The kids have some new pets out at the yurt, a flock of baby banties. (Silky Bantam chicks) These are the fancy kind that look more like llamas than chickens, and are super cuddly and friendly, since they have been hand raised and live indoors. Yes, they are house pets, till spring and a new coop can be built for them. In the mean time, they have a chicken wire encased dome over a giant, sand filled litter box to live in.
The family stayed here with us at the cottage most of the week, so we could all be a team in nursing our Sugarwings back to health, and I was really tempted to bring the chickens back with us when we all drove out to the yurt to visit and feed them, but I had a feeling that Twinkle would have enjoyed their visit a little bit too much.
And so would the kittens.
We are building an area for chickens at our own place, but we won't have house pet chicks, ours will be big, fat, laying hens that have their own house and a fence to keep the dogs out. We plan on letting them roam around the yard to keep fleas, ticks, and chiggers away from us during the summer, but it will only be when the dogs are indoors. The chickens will have to learn to take turns with the dorkies on yard time.
I am so excited, day dreaming about a chigger free summer…. Oh, what lofty dreams I have. I can't imagine the joy of going bug bite free for the season. Years ago, I raised birds and they really do the job. Then I decided to transform the chicken coop into an antique store, which was great for a while, but has not been in use for a few years now. Time to fill it back up with bug eaters! The fresh eggs are just a bonus for me, its the pest control quality of hens that excites me.
While I am enjoying this extra mild, no-snow winter we are having, I'm already dreading the on-slot of spring time bugs that a mild winter means. As much as I hate snow, I love to have those pesky biting bugs zapped by ice.
Notice that both grand fairies have a favorite bird? This one is Marshmallow and seems to enjoy her cuddles.
I like Phoenix, the ginger one. I think the other is Licorice. There are a few more orange and black ones, but only one white, and that is the fur ball that both girls seem to want to latch on to.
We've had a nice time with all of the kids staying here most of the week. Sugarwings is an energetic, little force of nature and doesn't like to be told not to run and play. But her injury is a serious one and she needs to rest it for the nerve damage to heal properly. So, we've done our best to entertain her while keeping her down.
She has spent a lot of time in her "force field" as she calls it. I made up a fort under the dining table with lots of pillows to lay on, and her portable DVD player to watch endless movies on. I've crawled in there too, with a good book (I'm on book 4 of Game of Thrones), and its pretty cozy.
One day, we all decided that we had to get out of the house before cabin fever set in, and we spent a day junking in Topeka. I was on a quest for vintage necklaces to take apart for my Birdsong 2 project and its surprising just how many beads you need to make up 25 kits plus a couple example necklaces.
My goal is to use only vintage materials, so I can't simply figure out what I want to make, then order the supplies. I have to make sure that I have plenty of supplies before I design the piece. My thoughts on kits is that they should be complete with everything that is shown in the example, so I've searched high and low for just what I needed for the project.
I think that after a few junking trips, I've got enough to get started on the creating part. There are pearl beads in cream, white, ivory, taupe, and tan. Crystal beads in aurora borealis, clear, amber, and pale pink. Plus some hand carved mother of pearl ones too. As well as a couple of surprise elements to make the pendant extra fun.
There is room for a few more people at our gathering if you are interested in joining us! I'll have photos of the 4th project up soon.
And please consider that the Valentine Wreath class is still on schedule for Saturday, Jan. 28th at 10am. We'll make a wire wrapped wreath, topped with vintage goodness and two nesting love birds. There will be lunch, treats and supplies for making Valentine cards too.
$65 for the whole day
$100 for two if you want to come with a friend!
What fun to have a snuggle-trip to the yurt. Fingers crossed that your own restocked chicken coop helps keep the bugs down this summer!
Those fairy grandbabies are adorable! I’m envious of sugarwings fluffy pink jacket! I want one.
Is your son blogging about yurt living? I would love to hear about the day-to-day, the trials, the tribulations.
Sounds like big plans and a busy future for you. Good luck.
Your class will most definitely be a fantastic day for all, I will have to put one on my ‘bucket list’ and have a great day of creating with all of you talented ladies! The photos of the mushroom and charlotte fairy are so sweet, I can’t wait to see what you put together with the jewels you are gathering. I purchased a cuff tutorial from you a few weeks ago and still haven’t gotten around to making one. I have some ideas though, so thank you for the inspiration and the lesson!
The chicks with your chicks are adorable! Bug free sounds good to me!
Have a fabulous week!
t.xoxo
They do need a blog, they do have a unique life out in the woods and off the grid!
That cute jacket is from a thrift store for $3, I just love it.
Sent from my iPad
Karla ~ Love the pics of those fluffy chicks. I got my first chickens last March. I love them. They are also free range as we live in the country. Free range means they eat where they want, it also means they poop where they want!!
Marilyn in Missouri
Your chicks, human and feathered, are all so sweet!! So glad to hear little Sugarwings is on the mend. (forts with sheets are among the very best kind). I been popping in and out of blog/fb and did not know what had happened. Have a great week! xxoo Heidi
Karla,
Your grandchildren are so adorable! I didn’t think there would be a baby as cute as Sugarwings but you have another…totally herself and just precious. Oh, how I wish I could come to Birdsong 2. You must have a Birdsong 3!!!
Big hugs,
Suz
I want to hide under the table on pillows and watch movies! minus the chicken and plus an adult beverage..
Oh, I just want to run up there on the 28th! Gosh I wish there was some way I could!
I love the chickens! What fun for the kiddos!
Those chicks are WAY too adorable. Great photos.
If only I lived closer! I would LOVE to be at one of your gatherings! I’m putting it on my wish list to be able to travel to a future one.
i sent you an in box on facebook. i was wondering if you could give me your mailing address. i have a little something i would like to send you. just a little blessing nothing bad or wanting to sell you anything. 🙂
I just can’t get over the blue eyes your fairy grandbabies have. So beautiful!
Hello Karla,
My friend Wendy told me about your blog and here I am. We live in CA. I must tell you, I so enjoyed everything you’ve done. There’s so much to see!!! It was the best morning I’ve had in a long time.
Keep up the good work, I’ll visit you again!
Peggy