Chicks!

A couple weeks ago I wrote a blog and mentioned there was a lot more cheeping going on downstairs....I didn't mean to wait this long before I explained myself!

Here are our newest additions to the chicken flock.

We ordered 13 chicks, for a new total of 15 (I hatched 2 myself, 2 weeks prior to getting these babies).

We have the original 2 silkies: Marcelline (after the character on Adventure Time) and Lady Edith (Downton Abbey fans anyone?!?)

These two are about 5 weeks old. 

All the "new" chicks are about 3 weeks old. They are all currently in that weird teenager stage of feathering.

3 Buff Orpingtons: Still in need of names. I would like 3 old timey names names that rhyme. Or maybe sweet garden names...like ButterCup, Daisy, and Rose......

4 Speckled Sussex's: No names yet.....suggestions welcomed. I have a hard time telling the difference between the Ameracaunas and SS.

3 Ameracauna: One is chipmunk, because of her coloring on her head and back. The other two don't have names yet either....These chicks can come in all different kinds of coloring....I can't tell who is who yet with some....

and 3 Cuckoo Marans: K-man has names one Pelican, because of her large beak. The other two still need naming.

We have a bunch of naming to do!! I love old timey names, but have let K-man do the naming in the past, so we have a random assortment of names going on with our big girls.

The BIG girls:

Francine (a Barred Rock) was named after the farmer (Frank) from whom we got her. She is queen of the roost.

Patricia (a white leghorn): One of the first two chickens from our first go at chicken keeping...so she is at least 4 years old. Kman said this was the most beautiful name he had ever heard....=) I felt as though we rescued her from her previous owner. It was a terribly kept farm with sick and dying animals everywhere!! Very traumatic to visit.

Red (white leghorn?) stumbled into our lives randomly one day by just showing up in our yard. Seriously. We tried to find her owners but no one claimed her. She was named Red because her comb was so vibrant!

Goldie (a Golden Phoenix Bantam), was named for her breed and because she is "golden" when it comes to being around people. I used to rock her to sleep on the porch last summer!

And lastly, Jersey Girl (White Jersey Giant), is a big but gentle spirited chicken.

Isn't it funny how these girls have personalities all their own?!? I can't wait to see what the babies personalities will turn out to be. We are going to have to start selling eggs once they all start laying!!


K-man snapped a pic of me while handling chicks last week. Not the best quality, but I wanted to share my ever growing belly with those of you that read my blog=). I always feel like I have to put my hand there for viewers of the pic to get the full effect. lol.

Please don't pay attention to my gross basement=). 

There is snow in the forecast! Perhaps one last snow day!??! I'd be totally ok with that. 

Random Photo Update

Hello All! Here is a "snapshot" of what has been going on at Brown Acre!!

New woodstove!

We finally got the new stove installed! After a couple leaks and revisits from the contractor, it is working so wonderful!! We have really enjoyed sitting in front of the fire in the evenings....so relaxing.

 I hatched some chicks!!! 

These are two silkies that made it through the hatch. One other hatched, a black copper maran, but she died due to a weird leg ailment (not splayed leg, more like walking on her knees and scooting on her belly). It was very sad that she died, but I figured it was survival of the fittest. Still, not a fun moment. 

The two silkies are thriving! They are already so big! 2 weeks old and getting to that weird adolescent stage with funky half feathers and down. 

 Here is a quilt project that I was working on. A friend requested a baby quilt with her son's name embroidered on it. Sorry about the bad lighting! 

Here is 27 weeks! I am currently 28 weeks along, but I wanted to share this picture anyways. I swear, if my butt or thighs get any bigger, I might lose my mind. Seriously. 

 Big Girls! Just wanted to show off the girls since I haven't posted a picture of them in a while. 

 Tulips are coming up!! How exciting!!! I'm ready for spring.

I actually worked in the garden for several hours the other day because it was so beautiful outside. 

I fixed a raised bed that was falling apart (yes, i used a shovel, rake, and hammer thingy all while being hugely gigantic.)

Check out the birdhouse gourd that climb my pear tree and I left to dry! Looks kinda funny.

Planting okra this year!! 

Garlic is coming up! 

Here is the raised bed that I fixed. I was super proud of myself for being so physical with my SPD ailment=). 

KMan with the chicks.

If we get a snow day tomorrow....I'm posting again!! I have a ton more photos to share.....and just as a sneak peak, there is a lot more cheeping going on downstairs right now!!