The family. We are a strange little band of characters trudging through life, sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that binds us all together.

- Erma Bombeck

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Springtime Looks Different This Year

It's amazing when I reflect on how far we've come.  Not only are we in a new state, with new jobs, but we also have a completely new climate to adjust to.  It's been a little over a year, yet I am newly amazed by the beauty of this place.  The chickens seem to enjoy their new digs too.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

More Chicks

I took in 13 wayward chicks today.  The owner was a friend of our previous landlord's daughter (if you can get further away in connections than that...).  Her hubby was in a horrible accident and she will be spending most of her time at the hospital.

I know nothing about the chicks other than what I can see.  It looks like I have two ages.  There are Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons, Americaunas, and Black Australorps.  Some will go to a friend's house, but the rest will live with us.  We'll have to wait and see if they are boys or girls.

Hubby doesn't understand how this happens.  But really, I'm not out looking for chickens.  They just find me.

Monday, March 17, 2014

New House

We have finally found a place that we can afford with a little land.  It's beautiful.  A little under two acres, with woods all around.  The house is a 1900's farmhouse that has been overhauled inside.  There is room for the goats and chickens, and every kid gets their own bedroom!

As we've explored the yard, I've found lots of fruit trees - one cherry, three plum, two pear, and three apples!  It's gonna be fun to try to keep up with the bounty.

I'm looking forward to creating a nice garden here too.
You drive through a marsh to get to the house.

First glimpse of the house.

Looking up the driveway.

The chicken coop in the back and part of the shed/shop.

Looking at the house from the chicken coop.

Another view of the yard.

Love the back decks.

We have a working wood burning stove. 

Monday, March 3, 2014

Ode to Butter

A perfect ball of fluff you were
The day we brought you home
So soft and bright and yellow
With your waddles and your comb

You grew into a fine young hen
Who loved to sit and talk
We always knew you laid an egg
By your incessant squawk

Alas, dear girl, your days were short
And sickness brought an end
To such a lovely chicken
And an even better friend.


Sunday, March 2, 2014