Getting Ready

I have managed to get the rest of the house decorated, along with setting up the large nativity on the bookcase yesterday. One that has been in our family for over 25 years. It was a project of love that I hand painted and has been set up every year, save the year that Leah was crawling. A lot more could be done in regards to the mantel over the fireplace, if we only had one! One fact I hope to change in the new year to come. I love decorating mantels with all of the family keepsakes that are dear to my heart. A fireplace just looks naked without one too!

Yesterday's high of near 60* felt good but nothing like the same summertime temperature of 60. None the less those kind of days are refreshing from all the cold and rain we've been having lately. Plans are to try and set up the chicken coop. It is a real need as the baby chicks are growing right before our very eyes. Having already outgrown their temporary plastic incubators. Some brave ones have even attempted to fly out of the crowded conditions. They just don't know who is waiting for them for a game of chase though. Plus there is not enough room around the feeders for all to get fed. The greedy ones are getting fat at the expense of the weaker/smaller ones. They can quickly go through 2 feeders and 2 waters a day now! I am trying hard not to get attached to their fuzzy cuteness. For their future is destined to be chicken dishes for our table. If all works out good, we may try to do this on a regular basis. Free chicks, plus some bags of feed and a little extra work = natural, hormone free, home grown chickens.

Broiler Chicks enjoying their new expanded space.

Work continued on the kidding room in the barn yesterday, we are trying to get it ready before Anna gives birth. Today maybe a good day for me to put the "kiltz" paint on the floor, in an effort to make it more moisture resistant. Temperatures are to be in the mid 50's today, warm enough to work in an unheated space I think. All that is left is to find the materials for the individual pen's walls and gates. I would still love to have power on the building before kidding starts. Running water would be an asset as well. Especially if we could get the hot water heater working too. Which requires both the power and water to be established first.

A girl can dream, can't she?

Deborah