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

SUNDAY SERMON

reposted by Robin



The Peril of Walking by Sight, taken from the Book of Jacob Ch 9.


If you want a really awesome read that will inspire you to pray more and understand God's just yet merciful character, click the link below.  It blessed me so much!!


https://bible.org/seriespage/8-peril-walking-sight-joshua-91-27

CAPTURED!!

by Robin


Well, it wasn't exactly the raccoon I was hoping for.  I hope it has learned its lesson.  It surely didn't like dogs barking at it, nor me trying to release it.




Also, yesterday, I caught a picture of a bunny, in her natural habitat.




Hello Lulu.  Sitting in your favorite chair?



Have a blessed day!

ALERT!! HENNING AROUND

by Robin

Ok, so this morning, I finally go out to investigate whatever has been on the shade awning for the chicken coop.

Um... that's raccoon scat... poop!!  

I guess s/he was looking for a way in.  So thankful that the critter's weight did not break through the awning.  Also glad s/he did not find a way to chew through it.



Hello Eaton!



Anyhow, I continued about my morning musings with photographing various "scratching".



I am still hoping to one day catch them stretching wings.



Or even taking flight.

That is so very hard to do.  However, scratching is easy enough, at this point.  Once, I caught Eaton scoring a decent size bug.  She was fast!  Want to down that thing before the other hens catch on.



I love her waddling around as she tries to rejoin the group.  (Just noticed I have way too much "graininess" in this photo.)



Peaches, showing off her beauty.




Pearl striking a pose.



Harris in her full plumage after a nasty molting.
   

Harris - to the right, to the right.




Hen Party - They truly are backyard chickens.  We share more common space than I care to admit.



More Scratching - Eaton has a mean right hook.




Love her fluffy butt.

 

 You can't hide from my lens! I don't care how much you try to camouflage yourself.



Hope you enjoyed the hen pictures.  I sure was nice to have some down time to play with them and learn some new software.

Blessings,
Robin

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S DAY!!!

by Robin

We're having a NYE do-over tonight because hubby had to work.  So, I made my yearly collards (follow Emeril Lagasse's recipe) and my version of Black-Eyed Peas, which is a knock-off of Glory's, if you don't mind me bragging.  Then, while I was getting all that prepped and slow cooking those, I was watching a show called, "The Mind of a Chef" and they had a show on Curry.  Wow, did I fall in love!!  I totally reproduced that Chicken Tikah Master (sp?), but with pork tenderloin meat.

So, I'm booking along and following her instructions when I go back out to my grill and it is totally out of gas.  Lit up fine, but then died.

Hubby suggested charcoal, but I didn't want to wait that long.  Well, the griddle was already out on the counter and it was really more like an experiment that makes me look brilliant.




Look at the crust on these pork-ka-bobs!!  Griddles aren't just for pancakes around here!


And then you marry it with the sauce that she recommends.  Oh my... while dairy (& most meat) are not on my diet, I just had to try a little bit to see if it was as good as it looked.




I thought my kids were going to kill me for making them wait while photographing their dishes.  LOL.  My youngest was stealing ka-bobs from the pan.

I guess you could say it was a big success.  Add a little sparkling cider and followed by some apple turnovers I made.  When, then you start having more of an anniversary dinner.  ha!  Tomorrow is our 22nd anniversary!!

Love you babe!!


May each of you have a blessed and prosperous New Year!!
Robin