Around the Yard

Little man peering through our fence around the {very weedy!} garden.  We had to put up this fence to keep out our hens.  They apparently like asparagus as much as we do!  We will have a gate so they can get in when WE want them too! 

The hens. 

Some of them are molting, so they look a little bedraggled these days.  We are planning on getting some new chicks next week. 

Our third year rhubarb.  Hopefully we can pick as much as we like this year.  We did snag a little for a teeny rhubarb crisp last night.  Everyone got just a little helping.  Oh, it was so yummy!

Blue colored treasure I found in the chicken house!

Blooms on the strawberries already.  I'm not sure how long from bloom to berry...but my mouth waters just thinking of frest strawberries.  Even though picking them makes me itch..itch..itch!

And last but not least...asparagus.  This is only the second year for our asparagus, so we've only been able to pick a few of the bigger spears.  We all {well, most!}  like it, so it gets gobbled up quickly!  I found directions to roast it with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.  Very easy and saves trying to stir fry it and keep it the perfect doneness all at the last minute.

And that is what all is going on in our backyard!

I'm {not overly} sorry, Mr. Roosters.

You've been bad, Maximus.  We named you Maximus because from your beginning crow, you put your Max effort into being heard.  And then that soon changed into putting your Max effort into defending what you thought was your territory.  I don't think you realized when you decided to show me that you were boss that I'm married to the real boss.

And you, Beautiful Ridge, didn't really do anything wrong.  I'm not sure where the children came up with your name.  You are beautiful, but I don't think I'll miss your incessant crowing much either.  Your wide variety of feather colors sure displayed the creativity of our Creator.

Whew.  Now I can relax a little when I go out to get clothes off the line and not have to bribe a child to stand guard with a broom. 

{Now you know...I've been scared silly by an 8 pound rooster!}

Today's Blessings

Praise God...

~ tomatoes beginning to ripen in the garden ~

~ 1 1/2 inches of rain in the guage this morning ~

~ piles of cucumbers ~

~ the anticipation of fresh peaches soon delivered ~

~ memories of a fun weekend spent out of state with family ~

~ 2 treasures found in the chicken house ~

~ and the thumpa-thumpa-swish-swish sound of baby heartbeat ~

...from whom ALL blessings flow!

Happy Hens

Our chickens now have an {almost!} finished outdoor pen.  They are so funny.  In the morning when we {I use that term loosely.  I don't do the chicken chores!}  open the door, they rush out and start pecking around.  A little while later, they're back inside snacking and snoozing. 

Our rooster.  {That we didn't intend to have. and speaking of roosters, one other "hen" is showing signs of being a rooster too} We named him Maximus.  Because he makes the max amount of noise that his not-quite-grown-up rooster voice can muster.  We're not sure if we're going to keep them both around.  So far they're not mean.  But we would like the children to be able to take care of the chickens without fear of attack!

They actually manage to use their makeshift ramp pretty well.  They don't seem to notice or care that they have to ssslliiddee down instead of having nice laddery steps.

They other night Hubby and I were wandering through a bookstore on our very spur of the moment {14th! gulp!}anniversary date.  We came across a gardening/homesteading book.  This statement caught our eye and we had a chuckle ~

"If you plant a garden, you're a gardener.  The minute you get chickens, you're a homesteader"

I guess we've crossed the line and so far it's been fun :)

Saturday was strangely reminescent of this day.  Although the roof isn't as high, the boy is 2 years bigger, and the house is not for our vehicle ~ it's for these feathered friends:

I'm so thankful for my dad's help getting the roof finished.  Hubby has worked tirelessly {well, he has gotten pretty tired and tired-of-it!} repairing this chicken house.  It was my dream to begin with~and he has spent countless evenings making it happen.

The chicks seem to be doing good.  They're 7 weeks now, so maybe 3 more months or so until we have eggs.  And they will be much appreciated and tasty, I'm sure!

LittleM wore out before the fun had really began.  He headed to the house early in the day saying, "I'm done!"



This Ain't Your Ordinary Grocery Dozen

Alternately Titled:

~Why I Love Farm Fresh Eggs~

or

~This Makes Me Anxious For Our Hens to Grow Up~

or

~Some of These Eggs are so Big, The Lid Won't Close Properly~

or

~I Hope Our Araucanas Are Good Blue-Egg Layers~

Old MacDonald Had a "Farm"

~The newest residents~

They have settled right in and are busy pecking at their food and water!

This is a new experience for us.  We have jumped into the world of "we gotta get home to do chores."  These chicks will hopefully make their contribution to our breakfasts in a few months.  The children are excited {me too!}.  Now to get the chicken house fix-up complete so they don't have to spend too long in a Dell box.  :)