First Proper Snow Fall of the Season

Today we had our first good snow fall accumulating about four inches.  We decided to let the chickens out to see how they would do in the snow.  Here is a quick video on how the girls did.

I LOVE My Chickens Part 2

It was such a beautiful day out today so I spent some time outside with my chicken girls.  I like them to free range but only if I can supervise them.  We have some HUGE cats in our neighborhood, and I have to protect my girls.  I love to watch them scratching, pecking, exploring, dirt bathing and running around. I have 5 girls laying and waiting for the other 2 to start. I think one of our adopted chickens has not started laying since she "moved" in with us.

We (when I say "we" I mean the girls and I) stayed out for about 2 hours.  I got my vitamin D and they had a great time.

My husband and I are planing on installing some lights on a timer to help with the egg production since the time has changed.  I understand that chickens need 12 to 14 hours of light to continue egg production in the winter.  I think we are going to get 4 more in the spring which will give us the max we can have in the city limits.  It will make a total of 12. I want to get a lavender orpington, a maran or two and who knows what else.  I so enjoy watching my girls.  They bring me such joy and peace.  Bonus is the grandchildren love them too!!!

 One of our twins.  We just call them both Mary Kate and Ashley!

 Henny and Gertie.  The "Eaglettes"

 Henny 

Blackie with the Eaglettes.

Marley our Black Lab.  I think he would be nice to my girls, BUT I really don't give him the chance.  Our  dachshund wouldn't be nice, he tries to get their feathers through the fence, and he has been pecked pretty good.  One day he may learn to leave them alone!!

Do you have backyard chickens?  How do you winterize them?  What breeds do you have?  What are your favorite treats to give them?

Annual Hughes Family Halloween Dinner

For the last several years, it's been our tradition, to celebrate All Hallow's Eve with a yummy dinner.  Our menus have ranged from the "gross" foods like witches fingers, swamp water, and bat wings to normal food like beef stew or Zuppa Toscana.  This year we celebrated with Zuppa Toscana, Harvest Salad, Rattlesnake Bites, French Bread, Shirley Temples, Roy Rogers and Swamp Water.  We had so much fun we started the festivities with donuts on a string.  The grandkids enjoyed the donuts along with some of the adults!

   

 Grandsons D and J giving it a try.

 Granddaughter K taking a bite!

Granddaughter C giving it a taste.

Each table setting represents a different character such as Dracula, Frankenstein, Witch etc.  Every few years we have come up with other characters as our family has grown.

Vampire blood (Grenadine syrup)

Shirley Temples and Roy Rogers.

 Granddaughter K as a Calavera for Day of the Dead.

 Granddaughter C as a Ladybug.

 Grandson D as Dracula.

Grandson J as a Zombie Army Man.

All four of my sweet grandchildren!!

Our photo booth.

Daughter Kim and Granddaughter C

 Grandchildren

 Daughter Liz with husband Brandon.

 Greg and I with our granddaughters!

Son Brandon with wife Brittany.

We had so much fun and are already planning for next year!