Eggs And Strawberry Jam Time!

Okay. We have a good little egg production starting here, at the Stafford Ranch. You already saw Georgette's first egg...but I now took another picture of more of her eggs and Lucy's (the browner ones). I suspect another one of my chickens is also laying, but I keep missing her in action; and all I see is the egg in the nesting box. So I have six, at this moment. One egg had been eaten over the weekend (yes, by the chickens). It was because I wasn't there to collect. Pippa (my small Polish Bantam)is going to lay her first egg today. I just know it. She is acting funny, like they all do when they lay their first egg. Last night, my friend Adi and I, made our first jam batch of the season. Strawberry to be exact! Next week we are making our pumpkin butter and a new "experimental recipe." It is a secret until we make it.  This strawberry jam turned out even better than last year's jam. Pretty excited about it...mouth watering now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An EGGcellent Afternoon!

Today has been exciting! This afternoon, I noticed some funny behavior coming from Georgette and Marty. Marty seemed extremely protective, and nurturing towards Georgette. Georgette was pacing back and forth, and just seeming "uncomfortable, yet nervous." She kept hopping up on the shelves, and in and out of the nesting boxes. Jumping up and down from the shelves, making cute little noises...just weird behavior. I knew something was up, and I was figuring, she was getting ready to lay an egg. This behavior was going on for about an hour, and I kept hanging around, checking. I came back in the coop around 5:45pm, and I saw Georgette and Marty on the shelf, in the same position, and sure enough...I heard and saw a "plop" and a "crack" landing on the shelf! I witnessed the FIRST EGG TO BE LAID from my ladies! I ran over and picked up the egg and told Georgette what a good girl she was! Poor thing didn't know what hit her! The egg was still moist from just being laid, and very warm. It has a little crack on the top, because it landed on the shelf, but still intact. I plan on draining out the yolk, and saving this "first" egg. It may become an ornament for our Christmas tree. So there you have it! Now she will continue to lay her eggs, getting bigger and bigger each time (until the size of a normal medium egg). This also means the other ladies should be starting up...like ANY day as well! Who-hoo! I am so loving this chicken ownership! I love my ladies, and good ol' Marty. Being such a companion, during Georgette's time of need :o)

Oh Marty. Tell Me About It.

Just give him a kiss, and all will be alright!

Second Grade and Kindergarten! Whoa!

Today is the day...first day back to school for Kent, and first day of school for Samantha! They were super excited when they woke up. Kent and Samantha refused to eat breakfast, because they just wanted to get on with their day. I am sure they ate all of their lunch at school! They get the cafeteria lunches, which are really good for them, and cost isn't out of this world. Anyway, before Jeff left for work, I managed to take a picture of him and the kiddos. When it was time to head to the school, I could feel their nerves on top of my nerves. Cute. We immediately checked in on Kent's new classroom, and his new teacher, Mrs. Crouse. She seems very nice, and was happy to see Kent. After that, Kent disappeared to find his friends, and I seriously didn't see him again, except from a distance. He didn't have any fear, and he was ready to go! Good for Kent! I like to see that independence (well, sometimes). I then took Samantha to her classroom, to meet Mrs. Olsen. I did get pictures with her, because Samantha was shy and wanted to be where I was. I walked her to the assembly, and she stared at me the whole time. Making sure I was always in view. Then Mrs. Reinhart took the lead and took the "kinders" on a school tour; while us parents headed back to the classroom, so Mrs. Olsen could discuss her ways of teaching, and what we can expect. I sure appreciate her doing that. Very informative. I then said my good bye to Samantha, and told her she will do great! They only have eleven students in her class, so it will be easy for her to meet and mingle. Kent has nineteen (that's including him). Big difference is size! After the morning of dropping off and checking in, I was out of there by 9:30, and went to Flagstaff to do my chores. It has been so quiet here. Strange, but good; because those kids of mine will be back home in about 20 minutes! I can't wait to hear all about their first day of school!

It Twas The Night Before The First Day Of School...

Okay folks...it's reality time, and that reality is...school starts tomorrow! Today has been a pleasant Sunday. The kids playing, and getting "excited, yet nervous." They keep asking about school, and Samantha is all upset, because she is concerned, that she doesn't know how to spell her name. I told her Kent didn't know how to spell his name at first either; but that is where Mrs. Olsen, from the prairie, oh I mean, from kindergarten, steps in, and helps you learn! My stomach is actually nervous as well (not gonna lie). All day it has been upset. I can't believe my little baby, staying home with me the last, almost six years, is leaving for school. *Sigh* I will be taking them to school  in the morning (just for the first day), and they will take the bus home. I will show Samantha her classroom, as the same for Kent, to his BIG BOY SECOND GRADE classroom. I plan on staying for the assembly as well. Good times. Of course I will being taking pictures tomorrow, of the big day!

School Shopping and Log-A-Mill Now Accepting Chickens.

Yesterday was back to school shopping! My good friend Angela and her daughter Allison, came with us, and it was a full day! Errands and shopping for the kids at JcPenney. They also received FREE haircuts, at Penney's. Penney's has a deal for the whole month of August, for children to receive free haircuts. I took advantage of that!Once their hair cuts were done; I added to their already school clothes (thanks to Grandma and Papa Wenzel). Thanks guys! I did however, needed just a few more items for both of them. We got some shoes; backpacks; pants; shirts...NICE. They are super excited for school to start. Last night, Samantha asked if she can go to school tomorrow (now today). How sweet is that?! Soon child, soon. As in, today is Friday and you will be starting Monday. Yes. Mama is happy!Kent is feeling much better. He still has a cough, but that kid heals quickly! I developed a cold yesterday. So far it is manageable (stuffy/runny nose and a sore throat); so lets hope it doesn't get worse! Now today's news...the chickens have found their way to the Log-A-Mill cabin. Looks like it was made for them. Silly chickens.

Pumpkin Chicken. No, It's Not A Meal.

The chickens were acting very bold yesterday. Caramel decided she wanted to sit up on our truck. Betty tried, and failed big time, with running her face into the side of the truck. Don't worry, the truck is okay.  ;o) The chickens love the front patio, because they know it is actually off limits (due to my flowers being located there). You think that stops them? Heck no. They are still super cute and funny, so it was picture taking time! I have also posted my latest creations for my Etsy site, JStaffordDesigns. Fall is just around the corner, so now is the time to sell fall items! Who doesn't like pumpkin signs?! Signs seem to be what people like, and I can remember last September; during our yard sale, people raved about my pumpkins, on my yard sale signs. Lets give the people what they want!

Happy Jack! Happy Jack!

We went camping this past weekend; and returned home yesterday afternoon. Lets just say, it was wonderful. We headed out to Happy Jack, which is about 50 miles out of Flagstaff. Normally we would be camping out in the forest, of the Mogollon Rim (in that area), but this time, we wanted full hook-ups. So we parked our unit at the Happy Jack Lodge and RV Resort. That is one cool place, with a lot of history, from mining to lumbering. The sites are spaced out perfectly, so you don't feel like you could touch your neighbor. The RV sites aren't in the trees, but we were surrounded by them; and at our site in particular, we backed up to the forest, so that was nice. We encounterd a really big storm, after we got our unit all set up. The lightning was crazy, but exciting! You gotta love the monsoons! Happy Jack Lodge was super cute and very much that "rustic, country" feel. I didn't take any pictures inside (I know!); but I did take a picture of the main building form the outside. That building (the office, store, dining area and restaurant), is in the original building, from when this was a working lumber mill. History people. History. Jeff and I agree, that we will most definitely be returning there. So our Sunday consisted of driving through Strawberry, Pine, and Payson, before making our way up the rim, on forest road 300. We did a huge loop and it took all day. There was a stop at the McD's for our coffee, and well, chicken nuggets and fries. Yum. We also stopped in at one great antique store in Pine. I didn't buy anything, but I have my eyes set on one beautiful Hoosier there! Ahhh...a Hoosier, yes please! We stopped at one of our favorite lakes up on the rim, Knoll Lake. The clearest, bluest water around! Where is my kayak? Oh wait, I don't have one. But if I did, that is one lake that would be perfect to paddle along in! So you could say, we had a pleasant weekend. This was our last "summer, before school starts" camping trip. ONE ANOTHER NOTE...Kent got sick our second night camping. As in, he got the croup cough, BAD. There wasn't much sleep going on that night. All day yesterday, he was just laying around, really feeling yucky. Our weather boy, didn't even ask about the clouds, and where they are and where they were going. He barely ate anything yesterday, and he had a fever of 100.6. As soon as we got home, I medicated him, plugged in the humidifier, laid him down to watch Sponge Bob. He is still pretty sick today. I feel like I am on the edge of getting it. All I can say is, thank God he is getting this now, and not next week; because school starts MONDAY!!! Whoo-hoo!!! Here's to feeling better!