R.I.P. Heneral Lee

In memory of Heneral Lee, a real sweetheart of a chicken.  She was killed by a hawk today, but at least she ate tons of tomatoes and strawberries all summer long.  She ran to me every time she saw me and we'd coo back and forth to each other.  Love that big Brahma Mama!

Turkey the Chicken

Here is what I wrote for this weeks CSA newsletter.

Turkey the Chicken

As soon as I arrived at the Wormfarm I was confused about my existence.  Farmer Kim said my name was to be Turkey but I was almost positive I was a chicken.  It was a cold, rainy May day when I was placed in my new coop.  I was to stay in the small area dedicated to the baby chicks with heat lamps, food and water.  But I was no longer a chick.  I was 1 month old and a giant compared to the others.  So I made sure to stomp on the babies’ heads as much as possible to put them in their place.

After my first few weeks at the Wormfarm, Kim picked me up against my will and took me outside for the very first time.  I was “a big girl now,” Kim said.  I was amazed by the wonder of the world around me.  The tall greens that surrounded me were edible and tasty and there were tiny bugs for me to search and devour with a gulp.  I would watch the older chickens with amazement, exploring so far from the coop that they looked like specks in the distance.  I could go wherever I chose.

As I got older my legs turned a deep golden yellow and little white feathers were growing on them.  I now had black feathers around my neck and the ones that were white started to change to blonde.  My black tail feathers shimmered green in the sunlight.  My ruby comb was growing.  I was a beautiful Brahma according to Kim.  She called me, “Turkey Girl.”

I recently turned 6 months old.  I was perched on a tree stump when Kim was walking by.  I suddenly had the urge to crow for the first time.  I wanted to crow like the older rooster but my voice cracked and it was an awkward, screechy “cock-a-doodle-doo.”  Kim stopped cold in her tracks.  She turned and looked me in the eyes and said “Turkey Girl…You’re a Turkey Boy?” 

Feathery Bums in the Sun

Page 7 of my 18 x 24 inch fabric book titled Farmer Kim and The Feathery Ladies is complete!  

I recently remembered that my interest in sewing started with my Aunt Mary.  When I was 9 she sewed sleeping bags for my beenie babies and gave me the left over fabric.  I thought I'd dedicate this piece to her by using all the different patterned fabrics she gave me 15 years ago.  I know she'd have liked my chicken book!

One of the little peepers is always on her own.  The other three stick together like glue.

Turkey is never allowed to eat without being bitten by the grown chickens.  She always hesitates and she is extremely skittish due to the many bites she receives throughout the day...but little do they know that she is a brahma and she will be 2 1/2 times the size of them all and she will stomp on all of them soon enough.  Go Turkey, Go! or more like Grow Turkey, Grow!

The Ladies Burst Through the Door

Page 6 of my 18 x 24 inch fabric book titled Farmer Kim and The Feathery Ladies is complete!

Heneral Lee, also known as Brahma Mama.  Her and Relish (the black one) are the gentlest ladies.  They aren't (too) pushy and they don't bite others (most of the time).  

Basil, Squash, Dandelion Wine, Chicks, Morels, Crookshanks

Last Friday I transplanted Basil into the ground.

Mmmmm.  3 rows, staggered, I believe 6-8 inches apart.

I also transplanted the super delicate squash plants.  They do not like their roots disturbed so I had to be very careful pulling them out of their trays.  They were planted 2 feet apart.

I made a batch of dandelion wine.  They have to sit like this in a dark, cool place for 3 weeks.  Then I put the caps on and let it sit for 6 months.  Lets hope it works out.  The balloons have tiny holes in them so they won't explode!

Andrea brought 4 baby chicks to the farm and a month old Brahma chicken (the dino looking creature).  There are two Buff Orpingtons (that is what Honey is!) and two Ameraucanas.  The Ameraucanas will lay green eggs.  I can't wait to watch them grow into beautiful ladies!

Yesterday I thought there had been enough rain and that maybe I would find some morels.  Success!  It was like easter egg hunting for adults.  I found one and then there were about 15 more nearby.

I soaked them in water to get rid of any bugs.  I'm going to make a morel sauce to share with my Grandma!

Crookshanks wants in my studio.