Crowing Hens

This week we heard our first crow from one of our "hens." Looks like we do indeed have a rooster, although we did beat the odds and end up with 7 hens out of 8 chicks. Am still astonished that we had such good luck buying pre-sexed fluffballs. Our little russet colored rooster (not pictured) has found his way to a Craigslist posting and hopefully will find a more rural flock to govern soon.

 

A Lion And Some Chickens

The golden, warm weather of yesterday's January thaw has gone and now we're having a wild blustery day up here on the hilltop. Lots of reading, lots of sorting through the seed bin, lots of dreaming about chickens (we're getting some!) and a little plotting about new bees (our hive bit the dust). Its a homestead dream day. I have been researching chicken coops and planting dates and talking to beekeepers on the phone about what I might have done wrong. After I push "Publish" on this post I'm off to the upstairs to rummage around in my homesteading book department and fuel the dream. This weekend I am hoping to put up a hoop house or two over some of our raised beds to get some early cold weather veggies started.

While I dreamed and researched and scribbled notes the boys have been having a playdough, graphic novel and drawing, drawing, drawing kind of day. Lots of interesting masterpieces making appearances. I am kind of smitten with this lion Ru created. I love his cheerful face, his humpy back, his tassely feet and his brush-bottle tail.

November Brewing

Am writing a budget for our eating and am spending all my waking idle moments (and some dreams!) plotting and planning all the ins and outs of this new and thrilling challenge. You might think I was being cynical. I'm not. I'm being authentic geek. I like these kinds of things. Am ready with this week's sample beginning and raring to hit the grocery aisles and see if I can come out still in the black!

Am also making bone broth for drinking on snug autumn mornings and evenings in a big heavy mug...plotting new quick bread adventures....sighing over the dream of a chest freezer (must find a way!!!)....planning to dust off my yogurt maker.....considering getting my kombucha on again....thinking about buying a little firewood....dreaming of chickens for next summer....and picking out a wall paint color for the boys room!

Stay tuned...lots going on in my little corner in this slate colored time of the year. November is for gleeful hand rubbing!