Lost and Found

We are all just getting over feeling quite panicky.  For about 30 minutes, we had thought we had lost our first chicken.  Miss Primrose (sister to Magnolia) was missing. After searching our property, Farmer J (i.e., Chicken Daddy) found his lost sheep (i.e., chicken.)  "I thought she was gone!"  The children were so excited to see her and Pick-Pick immediately told her, "I was so worried."  What was lost is now found.  Hallelujah!

PS:  The boy chickens (Cockerals) started crowing about two weeks ago... and every morning since then at 5:15 a.m.  It's not the "cock-a-doodle-doo" you are imaging.  Instead, imagine a pre-pubescent, voice changing, teenage boy chicken crowing.  "argg, argg, argg."  Either way, it's noisy and we no longer need an alarm clock-- and our children are waking up much earlier than normal. Gotta love our chickens!  And we do!!!!

The Barn

Our first home had a single car garage.  Amazingly, we were able to fit a small car along with all our stuff inside.  That was before we had children.  After our second child came along, all I wanted was a two-car garage.  My wish was granted with our last home: two car garage AND a small little shed for J's garden items and some extra kid toys.  I thought I had it made.  But now... I have a barn.

I realize I cannot park my car in our barn and I know that come winter I will be cursing out loud when I have to start my car in the cold and brush off all the snow.  But let's be honest, J will be doing most of that for me (he's very sweet that way; he know's I HATE the cold.) Let's hope for another mild winter like this last one.  But today is a hot, June day and our not so nice vehicles are just fine out in the elements.  And I have a barn!

Most of you that know me would be surprised to realize my new love for our barn.  The key that unlocked my love: SPACE!  I like to organize and have everything in it's place.  There is plenty of room in the barn for the kid's toys/bikes/etc., the lawn equipment, the outdoor equipment, enough wood to burn in our fireplace for the next year, about 5 ladders, garbage bins and get this.... J's insane amount of gardening and chicken related supplies.

Of course, our barn is not perfect.  It was constructed almost 175 years ago by hand and it's still in remarkable shape.  But.. there are times I'm worried I might just fall through the wooden floor and I wouldn't dare jump or run in there, for that very reason.  Luckily, the children are quite light.  Also, the barn swallows are not 'potty trained' and there is a bit of poo here and there.  My solution: throw a towel over the things we want to keep somewhat spared from flying poop.

Here's a picture of our barn from last January-- when we first came out to see the property.  Despite it being so cold outside, the barn was pretty toasty warm.

Houston... we have a raccoon problem!

Well... not really a problem (yet) but there are definitely a few raccoon checking out the farm.  Farmer J was a little late "tuckin' in" the farm (i.e., locking the barn, shutting up the garden (recall the very tall fence that completely surrounds our precious fruits and veggies), putting away the garden tools and toys etc.) when he found a furry, little friend in his garden (with a belly full of, not so ripe, strawberries.)  The scared little fella kept trying to escape but instead, found himself running right into the very fence that was meant to keep him out (do raccoon acknowledge irony?)  Finally, he was free.  J also spotted a raccoon eyeing up our chickens.  Truth be told, the chickens are not 'my babies' much at all-- they are very much Farmer J's babies.  He really loves his birds.  So... he doesn't want any of them to get hurt by Mister Raccoon.

Any speaking of beauty... May I present, Miss Primrose.

'Free-range' chicken time... but only under the careful watch of Farmer J and only during the day time.

I quite enjoy watching my chickens from my kitchen window as I do the dishes.  Very entertaining! 

The birds are getting rather big (especially the "white giants" seen below).  J said he heard his first "cluck" today.  They love to "roost" on the branches J put in the coop! 

And here are some shots of Fisherman J from our recent trip to my parent's lake home for Memorial Day Weekend.

This one JJ caught!!!

J caught this one while fishing off the pontoon!

And the fish bit back while J tried to get the lure out without pliers!  Battle wound.

Male bonding! One moment of peaceful fishing...until the next lure was caught in the weeds, or fishing lines were crossed, or someone was cold, or someone wanted a new lure, or someone wanted someone else's reel.  You get the picture! Thank goodness for a patient Dada!

The rare lake experience... spotting superman on the pier!

And finally... a great shot of a turtle-taken up north as well!