Saturday, September 13, 2014

Here I Am!

When last I wrote,  Spring was valiantly trying to arrive.  Of course she did, with all her attendant wonderment.  Part of that wonder was the arrival of my new flock of chicks.

Two Rhode Island Reds and four Golden Laced Wyandottes

The Rhode Island Reds came the first week in May with the Wyandottes following two weeks later.  This was after I had chosen these two breeds as they were supposed to both arrive the same week---I had done chicks two weeks apart before, and had a lot of trouble getting them to act as one flock.  It wasn't something I wanted to do again, and TaDa!  It happened.  At least this time I was better prepared for it and they have become a nice little group.

Here are the Wyandottes at one month


They grow very quickly.  Here they are now at 16 and 18 weeks, respectively.

See how lovely the Wyandotte feathering is?

One of the Rhode Island Reds has started to lay little eggs every now and again.  I am grateful she is laying them in a nest box---lots of times new layers will leave them in odd places.  The usual age for beginning to lay is about 20 weeks, so she is slightly early.  The eggs gain size as the hen gets older.

Mama Hen, the newbie and the Buff  Orpington's eggs
The new flock hasn't been named yet as I can't tell anyone apart.  As they get their identities, the names will come.

Lest you think all I did for the spring and summer was play with chickens, let me assure you that we also had to spend June getting ready with Annie for Her Wedding.   It was a full month of grooming my father's grounds, doing last minute tasks and being happily excited.  The day dawned lovely and warm, not too hot,  and no rain.

Mr. and Mrs. make the rounds
We had a wonderful day.  As you can imagine, I could post lots and lots of photos.  I will content myself with one of the interior of the tent, which was largely decorated with hand sewn and handmade items done by Annie, and of the ceremony site with the beautiful flowers.

The beautiful decorating job



Ceremony site
We all recovered from our celebrating quite nicely.  On July 3rd we  had a vicious line of storms come through which destroyed quite a few  homes and buildings in our town.  It was so fierce that the roads were impassable in places and resulted in all our Independence Day celebrations being cancelled.  Fortunately there were no injuries.

Trees and lines down in the village
We spent the next weeks cleaning up from the mess.  And then it was August.  That was another wedding, this one the other Annie in our family and it was down in Delaware.  It also was a trip to Cape Cod with my sister in law.  
The summer also was full of weaving.  I did two baby blankets and a rug for various gift giving.  


One of the blankets
There.  I think we are all caught up!  I am at work on a pretty warp for two scarves, knitting a shawl and spinning some more yarn.  My resolve is to get into a pattern of spinning as much as possible so that I will have yarns to work with.  And also to share my life with you again, as I know it is So Fascinating!




Friday, April 11, 2014

At Long Last

The chickens have finally finished their self appointed job of eating all the snow.   We have bare ground now over 99% of the yard.  It is fantastic.

Roxie working on the snow, April 1
This is what they mostly worked on.

The ice and snow mound, April 1
It only took ten days and they got it all.

Looking for help

Every one pitches in
What a relief all around.

All gone!
While the girls were so busy, I spring cleaned the coop.  It is so nice to get all that winter build up out the door.  I used the Chicken Chick's recipe for freshening up.  Jeff helped me reconfigure the roost, putting it closer to the wall so there is more floor space.  I am getting 6 chicks in May and want there to be enough room for everyone.  It looks and smells so clean!   
We also had other things to distract us.  The most exciting thing was seeing my little dress on Arya.  She is such a sweetie!

Sleeping sweetheart
Well, maybe the reason I saw her was really the most exciting thing.  Her folks brought her to listen to Annie's presentation for her PhD dissertation.

Annie's research
She defended successfully and now we are the proud family that has our own Dr.  She has worked so hard and long on this that we are all happy she is through.  This gives us two full months to concentrate on the wedding, so she can add Mrs. to her titles!
With all that has been going on, I still am spinning away.  Nothing on the loom yet, only socks on the needles, but as soon as I get enough yarn spun I have an idea for weaving and one for knitting.  But I started the tomatoes and peppers, so.........
Stay tuned!