And the feet go on

Check out that egg count! We're at the halfway point.

In other news, all three future farmers and I took an urban adventure to the Seattle Aquarium on Friday. We decided to become members! We saw a sleeping octopus, several wolf eels, and a giant clam (and lots of other cool critterage). Our favorite was a swimming lobster. It was really something to see its little swimerettes moving.

Ari and I went to a write in at my friend Lisa's house this Saturday. It was very productive for my nano story. Alex came along to play video games with another member's son. Ari and I tried guitar hero. I suck!

On Sunday, I decided to rearrange the Learning Center. I'm counting that as my workout for the day, as I had to move five bookcases, 2 chest of drawers, a sofa, two computers and desks, and a boatload of book baskets! It took all day!

The winter gardening is not going well. The veggies are way too wet! But, the chickens are happy and laying. The running is going very well too. I can now run for an hour straight again. So far, my knees and ankles are not complaining. Now, I need to run faster!

Nanowrimo write-in

Check out that egg count folks. We're up to 37. I think I can cancel eggs on the grocery order for awhile. All 3 hens are laying steadily now.

Today was a great writing day. It was nanowrimo day at the Hugo House in Seattle. I wrote 10,000 words on my story today which put me over the 50,000 word mark. Yipee!!!

We had to do some winter weather shopping this weekend. Anni needed shoes. Alex needed long sleeved shirts and a jacket. Ari, as always, needed cash for coffee and books. I stocked up on gloves, hats, shoes, and workout gear. Yes, I'm running again. (Say a prayer for my knees and ankles!)

eggs and words

All three hens are laying now! The egg count is up to 29. Our weather has returned to wet and icky. We had another big storm this evening. The hoop houses have managed to stay upright, but everything is very soggy!The baby broccoli are happy and growing!

The word count for writing is 25,000 on the new story. (My fingers and brain hurt!)

Write, write, write!

The egg count is up to 25! Out local farmer's markets have closed for the season. Our local produce stand had a going out of business sale. Apples were $10/box, pumpkins $.50 each, and potatoes were ridiculously low per bag. Our favorite find was veggie chips for $2/bag, normally $7/bag. Now we'll have to journey to Seattle for market finds.

Sorry, the funny farm posts have been a bit sparse lately. I'm participating in Nanowrimo, a novel writing experience. So, I've been busy writing and typing and writing and typing. I'm also attending lots of writing workshops. I went to two this weekend that were awesome. I'm up to 18,350 words so far. I'm shooting for 50,000 words this month. Wish me luck!

Pictures of the Castle in Victoria

I especially like all the beautiful stain glass windows.

Fish, waterfalls, and dogs!

The Salmon were plentiful at the fishery along Highway 2. We counted over a hundred!
We took the trail up to the three Wallace Falls today. Here are some shimmering mushrooms we found on a log.

And a lovely fern frond.

And a bush in berry bloom.

And here come the falls.

Alex and Ari made it up to the lower falls.

David and Anni made it to the Middle Falls.

And Barkley and I made it all the way to the Upper Falls!

On the way down, we encountered two very unfriendly dogs, off leash. Barkley sat and wagged his tail at them until one of them grabbed my arm in his mouth. Then Barkley became super protector and went for them. Barkley was unhurt but very tired after hiking 5 miles up and down a mountain and being a hero!
And here he is all tired out after earning a spot on the sofa for the evening.

Fall Festivals

Guess who came to dinner? Our friend Lisa. Hey Lisa, look out where you put your hand!

Something creepy this way comes!

Our Halloween dinner! A stuffed pumpkin stew, with chips, fresh salsa, guacamole, pumpkin brew, and a Halloween cake. Delish!

Alex showing his costume. He's being a loser! (Must be that Yankee's t-shirt!)

Anni as a cheerful pumpkin!

David as the Phantom of the opera. Ari thinks he's hysterical!

and because this is the fall festival post...

Another creepy crawlie. This is a giant bird eating tarantula!

10th Egg!

100 Egg Contest update. The chickens laid another egg. We're up to 10 now. And we've had another guesser.
Lisa - February 8th. 2010

"I laid the egg today," says Henrietta (Anni's chicken)

Today, Alex, Anni, and I went to the Boeing Air and Space Museum for a field trip. We say the new Amelia Earhart exhibit which was really interesting. I didn't realize she was such a fashion icon as well as a pilot.

We also saw the NASA exhibits and the historical aircraft. Anni really liked sitting in the cockpit of one of the jets. Alex was fascinated by all the switches on the older aircraft. I quite admired many of the leather flying boots. (I'm such a girl!)

The farm box came yesterday. I forgot the photo, but we had red chard, red onions, a sugar pumpkin, persimmons, pears, apples, plums, mushrooms, potatoes, avocado, tomato, collards, celery, and a cucumber. We made a delcious mushroom marsala pasta for dinner with a Sicilean lacinato kale sidedish - yum!

A new post at last

Well, we're back! I took a brief trip to Victoria, BC to relax and write. I now have a great start on a new story - yahoo! Stay tuned for photos!

We have a contest! Two of the three chickens are now laying. So far, we've had 9 beautiful brown organic eggs. Here's the contest....

Guess the date on which the chickens will have laid 100 eggs and you will win a fabulous prize (no, I'm not telling what!) So far, the following dates have been taken:
December 7th, 2009 - Farmer Anni
December 24th, 2009 - Farmer David
January 1st, 2010 - Farmer Alex
January 29th, 2010 - Farmer Ari
February 20th, 2010 - Famer Julie Ann

If you'd like to guess, send us a post or e-mail with your guess. In the event that a couple of folks want the same day, the date goes to the first one to reach us. We'll let you know who wins. :) Good luck!

In other news, we went to the second to last farmer's market on Saturday. It was cold! We stocked up on pasture fed meat, potatoes, cilantro, apples, onions, and winter squash. On Sunday, Alex and I joined our friend Lisa at the Seattle Home Show. We drooled over exquisite cabinetry, gorgeous tiles, and beautiful kitchen countertops.


And now as promised, pictures! These are from the gardens.

We're psuedo grandparents! (Or who laid this egg?)

We're back! The funny farm had a run with a nonfunny virus. First Alex, then Ari, then Anni, then David and finally me. Eck! Cough, cough, Achoo! But we're starting to feel better.
The girls (the clucky ones) are finally laying eggs! Here's the first. We've had another today. We have no idea which of the hens is laying, but we're glad at least one of them finally is. The eggs are brown, organic, and delicious.

Here's Ari hiding behing that giant pumpkin I lugged home from the farmer's market.