FOUND!

Breaking News!
I am happy to report that Suki is now safely tucked into the coop with her pals. She was found under an overgrown bush about a block and a half away from home. The same bush we had walked past 4 times earlier this morning, all the while calling "Chook chook chook, here chook!" We had been moping about with long faces and sad hearts but, Pony girl and I thought we would make another round in hopes we'd get lucky. And lucky we were.

It took some patient coaxing and her favorite whole wheat bread crumbs to get her close enough for catching. Once she was sound in the hen house, her gal pals gathered 'round her with little clucking noises as if anxious to hear of her adventures.

We are so happy to have her home!

Where Oh Where

Due to an early morning encounter with a feisty pair of raccoons...Suki has run off and can't be found. We have canvassed the neighborhood, put up posters, spoken to shop owners and hope that she will come home safely. I am so worried and rather sad. Please come back to us Suki, we miss you.

Hey Ladies!

It's been awhile since I talked about our sweet little hens, those lovely ladies that live in our back yard, Fran, Suki and Chick Chick. Chick Chick also goes by the name of Tweet Tweet, depending on what the wee lass is in the mood for. There is the slight chance that this has caused a minor identity crisis in the blond gal but, she seems to be thriving nonetheless. In fact, all three are thriving and if I do say so myself, looking perfectly plump and gorgeous.

Whilst they spend a good amount of time lounging in The Poultry Palace, they also get to stretch their skinny chicken legs in the yard about twice a day; where they hunt and peck in search of tasty bugs and what not. As our yard is not fenced in, these daily exercises must be somewhat supervised. Sometimes though, I can not spend hours outside with the gals so I peep at them through the window, making sure they don't wander too far.

There have been a few times (alright, more than a few) that I have had to make the mad dash and retrieve our wayward chickens from the neighbors yard. There was one day in particular I recall searching high and low and in between for our flock. They were nowhere in sight. I ran down the road and around the corner, all the while sing-songing, "Ladies, come on chook chook chooks!" As I headed back home to find my daughter escaping down the street, I thought, 'Dear Lord, I've lost the chickens! How do I explain this? Where, Oh Where could they be?'


I found them in the end in a corner behind the shed and a bush. I was quite relieved let me tell you. I would have never forgiven myself had they vanished entirely.
Honestly, they are good girls who almost always come when I call, "Hey Ladies!" I'm sure having a bucket of fresh vegetable scraps at the ready is motivation enough. Of course I'd like to think that they think of me as some kind of surrogate mother hen. The engineer calls me "the chicken whisperer," but what I whisper to the chickens is a secret between me and them.

With the addition of a timed light in the Chicken Chateau, all three are laying the most wonderful eggs.

We are getting 3 nearly every day now, which makes the evenings when I'm stuck for dinner ideas a little less panicky, for there are always fresh and trust me, the most delicious eggs waiting to be used.

I love having chickens, they really are a treat, just mind your step in the yard.

On The Make

I have been a little concerned over my lack of production lately, especially with a new shop to run and it being so close to the big holiday. I am trying to accept that this is just where I'm at in life (remember, I am a woman pressed for time),that I am doing the best I can, and it is enough. I have managed a few bits here and there and I am currently 'in production' of a couple of items for the shop. Though it's all in the unfinished phase, I find an interesting beauty in works in progress so, I thought I might give you a peek at what I am working on.

My crush on soft trees has been revived, I wasn't certain after the craze of 2008 but, these little trees still drive me wild. How could I resist?

click the pic for full view
just a few finishing touches left

Back again this year, are my little hens. Modeled after our very own brood, these lovely ladies still need sewing up and a coop to call their own. I can't help it, they make me smile.


I am hoping to get all these in the shop by next Monday

...and lastly, I must give myself a little pat on the shoulder and an A for effort because...

I hooked my first granny!
Armed with 3 different sets of instructions, some 'slippery little sucker' yarn and a 'can do' attitude, I had at it. With much consternation, a few not so nice expletives, several rounds of unraveling and a wee nip in between colors, I finally managed something nearly resembling an actual granny square! I am a bit proud of my wonky, not quite right square and I may just see a garland in my future.

I'm off to fortify the flock, lovely day to you my sweets.

Small Scale Madness

I have had a wee bee in my bonnet for weeks now. My mind has been sputtering and hiccuping over several ideas and I am finding it a trial to get it to go smooth. Yes, I have been in the deep end considering vignettes and restyles and pondering paint. If you are wondering just what I am blathering on about, 'tis this: I have been wanting to make happen some sort of re-do to The Cottage. The living room to be precise, I have been itching to paint and change and generally cause no end of frustration to The Bearded One. Each time I bring this scenario up in conversation, I am met with the most befuddled of looks and a long slow pause before he speaks, "What color? Really? Why? I like our paint!" I will have to admit, I actually have no sound concept to answer him. The truth is, it's a bit beyond our doing at the moment, because honestly, the floors are in desperate need of sanding and sealing, we have a 4 year old who still creates masterpieces on the walls and our budget as well as time allotment make it out of reach. Still, like I said, I am just itching for some sort of interior design mayhem.

There is a good chance that I have become slightly unhinged, because whilst I was tidying up I spied this...


...and then I actually thought, 'Ooh, I could make over an entire house!!' Perhaps I am suffering from a twinge of fever. The bedroom would be the first bit of business. The royal blue on the wardrobe has to go, new coverlets and pillows for the bed, wee garlands hanging brightly and a crochet rug to warm the toes. Oh dear.

(apologies for the atrocious photos, dark days for snapping pics)


This particular bit of madness then led to complete bedlam in my mind. I had visions of The Bearded One crafting more dollhouses, I would put out the call to all my crafty blogger folk to design and create rooms in each house, all leading to some sort of artsy installation most grand and what fun! Ummmm...

I think I need to have a sit down and a cuppa. A few deep breaths and sanity restored, one hopes.

Was it all just an excuse to avoid the dishes in the sink and play dollhouse?

Wild Wild Life

We've been having loads of visitors to the cottage recently. Some friends from overseas came to stay a spell, family will be here through the end of the week, and an old friend follows after. Which makes for much ado and busy with the hostess/custodian duties. I'm thinking things might be a bit quiet round the ol' blog porch for the next little while. Not much crafty bits these days, unless of course you consider placing a giant piece of plywood on top of a much too small rickety old table (so as to make room for folks at the alfresco dinners) and throwing an old bed sheet over it crafty. Our picnic table gave up the ghost during one of last weeks gatherings. Shame really, it was only 60 years old. Fortunately no one was harmed during the collapse, not even a drop spilled, truly amazing when I think about it.

For now I think I might share a little of the cottage's wild life.
Here are the ladies rummaging the flower pots. My how they've grown. No eggs yet; late September should bring an omelet.



The Black & Blue Sage Salvia guaranitica that I thought I lost in last winter's snow, has returned with enthusiasm. Just gorgeous! The hummingbirds seem to love it.



...and then there is the wee Nova. My girl loves pink and princesses but, she is not afraid of creepy crawlies, nor dead fuzzies apparently.



That's my girl!

Here's to wild things everywhere.

Grand Opening

Welcome to Casa de Pollo!
It's done, the coop is officially open for guests of the feathered variety. We had a bluebird weekend and made the final big push to get construction finished. We had stalled some due to weather and busy schedules. This weekend we pulled out all the stops, proving once again that my husband and I make quite a team.


So chick chicks, what do you think of your new accommodations? Oh happy chickens indeed. I have to say, after long days, sore muscles, and my shoulders burnt to a warm red glow (I was on my way to put on sun screen at one point and must have been interrupted), I sat back as evening was coming on and admired our handy work. I really am quite pleased and proud of this little hen house.

Yes, that's a little window box you see there, ready for some cheery flowers. My man has managed to dissuade me from sewing curtains for the window, up till now...but I may not be able to help myself.


Hmmm...what's this, a curious cat? Wondering perhaps if chicken is on the menu.


Nope. Kona, the Buddha cat, would rather nap. Fran however, is keeping an eye on him just in case.

After dark, the chicks all cozy in their house, my man and I sat down to enjoy the summer night and the satisfaction of a job well done. We brought out the guitar and made up a little tune about our coop adventure. We call it Chicken Folk.

I hope you all enjoyed the nickle tour, thanks for stopping by.

Sunshine On My Shoulder

We have been having glorious weather these days. It is beginning to feel like Summer, stirring up visions of trips to the beach, music in the park and Strawberry Jam! I don't know how long it will last but, I fully intend to enjoy it. Fortunately our basement has dried out and the only lingering reminder is a slight paranoia around doing the laundry (our old fashioned plumbing was the cause of the trouble).

I have finished a few of my many projects.


Here is the Teachers Tote that was meant to be a gift for Teacher Appreciation Week, now an end of the year appreciation gift. Fortunately teacher Joyce knows nothing of this little blog so it will seem as though that is how I intended it all along. I love the vintage tea towel yardage I used, quite cheery.

I will be posting later this week about my pattern testing for Wondermommy, a great experience.

In all the upheaval of this past week I forgot to mention our newest chick chick. She is an Ameraucana (they lay green eggs, Sam I am!). I have named her Suki. Here are the dears recovering from flood rescue.




The large red one is Fran, though I have taken to calling her Francine. She is obviously older than the other two and so seems more the apron wearing, rolling pin carrying, mother hen type. Yes, let's hope she is indeed a she. The quintessential yellow chick is Tweet Tweet, she's a little like Baby Spice - blond, cute and a little ditzy. I am still learning about Suki. They are all doing well.

Well, I'm off to plant the rest of the vegetable starts we picked up yesterday, the garden and the coop are coming along nicely.

I thought I would leave you with a great link with all sorts of free patterns and tutorials for bags. Go on, check it out and make your own tote bag! It's a great beginning project and if you aren't a beginner, you know you can still use another tote bag. Why, they come in handy for all sorts of things...
Grocery Shopping
Trips to the Library
Beach Gear
Hauling a load of chick chick meal
School Bags
Carrying sundries in your bicycle basket
Toy Bag for the kiddies
They make great gifts
and on and on and on
Find it all here

In Memoriam

Yesterday, one of our wee chick chicks succumbed to one of the great mysteries that sometimes befall baby animals. I fretted and fussed when I noticed her listless behavior, her disinterest in water and food and how she had dropped her wings. Oh, dear little Irma, I knew then you were not long for this world. We could not help ourselves, we grew hopelessly attached to every one of our 3 babies and we found ourselves in the thick of a deep sorrow.

Irma was named after one of my favorite '60s soul singers, Irma Thomas. She recorded a brilliant rendition of Time Is On My Side. Sadly, for this Irma, it appears it was not.

We will return to our urban farm store to replenish the brood and begin again.

So, alas though we hardly knew ye, you were cared for little chick chick.

Chicks!

The baby chicks have arrived! Oh goodness aren't they sweet? Excuse the dark photo, I did not want to blind our new babies with a flash. We picked out our chicks at Urban Farm Store and set them up in a cozy spot in the basement. It is hard for my girl to leave them be and not harass them with cuddles but, she seems to understand that they need their rest. We each got to name one.

Fran = Rhode Island Red
Tweet Tweet = Buff Orpington
Irma = Gold Laced Wyandotte

Now, we have 6 weeks to finish the coop and watch our little ones grow. Be sure I will keep you all updated on their new lives with our family. Hurray Chickens!

When Good Chickens Go Bad

First, let me tell you, it was not the chickens fault. It was completely seamstress error. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself after the success of the fabric egg pattern and little bear. So, since I have chickens on the brain, I thought why not whip up a little chicken softie, how hard could it be? I drew up a pattern and somewhat carelessly started piecing her together. I should have known, I had that feeling in my gut that something wasn't quite right but, I blundered along anyway.


I mean what was I thinking with that tail? I know, I know...chickens don't technically have tails...wait, do they? The back plumage then? You should have seen the beak before I cut it down! The seams are all wonky and I did not allow myself enough wiggle room to even sew her shut. Poor dear.



Still, I see great promise in her. I will have another go, and another if necessary. She deserves that much. This little gal has pluck!

What's The Big Idea

It's quiet in the house, but for some Hawaiian slack key guitar coming from the stereo. My husband is away at the Green Build Conference in Boston and the girl is snug under blankets. I am taking a moment to take stock of things. This is busy time and I feel like I'm falling behind. All my good intentions keep wiggling away just beyond reach. I need to get to the holiday making, I want to be prepared. There's the rush of time and the slowness of hands to contend with. I just keep getting interupted with new ideas and it's distracting. I know, I know...I am grateful for the ideas - 'cause sometimes they don't come but, I keep jumping too far ahead of myself. I am trying to gear up for the new year, I have these big plans see...Lola Nova is on it's way to becoming a more realized vision - I hope. I need to focus and suddenly all I can think about is chickens.