4 lovely new hens

Our flock has four new members~

Black Beauty

(Black Giant)

Miss Hallobride (at least that's what I think that my almost 3 year old daughter was yelling from the back seat on the ride home from getting these hens)

(Rhode Island Red)

Speckles

(Barred Rock)

Cloud

(Araucana--the first all white one that I have seen)

These new gals are still adjusting to their new home and "coopmates".  Our youngest rooster, Feather Feet (a very large Brahma), has been keeping them company in the coop as some of our new hens have not ventured out to the chicken yard.  

We added these hens to our flock because we've had a few losses this spring--possibly to an owl or opossum or both.  Our flock will not be free ranging for a while as we are starting to plant in our gardens and they would feast on our efforts.

I hope this Monday finds you well!

Uncommon Weather

I am usually not one to complain of mild temperatures.  I enjoy the winter daylight and being able to take photographs of objects that would be otherwise snow-covered.



Darth Vader and his hens.

 I am sure that the chickens enjoy free ranging during a time where normally, we do all we can to keep them warm.

Spares

We have done a lot to prepare for this winter, which was forecasted to be quite severe.

My concern, as I surveyed the fruit trees in our orchard and children's garden, was--do they think that Spring will soon arrive?

Bud

2011 planting in apple orchard.

How is winter treating you?

thankful for a warm day in October

A few scenes from today~

We are still processing apples and pears.  The Italian Prune Plum Jam turned out well and tastes similar to grape jelly.

I also found these fun links for the seaon:
~ Living Locurto posted these fun Halloween candy wrappers.
~ Well Preserved shared his Cheesy Jalapeno Guinness Bread recipe that I am excited to try.
~ Handcrafted With Altitude (how could I not love this blog with a name like that?!) shared her recipe for Blackberry Habanero Jam.
~ Shannon Sews' Re-purposing:  tablecloth to an apron is just what I am hoping to create with a much loved, yet stained holiday tablecloth.
~ I am so inspired by Northern Cottage!

What has inspired you today?

The Rituals of Spring

Every year, I look forward to the opening of our local farmers' market.  Although my family has a large garden, there are some things that we don't grow and look to local vendors to provide.

I can always count on a great selection of herbs for pots, gifts and planting with my tomatoes.

I am spoiled by our delicious local honey and maple syrup (even grade C, my family's favorite) and hope that we can tap our own sugar maples next spring.

This weekend also included a lot of progress in our garden with many new leaves on our red raspberry bushes.

We added apple trees to the orchard.

We burn our leaves, twigs, and other brush in the garden so that the ashes can be mixed in to our garden soil.

Our ever busy chicken yard--that's a Polish hen at the entrance of the chicken coop.

A broody hen in a nesting box.

Peas ready for planting.

Many thanks to Seeds of Change and Rick Bayless for their Sowing Millions Project in which they offered free organic seeds to many gardeners earlier this year.  I am so excited to grow and taste these new lettuces!  Hopefully, I can keep our chickens out of the garden....

My favorite way to water our plants.

Homemade garden art in the form of trimmings from our grapevine that I placed on a trellis in the childrens' garden.  I am hoping that morning glories and pea plants will travel up this trellis and provide my kids with a snack and some beauty during their busy days in the garden.

What spring rituals are you and your loved ones enjoying?  Happy Spring!





(Some) of our new baby chicks

9 baby chicks were welcomed home 10 days ago.  On the left, two bantam araucanas.  One of our Silkie chicks stands in the center.  A barred rock chick is perched on their feeder.  We found these chicks locally; most mail order sources require a minimum order of 25 chicks.  Soon to join them will be 2 Brahma chicks and I hope that they are hens--one of their attributes include winter laying of eggs.

Handsome

I would say that all of our roosters are handsome and this one is very unique.  He is from last year's shipment of chicks from this wonderful source.  He is a white Cubalaya rooster and was chosen due to his temperament.  He needs a name, since he will be saved from our harvest this year.

Beautiful eggs

I was surprised to get such a variety of eggs this week!