~*~CHICKENS~*~

Well the Chickens are now 16 weeks old. They all have out going personalities and are so awesome. I am so glad we decided to bring them home. Although I wish I could take in more. I will have to wait till we get more land. But for now the enclosure is big enough for them and they seem happy. They have porches in the enclosure and when it is totally done they will have many more. They love their coop and now come in and out all day long. When we first put them out in the enclosure we didn't have a walkway and they would start yelling around 7:30pm for us to put them in there coop. I didn't know that that is what they wanted though. And I would leave them out till right before dark around 9:30pm. But a few days after that we put up the walk way and they started going to bed around 7:30 or 8. So I was really surprised that that is what they had wanted. Who knew chickens went to bed so early. When we go out to the enclosure they all run up to the side of it and want attention.

So a little more about the individual chickens. They all have now been named. It took us forever to pick a name for our big rooster. And guess what.. My guess at 5 weeks of Cockerals and Hens were totally right. First time around and I guessed them all right at 4 to 5 weeks.. I think that is so awesome!!!!

Isis/Female/Leghorn- I have finally figured out that she is a leghorn chicken. There for a while I thought she was a cornish cross and I was scared she would crow up and be huge and not be able to walk. But luckily she is a leghorn and she is pitete and beutiful. They still likes to sit on me. Although the banti rooster likes to pick on her. I'm not sure why yet but she is the only one he picks on. She will jump off the ground and off the purches onto our shoulders and arms. She loves to be held. But she doesn't like to be caught. If you catch her she is a little stand offish for a few days. She is the best purcher.

Gaia/Female/Orpington- Really doesn't like to be handled. She is the first one to kinda dig around and lay in nest looking bunches of of hay. When I take the waterier out of the coop she likes to lay in that hole too. She seems to get along with all the other chickens. She loses alot of feather. I find more of her feathers then anyones. Or maybe it is just the color. So that I know it is hers. She jumped up on us the first few days she was in the enclosure.

Titan/Rooster/ Americana- Well I was right about the slow feather and him being a rooster. It took him a very long time to get feathers. But he has totally changed his look and has gourgous purple, blue, & green blended feathers. He seems pretty laid back right now. He started crowing a few weeks ago. But he still doesn't have his spur. Which doesn't hurt my feelings any. He doesn't really pay me any attention unless I am crouched down and stand up fast or walk straight toword him. Then he runs around with his wings out and with the funniest run. I will have to tape it and put it up here. I haven't seen him pick on any of the hens or our other rooster. His comb is pea shaped I think and is weird looking because you expect the see a big red single comb. He also is heavy and not a good flyer... he jumps and flaps.. but he is like a brick.. Poor guy... But he is learning. He has even finally learned to perch. When we first put them in the enclosure he would follow me around trying to figure out how to fly up on us like the other chickens would. I would pick him up. He was so big I was glad he never tried to jump he might have really scratched up my arm.

Big Red/ Female/ RIR- She doesn't like to be touch or held. But the first few days after we put the chicks in the enclosure she would jump on us. She scratched up my arm pretty good oneday trying to fly up and land on me. She was using her neck trying to pull her way up with her feet. She hasn't been that great about being handeled after that. Every once in a while I can touch her. But she really just keeps to herself and the other chickens. She was the only female that took forever to get her saddle feathers and tail feathers. She is still just now getting her tail feathers. For the longest time she only had like 1 tail feather sticking up.
Ivy/Female/ Australorp- She is a calm chicken but isn't big on being touch. She has a big body and a small head. I think the Australorp proportion is just weird like that. I have learned that they have the world record for egg laying. She is black with a really pretty green sheen to her feathers. Thats how she got renames Ivy. I had originally names her Lola.... which I still like.. But John likes Ivy so... For the longest time she was just all black then the green started shining through.. very strange. Just like how the mails change colors. She was probably just growing new feathers and I just didn't notice. Who knows.
Mabon/Female/ Sex link- She is another hands off chicken. She has like the others needed a little reassurance when we first put them into the enclosure and would fly up and set on us. She is calm and will let me kind of touch her but not really pick her up. She likes to walk in and out of the coop and really pays attention when I shut the coop door on her side so I can clean the inside. She is very curious.. Like most chickens...

Lil Banti/Female/Bantam Cochin- She is such a cutie. She really hasn't grown to much in a long time. Everyone else got bugger and she just stayed... But thats ok. She used to jump on me all the time. It was so cute I wish I had a picture. She would walk around eyeing me up then flatten herself out onthe ground like a pancake and jump and then flap her wings and climb the rest of the way. I was awesome. But now that they are getting old she hasn't done it in a couple of weeks. She does still let me pick her up though. She doesn't even protest to much. She is a little vocal when I do it though. But she is so cute. She is laid back and seems to like following Titan and Isis. She really likes to purch and she is one of the best perchers. She also is one of the biggest dust bathers.

Crownos/Cockeral/Bantam Cochin- Well he is a cute littl erooster. He still has the reallt bright red comb and he know has the chin wattle things. Big ones.. But he is super cute. He has shiny feathers on his neck and saddle. He used to not really mind being picked up but lately he has taken up biting... and I don't mean a warning peck like alot of the hens give. I mean he grabs on and leaves marks and blood blisters. If I just put my hand near him. Which I do hoping he figures out that I will not back off just because he is being mean. Do you think he will get it??? He also likes to pick on Isis. I rally don't like that. He will chase her for just looking at me. And he really doen't like her sitting on me. He will chase her around and grab her by her neck feathers. And of course she freaks out.. So he better stop doing that or we will have to add on a small enclosure for him. But he is so cute other then the biting. He also sued to flatten out like a pan cake and jump up on us. O yeah and he loves to crow all day long and has been crowing for a probably around three weeks.


I took this picture right before she tried to peck out my eyeball!!!!Whats sad is I'm not joking..Not Joking....

But if you can't tell I love the chickens and they have been a good addition to our family. To bad they can't live inside with us.... lol

Another Whole Foods & Trader Joe Trip

We finally made another Whole Foods & Trader Joes Run. We took Chey with us for a nice outing and then made 2 quick stops. Alot faster then I normally go through those stores... And of course that leads to getting something ... with..... yuck..... animal secretions in it.... I acidently picked up some jars of Trader Joes Vodka Pasta Sauce w/o noticing they had cheese in them.... That is so annoying. Not just one or two but.... four of them.... What the heck am I supposed to do with it now...?

A couple days in advance of our trip I ordered Spinach Stromblies from Sabrros In our Morgantown mall. They make them special for us all the time. No cheese , No egg wash. They are really nice there. The owner even asked me if we were vegan one day.. So that was awesome. But we took 4 strombolies with us.. It was a great meal for the day. They travel really well. And they tastes awesome. My mouth is watering just thinking about them. Plus some of their Maraneira ... YUM!!!! Sorry forgot to get a pic... I will try to next time we get them.

Anyways we did end up with tons of yummy stuff. I love stocking up when we are there. And try lots of *new stuff. I love to eat at their salad bar. They have a soy popcorn chicken prodct that is made by Delight Soy and it is so Yummy! We bring home a big container everytime we go. I like their tofu on the salade bar too. Well most of the time. I didn't like the barbque sauce they had on it this time. But John did. So here is my list of things purachsed at Whole Foods.

Earth Balance sticks $2.89
*Lightlife Tempehtations $3.99
SmartDeli Vegan Peperoni $3.39 x2
Pretzels $2.00- To snack on on the wat home
365 Organic Katchup $1.99x2
Nasoya 24oz $4.39
365 Salsa Medium $2.99x6
*Millers Mustard Hot $4.99
*Bon ami Kitchen & Bath Cleaner $1.39
*Galaxy Vegan Parm $2.79
Wheat Berry Bulk 3.26pds $4.53
*Adzuki Beans Bulk 1.92pds $3.24
*365 Tricolor Pasta Shells $1.69
365 Veg Glycerin Soup $1.49x3
*365 Organic soy sauce $2.49
*Simply Organic Taco Seasoning $1.39x2
*Simply Organic Vegetarian Chili Seasoning $1.39
Calbee Crisps Original $1.49x5
Reusable Bags $2.97x3
Ecover Toilet Cleaner $3.69
Organic long grain Rice $2.39x2
*365 Veggie Straws $2.19
*Galaxy Vegan Cheese $2.79
*Tofurky $3.69
1.5 pounds Delight soy popcorn chicken 7.99 a pound
.5 pounds of barbaqued tofu 7.99 a pound
2 bags of ice $1.69x2

But I have noticed the more we go to Trader Joes the more we get there. They have really good prices. Pittsburgh has better prices to begin with on all the Organic and Vegan stuff but... Trader Joes are by far the lowest I have ever seen. They really have great prices on Soy Ice Cream... We get a good amount everytime we go. We also stock up on bread items there. But here is Trader Joes List


Blue chips $2.99x3
Veggie & Flaxseed chips $2.39x2
Calbee Crips $1.49x5
Organic Vodka Pasta Sauce $2.99x5
Soy Cherry Chocolate Chip Soy Ice Cream x3
Mango vanilla soy ice cream
*Chocloate Soy ice cream mini Sammi x2
*Organic pickles $2.99
Organic Sourdough bread $2.79x3
Everything Vegan Bagels $2.29 x4
*Mini whole wheat pita pockets
*Soy bbq chicken $3.49
*fozen asain dumplings
Organic frozen spinachx2
*Jojo Cookie white $2.49
*Jojo cookie chocolate $2.49
Veg broth $1.99 x5
*Goyoza dipping sauce $2.29
Sea Salt $1.49
*Jar of Cherries $2.29
Gimme Lean Vegan Saucsage $2.69 x2
*Tofurky Sausages $2.99

We purchased some other frozen and cold items too. I had them on a 2nd recipt and can't find it right now. OOPS.. I will finish the post and label all the frozen prices when I do.

But it was a very nice trip. Although it was packed every where we went that day. It was nice. We came back on an old coutry road and ate some soy ice cream sammies. It was a nice way to finash off the day!

Lots of Vegan cooking to come... hopefully soon!!!

4th of July, Strawberry pie, Blueberry cobbler, vegan hot dog sauce, boiled peanuts, coffee cake

The fourth of July, although different for us this year, went over really well and we all had a great time. We have always had company but this year we didn't have any company. But thats ok. We still cooked &watched the parade. Then John, Chey, and I went to See Ice Age in #D.. It was pretty good. Chey loves 3D movies but they keep raising the price. It was $7 then $8 now it is like $9.50 per person.. Thats just getting a little to high I think. But the movie was cute. Then after the movie even though I said said we wasn't going to go to the Concert at the park... We wnet.... I couldn't help myself... It was free... It was a really good concert. I don't really listen to contry music at all ... and it was on all country.. But it was really nice. Even can I say.... good music... lol...But I didn't have my camera.. All I had was the cell and It took horrible blurry shots.. So I am so sad I didn't get any pictures... But Nana Sharp, The Davidson Brothers, And to top it all off w/ a cherry Billy Ray Cyrus was there. And I was a huge fan when I was little... He did songs from his past and present albums.. and the old songs brought back some memeries.. But good ones... The concert lasted for over 5 1/2 hours. But it was awesome... Deffinalty have to go to some more concerts. That was my first but it won't be my last. We then stayed and watched most of the fireworks In Fairmont. But Since John had to work today we decided we should come home. We didn't get home till almost midnight..so we didn't let off our fireworks. But thats ok...

Now back to the food. This year I didn't make cake although I did make dessert. I made a Strawberry Pie, a Blueberry cobbler, & a coffee cake. I also made some boiled peanuts & vegan hotdog sauce.

The Strawberry Pie was my fav dessert this year. It was nice and sweet but had that tang at the end from the lemon. It was nice. I wish I would have had some rhubarb though.


Preheat oven to 425F
5-7 cups of strawberries (depends if you want a pie that
domes or is flat.)
2-3 T Lemon juice
1 T Lemon Zest
1/2 - 3/4 C Sugar
3 T Corn Starch
2 Pie Crusts

I used half frozen half fresh but you use which ever works best for you. Thats just what I had on hand. If you use frozen let the berries thaw and dump the water off of them. Then put mix all ingredients and let them set for 10 -15 minutes before you dump them into the pie. After the 15 minutes dump into the shell place top shell on. Make sure you cut a vent hole.

Bake at 425F w/ edge of crust covered for 30 minutes. Then lower the temp to 350F for 40 minutes of until crust starts to brown. Don't let it burn. Uncover the edge of the crust about 15 minutes before you take it out.

The Blueberry cobler cake from the book " The Joy of Vegan baking" this was Johns fav. This link will take you to the recipe. This recipe I also used half fresh/ half frozen and it turned out great.









The Coffee cake came from " The Joy of Vegan baking" aswell. If you haven't guess thats my goto dessert book. All of the recipe I have made from it have turned out great. I made this primarily for my Non-vegan mom. She always goes out and buys dounuts before the parade on the 4th of Juky. So I thought if I made this it might hold her off of buying the not so animal friendly doughnets. It turned out nice and she really liked it.. and guess what.. No donuts were bought.. :) I should have got a picture after I took it out of the pan..oops.














Boiled Peanuts.... My husband was born and raised in Charelston, SC.. So that is were the peanuts come in. It has been I think 3 years since we have been down there. So to bring a little bit of the south to him I made him some boiled peanuts. We stop at the road side stands and convence stores everytime we are down there. At the convenace store they sit right beside the sweet tea just asking to be eaten...so he has me hooked on them aswell. It has been hard trying to find raw peanuts around here but just by luck last week we ran into them at an International Store in Morgantown. We bought 2 1/2 pounds. So I thought I would surprise John and make them for the 4th. They turned out really great. They are a little extra salty but I will cut that back in the recipe I post on here. They are super easy to make. So everyone should try these. And if you ever go anywhere Down south they are a big thing for locals so try them their aswell.

2 1/2 pounds raw shell on peanuts
1/2 to 3/4 cup salt

Rince all the peanuts in their shells.
Fill pot of water. I used the pot I make my soups & beans in. Its just the 6qt pot I think. The biggest pot that comes with a set. lol... Add salt and peanuts. Cover. Bring to a boil then lower to a simmer. Then let simmer for around 4 hours. Check the bigger peanuts when they are soft not crunchy they are done. Check the little nuts aswell to make sure they are not getting to done. You don't want them totally mushy. But 4 hours should do it. Store them in your refridgerator in there liquid. If you think they are still a little salty put them in half their cooking water and half fresh water to set in the fridge.

You can also make cajun. They are really good too.

Vegan Hot Dog Sauce
When I was younger and still consumed meat I still didn't eat ground meat. So I never ate hotdog sauce. But I made this a few years ago but veganised and loved it. I even eat it like a sloppy Joe.

2T salt
1tsp Tabasco sauce
3tsp Paprika
2tsp Chili powder
1 small onion, optional
2 1/2 cups water
2T Vinegar
2T Brown Sugar
4T vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 small Bottle Katchup 12oz
1 small can tomato paste
2 packs Boca or Morningstar ground burger ( I used one of each). Brown, add 2 cups water & onion. Let the water cook out. Then add all other ingredents. Let cook till it thickens. Which shouldn't be that long. I let it simmer for about 30 minutes after it thickens. This makes 3 to 4 cooks. It freezes well.

Recipe Tester for "Color Me Vegan"

I was picked to be a recipe tester for Colleen Patrick- Goudreau New cook book "Color Me Vegan" which will be in stores net year.. !I am so excited. I have already tested one recipe and now have the next three....!!! I will update more later!!!!

Lima beans & Corn, Sweet Potato Pasta, Oven Zucchini, and Grilling out

Lima bean & Corn - Makes 5 cups

I had these at the dinner after my Grandfather's funeral. They were really good. Although I am really hoping they did not have chicken broth in them...! I am really kinda wondering now if they did. I had never had lima beans before and this has quickly become a go to side dish me me. Or if I am home alone I boil up some beans add some frozen corn and eat it as a meal... I like to boil the limas in advance and freeze them. that way it doesn't take an hour and a half to cook them first or a $2 can of beans.

3 cups g Cooked Lima beans
2 cups g Frozen corn
Enough Veg broth to cover all the beans and corn
1 tbsp Vegan Butter of choice
1 tbsp Flour
1/2 to 1 tsp pepper
Salt to taste

Bring veg Lima beans, Corn , Veg broth, & Pepper to a boil. Melt Better add the flour to it and add to boiling pot. Make sure not to let it clump. When it thickens which should be fast it its done. Maybe about 10minutes all together if the beans where cooked in advance.


Sweet Potato Pasta

This was an accidental find. I was going to have some buttered noodle and beans for diner but accidentally opened the wrong can. But I love it. I really like to have it as a side to the Morningstar Farms vegan BBQ riblets. Or I just like it plain. It is a nice replacement for Mac & Cheese. I don't really like the nutritional yeast mac & cheese. But this turns out creamy and yummy... and sweet... :)


Box of whole wheat Pasta
1/2 cup Sweet Potato Puree
1/4cup soy milk
2 tbsp Smart Balance light
Salt to taste

Cook pasta as normal. Put the sweet potato puree in a pot with the soy milk and smart balance light. Let come together. Stir a little. Then add it to your pasta. If you don't want to make it on the stove top you don't have to. Just put it in a boil and stir together. If you put it in the microwave make sure you don't spoil the soy milk.


Oven Baked Zucchini

I love oven baked zucchini and though it is probably easy for everyone but me... I still make it. I have a horrible track record. I seem to either always forget about it and it turns into burnt zucchini chips or I get impatient and take it off early and eat it...

Zucchini - 1 whole for each person
Onion
olive Oil
salt

Preheat oven to 400. Slice onion and chunck up zucchini into bite sized pieces, or slices. Or you could just leave them cut long ways in to two or four pieces. the bigger the pieces the longer they take to cook. Put a little oil on the veggies and mix. lay on baking pan add salt. Then bake for 30 minutes or till desired doneness.


Tofu Nuggets- Pictured above with Zucchini

This recipe has been converted from the Deceptivley Delicious Cook Book.

1 Cup Bread crumbs
1 Tbsp Flaxmeal
1 tbsp Vegan Parm like galaxy- optional- or try nutritional yeast
A pureed veggie of your choice. Dependeing on what you make it with.
1 tsp paprika
Egg replacer mixed with water- enough for all tofu
1 Pack extra firm tofu- this may work with tempeh
1/2 salt
oil

Mix all dry ingredents. Mix egg replacer with veggie puree in another bowl.
Slic tofu into bight sized chucks. Heat the oil. I like using unthawed tofu. But tofu that had been frozen to give it more texture. Then dip into bread crumbs. Then put in pan with just a Tablespoon of oil. Do not use to much oil. They will fall apart or just be totally soked with oil. Then enjoy with your fave dip.

Grilling Out....
This is the first time we have cooked on our charcoal grill in 4 years... Because it just takes they thing to long to get hot.. Then I can't seem to keep it hot. Maybe I need Charcoal Grills for dummies or something. Maybe next year I will just invest in a gas grill. Although propane tanks are a little scary. lol... I use my parents and they turn it on and off for me.. Anyways I decided while we were out working onthe coop we might as well cook out. Chey was all excited. And I quess in all honesty John and I were a little bit too... since it had been so long... Well everything started out bad... We didn't have any fluid so John decides to put a ton of zipo lighter fluid on it. He won't listen to me of course. I went to go up town to buy some actually grill starter and when I come back all I can small is zipo fluid.... after I told him to stop... I mean come on.... So we had a big blow up about that. Like I want to eat zipo fluid!!! .. So then I decided I didn't even want to grill out and I went in the house. But later I cooled off and then decided to cook out. He had started the grill with the starter fluid ater I had went in the house and it had a ton of time.. like an hour to get hot so... We made corn, veggie hot dogs, zucchini, asparagus, potatoes, and Helens Tofu steaks... didn't like the asparagus or the helens tofu steaks... But loved the zucchini, hot dogs, & potatos.. on the other hand smoky corn was ok too. But I also managed to catch the corn on fire..lol... yes corn is flammable.. or atleast their husks are. I was planning on taking a pretty picture of the corn with grill marks and the husks pulled back but instead they went up in flames and I freaked out. john came over and saved me back slamming the lid closed.... Maybe its not such a good idea for me to use a charcoal grill....

CHICKENS!!!! & Moejo

Well there is alot still going on around here. My Grandfather passing has taken a toll on our family. Everyone is still trying to learn how to mourn the loss. But some people are slowly getting better day by day. I on the other hand have been having nightmares for the last week or two. Brute passing was another unexpected happening. He had Cushing disease , Heart & liver problems associated with the Cushings. But I still did not think he would pass so soon. We have had a lot of lose this year and I am hoping life will start to make a smooth transition at least for a while.

Moejo, The kitty we adopted a month ago has had some medical problems. A few days after we brought him home I noticed some blood in his bowel movement. So I took him to the vet thinking it was probably Garadia since he came from a shelter. He tested negative and the vet now thinks he has Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome. Which would be my second guess as well. He has been put on antibiotics, prednosone, and special food called I/D... which I would prefer to change... Its a Sills Science Diet Prescription food. But I really don't like there foods... Vets are paid to carry there foods and to push them. And Don't get me wrong I love the vet we go to but ... Hills science diet not so much... Some things have gotten better. No More blood.. But he is still having some problems. Next he will have to be checked for cancer if these pills do not work. But he is playing again. While the blood was in his stool he would not play at all.. but now he is coming back around and his his playful kitten said once again.


The Chickens are doing great. They have grown so much. I can't believe how big they have gotten in just 5 weeks. Tomorrow they will be 5 weeks old. That is so crazy and you know what else is crazy...? I have over a thousand pictures of them... and I'm not joking or over estimating.... I'm serious... and I have not taken pictures for the last 4 or 5 days. But I will take pics tomorrow..They are starting to figure out the who eating produce thing. Thir beaks are getting sharper and making it easier to tare apart. They loves dandelions! But I will tell you a little about my chicks . The pictures are of Day 1 when we brought them home and at week 4...

Isis- She is supposed to be a pullet. But he growing comb has got me wondering if she is really a cockerel. Her comb however is still white. She feathered very quickly and to me the feathers look round on her saddle. So.. I am leaving her name as Isis for now. She is still our best flier. She loves to sit on use and even lands on our heads from time to time. But she has also taken to trying to rip my freckles and tattoo off. Which is kinda pain full.... You know how it looks when a bird id trying to rip a worm of of the ground.... thats what has happened to my arm a couple of times. I think she is still top of her peaking order right now.. I know they probably don't have one yet but she is still top Chick...She is a sweetie and just loves to be around us. I am still trying to figure out what type of chicken she is....

Gaia- is definitely a Buff Orpington. She is feathering nicely and is learning to fly alot better now. Although she is still at the trial and error stage like alot of the babes... The feathers on her back are standing up funny as they are coming in for some reason. Not quite sure why. I was wondering if it had something to do with the size she will be when fulling grown but when I look at other Orpingtons their feathers don't do that. She has also been fighting for Isis queen status... She will Jump up on Isis and some of the other chicks and knock them of the perches. We are pretty sure she is a pullet.

Amera- We have given him think nick name till we find out if he is a cockerel. Right now I am pretty sure he is. He has been slow to feather. He has a rose or strawberry comb and is the only chick we have with one. But I think it seems to be growing bigger then what I think a females would be at this age. He voice has also changed a little. He doesn't have the peep peep sound anymore its a little louder and more grainy now.He is been our slowest to feather though. I was starting to wonder if he was going to get all his feathers. Most of the other chicks are fully feathers excpet for parts of their bellies and he is still working on getting his saddles feathers. But in the last week his feathers on his saddle have finally started coming in. He is not a good flier. He is pretty heavy compared to the rest of the chicks and just kinda runs, jumps, flaps a little, and then plops back down. Then he walks around the edges of the brooder making all kinds of noise and getting frustrated. When he was a week or two old before he started getting big he would get to the top of the brooder ad porch on his own. He also used to like us to help him every so often but he really doesn't get up on our hands that much any more.

Big Red- We have given our Road Island Red this nick name till we name her. We are pretty sure she is a pullet. Her comb is still small... But her saddle feathers are a little different looking from the other girls. She really does not like to be handled. She is just in the last week learning how to jump and perch on the top of the brooder pretty good. But like Gaia is attacks to try to knock the others off but normally just ends up falling back into the brooder her self. She pays the most attention to use. Always turning her head sideways to look up at use. Then she will just sit there like that and watch. She has really been working on the jumping and flying thing though.

Black & White- She is an Australorp. She has almost lost all of her white. I was originally told she was a Dominique. Thats ok though. The green sheen is coming out in her feathers and she is going to be gorgeous. We are pretty sure that she is a pullet. Her comb is small and white. Her feathers have come in quickly and they are pretty rounded on her saddle. She is flying & jumping well. And she likes to sit on the top of the brooder now as well. She also tries to knock everyone off the top of the brooder but normally falls back in herself. Although she has taken little brown banti of a time or two.

Mabon- The Black chick.. Which we were oignally called Cynder but it just didn't seem to fit her. So we have since changed her name to Mabon. She is a Black Sex link Barrod RIR mix. She is a pullet. You can tell by her coloring. But her comb is also small and white and her saddle feathers are round. She also jumps up to the top of the brooder and sits. And as with alot of the others she trys to take out some of the other perchers. But she has a better rate of success. Her feathers are very pretty.

Little Brown Banti- Nick names Lil Banti... We are pretty sure she is a pullet. Her comb is small and white. She has the most beautiful feathering. She is a Cochin Bantam. and She is really lovely. She loves to perch. Next to Isis she is the one who is best at it. She is really light weight and stands up to the bigger chicks pushing her around when she is perching. But she still gets knocked off the brooder from time to time. This Chick is Cheys Fave. She loves to hold her and pet her. She is doing really well with handling. Her saddle feathers are round and she has a ton of feathering on her legs and feet. She is just gorgeous. O yeah and curious... She got her head stuck in the 1" wired outdoor enclosure the other day trying to get a little snail. Lucky we were working on the coop when it happened.

Black Banti- Is definitely a cockerel. His comb started turning red right before week 4. And now it is a bright red and is growing really fast. He has also been slow to feather and like Amera he is just now starting to get his saddle feathers. Alot of his saddle is still fluff. He is also alot heavier then lil Banti. He is not good at flying and is still trying to figure out how all the other chicks make it to the top of the brooder when he can't. He has always cuddled with the rest of the chicks and when we would count the chicks most of the time we would come up with 7 becuase they would all be standing and he would be under them laying. He is also the first to be getting his little red waddles under his chin. He also does not like to be handled. Notice he would not stand still for the pick so John had to hold him like that.

Another loss...Brute Man

At my parents house My dogs that had been born there have always stayed there with their mother whom past last Dec. Today one of her pups past. He was at least 10 years old. He was my baby. His name is Brute. I will really miss seeing his happy face greet me at the door every time I go to my parents house. He was a great companion and member of our family. He will be greatly missed. we love you Brute Man!!!!

CHICKENS!!!!

I have been looking forwards to getting chickens for a few years now. It was never the right time and so we kept putting it off. But this year it was the right time. I have brought my babies home and have now had them for 5 days. Their personalities are ever growing and ever amusing. I can't help but see how they change daily and can't wait to see whats new tomorrow. Chickens are so lovely. They have more personality then I could have ever imagined. I can't wait to see them outside chasing bugs and scratching the dirt. They are awesome. We brought home 8. We know 3 are girls the rest we have no idea yet... So I have not named them. Some other them have personality treats that I can guess are pullet or cockeral.... but only time will tell. I also don't know what breed they are. But I will write a little about each chick. This is the pictures of the first 7 days that we have had them.

Isis- One of our Pullets. I think she is a Leghorn, Delaware, White Rock. She is growing wing feathers very quickly and also has some tail feather sprouts. He personality shines through. She is the first to try everything. She was also the first to kinda be a bully. She I think she will be the top of the peaking order. So I gave her the name Isis.. which means "she of the throne".


Gaia- Another of our Pullets. I think she is a Buff Orpington. She has been a very she girl for the first 3 days but is now starting to show a little more personality. She is a soft orange and a little darker orange mix. And is very pretty. She is soft spoken and really just likes to bask in the warm light. But she gets up and plays with all the others too. She is coming around to us now but on day 2 she had a pasty butt and had to be soaked. So she is a little more put off by us. She is getting her feathers a little slower. But she will squabble with Isis and the Yellow/Araucana chick too.

This little Chick we don't know if he is a cockerel or pullet. We think he is either a Araucana or Americana. He was the 2nd to jump up on our hand. He has an out going personalty like Isis and they kinda squabble a little. If one is sitting on us and the other wants to one will knock the other off. His wing feathers are coming in and he has a good amount today. He is one of our out going chicks. We also had to soak his little but one the 1st or 2nd day. He scared me because I didn't know chicks had belly buttons. His belly button still had a scab on it that night and I really thought something was wrong. So I came out and goggled Chicks belly button and figured out they do have them. But I also read about chicks getting belly button infections and a disease called mushy chick disease which scared me to death. So we put some Anti biotic ointment on it and he seems to be doing great. he is also the only chick who doesn't have a single comb sprout but a more round rose comb which really makes me think he is an Araucana.

This next lil chick again we don't know if he is a cockeral or pullet. He is a red island red. He is very shy. But I think that is because he had a pasty but on day 2 or 3 and I had to soak his but to get it off. So he really doesn't like to be handled still. But he likes to look up sideways. He does this more then any of the chicks. He has the cutest beak. It is half red and half yellow. His wing feathers are coming in kinda slow.


This chick we think might be a Cockerel just because he is the only one who stand like this. Every time we pick him up this is how he stands. It is very cute and funny. He has wing tip feathers. But not many more. He likes to jump up on our hand every so often. But he likes to make himself very tall and stick his had way up and look around very often. He is one of our out going chicks. We think he is a barred rock, dominique, or a americana.. I am leaning more toward dominique.

Mabon- The other Pullet that we know of. She is a little shy but is coming around and will now jump on our hands ever so often. She might be getting a little white bud on her wing feathers which are coming in kinda slow. She was all black when we first brought her home though. She was the only all black pullet they had. So I had to bring her home. She did put up a fight though. They really had to chase her to catch her. But she is very lovely. We think she is a black star or black sexton.



We also brought home 3 Bantoms. I was wonting some silkies. But the two I picked where not silkies. Silkies have 5 toes and our only have 4. But they are cute and we love them. We don't know the sex of either feather footers. They are really pretty. It is now becoming apparent just how small they are compared to the normal sized chickens. They both have single combs as far as I can tell. I think they are Cochins or Brahams.

This little brown chick is super cute. He is very she. The night we brought them home he had a pasty bottom and had to be soaked. Then we had to soak his bottom again yesterday. But he is doing good. Very shy though. I guess I can't blame him. He has been here 4 days and has been soaked 2 times. His feathers are coming in pretty fast on his wings. Next to Isis he is the most feathers.

This little chick is coming out of his shell....lol.. he is coming around to us more now. He hasn't had to have any soaks but he was very shy. In the last day he has started getting closer to us and even jumped on Johns hand yesterday. He is getting his feathers alot slower then the brown bantum.

But like I said above everyones personality is growing. Last night I was watching them play with a piece of lettuce. One chick would grab it and run like they were playing touch foot ball or something. It was awesome to watch. They also like to run across there enclosure and flap there wings like they are trying to learn to fly. That is great to watch too. They also play like leap frog or something. But like surprise leap frog... One will be standing there and laying and surprise another will land right on top of the other. You will here a chirp from the one who got landed on and a chirp from the one who did the landing. They are full of energy. I have started introducing veggies. They have had lettuce, tomato, & potato skin. I Have also given them apple. They seem very interested in all of it. I think I am going to try orange and kale tonight. We are also getting them organic chicken feed which we have to special order from tractor supply co. It is the Blue Seal brand. It is $28.99 a bag right now. So it is about double the price of regular. But I want them to be healthy and not a ton of extra additives being added to their food. But I will update on everything to do with them. I am so happy to have them in our lives. I will also put up brooding info, disease, foods.. I might start a chicken blog actually... as soon as I come up with a good name!!!

Moejo Handsome

We have brought a new baby into our lives. Not so much a baby.. But a one year old neutered Tabby mix. He is so sweet and gorgeous. I fell in love with him as soon as I seen him. I was out by myself one day in Morgantown. Stopped by Petco to get some food for the animals and found 1 little kitty waiting to be adopted from Friends of the four legged and furry... I feel for him.. He would come over and lick my fingers and rub up against me. So I called John and told him. He was at work. He didn't even blink and said ok. Which is kinda uncharacteristic of him. Considering we already have so many animals sharing our home. We have never taken in an adult cat. We have always took in kittens that we have found around our area in need of a home. I called John and had him call the Preston Co. Humane Society which was the cats original place. He had been placed in another smalled adoption group. So my husband tracked done all of that info and called and talked to them. They were really nice. They are a new adoption group and are stilling growing. We desided to think it over for the night and the next day I had to go to Morgantown to see my baby. So John and I left early went and seen him then went to eat. We descused it a little more then I finally called Fotflaf. A couple hours later they met us at Petcos adoption center and we brought our baby home. There was an $85.00 for. But it covered his neuter, vaccinations, Leukemia/ AIDS test, etc. The night before we brought him home we had decided we was going to call him Mojo. Which we found out was kinda funny the next day because they had been calling him Moe Handsome. So his Offical Name Turned into Moejo Handsome. We call him Moejo....

For the most part he is getting along with most of the other animals. Romeo, which is the kitty who takes up to everyone was of course the first cat we introduced to Moejo. They hit it off well. Storm & Dewy are doing good. And Beltane for the most part is pretty good. But Copper on the other hand is taking some time. He is grumpy and kinda has a habit of chasing Moejo Down. So we have to watch them pretty close. The dogs actually we were kinda worried about. Sophie would look through the cage and twist her head to the side like... hmmm.... a new play toy and this one moves!!!! But all in all the dogs have done great with him. And he has taken to our home, the animals , and us very quickly. He even played with us the first night we brought him home. We have yet to really introduce him to the ferrets though. He looks at them like they are moving food.. so..

Some more catch up!!!! Food

Whole Wheat Cous Cous Mix- Neither of us liked this!



















Trader Joes pasta mix w/ White bean sauce & Spinach














Brussels from Vegan Lunch box, w/ soyrizo which we later mixed into the roads end vegan mac














Another Shepards Pie.. This one was awesome!!!!!


































Pasta w/ Vodka sauce & vegan Garlic bread



















Mushroom Sammies














This Vegan StrawBerry Tofutti Cream cheese icing cake was made for Mine & Johns 7th year together!