It's another Saturday, and a nice boring, uneventful one at that! Sometimes it's really nice to be bored. I spent the morning reading a pointless, funny, mystery. Yes, I'm sure I could have found better things to do with my time, but I love reading books that don't make me think, but keep me very entertained. The only problem is, I finish them too soon, and then I'm disappointed.

Last night Jason and I went to neighboring county to bloodtest poultry for their County Fair. They have a small poultry club, he tested somewhere around 50 birds. I was in charge of making sure all the paperwork got filled out. It was fun (I know, I'm crazy).

Tonight we have a softball game. It's in the 90s, and very humid. I'm glad I just have to sit in the shade and watch!

Tomorrow morning we are taking a bunch of birds to a trader's fair. We have a lot more than we can use. I doubt we will make much money off them, but it will be less mouths to feed. Now I just have to hope I don't end up finding any to bring home with me!

I cut these glads this morning, and couldn't resist posting a picture. These are the only flowers I have any luck growing, and they grow VERY well. I ordered a mixed batch of corms 2 years ago. I have to dig them up every fall, which is a pain, but very much worth it when they bloom! I'm hoping I will still have a few blooming for the fair at the end of the month. I will have extra corms this fall, if anyone would like to grow some.

I haven't been doing a very good job of updating. I just haven't had time! On Friday, Mom and I took JM and Wes to Lexington KY. Grandma K met us there and took them the rest of the way to South Carolina where they are participating in Automotive and Drama camps this week. We drove home Saturday.

Sunday we celebrated Gabe's 5th birthday. He had lots of friends over, and we had great weather for an outdoor party.

Yesterday Tristan and I went to 'Dead Man's Chest'. It wasn't as good as the first one.

I found these little guys while feeding the ducks this morning. I've had two grey Call hens sitting on eggs for a while, and I had given up on anything hatching, but these proved me wrong.

I have the day off today, but so far I've spent it all working outside. Maybe I'll go canoeing later, or something...Or maybe I will stay here and work all day, then go to fireworks tonight...

Happy Independence Day!!!!!

Okay, I admit it...I have too many birds! These are almost all young birds that we've hatched this year. I've spent a little extra time with the ducklings so they are quite tame. They get a snack several evenings a week, and they let me know that they expect it!

kittens

I'm not a big fan of cats, but somehow the kittens manage to grow on me. We normally have one batch a year, and they get so much attention that they become extremely tame and sweet. The black one is my favorite, but they are all "up for adoption". Anyone interested? The tabby, and black are girls, and the cream one is a boy.

Sunday is living up to it's name. It's 93 and humid! I got up at 5:00 this morning, and Tristan, Wesley and I went to Croy Creek trader's fair. We had to go early in order to get back here in time for me to get chores done before church. We didn't take anything to sell this time, though I need to!

When it's this hot out, I have to water animals at least 3 times a day. Most of the time they don't need it, but I worry about them getting too hot. Most of the birds are free range, and can get to shade if they want to, but they seem to appreciate fresh water in their pools anyway.

Right now I'm "babysitting" Wesley. He's not feeling well, and the rest of the family is spending the day at the Thyr's. I must confess, I'm really enjoying being at home in the air conditioning.

Last night our church softball team played a double header, and won both times! It was a lot of fun, but we ended up staying at the park until 11:00. So we didn't get to bed until midnight, and then up again at 5:00...I think it's naptime...

I love Saturdays, its the only day I get to sleep in (until 7:30 at least), and I can take my time getting chores done. Chores normally consist of milking 6 goats, and feeding and watering somewhere around 100 birds, and 18 goats. I actually don't know how many birds I have, we've hatched so many this year, I just can't keep track. Lets try to figure it out...

14 Three month old ducklings (7 Buffs, 3 Saxony, 3 Welsh Harlequins, 1 Ancona)
10 Three month old chicks (4 Ameraucana, 6 Cuckoo Marans)
5 Three month old Pilgrim goslings
3 Young Cochin/Maran chicks (this was an 'ooops' hatch)
9 Seven week old Welsh Harlequin ducklings
4 Seven week old Pilgrim goslings
38 Six week old ducklings (Saxony, Anconas, Welsh Harlequin, Cayuga, Call)
10 Ameraucana/Cochin chicks (Another 'ooops' hatch)
10 Three week old Rosecomb chicks
2 Three week old Dutch chicks
13 Brand new Rosecomb chicks (mama hen hid a nest, and I didn't find it soon enough)

I know there are a few more, but that's a rough count of this years hatch, I've sent 12 more ducklings off to Jason's house, so I won't count those. We've also sold several. I would say I've probably hatched close to 150 this year. Thank goodness the hatching season is about over!
Here are a few of the Rosecomb chicks. and some Pilgrim goslings...

I guess I should go get busy feeding everything. TTFN