Slaughter Day!

At the beginning of March, we went with friends to catch me 4 laying hens and 11 hens waiting to be their supper. The next day we slaughtered their eleven hens. I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to do it. It was actually quite a bit of fun. Of course, Andy and Kerr can make anything fun!

Some of the hens awaiting their demise.

Andy and Kerr slitting the necks. So happy I didn't have to do this!

Next was the dip in the hot water. Do this well, and the plucking is so. much. easier.

Kerr and Meghan's little girl was all in the plucking. Actually, she liked to play with the head dangling. She was not fazed at all.

After the plucking, we torched the chicken instead of the normal bleaching. No picture of this step. The smell, well, it is reminder enough!

Then, the fun began! Time to cut the oil gland off, and cut open the rear.

Digging out the insides! The excitement was finding an egg to keep. YUM! Found three or four fully developed with a hard shell and many in the process of forming.

Abby's face pretty much sums it up! Kerr and Meghan made us take home one, and I still haven't had the nerve to cook it yet!

Andy getting ready to plow a couple of rows for Mr. Huey. Got to make sure you understand your instuctions...they can be specific!

Isaac getting a crash course on how to operate the tractor. Mr. Huey decided it was time for him to learn.

Poor thing had to stand up on the clutch.

Mr. Huey supervising...got to make sure Andy is teaching him right!

A quilt finished and two works started

Back in February, I finished my first quilt using the quilting frame I got for Christmas. I quilted it using a clam shell pattern.

A frame is so much easier than a hoop, and hand quilting is my favorite way to quilt. I love the way this one turned out!

I have started sewing up the squares on this rose quilt I started back in the fall. It is coming together nicely...slowly, but very pretty!
Andy bought me a dresden plate kit. When the cutting is already done for you, it goes really fast! He says this will be his new favorite.

Playing in the barn

Chickens

After many years of asking for them, Andy finally broke and built me a coop and bought me chickens!

Isaac and Abby love the chicks

Em...not so much

Isaac and Abby fed everything to the chicks to see what they would eat.

Even Reno loves them. HA! Would love to eat one!

Abby caught me watching and probably talking to my chicks.

This picture cracks me up! Isaac really enjoys the chicks. Although now that they are bigger, he enjoys torturing them.

The four laying hens we caught and brought home one evening.

MY VERY FIRST YARD EGG!

A New Purse and a Quilt

This past weekend, I finished a new purse from this book my husband got me for Christmas. Super easy and so cute!


I finished this quilt at the end of 2011 and just got pictures taken. It is the perfect size for the truck! I love this quilt!

Please...

"Em...you are so pretty. I love you."

"No! You are not sleeping with me."

"Pleeeaaaseee, Em!"

"Noooooo! Not the puppy eyes!!!"

"Pleeeeeaseeeee, Em!"

"It would be a lot easier to tell you no if you were ugly..."

"Please, Em. I will do whatever you ask, except for dishes, tomorrow if you will let me sleep with you."

"No!"

"I will do whatever for you, except dishes, for two days if you will let me sleep with you."

"No, Abby, you are not sleeping with me."

"Well...I am not going any farther with that, so...PLLLLEEEEAAASSSEEEE, Em!"

"No, Abby!"

"PLLLEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

"You are NOT sleeping with me!"

"I will go right to sleep and not bother you, I promise...please."

"Quit with the puppy eyes. I.SAID.NO!"

("I am going to go upstairs and tell Isaac goodnight. When I come back down, you girls better be in bed!")

"OH! EEEEMILYYYYYY, please, please, please let me sleep with you."

"No, Abby, you are not sleeping with me tonight!"

Surprisingly, Em stood her ground, and Abby is in her bed all alone...