Life is changing around here. The baby chicks have moved from the kitchen to the porch, and none of us were sad to see them go out! Brian has been constructing a smaller transitional pen for them outside that we will use for a brooder pen in the spring. Right now, these babies are too small to go into the coop with the other hens, and besides, we have other plans for them. As soon as they are safely transferred to the small pen in the barn, Brian gets to start work on the portable hoop house that will be the new home for these 50 chickens. This will allow them access to pasture but keep them protected. We’ll move the pen daily once it gets set up. Our other hens have always enjoyed a large yard and regular access to the yard, but I have not entirely enjoyed their forays into the garden and flower beds. We hope this will be a good solution for all of us, especially as we plan to add even more chicks (and more portable pens) in the spring.

Since we never seem to have the sense to do one thing at a time, we also added a couple of pigs to the mix. We had pot bellied pigs in the past. This is our first try at raising animals for food. With one whole day under our belts, I’d say it is going OK. Of course, I’m in the house, and Brian is out taking care of things in the rain.

He can’t complain too much, though because the kids and I have been busy making candy. I just realized that I have gone through 7 pounds of sugar just today. That isn’t counting the chocolate, nuts and other assorted goodies that we’ve mixed with the sugar. I was thinking as I stirred that next year I hope to be doing this with honey instead of sugar. Brian is going to try his hand at beekeeping come spring, so if that endeavor works out, I’ll need to try out some new recipes. Right now we do a lot with honey, but I haven’t figured out how to use it in my candy recipes. And really, I’m too tired to think much more about it right now.

The kids have been busy making gifts this year. The smaller ones, who can’t keep secrets, will get their shot on Wednesday to see if they can at least hold out for a few hours. As soon as they are all snuggled in at night, I’ve been hitting the sewing machine, but I realize there is no way I’ll be able to finish everything on the list. I think I should start now for Christmas, 2010.

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