The Banties

Chickens, chickens everywhere!  These are Bantie chickens which are small chickens.  There are lots of different kinds - these are brahmas.  We got them from Mr. Bechtel's cousin in Nevada and they rode home with us in the Suburban.  6 chickens and 8 people.  It actually wasn't too bad.  The birds were very quiet in the back.  I think they thought life was coming to an end.  But then they were delighted when we finally turned them loose in their new home.  We think they are beautiful!

The brown ones are buff brahmas and we think the white ones are silver brahmas.  The rooster is a hoot.  And so far, pretty mellow, which is good because I am still sad that Barney our old rooster is gone.  I'm especially sad since it's my fault because I'm am scared to death of attacking roosters with flying feathers.  If I could have been nonchalant about that then he could still be living - probably fighting with Orville.  I am still not an expert at this chicken thing.  I'm going to improve.

And the banties make the most adorable little hidden nests.  This one was behind a bale of hay.  I hope they go broodie soon and hatch out some cute, tiny chicks.  Banties are good little mothers.  

Dad is Great

After Mr. Bechtel brought home chocolate cake and chickens from Clark and Lillie's house this week, some one remembered the old Bill Cosby talk on fathers and chocolate cake and so we've had all sorts of "variations on a theme".

Dad is GREAT he gives us chocolate CAKE!

Dad is GREAT he is no reprobate.

Dad is GREAT he bring chickens home in a crate.

Dad is GREAT his sister married Nate.

Dad is GREAT he makes his students late.

Dad is GREAT he looks like Professor Fate!

The King is Dead! Long Live the King!

In Memoriam:  Barney, our rooster, who was extremely handsome, but became a tyrant and an attacker.  May he rest in peace.

Introducing Orville, from my brother Clark's flock in Utah.  Unfortunately, now that he is the head rooster, he too, will probably become a tyrant and an attacker.  For now though, we're keeping our fingers crossed.  He is used to being free range, as in F R E E------ range.  So he and his lovely accomplice have already escaped once.  They also think it's freezing here in the northern lands.... which it is. 

And here's Brunhilda.  She also arrived with Orville yesterday.  The current hens don't like her much yet, but they leave her alone, because she is the rooster's favorite.  

"Oh, Brunhilda, you're so wuvely!"

"Yes, I know it, I can't help it!"

"Oh, Brunhilda, Be my WUV!"

House Update #2

After much delay, the final pictures of the fixer up house are ready for display.

First (and most importantly) the weird skeletons have disappeared under these white rectangles of sticky stuff.  I'm so relieved that they left one odd sticker to remind us all of old times.

The new tiled shower, new window, and new tiled floor.  The change in this room is so astronomical it can only be described in terms of light years.  Like it used to be Pluto and now we're at Earth or something.  

The kitchen is my favorite.  Note the new dishwasher.  Ahhh... And the neato curvy faucet.  I like the faucet. 

 
And the other side of the kitchen.  I was nervous about the cabinets because we only replaced the bottom ones and just re-painted the top ones and put new hardware on them.  It looks cute though, and the counter top color selection was a bit of luck, I think.  Mom and I looked at every color sample at both Lowe's and Home Depot and chose "sand pebble" and it was worth fighting for.  It "completes the room nicely."

Many thanks to the general contractor, GTR.

The weather in Idaho is lovely, would you like to rent it?

The end.

Life Guard

The big news this week is that Braeburn passed his last swimming test and is now an official, Red Cross certified, LIFE GUARD.

He and a buddy took the class together at our local aquatic center.

He was already a BSA lifeguard from working waterfront last year on staff at scout camp and now he can add the official certification.  Nice Job!

Family Home Storage

People seem to be talking about it everywhere.  "How's your food storage coming?  Are you working on getting out of debt?  How are you storing water?  etc. etc. etc." 

We just came back from a great weekend visiting family and being fed wonderful food.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so there are no pictures of Nevada stars (amazing), sunsets (more amazing), children playing with what seemed like hundreds of cousins, or biscuits, brownies, etc.  So instead of doing fun pictures like that, I'm talking about family home storage!

This months Ensign magazine focuses on several things to do.  If you'd like to see the display I did for our stake conference click on this link that takes you to my brother's blog.  www.lastdayslunch.blogspot.com

I have been focusing on being more prepared for about a year and I still have a ways to go but I am learning as fast as I can!  (and as fast as my pocket-book will allow).  My concern now is that if inflation starts to kick in, due to the massive amounts of money being printed and the devaluing of the dollar, it is going to be more difficult to afford everyday items.  A penny spent today could be worth a dollar tomorrow.  I feel an urgency to do all I can do, now.

Kitchen and Outside of Project

I know everyone has been waiting anxiously for the next project house update.  Here are some more pictures:

 The kitchen.  Here we have the wall where the stove goes.  You can see Nova Spy disappearing up the stairs.  Note the new flooring.

And the other side of the kitchen where the sink and dishwasher will go.  The bathroom is the door behind.  Notice the fabulous new flooring...again.

The inspection crew, led by Mr. Bechtel, preparing to enter the back door via the mud room.

And the front of the house.  Cute, huh?