I knew this was going to be a crazy time! My son's wedding is in three weeks so I am running around doing all the last minute stuff. Then last weekend my daughter got engaged so we'll be gearing up to do it all over again next year. Today I have my dress fitting so that will take a nice chunk out of the day--- but I am going with my sister so at least it will be fun. I am so happy with my future DIL and SIL. God truly blessed us with both of them. I love them both like my own kids already. I am grateful that my son and daughter found two future spouses who really are a joy to be around--- I know that whole in-law thing can be tricky sometimes. This is a picture of my dress. I didnt get the beige color mine is called "wedgewood". I was frustrated while shopping--- try to find any formal dress that is NOT strapless!!! They are either cut down to there--- strapless or frumpy--- took a while to find one I loved. In my estimation there is nothing worse than a 50+ woman wearing a dress that makes her look like she is trying to be 25 again...
On the chicken front. The eggs in the incubators are chuggin' along. I have movement for sure in four of them. The other two it is really hard to see. Also-- our new coop will be here next week. We ordered another one from the same gentleman we got the first from. CG Pet Structures. Not only are they very reasonable the structures themselves are solid and well built. I recommend them highly. Next year when we get our Dwarf Nigerian Dairy Goats we are going to order the run-to from them as well. Anyway back to chickens--- so the new coop will be for the eggs I am hatching from our own eggs--- right now I just refer to them as mystery chicks because until they hatch and feather out I probably won't be able to tell who the parents are. Only one egg I know for sure is from our Black Australorp--- her eggs are a rosy brown color---very different from the others. I also ordered 16, day old, chicks from a hatchery. There are 3 Buff Orpingtons two girls one boy--- I also have a Buff Orpington hen right now. 3 Black Australorps, 2 girls and a boy to add to the one hen I already have. Then I got 4 Gold Lace Wyandottes, 3 girls and one boy and finally 3 Easter Eggers all girls and 3 Rhode Island Reds all girls. The choices were made on needing cold hardy birds (far Northern Illinois, prolific layers, and all dual purpose which basically means they are meaty enough to eat when done laying.
Sadly, I think Jack our Blue Andalusian rooster will probably end up residing in our freezer faily soon. As you can see he has a beautiful, huge, red comb. The breed originates from Spain and does not handle frigid, Illinois, winter temperatures well at all. His comb most likely would become frostbitten. He is also turning into the rooster from hell. Andalusians are very noisy and this one is also very agressive--- especially towards me!!! Foolish bird! I am the hand that feeds him---as well as the one that weilds the axe!!! We still have one very well mannered roo left and when I get the new chicks there will be three in the mix, at least I hope, baby chicks are very difficult to sex. We'll see!


