I'll be the chunchy chicken mama

The chickens are coming! The chickens are coming! Oh wait, no--they're here. That is how most things in our life come to be, we think it & then we do it. I prefer to think this behavior spontaneous, not irresponsible- I'll let you to decide for yourself.

Anyway, they are here. We bought 4 young chicks for only $2.29 a piece at Southern States Farming Supply store on Friday. They're soft, sweet, & adorable, all traits that we expect will change in just a few short weeks--traits that we eagerly await being replaced by incredible edibles.

Just like the bees have been, we think the chickens will serve several purposes. First, the eggs. Secondly, the poop--GREAT for gardens. Third, they eat pests from our crops & dispose of unwanted chicken scraps. They'll eat about anything. And fourthly, they're fantastic for Naomi. She is our little farm-girl, even if our farm is quite pequeno. She has already assumed some responsibility (as noted in the title for this entry) for the chicks & is learning about the care it requires to take care of other living things. Although she's also loved experiencing the bees, this will be her first year actually participating in hive maintenance & will probably be from a distance.

And fifth--not to forget, having chickens is a great way to make a connection between reality and our dinner plate. We are very exclusive about the meats will eat, and although that's been a difficult & inconvenient life-choice at times, having these chickens will only strengthen this conviction. We firmly believe that we're the stewards of this earth & we need to understand where our food comes from & respect it.

Here's the low-down:
Breeds:
3 are New Hampshire Reds--good for eating & laying brown eggs
1 is a Leghorn-good for laying white eggs
We expect to get some eggs by July (approx 5months old)
A few other breeds we researched & recommend are Rhode Island Reds & Sexlinks (although these are hybrids but you're certain to get hens not roosters due to coloring)

There's a great & concise book that we got at the library called
Pocketful of Poultry by Carol Ekarius

I'll also keep you posted on the chicken tractor we have yet to build...pressure's on!

And for those of you building your garden. have you:

1. Made a list of what you want. Exclude things you DON'T want/eat (for me that's cucumbers). Only grow things you have interest in, whether that's herbs, flowers, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, etc...
   
2. Ordered seeds? Try Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
   
3. Built beds?
4. Gotten seed starter trays? (particularly for tomatoes & peppers)
5. Purchased compost? Topsoil? Hay? (all this sounds like a lot, but it comes together as you'd expect it to...simply.

It's been a cold week.

I've decided to dedicate this blog entry to a week of pensivity. (a word, like inseverity, that should actually exist).

So...
Death has been at the forefront of our minds lately. It seems to be the dying season. 3 family friends have died in the past 2 months, all somewhat shockingly. The third has had a TREMENDOUS impact on our family, and will for months--perhaps years--to come.

1 week ago today Drew's boss had a heart attack and died. Sure, he had many of the dangers associated with heart attack-big beer belly, stressful situations, lack of exercise or activity-but the man was 40 years old with dedicated wife & 3 young children.

Although we don't know the depths of his health issues, home life, etc. Drew has a fairly good grasp of what was going on with the business side of this man's life. It wasn't good. Things had been spiraling downward for several months, in unison with his health problems. As many times as people say to themselves "He's going to kill himself"-when the implied has done just that, those same people are still shocked.

So. How does one deal with all this? There's a business without an owner, a widow who deserves to mourn, and employees trying to keep up with jobs with no means to buy gas, let alone equipment to finish these jobs, or real hope of the next paycheck.

I could continue on like this for a while, but what I really want to say is this:
The Lord saw this all coming, and although it stinks & is impossible to explain, our family has been utterly provided for. Drew has been building his own company for nearly 1 year & it is in JUST the right spot to start taking more clients & for the type of transition is taking place. Not that life will continue as normal-it won't. But, a terrible situation, that could have left him back at square one, may actually turn into a blessing. To type this I feel completely insensitive. I don't know the inner-workings of the Creator, or how He picks what events will come to pass-but, in all the sadness, shock, sorrow, & grieving we can see a glimmer of His providence.

I don't generally spend time on here witnessing or sharing my "religious" perspective. I hope that if you REALLY know me, that's understood. I suppose I think that blogging about it would be redundant & a bore. I aspire that my lifestyle points more clearly than any words of mine ever could.

But, I have to say this. I have to share this because it's difficult and painful and a little bit exciting. I think the Lord has a funny way of working and it usually requires our blind obedience. I also think that pain and discomfort are something to be thankful for, not only because they make us stronger but because they seem to keep us on the path He already knows. If Drew's job had been great & just what he wanted, he wouldn't have ventured out on his own, which has been difficult & time consuming. But it was unbearable & he did, thank heavens.

On top of all this there's more greatness. We've known for some time that my sister & her husband would be moving to the area & we were hoping Drew would be able to offer him a job when he arrives. It looks like that is a great possibility! What a blessing to have someone you can trust so completely as an employee?! And, we have other friends who need part-time work that could make Drew's business the answer to all our prayers. There seems to be a definite light at the end of our paycheck-to paycheck, sans-insurance lifestyle. & even if there's not, I am just so grateful for a husband who is so dedicated to finding and following the path of the Creator.

on down that path we go...

oh. & keep your eyes peeled for a "chicken" post.

And here's something I bought for Leviah today-couldn't resist.

Naomi's impressed

She told me the other day, after I drew an "N" how impressed she was with my writing. It honestly made me feel good about myself!

Updates...

1. I'm changing the pic soon as we've made some additions to our garden. (CHANGED)
   
2. Doll-making party is on the front burner & we're planning to set a date sometime in late March. Check back, I'll put up a link to a page with a little more info.
3. We went to Celebrity Dairy in Siler City this weekend for one night & it was very enlightening. We learned a lot from the owner, especially about chickens.
4. 
5. I can smell the bee-smoke right now & there's no better scent. I also watched The Secret Life of Bees with my mom & have to say, it was all my favorite things rolled up into one. Loved it.
6. Naomi's knack for all things creative thrills me. She's just so open to trying ANYTHING. It makes me see how limited our imaginations become over time--she's helps me exercise the recesses of my mind.

*All these beautiful pics were taken by Savta or Sabba (grandma or grandpa Grim)