Beautiful Spring Days and a Birthday

This past weekend was absolutely beautiful.  We were able to accomplish much around the property, as well as relax and have a bit of fun.
Before the weekend fun; I took the children to a local park to play, explore, and eat ice cream.  If you are in the area, check out Ye Olde Mill, home of the Velvet Ice Cream Company. We had a good time visiting with the ducks and feeding them bread.

 

Haven't you ever tried to catch fish with your bare hands, while luring them in with bread?

After eating ice cream, we took a walk along the river and explored all nature had to offer.   

 

 

 

 

Our weekend started with much excitement as Noah turned 13! He invited his buddies over for a backyard campout. I'm pretty certain that they didn't get much sleep. I heard boys laughing all through the night and early morning.

 

 

            

   

 

The next morning, we gathered all the children into our vehicles and headed to the Velvet Ice Cream
Festival parade. 

 

Lack of sleep, an early morning trip, and a country traffic jam made for an extremely tired child. I'm not sure sleeping with a lollipop in one's mouth is a good idea. 

 

Monday, we celebrated Noah's birthday here at home. Cheeseburgers on the grill, cake, and ice cream, as well as great company and hard work around the property and gardens made for a good finish to a fulfilled and exhausting long weekend.  

 

 

 

We have a future photographer on our hands. The last pictures are Noah's.

 

O'Broody Duck

I had a feeling that someone was missing. We have lots of chickens and one duck. It's hard to keep track of everyone. Walking around the property, doing chores, I realized Drizzle was missing. I also hadn't been able to find those pretty Americana eggs. Was I missing a chicken too? "That silly little chicken must be laying her eggs somewhere secret", I thought. That was until I stumbled upon this. 

Two things were realized. 1 the duck wasn't laying the big huge eggs...poor leghorn chicken. 2 those pretty olive eggs were not the americauna's. That explains why they were always so dirty. 

So much confusion....I know. Apparently, I thought Drizzle's eggs were chicken eggs and the chicken eggs were hers. I'm so glad she corrected me.

Now, we have a moody brooder without fertilized eggs.
I am happy to know for certain that we have duck eggs.....and I know which ones they are.

Poor Drizzle. Either she needs a husband, or wooden eggs. She is not thrilled to be kicked off the nest with eggs removed.

Meanwhile, Ginger has been sitting on eggs. We're keeping an eye on her. I'm not exactly sure when she first sat, but she should have chicks any day. She is a sweet hen who broods every year. Unfortunately, we haven't kept roosters around for her to hatch eggs. Now, we have two. I think she's thankful.

I hope we can share chick pictures within the next week or so.

What's happening around your home? Gardening? Babies? Adventures? I love to hear about it all!