Critter Update

"Maeve" looks right into the camera!

I am pleased to say the the Irish 6 chicks are all doing well.  They get out every day for about 6-8 hours in the yard.  They are a month old, and sweet as can be.  When I come out the door into the yard, they all run toward me!  Peeping like mad: "Mommy!"  Maeve continues to be the boss.  Bridget the youngest and whitest of the girls is always wanting me to hold her. 
Figaro is doing well.  Very subdued, after his health scare.  No more kitten left in him.  He continues to try and BE my laptop.  :-)

Maeve and Shannon

"Did you want to delete that file?"

Google is not asking me for any more money for posting photos.  We'll see. What was that all about?

I am busting my butt for Mothers Day orders, and getting ready for a show.  The garden season is also here, and 3 of the raised beds are planted.  We are eating salad greens, as well as peas.  The big tadoo is getting the irrigation system in place.  My son has been helping me on his day off install it.  He's been a terrific helper, and planner.  He also is inquisitive about growing food.  I promise to get some photos to show soon. 

Thanks for reading.  Each day is a gift. Open now.
xo,
Suz

Rural Renewal

The day after our chicks arrived we had a wind storm that knocked our power out.  We don't have a generator, or another resource for power.  They need to be kept between 90-95 degrees for the first week.  Each week the temp goes down 5 degrees.  They had been shipped the day before, which is tremendously stressful on their little bodies.  So how do we keep them warm? 

The "heater" after the lights went back on.

In the "old" days...they would put them near the fire.  Not an option here.  Turn on the car, crank the heat and leave it running.  A waste of gas, and resources.  Bring them to a friend who has power...that was an option.  What I did was start the kettle on the gas stove and boil water.  I filled a small hot water bottle, and a lidded casserole that Bob and I had made in ceramics.  They immediately huddled next to the casserole which I refilled every hour until our power went back on.  Farmer Suz rises again.

The other thing that happened was a real eye opener. No internet, no power in the shop, no lights.  So I took the entire NYT Sunday paper and read it by the window.  Streams of visual images came to my brain.  I began to sketch in my sketchbook, as I do every morning during my quiet time.  I felt a calm come over me that lit a light bulb in my consciousness.  So I have decided to not turn my computer on one day a week.  Sundays probably, as I have the Sunday paper delivered. 

Seeds started in Jiffy Pots...new to me.

So let's hear it for "Rural Renewal" instead of "Urban Renewal".   I think our culture is out of balance, and it would do this Homosapian good to unplug from time to time.  Gardening, the chickens, and eating my own grown food was a start.  I loved the satisfying feeling of reading by the light of the window. 

Thanks for reading.  Each day is a gift, open now.

xo,

Suz

One Week Till Chicks

Red Star Production Hen

My wonderful chicken loving neighbors and I are sharing a chick order from Murray McMurray. .  I decided to get "Red Star" production hens.  I have never had them, and I want a good source of eggs for my laying flock.

Today I went and bought organic chick starter and tomorrow I clean out the nursery aka rabbit hutch that has served me for many a chick.  They are due the 19th, my grandson is due the 24th for a visit.  I hope at 13 he's still lovin' the peeps. 6 girls flyin' soon.

Can't wait to have chicks, and a new breed.

I'll keep you updated.  My co-gardner Karen will be planning, planting, and working on part of the vegetable garden. It's so nice to have another farmer around. We are seed starting in these Jiffy pop up peat pots for the first time also. I got 12 artichoke plants from a woman in California...I am nervous.  I have lots of photos to take. :-)

Thanks for reading.  Each day is a gift, open now!

xo,

Suz

Merry Hanukkah

It's early in the morning on Christmas Eve.  Tonight we will have a turkey dinner for friends who have no family here, or are alone this year.  My Etsy shop orders kept me busy until the last minute.  I tried to shoot a photo for our card, but it proved harder to get a photo of a  chicken in a santa hat than I anticipated.  :-)  It's been an exciting year.

Roma 2011

We got the chickens, which now number 23 hens.  The "coop mahal" was built and is working very well in the unseasonably cold weather we are having.  Travel was plenty with our trip to the National Parks and "home" to Rome for an extended stay.   We lost two elderly cats Francesca, and Columbo.  I spent 6 months in a cast with a broken foot. But now it's almost 100% and I am up and running.  For this I am extremely grateful.  My first walk around the block felt like a gift last week.

Bob and Fausto meet for the first time.

Last week I found 2 kittens as a gift for Bob for Christmas.  He missed sleeping with a cat in the bed.  And technically, they are to be his kittens.  I searched for a long time for a kitten who would "purr on contact."  The local shelters all got to know me well.  One ended up calling me last weekend to say she knew of 4 kittens that I would like, that would be available that day.  We got two 12 week old street cats.  Short haired, male, long bodied balls of purring fur.  One is named "Fausto" and the other "Figaro."  They are extremely friendly, and social.  Just what I was looking for.

Fausto and Figaro their first morning in our bed.

I also found out recently that my Grandmother from England was a Jew.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a latke party every year, and have lit a menorah on Hanukkah most of my adult life.  I am proud to be a Jew, if only by heritage.  Just as I was delighted to know I was a tiny bit black.  All of this was a family secret kept well hidden.  I continue to pursue our true genealogy in hopes of solving some other mysteries.  I feel a book is on the horizon telling the story of my Father's true father. Which looks to be a man we know as "Uncle Gus" who came to visit my Grandparents for 2 weeks.  He stayed for 22 years!!!  I imagine it's a long story.

Francesca and Columbo: their last photo together.

So tonight when I light the candles on our dinner table, I will be lighting our menorah.  My daughter and grandson arrive this week.  We will have our first latkes, and matzoh ball soup together.  I really look forward to celebrating all of my heritage with my kids. 

Columbo from Hanukkah's past

I wish you all a Happy Christmas, Beautiful Hanukkah, and a fantastic New Year!

Our tree from 2008. We decided not to get a tree this year with kittens.

Thanks for reading.  Each day is a gift, open now.

xo,

Suz

Pancake Chicken

Irma, the broody pancake

The construction of the coop is now complete.  I commend my husband Bob for doing what I could not this summer.  It would have been much easier to call ToughShed and order one.  But noooooo,  not us.  In my hay day I would have done it myself. But with "the foot" it was impossible.  There still needs to be staining and final wiring done.  Another perch ladder will come later.  The nesting boxes were the last to be attached.  My neighbor who also keeps chickens and is a skilled carpenter helped Bob.  So now I can lift up the doors on the outside of the coop to get eggs. 

Tallulah, Lil' Missy, and Mrs. E coming in.

Our cornstalks made it to the coop.

A bit more needed: paint and TLC to pretty it up.

Chickens are animals that pattern.  Our girls outgrew their old "lean to" and I removed it from the yard. However, they still sleep in the same place the former coop was.  They all bunch together against the wall.  They could go into the coop at night on their own, but noooooo.  The 4 Australorps that came later figured it out immediately, and have been sleeping in there on the small ladder from the get go.  So Bob and I have been going out in the dark with flashlights and putting them inside for the last 2 nights.   They are huddled together, and can't see at all in the dark.  We put them in the coop which still has the light on.  They blink their eyes as they adjust, and stagger across the floor. 

The shade provided from roses doubles as a tasty snack when spent!

Velma, the Langshan strutting her stuff

Can you see the love in Tallulah's eyes?

"Irma" and "Wilma" the black standard cochins are broody. If you have never seen a broody hen, you should.  Bob was working on the nesting boxes and came in to tell me that one of the black hens was "flat."  Indeed, she was flat as a pancake.  Making herself cover as much real estate as possible.  Broody hens are crazy. They make a silly trill noise when you come near them.  They are in a trance, stop laying, and eat and drink very little.  Some can get mean.  So I pick them up and get them out and moving.  It can't be helped when keeping hens.  If it gets worse, I will bring them in the yard for a few hours a day.  Wilma has picked a corner in the coop yard to hatch her imaginary eggs in. 

Ester who lays eggs as she walks around!

I continue to enjoy every moment I am with them.  When we were on our trip, I missed them terribly. Don't tell the dog and cats.  Last night I brought my camera out at dusk and took some photos.  I hope you like them.  I actually wish I could sleep with them.  Don't call the psychiatrist...I am still in my bed.  I remind myself of the old joke about the woman whose husband brings her to the psychiatrist because she thinks she's a hen.  The doctor announces that he has good news and can cure her.  The husband responds: "what will we do for eggs?"   :-)

3 over 3 nesting boxes make 6 spots for 23 hens.

Thanks for reading. 
Each day is a gift. Open now.
xo,
Suz

Eggs and Feet

The first egg.

We've got eggs!  Yep, the bantam hens started laying the last day our grandson was here.  He saw the first egg.  :-)    Of course these eggs are tiny...3-4 of these would make one large egg.  The clucking and gabawking that comes with laying hens was audible from the patio.  You know, they have to tell us they are laying. 

On a different note, I am back in my boot, with a wheelchair and a new wheely kneely walker that allows me to scoot along on flat surfaces.  It was expensive to rent, but truly wonderful! Of course Blue Cross and Blue Shield would not okay it.  Some days I wonder why I have insurance.  But, that's another blog.

Thanks for reading.
Each day is a gift. Open now.
xo,
Suz

A Farm Morning

New typewriter, Bob's latest mug, and architectural salvage.

Here are some photos I took early this morning out with the chickens and at the gardens.  Of course my furry shadow Buddy follows me everywhere.  He sits outside the chicken coop and licks his lips as he watches the chickens move around.

"Loving Frank" a still life including our bowl from ceramics

Little Missy, Irma, and Goldie

"Biggie Small" and "Talullah"

Full petticoat

I am finally taking photos of the wood printing blocks  and architectural salvage I will sell in my Etsy shop The Polkadot Magpie.  I am really enjoying shooting them.  You get a bit of an idea of the items around my house.

Corn, cukes, strawberries

Lettuce row

I bought a vintage typewriter on Etsy.  A 1940's black, heavy, and needing a bit of work...but soon to be typing brilliant :-) quips for my artwork and cards. 

Buddy guarding the tomatoes

Summer is 2/3 over...I can't believe it.  The garden is starting to produce much more than we can eat. So canning and freezing are on the horizon. 

Vintage salvage propped with Ethan's latest bowls from ceramics

Thanks for reading.  Each day is a gift. Open now!
xo,
Suz

Cosette My French Hen

"I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMille"

As with all flocks or groups of animals, there is an order.  Pecking order to be exact.  The leader of my flock is "Cosette," a Dominique French hen.  She is the first out, last in at night.  When I bring my set chair (collapsible, I toted around in the movie biz) into the coop she immediately hops on.  When I sit in the chair, she hops on my lap.  Anything new in their pen, she is on it first.

She really likes this chair!

Cosette talking to the "Tenacious 4"

Last Monday I brought the 4 Australorp chicks and their nursery into the pen.  I left the door closed for a day.  Then opened it up and put the ramp to it.  Immediately Cosette hopped up the ramp, went inside and spoke chicken to the tenacious 4.  They cocked their heads and listened to whatever she was saying.  Then she went up and down the ramp several times to show them how to do it.  Yesterday none of them wanted to venture out of their nursery.  But this morning, I opened the door and in seconds Cosette was up and down the ramp instructing them.  One followed as she watched like a mother at the bottom of a slide. 

Posing, a black Langshan hen

Talullah with her head between my knees...asking to come up on my lap.

We had our/their first rain yesterday.  It really drenched everything for the first time in 7 months.  They were under their porch watching the drops fall.  Wondering what the heck was going on.  When it stopped, they all were digging and scratching and rolling in the dirt.  On my final check for the night, all were in the sleeping coop, and Cosette was in a deep hole (chicken bath tub) rolling around all by herself.  Like a mother of young toddlers in bed for the night taking a bubble bath.  So funny.  I will try to remember to take my camera out at night to get a picture. 

Talullah keeps an eye on me :-)

Thanks for reading,
Each day is a gift. Open now.
xo,
Suz

Bountiful Harvest

Primitive watercolor painted at my kitchen counter on the farm

I read blogs all the time written by new converts to growing one's own food. Etsy frequently features people who grow their own food on their blog. There are "movements" of young farmers, and gardeners who have discovered the satisfaction of putting what one grows onto their table, and into their mouths.  I guess I am showing my age when I say "Victory Garden" is old school.  My opinion is: you better learn how to grow your own food, period.  Being dependent on grocery stores frightens me! Having a generation of "right nows" scares me too.  It takes patience and hard work to grow one's own food. 

Cukes starting to climb trellis, eggplant middle row, tomatoes in the back.

I recently unearthed a watercolor pad that had farm house watercolors from back in the days when I had my own farm.  I taught myself to can in the 90's when it was difficult to even find canning supplies. My local Farm and Fleet had the big pot, jars, and such I needed.  Now I see canning supplies in the grocery store!  As I am writing this, I realize I also taught myself to farm.

Karen wanted sweet corn...

I see that I am going to have a bumper crop of tomatoes this year.  Exciting !!  So 3 apple trees, a pear tree, peach tree, strawberries, chickens, and vegetables  feed more than Bob and I.  We also feed our vegetarian neighbors.  My goal was to grow enough food for our whole block. What I didn't foresee is how my neighbors would be inspired to plant vegetable gardens too.  We have a new neighbor who moved their hens all the way from California!  The cost of getting soil and raised beds, shade cloth, mulch and fencing was high.  It would have been cheaper to go to Albertson's or Smith's.  But it wouldn't taste as good, nor would I be able to walk 10 feet and snip chives, parsley and cherry tomatoes.  It's so worth the time and labor and cash invested. 

Apple trees planted last year doing very well.

 I no longer have a  Midwestern farm with a red dutch stone bottom barn. I had acres of fertile soil there, and long cold winters.  Now we have an acre in high desert. I read somewhere that all each family needs is 1/4 acre to grow food for themselves.  In some ways I am happy to report I have come full circle.  We eat daily out of our garden.  I plan meals around what is harvested.  For a few months I eat tomatoes and veggies that TASTE like something besides the foam and shrink wrap packages in the produce department.

"Missy 2" hops on my lap as soon as I sit down.

She needs a name, and English Langshan who give me the chicken eye constantly.

The only Silkie hen...what a cutie. She is unnamed also. A Japanese breed.

This year I am gardening year round.  I have hoops arriving and greenhouse cloth to cover the closest two beds near the house.  One cannot grow fruiting items in this.  But we'll have root veggies, and greens all winter long.  I will continue to teach the generations younger how to do this. I am grateful for my neighbors who have helped water and shade my garden while I recover from my broken foot.  I am passionate about growing.  I imagine I will be until the day I am planted too. :-)

Breakfast "mash" of: milk, cornmeal, stale bread, pea pods, and crackers.

I invite you to share what you are growing. Canning recipes, and garden tips.  I loooove learning new things! I need names for the above chickens....any ideas?

Strawberries are starting to overcrowd.  Still bearing fruit in this heat.  Yum!

Thanks for reading.
Each day is a gift. Open now.
xo,
Suz

4 More At The Door

Australorp chicks

Last night I got an email from a chicken farmer in the East Mountains of Albuquerque.  I had contacted him in March about getting some of his Australorp chicks.  He was out of them but said he'd have some mid May to late May.  I wrote back saying I needed them before of after our trip to see the elephants.  However, I never heard from him again.  I also left several voice mail messages.  Imagine my surprise when he emailed me!  

Full sized Australorp hen.

So here we go again.  I now have a broken foot, and am in a walking cast. So I can't do the things I normally can do.  I will enlist help of Lloyd and Ethan to move the nursery back into the walled patio area.  There will only be 4, so that is much less clean up or work. They are a large breed, and will grow fast.  Eventually they will be commingled with our flock.  Of course Ethan is thrilled to have chicks again.  

I could have told him no.  But these are a favorite gentle breed of mine.  And for another week, I have a 13year old farm hand. :-)

Thanks for reading.

Each day is a gift. Open now.
xo,
Suz