tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45260830620574686522024-03-14T00:33:09.235-04:00Urban HomesteadUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4526083062057468652.post-32122225407977404502010-05-10T11:54:00.012-04:002010-05-10T13:14:14.747-04:00Road Trip, Day 1What an incredible week we are having. I have been trying so hard to update our blog with pics and comments along the way, but due to technical difficulties, that was not possible (big frown). <br />Anywhoo! I'm blogging a brief run-down of our road trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Smokey Mountains, and everywhere in between!<br /><br />Our trip started off late Wednesday night, when we drove 4 hours to Ohio, and experienced our first ever sleep-over in a Walmart parking lot. Yes! you can do that! In fact, Walmart encourages folks to do that, and so a free pit stop sounded great to us. We were a bit nervous at first, but our fears subsided away when we pulled in to see 3 other RV'ers in the lot, and mid-night worker's cars all around.<br /><br />We set off bright and early Thursday morning down the road towards Knoxville, TN. Mike had planned for us to see a concert called "Sundown in the City" and a gal we really enjoy listening to. Her name is Jill Andrews,(www.jillandrews.com) <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-gwLa_e3eI/AAAAAAAAAH4/lndF--C5Ap4/s1600/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-gwLa_e3eI/AAAAAAAAAH4/lndF--C5Ap4/s200/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+148.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469674720223747554" /></a><br /><br />She was once part of a group called the Everybodyfields, but a little while back, they split and now are single artists, Jill Andrews, and Sam Quinn. <br />Speaking of Sam Quinn, we met him!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-gxnb-XwuI/AAAAAAAAAIA/71OKVTHEcgw/s1600/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+150.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-gxnb-XwuI/AAAAAAAAAIA/71OKVTHEcgw/s200/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+150.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469676301035487970" /></a><br /><br />As we set up our lawn chairs, Mike said, "hey, I think that's Sam Quinn!" So we walked over and introduced ourselves. We told him how we had just drove from Detroit, that we are celebrating our 10Th wedding anniversary, and how we are so excited to be in Tennessee! He wrote down some of his favorite local spots,<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-gxnz8hubI/AAAAAAAAAII/iGUoN5fNhps/s1600/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-gxnz8hubI/AAAAAAAAAII/iGUoN5fNhps/s200/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469676307470203314" /></a><br /><br />The concert was wonderful<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-gxpSlqSEI/AAAAAAAAAIY/hUkNDHhoV2s/s1600/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+156.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-gxpSlqSEI/AAAAAAAAAIY/hUkNDHhoV2s/s200/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+156.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469676332875663426" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-gxos17nGI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/vQnBLzcdqXg/s1600/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-gxos17nGI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/vQnBLzcdqXg/s200/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+170.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469676322743360610" /></a><br /><br />and afterwards we headed to Rita's for gelato, so yummy!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g0YmOyEsI/AAAAAAAAAIg/cuHE5haBL3A/s1600/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g0YmOyEsI/AAAAAAAAAIg/cuHE5haBL3A/s200/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469679344625521346" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g0aWwcPSI/AAAAAAAAAI4/HKGAlTf8U1M/s1600/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+183.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g0aWwcPSI/AAAAAAAAAI4/HKGAlTf8U1M/s200/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+183.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469679374831467810" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g0ZsmHEJI/AAAAAAAAAIw/tDJRUNW-My4/s1600/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g0ZsmHEJI/AAAAAAAAAIw/tDJRUNW-My4/s200/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469679363513847954" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g0ZFp7WHI/AAAAAAAAAIo/pX9sL_SZcxs/s1600/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+181.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g0ZFp7WHI/AAAAAAAAAIo/pX9sL_SZcxs/s200/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+181.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469679353060874354" /></a><br /><br />Then we headed to our first RV park<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g6tjf247I/AAAAAAAAAJI/GwTWwblzOcE/s1600/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+187.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g6tjf247I/AAAAAAAAAJI/GwTWwblzOcE/s200/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+187.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469686301738853298" /></a><br /><br />...and settled in for the night<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g6tJdB7lI/AAAAAAAAAJA/MR1ioXenePo/s1600/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S-g6tJdB7lI/AAAAAAAAAJA/MR1ioXenePo/s200/zoo,awana,TN+top+part+1+186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469686294747672146" /></a><br /><br />And this was only day one of the trip! I have so much more to share, including farm visits, incredible scenery, hiking and more, but because the vacation is still in progress...I'm headed outdoors to relax with a cup of coffee and a good book (We Plow God's Fields by Johm Curis Ager) with The great Smokey Mountains as my backdrop. Talk to y'all later, day two up next!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4526083062057468652.post-1165343829743165082010-05-09T13:39:00.000-04:002010-05-09T13:42:03.638-04:00On The RoadUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4526083062057468652.post-19455531358402524942010-04-09T10:28:00.004-04:002010-04-09T11:47:09.637-04:00Video UpdateI regret that I have let another 4 weeks pass without an update on the chickens. But today I'm brushing off the ol' keyboard and blogging about our chickens! Below is a video post on the latest development with the flock. The Isa Brown that Madeline is holding has struggled from the beginning. Madeline made a heart-felt attempt to nurse her back to health two weeks ago. When Madeline noticed something wrong with the chick, her bedroom had quickly become a nursing unit. Madeline's love was so sweet, and she made us proud with her persistent care and concern for the little Isa. Unfortunately, the little chick was just too weak and did not survive. The kids cried, but were quickly comforted by their Daddy's words, "It is God's grace that the bird perished, the little chick was suffering." <br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxl_2NN7K0Ni3MT7n2fQIozslVxsQKBoWxlOAWkkitxouYyB8diEjpBprB6BkZmCHhBlJq1qCV3Fd_6uEBYKg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4526083062057468652.post-56499619317694465852010-03-06T11:08:00.027-05:002010-03-06T13:14:59.263-05:00New Month, New Chicks and New Hope"Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed." Psalm 119:116<span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>March is upon us, and the spring planting, prepping and raising is in full swing. One can walk into most grocery stores and find a rack of packaged seeds begging to be purchased and planted. Farms all over the state are busy hatching chicks, getting their own ready for the planting and the grazing. It's an exciting time and it's a hopeful time. We have hope and promise that our bellies will be full with the the bounty of God's creation. For farmers in Michigan, it also means that there is hope that their needs will be taken care of by the profit of their farms. In this household "farming" is not our lively-hood. We have the privilege of dabbling in sustainable living. There's nothing at stake, yet. The excitement abounds in the Opatik household, as each day brings more tasks to prepare our garden,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KE8wt9GjI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/Sf8dqUeKfyw/s1600-h/DSC_0306.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KE8wt9GjI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/Sf8dqUeKfyw/s200/DSC_0306.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445561078849018418" /></a><br /><br />raise our chicks,<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KFWNMU3KI/AAAAAAAAAFY/xpkbPihqtFk/s1600-h/DSC_0292.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KFWNMU3KI/AAAAAAAAAFY/xpkbPihqtFk/s200/DSC_0292.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445561515989327010" /></a><br /><br />and plant seedlings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KF0--NUoI/AAAAAAAAAFg/GjvrhyMCRsM/s1600-h/DSC_0311.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KF0--NUoI/AAAAAAAAAFg/GjvrhyMCRsM/s200/DSC_0311.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445562044747960962" /></a><br /><br /> We are praying for better weather this year. Because of consistantly cool temperatures, last summer was the worst growing season that anyone can remember. From large-scale farming to backyard tomatos, production had taken a substantial hit. One farmer we spoke to harvested a yield of only 2,000 lbs. of tomatoes from a crop that typically yields over 6,000 lbs. For his family it meant a 60% hit on their income. For us it meant that we had to actually buy tomatoes at the grocery store last summer. I think I harvested only 2 dozen tomatoes all summer allowing me to can only 4 small jars of sauce.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KGw2G4eDI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ltyFcv8zHrk/s1600-h/DSC_0026.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KGw2G4eDI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ltyFcv8zHrk/s200/DSC_0026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445563073160575026" /></a><br /> <br /> I have hope that this season will be much better and that our shelves will be overflowing with jars of garden fresh tomatoes. According the 2010 Farmer's Almanac, my hope may be fulfilled. We are expecting a warm and rainy summer. <br /><br /> This week we brought home four more chicks! This time we went to Zephyr Creek Farms www.zephyrcreek.com where we purchased two Silver Laced Wyandottes, and two Barred Rocks. These are beautiful birds, truly works of art by our Creator. <br /><br />When the Silver Laced Wyandottes are full grown, they will look something like this: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KECKnYz8I/AAAAAAAAAFI/Od4EOz0gHEs/s1600-h/Silver+Laced+Wyandotte.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 169px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KECKnYz8I/AAAAAAAAAFI/Od4EOz0gHEs/s200/Silver+Laced+Wyandotte.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445560072188514242" /></a><br /><br />and the Barred (Plymouth) Rock like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KIGi4kIII/AAAAAAAAAFw/SQpB8FKGvio/s1600-h/Studio_BarredRockHen_1045_M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KIGi4kIII/AAAAAAAAAFw/SQpB8FKGvio/s200/Studio_BarredRockHen_1045_M.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445564545468997762" /></a><br /><br />Mike and Michael are working hard at finishing up the chicken tractor. They moved the coop from the basement where the design was well thought out, to the garage where it was framed in, and now to the backyard where final construction of the nest house will take shape. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KI0dik6_I/AAAAAAAAAGA/5CL1g79oXyU/s1600-h/DSC_0304.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KI0dik6_I/AAAAAAAAAGA/5CL1g79oXyU/s200/DSC_0304.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445565334308580338" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KJe1fmUvI/AAAAAAAAAGI/L83sGYtW_uc/s1600-h/DSC_0303.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KJe1fmUvI/AAAAAAAAAGI/L83sGYtW_uc/s200/DSC_0303.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445566062293046002" /></a><br /><br /> As always the kids are having a ball with our newest chicks. As I type this, they are upstairs playing with the 4 "babies", as the pullets are starting to enjoy less and less little hands scooping them up. The four newest ones love the embrace our our children's hands, at least for now.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KLtVhbhWI/AAAAAAAAAGY/HmOu39b7QHE/s1600-h/DSC_0282.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KLtVhbhWI/AAAAAAAAAGY/HmOu39b7QHE/s200/DSC_0282.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445568510432085346" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KLsyDLe4I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/OQx3Tjiq8Bw/s1600-h/DSC_0284.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S5KLsyDLe4I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/OQx3Tjiq8Bw/s200/DSC_0284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445568500909964162" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4526083062057468652.post-11555675658691894502010-02-24T14:44:00.009-05:002010-02-25T00:11:07.025-05:00Chick Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S4WLeJIw8aI/AAAAAAAAAEo/LrFiM_9NnC8/s1600-h/DSC_0415.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S4WLeJIw8aI/AAAAAAAAAEo/LrFiM_9NnC8/s320/DSC_0415.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441909074712129954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S4WLdwJCNmI/AAAAAAAAAEg/fnztWhBkYiI/s1600-h/DSC_0384.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S4WLdwJCNmI/AAAAAAAAAEg/fnztWhBkYiI/s320/DSC_0384.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441909068002375266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S4WLdWDuS4I/AAAAAAAAAEY/SHn2-4SZSVs/s1600-h/DSC_0419.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S4WLdWDuS4I/AAAAAAAAAEY/SHn2-4SZSVs/s320/DSC_0419.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441909061000776578" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S4WLdAVpkoI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/ctxj7oQKriQ/s1600-h/DSC_0398.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S4WLdAVpkoI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/ctxj7oQKriQ/s320/DSC_0398.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441909055170384514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S4WKi8jRVTI/AAAAAAAAAEI/wZMZjG4dxcQ/s1600-h/DSC_0407.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S4WKi8jRVTI/AAAAAAAAAEI/wZMZjG4dxcQ/s320/DSC_0407.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441908057721361714" /></a><br />It's been over a week, and as you know we have not made even one post. Life on the "farm" is so busy. With homeschooling, a cranky teething 10-month-old, and all the daily responsibilities, time to blog has been so hard to find. But by the encouragement of my dear Mom, I'm doing it <span style="font-style:italic;">today</span> (smile).<br /><br />The chicks are doing wonderful! Madeline and Michael are doing a fantastic job caring for them. I'm amazed at how they so naturally took up the responsibility of caring for these 4 little creatures. Creatures they had no prior experience with until the day we brought them home from the farm. <br /><br />Today I was doing some work at my desk on the first floor, while Madeline and Michael sat at the table doing crafts, and Miles playing on the floor. I turned around to see what Miles was doing, and he wasn't where I sat him. I noticed the gate to the staircase was off (mommy takes full responsibility for this). I walked up one flight; no Miles. I looked around the second floor; no Miles. I looked up the stairway going to the third floor; still no Miles. I walked up the stairs to the third floor, and sure enough, there was Miles. He was grasping tight to the chick cage with his pudgy hands, looking in at the chicks. At that moment I thought, boy does he love these chicks, <span style="font-style:italic;">and.</span>..he is fast! <br /><br />The chicks are growing, feathering out and seem very happy, although I'm not sure I would be able to tell if they were unhappy. Friday we are going to pick up two more chicks, they just hatched this week at another farm! This time we will be venturing out to Yale, Michigan. After we pick up these last two, we will be done, at least for awhile. <br /><br />We haven't grown sick of hearing the birds chirp, in fact, we all love the reminder that spring is right around the corner.<br />So, if your getting antsy for spring to come, worry not, it's well on it's way!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4526083062057468652.post-28720219258391871882010-02-15T11:43:00.005-05:002010-02-17T14:18:43.417-05:00Micks talk with ChicksThis morning Michael, a.k.a. Mick, took my phone and talked with the chicks.<br />We thought you would enjoy their conversation.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzM0AohcWUmvZOpzEqZE3BHFj-H4rSZe6V4Xe1eWWmMdZHg4FX85TEVQAwkskOGIWvSQXBh92yKJqGsjFKKTg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4526083062057468652.post-2887575937407124672010-02-13T09:53:00.001-05:002010-02-13T10:04:31.755-05:00Rooster<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx-UKaIMxmrYQuzpzAIeeyh5ru9QYwjPqTM35Mhn9-PEEPX9wiHgaHFZDCSOCcHahYoA5uRPaX3xV1kJg2_rg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><div style="text-align: justify;">We won't hear much about these guys throughout</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">this process, so I thought I'd share this.</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4526083062057468652.post-64777976978507324492010-02-12T11:22:00.001-05:002010-02-13T13:34:03.851-05:00The Morning After<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S3WPOB0Y7tI/AAAAAAAAACU/LK7T8wCjpOA/s1600-h/DSC_0320.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S3WPOB0Y7tI/AAAAAAAAACU/LK7T8wCjpOA/s320/DSC_0320.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437409596288855762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S3WMWdgbFdI/AAAAAAAAACE/FPgZ0akixsk/s1600-h/DSC_0319.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S3WMWdgbFdI/AAAAAAAAACE/FPgZ0akixsk/s320/DSC_0319.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437406442625373650" /></a><br />I remember when we purchased our dog, Daisy She was just a few weeks old. The first night we had her home I felt as if I had just given birth to a newborn. She whimpered all night long, not to mention the time it took to potty train etc., I thought "what did we do!"<div><br /> <div>Last night was a totally different experience, the only thing that kept us awake was the sheer excitement of our new little friends.</div><div><br /></div><div> The kids were allowed to stay awake extra long so they could visit with the chicks. Later in the evening, after the kids had been in bed, I noticed Mike was no longer lounging on the sofa reading. After popping my head in almost every room, he was no where to be found, until I looked one last place. I walked up to the third floor, and there was Mike, like a big kid, watching the chicks with excitement. See, this whole thing would not be happening if it weren't for Mike's lifelong ( at least adult life) dream of having his own chickens. I was fine just purchasing my eggs (free range, organic that is...) from the grocery store. I was just fine visiting these cute creatures at the petting zoo's and local farms, besides, how on earth could <i>we</i> raise chickens, and in the city!</div><div> </div><div>It wasn't until God changed my heart and united it with my husbands, that I agreed to this "crazy idea." Mike has done much research on this topic, both in the past and recently. In the course of two weeks I watched as he breezed through <i>two</i> 500 or so page books on the topic, talk with local chicken owners, email friends etc. All the while, I did my own research and felt my heart turning towards my husbands dream.</div><div><br /></div><div>I watched last night how excited the kids were as they observed these cute little birds hop around, chirping, pecking and picking. I watched their eyes widen, their faces light up and the questions arise, something modern toys, games and electronics could never evoke. My prayer is that we don't simply have chickens just for the eggs or nostalgia, but that we allow our Creator to teach us through something so pure and so perfect. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4526083062057468652.post-71491457355741899202010-02-11T23:16:00.000-05:002010-02-12T00:47:35.159-05:00Tomorrow Morn, We'll Be Wakin' Up With the Chickens<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S3TnEUYqRdI/AAAAAAAAAB8/SHJM032wBNw/s1600-h/DSC_0292.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S3TnEUYqRdI/AAAAAAAAAB8/SHJM032wBNw/s320/DSC_0292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437224711520667090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S3TmvN3_fJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/NL8RkRjqyfI/s1600-h/DSC_0287.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zFTs52Xqk38/S3TmvN3_fJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/NL8RkRjqyfI/s320/DSC_0287.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437224348995779730" /></a><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); ">Tonight we go to bed a happy family. There are four young chicks living in our loft. The pick-up at Destiny Farm was an adventure in itself. We will tell more about that experience later. After much research, discussion and conversation with other chicken owners we made up our minds. We have selected 2 Road Island Reds and 2 Isa Browns, a breed which promises over 300 eggs a year. They are healthy, hearty and will be ready for our chicken tractor ( still in the works) in about 6-8 weeks.</span></div><span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); "> Madeline anticipated the trip to the farm all day long. She and Michael have been working really hard with Daddy setting up the brooder box. She could hardly focus on her school work today just thinking of the little chicks that she would soon cup in her hands. Michael was equally excited, and exclaimed "this is sweet" more times than we can count. Miles seemed to be really happy as we gathered in the farmers chicken coup this evening. He loved all the sounds and fluffy life all around us. On the way home from the farm this evening, our 4 little birds chirped in the back seat, anticipating a warmer area to snuggle up to. Half way home, Michael said "Please close my door tonight Mom, so I don't hear them "chipping" all night." Mike and I on the other hand, cannot wait to be lulled to sleep by the "chipping" of our new friends.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1