Chicken Update...

It's been a while since I've posted any pictures of the girls. They are all doing really well. They seem really happy and are still laying a ton of eggs-despite the colder weather. They still have a blast running all over the yard when they get a chance to free range.

Another Chicken Update...

My son Eric is raising chickens. He got the chicks on May 21, and from time to time, I've posted pictures and updates. This is what they look like now...

They are getting used to each other...it was funny to watch them all trying to get bread crumbs at the same time!

Kevin had them free ranging in the backyard while Eric was at school.

 She decided she needed to see what we do up on that deck!

 Then she needed to see what goes on in that house...

 Then Maddie decided enough is enough and made her get off the deck!

I've laughed so much this summer at these crazy chickens! They just need to hurry up and start laying-the anticipation is killing us!!

Fresh Eggs...

With Auntie being out of town, Eric is chicken-sitting. He doesn't have to stay at her house, but does have to go over in the morning to let the girls out, and in the evening to put them to bed. One big perk is free, fresh eggs! We've gotten a dozen in just the last 2 days! There was one giant egg from one of her older girls-it was a double yolk! The rest are just little pullet eggs. I made a big breakfast this morning-Eric got the double-yolker!!

Now, we can't wait for our girls to start laying!!!

He got 5 more eggs this morning from Auntie's girls-it's pretty exciting for him. The anticipation of his girls finally laying some eggs is killing him though- LOL!

Chicken Update...

Just a quick post with some new pictures of the girls. Eric comes home on Sunday. We are driving to West Branch to meet my parents-it's the half way point, and he'll come home with us. Just in time to register for his Junior year of high school, do back to school shopping, eye doctor appointment, and fall physical-all on top of re-acclimating to life in the lower peninsula.

The chicks have kept us laughing, and we've really enjoyed watching their antics-they seem to like to race each other, they love scratching for bugs in my hostas, they love, love, love going under our deck-and the funniest part of all is watching the dog corral them when they wander too far (in her opinion) away from their coop.

This is our most interesting looking chickie...I hear she will be beautiful once she is out of the goofy teenager stage...

Getting ready to race to the end of the pen!

Their favorite place to hang out late in the afternoon. It gets crowded on all 4 of these perches-the quail even hang out here right along side the chicks.

Just reminding them she has her eye on them-or is it the graham cracker I tossed in??

Vacation...Week Two!

I was trying to remember the last time that I was able to have a 2 week vacation, and I think it was way back when I was in middle school or early high school, before I got my first job! I've been enjoying not having a schedule, and just stopping and smelling the roses!

Not looking forward to all the work piling up back at the office though-ugh! I won't think about that though until Monday morning-I'm determined to enjoy every minute of my respite from work!

We got home yesterday from my parents. The traffic wasn't as bad as I thought. We made really good time, and only ended up taking about an extra half an hour than usual-not bad. We got home to hot, hot, hot temperatures-wow! There is nothing more soothing than the gentle hum of the air conditioner-that's for sure! 

When we left the U.P., it was cool, misty and very foggy. The further south we drove, the clearer the skies got, and the warmer the temps got.

Today, Auntie and I took off for a quick little adventure to check out the new Lamb's Gate in Old Town Lansing. It's a cute little shop-wish it was bigger like their Grand Ledge location-which we had to visit too!

I didn't buy anything at the new store, but I got a couple of neat vintage treasures at the Grand Ledge location.

We also tried to stop at a new place...but it ended up being a place we visited last winter. When I looked it up on line, it gave a totally different name-but when we arrived, it ended up being April's Antiques and Home Furnishings. They have really cleaned it up since our last visit, but unfortunately...it is mostly furniture now with very little household treasures. I think we both agreed that we can cross this shop off of our list for any future visits-unless we are in the market for used furniture.

Since we got home from our trip north, I've been surprised to see how much the chicks have grown!! Here are some new pictures...mostly for Eric, since he is still in the U.P. and they are his babies.

There is a really big difference in size now as compared to the quail.

 

 

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She's always watching.

 

While I was up north, I picked up a couple of treasures at a couple of different garage sales. It was upon closer inspection (after we got back to my parent's house) that I noticed some stains.

Before...

 

  After...the stains have gotten smaller and a lot lighter-I may just try soaking it again.

Ewww...Nasty!     Before...

After! Ta-da! I LOVE BIZ!!! 

What a great job it does and doesn't harm the colors or the material. I've been BIZ-ily soaking all of my linens with stains today and have been very pleasantly pleased with the results.

I've read a lot of "recipes" for cleaning spots on linens, and since I couldn't find one of the key ingredients in the last "recipe" I read, I just decided to try the BIZ by itself, and it works GREAT!! Plus there is a $1 off coupon inside for your next purchase-what a bargain! :)

Great Grandma's Peonies and a Chick Update!

They BLOOMED!!!! They are a little late, but they sure are pretty! Makes me stop and remember all the great things about my great grandma on my mom's side!

Chick Update:
Eric and his dad have been working really hard on his new run for his chickens (so he can leave for a month to have fun in the U.P. with grandma and grandpa). The chicks were so fun to watch last night! The were running in and out of the coop, scratching and pecking the ground, and finding all kinds of bugs and worms. Then they would parade all around with their finds and end up with the rest of the chicks chasing them!

Good old Maddie was never very far. She kept a very watchful eye on the live squeaky toys.

The chicks are the size of the quail right now, and they all are running around and getting along great together!