This weeks delights!

Thursday was a good surprise day this week. I went to Sabra's house to pick up the three Auracana hens on Wednesday which went without a hitch amazingly and we had a good visit to boot. These hens are laying already being of a more mature stature. Sabra mentioned that due to the disruption in their lives they would likely not lay for several days. So, we were quite suprised when on Thursday there were two eggs in the nest boxes! This, of course was the grand event that the kids have been waiting for so it was done with all the pomp and circumstance deserved by such an occasion (I got out a collection basket lined with a cotton napkin and brought out the camera).

Duncan had specially requested that he get to collect the eggs if there were any- fortunately there were two so Sam wasn't left out and Lila was a good sport...

Before I left for work on Thursday, miss Buffy decided she was going to make a nest after all and was busy ripping all that beautiful fiber from her chest and shoulders. Will called me around 9:30 to tell me she had kindled and there were three white kits in the nestbox. I got home and peeked under all the fuzz they were nestled in and found Four kits- one dark one with a vienna mark on its forehead that had blended in with the bottom of the box. The three whites should have blue eyes as Buffy is Vienna marked and the buck is also a blue eyed white. Though maybe one will be a tort like her mother... :)Duncan wants to keep one of the pink ones he said. He thinks the fur will be pink.

And here are the two eldest baby rabbits at a whopping 8 weeks old- Taffy and Jellybean. They look huge but most of it is fur. They will be good woolers I think....

Father's Day-Solstice Chicken Coop

Happy Summer Solstice and Fathers Day! As I am writing, a key lime pie is baking in the oven- soon to be placed in the freezer. Special request from Will. Dinner will be bratwurst made locally in Escanaba slathered with fried onions, a salad, and beer or a usual (gin and tonic).

Said father is outside slaving away in the summer solstice heat (finally it feels like summer!) finishing the chicken coop. All that is left is the roof and some finishing touches. Good thing, because the garage has been overun completely by chickens that refuse to stay in their brooder box! It is hazardous to go into the garage for fear of stepping on the wee beasties or in their poo. good thing there was a nice layer of wood shavings...they too have been scattered through the garage. Oh well, at least this means a good cleaning will be had.

Our dear friends Dave and Sabra and their kids are moving :( They had bought a lovely variety of chickens so we made the plunge and purchased a few from them since the coop is so roomy (10 x 12). So we now have the following new chicks: 2 dark brahma bantams, 2 welsummer, 2 white crested polish (one is a bantam), 1 white frizzle bantam (called miss frizz after the magic school bus teacher), 1 salmon faverolle and 1 black langshan. They are younger than the chickens we had originally so they are outside having fun in the bunny run- having dust baths appears to be a very gratifying endeavor. Just before our friends leave we will also get their adult hen auracaunas...the kids love their green/blue eggs.

Still plenty to be done around here- seems like it has been so busy but the list doesn't go down any! Still have to band the ram lamb and finish up shearing. It is getting too hot to have unshorn sheep, but the chicken coop has been the priority this weekend. CDT shots have been given and some more hay purchased to get us through until hay harvest, which is SOON- first week of July....more work! Have to get the barn started too, so we have a place to store hay. Never enough time or money it seems!! :)

Went to spinning group yesterday and had a blast. Spun up some of Nala and Buffys wool...a shetland & Angora blend...heavenly! I'm so happy that we added the bunnies to our mix. Speaking of which- Jellybean and Taffy are now six weeks old! Both are males...we will be keeping Jellybean and Taffy will be for sale. They are both very tame and have been handled a lot by myself and the kids. It will be hard to see Taffy go, but Buffy hopefully is bred and will be having a litter this week- another small litter I imagine, as she generally only has two or three at a go.

Gotta run- have to set up the slip and slide for the kids and get that key lime pie in the freezer! Dad- I'll give you a ring tonight!!!

Happy Birthday Uncle John!

Happy Happy Birthday to our dear Uncle John half the world away in New Zealand. We miss you and Aunt Sylvia....might we see you in New Hampshire in August? The children have many questions about a pirates life. Love and hugs and many happy returns....