winter is almost here...

 

Happy almost winter! While the cold weather has barely reached us down here, and it doesn't really feel like December, it's allowed us to get outside and play more than we would have otherwise. Rory's still a bit limited since I have a lot of work to try to get done over the break, and she likes to get in trouble when she's outside by herself...and the dogs seem to be targets of her troublemaking. Really, they don't like to wear hats made of mud...really. Here are some photos from late November/early December. Enjoy!

 

 

Rory and the latest addition to our family, fondly known as Fuzzbucket...

One of Rory's potential holiday photos that didn't make the cut...

And another runner up...

Here's Rory wearing her Buckeye jersey the day of the Michigan/Ohio State game. It's probably the last time she'll get to wear it because it's just too small (mostly an issue of getting it over her head). It's a 2T, and for those of you keeping track, that's a James Laurinitis jersey. Might have to get handed down to a lucky cousin...

Another Buckeye jersey photo...

Finally, we got the tree up...

We got this tree after Chrismas 2001 for $20. It's first party with us was for our New Year's Eve party when we lived on High Street. It was decorated with blue and red solo cups...ah, the memories.

Here's Fuzzbucket hanging out with Papa. He is just the sweetest bunny. We got him when he was just four days old and he's turning out to be a great addition.

So if you've been keeping up with the blog, you know we got some chickens. And now, we have a chicken house to go with them. Built almost entirely from scrap wood, Chad has really created a beautiful shelter for our girls. Here's the front...

...and the back. Eventually we'll move it out into the yard and they'll have a run to go along with it. The front a back open completely for easy access and cleaning. Their nesting area is in the back...

Here's one side with the window open. There's a window on either side for ventilation.

Here are Amelia and Louisa inside the house enjoying the windows being opened. They wouldn't even come out after I opened the front door for them.

Here's the front with the front door open. It really looks nice...Chad is proud of his work and so am I.

And here's another addition to the flock. A white "Tyson" chicken that was rescued by fate and then by us when the rest of her flock were loaded onto a chicken truck. She was left behind, and rescued a few weeks later by Chad when he realized that she had been left, with no food and no water. She's looking much better than when he brought her home. She's been lovingly dubbed "Miss Chicken" and is fitting in nicely with the other two...and learning that green things can be good.

 

We wish everyone a happy winter solstice and new year. Here's hoping it's a good one for all. For anyone traveling during the holiday, we wish you safe travels and a wonderful visit with friends and family. We hope it's a holiday filled with love, good food and great memories.

-- Dawn