Eggs

We've got eggs.  Coming out the wazoo.  (my sister and I had a conversation about the proper spelling of wazoo, and decided the word check would have a hizzy fit over it anyway, and that made me all the more willing to use it. However, spell check accepted wazoo, but not hizzy.  Just so ya know.)

So anyhow, eggs.  All over the place.

Partly from the chickens:

Eggs..  our eggs runneth over.  We're collecting about 4-6 eggs a day right now and only half of our flock is laying at the moment.  When they are all laying, we should be collecting 8-16 eggs a day.  We have a flock of (ahem) 25 chickens at the moment.  Because chickens are addicting.  They are pretty much free range on our 1.5 acre of land and have their coop that they trot back to when they need to lay, or cool off from the heat.  What can I say about these birds?  We love them.  The tv is hardly on anymore, the family spends so much time outside playing chicken-chase and the hens are now putting themselves to bed.  The chicken poo is the best garden fertilizer imaginable.  I really have no complaints.  Love 'em.

The family favorite - Licorice: a Plymouth Barred Rock hen.  She makes this honking sound that sounds more like..  I dunno know - but its cute.  She's cuddly and soft and affectionate.

To add to the chickens - over the last few weeks I have seen Mr. Robin constructing this:

And then yesterday, I found Eliza doing this:

And then, I went to inspect and found this!

Papa bird was not happy at all about us getting up close to take a peek, but I couldn't help myself.  By the way - do you love the baby wipe that he found somewhere in our yard and incoroporated into the nest?  Dustin and I had a good chuckle about it and then started talking about how we need to incorporate a more frequent trash cleanup in the yard. yep.

Ps- Do you love Eliza's claire / ruffle pants ensemble all decked out in Secret Garden in the first picture?  I do - it was the first time I sewed the Claire pattern in a while and it was nostalgic for me.  We're working on a reprinting of that pattern, and going through any testings.  When I say we, I refer to my trusty assistant seamstress Liesl, and my two fabulous graphic assistants Kristy & Sahra.  If you've used any of our patterns and found any particular steps a bit confusing, or needing extra explanation, would you be so kind to pass it on to us so we can incorporate them into future printings?  We're concentrating on Gracie & Claire right now..  Please send your comments on them to kristy@sandihendersondesign.com and we'll work them into the new printings.  Likewise, we'll be happy to send you a little kickback for your feedback in the way of some free patterns!

Also, thank you for the seasonal-change comments.  I think I might have made it seem that I don't like fall.  In fact, it's my favorite season.  But this year I think I have found that summer is the season that makes the world turn.  When the new life comes forth, food is grown and put away for the rest of the year.  Beauty abounds in flowers growing everywhere.  Just a little sad to see it starting to wrap up.  I also had several emails wondering where in the world I live that is giving chilly mornings already.  Montana, my friends.  August is abundant in hot days and chilly nights here..

xo

Sandi

Comments

[Julie]

Can you show us pictures of your eggs? I love the irregular beauty of farm fresh eggs. :)

[FrogCreekWoods]

Oh Sandy - I just loved this post. I haven't read your blog in a while and this one just happened to be the first in my Google reader. I just love the chickens, the nest, the egges, and Eliza's outfit. But what I REALLY love is the fantastic clarity of your photographs! What kind of camera are you using? It's awesome.

Thanks for the smile today!

[Mama Urchin]

I think it might be "hissy fit" Spell check seems to like that. Also, that first photo is making me nostalgic for when I used to buy clothes from you for my girl. She's too big for all of it now but they were some of our favorite outfits.

[Heather G]

Aren't chickens just so fun and exciting! I never tire of sitting out with mine- of course I've only had them for about 3 or 4 weeks :) Ours are Rhode Island Reds but I just LOVE that Plymouth Barred Rock of yours! <3 We all get excited everytime we collect the eggs...such a great learning opportunity for my children.

[Jeanette]

What beautiful eggs in the nest! i had to smile at your lovely hen Licorice,we have one barred rock hen, Muriel and I think she's the family favourite too, just shhh don't tell the others!

[Kim]

I guess eggs out of the wazoo are easier to pass than eggs out of the chicken's yahoo!

[Sandi Henderson]

Hi Miss Frog Creek!

I shoot with a Nikon D40 in manual mode and do post editing in photoshop cs4. It took a while to get it down, and I still dont consider myself a pro, but photography is a great past-time hobyy.

xo
Sandi

[Lisa]

Hi Sandi, just wanted to let you know, in case you didn't, that you can't safely use chicken/animal manure until it has composted for at least 9 months. It's fine for grass and I'm sure flowers, but not food!

[Sandi Henderson]

Hi Lisa!

I didnt know that - the reading Ive done made it seem like it was perfectly fine to use right away. Where should I look to find out more?

Thanks!
Sandi

[Mary Ann]

Dear Sandi,

We were gone camping when you hosted your free shipping scrap bag sale...so I was thrilled to see you've extended the offer! However when I just tried to order, the notification said "sold out." Hopefully I can try again soon.

We have chickens, too. I'm glad you are having fun with yours. :) We love the fresh eggs, right from our own backyard.

The fall weather makes me feel melancholy sometimes, too. I think the beauty is so breathtaking it hurts and we know it won't last....I guess it is the part of us that longs for the eternal Beauty

[Simone]

I don't know what I love more, licorice, the thought of 25 chickens or your beautiful daughters outfit! So great to see you all enjoying life. No I REALLY want to move to the country! Looks like all is well. xoxo

[Denise French]

BEAUTIFUL OUTFIT! Love it!! We recently got 26 chickens (Easter). We are loving it! No eggs yet, since we started with chicks. Should be soon, though, as soon as this heat wave breaks. I would give a lot for COOL nights!! It's been as high as 122 here and an average of about 112-117. WHEW!! Too hot!! (Tulsa, OK) We're more than ready for a break! Best of luck with your hens. BTW, it is "hissy."

[liveacolorfullife]

Beautiful pictures!

[Lisa]

I found a link that I had read before about using chicken manure. I was under the impression that it was for safety with bacteria and such but now that I reread it,it seems to be more of a problem with killing the plants. Hmm... I linked it anyway. :)
http://www.veggiegardener.com/best-organic-fertilizers-for-vegetable-garden/

[Sandi Henderson]

Oh, good to know! Thanks Lisa!

[hydeeann @ splish splash stash]

we're dying for chickens, too, but haven't decided where on our little bit of 1/4 the house doesn't occupy to put them. i hear they're great entertainment from more than one source.

i second, or third, whatever, "hissy" fit. maybe it's just a regional pronunciation, but that's the one i'd go with.

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[amy smart]

My mom would be so jealous of your chicken herd. That is her dream, but yard space has never permitted. I am in love with the Robin eggs. That color is just amazing - one of my favorites - and it's natural!

[Amanda Floyd]

What a wonderful blog - I love the beautiful photos and the darling outfit! I can't wait to get my hands on the new secret garden collection, especially after seeing it in action.

[Jessica]

Sandi, I want some eggs!! :) What a fun project for some super lucky kiddlets!

[Cathy Heck]

Sandi, I loved seeing the nest that your birds were creating while our birds (down here in Texas) were, too! (Clearly, your birds eat brighter food, though!) AND, I loved that your birds were creative in their use of newfangled materials, just like ours. Here's a link to some nesting (and empty nesting) going on at our house/studio. And our little nesting story might make you want to go hug on your cute kids, since, like ours, they'll be out of the nest in the blink of an eye! http://www.cathyhecknurseryart.com/blog/2011/08/empty-nests-and-lessons-from-the-experts/

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