I Didn't Want Chickens, I Just Wanted Their Eggs

After a lovely time in South Dakota we returned home and it was time to get to work unpacking and learning all about our new surroundings. Did I mention that when we bought our house it also came with about 40-50 chickens? I still don't really know how many chickens we actually have.

If you know me then you've probably heard that I've wanted chickens for a long time, but our previous home didn't have the space and our HOA didn't permit it. Well, I've finally got my chickens, but did I ever mention that I know nothing about chickens or really any pet or animal for that matter? What have I gotten myself into? I even mentioned to my husband that I really didn't want chickens, but I just wanted their eggs. He had a good laugh while I began researching chickens like crazy by checking books out at the library, and Google has been a great help too. We not only have hens, but we have a few roosters too! What do you do with roosters? The previous owner, whom we still speak to often, told us to leave eggs in the nesting boxes and we'll have baby chicks in 21 days. What? We've contemplated getting rid of them. That was until a very large bird swooped down and tried to attack our chickens. The rooster, that the children name Saruman, fought the bird off. He has since been renamed Gandalf, for protecting his flock. We're keeping the roosters for now. The previous owner let the chickens out all over the property, so we've done the same thing with a little hesitation. How do we get them all back into the coop at night? We don't. We've learned that they just know where to go when it starts to get dark outside. We don't have to do anything. The roosters pretty much herd their hens back to the coop, which the children have recently named The Shire.

We have a large open field in the back of our house with a massive wall that still needs to be finished. When we moved in the weeds were waist high and now we've been told that we need to get some goats to keep the weeds down. What? I don't even know what I'm doing with chickens. That little green mower works just fine in the field, don't you think? If anyone out there is looking to do a little labor putting up a stone wall let me know. We have all the materials and I'll feed you!

          

We were told that our recently inherited flock of chickens were pretty old. Not all of the chickens are even laying eggs anymore. The previous owner suggested that we grow our flock by, guess what? Yeah, these kids talked me into buying baby chicks when we returned home from South Dakota. AHH!!

I have to admit that they're pretty darn cute and they're growing on me, but I still feel like I have no idea what I'm doing.  We'll see how many make it through the winter. Stick around for more to come on our little urban farm?

After the Valentine's Day Party

Wow! It's been over 2 months since I've blogged anything. Thank you for your kind comments and emails about my lack of blogging. Hopefully, I can get you caught up on what's been going on around here. 

The last half of February took a cold turn right after David completed level 8, Rachel level 6, and Anna level 2 in the Catechism memory program at church. We found ourselves with quite a bit of snow causing us to hit the slopes and do a little sledding. We even convinced one of our church members to join us after he plowed our driveway. We're so spoiled! The cold weather didn't stop us from heading out to see the Glass Slipper at the Buell theater. It was the perfect Valentine's day with another couple to boot!

The Zoo in January

It had been over a year since we had seen Mimi and Papa, so way back in January, they came to visit. It was such a beautiful day outside that we decided to take them to the zoo. Would you believe it if I told you just a few days earlier we had snow on the ground?

It looks like the brown bears just finished lunch and were taking an afternoon nap.

The gorillas were pretty entertaining that day, walking around near the windows.

We always enjoy the Gibbons when we visit. They do amazing acrobatic stunts, at least in my view, when they're swinging from the ropes or branches.

The rhinos were a big hit with the spectators.

They now share their home with the elephants for our easier viewing pleasure. Since moving to this space it seems like they are more active when we visit.

Check out these crazy animals that climb logs. They don't even cage these guys up. They seem to roam free all over the zoo!

The tricks that these elephants perform are always fun to watch and the facts we learn about them are pretty amazing.

Who needs a penny when you can stamp it with a zoo logo.

Anna wanted to take off and find the giraffes, so she and I snuck away while the others were were perusing the hyenas and foxes.

Then we came across the zebras.

The zebras were putting on a show for us without any coaxing.

Smile for the camera!

Once I tried to get the lion to smile with Mimi and Rachel he turned away. He wasn't having any of it. 

Fall or Summer?

I found some photos from last month that I forgot to post.

With the strange weather around here it's hard to figure out when summer has ended and when fall has started.

It's warm enough to run around in the sprinklers,

but leaves are falling all over the ground.

So, is it summer or fall?

Hmm? I wonder what these boys think?

Park Day!

Since getting my point-and-shoot camera I rarely carry my big, heavy SLR around anymore, but I had a portrait session coming up and decided to wipe off the dust and practice a little when we headed to the park.

We met up with friends old and new and had a blast!

The sun was a scorcher, but it didn't slow anyone down.

Next to the playground is a little grassy area and pond where the geese like to graze.

I asked Rachel to pose for me and she happily obliged

There were children everywhere. How do you keep track of them all?

The light was quite lovely under this pergola, so naturally, I asked for some models.My goal, at the park, was to come home with tired children. I'll tell you now that I succeeded after they ran around all afternoon. ;)

Just before we left the children found the stage area and decided to sing Father Abraham. It was such a hoot to watch. They sang and danced until they couldn't stop laughing.

Our Baby is Five!

Just one week after Elizabeth's birthday comes Anna's birthday. They're like two peas in a pod being just one year apart. Can you guess what Anna wanted to do for her birthday?

It was another trip to the zoo for us on Anna's birthday. We tried to check some of the animals that we didn't see the week before.

I suppose making regular trips to the zoo makes it so one doesn't have to see all of the exhibits on these same day, right?

The sliver backs were snacking which made the rest of us a little hungry too.The downpour the week before caused the carousel to close for obvious reasons.

Elizabeth was super disappointed, but all was well when they gave us a raincheck and she was able to ride along with Anna!

Since I seem to get dizzy on the carousel, in my old age, my Lutheran Stud rides the carousel with the children while hang out and to get footage.

Have you ever seen the penny thing? You stick a penny into the machine above. It gets melted down into this. Pretty cool, huh?

It seemed like a lot of the animals were eating lunch when we came by, as was this rhino. He paid no attention to us. He was focused.

This ass, on the other hand, wanted to jump the fence and get us. We actually thought he was going to do it too.

The sea lions wanted to play too. They kept swooping down and putting on a show for us.

We couldn't leave the zoo without a stop for ice cream for the birthday girl!

And to be spoiled even more, Kellee made these awesome Snow White cookies for her.

This sweet baby of ours is now 5 years old! Yikes! Isn't she the cutest thing, ever?Happy birthday, Anna! We love you. Now stop growing up!