What's up? Chicken butt

This morning there was some mild "chaos" in that I woke up to the soft and sweet sounds of baby chicks chirping away.   Then at 5:30 a.m. my son's alarm went off and two seconds later I could hear Buck the little roo start crowing.

We also got our first peek at Elvis' baby. The little one kept popping it's head out from under mama and I got out the smart phone to take a picture and then it disappeared.  The only good photo I got was this on and it shows it's fluffy little butt.

 Four babies have hatched out so far.  There are two grey ones, a black one and a white/yellow one.  Just another day or so for that last one to hatch out. 

Then this afternoon my DH got home before me and let the big girls and Brewster out for some play time.  I went out and tossed them some treats.

It was a very gorgeous day and I'm bummed that it couldn't be enjoyed by everyone.

I tried to get a decent photo of the bigger babies out in the baby coop but the only that shows up is the white one. 

Unfortunately I have more sad news. This evening when I checked on the Americauna chicks and turkeys I noticed one of the chicks was in the corner and there was something wrong with it and you could tell it was in pain so it was euthanized.  I tell ya, even though we had it for only a few days it doesn't make it any better.  I have learned that it doesn't do any good to wait and see if they get better because of all our pullets that got ill last year died and then I felt ten times more horrible for prolonging their misery.

So, it's been a bit of a downer on the evening.

The nice weather during the day turned chilly this evening so a fire was built and that has helped my mood.

Can't feel too low staring at something like this.


Daily 5 of things that made me happy today

1. Seeing Elvis' baby poke it's head out from under her.

2. The warm temps today.

3. Seeing mourning doves in the back yard this evening.

4. My guy building me a fire.

5. Snuggles with my boy. 

Happy Easter!

And a blessed Easter it has been.

Let me tell you about it.

I woke up and the sun was over the horizon and we had such a pretty dawn.  The temperature was a balmy 23 or so and it felt warmer than that.  The air smelled SO fresh.

My little man woke up and snuggled with me for a few minutes before he realized he had an Easter basket.  I was surprised that he didn't dive into it right away. Turns out he thought he had to wait til after the big meal to enjoy the goodies.  He was pleased to get some goodies in the basket that he seldom gets, like V8 Fusion and those yogurts that have the cookie or candy mix-ins.

My DH decided to work on a project while I did some final work for the Easter meal.  We recently purchased an outdoor storage unit to store chicken feed and pine shavings by the coop.  Turned out the storage unit was busted and unable to be put together.  Fortunately Menard*s was open today (Not that I approve of that necessarily) and we drove to town and got a replacement. Drove back home and promptly kicked it into overdrive.

We had started a fire in the wood stove so the house would be toasty when the company arrived.  The outdoor temps spiked and I started roasting in the house.  We were able to have the windows WIDE open for a good chunk of the day since the temps reached over 60 degrees F outside.

The meal was wonderful, made even more so with the company we have.  After eating, my guy and my BIL went out back and did some plinking and my DH got to shoot a new-to-him pistol and really enjoyed the experience.  While the guys were plinking us gals stayed in the kitchen and chatted.

Later, when we were all round the table enjoying dessert (which was well received; recipe here) my son ran into the kitchen to let us know that Elvis' eggs have started hatching! Yay!

The first chick to hatch out was from Elvis' own egg.  I'm in love already it it.  It's a bitty little grey thing.  Naturally we haven't messed too much but we did take a quick peek to see what it looked like.

Right on time the first egg hatched.

Yesterday we an egg float to verify which eggs were viable.  Five out of the six wobbled.  The first time Elvis was broody we did the egg float and the eggs started hatching the next day.  It's really cool to see the eggs wiggle. After a bit a couple of them started really wobbling.

Now we are unwinding from the day and enjoying the "afterglow" of  it all.

As promised, here is a picture of one of the baby turkeys.

Baby turkeys are pretty darn adorable. One of the bronze ones will stand and stare at you. Sometimes they fall asleep on their feet and sort of sink and plop their heads down.  The turkeys and chicks seem to be getting along well.

Tomorrow it is back to the grind and publishing day.  I'm guessing it will be a long day. I feel like its been forever since I've been at the office. Wish me luck! 

Daily 5 of things that made me happy today

1. Seeing my DH get to shoot a new gun and have fun.

2. Awesome company and the chance to catch up with family members.

3. Homegrown baby chicks!

4. The gorgeous weather today.

5. Tomorrow is my SIL's birthday and I already gave her a gift, which she promptly tried on.   (Socks) 

Today was a gorgeous day

Today was a gorgeous day.  Too bad I spent the majority of it working on stuff around the house. Things that I usually don't have time for. 

My son and I hauled wood into the house and he restacked it.  For a few hours today I had almost all the windows open.  The fresh air was wonderful.

While I was tidying up the craft room chicken room I noticed that the African Violet that I got from my MIL's apartment has a flower bloom on it. I can't remember the last time it bloomed.  This plant I got as a cutting from a former coworker.  It's at least five years old.  I need to give it some major TLC but the fact that it's got a flower bud on it makes me happy.

The babies are doing fabulous.  My son wanted to pick up one of them and I got this shot. They are spirited little things.

I have other fun news to share tonite.  We drove down to Hayward and picked up three turkeys: Two bronze and my son bought a white one.  They are just as adorable as the chicks.  I don't have any pictures of them yet because I wanted them to get used to their new environment and the other babies.  

My DH called me into the room to look at them all and they were all tumbled up together in a bunch and sleeping on top of each other. 

The new table came and I got it all set up.  I love it! The color is great and the size is perfect.  Chairs have already been ordered.

Daily 5 of things that made me happy today

1. I got my bird feeders refilled and within a half hour a wood pecker was spotted.

2. My table was delivered and it's all set up.

3. Having the windows open today.  That was nice.

4. New babies! I can see why some people turn into collectors.

5. Starting a new craft project. 

The babies are here!

The snow came down all night as far as I can tell. We got at a foot of fresh snow.  I have decided purgutory will be a constant snow storm and need to shovel, but I digress.

This was my car this a.m. Last night I had brushed it off but you can't tell.

I'm sad to say that one of the baby chicks didn't make it through the night.  A couple hours before bedtime I noticed she was very lethargic and breathing pretty rapidly.  I've come to recognize when a chick or chicken isn't long for this world. Told my DH that I would be amazed if it made it through the night and he seemed surprised.

I felt just awful that the other chick had been left alone.  There was no way I could tuck her in with Elvis and it was going to be several hours, at least, if I was able to get at least one other chick or if my order of chicks came in.

As much as I would have loved to, I couldn't carry her around with me today. So I thought of the next best thing.  A lovey. I knit my son a few stuffed chicks some time ago and I put one of those in the tote.  When I checked on the baby an hour or so later she was snuggled up next to it.  It was so darling!  I tried to get a photo, but you know how that goes.  This was the best I could do.  The lovey had been flipped around so I know she had done something with/to it.

Note to future self: Always buy at least three chicks, just in case one doesn't make it.

Since the plow didn't go by in time I wasn't able to go to work or bring my son to latchkey on time. The school buses were only running on the main ways so I knew the "back roads" were not high on the priority list this time around.  I tried to access my work email and my computer.  Nada to either.  Server must have been down. I decided to heck with it and kept my son home, made some pancakes for breakfast and spent most of the day cleaning and getting the house ready for Easter.  Tomorrow I'll try and access my work computer and get an idea of where we stand for publishing day.

About midday I called the feed store and asked if they had chicks available.  They did. So I went out to my car and proceeded to shovel it out and start it up. Then, just to be safe, I threw the snow shovel in the back of my car.  At the rate this winter is going I felt it was a must.

The drive to town was interesting. My son and I stopped and had lunch before going to the feed store.

 My chick order was in -- Yay -- and I had my son pick out another Barred Rock chick.

They all seem healthy and happy.  No signs of distress. Just some happy chirping.  The cheeps are causing all kinds of confusion for Elvis, who looks like she's ready for her eggs to hatch. ...  Any day my sweet little mama, any day.

I did try and introduce her to the lone Barred Rock this a.m. Nothing happened because I didn't let the baby go. Elvis was giving the chick the hairy eye.

The big babies didn't spent much time outside today.  Not that it was very cold, I think they didn't feel like walking in the snow that got into their chicken run. 

Meanwhile when the big girls heard me outside I could hear them raising a ruckus so I opened the door to their chicken run and I kept seeing the Wynadotte poke her head out when she heard me walking around.  If I had treats I'm sure she would have come running. 

My new kitchen table was supposed to be delivered today. I wonder if FedEx runs on Good Friday. 

Daily 5 of things that made me happy today

1. I got all my baby chicks home safe and sound. 

2. Spending the day with my boy.  We had fun together. 

3. The pretty sunset this evening.

4. I found my MP3 player

5. Everyone made it there and back again, safe and sound.

The day that didn't go as planned

You know, I'm not even sure how to start out this entry.

After I wrote last night's entry I seamed up my Baby Surprise Jacket and it's officially all done.  I really do wish I had made it bigger because I want to see it being worn RIGHT. NOW.

This a.m. I went to town to pick up my order of baby chicks and the order wasn't in just yet so I went and hung out with my MIL for a while.  Then it started snowing. It first started out light but it got heavier and it's STILL snowing.

I met up with my DH and we both went to the feed store real quick to get the babies and decide if we wanted any other baby chicks that were already at the store.  The store had a mixture of Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons and Barred Rocks.

Well guess what?  Our order didn't come in. :-(  It will probably be there tomorrow, they say.  So I wasn't coming home completely empty handed we did buy two Barred Rocks.  They've slept for most of the day.  They are set up in a brooder box in the craft room, right next to the tote Elvis is set up in. 

Elvis didn't know what to make of the baby cheeps.  Their noise caught her attention and she kept looking around.

Meanwhile, the snow continued on.

Then it was time to go get my son from Latchkey and the roads were pretty bad and visibility was poor.  I got there and back home in one piece. When my DH got home he told me that he passed a car that had gone into the ditch.


I wouldn't be one bit surprised if they decide to cancel school tomorrow.

Tomorrow I promise there will be pictures.  The pictures I took of the new babies tonite did not turn out well. Trust me, they are adorable.


Daily 5 of things that made me happy today

1. I still came home with baby chicks even though it wasn't my order.  I really enjoy having them in the house -- until their little poo becomes big stinky poo.

2. A new crafting project was started tonite.  But it's a sekrit so no details yet.

3. Easter goodies for my son has been purchased.

4. Visiting with my MIL today. 

5. It was a good egg day.

An unexpected vacation

Today I also received a message wondering if I was okay and a text message along those lines.

I took a look at my blog and realized that it had been a little more than a week since my last blog entry.  Oops.

About a week ago, or so, the weather turned nice, my wrist felt better so I started knitting, and the family started listening to an audio book or two.  I guess that all meant that I spent next to no time on the Internet and I didn't even realize it.

I hope this reassures those that were wondering where I was.  I'm fine, the family is fine, the chicks are fine.

In fact, tomorrow I'm supposed to pick up five brand new babies! We are all pretty excited for it. In addition, the eggs Elvis is sitting on are due to hatch around April 20 (Easter).  I still need to get the brooder box ready for the new additions. 

Okay, so what has happened in the last week ...

Since the weather turned nice and melted so much of the snow we didn't get to "play" with the wood pile too much.  It was too wet out.

This past weekend we went down to Rice Lake and stocked up on chicken supplies and went grocery shopping and saved a ton of money at Aldi's.  I am in perpetual amazement at how much stuff you can get at Aldi's for $100. 

 We let the big girls outside the chicken pen for the first time this season.  They loved it!

Brewster did a very good job of protecting and keeping an eye out for danger.  I have a feeling, and my DH agrees with me, that Brewster isn't used to walking out on ground.  He has a bit of a funny walk. Me thinks he didn't spend much time outside in his old home.  He is still a pretty young guy though, so it's possible.

We do need to keep a close eye on them when they are out now.  This weekend we heard a pair of owls out in the jack pines.  This morning my DH spooked a raccoon in the yard.

One thing that happened that I'm really, really excited about is we ordered a new kitchen table. It is supposed to be delivered this week.

For knitting, I picked up the baby surprise jacket that I had started back in January.  I'm almost done with it.  I have all the knitting done. All that is left is to seam the sleeves.

 

This sweater *is* magic! I thought it needed to fold up different way than it does and as soon as I realized how it went my jaw just might have dropped a little.  It's so cool!  

Took me what feels like forever to knit though. Lots of counting and recounting to make sure stitch count was right.  I did a quick search and came across a set of YouTube videos that I wish I had known about before I started the sweater. The seaming video can be found here.

 I am bummed about one thing, all the stripes are on the back.  I'll know better for next time, if there is a next time.  I'm actually not sure who this one will go to.  I need someone around me to have a baby.  Otherwise, I will hold onto it until one of the nieces has a baby.

 

 

We are listening to two audio books right now.  The one we are listening to in the house is "Horde" by Ann Aguirre.  This is the last of a trilogy and I'm eager to hear how it ends.

In the car we are listening to "Into the Still Blue" by Veronica Rossi. We are *so* close to the end. I had read one review on this series and the reviewer was happy with how the series ended. That gives me hope since I heard the last divergent book ended not so great.  Still haven't read that one.

This past Friday I picked up "If I Lie" by Corrine Jackson. One word: Wow. If you have any interest in YA novels, get this one. It's a story that I think will stick with me for the rest of my life. I cried through the second half of the story.  I started reading it at 9:30 p.m. and finished it promptly at midnight. There was no way I could put that book down and go to sleep.

The boys are still fighting over the almond flour cookies I've been making.  I think my son has been sneaking them when no one can see him.  So my guy put the cookie container way up high so my son can't sneak them anymore.  I think this is so hilarious thought I'm sure they don't find it nearly as amusing as I do.

After the lovely weather we had last week the weather turned chilly again. Have I mentioned that we are in for another snow storm tomorrow?  Up to a foot of snow by the time it's done. Yup, I get to bring home the baby chicks during a snow storm.  I also need to go to the store and pick up some goodies for my son's Easter basket. 

I was awake last night and saw the beginning of the moon eclipse but I didn't stay up for the whole thing.  No way since I had to work today. 


Daily 5 of things that made me happy today

1. Toast made with homemade bread.

2. I will soon have a project off the needles.

3. My wood stove!  I love my wood stove. 

4. How long the day is getting.

5. Baby chicks tomorrow!

The short one

We woke up to a LOT of snow this a.m.

Twenty new inches of snow on the roof. Previously all the snow had melted from this area.  

There was a fresh 14 inches in the driveway. 

It snowed for most of the day and finally stopped in the late afternoon.  The sun peeked out for a while. Thankfully the temps never got very cold.

I'd say this was actually  a downer of  a day.  Technology was fighting me.  Then I was contacted by a few people I work with and they had some sad news to share.  One of those instances when you realize how you aren't in control and you never know what's coming your way.

I did catch a video of Elvis being broody.  It's not the best video because I forgot to turn the phone sideways. 

She had been turning all her eggs but I didn't get my phone out quick enough.  Each time I looked in her direction she puffed up and buck-bucked. She did eat and drink a bit so that makes me happy.

 Daily 5 of things that made me happy today

 

1. I have my family around me. 

 

2. The days are getting longer. 

 

3. I made a kick butt supper tonite

 

4. My son vacuumed without my asking. 

 

5. My DH is making jerky this weekend.