The Wayward Chicken

The other evening, I was out tending to chores. I always take a head count when I shut the chickens up just to be sure everyone is present and accounted for. I counted 10.
10? I seem to recall that I've had 9 chickens for some time.
 I counted again.
And again.
And when I mentioned it to DH that night, he tilted his head and the look in his eyes seemed to tentatively question whether his wife had finally lost her senses.
Perhaps, but there are 10 chickens out there in that coop!
The next morning? Still 10 chickens.
This one did not belong.

She's a smidge smaller and lighter in color and she seems to prefer pecking through the horse pens instead of meandering through the grounds between the coop and the house.
The family at North Camp has chickens, but the are 9 miles away and there are approximately 357 coyotes between here and there. When you are a coyote, chicken is always on the menu. Did someone say 'coyote'?

So when Jake came over to get feed, fuel, and help drench a 2-yr old heifer that has been sick, I mentioned my extra chicken. Kassie said she noticed one had been missing but she doesn't have a coop for them so they truly do run free and once in a while she may lose one or two.

We finally surmised that my new addition to the flock had hitched a ride on the back of Jake's feed truck and apparently she bailed when he wasn't looking and had pulled up to get fuel. DH said he had noticed a chicken on Jake's truck before when he was over at North Camp and Jake just shooed her off. She must have hidden herself between

the feeder and the truck this time:

 I can just picture that chicken hunkered down next to the feeder in a flatbed pickup, flying down the highway.

I called Kassie before work on Monday and told her that her chicken might want to come home. She didn't take too kindly to being cooped up at night  When I let the girls out in the morning, she could not find her way out of the enclosed yard. She just did not know what to do with a fence in her way. There are only 9 chickens in this photo because Carol was in her nesting box, doing her job, but you can see Kassie's chicken peering through the fence:

It made me laugh, but she is gentle and I just walked up to her and set her in the doorway and she made a beeline for the horse pens. My chickens didn't want anything to do with her and the feeling seemed to be mutual. I saw one of my girls peck at the newcomer. Shame on her. That's no way to welcome a visitor.

So Kassie came over and when she stepped out of the truck, that little chicken ran to her and she scooped her up, set her in her lap, and home they went. I could just see that chicken thinking, "Mama, Mama, Mama!!" when she was running to her. LOL

And when she got home, I'm sure she had quite the tale of adventure to share with her circle of feathered friends who had all been wondering where she'd been hiding.

The boys think we are much too easily entertained by our chickens, but I think this may have the makings of a children's book...who among you can draw a chicken? :)

Summer House Quilt

I've got another finish to share with y'all today. In my never-ending quest to use some of the pre-cuts I have collected, this quilt pattern came to my attention.  

This was a fun, fast, quilt to make - its a Moda Bakeshop pattern  that uses a layer cake and you can find it here. I found these Summer House Layer Cakes on sale a few years ago and  I couldn't resist. The colors are so vibrant and fresh and they just bring a smile to my face.

                                                       

I backed it with this blue print and this pink dot for the binding, both from my stash:

                                                   

This makes a 58" x 58" quilt which is perfect for a nice sized baby quilt or a lap quilt.

                                                       

I always tell Jackie to just quilt whatever she is inspired to quilt and she always chooses the perfect design:

                            
I took this in to show the gals at the sale barn - 3 of them are quilters and we always bring our projects in to share - and they are all making quilts using this pattern.

It doesn't look much like summer around here at the moment - no lush green anything for a pretty backdrop, with the exception of that lilac bush that is on the verge of blooming, but a finish is worth blogging about and I have one less UFO on my list. :)

Why I Need 6 Feet

This blogging medium has introduced me to some amazing people...kind, generous, thoughtful, inspiring, talented people. People who live far, far away. People with whom I know I would love to share a good visit over a glass of iced tea and a piece of pie. One of those people is Nancy, who blogs over at Wyoming Breezes. She makes beautiful quilts for QOV,  knits the prettiest socks, and shares the most interesting photos of her world travels. Honestly, girl, I would love to hear your story. I think people live fascinating lives.

A while back, when I picked up my mountain of fabric, I was thinking of Nancy. The prices were just too good not to share and I thought she might be able to use some for backings for QOV. We visited over the phone and after texting back and forth, I sent her some fabric.

I didn't expect anything in return, but Nancy, being one of those amazing, kind, generous, thoughtful, talented, inspiring people I mentioned above, sent me something absolutely wonderful! She sent me not one:

 not two:

but THREE pair of her incredible wool socks:

 

Thank you does not convey how over the moon I am about these socks, Nancy! You have spoiled me and I am overwhelmed and grateful! Not to mention that I am now more determined than ever to learn to knit socks.

I don't care that I live in the desert SW and that its going to be 85° today. I am not waiting for winter to wear these. DH laughed at me the other day when he walked past the bedroom and saw me contemplating the top of the dresser.
"What are you DOING?", he asked.
My reply?
"I can't decide which pair to wear first."
Yes, 6 feet would be mighty handy right about now.

On the Road Again

Don't even come near me with a truck key right now. Last week was a good week, but I logged in many a mile...TOO many...x100.

Saturday we had a special bull sale so I worked and  Monday was a regular sale day so my week began with 2 trips into town.

On Tuesday we packed up and headed 3 hours north for our annual Angus bull sale:

On Wednesday we were in the feed truck all day.

Thursday DH flew to Dallas and we left the house just after 5 to take him to the airport.

Friday our girl and I made an impromptu trip 4 hours south to visit with some professors about their ruminant nutrition program. We left in the dark and we came home in the dark:

Sunday, DH and I drove to my in-laws...2 hours there, 2 hours back

And yesterday, I was back in town for work at the Sale Barn.

If you ask me to go somewhere and I growl at you, I apologize.

I am done.
Finito.
No mas.

With one exception:  if this fella is the one doing the asking, I'm loading up!