Wild Winds Homestead : January 2011

Friday, January 7, 2011

Happy birthday

It is my true loves birthday! He worked a 12 hour night shift, came home at 6:30am, got up this afternoon and went to work at 2pm so he can get off at 2am, sleep and report for his national guard weekend at 8am. I greatly appreciate his dedication to our family and worry about his lack of sleep. Your are the best!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Chasing Geese

Today, 8 years ago I had the opportunity to become the wife of Ryan Loder. It has been an honor and a privilege to accompany him on our grand adventure. As I look back on our adventure I wouldn't of wanted it any other way! It has made me a better person and made our relationship stronger. I have enjoyed Ryan's family and miss his mother especially when the kids do. I enjoy my friendship with Shanna (Ryan's ex-wife), Jeff and their family. I love that Ryan & Shanna's girl get to love everyone. I love that my Clarissa and Wesley love Shanna and Jeff to and that my older kids think Shanna is fabulous, too! I am thankful that Ryan wanted to marry me and the five kids, that he stuck around through cancer & chemotherapy and teenagers. That pretty much sums up our first year! I love you Ryan and can't wait to see what next year brings.

Our late chickens

Lucy the Red Star, died of natural cause of old age. We will miss her. She had the best personality!

Roni the Rhode Island Red-She was eaten, she would not stop eating eggs, we tried many things to stop her but in the end she was eating 3 eggs a day so we ate her.

Sophie the Red Star- She was egg bound, we tried to save her in vain.

Phil the Faverolle-Her death is still a mystery.

Blackbird the Black Australorp-She was injured and then several other chicken pecked out her flesh around the injury. We separated her and she eventually healed but did not walk very good. She spent most of her time just sitting in the lay box. She was put out of her misery.

Pickles the Barred Rock-She seemed to have some kind of a stroke, she stood for many hours in the same place and stared off into space. She would not eat and only drank for my husband. After a week she was kindly put out of her misery.

Willow, the Leghorn, is no more, she got in the dog pen and was played with to death.

Chicken who stopped by

Mabel the Mottled Java- She came to us from a neighbor, she would allow their other chicken in the coop. She was at the bottom of our pecking order until the new chickens arrived. She would hop the 3 foot fence and not allow the new chickens to eat their own food. She moved to the Jenie Hansen coop in West Haven! She does well there.

Ruby and Rhoda the Rhode Island Reds- Bought from a neighbor. They pecked the flesh out of Blackbird and were aggressive with several of the other hens. They found a new home with a daughter's friend. They do better there at the bottom of the pecking order.