Chicken Cart

Seriously?

This was my cart at Value Village.

Not a lot of words needed for this post...

Rabbits Hate Hutches!

     We have had rabbits for six years. I always felt badly that they were in hutches with no room to run or dig. When I talked to the experts in the area I was surprised to find out that they felt it was just fine. To me it seemed cruel, but what other option did I have? I bought a little fence and let them hop around in, but that only seemed to happen in the summer. Also, they would dig under the fence and get out so I couldn't leave them there very long. They LOVE to dig. It is their favorite thing to do. Also, they are social creatures. They need companionship! Look at rabbits in the wild. Do they live alone at the far end of a field? No, they live in large groups. They love to burrow underground with each other. It's what rabbits DO. Besides, the novelty always wears off, and they sit neglected. Instead of feeling guilty and giving your rabbit away, just let them entertain themselves on their own! They are good at it.


     So, if they love to dig and it is what they were created to do...why do people keep them on wire their whole lives? It is mental cruelty to force these sweet creatures to just sit there 24/7. I asked someone give me an estimate on building a habitat. He told me for $2,000 he could build a nice enclosure. Well, with five kids and braces, college, and shoes to pay for, it wasn't at the top of the priority list. That is why I was SO HAPPY when Scott's parents told me they wanted to build a habitat for the rabbits. They got a lot of the materials from the Re-Store.

      We have two does and one buck. Starbuck is a Jersey Wooley and the other two are Lion Heads. We didn't want baby bunnies so we had Starbuck neutered. Now, all three live together in their new home. They have their hutches there in case they want to be inside but I rarely see them in there. They promptly went underground.

        They love their underground  little tunnels. Digging, scratching to their hearts content. This is what they do all day. Look how busy they like to be! I am sure they have big plans to dig for miles, but we have chicken wire under the dirt to keep them safely inside.

     Rabbits can't talk, so how are they supposed to tell you they hate their hutch? Take my word for it...they do. They might be sitting there, looking content. Really they are just bored.

     I know not everyone has the room for a full on habitat. So I looked into some backyard options that would work. In the UK they love their rabbits. They are their third most popular pet. I found an article that shows a good way for the rabbit to have the shelter from shade, grass to eat, and room to hop around. It involves connecting a tube from the hutch to a play yard with wire underneath.

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pdfs/AHUTCHISNOTENOUGH-makeitrightfinal.pdf

    I think it's worth the little effort it takes to give your rabbit a nicer, more enjoyable life. Allowing them to follow the instincts God gave them. Just sayin.....

Chinese New Year Parade

    The kids were not overly excited about going to a parade today.  Lately, the parades we have been to have not been great. Instead of decorated floats and candy being thrown, they are now full of cars with  magnetic signs and fliers handed out to solicit business. Maybe people are too busy these days to put any effort into parades, or maybe they are strapped because of the economy. All I know, is after the 4th of July parade I promised everyone we would not go again. But I really wanted to go to this parade.  I told my family I had a feeling it would be worth it. Scott was game and even seemed excited! We woke up to rain and clouds, but we bundled everyone up and went anyway.

     We parked in a really tall parkade. The kids were so amazed by just that, we could have gone home and they would have had a good day. We found seats easily and waited for the parade to begin. It started raining and the kids started to fuss but I reminded them, "You are not made of sugar!" (Thank you Shelly Button for that. It has come in handy many times.)

      It was really fun. The parade began with a man throwing firecrackers, and the dragon was behind him. The drums were constant and everyone was so upbeat. It was kinda thrilling! Then swarms of people started handing out red envelopes with candy and money inside. It was brilliant, actually. Instead of one person from each float doing it, hundreds of people handed them out in the very beginning. There were a few politicians and a few news anchors but none of them were in cars. They all walked. Even the Princesses in their 5 inch heels! I was impressed.

          I wasn't prepared for how much I would love the Lion Dancers. They were amazing! Their movements were so unpredictable and they moved so quickly. It was a real crowd pleaser. Most people tried to touch the lions because they felt it would bring them good luck for the coming year. I felt a little afraid of them!

The lion dance is rich in tradition and history. It is a combination of dance and martial arts and is accompanied by vigorous drumming and loud cymbals. It is thought that the lion wards of evil spirits and brings luck and safety for the new year. The colors and the patterns on each lion depicts a certain aspect of the Chinese culture. During Chinese New Year the lions  visit cities as a part of the traditional custom called, "Cai Ching." which means, "plucking the greens." We noticed there was a head of lettuce suspended from each doorway in China Town. We didn't know what it was for until after the parade. The lions proceeded to each business and approached the lettuce much like a cat plays with a mouse. There was a lot of fanfare and dancing. The lion ate the lettuce in grand style, and in return got to keep the money that was tucked inside the head of lettuce. It was so interesting watching the crowds of people follow the lions around and jump out of the way of the firecrackers as they were thrown near the lion's feet.

     I was proud being there, with my daughter. I looked at her little face that resembled so many other faces around us and felt a little pang of envy. How wonderful to be part of such a rich and beautiful culture! She looked so cute sitting there with her Daddy waving to the lions and dragons.
I think Autumn must have been feeling the same way as me because at one point she turned her face up to me and asked, "What is our culture?" It seems like a simple enough question, right? But it's not easy to answer because I don't fully know. As Americans we have so many roots it's hard to identify the tree. I think Americans have a bit of an identity crisis. I hear my friends often say, "We are German, Norwegian and Native American." Or, "We are Dutch, four generations removed from Holland." Or, "We are Italian." (And they have blonde hair and blue eyes.)  My little speech is, "We are Scottish on pretty much every side, so when you add it all up we are pretty much 100%." I am not saying it's bad to be just plain old American, but I would LOVE to have a culture to relate to. With music, food, and traditions. Today, I had a wonderful time...but it left me feeling a little lost. I guess I can't really explain it very well. But when this lion came up to Havensong and nuzzled her little face, I got choked up.

    
     I'd say the kids liked lunch as much as the parade. We went into New Town Bakery and Restaurant and ate prawn tarts and steamed buns. It was SO GOOD! We saw everyone eating them and when we finally found the restaurant we had to fight the masses in order to get some. We stood in the middle of the street and eating them, the warm bread thawing out our hands. We are for sure going back to that spot. It will be a family favorite from now on. The menu was very extensive with most things $1.50 each.



     It was a good day. Havensong enjoyed all the sights and sounds. Below is a video of the Lion playing with her. She was pretty tired by this time and wasn't really in the mood, but it was so cute.

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!

Mobile Blogging?

I am sitting here looking at my phone and wondering if I can really blog from it. So I'm trying it out. And if I can add pictures too then I'll be thrilled! I know, mobile blogging isn't new. I am usually a few steps behind.
Ok, I just took a picture so lets see if it works! Fun! Blogging on the go!

Vintage Valentine

    I have never been one to decorate my house all up for each holiday. I have always wanted to, but have resisted having extra clutter everywhere. I feel like the non seasonal clutter fights me enough. But I always thought our kids would enjoy it if I would hang some hearts up, or paint a shamrock on something. So, I have decided to decorate my mudroom for each holiday and forget the rest of the house. It's just too much. I will just make that one room really festive and cute. This is the first room my company sees. Maybe it will spark a little joy in them before they proceed to the rest of my house. The part where clutter and toys and books are the decor.

     I didn't have any Valentine's Day decorations and I didn't want to spend a lot on getting some. I decided to go to the thrift store with $30.00 and see what I could find. I found a LOT. Most things were no more than $2.00.

         From petal hats to cupid mirrors to embroidery...I raked it in. My cart was bursting with pink and red. And it was all so authentic and lovely. Not plastic and flimsy. Autumn was a little appalled over the golden cupid mirrors, but I knew it would look great. Besides, I had to fight an elderly lady for them, so I was going to hang them up.

I think it turned out really cute. The kids had fun helping decorate so it made it even more worth the effort. My friend Chris always makes her house cozy and cute for each season. I think I was a little inspired by her. She finds the most whimsical and fun items to make things festive. I can see why she enjoys it so much! It's a great way to bring happiness to others.

I mean really...how could you NOT smile at those chubby, gold little guys holding hearts?!

Chicken Blues

  

 Who would have thought it would be so difficult keeping chickens?

This is where I am at:

1. We have lost over 30 birds to what has been confirmed as Marek's virus.
2. They were supposed to have been vaccinated so why did they ALL get it?
3. The vaccine does not give full immunity and there are many strains.
4.. The virus lives for years in the soil so all new birds are at risk.
5. Young birds are especially at risk.
6. But we brought in older birds and they also died.
7. I now have to decide how to best start this all over again.
8. I am ready to bang my head against a brick wall.
9. Maybe goats could be fun.
10. I know very little.

     Ok, so I was all excited to bring in baby chicks from a hatchery. I had planned on keeping them in a brood box until they were older and then would put them in the hen house. But what if I went through all that and they still got sick? I read lots of books...no answer. I talked to the poultry vet at the Dept. of Agriculture and he said I needed laying hens to be safe. He said if I vaccinate the babies a second time the vaccine will not match the first one and will do no good. SO......I called the hatchery to order pullets and they said for 15 hens it would cost me $450.00!!! Well that was not going to work because....WHAT IF THEY JUST UP AND DIED????!!!!

     My mom's boyfriend knows the chicken caretaker at a huge local chicken farm which shall remain nameless. He told me he could get me some adult hens for FIVE BUCKS each. He said he would have to go with me though, because the caretaker did not speak English and I would need an interpreter. Also, it was under the table so I was told to keep it hush hush. Really? Do any of you have to go through this in order to get chickens? Undercover hens sold at midnight by a caretaker wearing a mask? I am at the end of the line though, and so I told him I was in and to please set up a meeting time.

    But I wanted a few more opinions on this decision so I literally googled,

"VETS THAT KNOW A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT CHICKENS."

I came up with a Dr. Bruce in Bellevue who had been in the newspaper because of his amazing wisdom in regard to poultry. I called his office and told the secretary my sob story. I asked if he would do a phone consultation. She said he would call me back the next day. And he DID. He said it confused him as to why all of my chickens died and I told him welcome to my world. I explained we babied our hens and gave them back rubs and little vitamins but they still kicked the bucket. I told him I have searched high and low for people selling chickens but nobody wants to part with them. (Or they are afraid to give them to me.) He agreed it is hard to find laying hens because who wants to part with them after putting that much time and money into them to get them to the egg stage? He then asked me how many I was looking for. I told him around 15. He said,

     "Well....you are in luck because I am selling 15 chickens who are just getting ready to start laying. You can have them for $8.00 each. They were vaccinated twice and are really healthy."

     I happened to be talking to the vet in the car while Scott was driving. I was smacking his arm and mouthing the word, "JACKPOT."

     This weekend we will go get the chickens. I am a little sad to not have the chance to give some older hens a nice home after living in a factory, but if these chickens live then maybe we can add some of them in. If these chickens die, I guess I am going to have to give up. My neighbor said I could use a small part of her field to house a few chickens. I may end up taking her up on it. She lives right across the road, so I don't see why hers live and mine don't. Such a mystery. It was nice of her to offer though. We will just have to see how it goes.

I just don't think it should be this hard. Dr. Bruce said he has never seen a whole flock die from Marek's. And why did they go one at a time a month apart? We have had the well and soil tested. They died while in their fenced area and while free ranging.  Maybe it's the linoleum in the hen house?

Portlandia Chicken Clip. HAHAHA!

     I think the reason we laugh at  things is because we can relate to them. When I saw this clip it felt so familiar...In fact, Scott told me to brace myself before he showed me because he knew I would howl. I can't tell you how many times Scott has slunk down in his chair while listening to me order. The waiter is way more grilled than the food when I am at a restaurant. I want to make sure the fish is wild, not farmed. I need the water to be filtered and have no fluoride added. I want the beef to be free range and the eggs to have been hatched by chickens who run free. I try to  be balanced about it, but since I live in the Pacific Northwest, I find most people are fine with my requests because they are so used to it.

     A few years ago we took an RV trip around Texas for Logos Bible Software. It was so much fun traveling to a new city each day and experiencing their local fare. But when I would ask those questions, the waiters would either laugh in my face, or they would stare blankly. I was in BEEF country and I wanted to know if the cows were emotionally stable? I tend to forget we live in a unique pocket of the world where organic, free range and buying local are everyday concepts. Where it's cool to be earthy, and care about where our meat was raised and if it had a happy life. I am not saying other places don't have those kinds of people, it's just that it is the norm here. And when I travel away from home, I feel sometimes like an alien.
A tree hugging, certified organic, webbed footed, non-creased clothing, alien.

(And I am mild compared to some of my friends. And I do say that out of envy, not disdain. I am too unorganized to be totally green.)

I was shopping in the Co-Op recently next to a guy who was barefoot and had horns. We chatted about fish oil and he told me I had too many kids. I told him you could give each person on the planet 1/4 acre in Texas and to pipe down. Eccentric is mainstream here. If you want to really stand out in Whatcom County, then refuse to recycle, iron your clothing,  and eat hot pockets.

This clip is hilarious...it's set in Portland but these guys could easily be "Hamsters."