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.

Just Look at That Face

I love this crazy animal. I mean really, how could I resist. She has such an attractive quality.


As in she attracts everything under the sun to stick to her wool. Every day I walk the pasture to look for the plants with the little velcro balls. Every day I think I've found them all. Every day Rose proves me wrong. Every day I pluck them off her.

I now think she's doing it on purpose. Does it look like she's smiling to you?

There's No Place Like Home

Can you find Old Calico Jack? (you can click on the picture to bigify it)

It's a Lot Like...

playing Peek-A-Boo with a terrorist. Wacky Wilma Wench has hatched two babies this week. However she really doesn't want anyone to see them.


"Back away from the cage lady or I'll rip that camera outta your hands."

"Nobody messes with my babies."

Luckily for me one of her babies is a curious little thing. Bad for him though. If he gets caught peeking at me she pecks him on the head. Poor little bugger. I'm not even sure what the other one looks like.

On the other side of the coop Minnie and her three little ones are ready to come out of the cage later today. Hopefully Pearl won't abscond with them.

I have a security team standing by to sound the alarm just in case.

Lap Chickens

What? You've never seen a lap chicken before?

The engineer laughs at me every time I go visit my girls. They come running and Beth and Sammie always want to sit in my lap and be petted.

Seems normal to me...of course, maybe that's why they call me the Chicken Whisperer?

Let's Talk About Applique

While I'm plucking the little velcro balls from the sheep's wool I can't help but think about what to make with it once I shear them next spring. I'm thinking it will be fun to try making wool felt to use in wool applique projects. I'm working on a block of the month project now. It is one of Lori Smith's Fit-to-Frame patterns.

I really enjoy wool applique. It's about as easy as it gets. Just a simple blanket stitch and your done.

Julie-Ann and I have been discussing the possibility of using the blanket stitch for Lori Smith's Heritage Sampler pattern done in cottons. I think it could work. And I think it would look especially nice with some beautiful variegated pearl cotton like this. But a single solid color thread could make it more traditional, too. I think it would depend on the look your going for.

I'm certainly no expert, but the old-fashioned needle turn method isn't as difficult as some make it out to be either. The trick is to finger press on the drawn line leaving a crease. It makes turning with the needle SO much easier.

This orange peel pattern would make a good beginner project (yes, I'm talking to you Milah). It's going together more quickly than I imagined.

So either way, Julie-Ann, I think we can do it. We just need to dive in instead of dipping our toes.