Mi Vida Loca Locamente (My Insanely Crazy Life)

10. Three boys out of school for the summer will use a total of 4,832,120 glasses a day (apparently one per sip of water), and will leave them ALL on the counter.

9. It’s hard to be inspired to cook when the kitchen is so hot that butter melts the second it is removed from the fridge.

8. According to the millions of mosquitoes living in the Northwest, I have the tastiest legs in the County.

7. One of my favorite times of the year are the weeks leading up to our anniversary. Paul and I always have so much fun planning for it.

6. The option to go online and put books on hold at the library so all I have to do is run into the library, grab the books, self-check them out and be driving away in 5 minutes or less really encourages me to read all kinds of things. Current favorite read: “Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul“, by Stuart Brown. A must read for all parents, teachers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and people.

5. The feeling of accomplishment when I receive a compliment on my cooking is addictive. I made corn chowder for my visiting aunt and uncle (who, by his own admission is incredibly picky) and they both loved it. Yay me!

4. Crockpots are amazing inventions, but only work well when you turn them on.

3. Boys who get splinters in their feet should learn their lesson and not walk on wood decks without shoes again.

2. It it a cruel, cruel joke of nature to have 100+ degree temperatures in this part of the country. And a horribly painful lesson to learn that such extreme temperatures can be devastating to chickens. On the flip side, we are truly blessed to have so many kind hearted, gracious and understanding customers. Thank to all for the kind thoughts sent our way.

1. In spite of everything that life throws at us, there are always bright spots and angels if we only open our eyes and look around.

1b. And did I mention how excited I am about our anniversary plan this weekend? Stay tuned, it’s gonna be deliciously fun!

I’ll take Things That Grow for $1,000

One of the best parts of living out here, and raising animals and having a garden is seeing everything change before our eyes.

The baby ducks…

and baby geese…

baby radishes…

And only a couple weeks ago these teenage chicks were these little babies…

And really, I don’t think this picture was taken more than a month ago…

So how did this happen?

Farewell, Betsy

Betsy was a good hen.

Her gentle clucking as she roamed the yard was so…chirpy. She always kept her black and white feathers so sleek and shiny. She was a model hen in every way.

Betsy, that coyote took you before your time. We will miss you.

And don’t tell the others, but I liked your eggs the best.

It’s Spring, and that means…

Chickens!

And just in time, my dear, wonderful friend Kimberlee designed a gorgeous website to let the world know and to let those in Washington order!

Stop by and check us out!
www.pasturedsensations.com

The Shoemaker’s family

I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage about the shoemaker’s family going without shoes…well, apparently the same holds true for the chicken farmer’s family. Except for us, it’s chicken we’re having to live without.

Last year was supposed to be a test year to see if there was enough of a demand for the pastured chickens in the area and if it was something we were willing to do. The answer to both was yes. In fact, the answer to the first question was a very enthusiastic yes! So much of a yes in fact, that Paul started selling the chickens I had counted on to see us through the winter! I finally had to put my foot down and tell him the rest of the chickens were for us.

Even with that, I’ve all but run out of chicken now. And since I am completely unwilling to eat the comparatively flavorless and less healthy meat that’s sold in the grocery store, we’re all impatiently waiting for the weather to warm up enough for us to get more chickens out in the pasture.

Each day we’re getting closer and closer to the day we get our first batch of chicks. I just sent out the announcement email to our previous customers telling them to get their orders in now!

If anyone reading this is in the Puget Sound region and would like more information on getting pasture-raised, organic, soy-free chickens, email Farmer Paul at pasturesensations at gmail dot com.

As for me…I’m off to place my order! I will NOT run out of chicken again!