Some Sad News

It’s been pretty quiet here mostly because I haven’t been able to think of how to share some sad news… A couple of weeks ago some unknown “predator” got into the barn. One of the chickens -Blossom- must have been dragged away. Henrietta was just killed and left. The whole thing was pretty traumatizing for the other chickens as well as for me.  I’ve read enough to know that this is something you should prepare yourself for when it comes to raising chickens- still it ‘s difficult. I thought I should share it here because I’ve posted so often about the chicks and you have watched them grow up as well.

Blossom and Henrietta were much loved chickens- they brought me much joy- and they will be missed.

Welcome Summer

Summer is here- officially. I have one more super busy week at work- then things will quiet down- and so I’ve been sitting on the rickety rocking chair-

Out by the barn- with the chickens-

...daydreaming about the projects I want to accomplish, the books I want to read and listen to, the places I want to visit.  Not a bad way to spend a Friday afternoon.

Looking at my knitting I noticed that while the colors may not reflect the Shetland landscape they do reflect what’s blooming in my neck of the woods right now.

Clematis, primrose, geranium…. I have simple tastes.

The chicks have been keeping busy. I have been a little concerned because someone was not laying – but not 100% sure who it might be... Then there was this very odd – very small egg last week.

Then yesterday in celebration of the first day of summer we had six eggs for the fist time in quite a while! 

This might be crazy but I’m attributing it to this weekend’s full moon. Hoping to do some “Super”-moon gazing Sunday evening.Hope you enjoy this first weekend of summer!

Celebrations and Natural Egg Dying

It’s Easter weekend - the Chickens are celebrating their one-year anniversary, and so I wanted to do something extra special in the way of egg dying this year.

Munching on new grass shoots-fat and happy- and one year old 

Last Fall I had the amazing opportunity to take a workshop with India Flint author of  Eco Colour – Botanical Dyes for Beautiful Textiles.  So much magical information to digest and process-It’s been months and I’m still percolating ideas. I realized I never shared photos so will soon- promise.

In the introduction to her book India shares that it was experimenting with Latvian egg dying traditions using eucalyptus on cloth that led her to discover the eco-print in 1999. So inspiring- the beauty of humble materials transformed through the alchemy of heat and water- an ancient tradition being passed down and then so beautifully expanding upon. You can peek in on India’s journeys and artistry here.

Tucked into the pages toward the back of the book is her recipe for Dyeing Easter Eggs in the Latvian Manner.

Here is what I did-

I stashed away onionskins for a number of months and then last week I shamelessly stuffed skins from the bins of our market into plastic bags in full sight of other normal shoppers because I didn’t feel I had enough.

I purchased a few green herbs (flat leaf parsley, baby arugula, fennel, which proved a bit too fine leaved) at the market- since my garden is still very much asleep.
Then proceeded...
Lay a leaf on an egg

Wrap the egg in onionskin

The bundles are almost as interesting and fun to look at as the finished eggs

I also wrapped my eggs in strips of fabric (wool and silk) bonus bits to use for embroidery latter)

Bundle and tie off snuggly (I used silk floss shared by our workshop hostess Christine-also a gifted fiber artist.

Layer onionskins in a pan

Put bundled eggs on top

Add more onionskins 

Cover with water

Bring to a boil and then simmer gently for 10 minutes

Let the eggs cool – unwrap and be amazed!

More Celebrations 6/52

Larry and I celebrated our 21^st wedding anniversary this week.

Of all the things I love about him it’s that he intentionally shares happiness with everyone he meets that really warms my heart and inspires me.I saw this posted on Pinterest and thought of him. It’s how he lives his life.

Here’s to another 21 years of Laughter and Love!

I finished a fun project.

Last Fall I was visiting Cleveland and had the chance to sit in on my friend Dori’s knitting group. What a fun bunch! Anyway they were talking about doing a group project and came up with the idea to each knit a pair of Flying Geese Mitts out of a different color of Cascade 220 yarn. Then they would exchange mitts each taking home a pair made up of two colors. I wasn’t able to make it down for the exchange but I sent my mitts off to be part of the party.

I’m also plugging away on my cardigan and spending a lot of time fretting about the sleeves and how they will be attached. I think I’ll write about it in another post….

I enjoyed finishing up this moccasin sock since it gave me some knitting to do that I didn’t have to fret about.

I used two strands in the toe, heel and sole area which makes for a very cushy sock. I think I’ll be passing these on to David to see how he likes them.

And finally I thought I’d catch you up on the Chickens.

They are getting tired of being cooped up and we’re all getting a little antsy for spring.They have been getting into some mischief  in the barn and love to play in the hay bales. A few weeks back I got a little scare when I went out and one of the Barred Rocks was missing. There was no sign of trouble- no feather-no blood…and the other chickens seemed calm – not disturbed at all. I looked high and low and couldn’t figure out how she might have gotten out of the barn. After about fifteen minutes searching I heard a little rustle from one of the large garbage cans. I have to say I was a little afraid to look inside. I turned it sideways and my missing chicken came walking out like that is just what you do – hang out in the garbage can. I’m glad I found her because I don’t think she could have made it out on her own and she might have suffocated or froze if she had spent the night in there.

Yesterday I went out and there were 7 eggs! That has never happened before. I think one of the Reds must have laid late Wednesday and then laid again Thursday. I told Larry it was like their Valentine’s Day present to us.Hope you had a sweet Valentine's Day. Spring is right around the corner!

New Routines

Settling into new routines around here. We’ve made a couple of trips across state to drop David and/or stuff off and I’m very much in love with Grand Rapids now. However even though I have a new favorite place to hang out- eat- and listen to music 

I’m going to try and give David some space – stay put – and resist the urge to rent the house and relocate.

I have been merrily knitting and reknitting away on my Ingenue. 

You may remember that I had to tink back a bit….. Well I finished the body of the sweater – tried it on- and decided I just wasn’t happy with the fit.  I really want to get it right- relaxed but not so oversized I’m swimming in it- so I ever so carefully ripped back the whole thing- the yarn held up fine.  I need to spin up another 100 yards or so and then I should be able to finish it up over the weekend.

My new routine is allotting a considerable amount of time to spend contemplating the chickens. So of course I have manymanymany  chicken stories to share, but will try to limit myself to just an update on their laying…

The chickens are clearly getting into a new routine as well and at this point three are laying regularly. Three of my six are…(I was going to say slackers)…are not laying yet.

Since her first egg documented a couple of Fridays ago, Lucy has decided that the rail near the gate is a good place to lay. She has no interest in the bright and shiny new nest boxes Larz installed. She is laying about every other day on the rail (to the left just outside of the photo above). The eggs have been large and double yolked. Ertha, one of the Barred Rocks lays regularly every day. She also refused the nesting boxes in favor of the floor right inside the coop door. A few days ago we put a wooden box out there and she seems to have taken to that. One of the Orpingtons is laying pretty regularly now as well.

Scientific observation…our largest chicken produces the smallest egg. The smallest chicken produces the biggest egg, and the medium sized chicken is the most reliable layer.

Lastly part of my new routine has involved pinning lots of egg recipes on Pinterset. Tonight I’m going to try...

Pasta, Eggs and Cheese a la Martha