Ticking Biological Clock - Chicken Edition

I was very concerned about Chicka as she hasn't been herself lately.  Usually, she and Boom Boom follow each other around the yard all day long unless one of them is laying an egg. But for the past few days, she sat in the coop all day. I thought she might be ill, but it turns out she's got all the signs of a broody hen!  Puffy feathers, not eating or drinking, hissing at us like we just grabbed the last size 4 at the Filene's Wedding Dress sale.  I guess humans aren't the only ones with maternal instincts.  I feel a little badly for her.  Apparently, this can last a few weeks or longer! We don't have a rooster to fertilize her eggs, so ain't no chicks be coming. How apropos - She's like the  human counterpart of a single female in her 40s living in Silicon Valley.

If I could convey some advice to her, I'd tell her that kids are overrated.  Sure, they are adorable about 59% of the time.  And I'd throw myself in front of a bus to save them (Ok, one of them. Iffy on the other one)  But they are life suckers.  Think of  the vacations you can take with all that extra money.  Or how clean your house can be.  Or how you can eat out, every night. And wake up, any time!  Why would you trade all that for rugrats that leave Legos out for you to trip on?

We felt sorry for her so we brought her inside for the night.

Not sure I am helping the cause by putting fake eggs in the box. She just looked so lonely and pathetic.

                        Rugrat being adorable         ^^^

The Girls Are Settling In Nicely

They pretty much like to drink from everything but their water bowl.

Chicka is a big gal and can't balance as well.  So she spends a lot of time on the ground 

watching Boomey's mischief.

We continue to get lots of eggs.

The doggie seems to like chicken feed too.

Chicka, the quintessential big, fat hen!

+/- Windy Nights on the Beach

Minus:

Reeeally hard to get a fire going.  We had to improvise with using a bucket as a wind shield.  

Plus:  

You get the beach all to yourself!

Success just in time, because the bucket was starting to melt.

Never realized an end of a burnt firewood resembled the design on sand dollar so much.

#BeautyInNatureWhenYouPayAttention

And of course, kids + beach no matter what the temperature. #SpringBreakRules

PS: The husband and I are having a debate on who started the fire on this windy day.  He said he's glad I "utilized" his method.  I asked him if he knew the name of the person who developed the telephone. The answer is "no"  because all that matters is the person who brought it to market : Alexander Bell. That's right boys and girls, the only thing that matters is execution and first to market.  Mark Zuckerburg > Winklevoss Twins.

Time To Get Everyone Acquainted

On the third day, we decided it was time for all the kids to get acquainted.  We figured it was better to bite the bullet early on and deal with the discord now.  Rather  than lure the chickens into a false sense of sovereign.

We gingerly dropped Cosmo into the run. Chika was definitely more nervous of the two.  

Boom Boom got right in there.

Pretty soon everyone went about doing their own business.

Then came the human kid introduction. 

Next step: Free Range.  

 Cosmo's thought bubble: This ass does not smell like a dog.

Chickens: "Damn....this whole yard is ours?"

 See what I mean about Boom Boom being the more aggressive one?

What I've learned today is chickens are very methodical.  I sat out there for most of the day in part out of curiosity and in part out of fear for their safety. Our yard is a rectangle and they started to peck in one corner of the dirt border and made their way all around the perimeter by the end of the day.  Except for a minor foray when they were first let loose out of their run. They did not zig zag or get distracted in any fashion.  They stuck to a pattern of pecking at every square inch of the border like two hands of a clock and made a full "circle" by the end of the day. At 7:26PM, Boom Boom stood for a few minutes on our deck (the 12:00 position if you will) then proceeded to go into the coop on her own and found her way to the upstairs nesting box.  Chicka?  Well, that is another story and one that I don't have time to report right now because it's Sangria time.

Urban Farming

Cooked breakfast with our first eggs and used spinach from the veggie garden.  

Feeling industrious and ready for The Hunger Games.

For the record, I didn't taste a major difference between these and store bought eggs.  

Chicka escaped the coop and got some Free Ranging time.  Hopefully, we will feel comfortable soon about letting them roam all day.  At this point, I am not confident they won't be easily spooked and fly away.  

Our Chickens Arrived Today

Meet Chicka and Boom Boom.  

Chicka is a Buff Orpington and Boom Boom, on the right, is an Ameraucana)

 I selected these breeds based on temperament and looks.  The Orpington has been described as the Scarlett Johannson of hens. I guess because they're  knock outs. And I'll have to agree!  Although if you ask me, Boom Boom is much more distinguished and exotic looking. And she lays blue eggs.  I think they are both gorgeous. 

When we opened the box upon arriving home, there was an egg waiting for us!

They were very nervous the first few hours.  We tried holding them and  enticing them with "Scratch" - which is akin to potato chips to humans - but they were not having it!  At one point Boom Boom got loose and it took my husband 15 mins to corral her.  I wish it were easier to upload videos because I got scolded to put the camera down and help.

They clucked quite a bit when the doggie came around.  Otherwise, they were pretty quiet.

  I was proud he didn't growl or bark at them.

It took a little over an hour for them to figure out the water system.  I chose the Brite Tap system instead of a traditional water dish because it's so much more sanitary.  With a water trough, all sorts of debris can get into the dish and the chickens can knock it over easily. I also like that there is no need to change it daily. The cooler holds plenty of water for at least 4-5 days.

By the end of the day, they were eating out of my hand.

I thought they slept standing on a roosting stick, but when I peeked in their coop before heading to bed, they were cuddled up in the same nesting box. It looks as though Chicka got in first,  then Boom Boom boxed her in. I can already tell that Boom Boom is the more aggressive of the two, even though she is smaller. They are so cute!

City Girl Camping Becomes City Girl Farming!

At least for the time being....

Since I don't have a Burning Man project to work on this year, I thought I would try farming.  First up is putting together a little coop for our new chickens scheduled to arrive at the end of the month.

Check out their super cute new home!

I can't take all the credit though, my wonderful husband put it together for me.  I did however, paint it!  Normally, he is not keen on chores but I have discovered a magical period known as The Dark Time.  It is the weeks after the Super Bowl and before Basketball Season begins when not much happens in the sports world.  Yes ladies, mark this window of opportunity in your calendar and strategically present your Honey Do list.

I recently discovered Milk Paint.  It is VOC free and non toxic.  Best of all, it covers in one coat, dries in 30 minutes and is matte.  One added advantage is that it comes in powder form, and you mix as much as you need without wasting.  The manufacturing method dates back to Colonial Times.  Don't forget to check back in April when our pullets arrive.

Happy House of Cards Day!

We do not celebrate fake Hallmark Holidays AKA Valentine's Day in this household.  But this year Netflix is releasing Season 2 of House of Cards today!!!!  Finally, a valid reason to make a fancy dinner.

Tonight's feast include Crab Risotto and a heart shaped Creme Brulee.  Let the binge streaming commence!

Holy shit, Episode 1 - right out the gate.  Did that really happen?!?

Have to Show Off The Sign I Made

While the East Coast is having a Polar Vortex, California is unseasonably warm.  Perfect for  a backyard movie party.

I wanted a cool movie marquee but individual lighted letters are expensive at $100 each.  Spelling out MOVIE would've blown through my budget for the entire party.  So I set out to make my own out of foam core.  Got as far as the arrow, which took 80 mins (not including drying time in between each coat of paint)  Cutting out the shape was laborious but bearable. It was the holes for the bulbs that killed me.  So I scrapped the individual letter idea and went with a rectangle sign with MOVIE printed in red.  The end result turned out quite nice for the total time spent.  I hope the nice weather holds up through the weekend.  

Throw your own BackYard Movie Party by asking guests to bring a folding chair and blanket.  Rent a popcorn machine, put out hot dogs, nachos, candy and you're good to go!  We already had a projector but you can rent a complete Outdoor Movie  kit at any AV rental place.

VW Camper, more than just for camping

What to do with kids over Winter Break if you're not a skier.  When the days are short and the nights are l o n g.  There are only so many hours I can play Mario Kart.  And can I ask - when do you start to lose your ability to be good at video games as an adult? I could've sworn I was decent at Double Dash.  But now I can't beat a six year old to save my life.

If you want to take a break from video games, get in your van or SUV and find a drive in.  I prefer parking backwards and leaving the rear hatch open.

That's City Camper Boy's head peaking out of "Frosty." 

Mr. City Camper and I were toasty in our red sleeping bag.

The best part about a Drive In is you can bring all the snacks you want! A bucket of  chicken and biscuits from KFC and a bag of Pirate Booty and you're good to go. 

Happy New Year!

Last sunset of 2013

A few years ago my mother in law took the entire family to Kauai. We had brunch on New Year's Day at the St. Regis Princeville over looking the ocean. I want to say it was Hanalei Beach. Ever since then, I resolved to start the new year on the beach.  I have not been successful until this year. We went camping on Dec 31st. And woke up to this:

View from van window.