cat naps

  

This dear cat oughta be our mascot.
I wrote of her odd arrival (she was inside The Farmers construction boxtruck) here.

And her loose ways here.

Since then she's been my ever present companion.
Except she sleeps way more than I do
and doesn't care who's bed she steals!

It's become a game, like find Waldo...

Spot the cat in every corner of the farm and during every activity.

She and the dern chickens took over my cool tin flower planter.
So I gave up and added cushioning.

Of course she's supposed to be a "barn cat" cause the men folk are allergic.

Bahaha!

She thinks outside the box as well

And loves office work

And this is where you'll find her in the barn!

 She "helps" me while I garden by guarding my tools n trug...

 Can you see the wild jungle kitty beneath the day lilies???

Apparently she shares my fondness for dumpster diving

ANY BODY (?!) will do

Hope you like some cat hair when we pass the dinner biscuits!

Clearly she is a friend to ALL creatures!

And don't even get me started on her poor, sleep deprived daughter!

 This is "Ugg" who lives to startle and surprise. 

Here she's in my craft cupboard... 

She rustled in the dark depths making think we had a large rat!

Last year on Jack's birthday (I still remember cause I thought he'd be scarred for life), I was positively sure she was stone cold dead in the driveway…

Had we somehow run over her? Had Olivia played too rough?

We called n clapped n even poked!

Even Olivia pushed n prodded.

Finally she stirred. and yawned. again.

Hope you're well rested friends! 

Chicken Mysteries, answers & GIVEAWAY

Here on our crazy farm we've had more than our share of oddness from critters.

But our latest mystery has certainly been colorful!

We've had our own Easter Egg hunts lately.

I know. It's too early you say.

And yes, hens do leave eggs in odd places, but we were finding blue eggs now n then. 

The Araucana breed or crosses known as Easter Eggers are known to lay colored eggs...

 But we don't have any of those.

or do we...?

We bought our newest chicks (labeled as Plymouth Barred Rocks) off craigslist.

The Farmer actually got them for me on my birthday in July.

Maybe we were sold a misidentified bird!?

I've only had some that look like this, tho I knew there was some color variation.

Well the timing of our mystery was perfect in one way.

I was selected by Storey Publishing to review Gail Damerow's newest book

AND GIVE ONE AWAY!!!

It's actually called  The Chicken Encyclopedia.

As soon as it came I eagerly opened it and looked up Araucanas.

And immediately learned A LOT!

Araucanas and Ameraucanas (the crosses) have several different distinguishing traits...

One of which is a smaller 'pea comb!"

Sing along w/Sesame Street -One of these things is not like the other.

This one has a "pea comb"

And on another note... The Chicken Encyclopedia has all sorts of neat facts!

I liked the chicken blinders picture and definition that reads " a plastic device that resembles a pair of tiny sunglasses, sometimes used to prevent or control cannibalism by blocking vision so a chicken can't see directly ahead to aim a peck."  Wouldn't a chicken wearing those be too funny (and perfect for our funny farm)?!

Hen on left would've appreciated it if her roost mate had worn blinkers!

I guess I should be happy we find any eggs before the cats n dogs eat 'em all!

(Do you remember how tiny "Smores" was when we got her?

She's sure got a buddha belly, as opposed to a baby belly, now!)

So, how bout you??? 

Have you bought or hatched out chicks that weren't at all what you expected?!?

Please leave me a comment telling me about what you were expecting and what you got, OR what chickens you WISH you could get, and you'll be entered to win your very own copy of this great book!

One entry will be randomly drawn. Per Storey’s request, this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Please include an email link if not attached to your profile and check back for winner TBA on National Poultry Day ~ March 19.

.

Here’s the list of other participating blogs and their tour dates from Storey's site:

Please visit them all for more fun facts and chances to win Gail's great book!

3/2 For the Love of Chickens
3/3 Vintage Garden Gal
3/4 The Garden Roof Coop
3/5 Common Weeder
3/6 Chickens in the Road
3/7 Garden Rant
3/8 Fresh Eggs Daily
3/9 My Pet Chicken Blog
3/10 Coop Thoughts
3/11 BoHo Farm and Home
3/12 Happy Chickens Lay Healthy Eggs
3/13 A Charlotte Garden
3/14 Farm Fresh Fun
3/15 The HenCam
3/16 Life on a Southern Farm
3/17 ADozenGirlz, the Chicken Chick™
3/18 North Coast Gardening

Smitten by a kitten

Hello Kitty was very, very special, but I must confess...

This is may be my personal most favorite cat...

Time will tell.

She has some big pawprints to fill.

I named her "Ugg" for ugly.

AKA "Runt."

She was the smallest, ugliest, goopy eyed kitten.

I did not like her looks.

She was kinda icky.

I did not really care for, her compared to her prettier sisters.

Then I realized how tiny, sickly n pushed around she was...

She became my passion.

She has thrived.

She's tough. And brave. And playful. And appreciative. And gentle...

And adorable (to my newly appreciative eyes.) 

She enjoys(?) even more grabbing, lugging n playing than Hello Kitty.

And best of all,

she and Olivia are fast friends!

Sure, there's almost nothin' cuter than a basket full of kittens...

But I got the best one!

Wishing you a cuddly friend to snuggle with... 

No lie, as I was putting this together, Jack was *dragging* Ugg around the living room hardwoods using a puppy collar and leash! 

(She looked content, like she was lounging!!!)

Gotta really love a cat you can use as a swiffer ! ;-)

Please don't report me to PETA.

babies havin babies

I was afraid of this.

Knocked up.

I thought so but hadn't wanted to believe it, hoping the vet appt would prove me wrong.

Our sweet adopted kitten had 4 kittens!

I had made an appointment to have her spayed right away but... 

Too late.


Now they stalk like jungle cats through the garden...

Good thing I have lotsa sweet suckers students here willing to take a kitten.  :-)
We will miss their adorable antics, but not their mess. Five cats in one busy household is too many!

Sarah asked where S'mores husband was...

I'm also too late in ordering the book I found on Mandy's great blog

A Chicken's Guide to Talking Turkey with Your Kids About Sex 

by Kevin Leman

For sure there are plenty of opportunities to talk about the birds n the bees here on the farm! ;-P

Keeper Kitten

Can't believe our good fortune...
We'll never replace our sweet "Hello Kitty"  but,

it seems we've been adopted by another special kitty...
Meet S'mores!

Named by Sarah. Jack's first name for her was Sweet Watermelon. But he agreed that didn't roll off the tongue quite as easily!

This pretty kitty came from our neighbors who had adopted her mother...

Momma cat had three kittens.

The neighbors own Jack Russel terrier killed one, then played tug o war with it's buddy on the second.

Poor S'mores musta figured her days were numbered so she announced she was now ours. Loudly.

She seems to enjoy chores and gardening with me too. 

She's a keeper!

Joining my farm friends at Verde Farm and Deborah Jean's blog hop!