You Won't Believe What Dave Said

While I was upstairs folding clothes the other day, I heard Dave call out these words: 

"Hey Son, I found a cool chicken coop on the web!  Come look!"

And they definitely put a smile on my face.

New Neighbors

The last few months have been very busy around The 4902.  Three new homes were constructed and yesterday the first of three new neighbors moved in. 

The U-Haul came and went as did a string of cars; friends and family members eager, I'm sure, to share in their loved one's big step.  

I'm sure we'll meet them soon.  And, although, I'm not sure if the new family has any kids, I was happy to see a Golden Retriever romping up and down the street.  That's always a sign of great people.  

As we sat down to dinner, however, Dave noticed another new addition to our neighborhood.  Calmly sitting atop my fence rail, staring at the swaying suet feeder, sat this fella:

My arch nemesis:
Cooper's Hawk

We have lived at The 4902 for eight years and NEVER have I seen this guy, or any others like him.  Thus, as a proud new owner of three quickly growing chicks, you can imagine my horror.  This was not the kind of neighbor I was hoping for.  So with my mouth agape, I banged on the window and frightened him away.  Hopefully, for good.  But, just in case, maybe I should start working on potty-training the girls.....

First Day of Spring!

To celebrate this first day of Spring, the girls went on a field trip and enjoyed a few minutes of REAL sunshine.....

From Top to Bottom:
Arry,
Lena,
Winnie

.

Emerging Pt. II

Spring

Lilac buds

Blueberry Buds

And, of course, the rhubarb

(All photos taken by Nora Jane Larson)

P.S.  I learned that chickens LOVE blueberries.  So I bought another plant....

Emerging Pt. I

Tail Feathers and Personalities

Chicks + Nora Jane =  Laughter

Lena has proven to be the happy-go-lucky gal.  Content to eat, forage (in the carpet at "recess") or snuggle up in your hands.

Sweet Winnie The Affectionate is, definitely,  The Master of Escape.  Although she is very content to sit in your lap and coo once she is "free."  She especially likes to snuggle with me in the early morning while I drink my coffee and read a few pages from my book.

Queen Arya (Arry) is the ruler of the roost.  Donned in a cloak of black and white she keeps her constituents in line with a wild flutter of wings and loud, demanding peeps.  I mean LOUD DEMANDING peeps.

These four chicks are quite the flock!

I Am SO Going to Read This!

I just heard about this book and immediately put a hold on it at my library.

This author lives in Seattle-SEATTLE people!
You can't get much more urban than that :)

I hope whoever has it now is a quick reader!

Where's That Snooze Button?

Hattie Mae woke me up this morning like she always does: by pawing my hands and licking my face.  It's delightful!  

When I finally pried my eyes open and looked at the clock on Dave's nightstand I saw that it was already 5:53.  "Honey," I cried!  "It's 5:53!  Did your alarm go off?"

"Ya," he replied.  "I'm sleeping in a little.  I hit the snooze button."

"Oh!  Okay."  So then I turned back over to Hattie and asked, "where's your snooze button?"

I got another lick.