LAURA from ZAMBIA

by Robin

I am so blessed to have stepped out on faith about 7 years ago and meet up with the lady that spoke at our church on being a missionary from Africa.  I brought my boys, who were little guys at the time, in hopes they would hear some incredible missions stories with a little bit of lions and giraffes mixed in.  

Well, Laura did not disappoint.  And from that day on, we kept in contact.  Every time she comes back to the states, she emails or calls me and we set up a lunch or dinner date.   We've had Mexican, Chinese and amazing salads shared as we went through story after story over the years.  

I love that she has chosen to call me friend and I am blessed to know her.  She is an amazing person doing some very amazing work for Christ.  Don't let her beauty fool you into thinking she is some delicate wallflower!!  She can work on trucks, drive trucks thru rivers, live out in the bush and speaks to witch doctors and tribal chiefs.  Again, I cannot emphasize enough my utmost respect for this woman.  She completely trusts God with her life on a daily basis.  When I grow up, I want to be like her.  Maybe one day I could even go visit her 'home'.  

May God bless her exceedingly abundantly as she continues to raise funds to return to Zambia in a couple months.  

Blessings,
Robin

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!!!

by Robin

Today, we donated our kid slide (yellow) to the local farm/ market.  It will go from furless kids to furry kids.



I think we have found a great new home for it.  Besides, I need the space in my shed.

But, all the goats were curious at first.  Then, it fell and nobody cared any more.  I think they'll be much more interested once it is set up and ready to be used.



While I was there, I ran into a former homeschool student that I taught in Biology dissections.  She's all grown up now and contributing to the Green Market.



But, after we were done chatting, I took my camera out and enjoyed taking pictures of all the beautiful birds on the grounds.



I think there had to be at least 7 roosters hanging around.  This guy was my favorite.



I took some photos of some of them.  The one above needs a 'caption me'.



This one below did not seem to like me around his harem and studied my red camera.  Maybe he saw "us" as a threat.  I quickly slid out past him and went to friendlier roosters.



I have heard nasty stories about those spurs.



I got a couple photos of them crowing.  Oh my!!



The whole farm was a crowing choir!!  ha ha.



Hope you enjoyed the photos today.



Have a blessed weekend.  We have relatives coming into town.

Robin

TIKI vs PEACHES SMACKDOWN

by Robin

So, I snapped this picture a few days ago, but it appears that I missed the bigger picture that was brewing between these two.  They have deemed each other as mortal enemies.

And this morning, they decided to have The Smackdown!!



So, in the morning, we do a bit of shuffling because of the 6-7 wks old babies. Yet, there is a good flow to our new routine and it goes like this:

Get dogs, let dogs out, say hello to Lulu on the way out.  Dogs go pee while I let hens out of coop.  I stand there looking at the garden, waiting for hens to come out, dogs go potty.  I head back to the coop once I see the little girls finally get to the ground and put them into their own separate pen while the big hens are distracted with grass and bugs.

Well, Tiki followed me into the coop area because he loves baby chicks.
Fascinated by their peeps.

I'm done with babies and ask him to leave.  He steps out toward the entire crowd of hens and Captain (chihuahua) who are waiting for us to come out and shut the big door.  I step out, and no sooner shut the door when out of the corner of my eye, I see Peaches come from behind me, wings spread like an eagle and sink both talons into Tiki's back.  He hits the ground, face planting.  At this point, I'm gasping for air for a big scream.  Tiki rolls back to his feet and body slams right back into Peaches, rolling her onto her back, wings a'flappin'.  I think my cheek muscles wanted to begin a smile when I see Tiki open his mouth and go to take a big bite at Peaches' throat.  Funny feeling gone.  My scream finally made its way out my mouth and Tiki released from her neck and backed off about 2 ft.

I thought for sure she was a goner, and had gotten what she deserved for attacking first.  But no, she did get back on her feet and dusted herself off.  I quickly grabbed up Tiki whose heart was racing.  I checked him over for puncture marks.  Thankfully, it was only dirt.  Peaches walked off unremorseful getting high-5's from her feathered friends.

I took several moments to relive the series of events.  Wow.  My 8 lb Buff Orpington tried to take down my 7 lb chihuahua and nearly didn't live.  

I do hope she will rethink her actions before she does something like that when I am not around to call him off of her.  Sheesh, and I can't think of what my 17 lb chihuahua (Yes, he's a giant) would do to her if she picked on him.  He loves to grab and shake snakes.

So, that's the play-by-play of the dog vs chicken smackdown.

Robin

LULU

by Robin


I absolutely LOVE THIS GIRL!!!!





I try to pretend like she's not mine and force my son to do his "bunny chores", but the truth is that I love spoiling her with fresh veggies and herbs.  I absolutely love having her run around my house.



As you can see, her coat is impeccable and she will be a healthy 2 yo very soon.  I even love her little whiskers and turkey neck, which has been half cut out of this picture.



Did I mention how much I love this girl??   Who knew that having a bunny would be so rewarding? When I was a little girl, we had a white bunny..... for about a month.  She bit me.  She went to the "zoo" after that.  I really think she went to my Uncle's house for dinner... but that's just my opinion.

As for Lulu, she has a home with us until she grows very old.

MORE GARDEN & CHICKEN PICS

by Robin

My "baby" is now my right-hand man since my eldest is usually off working.  I am so thankful that he was willing to be my helper because many of these chores require two sets of hands.



He turned the ground while I photographed Garden #1.  The dried beans are either pulled or still on the vine drying.  There are still 2 rows of broccoli and some voluntary tomato plants.  Pineapple to the right.  Those are still yearlings. I doubt they will produce this spring.



So, I left the gate open and purposely allowed my girls to roam the empty lot to look for bugs.



They were having a great time and exploring.



But then, they kept getting further and further... closer to the street.  It probably freaks the neighbors and passing cars to see chickens loose. I am not worried because they come as soon as I call.




Like I showed earlier, Garden #2 is now officially ready for the manure dump in a couple weeks.  I am allowing time for the voluntary tomato seedlings to show themselves first.

Happy Spring,... Winter.
Robin

FAVORITE PHOTOS this BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY!!

by Robin


Caught this sunbathing beauty first thing this morning. Love those eyelashes!



Ripping around the decks



And around the pool.



This guy spend most the week with Death knocking on his door, but he was feeling his oats today too.



What a beautiful day to till dirt.  I am hoping to find volunteer tomatoes in a week or two.



We had to replace on line and lay all them to out to check them.  Fence back in place to keep out hens.  Everything is ready to go.  Next thing, manure needs to be hauled in.



Look what has been growing all fall & winter.  Yep,  you're late!!  And you're small!!  What's happening??



Oh and I picked cherry tomatoes too.  I see Eaton and Harris are looking to pick some with me.




I have so many more great pics but these were my top picks to grab right away.

I was pretty certain we were getting an awful winter but.... it sure hasn't hit this fine weekend.

Blessings,
Robin

SIMON PETER and CAPTAIN

by Robin

I like to call this "Eaten Alive."  LOL.

HUNGRY FISHERMEN

by Robin

We eat pretty healthy around here most days.  But sometimes, I realize that I haven't fed my guys, my growing guys, a good manly meal.



So, I will grill up some steaks and bake some potatoes.



It makes them very happy fishermen.

I cannot tell you how tempted I was to snag a bit of this steak.  I have been going 12 days without meat & dairy and today... I broke down to have an egg for breakfast and a grilled chicken after my 5 mile walk.  Sometimes, my body just won't quit reminding me that I need more protein.  I do my best with plant-based foods but sometimes, that little voice inside won't quit.  It makes me crash.  I say this not to beat myself up, but to admit that sometimes I crash and the best way to feel better is with animal protein.

Life continues....  back to beans.

Robin

ANDREW in Blk & Wh

by Robin


Shot #1  I asked him not to smile. Took out a lot of contrast here and lightened up the shirt.  Shot is very crisp.  Love this kid.


 

 Here's another head shot.  While I love this angle better, Mona Lisa smile and the darkening of the shirt, not sure I like how I overcontrasted the eyes and almost made it grainy.

 


 Hope you don't mind me sharing my experimentations with the camera.

Have a blessed weekend!

ME 262

Drawn by my youngest, "Andrew"....

I am so proud of the talent God has given both my boys.  I have to have a Momma bragging moment.



It is a ME-262.

Love it!

REWORKED BLK & WH

by Robin

I had a great photography class from a friend who also owns a Nikon and Light Room 5.



I thought I would take what I learned and put it to practice today.




Hope you don't mind seeing the same pictures twice.  For this one, my intent was to turn a photograph into a pencil drawing.  Looks pretty much like what I used to draw for people in a fraction of the time I would spend on a piece.



Btw, the new pullets (5-6 wk old chicks are in their outdoor pen trying to adjust to their new world.  I may still have to bring them in tonight because it will go down to 61 deg, but so far... they're in shock at what dirt feels like.  The other hens barely looked at them (from the outside).

Have a blessed weekend.
R

CHAMPION RUNNER!!

by Robin

I'm so proud of my fella who stayed with me for an entire four mile walk!!   Plus, he's still out there chasing lizards.




He is my doggie hero!  Where does he get that energy??




Congrats!

ITSA NEW DAY! NEW PICTURES

by Robin

Ameraucana Girl #1


Head shot

Eagle shot

 


Ameraucana Girl #2

Head Shot




Girl #1 - first time on the ground. Talk about confused! Cute too. She looks like a Roadrunner to me.



Have a blessed day.

More pictures coming up over the next couple days.

Robin

Got CHICKS??

by Robin

Hello, my name is Robin and I'm addicted to chickens.

People told me you couldn't just have one... or four... or a hundred.




I'm starting to believe them.

(Bird #1 below)



I thought I was heading out to buy chicks, but guess what??




They had many 5-6 wk old babies.

(Bird #2 is darker) 



Tomorrow, I should be able to snap some better pics.

Honestly, I could run back to the store and get 2 more that I really wanted.  Ok... one for me (Cream Ameraucana) and one for Jack.  He's got his mind set on a Rhode Island Red.

Chicken love to all!
Robin