Chickens wake up early, but sometimes they are loathe to get out of bed. Or off their perches, as the case may be.
Notice they still have their Christmas lights strung on the chicken house. They need to get with it. It’s April!!!
I still have the Christmas patio lights on the porch, too. I like them.
I’ve been in a funk lately, culminating in a major funk on Saturday. It was cold. I’m tired of cold. I need spring. I was in a bad mood all day on Saturday. Because of the weather. Seriously. That is ridiculous.
I hung out with the chickens for awhile yesterday morning. Chickens aren’t so much cheerful as they are pragmatic. They greet each day the same. As if it’s THE BEST DAY OF THEIR LIVES.
Maybe because they forgot yesterday.
But that’s not the point!
They’re happy enough just to be alive. They make the best of every minute and are excited if you bring them some stale bread.
And much as I would like to say that I was inspired and encouraged by the stalwart pluck and ordinary, everyday courage of the chickens OR that I was simply, quite simply STRONG ENOUGH to overcome the weather–
–what
actually
happened
was
that
it
WARMED UP.
It was a beautiful, wonderful, fabulous day. I put a turkey breast in the crock pot and called it Thanksgiving in April. I made bread, mashed potatoes, green beans, and dressing.
And cake! I cooked all day, and that is my favorite kind of day.
Outside, the duck ‘n’ buck yard neared completion.
The smaller wire was installed along the lower edge of the field fence in the ducks’ section of the yard, and framing went up for the buck house.
This old box-thing is being converted into a small duck house. It still needs some work–a new roof, and a new entry with a slope the ducks can handle.
These two spools are being used to construct a stile to allow the bucks to go back and forth from the ducks’ yard to the rest of the fenced area.
Each spool is on a separate side of the fence. The whole setup isn’t finished yet and will include some nearby logs placed to help the smaller bucks jump up there, but the bucks will be able to jump up and go across between the yards while the ducks, who can’t jump or fly or find their heads, will be confined to the pond side.
The ducks are so excited. They’ve already given their two-week notice to the chickens.
“You can take this chicken yard and shove it!”
I heard them say that!
Then we had dinner on my grandmother’s dishes. I made everyone say something they were thankful for, and it was a good day. Maybe because it was warm.
Or maybe, just probably, because I decided it would be. Sometimes I forget.
Nancy in Iowa says:
Christmas in April – what a wonderful idea!!! But, although I’ve cooked many wholes and bits of chicken in my crockpot, I never ever thought about a turkey breast! This would be ideal for me – what did you put with it? How long did it take on low? A non-cooker wants to know!! And I’m sure the ducks and bucks will be very happy with the new arrangement…sounds terrific.
On April 4, 2011 at 3:10 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Nancy, I cooked it on Low all day. It was probably done in about six hours. It tested done with the thermometer then I put it on Warm and left it in there. I think I started it around 9 a.m.
On April 4, 2011 at 6:48 am
Jen R. (emeraldsunshine.org) says:
I’ve been very thankful for the nice weather here, lately, too! Perhaps I should cook up some turkey. 🙂
On April 4, 2011 at 4:32 am
Tracey In Paradise Pa. says:
I love Thanksgiving. I think we all have alot to ne Thankful for.
Its SPRING!! And the sun also came out yesterday!I want turkey for breakfast now.
Granny Trace
http://www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com
On April 4, 2011 at 5:56 am
Dianna says:
Sounds like a wonderful day – great idea!!
We can learn something from those chickens. I’m sure we’ll all feel better when spring finally arrives!
On April 4, 2011 at 6:44 am
Shannon from Wisconsin says:
the weather has been getting me down too. We did lose a fair amount of snow yesterday but my garden is still covered with the dirty white stuff
🙁
On April 4, 2011 at 6:51 am
Johanna says:
“Or maybe, just probably, because I decided it would be. ”
Sometimes that’s the best kept secret. Glad you remembered.
On April 4, 2011 at 7:24 am
Robin says:
I so get this.
And that is why I hang out here.
On April 4, 2011 at 7:53 am
Anita says:
YES!!! It was 70 degrees this morning, and it’s gonna get up to 80!!
I’m so gonna hate it when July gets here.
On April 4, 2011 at 8:37 am
Lisabeth Olson says:
I think we should all have Thanksgiving in every month. I cooked a turkey quarter the other day also.
I love how well your farm is coming together for you. Looks like you have gotten lots done in a little time.
On April 4, 2011 at 9:15 am
Melissa says:
We had hurricane force winds yesterday and the night before last…I live in Colorado. We get hurricane force winds all the time. We went to bed with snow falling and woke up to it all over everything but the roads are clear and dry. Ah, spring time in the Rockies…80 today with a chance of snow tomorrow. I’m glad it warmed up in your neck of the woods!
On April 4, 2011 at 10:01 am
texwisgirl says:
glad the funk is in your rear view mirror – and maybe winter too. 🙂
On April 4, 2011 at 11:03 am
marymac says:
I love you Suzanne… Some time you say just how I feel, Thanks!
On April 4, 2011 at 11:33 am
whaledancer says:
That’s why I think everyone needs some chickens in their life. It’s good of you to share yours with those of us who don’t have any.
Thanks for the reminder that we don’t need to wait ’til November to think about what we’re thankful for. I find that an “attitude of gratitude” is the best cure for a funk.
On April 4, 2011 at 11:49 am
Tess says:
Suzanne you are so right about the chickens!! They are too busy to worry about the weather! The goats are so wimpy in the rain and we get a lot on the “wetcoast” of Canada! So funny to see them walk from their barn to the “goatzebo” with their heads down like they will melt! We should all be like the chickens…every day is a good day and especially if you can cook and bake all day!! Thank you for the great pictures, stories, and laughs you give us every day!!
On April 4, 2011 at 12:20 pm
leah says:
if i had known i could have wished you a happy turkey day. Its warm during the 3day here and cold at night. Storming now. So glad u got your buck n duck yd!
On April 4, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Vicki in So. CA says:
a. You’ve inspired me. We will definitely have a Thanksgiving very soon. What a good idea.
b. The ducks ‘n bucks are going to LOVE their new home… and
c. I think chickens read their happy cards every morning! :snoopy:
On April 4, 2011 at 2:31 pm
maryann says:
a tip; remember to make sure that the pond has a type of ramp for ducklings to get out. One of the guys at work had ducks and geese and they could get out fine. He forgot about the babies and lost all of them the first time they went into the pond.
On April 4, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Ramona says:
You’ve been busy.
On April 4, 2011 at 3:16 pm
CATRAY44 says:
Thanks for a good reminder!
On April 4, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Tina says:
Great post, Suzanne. As ridiculous as it may seem and as frustrated as we feel, weather really does impact moods. I know I “woke up” the other day when it was *finally* sunny here; felt like a new person! Hang in there and thank you for the reminder to CHOOSE a better perspective! 😀
On April 4, 2011 at 4:08 pm
mika says:
Oh I so understand the weather conundrum! We had a glorious weekend in Tennessee, and now Tornadoes and storms all day…but I worked so hard outside this weekend that I deserved the quiet day I had today! Love the look of that cake…was it something special you could/would share?
On April 4, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Glenda says:
I was going to suggest cook! That’s is what always helps me when I get in a funk.
On April 5, 2011 at 4:39 am
Window On The Prairie says:
I know the feeling Suzanne. It’s been so miserably cold here. I take heart by watching our newborn calves. Every day is the best day of their lives too. We can learn a lot by watching the animals.
:snuggle:
Suzanne
On April 5, 2011 at 10:01 am
Nicole says:
I know I’m late for a reply, but I wanted to tell you that your chickens are lovely. :). I picked up 4 “girls” last weekend. Funny thing is, we still don’t have a coop built. The girls are in the house for now in the brooder. We bought 4 different amazing breeds and my personal chick is a Speckled Sussex named Maple.
On April 5, 2011 at 2:07 pm