EARLY MORNING UPDATE-----

45 degrees in 'Butt Ugly' greenhouse at 6 am this morning!!! Think the plants slept snuggly------------------even if I didn't!!! Later------------------

THE CHILDREN ARE NESTLED AND SNUG IN THEIR WEE LITTLE BEDS----

Sunny day today---so-- once again packed all plants out to the greenhouse to 'soak up the RARE sun that we have had. FINALLY-----it is not supposed to freeze tonite, soooooooo---should I or shouldn't I? Should I or shouldn't I? Finally made the ultimate decision to leave plants in the greenhouse overnight, totally covered with blankets over the plastic covers (really not blankets---just old curtains, sheets, pieces of fabric that have been around for years and years just for 'plant covering' purposes wheather it be in the Spring or in the Fall---whenever our friendly weatherman reports that it may FREEZE!!! Sooooo-the 'green children' are spending their first night OUT in the greenhouse! Do have a heater out there, but with big hole in roof thought it would be a waste of precious $$$$$ to turn it on and have $$$$$ go out the roof!!! We shall see what happens in the morning!!! Will I get any sleep tonight? Will I give in and go pack the plants all back inside? Will I have to start planting all over again? Well--------will let you know tomorrow----OH, BY THE WAY--------------after I got through covering all plants feeling confident that with a bit of protection they would NOT freeze--------------I went over to the water hook-up and UNhooked the hose----------------just in case it froze!!! Go Figure!!!

EARTHQUAKE---

Very sad day---earthquake in Japan, lots of lives lost and am sure there will be more---I soooo appreciate everyday!

The hatch is done, ended up with 24---very good hatch! Embrace EVERY DAY!!! Don't forget
that time changes this weekend! Love Life!!!

WHAT A COMING OUT PARTEEEEEEEE!!!

WOW!!! What a coming out party we have been having!!! Pleez refer back to Feb. 16---32 Java eggs in the incubator, waiting for 21 days, which was yesterday---these chickees where right on Q!!! Started hatching yesterday EXACTLY on time! We figured on a 50% hatch which is pretty normal and OK-----as of this evening----we have a hatch of 24!!! AMAZING!!! That's like 2 dozen new chicks---- was not counting on 24 more chickens!!! Maybe 12!!! Looks like there may be 1 more chick to hatch, will see!!! This has been so exciting that we may have to start another batch shortly until a Mom gets ready to set and do the job for us! WE LOVE THESE JAVAS!!! The dark chicks are Black Javas, the light chicks are Mottled Javas-RARE breed!!! Rained a lot these past couple of days, but everything is turning GREEN!!! Update later-------

IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE ANIMALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEAH----know it's hard to believe that I am posting something that is NOT about the animals---just wanted you to see what was 'under' and 'around' the animals!!! Just that there is no place around here that I can take a picture of anything that does NOT have an animal in it! They are EVERYWHERE!!! It's either an animal or a hose, usually a hose in a picture---This picture is all about the SNOW!!! Snowed almost ALL day long, quite a surprise--figured it would rain but not snow!!! Chicks in the incubator are pipping (trying to break out of their egg shells) we shall see what the morning brings!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY #1 SON!!!

TRASH TALKIN'----------------------------

NOT quite sure how this picture came about, am sure that it came about at least 6 yrs. ago at Christmas time----that makes me confident that it totally was an ACCIDENT and the 'real focus' was surely on something else! That said----it is possible that the person who took this picture was, possibly, OUT OF FOCUS!!! YES, there is a partner to this SLIPPER----How many of you can admit to having a pair of slippers that has lasted approximately 30 YEARS??? These deer -hide slippers have!!! They have been around for numerous marriages, divorces, births, many relocations, seen the inside of many many different closets----probably have stepped on a lot of (really strange) things----cause they have truly NOT been PAMPERED!!! They totally gave up tonite, TOTALLY----not even possible to strap duck tape on them and hope for more!!!They went in the TRASH------but----for some reason, that does not seem like a good ending for them. May have to pluck them out and give them a decent burial ---- they have soooooo earned it!!! Will have to shop for a replacement----but there will NEVER be a pair that could take their place!!! Farewell, dear friends!!! (ps---the UGLY gold carpet beneath SLIPPER is long gone)!!!

COCOA-----HAS ROOTS FROM WEESCONSINNN!!!

COCOA---------Muscovy Duck Hen---the picture makes her look gray, when she is truly COCOA colored, brown with just a bit of gray---maybe my smartphone camera ain't soooo smart, after all!!! Young duck, very friendly!!! Her Momma, Sally, came from Wisconsin. Actually had Sally shipped from 'there to here' cause that was back in the day when there where NO Muscovy Ducks in this area! Or, any that I could find!!! Cocoa is a 'sweetie' a real PET, glamour girl, Great Mother, last year was her first year for hatching! LUV her to pieces!!!

OK-----started out raining this morning, doom and gloom! Thought the day was going to be totally 'indoor' so planned for it! THEN --- the SUN came out and---- plants where transported to BUTT UGLY greenhouse and did some transplating out yonder (80 degrees in there) had to find something to do in BUTT UGLY!!! When doing Sunday morning chores, always listen to Gospel Music on my MP3---enjoyed Alan Jackson's Precious Memories, check it out----------AWSOME!!! Sundays is ironing day---so put Social Network in the VCR---actually--pretty good movie, wasn't sure if I would like it, but DID! Reading (listening to) 'Blood, Bones & Butter' by Gabrielle Hamilton, a Chef---am in the 'Butter' part am in loving it! Bucket List --go to Italy!!!

The fried chicken that was going to happen tonite turned into a 'roasted chicken' less muss, less fuss, was AWSOME---I do believe it was one of Louie's cousins----Java Rooster and he was WUNDERFULLLLLLLLL!!! OH- OH- OH-----------incubater??? took the 32 eggs out of the automatic turner today, they do not need to be on an automatic turner when they are about to hatch getting 'turned' and 'jostled' around---3 more days and we will see what we have!!! Louie's Babies!!!