Pillows!

The other day, Tom was helping Bill clear out some stuff at Jean's house to ready it for renting. Tom came home with this box of embroidery thread and bundles of lace for me to play with. How neat is that! Lovely colors.

He also brought home a bunch of bed billows, a comforter, and a mattress pad for Kristine's bed. These pillows will come in handy for the motor home. Now I won't have to give up my pillows when company comes and stays. We use our motor home as a guest house. It will sleep five easy, or two double beds and three singles.

He also brought these pillows to live on the window seat. They will be happy joining my Home Sweet Home pillow that my sister, Sharon, gifted us with. I can cover some of these pillows so they have a theme going... or not. I really don't like matchy matchy stuff. 

This has been a slow lazy day. The sick chicken seems better, but she is still just staying in the carrier and not moving around much. I checked her over and didn't see any wounds or anything. But she moves as though she hurt herself. Hope she is better tomorrow.

[8 eggs today]

Smiles

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Recovering?

The hen was still alive this morning when I let the chickens out of their coop. So, I moved the hen in the carrier back into the feed shed where it is warm all day. Today the hen drank water, she even spilled it a little and ate all the corn and some feed. Eating is a good sign. Then she turned herself around so she is facing the back of the carrier. ?

Tonight I moved the carrier back into the coop for the night so she can be locked up where critters can't get her. I would like to leave her in the feed shed but it is not safe. Too many openings that I can't close. I covered the carrier to help her retain her body heat. Hope she is doing better tomorrow morning. It is still cold, well, in the 50's tonight. I gave the hens some corn to help keep their energy and temperature level high.

I would like to just put her in one of the closed nest boxes but I am worried that the other hens might start pecking on her because she is weak. Don't want that!

[5 eggs today]

Having the weather go from the high 90's back to the 40's

has thrown the egg laying awry.

Smiles

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Sick Chicken

Yesterday when I went to lock up the chicken coop I noticed a Wyandotte hen that had scrunched herself into a corner and who was not looking like she felt good at all. In fact she didn't even make any effort to move or look around. I left her alone because she looked comfortable and warm where she was, but I didn't expect to find her alive this morning. But there she was this morning in the same place.

So, I made a straw bed in one of the cat carriers and put her in the feed shed. It is warm in there during the day. I managed to spill the water. She scooted up to the water, but I haven't noticed her eat any feed. I don't hold out much hope for recovery. It has been my experience that once chickens show they have a problem they are in real trouble. This is one of the hens that never finished her molt and I suspect the abrupt change in temperature was the cause.

I blocked off the entrance to the feed shed so Morgan wouldn't bother the hen, but so the hen could have some light and might eat and drink. I'll move her back into the chicken coop when I lock up tonight. I hope she does recover. Maybe?

[10 eggs]

I hope she gets better...

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Wood Fire in June

Cold today! I was standing at the slider looking out at the grey gloomy sky and clicking my nails on the slider glass. The hens heard the clicking and came running to the porch hoping to find some treats. Kristine accused me of teasing the girls. So, what could I do? I had to go get some lettuce to give them. That's Curly the Cochin on the left with the feathers on her feet. Even Morgan showed up, so I had to give her a doggie treat. I didn't know the chickens kept that close a watch on the slider. Surprise!

Like I said it is cold today. Cold enough that Tom fired up the wood stove so we could have some heat and I took advantage of the fire to heat up the stew I made yesterday. Seems that I am the only one eating dinner tonight. Kristine ate out when she was at a library meeting and Tom already ate also. I was going to put all the wood gear away for the summer, but I'm glad I was slow in getting to that job. We really need the fire because it is in the 50's and is going into the 40's tonight. 

Kristine said she was talking to a fellow who is in his 70's who has lived here all his life and he said he never saw a lightning storm like the ones we experienced on June 3rd. So, it was an uncommon event. Supposedly, the lightning is supposed to be over tonight. But it is not going to warm up very much.

Kristine got good news today. Her car was making terrible noises, but it was only a brake guard that got knocked up against something else and was rubbing it and making lots of noise. So glad it was not something that needed a costly repair. Yea! She has her car back.

[9 eggs today]

Smiles

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June Lightning 6/3/09 - Placer County, California

Here is Hen/Roo staking claim to the top of the rock pile this afternoon and perhaps celebrating survival of all the lightning we had last night. We did get dumped on by the clouds (13 inches an hour) but they moved over us so fast that there are no puddles left. 

I gave the hens some corn to help with the celebration. They were happy to work over the corn to show their appreciation. I see that Wyandotte sitting over by the fence... I will have to check later to see if she left an egg in the pen. [no egg] And I have to remember to bring in any left over corn because more storm cells are supposed to show up tonight and tomorrow. [no corn left either] We do need the rain, but I could do without the lightning.

The lightning didn't seem to upset the hens

because they laid 10 eggs today!

They must feel safe in their coop.

Happy chickens!

After the lightning started we unplugged the computers and then turned off the lights so we could enjoy the light show. Wow! It probably wouldn't seem like much if we lived in the mid-west but we had over 1400 lightning strikes in an hour in one weather cell that moved over us. Constant booming and light flaring lighting up the trees.

If you can stand to sit through the commercial before the lightning video part starts this news video gives a good idea of the non-stop lightning. It was pretty amazing. But much louder where we are and more rain.

The lightning rattled the windows and shook the house. Lightning is not that unusual up here, but I never experienced so many lightning strikes in such a short time. Spectacular!

My video clip is only 6 seconds long because the lightning strike was so close that the bang came at the same time as everything lit up. I was so startled that I backed up into Kristine and she grabbed hold of me because she thought I was going to fall and I tensed up and my finger pushed the button and turned off the recording. Phooey!

There were lots of lightning flashes during the dark part of my video, but the camera could only get the very brightest flashes. I do have other videos but they are rather boring to watch since there is a lot of black screen in between the biggest flashes.

This was the brightest and loudest that I caught. My poor little camera did the best it could. Sorry the video is so short. Later if you want you can click on the video button and drag it slowly and you can see the big bolt of lightning.

I know it's black! Go ahead and click on it!

The noise you hear is the rain and then the thunder.

What's in the Hole?

(We have lots of lightning so I am turning off my computer.)

I'm back. Wow! That was intense non stop lightning and we got dumped on with rain. But it was quick. Didn't take long at all for the weather cell to move off of us. But there is another cell moving up so I have to be quick and post in between the weather cells. I think I got some film of the lightning? I'll check and if there is anything on my camera that is any good I'll post it tomorrow. As soon as I get this posted I am going to unplug my computer.

Here is a curious Light Brahma.

Bet she wonders what the hole is all about.

Maybe something to eat?

Must be something good down there.

She is digging trying to get at something.

These potholes make it dangerous for me to walk in the pen.

Sorry dear, but I'm going to have to fill the hole up. 

Here is a Dark Brahma.

I think their color patterning is so pretty.

Sweet little chicken.

These two girls are very cozy! I think it is Curly the Cochin and a Light Brahma both determined to lay their egg in the same nest. [at second look I think it is an Orpington because of the dark feathers in the tail] I don't understand how chickens think. I would like to think they are pals and happy to be together. Cozy!

[10 eggs today]

Plus one dandy of a thunder storm!

Smiles

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Chair Chicken

Light Brahma on the chair, two Orpingtons, two Light Brahmas at the feeder, a Dark Brahma and a Wyandotte in the back on the left. The Light Brahma likes to sit on the chair, but doesn't like to have company. Of all the different chickens we have I like the Brahmas best. They have a very calm easy going temperament that make them a pleasure to be around. We really liked our Light Brahma rooster that Kristine named Brutus. He was so sweet and took such good care of the hens. He was protecting his hens one day when a coyote came by. Morgan wasn't out for some reason, but Tom was out cutting wood, but the coyote hopped over the fence anyway. Brutus was friendlier even than the Brahma hens. He was a very big chick which was why he ended up being called Brutus. He was a sweetie and we miss him. 

I had to go to the dentist today and have a filling fixed because I had worn the top off. So, I had the opportunity to take some more photos on the drive. I got the middle shot on the way home.

This shot I took from a parking lot. Usually you can't see the view because of all the trees along the roadway. We are supposed to be getting lightning and rain, but the only rain we have seen has been for five minutes today. And no lightning I'm happy to say!

[8 eggs today]

Smiles

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I really like this little chicken emoticon that Tristan sent me.

So, I adopted it for my blog.

Gathering Eggs

Eggs? No, this is definitely a plate of cherries. I am finding that it is difficult to eat cherries and post on this blog at the same time. So, I think I will go eat these yummy cherries and let the video load and come back and finish my post for today.

 If you don't have chickens, you can pretend you are gathering eggs for breakfast. Usually there are eggs and chickens in each of the three nest boxes. Sometimes the hens are sitting close together, sometimes most of the eggs are on the top or middle, but usually most of the eggs are in the bottom nest box like they are in this video. You can hear Morgan running around behind me.

I will have to shoot some more video of these nest boxes when there are chickens in them. I haven't run across the screaming chicken that Kristine talks about. Kristine says that when you try and take her egg she gets really upset and does a really load screamy squawk. Maybe that hen doesn't recognize Kristine since she is at work most of the time. Ah, yes, that must be it. The hen likes me so she lets me take her egg? Ahhh! Sweet chicken!

[10 eggs togay]

Smiles

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Raking, Darning Foot and an Invisible Thing

There are chickens out there in the woods. Can you find the Australorp? A Light Brahma went flying up in the air back by the fence just as I was focusing this photo, but then she did the vanishing thing among the leaves probably out there in the sunny spot. I took this photo of the paths I raked today.. reraked. The chickens are busy dumping the leaves back on the paths. I do the raking in the middle of the day. It is hotter then, but also there are a lot less mosquitos. When one comes eeeeeeeeeeeeing around me I run away and rake somewhere else. The trick is to keep moving so the little beggars can't find me.

Here is the Darning Foot or free motion quilting foot that is supposed to fit on my Heart Truth 2008LE. I suppose it probably will, but I will have to use a screw driver. I really don't like messing with my machine with tools. But I will have to take the machine and the foot back to the store and have someone show me how to make the change without me harming the machine. Phooey! I like the other feet that just click on and off with the push of a little button. I worry about messing up my machine. It works so beautifully now. I'm afraid...

Here is another Invisible Thing. I got tired of dumping brillo pads because they got rusty. So, I took the plastic lid off a peanut can and made some triangle cuts along the edges and one into the center so that when I put it in the cup it makes a pointy dome in the middle. 

This holds the brillo pad away from the water and allows it to dry out quickly... no rust. The triangle cuts allow more air flow so the water drips evaporate faster. 

Everybody probably does this or something like this,

but I was happy with the peanut plastic lid thing

because it fit the cup. 

I keep it in the window because it is a cute cup, I like the chickens, and there is a better chance of it having good ventilation, sunlight and drying out up there. And it is easy to reach.

Holly gave me the blue and white figurine on the left. I can't remember where I got the shoes. I thought Sue gave them to me, Kristine thought I got them from Mary, or it could have been Kit? I think it was Sue. Maybe. I got the chicken planter at a garage sale. John and Sandy gave me the little chicken  and I bought the one with the blue. The collandar lives up there so it can drain away with no problems.  I love no problems. 

Nag, nag, nag, as a Mom I can do that rather well. I don't indulge in nagging very often and then for only what I think is a good reason. Today Kristine told me a chicken story that happened last night and it made me laugh out loud even. Well, you probably would have needed to be there to hear her mimic the chicken screams and Morgan's nonchalance while out for an evening walk.

Soooo, I nagged her until she made a post on her blog! http://19chickens.blogspot.com/

3 months! I mean it has been 3 months since her last post. She is stuck to her laptop watching bleach. There are way too many episodes. But, hey! I got her to make a post! Nagging rules!

Smiles

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[9 eggs today]

Chicken Stroll

Here are some of the girls going for their daily late afternoon stroll along the deck. They will end up in the little rock garden for a while and will then advance to the front slider where they will congregate. They group in front of the slider in hopes of kitchen treats. Smart chickens!

So what is with the cleared area around the tree!

I have been going out every day for a while raking leaves off my paths. The chickens have been covering them up with leaves when they scratch looking for stuff. I kept telling Morgan to stop with the squirrel barking thing. It is arf, pause, arf, pause, pause, pause, arf, repeat. Arg! So I went over to see what her problem was. There was a dog behind that tree. She is a herding dog and they are hardwired to stay opposite of me on the other side of whatever is there.

I wonder what Morgan thinks is in the tree?

Squirrels?

Yep! There she is. We played ring a round the rosie. Me trying to get a photo of her and her trying to stay on the other side of the tree from me. This behavior makes it almost impossible for me to shoo the chickens in their coop, because Morgan will stand in the doorway since the chickens are in the middle. It is like a strange game of keep a way.

Kristine picked up a darning foot for me today. I am going to have to call the store again tomorrow because I have a bad feeling that it might be the wrong foot. But then again I am the one who couldn't find the feed dog button, so maybe with some better directions than those on the back of the package I will be able to figure out how to put it on the machine. We'll see...

[9 eggs so far today]

It has been hot so egg production slows down.

Smiles

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Button, Button

This is the back of my machine with the case pulled off. I looked for the button to lower the feed dogs, didn't see the button, so I called the sewing machine store. Help! What I needed to do was feel for the feed dog button.

Turns out the button was there. Duh! Underneath! Why am I so lame. Good grief, I couldn't find the feed dog button. So sad, so sad, because it turns out I still can't do any free motion quilting because the Heart Truth doesn't come with that foot. Soooo, I need to buy a darning foot!  So, I'll add that to the list of stuff I need to have someone pick up for me next time they are in that part of town. I sure do spend a lot less money since I stopped driving because of the migraines.

These hens are dust bathing in the shade.

It is just too hot for sun dust bathing.

They are digging pot holes.

And they are not doing the foundation any good either.

[10 eggs today]

Smiles

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Hot Muggy Day

This is how it looked all day. Overcast, hot, muggy, and a forecast for the same and for lightning through Sunday. I think we may have a light rain sometime tonight. Maybe? There is a bit of wind also. The lightening bit scares me because I really don't want any forest fires! Especially with the wind and heat. It would be great if it rained! But rain is not in the forecast. 

So, because it feels like it might rain I moved the chicken feeders inside the coop. Poor hens are confused. It was five pm and there was one more egg. That made 11 eggs. I will check again for eggs when I lock up the coop. I shut the windows in the coop too because of the wind.

I made the sandwich with this wall hanging and pinned it together in the lavender areas. Then I went to lower the feed dogs on my Heart Truth Janome and came to find out that I don't have a clue on how to do that even after reading the instruction book. I will have to call the store where I bought the machine tomorrow and talk to one of the repair people or someone. This should not be such a difficult thing to figure out. I can't find the switch. Beats me?

I thought I would try putting some stitching on the trees that would give the illusion of bark. At least I wanted to try it out on some scraps and see what I could come up with. I'll call tomorrow.

I enjoy listening to some of the TED talks and found this talk the other day that just cracked me up. The little girl was too cute and the talk's message is something that should be better known. 

[11 eggs today]

Smiles

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On The Road

This is the view out of the car window on the way to town. I had to go to town today to get my hair cut. Only took about 20 minutes, so it was a very quick trip. The drive is pretty much the same all the way, trees, trees and more trees, except for a few places where there are open areas where you can see the mountain tops.

I love living in among the trees. I know people are drawn to areas with panoramic views, but I like forest living. I used to live in a house on the side of a mountain that gave the illusion of being in a tree house because the view out of the windows was of the middle of redwood trees. So, you felt you were living up in the trees. 

Kristine took this photo of a sage plant that is very happy in my weed garden. She planted this sage! It was left over from her gardening class. Maybe that is the key? I should have her do the planting. Or maybe I should turn this into a herb garden since herbs seem to be the only thing that can grow there except native plants. The sage looks like lavender. I like the fuzzy leaves and purple flowers. I wonder if it will seed itself? That would be such a deal. Lots and lots of sage... a sage garden!

This little thread basket and pin cushion is very useful, and I needed another one for my ironing board. I am always looking for it because it never seems to be where I need it. I collect all the thread and fabric scraps and use them to stuff pillows and whatever. I ran across this little basket when putting stuff together for the garage sale and decided to put it to use as a scrap and thread basket. It is cute and it doesn't take up much room on the ironing board. Pretty neat!

Here is a shot of the myrtle I planted along the driveway. It is finally starting to spread out and it's looking pretty good. I am so glad the deer and the chickens don't like to eat it up. I would like for the myrtle to take off and cover the ground under the trees. It seems to push out the poison oak, but it spreads slowly. I especially like how the myrtle manages to stay on top of all the leaves!

I guess I will have to plant more starts this fall after the rains begin. Which means I need to save all the cuttings I make when I start cleaning up my non flower garden. I've got myrtle taking over in places in there, so I will be cutting it back and starting the cuttings in potting soil so they will be ready to plant. That's how I got the starts for the driveway.

I enjoy listening to some of the TED Talks and ran across this talk the other day and the little girl just cracked me up. The message is a good one and should be better known. 

[10 eggs today]

Smiles

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Nite Nite or Egg Egg?

It was starting to get dark so I went to fill the chicken feeder so they have lots to eat when they rise and shine in the morning, do a last check for eggs, and count the hens. 18 chickens and I can lock the door. When I went to counting I was one hen short, and I found her here in the top nest box. So, is she getting set to sleep here for the night instead of roosting or is she still bent on laying an egg? I had to use the flash to get a decent shot of this Buff Brahma. Hope she is not egg bound. I don't know what it is with having animals, but I'm always worried about the problems they can have.  

Kristine filled the bird feeder when she got home. She said that if we put corn out the squirrels would go after that and leave the bird feed alone. Hmmm... maybe? Last year I had a squirrel take apart another feeder I have so he could get to the feed. He figured out that if he chewed off the rope and knot it was hanging by then he could raise the panels to get to the feed. Smart little critter! They have lots of acorns. The bird feed must be like candy or something. I have lots of little bird houses. I'll have to do a post about them.
I have been neglecting my flower garden. Not one flower in it! I tried to get a photo of the bird feeder from inside the house. You can barely see it hanging there in the ivy near the inside of the gate. So, I had to go out and brave the mosquitos to get the photo above. The things I do for this blog. That was a very fast trip in and out of the house to take the photo. Darn mosquitos!

Kit gave me this bird feeder. She was going to throw it away because the plug in the bottom was lost. I asked her to throw it my way. First I tried to find a cork that would fit, but couldn't. So, I took some trusty duct tape and taped up the bottom. That worked to hold the bird feed in and it hasn't failed yet. Duct tape is sure great to have around for a lot of fixes.

And here is one of those invisible things that doesn't get mentioned much if ever because it is taken for granted. This is how I most often cook vegetables. I steam them altogether, no salt, just their lovely selves steamed to a little past crunchy, but way before smushy. No salt needed, with fresh organic vegetables especially the flavor comes through. Soooo good. I used to cook with spices, sauces, oils, etc., but I have come to appreciate the vegetable for what it is and the yummy flavor they have without any additions.

[12 eggs today]

Well, there were really 13. The goofy chicken laid her egg in the sun next to the feeder on the blue plastic. And I didn't check there until tonight. Bad me. So I had to toss it. I think it probably got cooked in the sun. I didn't see any wet spots, so no broken eaten eggs today. Maybe it was a fluke and it won't happen again. Hope is a wonderful thing.

Smiles

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