Sunday, June 28, 2020

Sunday stitching and chicks?

Today I will be joining the Slow Sunday Stitchers while adding some raindrops to the umbrella quilt. I finished outlining quilting the umbrella's last night. I'll use my newly purchased hera marker (nope, never did find my original one!) and a ruler to mark my stitching lines today.


I also plan to finish the last three hearts in purple. Of course, then I need to figure out what I will do with all of them! I believe there are about 40 of them.


Thursday we got an addition to the household. Well, 4 of them actually. Greg and Emily were busy dismantling the play area earlier this week as they no longer use it. It would be a great spot to put a chicken coop and run as it is mostly in the shade and in the back of the property. Greg has mentioned getting some chickens over the last couple of years with the issues with the eggs and chicken production in the US. Emily is going into middle school and wants to do agriculture as her elective. She is horse crazy and has always loved animals. I won't get her a goat.... like she wants.... or a horse.... but maybe some chicks to watch grow and give us eggs?
Greg and Em went to tractor supply on Thursday to get the supplies needed for chicks. They had placed an on-line order and were going to arrive July 6th. Suddenly, a text photo of baby chicks with a ?. Sigh.... they did not come back with any.... but they both went to the computer and did research on the kinds of chicks they had at the store. They decided on the heat tolerant and quiet chicks that I took both kids to the store and got later that day. They each picked 2 chicks. 

Gold Sex Link chickens are a cross breed utilizing the Rhode Island White Female and the Rhode Island Red male. The result is a hardy and robust dual purpose breed with superior egg laying capabilities as well as substantial size for meat.



We repurposed the guinea pig cage to house the chicks while they are inside the house. Jimmy Jr, the last pig passed last month. We added a 1/2 inch square wire around the cage so little cat paws could not reach in and get them!




The popular thing in my house now is watching the chicks. Kids, adults and cats!

16 comments:

Kim said...

How sweet those little chicks are. The photo of your cat keeping an eye on them did make me smile. Enjoy quilting those raindrops.

chrisknits said...

I could use your umbrellas right now! Day 2 of constant rain. Bah!! Those chicks are adorable, and the cat just wants to say Hi and play. LOL

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

You are really moving along on quilting those umbrellas! I bet the chicks will be a fun adventure - how much do they have to grow before they start laying eggs? The picture of your cat looking in on them just about made me laugh out loud!

Karrin Hurd said...

Love those umbrellas, and the chicks are adorable!

Jill said...

Even though there are raindrops on the umbrella quilt, I find it cheerful with all the colorful scraps. Your cute ‘lil chickies will be fun!

Julierose said...

Nice that you can now get to those adorable umbrellas....
The picture of the cat watching the chicks is so funny...have a great Sunday --hugs from the AC inside julierose

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Oh I love that last photo it gave me a good chuckle!!!
so your house has gone to the 'chicks'--good for you!!!
If you don't quit showing us that pretty umbrella quilt--
I just might have to make me one!!
stay safe --
luv, di

The Joyful Quilter said...

Welcome to the newest members of the family and sorry to hear about Jimmy Jr.'s passing.

Birthe Marie said...

How cute the chickens are!
The umbrella quilt is fantastic and I think a scrappy heart quilt will be really good too. I dropped out of RSC completely this year.

Angela said...

What a fun new adventure. I've been sad lately that we don't live in a space where we can have chickens. Being more self sufficient seems like such a smart idea with all the scarcity and short supply these days. Such good lessons for the kids as well.

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Nothing cuter than those little chicks! I would be enthralled as well. I got to look after daughter's 7 hens when they went to the cottage last weekend. It was fun and they are all good layers averaging 7 to 9 total a day...I get fresh eggs too which we love.Good luck with this!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

how cute are those chicks! I hope you get fresh eggs from them eventually - how long before that happens - hopefully less than a year?

a good yarn said...

I'm sure that in time you will all enjoy the delicious eggs and antics of those chickens.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Raindrops are needed when you have an umbrella! I can almost hear the little peeps from the little chicks! What fun and great learning experience for the kids!

Quilter Kathy said...

This is so fun! We look forward to following the story of the chicks... especially like the cat photo!

Miaismine said...

Your umbrella quilt is lovely! The colors would cheer up any rainy day! And the chicks! What fun for everyone!