Blake's Visit...Get OUT Of Here!

It was so great to get to see Blake, HERE. As in, our home. As in Northern Arizona, far away from Crestline (where we usually get to see him). He was on a little "adventure" with three of his buddies. These guys all get together once a year, their bonds are pretty tight, and I think that is pretty awesome! So their adventure was the Grand Canyon (Blake's first trip to see it). Of course it was a must to stop and say hello to his family (that would be us); because, hello, the Canyon is in our backyard, practically! I really enjoyed meeting his buds, they seem like cool cats, and have a great bond with each other. I got to learn stuff about them...like, yes, they are all married, and yes they all have kids. Got to know what they all do for a living, you know, the basics. We showed them around our property and what we all have to offer..you know...windmill, 1951 Chevy water truck, a pond with koi; oh and chickens...how about a railroad and a great steam engine...they were all impressed :o) Of course Jeff gave them all train rides with the steamer. Blake insisted he needed to check the amount of "power" the engine had to offer! I also got to play them my most recent composition, and they all loved it, saying they could feel my emotion in the music, and the power it had. I could really see my music being appreciated in Blake's eyes, which, in turn, makes me feel appreciated. So, since Blake's friends liked my music, I gave them each, one of my original Cd's, to take home with them. So all in all, it was a great visit. Now we owe Blake a visit to his home, in San Diego! Haven't been there in over 10 years, and would really love to get back there. So the Law-Dog and I will have to figure that out! Good times. Good times.

"My Pet Chicken" Contest.

Okay. I entered my picture, with Georgette and I (posing), in a contest. I think I have a good chance to win! The contest is given by Egg Carton Labels by ADozenGirlz.™ The title is, "My Pet Chicken." I had already emailed the business owner/founder, of Egg Carton Labels by ADozenGirlz.™, my picture, just to show her it; because Kathy (that's her name), likes to see her chicken lovers photos! It was Kathy that told me I NEEDED to enter my photo, and that it is a KEEPER. Oh boy. The contest ends on the 30th of this month. The winner is determined by the most votes received. Why not? Why not.

My Georgette!

I have a "Mama's Girl," and her name is Georgette! What a silly little month old chick. I was squatting down (like I normally do); to interact with my chickens; and she just decided that my thighs looked like a nice place to perch! So sweet! She would sit there and look up at me, like she is saying hello to her Mama. Did I say how much I love my chickens? I have? Oh well...hear it again...I love my chickens! They have been the stars of my blog these days, and I can't help it! With how fast they are growing, and their funny ways on display...they are fun to write about. Lola, by the way, was outside today. She actually walked down the ramp, and scratched at the dirt. Others will follow soon :o) I know you will appreciate the last photo of Georgette and I. Look closely and you can see she is smiling at me!

The ladies.

Lucy, checking out me with the camera.

Stretch Those Chicken Legs And Please... "Repeatability."

 Another great weekend! We had Dad and Mom Stafford out here. They arrived Thursday afternoon, and left last night, after dinner. It was a very quick visit, but a productive one, with "repeatability" results! On Friday I took Dad and Mom to the Cal-Ranch store in Flagstaff. I wanted to show them our new favorite store; but I also needed to buy my pine chips; the nesting boxes (they only had five, so I bought them all. Still need three more). I also got a bigger hanging feeder, a large trash can with wheels, so I can dump all the old poopy wood chips in there, and roll it to our dumpster! Convenient I'd say! Dad and Mom purchased me a really nice, three gallon waterier for my chickens. That is the big metal container, in the picture. That was very thoughtful of them, since the total was adding up! Thanks again Dad and Mom! Lets talk about the chickens, shall we? Okay...so once we got their coop all set up with the pine chips, their food and water placed, it was time to let my little chicks out of their plastic, small tub. What a funny moment. They were so used to their tiny home with four walls, they didn't know how to react! They huddled together and found one of the walls, and stayed there. I do believe they were there for a while. It was only in time, that they eventually got brave to check out their new HUGE surroundings; and when they discovered it...what a blast! They were flying up a bit, running, jumping, eating and finally drinking. It was great to see! Makes me a happy Mama to see my feathered babies happy and thriving! It was then I got to watch their personalities REALLY show up, and so, their names were given to them this weekend. I placed their names under their pictures below; but here they are, broken down individually...The White Leghorn is now named Lola. The Polish Bantam, Pippa. The Rhode Island Red, is now Lucy. The Silver Laced Wynadotte is Georgette. The two Ameraucanas, Caramel and Latte. The two Black Astrolops, Betty and Hazel. Cute cute cute CUTE! Okay, attention Mom Stafford...this is for you...YOU wanted to know who would be the first to step outside, in the outdoor coop, and it was a sudden flustered rush between the ladies! Seriously, three of them flew out at the exact same time. It was Lola, Caramel and Betty! Those three brave and confused chicks! They didn't know what to think! Of course Lola and Caramel jumped back on the ramp inside, not but five minutes later; and Betty was stuck outside squawking at her family that was still inside! She eventually found her way back in, with my help. She looked like such a chicken, because she is, I know. But seriously...a beautiful chicken in the sunlight! Now today Jeff added a new fountain to our pond. A UV light filter fountain, that kills algae, and looks pretty! It also has little LED lights, so it will be lit up at night! A picture will be taken. ALSO...randomly, we decided TODAY should be the day we buy fish. So we went to Warner's Nursery, and bought three koi fish. Yes. Koi. We said, why not? They are hardy fish, and they were our first choice, originally. They are beautiful! Orange and little (right now). They have found all areas of our pond, and seem to be thriving (as in, no shock). So we will see how it goes. They look awesome swimming around our pond, and with them being orange, they really stand out!

Lola

Pippa

Lucy

Caramel and Georgette

Betty

Hazel (top) and Latte

Who will be first to step outside?!

And the brave are, Lola, Caramel and Betty!

Oh Betty.



Chicken Report...Week Three!

Oh look how my babies have grown...in another week! They are all, eight, still around and getting BIG. Which leaves me to my next step of getting them set up, outside their grey tub. I need to lay cedar chips, hay, and little places for them to hang out along the floor of the main coop, and to still have the heat lamp available to stay warm at night. They are getting crowded in their little "first" home. So I do believe I might get this all set up on Friday. I plan on making a trip to Cal-Ranch! They have what I need, and I also need to get a bigger water container and feed trough. These chicks are little piggies! I still think they are so cute, even with them looking like mature chickens, each new day. Yeah for chickens! I also took a picture of our sign on the coop. So you all can get an idea of the location on "The Chick Inn."

Spring Time In The Verde!

Yesterday was a really great family day. We headed down to the Verde Valley, in the Camp Verde area and Page Springs. We took our trail walks and enjoyed the creek. We went back to the Page Springs Fish Hatchery, or as Samantha calls it, the Fish Factory. So cute. We went to a bird sanctuary place, (home to over 120 varieties); and that's where we chatted it up with some friendly horses. They were eating their green grass and talking with their mouths full. Beautiful animals. It was just so nice getting to be outside and not be cold. Spring has definitely sprung in the Verde Valley! I can't wait for our trees to be full of leaves and green grass and flowers sprouting up and out! It's time I tell ya! It's time!

A Familiar Scene; But It's April 14th!

Okay okay. Again, I understand, snow this late in the year is good. Good for the land, and it will most definitely keep things green. But it is also April 14th. I want a more consistent temperature now. I want the sun shining, so I can let my little chicks experience the great outdoors (the protected outdoor coop, for now). Our grand cottonwood has green buds on all the branches, and with this below freezing temps, more than likely they have frozen to death, leaving the tree bare, longer, until it can recover again. This happens every year. Things start to bud and bloom, and then the freeze returns. Thank you freeze. Jeff is at work, this fine winter morning. I felt really bad for him making the trip in, when on any normal Saturday, he would still be home with his family. The sacrifices he makes for us are great, and I reconize what he does for his family. A really good man, that Jeff Stafford! Fortunately, the credit union closes at 1:00 today. So later this afternoon we will have our time, and dinner out. Tomorrow I think we will escape to the Verde Valley. Love going down there! LOVE IT. I am going to go check on my chicks now. Those little rascals! They are so cute I could just squeeze the fluff and feathers off of them!