We Moved

It’s as simple as that.  In a whirlwind things seem to happen at record speed toward the end and we are in our new house.  We are surrounded by piles of boxes but it already feels like home.  And in the last couple of weeks I have had many firsts, I have collected eggs from my very own chickens (the sellers left 4 hens and a rooster so even though the chicks we bought aren’t laying yet we do have eggs), I used a weed whacker and drove a riding lawnmower.

It’s also been gross and rainy and I recognized right away that I also needed my very first pair of barn and garden boots.  Don’t ask me how I managed to grow up in Washington without ever having a pair of rubber boots but I did. I did find some cute one for my first pair:

The kids are absolutely in heaven.  4+ acres on which to run around.  The first morning we woke up in the house Zion, Gabe and I walked out to see if there were any eggs left for us yet, as we opened the gate on the run Zion says “Can you *believe* we live here?!”  Nope, sweetie, I almost can’t.  It is certainly a dream come true for me.

So now you know that if you aren’t seeing blog posts from me that I’m still unpacking.  And collecting eggs.  And cleaning the chicken coop.  And mowing the lawn (what do you call it when it’s FOUR acres?)  And taking pictures of my chickens eating spaghetti.

I wanted to name the rooster Elvis but I got outvoted when Gabe suggested “Brewster”.  Pft.  Whatev.  OK, I admit, it’s a really cute name for a rooster.

Oops.

Not really.  I don’t feel bad at all.  Though this may be an addiction.  I only meant to get two more.  It’s not my fault.  I should never be left alone in a farm store where chicks are for sale.  Meet our new ladies.

Camilla, she’s a Delaware:

This one is a Blue Andalusian, she has the sweetest temperament but, alas, no name yet.

 

Another yet unnamed lady, she’s a Mille Fleur Bantam.  Though she came out of the straight run bin (meaning no guarantee of gender) I learned a little trick that I’m putting to the test regarding determining gender based on those first wing feathers.  If my test is accurate this is a girl chick (and the other two bantams I got are boy chicks – oh dear).

 

Last but not least, Zion’s new love.  In fact, she named her Heart.  She claims it’s because the chick loves Zion so much but I suspect it’s because Zion loves her so much.  She is a Buff Orpington and a sweeter chick can’t be found.

Today we bought a new-to-us brooder box which gave the chicks more room and they are in seventh heaven.  One of them lost herself completely in an impromptu dust bath that had me in stitches.  Chicken are hilarious.  Who knew?