The Walnut Acre Daily - Cleaning the Rabbit Colony and Other Outdoor Fun

The weather today was beautiful and it was my home day so we spent lots of time outside working on some projects and just enjoying Spring. 

These kittens spent the morning chasing each other and tumbling all over the yard. 

Austin cleaned out the rabbit colony this morning and put in fresh hay. 

I picked greenery for them to eat from all over the yard and they loved it. 

Cayson enjoyed petting them while they ate. 

Austin checked several for ear mites and there was no sign of any.

Michael didn't want to come in, he said it smelled bad. There was still a lot of dust floating around from putting in the fresh hay and I wondered if that was bothering him. So he watched from the doorway and peeked in the window.

I'm so excited that the hens have started laying again. They had totally quit for about a month and I had started buying eggs again. So it was so nice to see these.

Michael and Cayson drew with chalk . . .

. . . and dug in the garden.

Amanda really doesn't enjoy working outside she stayed in and washed dishes, did some of her laundry and made lunch.

After lunch and quiet/reading time the kids headed back outside again. 

The fence is so close to bring finished. Doug worked on the gate this evening. I'm hoping it can be in use by Saturday. 

The Walnut Acre Daily - Two Day's Blessings

It's been a busy two days. Yesterday we spent a large part of the day running errands and grocery shopping. We went to the library to get our books for next week. Michael enjoys playing on the computer and he also likes checking out his books by himself. Austin doesn't enjoy reading very much but he does like audio books and movies. Amanda likes it all. 

Of course, we had to stop at one of the pet stores so Amanda could buy supplies for her pets. Watching this white rat there reminded me of the pet rats Amanda used to have. They were fun, intelligent little critters. 

Friday evening the kids played outside for awhile before dinner. 

Later in the evening Michael went to my sister's and Amanda watched Madalyn and Mykalin while Doug and I went to our church's parent group. This group meets every two to three months simply to share and support and learn together. It was an awesome evening. 

Today was sunny and warm although the wind was a little cool sometimes. Austin and Doug worked some more on the pallet fence they are putting up. The chickens supervised. 

Michael enjoyed trying to put nails in scrap wood.

I did a lot of laundry today and everytime I carried a basket out the door the chickens came running to see if I had food for them this time. 

This afternoon I planted three trays of seeds. I still have lots more to plant but that was all I had time for today. The chickens supervised that too. 

 That's some of what we've been up to the last two days. I'm looking forward to tomorrow  - church in the morning, then spending the afternoon and evening with family.

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WEDNESDAY - Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

The Walnut Acre Daily - Busy, Busy

It's been a very busy  couple days. We changed our schedule around a little because of an appointment. This week Thursday was our errand day. 

We went to the library, the pet store, Goodwill, two grocery stores and the vets office, McDonalds and the bank. I enjoy errand day and going and doing the things the kids want to do (library, pet store, etc) but I'm also glad when we get home and are done for the day. I'm just not much of a shopper, I like to get in the store, get what I need and get back out. 

Michael likes to talk to this parrot at the pet store. I saw these quail and thought they were so cute. There were even two cute tiny round eggs in their pen. 

This cat that was roaming the store was just fascinated with the small animals. It was watching the mice and then started watching a snake slithering around it's pen. Later it jumped in the ferret cage. 

It was nice out again today so Austin cleaned out the rabbits home. Mykalin enjoys helping take care of the animals and right there to help with this chore.

Later she and Michael took turns driving around the yard. 

Michael's cat, Bear, enjoyed the warmth and sunshine. 

We let the chickens out of their run for a few hours to enjoy the greenery that's starting to grow.

Doug knew I needed to go to Charlottesville this morning so yesrerday after he got home from work he got the Ranger ready for me to drive. We've been having trouble with the battery so he got a new battery for it and filled it up with gas. I don't like to take the van because it's hard to manage in the parking garage.

Then Thursday evening we went to my Dad's to help get six chickens ready for the freezer. I think there are still between 16 and 20 left to do. It's not a job I particularly enjoy but I do appreciate the meat. 

Michael had a dentist's appointment this morning. He had two small cavities that needed to be filled.  I was very proud of the way he cooperated and sat very still while they worked. And the staff was SO good with him, giving him options like which tooth to work on first, allowing a short break between teeth and listening and giving more numbing medication when he said something hurt. I tried to get him to smile for a picture but he said "No!" Can't say I blame him though.

My sister made us some delicious potato soup for dinner this evening. It was nice not having to worry about dinner after being gone a good part of the day.

This evening we went to small group. I love our small group! 

And that is an overview of our busy couple of days. Tomorrow I'm planning to go buy seeds for the garden. Yippee!!!!

The Walnut Acre Daily - A Day Unfolds

And it's Monday again. With the time change this weekend the kids had a hard time getting moving. When I woke Cayson up this morning to get ready for school he got up, walked into the bathroom, turned around and walked straight back out and went back to bed. I think he thought I was a little crazy sending him to get ready for school when it was still dark outside. Mateah got ready for school and then went back to sleep. Michael got up way too early, got dressed and ate breakfast and then went back to sleep and was hard to wake up when it was time to go to my sister's. Austin and Amanda were both hard to wake up too. 

We spent part of the morning at my sister's for shared learning and fun. We did worksheets, colored pictures, read stories and played games.

Michael wanted to stay at my sister's for the afternoon so I let him stay until around 4:00. I came home for lunch and then made a quick run to the grocery store.

This afternoon Austin, Amanda and I finished reading Vestige by Scott McElhaney. This is the second one of his books we've read and enjoyed. All three of us enjoy science fiction so many of our books are from that genre.

I spent the afternoon working online and then the sunshine and warmth outside started calling me so I went to visit some of our animals.  Austin takes care of them most of the time and it had been awhile since I had been out to see them. He's been doing a good job. The rabbits looked happy and came running to see me when I came in. The pig had her home cleaned good and fresh hay put in. And the chickens are so happy that the snow has melted. 

While Doug and Austin cleaned the pigpen and Austin brought in fresh hay, Michael and Mateah played outside. Then Michael had a turn driving while Mateah went along for the ride. Michael is a very good driver and can even back up with the trailer hooked up and get parked where he wants to be. It's one of his favorite things to do.

Amanda did a thorough cleaning of the living room, playroom, one bathroom and the mudroom today and also mopped the kitchen floor. 

For dinner this evening I fixed lasagna. We call this Austin's lasagna because he used to make this frequently and had the recipe tweaked the way he likes it. I also made Cheesy Onion Garlic Bread (recipe coming soon) and a salad. 

After dinner my sister and her children stopped in for a few minutes. They had gone for a walk and since they live just down the road from us their walk brought them right past our house.

It's been a really good day. I'm always fascinated with the way a day unfolds like a story if I really stop and attention to it. It's one reason I love writing the Walnut Acre Daily posts. I thought I would stop writing these posts and try a different way of writing but every time I do I miss them. So ... I guess they are back. 

~ Other Posts From Today ~

Morning Musing Over Coffee - Beauty

2015 Dr. Seuss Birthday Book Bundle


This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase using these links.

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Stalker Fish, Traveling Chickens and Happy Rabbits

My Betas make me laugh every morning when I find them staring at me waiting for their food. I call them my stalker fish because they seem to watch my every move until they get fed.

I'm trying to decide what to do with the chicken run. We've been letting the chickens free range but they are starting to expand their territory. Two of them have discovered the dogs across the road will share his food with them. So I need to keep them in more. And if I do that I who like to expand the size of the run.   I'll still let them free range a few hours a day but not all day like they have been. I've noticed in the past that they don't go as far if their free time is limited. I caught one coming back home this morning. 

Our rabbits are doing well. The litter of six born in September are almost as big as their mother now. They all seem to get along great live happily in their little home. Austin brought one in this morning for us to see.

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THURSDAY - HomeAcre Hop

Banana Berry Bread and More: The Walnut Acre Daily - Monday, January 19, 2015

WORDS TO LIVE BY

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. - Isaiah 26:3

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

The weather has been so much nicer today than we've seen here for awhile. The sun was shining and the sky was bright blue. There was a breeze but not too much. Schools were closed today for Martin Luther King Jr day so the kids got to go outside and play.

We got a lot of work done both inside and outside today. Austin cleaned out the van, took care of the animals and a few other chores around the house. Amanda hung a new shower curtain given to us from a friend at church (now I need to put up a different curtain on the window) and did some cleaning up around the house. I did lots of laundry (I loved being able to hang it out on the line) some cleaning and taking people here and there. I took Austin to his friend Colby's house, took my friend to work and then picked Austin up again. Doug even got in on the dish washing this evening.

After dinner this evening the kids were WIRED so I got out some games and we played for over an hour. We played I Spy  memory, Dominoes, Food Group Bingo, Word Family UNO, Bible Memory, and Transportation Memory.

This afternoon I finished reading The Hero's Lot by Patrick W. Carr and started reading Venture Untamed by R. H. Russell.

I didn't post Saturday or Sunday but we had a good weekend. Saturday evening was the annual Stuart's Draft Rescue Squad Banquet. They did awards and installation of officers. Doug was installed as Motor Pool Sergeant. White Hill Catering served the food and it was SO good! The beef brisket was delicious and tender, the mashed potatoes were awesomely flavored, and the macaroni and cheese was some of the best I've ever eaten.

IN THE KITCHEN

We had pancakes and apples with peanut butter for breakfast this morning
For lunch I made cheese pizza, green beans and peeled some oranges. 

For dinner this evening I we had turkey, broccoli/cauliflower with cheese, salad and homemade bread. 

The last two times I tried to make bread it didn't rise properly so I decided the yeast I was using was probably old. I bought more yeast and today the bread rose beautifully. 

Saturday I had some bananas that needed to be used up so I made some Banana Berry Bread. It turned out very well and then kids had some for dinner Saturday evening and have been eating it for snacks. Here's the recipe for this fruity quick bread.

BANANA BERRY BREAD

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

4 cups flour*

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

4 medium ripe bananas

2 cups frozen mixed berries

In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in bananas. Fold in berries.

Pour into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 35-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans. 

Enjoy

*I used 1 cup of whole wheat flour and 3 cups of white.

FURRY, FEATHERED AND FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS

A few pictures of some of our flock of chickens.

The top left is Daisy. We raised Daisy from a chick, hatched in our incubator, and the kids named him before they new he was a rooster. The two photos on the bottom are of Weepy, our last hatchling before we decided to put away the incubator for the winter. Amanda named this Weepy because it talks all the time and sounds like it's whining. This chicken is sure it's a human and follows us around and wants to be the companion of anyone who is close by. The other chickens have never allowed it to be part of any of their little groups so Weepy is our special chicken friend.

One of our naughty little kittens playing with laundry on the line.

TODAY'S QUOTE

He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon find himself whittled away to nothing. -Raymond Hull

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Homemade Fabric Softener, Snow Day and More: The Walnut Acre Daily - Wednesday January 14,, 2015

WORDS TO LIVE BY

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. "Selah"  - Psalm 46:1-3

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

Snow Day !!!!!!

There really wasn't all that much snow on the ground but for this area it was just enough for the kids to get a day off from school. And of course a snow day means bundling up and heading out to get cold and wet. While they were out Mateah found a nest where our one hen still laying has been hiding her eggs. She brought me five frozen eggs.

A couple months ago I watched my sister make homemade fabric softener. It was very simple and I knew I wanted to make some too. It is very simple and inexpensive. Just six cups water, three cups white vinegar, and two cups hair conditioner. Since it's so simple to make I decided to have the kids help me. I put the six cups of water into a large bowl and then we put in the vinegar . . .

. . . added the hair conditioner . . .

. . . and stirred.

I put the finished product in an empty, washed laundry detergent bottle. I've tried this fabric softener on a load of towels and it does work. The towels were soft (though not quite as soft as I remember them being with store bought softener) static free and very lightly scented. I think next time I'll use a little more and see what the results are. 

The rest of the day we stayed busy cooking, cleaning (does that ever end), doing laundry (or that), reading, singing, drawing and playing. And I gave both boys haircuts. Austin really, really needed one and when Michael saw me cutting Austin's he wanted a haircut too.

IN THE KITCHEN

Normally on Wednesday evenings we are at church but all activities for the evening (including dinner) were canceled so I had to cook. We had a potato, cheese and bacon casserole, peas, peaches and butter bread.

FURRY, FEATHERED AND FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS

Amanda giving Sheena a morning snuggle.

TODAY'S QUOTE

There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on man's shoulder. - Charles Morgan

DAILY DEALS

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