Last month I caught the craftiness bug, and was inspired to make Christmas stockings. Perhaps it was a means to distract me from my grad work, but I found it fun and therapeutic. Armed only with a needle and thread, however, I lacked some serious resources. But thanks to the internet and social media sites like Facebook and YouTube, I borrowed a sewing machine, taught myself how to thread it (it had been years since I last did!), and searched images of other people’s handiwork – saving my favorites for inspiration. Five separate shopping visits to craft stores and I was ready to start cutting!

Sans pattern, I drew some out and created as I went. Halfway into the project I decided to line the stockings, one challenge well worth the effort. I wanted to make it the cleanest and prettiest stocking yet. So, take a look for yourself – I’m really happy with how they turned out. And I can only hope that Adam and Stacey will enjoy them for many many Christmases to come!

After many weeks of discussion and thought and search, I have found Romeo. Yes, Romeo is my new Birman cat I adopted from the Oregon Humane Society. He’s ten years old, has the sweetest demeanor, and makes a great companion. He loves to be brushed and pet, to the point where he’ll start to drool. He purrs a LOT, headbutts, kneads, and occasionally gives love bites. And he seduces anyone and anything with his beautiful blue/grey eyes. You’ll find him relaxed with one paw stretched out, and a constant swoosh in his tail. He talks sometimes, but doesn’t meow. He doesn’t like loud noises, and hides under the couch to feel safe. But you can slide him out, and across the floor, and he doesn’t even complain. He just rolls with it.

He’s a keeper!

I have been very neglectful in updating my blog, and I apologize… You won’t believe how big the chickens have gotten! And yet, I still can not tell for certain what is a hen and what is a rooster. I have my suspicions though…

In the meantime Nico and I convinced our friend, Larry, in helping us build a chicken coop – a plan created over beers and which turned out to be a four-day project! Lucky for us, Larry is a woodworking wizard, and assured us he enjoyed the entire process. (thanks, Larry!). Lo and behold, we created the awesomest coop ever. Siding has yet to be done, and we don’t have a run yet. BUT..  we have a sliding 2nd floor, a nifty nesting box, and an eco-roof (yes, I said ECO-roof!) …and a lot of chicken p@#p in the yard.

The chickens are LOVIN’ the outdoors. They lay sideways in the sun, and sleep. It’s fun to watch them chase after stuff that floats through the air, and then chase after whomever has the prize in its beak. Here’s a picture of my BIG birds!

The first time I saw this I freaked out! Then I realized it happens behind my back….all day long. The Japanese and Old English especially love to perch. I don’t worry anymore – they always seem capable of turning around and jumping back into the coop.

Some of you have asked me – or are probably wondering and afraid to ask me – what do I do with my time? Sometimes I wonder myself, but in a nutshell I surf the internet…a lot…., clean house, raise chickens, workout, study Dutch, and recently, take pottery classes! Not only does pottery require patience, skill and a little humor, it can be extremely time-consuming. I’ve spent a lot of hours in the studio this past week and 4 hours go by like you wouldn’t believe! Anyway, I was there yesterday to trim some pieces, and out from the kiln came my very FIRST piece! After throwing, trimming, [first] firing, and glazing (and not breaking it along the way..) it’s complete! I couldn’t be happier.

Do I sense a career move in the future?

Although the chicks are still [my] babies, they have reached the “tween” stage. I can’t believe how fast they grow! I swear a fairy sprinkles growth hormones on them at night because I see something new every day. First it started with seeing ears develop, then they sprouted fuzzy tails, then the red frizzles’ feathers began to curl….then the chicks started to establish the pecking order, to fly (I’m not joking – I’m afraid they are going to literally “fly the coop” one of these days!), and gosh darn it, they are just_getting_big!

At week 1, I weighed Kung Fu Panda, the grey japanese, and Bruce, the white silkie. KFP was 20 grams, and Bruce was 33. KFP was the shrimp and Bruce was a monster! Today is week 3, and KFP weighs an admirable 66 grams and Bruce weighs 135!!!

King of the.... feeder??

Okay, okay, so Bruce doesn’t saunter over until the VERY end….but here’s a good look at our chicks from a chick’s-eye view.

The two red frizzles and blue old english go at it to establish the pecking order. They just started this today…I can only imagine it gets worse! Keep watching, the two Frizzles hold a staring contest that lasts for quite some time!

Nico and I have some unfortunate news: we lost two of our partridge cochins. One last night and one the night before. It certainly is sad, but we also want peace for the sick and weak birds. It has been unnerving the past couple of days observing the chicks, especially the two cochins. I’m worried about their health, are they eating enough?, and then begins “the pecking order” – literally. But today is Day 3, and I am hopeful that these birds will make it!

I went back to Pistils Nursery yesterday to share the fate of the one cochin and my observations of the second. I thought about picking up another partridge, but after looking at some photos and talking to the employees (which, by the way, I think it’s a requirement for them to love chickens, because they are so enthusiastic and educated!)…I chose a very small, doubtful-looking Grey Japanese. And after losing the second this morning, I’m going back to Pistils to pick up another Japanese – if they have it! I think there was only one left yesterday afternoon.

Pistils didn’t even charge me for the chick. In fact, they originally suggested me taking two Japanese! I was standing in line, ready to pay, when the lady who had been helping me asked, “Is there anything else you need?” And I motioned “no” and said I was in line to pay. “Oh no, no you don’t pay” and waves me off. That was really nice, I thought.

So here are some more pics of the peeps! I’ll be back soon with updates on their blossoming personalities and how the pecking order is arranging itself.