New Girls

Sadly we suffered a fox attack the other week. I was woken by the cries of the girls and rushed out in time to save 3 of the 7 hens. We were most upset by the attack, but I do not blame the fox at all. It was doing what comes naturally. I do find it very upsetting that they kill so everything and then leave. at least if they took one and left the others they'd be getting a feed and not killing needlessly.

It was a good excuse to get the long-desired 'pretty chickens', so here they are! A Light Sussex, Blue Maran and a Black Star. 

Springing out of the box

Chicken Child is thrilled with the new additions and their arrival has re-kindled his love of chickens. Although he hasn't noticed the dwindling brown hen numbers.

Exploring the garden

They're 'point of lay' but we will need to wait some weeks before we get any eggs. The old girls had continued to lay in the week following the trauma and the following week after the new girls came, but have not layed for about 5 days now! I do hope they  all pick up and carry on as I used the last of the eggs for pancakes!

Chicken Child loves pancakes!

Snow!

Having spent the day in the garden, with glorious sunshine and no need for a coat, it's hard to believe that we had snow 2 weeks ago.

The den in the 'Secret Garden'

The chickens didn't fancy the snow much and I had to put their food and water in the house!

Here is Chicken Child's house in the snow

It was lovely, but I'm glad it's gone and Spring seems to be well on it's way.

Unexpected Day Off

We had a day off the other week. It was lovely! As a childminder I get to spend every day with my son, but to spend a day, just the two of us, is wonderful. They are few and far between and will become fewer once the new baby comes. 

We went to Sherborne as we do every week, for story time at the library. Afterwards we popped to the gorgeous haberdashery Butterfly Bright. Chicken Child enjoys browsing the fabric stores and looking at the buttons and ribbons, as do I! We chose a few fabrics to make some trousers from.

We strolled up to the walled gardens on Newland. It's a great spot, quiet and calm. We've had the odd spontaneous picnic there and we cannot walk past the gates without Chicken Child asking to go in.

Here he is running around the maze path.

 

 Sculptures in the gardens

 

Bricks

We've made some fantastic Duplo constructions lately. Here is Chicken Child's guitar.

And horse

 

Pizza Bites

Lots to wrte about! So I'll start at the beginning.

A few weeks ago we made pizza bites inspired by this recipe. 

We made them individually using a cupcake tin to cook them in, this helped as we had a few different fillings that one of the children would not eat.

 Here Chicken Child is attempting to pinch one before they were even cooked!

The finished article! Some leaked when they were cooked, but they tasted fantastic and we have made them a few times since.