A New Start

We got baby chickens around noon yesterday;

69,800 peeping babies spread out among four houses.

For the first two or three days the chicks stay close to the feed trays and water lines.

After all these years of raising chickens, I'm still amazed at how quickly the babies learn to drink from the nipples.  One chick sees a drop of water and his curiosity leads him to it, then others have to see what it's all about.  Oh my! to think that when we first started in 1972 we used jugs to water the babies; the jugs had to be kept clean and filled often.

So today I start over again in my role as "Mother Hen".

Now the day is over, night is drawing nigh.

Shadows of the evening steal across the sky.

When the morning wakens, then may I arise,

Pure and fresh and sinless in Thy holy eyes.

Charlotte

Scrappy Log Cabin quilts are my favorite quilts to make, whether for a big bed or for a baby.

This one is made from six inch blocks, paper pieced, and quilted down the center (more or less, or perhaps I should say more and less, since every line might not be centered) of each log, and is for a baby.

The binding is also scrappy, made from snippets of bindings left from large quilts.

Some people prefer baby quilts with appliqued animals, etc., which end up being wall hangings.  This quilt is to be used for a warm covering or a play mat.

A hint for the next hope chest item: it went on the quilt frames as soon as this quilt was taken off.

Charlotte

I felt a little like Joseph today

since I had my dental appointment this morning.  Why do we always dread going to the dentist?  I think I hate being leaned back so far; makes all my insides feel like they're sliding up into my throat.  Then, I never know just what to do with my tongue, and I'm sure I'll strangle on some excess water.

I'm having trouble with my teeth; they've shifted enough that it's hard for me to eat some things.  I guess it all goes back to having a crooked tooth all through my childhood and into adulthood.  It was always there, an embarrassment of sorts, until I reached my mid forties and took the plunge to have them straightened.  I think I wore the braces for about three years and always thought it was one of the best decisions I ever made.  When the braces were removed I was fitted with retainers which I wore at night until the last few months.  After two jaw teeth broke off after eating hard peanut brittle, I left the retainers off for a while.  Suddenly, I can't chew well because my back teeth don't line up properly, and the top retainer won't even go over my teeth.  Isn't it strange, after at least 25 years, that the teeth would move?  They're still straight, just shifted.  I've also had TMJ and wonder if this could be the reason.

Today the dentist tried to adjust the retainer for me but it still wouldn't fit, so I have to make the decision: to have the two caps put on and a new retainer.  Since my teeth are strong I think I must do this for myself.

Have a good week,

Charlotte

 

Not Again!!! and Hope Chest Item #Three

One morning last week, ahead of a cold front, this is how the sky looked.  I've heard of a "line drawn in the sand" but have never seen such a line between clouds and clear sky.  Now this next picture may make you want to scream, "Not again!  Not another snow picture!  Not in March!"  But, it's happened again!  Another blast of cold, cold air, with wind, sleet and snow came for us.  I've tried not to complain but this is getting to be enough already!  Our chickens are scheduled to go out in the morning and the farmer doesn't know how he'll get the doors open, for the catching crews to get inside, since they have ice holding them shut.  Maybe the sun will warm up the metal enough to melt it so he can use the BobCat to scrap it away.  I won't post another snow picture. :)

On to better topics ~ I have the third hope chest item to show today: a crocheted, pinwheel doily.  Do women still put doilies on end tables or dressers?  I use some in the kitchen to protect the counter top surfaces from being scratched by the stoneware pieces I use for sugar, salt, tea bags, etc.  This was fun to make, although it is hard for me to transition from a large hook to a tiny hook.

Ahh ~ if only I had a bouquet of spring flowers to sit on the doily....

I have been asked who the hope chest is for; I have four granddaughters and two grandsons.  Surely I can divide the things I have made between them (if they want the things) or some things may go as shower gifts.  Just something to keep my hands busy.  This winter I went through an "anxious" spell and crocheting seemed to calm me.

Now it's time for me to wrap up, slip the boots on, and go to the chicken houses.  I've been warned to be very careful on the ice.  Have a good day.

Charlotte