Eggy update

Thought I'd bring you up to speed Lilith the Goth Muscovy duck is hopefully broody enough to sit on the Shetland duck eggs in a separate wee house, they're unerher now, so keeping fingers crossed for that, will see how it goe. I candled the Dumpy eggs again tonight and removed two - totally empty inside, so assume infertile. A third one is very different to the others, am thinking it might be 'dead in shell' but have left it in there for now. The remaining nine look exactly as they should do at this time, and are due to hatch over the next 2 -3 days I hope. The Dumpy does carry the fatal gene, though, risking loss of 25% of hatching chicks, so literally not counting my chickens. Will be thrilled to bits with any successful hatching they all manage. The incubator is off its cradle now and the bars out, all ready , the brooder is on standby too. This is how the 9 look tonight :)  (pic from http://www.nzfarmstays.com/candle.html)

Sorted

- well almost!  Spent yesterday afternoon out in the tent sorting out all my craft stuff, re-packing it in a more logical ( yes, me lol) way, and stowing it away in the cabin. The tent ahs been in situ for 3 years or so now and the cover is beginning to show wear and tear. Stuff was cleaned and dusted off, shifted into and out of various boxes, amid lots of 'OOooohh I'd forgotten I had that!' s  lol I seriously have enough stuff to start a shope I reckon. Rug loom was cleaned and hauled up there too, along with 5 other looms of  varying sizes (plus the two I have indoors here); I have more fleeces than you could shake a shepherd's crook at - various tyes, all usable and good to go when I'm ready; also many smaller bags of fleece and other fibres, waiting to meet the spinning wheel some time soon. I'm off on hols for 2 weeks at the end of this week ( more anon), so will be taking my wheel with me and hope to make some sort of woolly dent in it all!  I also found two big boxes of fabric for patchwork/quilting, and various other supplies - many water colour paints,  my acrylics, pencils, chalks and pastels; lino cutting equipment, lucet and spindle; dozens and dozens of balls of wool of all sorts of persuasions,piles of knitting patterns...............  you name it, I think it's in there! Very pleased with what was achieved (got help with carrying and lifting heavy stuff, so was able to continue longer than I would have done otherwise), and I know what;s what and what's where, now. Well, that's the theory, but finding stuff again is always a thrill, and I find it inspiring to get on and try new things and projects. Mind you, you can no longer get in the cabin............... again, more on that anon

Saturday in six.............

Sunshine Friends Laughter Tea Cake Knitting

To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring these are some of the rewards of the simple life. ~ John Burroughs, Naturalist (1837-1921) ~

Ripple coffee cosy

Variation on a theme :)

I've got......................

............ SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!  It's a beautiful morning out there at last. The first of the buddleias is out, and is covered with honey bees - lovely to watch. Hope to get some fruit picked later and to sit out in the sun, for half an hour with a cup of tea, got to make the most of it! Tidying and dishes can wait I think :) To add to the general happier feeling, I started a bit of colourful crochet last night

Doing my bit for rare breeds............

I love rare breeds, as you probably realised, and have always wanted to do my bit to help keep them going to the best of my ability. Sheep and cattle are a longer term dream, but as with most things, there is always something you can do in the meantime. To this end, this week I have a dozen Scots Dumpy chicken eggs in the incubator, half a dozen Shetland duck eggs on their way to my broody hen and have just taken delivery of three beautiful large Castlemilk Moorit fleeces. I have heritage  and rare seeds in my seed box, and several rare and unusual trees and plants in the garden, along with Dorkings in the chicken run.
A very happy MrsL :)