Seriously...What Are the Odds?

Anybody need a rooster?

Ebony & Ivory

Photographing moving objects can be challenging. Especially if they move erratically like a chicken. Then there is the whole lighting issue. You need to just happen to be out there when the light is right. Generally if I wait long enough I can take a decent shot of most of them. Except these characters. These two are SO black and SO white it throws the light meter on my camera into a tizzy. It's about as easy as getting a good shot of Sasquatch. But after months of trying I finally did it! I give you the following photos straight out of the camera, no editing.


I wonder if this is how that cameraman felt after he captured that Bird of Paradise dance on Discovery Channel's Plant Earth show?

Raising Chickens for Dummies

It's FINALLY here! Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to keep a secret? Especially a secret that has anything to do about my chickens? I mean really, you know I can just go on and on and on about chickens. And if you don't know that you must have just stumbled upon this blog accidentally. Because everybody around here knows that chickens have consumed my life.

Luckily, via the power of the Internet, I know I'm not the only one. Nope. There are thousands of folks crazy 'bout chickens just like me. And bunches of them hang out at a place called BackyardChickens.com to cuss and discuss all things chicken. It's the mother load of chicken know how.

Recently Rob, the website owner, teamed up with Wiley publishing and Kimberly Willis to produce Raising Chickens for Dummies. Everything you ever wanted to know about raising chickens in your own backyard in one concise handbook. Brilliant!


If you're interested in starting your own flock or maybe you already have some chooks, you should buy a copy. And if you take a gander at page 93 you will see a remarkable rendition of our very own chicken garden! Yes folks. Old One-Eyed Calico Jack's bachelor pad has been published!


I must point out that other than a free copy of the book I get nothing by way of compensation. However I'm sure Rob does and he's got some adorable little girls and some chickens to feed so go buy a copy. And if you aren't already a member of BackyardChickens.com go sign up now and you can see more details about our chicken garden and lots of others.

I Have to Give Her Credit

Sure, she nearly squat them in her zealousness to care for them in the beginning. But Pearl has since proven herself to be a big help to Minnie and her babies.


She's right there ready to step in as protector any time Minnie needs her. I pity the poor fool who tries messing with these kids.

It's nice for a new Mom to get the chance to relax for a leisurely bath knowing her babies are safe.

I personally would prefer bubbles to dust, but to each her own.

The Airing of the Quilts

I've been locked away in Sheville working on my secret mission project. It's now time to start the quilting. I'm at a loss. So this morning I pulled a few of my antique quilts out for inspiration. They needed airing and refolding anyway. I thought while I had them out I would share them with you in a virtual quilt show. None are highly prized for their monetary value. They each have some flaws. But I love them all the same. The sentimental value is priceless.

The Two Color Quilts

I inherited the two color quilts via my Mother. I'm hoping she will e-mail me after seeing this and remind me which of my step-dad's family members made the following two-color quilts. I need to make labels for them.

The first is one of my favorites for it's simplicity. It was well loved and used but is in reasonable shape for it's age other than some unfortunate staining. It is hand pieced and is hand quilted with a very simple diagonal lines spaced half an inch apart.

The second one I love because the maker ran out of the blue fabric yet she persevered and made do with a similar one.


It is hand pieced and hand quilted with a simple double diagonal line in the center of the quilt and a beautiful fern leaf motif in the border.

The third is a gorgeous trip around the world summer quilt with prairie points.

It is hand quilted with diagonal lines, Dresden plates and a gorgeous scrolling leafy vine in the border.


The final one is a work in progress. It was never finished. My mother-in-law tacked a back and binding on it years ago to allow me to display it until I got around to truly finishing it. Now that I'm looking at it I think I need to move it up on my priority list.


Scrappy Quilts

This is my very favorite antique quilt simply for it's beauty. It is the only one that I've purchased. It has no sentimental value. I just fell in love with it. It's tied, not quilted. All hand pieced and even has a hand stitched closure on the edges instead of binding. I think it's gorgeous. 100% my favorite style.
This 30's beauty belonged to my maternal grandfather. We're not sure where he acquired it. It's exquisite in it's workmanship both the hand piecing and hand quilting.
The Crazy Quilts

The crazy quilts were made by my paternal grandmother. She was a practical farm wife and no doubt these were scraps from their clothing. The first one is made of wools and flannels. I think it was intended for a small boy as it has cute Scotty dogs on the binding and backing.


And then the girl version. This one doesn't have all the fancy stitching. Instead it's simply tied. I can remember this one being on my bed when I was a small child.
Wedding Quilts

Another quilt by my paternal grandmother. Made for my parents as a wedding gift. It appears she had it "sent out" to be quilted by machine in a pantograph pattern. My family has gotten it's money's worth out of this one. It spent years on my parents bed and I can remember many a picnic and Fourth of July celebrations on this quilt. Unfortunately it shows all the use.

This one I received as a wedding gift. Again this one has seen many uses. But it's now spending it's time being preserved for future generations. It will be handed down to my daughter.
Whole Cloth Quilt

I only wish I could capture the beauty of this one for you. It is a queen size whole cloth quilt. Just gorgeous! A friend gave this one to me as a thank you gift. Her mother hand quilted it.

I'll never in a million years deserve such a beautiful gift. I feel guilty every time I pull it out and look at it.

And there you have it. My quilts are aired, fluffed and refolded. But the only thing I accomplished on my secret mission project is avoiding starting it yet again. Maybe tomorrow...

They are Elusive Creatures Those Humans

But every once in a blue moon I get the chance to sneak up on 'em when they're not paying attention and actually snap a photo.


I was even able to get a shot of the rarest of all...the engineer.

Our homeschool group rents out the public pool once a year for a private party. A good time was had by all. I snapped over 198 photos and not a single one was of a chicken. That might be a record for me.

Do You Remember That Teacher?

You know the one, every school had one. The one that was more like a drill sergeant than a teacher. In my high school she was the girls gym teacher. The kids all called her "Jan the Man". Not very nice, but uncannily appropriate.

Miss Floppsy keeps everyone in formation around here. Doesn't matter what species you are either. You dont' dare get out of line when Miss Floppsy is around. Even the roosters are afraid of her.