Chicken Tractor

Another bit of news, Jay built a chicken tractor, which is a portable chicken pen. It allows the chickens to supplement their feed with bugs and grass and protects them from pretators. Anyway, this is one of two Jay will build to house all the new baby chicks as well as the 9 existing chickens. Well, that was our Monday!

Hinged door for access to nesting boxes, water and food

Chicken tractor under construction

Here are the chickens in their new “Mobile Home”

Peep, Peep, Peep!


Well, some of you know that Jay ordered 50 baby chicks around Christmas time and now you all know. They arrived this morning at the Post Office, Priority Mail. We picked them up and brought them to their new home. We got a free exotic bird, we don’t know what type, but it’s the only brown one of course. It’s our little ugly duckling!

The boys had a fun time getting their new home ready and then watching them scurry around for food and water all the while peeping like crazy. They are very cute and fuzzy too! Ian even got used to picking them up and holding them, but not always gently. They are all hens and we plan on using them for the eggs, so if you like fresh eggs we will have plenty in about 6-10months, we’ll let you know.

Creavtive Friends?

I must brag a little! My friend Marceline has discovered a gift for knitting, she is ever so talented. Here is a picture of her latest project! Marceline shares, “The yarn is a yummy cotton blend called bubbles (the orange stripe wasn’t part of the original, but when have I ever followed the status quo??)”
Anyone else out there have some creative talent to share? Allison, Amy, Mom, Monica, Eva or anyone else that reads this? Send me a picture with a description and I will post it for all to see. It could be any kind of talent, painting, sewing, cooking, knitting, paper crafts, gardening, etc. Get creative!

Outdoor Fun


Lately, we have been busy working outside. Here’s the run down:
A few weeks ago, Jay put up a tire swing by the pond, which Ian loves! (better picture to come)

Just last weekend Jay found a new love, compost. He read this book, Let it Rot and decided to build a 4 bin compost and loaded it with hay from the chicken coop, which was very fertile!! It is heating up quickly and Jay is so excited! So weird, he asked me today with this big grin “did you see the steam coming off the compost this morning?” It was like he was telling me about some great news, like “I bought you a brand new sewing machine with an embroidery attachment and serger!!” Well, maybe not that great! But you get my point! I’ve been planting flowers and transplanting plants from the neighbors (you know the other Henry’s). Pictures of my work to come. So I’ve neglected my sewing these days to work outside in the sun and the boys love to work right along side me. Ian with the hoe today and Sean with the shovel and me with this panicked look and even more panicked scream telling Ian, “stop holding the hoe above your head you might hit your brother!” Yikes! We all still have our heads and all our limbs. Not sure how?

Here is a picture of Ian and Jay taking an evening paddle around the pond!

Field Trip



The boys and I took a field trip today out to Uncle Pat and Aunt Leslee’s farm, they have a new calf, named Norma Jean that we just had to meet. Sean and I got to feed Norma Jean her gigantic bottle, which she gets 5-6 times per day, while Ian slept in the stroller and Ramber, the pony, and Donquijote, the donkey looked on at us. Norma Jean loved her milk, and sucked it up as fast as she could. Every once in a while she would head butt the bottle to get the milk out faster and the bottle hit me once and hit Sean in the head. Not to worry we are both okay! After Norma Jean had her bottle we took her out to the field for her exercise and she frolicked with little Spot the dog, very cute! In the mean time, I was finally able to wake Ian and he enjoyed watching Norma Jean run around with Spot. The boys had a great time!

Thanks Aunt Leslee for letting us meet Norma Jean!

tie one on – apron from clothes

Found this site while browsing, tie one on, it’s a crafty person show-n-tell blog. You make an apron, based on the month’s theme, then email pics and share your ideas. Thought I would give it a try.

This month’s theme: apron from clothes, love the idea. Feels good to cut up old clothes and reuse them, I feel thrifty! I used a pair of cut-off shorts for the apron front and a dress for the tie. I used the existing belt loops to hold the tie in place. The back of the shorts are actually the front and the front is gone except for a the belt loops and pockets.





Sleeping Cuties!



Nap time at our house today!

Welcome Ivy Grace Correction!

I must correct this error, Ivy Grace weighed in at 9lbs. 10oz., 4 more ounces than I previously posted. Sorry for the error Monica, I wanted to make sure I corrected that because I know you worked hard carrying that large baby!

Family Photo


Thanks for the picture Katie!

Welcome Ivy Grace!


Ivy Grace Dowd was born weighing in at 9lbs. 6oz. and 20.5″ long!!
Her proud parents, Jeff and Monica Dowd, Monica is my sister, welcomed her at 1:58pm on the 6th! Oh, by the way the 6th is also my Mom’s birthday, Happy Birthday Mom!!!
What a present!!

Related Posts with Thumbnails