bowlful of fairies

In preparation for my upcoming fairy class, I've been making a small fairies at night out of my naturally-dyed wool stash.

Lobster mushrooms, black beans, tansy, bedstraw root, black walnut, st. johns wort, and more make up the fairies resting my bread bowl.

It's hard to see in this photo but this girl has the palest blue gown.  My daughter claims she's an ice fairy.

Not surprisingly I had extra helpers when I was trying to take photographs.

Though can they really be called helpers when all they're doing is trying to see if any of that stuff I'm holding is food?

sooty chicks

Those chirping eggs have turned into chirping chicks.  5 of them so far in the brooder box.  One, sadly, didn't make it through hatch but the others are fluffy and peeping like little champs.

Interestingly, these guys are white, not yellow, with random dots of black.  Their moms were black hens and Carlos the rooster is a mix of white and red so it's strange to see these little soot patches on their white fluff.  Sort of like a tiny version of 101 dalmatians.

Speaking of speckled fluffies, look how big the ducklings are getting.  Every time I wander outside they're underfoot, begging for food.  And biting my toes.

Even Tiny is growing.  And though I tried to give him a good strong name like Thor or Sledgehammer, we keep calling him Tiny.  So there we have it, Tiny.

I'm done hatching for the year so at some point I'll be back to posting about art.  Pretty sure, anyway.

distracted by ducks

I sat down to finish that storm stone I showed you yesterday, but when I sat down to put in some stitches I found I wasn't happy with them. Out they came, and out I went, to let the ducklings out for their evening swim.

The whole group, happy to be in the water.

The first born set of ducklings are getting their white feathers and are entering that adorably awkward-looking phase.  They're getting some tail feathers but still have their baby fuzz on their teeny-tiny t-rex arms.

Rawr!  I will slap you with my t-rex arms!

Nope.  No you won't, little guy.  But nice try.

The runt teacup duck is still very small compared to his hatchmates.  They look out for him, as if they recognize he needs the extra help.  He's very delayed, not only in size but in physical ability, but he's getting more active and growing a little every day.

Snack and snuggle time happens after the swim.

This guy thought for sure my camera lens was food.  I was laughing too hard to focus.

And if you dare spill food on your lap, you'll have ducks there too.

Happy Thursday, everybody. 

teacup duck

 

This is our new batch of hatchlings who have been living in my bathtub.

This guy is a Pekin and who looks the most like his daddy, Goose, out of both batches of new babies.

His hatchmates are half Cayuga and half Pekin.  I find it interesting how the color traits of the parents are represented in the babies.  Black feet with orange stripes, black wings with white tips.  I can't wait to see them grow into their adult feathers.  I wonder how they'll change.

That little guy on the right is the same age as the other two but clearly is the runt of the litter.  He got off to a rough start and we didn't expect him to make it but he's perked up and we're hopeful.

We're careful not to call him a runt to his face.  Instead we call him a teacup duck.  It makes him feel trendy.

Have a ducky weekend, all.

how much is that ducky in the window?

Peep, peep.

My little fuzzlings are getting so big already.

They're enjoying days out in the yard, safe in the confines of their tractor.  They're getting swimmy time and bug-eating time, and generally enjoying being ducks.

Their parents are not even the least bit interested in them, but it wasn't until Goose had turned white that his mom wanted anything to do with him so we'll see.  That's big Goose on the right, in mid-Quack.

And what is this?  Why yes, three new little lives were added to the brooder box yesterday.

 One little yellow Pekin and two silvery black Pekin/Cayuga crosses.  One of the little guys has yellow wing tips and an orange stripe on each of his black feet.  I'm utterly in love.

More photos to come, as they get their fluff.

Have a  wonderful start to the week, everyone.

and three

Three healthy, happy little ducks have hatched.  We're all smitten and enjoying their peeping and silly antics.  You haven't seen funny until you've seen three duckling swimming in your sink.  Hilarity, I tell ya.

Hello blue eyes.

Notice the guy on the left is sticking his tongue out.  Just like a kid.

Cuddling a duck while still in your pajamas is a great way to start the week.

Happy Monday, all.

two!

Well good morning, sunshine.

Two so far with one more pipping.  Cross your fingers.

*****

I was featured on the Folt Bolt blog today!  If you haven't seen them before, do check them out.  I follow them on facebook where they share some of the most lovely and colorful work.

Have a glorious weekend, all.

you guys!

One is out!

random stuff on a Tuesday

I had a craving this week for something sweet and creamy.  I really wanted ice cream, but alas, we had none.  I did have some rhubarb stalks though and coconut milk.  I infused a simple syrup with the rhubarb (which, holy wow, is that tasty) and added it to a slushie I made with the coconut milk and grated ginger.  Yes.  Oh my yes.  About a gazillion calories, but yes anyway.

I bought this sweet little oil lamp from my friend Haddie the potter and my kids lost the wick so I turned it into a little water reservoir for an acorn.  I keep it on my window ledge at work and when I came back after the weekend I found that my acorn has sprouted teeny tiny leaves.  Happiness.

Betty thinks my patio furniture is her perch.  It is not.  Do you hear me, Betty?  Not.

In a few days I may be a grandma.  Our little Goose may be a daddy soon. Though I never count my chickens ducks before they hatch, two of the eggs in the incubator have pipped as of this morning.  They still have to make it through hatch, but there is a little hope that I might have two ducklings to love soon.  Cross your fingers for us.

Stones.  I miss working on stones.  My work life and my home life have been pretty busy and my hands are yearning for their own work.  I'm hoping to put some of these stones in them this weekend.

What's up with you?

it's about priorities

 

I didn't get it all done, but at least the duck got hugged yesterday.

A couple of times.

 

Priorities, you know.

Happy Thursday!

a Christmas Goose

 

Goose (and all of us under the poplar and pine)would like to wish to those of you that celebrate, the happiest of holidays.

We're taking a few days off and will see you in the new year.

Wishing you all the best this new year can bring.

xo

lil

and then there were... 8?

 

My little Goose-man has found his place in the flock.  Happily, he joined the group with less stress than I imagined.   The other ducks were extremely welcoming and once he got over his initial fear, things went... well, swimmingly.  He still comes to me and begs to be picked up and cuddled though, which I am more than happy to do.  

Since that went so easily I thought, "hey, why not add another dynamic to the homestead?  We're short on chaos at the moment."

 

Enter the darkwing duck trio.  These are Cayuga ducks and were in need of a home where they could swim and do duck-like things so I brought them home with me.  I've wanted Cayugas so it seemed meant to be.

 

Can you see that iridescent shine?  Pretty, aren't they?

 

As I had hoped, they started swimming and doing duck-like things immediately.

 

The regular crew shuffled in to see who these interlopers were in their pond and I was ready to intervene if needed.  I thought for a moment I heard them snapping their fingertips as they approached, but no.

 

Much to my relief, there wasn't any conflict at all.  The Cayugas just filed out as the Pekins and Runner filed in, and went over to the other pond.

  

I'm sure they'll figure it all out and form a lovely little salt and pepper flock soon.  That ebony and ivory song is in my head... "live together in perfect harmony..."

Have a harmonious Wednesday, all.