Introducing The Cluckers.

I fear I have a black thumb this year when it comes to gardening, aside from growing tomatoes, strawberries and rhubarb.  I can't even grow zucchini (everyone can grow zucchini.)  But I've managed to keep an average of three cats alive and well for the most part (for the most part...) for the last five years, so I figured I'd be pretty capable of caring for some relatively low maintenance chickens (according to what I'd heard.)  I decided to give it a go.  It's been almost 4 weeks since we bought two Black Australorps and a New Hampshire Red from Gardensphere, our favorite garden center in Tacoma, and so far it's gone pretty well!

This is Peepers.  She loves long walks on the beach and sunsets.

This is Phoebe.  She loves to make as much noise as possible every time you go to pick her up (she must really like being held, I'm guessing...)

This is "Mother" Margaret, the sweetest and gentlest chick.  

She's nicknamed "Mother" because we needed a "Mother Clucker."  Heheh.

Here's what I've learned in the past few weeks about our freshly hatched chicks:

Chickens may not be the smartest animals on the planet, but they are very sweet and actually make pretty good pets.  They have attached themselves to my husband (I took the attitude of treating them more like farm animals than pets. I think they know...) and they get very excited when he comes around, peeping and stretching their necks and eagerly jumping at him to perch on his arms.  My 8 and 6 year old are great helpers and can't get enough of their chickies.  The chickens snuggle right up to the girls, and really like to be held.  My kids are all too happy to help with chores too when it comes to the Cluckers!

Chicks make a TON of noise.  Constant peeping.  When they are agitated and stressed (too much/not enough handling,) they peep even more.  I was so worried about them getting too cold that I overheated them at first and couldn't figure out why they were so squaky.  We sorted it out and moved the heat lamp a little farther away and they seemed to maintain a comfortable level of peeping for the rest of the night EVER.

They are messy and stinky.  I know I am particularly sensitive to chicken mess/smell, but I'm telling you, they walk around and poop on everything, getting it all over themselves and your hands when you pick them up.  They just LOVE to poop on people too.  I think that's their favorite past time.  And the food gets everywhere.  I think their other favorite past time is littering the box as quickly as possible with as much food as they can.  I imagine they love to food-fight, just peeping with delight, while we sleep.  They are voracious eaters and I cannot believe how much feed they consume.  Between the eating and the food-fighting, very little of it actually stays in the feeder that I'm refilling every day.  As you can imagine, the water is thusly changed at least twice a day due to the excessive pooping and food mess.  I change their newspaper every night.  

Inside the bin - a large plastic storage tub converted into baby chick housing

But the best part is - it's not that much work.  That's about the extent of the work involved with chick raising - food, water, clean paper, warmth, handling.  And they will like you.  Pretty easy.  WAY easier than a puppy.  Eventually you get gorgeous, delicious, nutritious eggs out of the deal!  Worth it, I say!

Summertime and the livin' is easy.

My two girls decided to put on a fancy lemonade stand and try their hand at entrepreneurship.  They went the extra mile by donning some "classy" costume hats, raiding my work room to create a hand-painted sign, and adorning the table with vintage tablecloth and fresh picked flowers to attract customers.  Taking a cue from mom's make-it-fancy mentality, I'd guess.  ;)

Lots of giggles and deliciousness ensued.  They drank about 8 cups each.  Two dollars richer, I would say their first lemonade stand attempt was highly successful.

Our recipe:

Fancy Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

1 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Cup White Sugar
Water to taste
Ice
Fresh Lavender (optional, but that's what makes it fancy)

Dissolve sugar in lemon juice in pitcher.  Add cold water, mix.  Sprinkle purple lavender "bits" in and stir.  Serve over ice.

This is what summer is all about.

The Gift of Inspiration

The last DIY project I did for the Austin Wedding Blog...

I've been going through what some might call a dry spell, creatively speaking.  I've been waiting for gift of inspiration to strike, to feel like I am doing what I am meant to be doing.  I'm tired.  When you are constantly generating and putting yourself out there, trying new things, exhausting your possibilities, sometimes it helps to take a long break and relax, let go of your expectations and find relief in not doing anything.  But that's easier said than done.

Yes, it's important to free yourself up for when the moment strikes.  But sometimes you've got to actively seek inspiration to find it.  Even when you're tired.  Here are a few of my inspiration outlets (outside of Pinterest and Country Living - my go-to founts of inspiration!), that I go to when I need to refill that creative cup.

Music.
Music has always been my number one source of creative inspiration.  When I was a child, I spent countless hours in my bedroom with the radio on and I would just draw and draw.  This continued through high school, but then I hit a long dry spell after I graduated.  No drawing, no music, not much creativity at all (I did spend a lot of time traveling though.)  When I was in my early 20's, I lived overseas in England for three years.  It was an incredible experience, but at times I felt very lonely and isolated.  Then I discovered Radiohead.  Their music injected creativity back into my life in many ways.  I felt connected to the emotion and artistry and intellectualism of this band.  Now when I'm feeling a sense of disconnect, I turn on iTunes.  Listening to music helps inspire me to find myself drawing and craft dabbling once again.

Photo courtesy of Lalalaurie

Creative Friends.
I had a great talk with my friend Lalalaurie today, who is a champion of creativity.  She is a talented paper artist, she writes projects for the Fiskars creative team, and runs the too cute for comfort Itty Bitty Kitty Committee, finding homes for sweet and cuddly shelter kittens and raising money for the Tacoma Humane Society.  I look up to her not only because of her artistry and talent, but because she is a focused hard worker.  Her tenacity and drive is evidenced in her beautiful creations, photos and cohesive styling.  She also gives great advice.  Today it was to aim high, think big.  Don't go after something unless it's exactly what I want.  As I contemplate some big life choices, this was just what I needed to hear.

My Kids.
"When can we go to the park?"  "I don't want to take a shower!"  "She stole my toy and then hit me!"  "I don't WANT to eat a sandwich for lunch!"  This is part of what drains me.  I was interrupted about 8 times while trying to write this one section.  But when I need a to let go and have fun, I know I can always count on my kids for lots of giggles and silliness.  That should be their nicknames: Giggles and Silliness.  They remind me that I can't always take life so seriously.  Sometimes I've got to stop and smell the roses.  And then run around in circles screaming about the spider in the roses that almost touched my nose.  They draw awesome pictures like this:

It's me.  I feel like it's a pretty solid reflection of how I felt that day.

I love this stuff.  They challenge me to draw too.  We take turns and acknowledge each others strengths as artists.  My kids rule.

Nature.
I feel like the woods are where God dwells here in the Northwest.  Point Defiance Park is right in my back yard.  It's my favorite place to go when I need a little nature therapy.  I'm reminded how small and temporary I am, how big the world is, how my problems aren't part of the big picture.  It's a great place to find peace and breathe.

Travel.
I love few things as much as a road trip.  Getting in the car and exploring new territory, new people, new surroundings is incredibly inspiring.  We just visited Lake Chelan, one of my favorite places.  A vacation destination since I was a kid, Chelan provided us with some much needed sunshine and it was only a few hours away.  I bought 20 pounds of peaches.  I have no idea what I am going to do with 20 pounds of peaches, but I'm sure some inspiration will strike... ;)

Craft Blogs.
There are too many to name!  A few favorites are listed on the right.  I LOVE BLOGS.  I love seeing into other creative people's worlds.  I always find inspiration when I look through my Google reader.  I also love link parties, because I get to see what other people are making and it gives me an excuse to conjure up a new DIY, craft, blog post, etc. and helps me connect with other bloggers and crafters.  This post is linked to the Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop.  It's my first time doing so, and I'm hoping this will be a great way to connect with others creatively.  Check it out and I hope you'll leave a comment if you're here visiting via the link party!

Gussy Sews