The Chicks Arrived!

I got the call from the post office this morning that the chicks have arrived.  The sound of that many chicks peeping all at once was almost deafening!

I opened the box and how cute is that!?!

I dip the beak of each chick into the water and they very quickly figured out on their own how to drink and they were very, very thirsty!  They tilt their heads back like that when they take a drink. 

 This is their new home.  The red light is a heat lamp that keeps them warm and I've found that a kiddy pool - with no corners - keeps them from piling up on, and suffocating, each other.  They'll be in this one pool for a few days, but they'll grow fast and I'll very quickly be splitting them up between two pools.

It didn't take long for them to find their food!

Although the chicks had a nice warm spot under the lamp, a lot of them chose to bask in the warm sunlight coming in through the window. 

And because they're babies, and had a long and difficult journey, they soon began to fall asleep.

Now, I'm pleased to introduce a new "Pants On The Ground" baby.  When our beloved "Pants On The Ground" rooster was killed by a hawk (see here) I decided to add two roosters of his breed - Standard Partridge Cochins - to my order.  See the feathers on his legs?

This little guy has some big... umm... Pants to fill!

Be sure to drop over to the Homestead Barnhop at Homestead Revival.  Go to the bottom of the post and there are lots of great links to other people's blogs!

Cuteness In A Box

I received this e-mail today:

Just a Reminder!

Ship Date: 6/1/2011 Ship To: SHARON FITZGERALD 144 SNOWMAN RD COUDERSPORT, PA 16915

Your poultry order has been shipped today. You should expect delivery within 72 hours. If you have any problems, please report them within 4 days of arrival. We appreciate your business and are looking forward to providing you with "Ideal Poultry". Ideal Poultry Breeding Farms Inc. PO Box 591 Cameron, TX 76520 254-697-6677

To see what I ordered, go to my previous post:  2011 Chicken Order

Cuteness in a box is heading my way!



P.S.  We had a frost advisory here last night.  I'm glad I don't have anything outside quite yet!

Is Summer Finally Here?

The month of May was a climatic roller coaster here in Potter County.  We jumped between temperatures in the 50s to temperatures in the 70s with nights dropping down into the 30s and lots and lots of rain, rain, rain. Everyone's gardens are going in later than usual this year, but they are finally going in!

The weather did great things for the fruit trees, we had lots and lots of flowers and now I'm seeing the beginnings of what I hope are baby apples.  While the flowers were out, I kept seeing a beautiful orange and black oriole going to the flowers and poking it's beak into them.  Do orioles drink nectar?

My front door flower urns are growing beautifully!  There's one of these on either side of the front door. I have to have my flowers in heavy concrete urns because the wind here is fierce and a simple pot would blow away!

The weather has been perfect for hostas - and so far the slugs have not chewed on them.  I find the chickens poking around underneath the plants.  Maybe they're cleaning out the slugs?

The chive bed is springing up and flowering!  I'm working on a recipe from Mary Jane's Farm for a homemade chive-laced soft cheese spread for my Farm Share baskets.  If it works out, I'll put in the recipe with the fresh chives they'll be getting.  I hope it'll be something yummy for hanging out in the evenings with a glass of wine!

Yes, I think summer is finally here!

A True American Hero

Although it is the day after Memorial Day, I would like to post this link, with permission from his wife, Sara, a memorial tribute to a friend and True American Hero.   

Mike Clark: A True American Hero 

We are so grateful to Mike and send so much love to his dear family.

Memorial Day 2011

Don't forget to proudly fly your flag......

 Remember....

And never, ever forget!

The 2011 Coudersport Courthouse Square Farmers Market Opens!

We finally opened yesterday!  I didn't have much to sell due to the cold, wet spring we've had.  I had my free-range eggs and some beautiful, almost ready to bloom chives (try them chopped up in your scrambled eggs or use the pretty blooms in a salad, yum!), but I filled out my booth with Carol Jackson's wonderful jams, jelly, and preserves and with Brydonson Farm's maple syrup and maple mustard. I also put out handmade cherry and oak hampers, potato and onion bins, and cutting boards made by Carol's son and soy candles (so much better for you).  Unfortunately the hampers and bins will only be offered the one day because they are hard to  move and I'm afraid I'm going to damage them!

Hydeaway Farm was there with tons and tons of beautiful flower baskets and plant six-packs.  In the next few weekends he'll be bringing more perennials and small shrubs.  I think, with the warm weather, that people are finally getting the fever to plant!

We did pretty well.  I pretty much sold out of most of my jams and jellies.  You know you're doing something good for the world when you can buy something that is made or grown, from start to finish, right near where you live!

Coudersport Farmer's Market

Courthouse Square

Coudersport, PA

Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Come and see us!

Bear With Me.....

Please bear with me this week.  I'm trying to finish the high tunnel planting and start the outside garden planting and working feverishly between school and sport commitments, rain and time!