My day started at 3AM as we had some bad storms. I didn't mind the thunder,lighting, or wind. In fact I love listening and watching storms. I was up that early for tornado warnings. There was one that touched down between the east side of 95 and highway 301. We are lucky that we live on the west side of 95. We stayed under warnings till 6am and then on watch till 8am. The sun came out about lunchtime and its been a summer warm day. The winds are picking up and its suppose to storm again this evening when a cold front moves in and meets the warm front. If life gets a little boring around here we can always count on the weather to put us on our toes. Diva and the girls slept in this morning because of the weather. It was nice to be able to feed without them pushing and demanding to be fed first. Even the chickens didn't get up till 7am. Nice not having the roosters crowing at 4am. After morning chores I thought I might take a nap but after a few times of the phone ringing that ideal went out the window. I got my package shipped off to my stocking swap partner. Got a couple of soap orders shipped out. Got 2 more of my kitchen cabinets cleaned and decluttered. Wrapped some gifts for family stockings , except this year I am using bags. Last year we filled stockings and couldn't get everything to fit. So this year I had these bags left from a craft fair and decided they would be perfect. I still have several bags that need filling but at least some are filled. You guys have been a busy bunch! The baby chicks are full of energy. They run around getting louder and louder with their peeping. They also are starting to eat more and make bigger messes. William and I still have lots of work to do on the treasure hunt. It was such a big hit last year we decided to make it even bigger this year so have to work on more clues. Its raining again so imagine the storms will be here soon. I look forward to the cold weather its suppose to bring in. Afterall its that time of year for cold frosty days, warm fires, soups, and hot teas. Today would have been my sister's birthday. She died from melanoma at the age of 31 leaving small children behind. Today her children are grown with children of their own. Gaye would have made a great grandmother. She sure made a wonderful aunty to my oldest daughter. Maggie when saying Aunt Gaye came out as Nay Nay and then as she got older she called her Aunt Nay Nay. Gaye loved it. She didn't get to see Melody or Megan but I know she would have spoiled them too. Happy Birthday Big Sis.

I've gotten used to missing you,

My grief's begun to ease;

I don't sit down to write you notes

Or phone to shoot the breeze

.When in a crowd someone may laugh

Or sound a lot like you;

And then the pain will grip my heart

And flood my soul anew.

I've gotten used to missing you,

I'm learning day by day

To focus on good memories

And put the rest away.

On strong days I scan photographs

Of happy times we knew;

I picture Jesus in my mind

And place Him next to you.

I've gotten used to missing you,

And though it's been 26 years;

I still am just a thought away

From aching and from tears

But my sorrow will have an end,

So let the teardrops pour;

Until I'm once again with you

And the One who loves you more.

Babies!

This morning I heard peeping and thought Sister had hatched her babies. They hadn't hatched but I could hear them through their shell. I went back later and Sister had pushed 2 eggs out from under her and they were cold. I could see where the chicks had started pecking out so I brought them inside. I got a warm blanket and put it on the floor in front of a small electric heater. Placed the eggs in the blanket and waited. About an hour later I saw beaks trying to peck out. I helped a little and then left them alone. Went back an hour later and they had pecked a little more but seemed weak and still a little cold. I broke enough of the shells away so they could get some heat on their body. Came back about 30 minutes later and this is what I saw

Aren't they adorable!! Sister is still sitting on the other eggs. Hope they hatch. I am going to keep these inside today so they can stay warm while their momma works on hatching their siblings.

On a different note. My daughter Melody is having surgery Monday. Her iron is so low they are going ahead and doing the hysterectomy but are waiting till Jan 6th to do anything about the lump in her breast. My son in law Brian's grandmother is in ICU with congestive heart failure. Please keep them in your prayers.

Hidden Haven Babies

More Babies

Chicks that is. Yesterday Killer came out of hiding with 8 little ones in tow. Killer is a very devoted mom. She got her name because she doesn't peck you like a normal hen. She grabs your skin with her beak, twists and doesn't let go. She draws blood too! We gathered her and the little ones up and put them in a nice safe place.

No animals were hurt in this venture. Just humans.

Sister Sister decided since Killer was going to hatch some chicks she would too. She came strolling out from under the boat with 9 little ones. She had 4 eggs still in her nest. I put them under Dorthy that is sitting on ducks eggs for me. When I checked on them later 1 had hatched so I moved it over with Sister Sister and the others. Now she is the proud mom of 10.

Hole? What hole?? We didn't dig any hole!

You want to walk away in one piece stay away from my babies!

You are not going to touch my babies either!

Don't you ever get tired of looking under me ?

You just think Killer is mean. Put your hand near my eggs and you won't have any fingers left! And yes, I know I am sitting on duck eggs!Some photos of the RV. Am slowly getting it cleaned and stocked up.

Besides the twin beds there is a sleeper sofa and the kitchen table makes a bed. Doesn't have a tub but does have a nice size shower and lots of closet space behind the toilet and beside the sink. Bedroom has lots of cabinets. Kitchen has big pantry, lots of cabinets and drawers. A nice size fridge and freezer. There is a icemaker next to the entry door, a built in blender on the counter. The sofa is new as well as nice new firm mattresses. Still got things to do but am waiting on cool weather. It has air condition but I just have a couple of fans on in there to keep our electric bill down.

I Won!

Wow! I have entered alot of give aways but this is the first time I ever won. Thank you Connie! And the best thing of all is everything has to do with chocolate! I just love chocolate!

Do you want to know why I named this chick Einstein?

When the chick hatched several hens were pecking it really badly. It had a hole in its head and I thought it wouldn't make it. I moved it and Sister to their own pen. The chick is doing great except for part of its top being off on the side. Sister is now sitting on more eggs so Einstein will be moving out soon.

Sunny Day

Chasing the clouds away....... Been humming that song to myself as I worked outside. Have alot of the branches and limbs picked up from the storm but stopped and decided to dig a hole to sit the water garden tub in so the ducks and geese could use it. The ducks just couldn't wait for it to fill up before they tried it out and started putting dirt in it.

I finally finished filling it and they all are out there splashing the water back out. At least they have a nice day for a swim. Bonnie and Clyde weren't happy with me being in their pen and took it out on Daisy and Donna by bitting them on the neck. They hissed at me but I walked right up to them and they decided to go hide in the corner Sister Sister and Killer have both been sitting on the same nest of eggs for several weeks. I tried moving some of the eggs and one of them to another nest at different times and it didn't work. Today a chick hatched out and I want it to stay with its mom for awhile so I moved things around. The rabbit condo that the 2 older babies from first liter lived in is empty. The grands took them back to give to 2 of my other grands that had ask for them. Anyway I cleaned out the houses and put fresh straw in and then put a egg and the baby chick in along with sister sister. She settled right in with the chick and is sitting on the egg. The chick even drank some water.

Since they seemed to be doing so well I decided to move Killer. I close the screen between the condos and put fresh straw in the other house. I moved the eggs under Killer first then went and got her. She bite me the whole time I was carrying her but when she saw her eggs she sat right down on them. I have checked several times and she is still sitting. That will free up the laying box they were in for the other chickens to lay their eggs. I had been having to fight killer to get the fresh eggs out from under her. This will work well for all of us.

The Toulouse gosling's are doing well. They ran to a corner while I cleaned up their house. They are starting to get use to being handled. I want them to eat from my hand and come to me as they grow bigger.

The guineas have been so good that I decided to open their pen and let them out. Want them to keep ticks and bugs down around the yard. The pen has been open all day and they still haven't figured it out. They aren't the brightest bird on the homestead.

Fred was enjoying the sunshine and taking a nap by the tree till I woke him up taking his picture.

Even Tramp was taking advantage of the sunshine while napping.
Some of the baby bunnies were enjoying the shade of their house instead of the sunshine
I think everyone at Hidden Haven is thankful for the sunshine today. Hope you are too!

Walk with the Animals, Talk with the Animals....

You never know what might be watching you when you visit Hidden Haven! If you look in the background you can see the oak leaves are popping open and all the trees are looking so green. We had another nice day so I decided Bud needed a little fresh air and sunshine. Since the peafowl aren't here yet I let him have the run of their pen. I even put a wooden box and ladder in for him to climb on and take a nap. He had a wonderful day but is he ever mad at me now! I had to drape a towel over him to pick him up and bring him back inside. He was hissing and smacking with his tail while trying to turn around and bite me. But he is safely back in his indoor house and pouting in the corner. When the weather gets hot he will be able to stay outdoors all summer and he will be happy again.

After doing some yardwork this evening I was heading back inside when I happened to notice the baby chicks. They have learned how to get up on the roosting poles and roost. They are so cute! I have Mrs. Mighty Chicken back in with them so she can rest from John Henry. I think I will just let her stay in the teen dorm and be house mother for all the babies that come and go there. For some reason every rooster likes to mate with her and their spurs cut her. I think she will make a wonderful house mother.
I didn't have the camera with me this morning but after feeding and milking I took Nitro, Diva and Sammi on a walk. They acted like kids running, kicking up their heels and playing around. They also enjoyed munching on the leaves from the little trees around the neighbors fence. Thank goodness the neighbor wants them to eat them! Nitro and Diva stay right with me but Sammi still hasn't learned to do that yet. I will have to keep her on a leash a little longer so she will understand she has to stay with me if she wants out of the pen. I put the hose on shower spray and let the ducks have fun playing in the "rain". Guess I will have to carry my camera everywhere so I can get photos. It was such a nice day watching the animals enjoy their different treats for the day. Sure kept a smile on my face!