let the babies learn and explore but she’ll always bring them back in for a nap and to get re centered.

Sit on the blanket with the chicks on your lap and then just let them hop off. They will stick around the blanket and start to peck around. I will let them do this for about 15 minutes and then bring them back into fold, herd them in with your out stretched arms. They will come back in and settle down to take a nap. It’s a pretty nice feeling when chicks feel safe in your lap.

I love watching the babies explore, you can see their personalities start to come out. It’s so crazy to see them naturally play keep away, it’s just rooted deep in the chicken genes.

Introducing them to the established flock.

When I think of working with the chicks and chickens I think of what would a mother hen do? She would naturally bring them out for an outing, bits at a time. Getting closer and closer to the flock, the older ladies will just get used to their presence.

I start out by leaving the older ladies in the run area. I read their body language….. are they pacing, are they bocking excitedly? If the answer is yes, you’ll need to do this until the older ladies are comfortable and their body language calms down.

If the answer is no, them you can let them out…. Have the chicks in the yard and not right up to the run door. Closely monitor the situation and do it for as long as the babies are able too. I would say about 30 min or the amount of time you have. You need to think about both the chicks and older ladies. Click the link below to see how this first time went for us. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwr8_UNHs7A/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

They will eventually scratch around each other and preen themselves together, you know they are comfortable around each other at that point.

Pretty soon it’ll be so normal to be around each other and the integration will be easy. Keep the babies living separate from the older ladies until about 1.5 to 2 months. From the time the babies are old enough to be able to go in the run and coop….. slowly start to feed them treats in the same area.

When the chicks have their big girl feathers, they are start to sleep in the coop. Such a big step. That will be the next post….. stay tuned.

Love, Nicolette

Guess what? Its an amazing experience to be loved by chickens, to feel independent and being able to see the beautiful cycle of chickenhood.

Let’s get to the basics when it comes to the first, lets say 3 weeks.

The housing can be a plethora of structures, some people use small kiddie pools, boxes and etc.

Our first batch, in 2015 lived in a big fish tank and it was the perfect thing for baby chicks. No drafts and tall enough. Chicks can jump.

Our 2nd batch of babies, 2019. Lived in a big dog kennel, I wrapped a big blanket around it for no drafts.

Heat Lamps:

Start the temp at 95ºF for day old chicks and decrease by 5 degrees each week until you reach 70ºF. This info might need to be altered if you live in a warmer climate. The biggest thing to remember is, make sure they have space away from the heat. They will be able to choose what temp is best for them. Put food and water away from the heat lamp. If the chicks are huddled, lower the heat lamp down a little. If they are spread out while sleeping, its to hot. All in all you are the one there to monitor. The best type of heat lamp is a 250 watt infrared bulb suspended above the brooder is the recommended amount. A red bulb is the most efficient as it doesn’t stop the chicks from sleeping, as white light does, and can help prevent pecking.

When to introduce perches:

I legit hot glued twigs together. I put them in there around 1 month, its so fun to see them start to perch. They just know what to do. Important to remember. When you are putting in perches in the coop for full grown hens, the perch needs to be flat and not rounded. The chickens sleep flat footed.

Food and water:

Chicks from 0 to 8 weeks old need starter food, crumbles. Fresh water. Scrambled eggs: provides the perfect amount of protein. Something so important for growing chicks. Grit: chickens at any age need grit. The grit breaks down the food in the gizzard. Fruits and veggies finely chopped: our babies loved Watermelon.

Play momma: My favorite part!

This is just something I’ve done to build that special bond with my ladies.

I love to just sit and watch the babies run around and explore in their little home. I start to let them out of the kennel right away but not outside yet. I’ll start to gather them up, like momma and make them take a nap together in my lap. Seriously so relaxing! I usually do this after my own babies are in bed and or I sneak away during the day for a little break. They’ll try to get away at first but they catch on really quick. You only need to do this for 10 min or longer if you need a longer break from life. I’ll open up my embrace and let them leave naturally when I’m done.

Cleaning their pasty bums:

This is something momma hen would take care of. Chicks poop sometimes will harden and stick to their back side. This can be very dangerous. Their poop will start to back up inside and kill them. To fix this you will need to either get a warm wet cloth or clean it off with warm running tap water. I prefer to clean them under warm running water, its quicker and you won’t need to pull on their baby feathers. One thing to be very aware of, if you pull to hard. You can pull out their intestines….. a very bad situation to be in.

All in all don’t stress, enjoy every steps. If you have questions, I would love to hear form you.

– Nicolette

Really quick while we are on this topic. Body image and comparing yourself to others runs ramped. All I have to say is knock it off!!! I hear this so much….. I don’t go on Instagram or Facebook because this person and that person makes me feel bad about myself….. nobody and I mean nobody can make you feel bad about yourself. Whether its a good times reel or not. You are the only one that can turn those thoughts around. Instead learn from them. Models are like athletes it takes so much time and dedication to always be on the move like that and to their face being told they are the style. Everybody has to work hard for what they have…. so get going!!!!

What we can truly learn from models is even if your told no, you just go to the next until you make it.

Also I’ve always wanted to be a model. The cat walk is my jam…… I may or may not make it back to the catwalk but I will treat myself like a model. To be confident in clothes, drink lots of water, take care of my skin and work out. Its not about just looking pretty!!

Things are always better with a friend. Thank you for letting me put a mask on you!

K lets get to business!!

Turmeric Face Mask:

1. 1/2 cup of water. (this is the only thing I would change, I would put water in the mix last. Put just enough in to mask a creamy paste. We wasted a lot of good stuff because it was to wet.)

2. 2 tsp apple cider vinegar (pulls out impurities)

3. 2 tsp baking soda

4. whole lemon, squeezed (lightens dark spots, vitamin c)

5. 4 tsp honey (anti bacterial and lots of really vitamins)

6. 2 tsp turmeric (anti inflammatory, heals skins)

All of these ingredients together makes a beautiful natural chemical peel. As we age our skin doesn’t regenerate as quick, it needs a little help. This is one of the many reasons I love face masks.

Mix together and apply

with a facial brush

or my favorite a basking brush.

I hope you enjoy, you deserve to be pampered.

Until next time…..

The Masked Momma

Ryan and I traveled to Glenwood Springs for our 9th year wedding anniversary!!

We rode Amtrak…. by train!!!! https://www.amtrak.com/home

We had to be to the train station by 3:00am! All good all good. As soon as we got on the train we just went back to sleep. After we woke up we went to the dining car and had an omelet with a croissant.

You see so much by train, it was magic! We saw a lot of antelope, elk, deer and a bear cub!!!

We tend to go to towns with natural springs, we love soaking and the health benefits are pretty spectacular.

The train station drops you off right downtown and there are hotels across the bridge. We rented an Airbnb, a romantic little loft. We had to only walk a couple of blocks to the best restaurants ever!!!

http://www.airbnb.com/c/nicoletteh391

Glenwood Springs has a couple of very charming and history packed buildings for the soaking experience. Its around $22 per person so budget for that, I don’t want you to be surprised. We went to Glenwood Springs Lodge. This place is huge! They are the hot springs and in the cooler area there’s a slide and diving board.

Second night we went to Iron Mountain Hot Springs. K, they have different hot spring pools on different tiers… right… by… the… river. So pretty and relaxing!! I didn’t want to leave.

Where do I even start for the hopping culinary arts?! So many great restaurants!!

Lets start with a beautiful cup of coffee with a beautiful couple originally from Denver. They like us traveled to Glenwood Springs via Train for an anniversary, they had a thought that it would be cool to move there….. well 3 years later they are selling and making beautiful yummy coffee at The Riviera Supper Club at 702 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.

Coffee Shop by day and piano bar at night. I enjoyed a Lavender Coffee on their patio. The lavender syrup is made by a local friend…. win win!!!

Love them, go see ’em!

The next day we went to Local on Cooper, a beautiful decorated restaurant… food and environment. 722 Cooper Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

AND just across the street was one of the funniest yes funniest times of my life. I think at one time I asked my husband if we could take them all home. We laughed SOSOSOSO much. It is the Glenwood Adventure company!! We did the 2.5 hr. white water rafting excursion. Ben was on point and a great tour guide, he played with us. http://glenwoodadventure.com/ They have a lot of fun options to choose from.

After we went to Grind. Its a burger joint times 10!! My burger was the bomb!! We also had the baked brussel sprouts drizzled with balsamic vinegar.

701 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

This is the first restaurant I saw when we got off the train and I knew right away that this is the place we are going for our anniversary dinner!! They are a root patio, a courtyard and a classic interior. I had the filet mignon and crab legs….. insert drool here. Ryan got a porter house as big as his plate.   308 7th St, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

All of these restaurants are within 2 blocks of each other. Pretty magic if you ask me.

Oh and this brand new bridge has been built over the railroad tracks, river and freeway. This is how you get to the springs and hotels.

I hope you go to Glenwood, its a great place with great people.

Love,

Nicolette and Ryan

It is bedtime once again and guess what?!?!?

Its our chemistry facial time!!! Eeeeek!!!!

I love face masks…. If you haven’t already noticed!!

Here is one of my faves!!

WHY?!

Well I’ll tell you.

Because…. it helps your confidence, it will shrinkin your pores, it’ll help your makeup go on better, it’ll make you feel like your at the spa BUT your in your sexy sweats in your own home ( I do love a good spa day though, “Hi Kura Door”) and it’s your free time!!

Ingredients:

1 tble spoon of green clay. (Literally will make your face pulse… Sweeet)

1 tble of melted coconut oil. (absorbs quickly and has a ton of nutrients)

6 drops of Rose Hip Oil. (omega’s up the wazoo and sooooo many skin benefits)

PS. Its obvious there is a lot of great product out there, this is what I have at the moment. 

Applying…. I love using a marinating brush (thank you Sumiko). It seriously feels so good to paint on your mask. Apply to face AND neck.

Wait until the mask is all dry or wait for 20-30 minutes.

Wash off with warm to hot cloth, this will open your pours and give you the max benefits.

Important!!! The last thing you want to do is press a cold wet cloth to  your face, this will close your pores and finish off your well deserved European Clay Mask!!

You are so loved and thank you for having some girl time with me.

Nicolette aka The Masked Momma

We went to Moab for some time away, my sweet and amazing father in law passed away on Easter… his favorite holiday. We needed to step back and we are so thankful for Moab, Utah. We camped in our truck and camper at Sand Flats Rec Area, its central to a lot of fun things to do. The best time to go is in the Spring and Fall.

I want to help you when it comes to camping with your families. I used to be a nervous mom and going on vacations with my little ones, can’t really explain it. I have come up with some things to help myself out. My hubby is on call 24/7, we can’t ever plan a vacation… it just we can leave at the end of the day or lets go tomorrow. We are pretty quick at packing.

– Only pack the basics for your children, make it simple.

– Don’t have high expectations, just go with the flow, its totally fine to have a schedule and things to do but don’t stress.

– Act like a local, just live and experience your surroundings, instead of your own stress bubble.

– Bring things that make you feel good… I love bringing my lanterns  and setting them up around camp. It makes things feel cozy.

-Wear your children out = they will be excited for bedtime!! Let them explore, let them learn, play with them!!

-Powder toothpaste. You don’t have to wet your toothbrush and don’t have to rinse. The kids love them too. This is what we use.

https://fraufowler.com/

We rented our side by side from… Moab Side X Side Adventures LLC. https://moabsidexside.com/

Their machines are well cared for and they’re very nice to work with.  Their phone # is 435-210-4153 and address is 854 South Main (behind Farm and City).

The way we see it when it comes to renting. When you rent, you will always have a nice machine and don’t have to pay for it monthly.. just when you want to go play. We road Hells Revenge and Fins and Things twice, the kids loved too!! There will always be an alternate route.

Here’s something we loved!! The catacombs over Harrah Pass. Once your on the other side of Harrah Pass. Go for 10-15 minutes until you find a rock with red x’s (left side of the road). You will need flashlights and maybe sweatshirts.

Go explore with your people, life is to fun to worry!!!

Love,

The Holferty’s

1 Landseer Newfoundland, Gary The Newfie. He holds the world record in dock diving for his breed, check out his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXlNPmQxe3iLckIgf40JlQg . A Walker Hound name Edison.

6 chickens. Flo, Betty, Ethel, Mabel, Eleanor and Miss Red. They are my ladies and therapists, I can hear them out the window scratching around right now.

Ryan loves paragliding, motorcycling…. pretty much anything with 2 wheels, dock diving with Gary, fishing, camping and knows everything about our mountains.

I Nicolette love kickboxing, founder of XOXO Hats for Strength, jumping Gary at dock diving events, cycling, taking care of our chickens. We love hanging out with our children and teaching them to be honorable and respectful human beings.

Welcome to our family!!

Ryan and Nicolette