Everywhere a chick chick!

One of the highlights of my family time growing up was going to Angelo's Pizza Parlor for family dinners. With quarters ready we would play Ms. PacMan and try our luck getting a prize from The Chicken Machine-Lucky Eggs. I was always thrilled with my $.25 item from China (or maybe still the US back in those days). But I must say that my heart is filled with pure joy as I have spent the past three days helping Owen nurture new life up on Walton Mountain. Andrew and I have both felt like kids again, celebrating the simple joy of a new life. Baby chickens are the cutest things! Even when they poop on your hand. I would have been grossed out by that years ago, but after a baby and taking care of three dogs, poop doesn't bother me so much! Owen is the proud papa of four Golden Sex Links (all females, 2 weeks old) Miley, Herme, Rainbow and Flower. Then we have 4 day old Fluffy (name fits and he/she is feisty) and Bingo our Black Silkie Bantam. Owen knows this drill, wash hands, snuggle, check water and food, snuggle, no kisses and wash hands again. It has been a great indoor activity as he has been so sick this week! The chicks temporary home is the downstairs bathroom, heated and actually a great place to be given our frigid weather! Feels a little like Hawaii! I love that Andrew and I can provide this experience to Owen and to each other. Thanks A & L Feed for making it a fun morning for Owen and Daddy!
We did a little bit of planting this weekend. More chard and lettuce starts and the first direct sows of the year. Radishes, two types of beets and more spinach. I have gotten some great seeds from the COOP and I am sure that I will be ordering from seed catalogs next winter!
I was turned onto a great magazine. Mary Janes Farm (yes I love the shoe reference as well)! It is the everyday organic lifestyle magazine printed on recycle paper. Recipes, articles on gardening, homemade tips and journal entries/writings from other women. Time to read some more articles before the next week begins.

Hurry before the rain comes!

Last weekend I was lulled into a false sense of security with the glorious weather on Saturday. Fun and sun with friends in Salyer. Owen was thrilled to be chasing chickens, wild turkeys and older girls (he is infatuated with them). On the drive home, I couldn't believe my luck-two days off still with this weather! Pop to my dream bubble. I was informed to check my blackberry for the weather report-rain and lots of it.
Sunday was spent working a little on the chicken coop and getting more starts going in the greenhouse. I may put netting over the chicken coop as the ospreys have returned and their neimsis the red-tail hawk is circling the pastures. Last year we had a 10 lb. robin! Well probably not, but the fattest I have ever seen and I put netting over the fencing which worked well to keep the berries in place. I sometimes feel we have a fortress protecting our crops-but it is necessary as bucky is hanging around with 3 does.
The sprayed insulation was doing its job in the greenhouse-95% germination so far(yes I can be a math geek at times)! Owen was thrilled to plant his sunflowers and cosmos for mommy. The rest of the afternoon was my workout. I turned all the soil in three of the beds ready for month for planting!