So long Xanadu

One of the difficult parts of being an Urban Farmer is having to say goodbye to livestock that has served you well. Our beloved Americauna chicken, Xanadu died last night. She was a lovely girl. We only had her for about a year. We got her as an adult. She layed the most beautiful robin's egg blue eggs. She was so funny and friendly. Death is a part of life. A big part of Urban Farming. Knowing when to say goodbye to our beloved chickens. Truth be told my girls are really treated like pets. I name them an spend a lot of time with them in the garden. They are like mobile lawn ornaments. I haven't had to cull any of them yet. The ones who have died have gone by God's hands not my own. All good things must come to and end and so did Xanadu's life. It was an honor to have spent the short time we did with her. She was a special bird. She will truly always hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. Blessed be Xana!

On a lighter when I went outside this morning my neighbor was covering her lawn with mulch. Had she decided to create her own front yard farm?? She is removing her lawn to plant all Dahlias. She said "well you have a vegetable garden. I thought I could have a cut flower garden" Right on!! Dahlias being one of my favorite flowers I couldn't be more pleased. I am bringing her cardboard home from work to help her sheet mulch her lawn. She said she saw the catalog of Dahlias and couldn't resist.

So I am thankful for new life... the Dahlias and my new little chicks in my studio. So although there has been sadness happiness is always sure to come.

Is Spring here....?

Well it certainly feels like spring is here. As Oregonians we are so excited to see those first few sunny days. Boy have we had some nice ones. People scramble to the feed stores and nurseries. Scared they will not get the first pick of seeds or that all the baby chicks will be gone.

We were busy little bees in our garden today. Clearing out beds. Planting a few things. I have a stack of seeds that I look through nightly. Dreaming about those hot summer days. Enjoying the fruits of our labor. I enjoy picking a few new varieties that I have never tried before. This year I picked out a melon called Golden Midget from Seed Savers Exchange. It is s small melon. Yellow on the outside and a beautiful salmon color on the inside. MMMMM. I also started some Zeppelin Delicata Squash. I have had it before but never planted it. I am really looking forward to that. Being surrounded by the seeds daily at work makes it tempting to try so many new things. Although I find myself running out of room. Although we have found some room for a few new chicks. We love the eggs and know a few people that will buy them. Our new additions are Judy a Black Sex Link, Shino a Silver Grey Dorking and Coco and Cuckoo Maran. Coco will lay chocolate colored eggs. I had to explain to Danny that they wouldn't actually be chocolate eggs. Fitting that Coco is his chicken.

Time to Plant those Peas

My friend Rois pointed out that I hadn't written on my blog for a loooong time. So I thought I'd write a quick reminder that if none of you had noticed it feels as though spring has sprung. The daffodils are blooming, the cherry blossoms are blooming and the sun is shining. So what better time to plant your peas. It is time. So run to the nearest farm store or dig out those left overs from last year and get those wonderous peas in the ground.

Winter is around the corner

This is the time of year that I like think about our feathered friends. With so many birds that stay around during the winter months it is important to feed these little guys. I make sure to provide plenty of water and suet. The bushtits and flickers really love it. At any given time I can see at least ten of these cute little round guys hanging on my suet feeder. I have left out a fuschia basket that they like to hop around as well.

I am not usually thrilled about fall. I think it is the anticipation of the dark cold months. This fall however has been particularly beautiful. The berries on the bushes have been extra red. The leaves on the trees have been brilliant. Can you believe I just harvested the very last of our raspberries? Just enough to put on top of some granola. The seasons seem to be changing in ways that I can't explain. But is makes every year a little bit of an adventure.

Cute in an awkward way

I thought I had better post some pictures of the chickies. It has been too long and they have grown too much. I am so behind that I neglected to post a picture of Buttons the youngest chick. She was born the day after Dottie. I have posted some pictures of her as a baby baby and some of all of them today. Enjoy

Drum roll please...Introducing Dottie!!

Today when I came home I went to check on Henny Penny and set up better digs for her stay with us. I was so excited to find another broken egg. Yes another chick. I could here the two peeping away but I could not find her at first. Was she all curled up in mama's feathers? Nope. She was way back in the corner of the kennel. It was hard to find this little gem because she was so yellow she blended into the shavings. She has two little black dots on her head. I immediately called the mother in law. I described the little bundle to her and she chose the name Dottie. I had thought that would be a good name as well. So the flock grows. I can't wait to see what little miracle will happen or pop out tomorrow.

Henny Penny comes home to nest!

While mama's away that cats will play, well in this case the chicks will play. Today we got an excited call from my mother in law Birdie. Henny Penny hatched an egg. She had a visiting rooster for awhile. Sparky. Henny Penny is her little silkie. She has been sitting on several eggs for a few weeks and one cute little feather footed chick decided to emerge today. We are even more excited here at Front Yard Farms because Birdie has to leave for six days. No we never get excited when our beloved Birdie leaves town but in this case it means that we get to take care of Henny Penny and baby Sparket and her six other sibs that are waiting to hatch. I feel like I am in kindergarten again taking home the class pet. Talk about cute. I will add some pictures of all the cuteness when I can get a good shot of these little gals.