A Hen in Knitwear

pizza from last night's dinner

There is a line, and I have clearly crossed it. In the continuing saga with our hen Puffkins, I noticed yesterday that she seemed to be pecking at herself, at her own sore, recently-scabbed wing areas. She kept to herself quite a bit yesterday, during her first outing from the box in the kitchen in a few days. She would wander over to the house sometimes, I guess looking for an invitation back inside. When I returned from my walk, she came right over, let me pet her, and when I sat down on the grass, she sat right down next to me. Super sweet, right?

Puffkins in her box

Being an inventive problem-solver, I wondered what I had around the house that would stop her from preening/picking back there so that her wounds could really heal. Something like those cones that dogs get to stop them from worrying sore spots. Except that wouldn't work because chickens have these crazy reptilian necks that go in and out. I realized that Sylvan's neckwarmer would be just the thing: A chicken cozy!

Her expression says so much, for one whose brain is about the size of a nickel. Or maybe she was contemplating the taste of the shiny camera.

First, the Beautiful

March, where have you gone? How did I fall off the blogosphere? A few things have been at work to keep me from blogging. First, there was March. I mean March in Maine is one ugly ugly time of year. So I have shielded your tender eyes from that because, no doubt, wherever you are living must look better than this.

the Two Friends square:

two strands of yarn, each representing a friend

Second, we have been dealing with the death of a car and the complications that ensue from that. Lots of research, list-making, pros/cons, and a little bit of fear as we went into the car-buying process. (Can we really swing these payments?! Yikes.)

Third, school has been keeping me very busy. I have had some frustrations with misinterpreting assignments in a particular class. Which is especially hard for perfectionist me, since I am used to "getting" things pretty quickly; so this is a good moment to find compassion for myself. Sigh.

Mr. and Mrs. E.:

Green square is the Mister, since it's a pattern I used for his vest

Rainbow square is for the Missus, the Rainbow Goddess

So. What have I been doing lately? I've been knitting squares for a Knit-a-Thon to benefit The Ashwood Waldorf School, where my kids attend and my husband teaches. I will have completed 7 squares of 8" by the end of this week (the deadline). It's been a really fun way to use up little bits and balls of yarn and try out some new stitch patterns.

And I have been needle-felting some little spring friends out of some hot pink curly mohair locks that I dyed a while back. They have such a sweet mohair halo. I figured, what's to stop me from making some hot pink bunnies and chicks? Since Peeps now come in hot pink, I figured, why not?

And the other thing is that the rooster pictured above, oh so handsome, but also oh so rough with our hens, prompted us to move one of our girls into a box in the kitchen. She had significant and deep wounds behind her wings, poor thing. So we brought her in, applied some salve, played her some classical music all day, and kept her fed and quiet (and scooped out her poop and changed her water, etc.).

If you refer back to the photo of the rooster, it's a bit of a coincidence, really, that the photo was cropped in a certain way. This too is in our future, since we can't have a rooster who is this rough with our special girls. (Especially this one, my favorite Buff Cochin: Puffkins aka Madeline aka Puffy Combs).

So. Wish us luck with THAT particular adventure, and more to come soon! I have missed the blog! Happy Spring!

Blogging Break

on a crispy, November morning:

sparkling frost

and golden chickens

Until the flurry of my semester finishes up, December 4th. Because sometimes things just feel a little overwhelming around here. And I should probably prioritize housework and feeding my children wholesome meals over blogging. As for sewing? Knitting? No and also no. You can check my other blog, here, in the meantime. And here's a blog I am working on as a final project for one of my library classes.

We had a visit to the big city of Boston recently. To see a musical and have a little early celebration of a boy who will turn 11 very soon. The venue was as grand as their website is completely boring.

It was pouring rain.

We took the subway---always a favorite activity of Sylvan's---and I gave a suitably grave, growled warning to my boys that under. no. circumstances. should. either. of. them. touch. their. faces. at. ANY. POINT. until. their. hands. were. washed. (I am not a germophobe, really, but I also did not want to see my boys licking the metal railings either).

pink grapefruit sorbet, take 2

my crafty boys came up with this amazing dessert

for a humid night

homemade pink grapefruit sorbet,

garnished with fresh raspberries and mint,

served in the grapefruit halves

Exploring picturesque Belfast recently, we were directed to the Three Tides, a brewery and eatery right on the water. Atmosphere totally funky and awesome, with a sailcloth awning, and a variety of lampshades strung along the upper deck.

Bocce court down below, with a fire pit and movie house seats. If you are into oysters, they have them; for myself, I prefer to stay away from food items that have the consistency of snot. There are lots of small plates to share, salads, and the crabmeat and avocado quesadilla was excellent.

The gardens have enjoyed the recent bouts of sun. These photos are from a trip down to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, rendezvous-ing with my mom to get our kids back. (Oh, did I not mention we were kid-less for three whole nights?!)

This boy is looking bigger and bigger these days. From June 5th to July 17th he grew 1.5"! And I'm feeling like I am seeing this shimmer of his teen self coming through, flickering in his expressions and his body language.

A tricky time to be a person. And a tricky time to be a mom. He still has that twinkle and for that, I am grateful.

I have a chicken in a box in my air conditioned bedroom, recouperating from a sprained ankle (or bird equivalent). This is Mavis the Bravest, always canny and smart right from when I first met her, and she's one of our new girls (about 8 weeks old). She managed to snag her foot between two boards but everything seems to be facing the right direction, just a bit swollen. She's better today, limping but perky when I took her outside this afternoon for her airing.

And stay tuned for a new favorite tee-shirt...

S U N

A long sunny day---and I wasn't at work!

We gardened, mostly working on filling up those front gardens. I busted up a bunch of sod, revamping the Grandparents' Garden. I am a little sunburned and tired and feeling good.

And I finished the curtains for my bedroom! Hooray! Don't you just love that birdie fabric from Alewives??? I also finished Jonas's second pair of PJ pants, but he hasn't let me take a photo of them on him yet.

We have ten new babies, five weeks old and cute: 5 araucanas, 4 cochins (fluffy slippers and super mellow), and 1 New Hampshire Red (since we are sadly missing our old Reddie). We (using the Royal We, here) are on a strict regimen of hand-feeding and handling them, so they will continue to be tame and sweet.

So far, one is called Mavis June (she likes to climb on my hand and arm) and one is called Sophia Mae (a friend to Mavis and named after Sylvan's friend, since we already have chickens named after two other of his favorite girls, Alice and Zola). Then there's Reddie #2. And possibly Fluffernutter, pictured above right.

And here is some very happy lettuce, being such a ham and practically shouting "cheese."

Have you seen these two videos of adorable children? Charlie Bit Me is our family's new favorite shortcut to giggles, followed only by Once Upon a Time with la tres adorable Capucine of the enormous eyes.

More on mornings

Sometimes we stop to smell the daisies

And I think that Therese had my idea of a perfect morning in mind when she commented on the last post:

My favourite mornings are still the ones where I've managed to get all the others out of the house, and have a quiet breakfast all by myself.
Yes, please! That's my cup of tea also. My perfect morning is a quiet one. And I will admit to being selfish here, and say that my perfect morning is one when I wake up to a house all to myself. (Do I love my husband and children any less? No.)
I like to read while I eat breakfast: magazines, novels, the school newsletter (which I sometimes read twice or three times, if nothing else is handy). I like to listen to the news a little bit. 

Mainly, I like a morning when I don't have to provide the will forces for myself and two others to leave the house at an appointed hour. In my pre-parenting life, I would always set my alarm for at least an hour  before I had to get up, to allow ample time to drift peacefully into consciousness, then leisurely eat and read, shower, and get out the door in a relaxed and put-together way.

This is Bonting (inspired by Shirley Hughes' book called 

The Big Alfie Out of Doors Storybook), who is an unshelled macadamia nut,

nestled in his woolie bed with a soft seashell and a silver acorn.

After I read The Seven O'Clock Bedtime a few years ago (highly recommended), I realized that I had an "extreme lark." You know, as in early bird? Only extremely early. Until very recently, I could count the number of times I have risen before Jonas on one hand. 

the quilt has finished borders!

it's ready to be sandwiched with the backing and the batting!

Jonas also has inherited an ability to spring into awakeness with alacrity that I completely lack (this comes from my other half). Like, hello world, I am awake, and why not start thinking, planning, being active, being hungry immediately? As in now. Sylvan and I tend to drift gently into wakefulness, with lots of cuddling. I would prefer not to deal with immediate demands upon me upon waking. I am slow to wake and slow to fall asleep.

a diorama of a Glass Frog,

the subject of Jonas's recent (and first)

research project.

it has a see-through belly, modelled here lovingly with beeswax.

Yes, so mornings are sometimes a difficult time for this princess. Once or twice I wished for a two-hour-a-day nanny who would brisk in, deal with everyone's morning demands, feed them, nag them into their chores and clothing, and present them to me for a kiss before taking them off to school. (Wait...was I wishing for a wife?)

Sharon hatched a tiny peep,

and presented it to the rest of the flock yesterday!

Sharon had been missing for a few weeks, and I suspected she might be

in a family way.

Happily, they are both snugly sleeping in the chicken house tonight.

But you know, it was weird to be up before Jonas this morning. It just felt wrong, somehow, to see his kitchen stool, his book, his red fleece, and not him sitting there with me. He tells me he will never wake up in the afternoon like my brother has been known to. 

We'll see.

Little Red Hen

Little Red

The trouble with chickens is that sometimes they die, like all pets. Many of our girls have passed over the years, mostly just dying the quick chicken death that looks like this. One day I look at you and you are looking kind of piqued, your eye just doesn't look sparkly like it usually does, and then I see that you are not on your roost at night, but in the corner of the hen house on the floor. Then the next morning you have ascended the Rainbow Bridge into chicken heaven, which is probably full of green grassy lawns, teeming with worms, nice fluffy dust for your dustbaths, no fences, and no predators.

Because it was a daytime marauder who took the life of this beautiful chicken, our Little Red Hen (Reddie, for short). She was our Best Girl. Always friendly, curious, and happy to see us. And happy to take a bit of goodness right from our fingers or hand, ever so gently.

When I went to shut in our girls last night, I noticed the chicken yard full of her pretty red feathers. And no Reddie on the perch. A fox? A dog? We'll never know. We feel pretty sure it wasn't a hawk, because she was no lightweight. What I really don't like to think about is her last moments. So instead I think about the fact that she knew we loved her, she was well-cared for, and led a very happy chicken life.

Sylvan was sobbing this morning when he heard the news. He drew her a picture.

Easter day

Firsts

Check in on the 100th Post...there are some newly uploaded rocking ATC jam cards. I was so touched that Kristel of Vlijtig included one of her ornaments for me to cut and glue! Thanks, Kristel! And thanks again for all the 100th Post ATC Jam participation. Art in the mail is the best.

First time making chocolate buttercream.
Over a pound of butter + Over a pound of chocolate = Super Rich. Delish. The birthday party cake!
First sticking Snow of the season!
The chickens are always a little surprised and hesitant.
Tea Towel Apron!
A little experiment, inspired by APA's gorgeous little cafe apron. I kind of covet it. So I took matters into my own hands today and used this linen tea towel to make an apron. My hope is that with a tea towel attached to my person, I will not always be on the wrong side of the kitchen with wet hands.

August is here

Apples are growing on our trees.

A photogenic chicken, Little Red Hen (Reddy for short). She is friendly and curious, one of our best girls.

Jake's favorite lillies, almost past.

A tiny cuke, happy for all of the rain.

And Carrie (of Pink Crow Studio) liked the stamp I made her. Making stamps makes me glad. Making stamps for loved ones makes me gladder.

The Lovely Chickens

This is George, Sylvan's birthday chicken. George is named after our plumber, mentioned in the last post. We don't know what George's breed is, but he's tiny and very fancy looking. He and Shadrach, our regular sized rooster, seem to coexist quite easily. George's crow is very small and screechy, Shad's is more typical Cock-a-doodle-do. George has a partner, whom we call Sharon, after real-life George's partner. Real-life and chicken Sharon are women who have minds of their own. Sometimes the chicken Sharon takes off for awhile, perhaps to go dancing or singing, like her namesake.

Below, the flock is pecking some cracked corn:
Here is one of Shadrach and Poule's offspring from last summer, an Araucana and Buff Orpington mix. Now she is laying eggs along with her sister! Her biological mother, Poule, is at right, but you are looking at her bottom.
I say "biological" mother because Minerva was the one who actually sat on the eggs and raised the babies up. Minerva died last fall, sadly, but at least she experienced the joys of motherhood! And even more interesting, Minerva had a mother's helper, Rainbow, who began to co-parent the chicks with her a couple of weeks into their life! Rainbow nested with Minerva and the babies, she kept her eye on them, brought up the rear and waited for any laggards, etc. It was darling to watch. A very modern approach to family life, all around!

Below, here are a couple more examples of the technique Robinsunne showed us at the library. In my convalescence, I played around a bit more with it. The tissue paper is the plum color, with a cardstock blue background.
The one at left reads: "The freedom to be yourself."