Make Way for Ducklings

For the last 2 years in April, we have had new baby chicks.  Our flock of ladies now boasts 11, which is plenty enough for a home on half an acre within the city limits.  This year, I finally gave in on the ducks my husband has been wanting for some time. We thought we were getting Khaki Campbells, but instead ended up with 2 Welsh Harlequins and 1 Ancona.  And they have already stolen our hearts.

At the end of next month we are adding 2 runner ducklings.  By then, these littles will be swimming around in a wading pool!  :)

Wintertime Beach Day

On days like this, I almost cannot comprehend the beauty of this place we live in. Today by the seaside, blue sky with  gentle whispy clouds, the beach full of golden grasses, moss, lichen and gnarly pine trees.  The beach rocks in every color of the rainbow.  The freezing, churning ocean waters, and beyond that, mountains. And islands.  It was too windy along the coast today to be truly considered warm, even in the sunshine.  But it certainly wasn't winter cold.  It felt amazing, as it always does, to go to the beach on a sunny day in the wintertime.

Today we were at Deception Pass, which is probably our favorite spot when we can't think of anywhere new to have an adventure, or just want to be spontaneous.  There are so many beaches and trails to be seen within this state park. We were at West Beach today, which we have never really explored before.  We met up with good friends there as well, which always makes for a nice time! The light was incredible, and so we stayed until sundown.

It was on a beach at the edge of this coast of the Pacific, where I sat for the first time at age 19, and knew beyond all doubt that here was where I belonged.  Of all places I had ever traveled to, been to, lived, this was the place for me.  I sometimes lose sight of my surroundings, and that deep connection I feel to this place.  But I always find it again by the water.

spring

we love spring.  our winter was mild, so spring has been here for a while already, it seems.  we are back to living a large part of our days outside.  building a garden, planting our salad starts, swinging on swings, caring for our sweet little baby chicks.  laying in the sunshine.

 shifana and cordelia,  two of our week-old ameraucanas.  sweet little peeps!

november sunshine

the sunlight in the pacific northwest is different from anywhere else i have ever been.  i know i've said it before, but it's so true.  there is some kind of beautiful warmth to it i can't describe.

anyway, we've enjoyed many sunny days this november, and today was as gorgeous as the past week or more of them.  here are some photos from today.

knitting baby booties in the sunshine with my baby on my lap.

the chickens follow amalie wherever she goes with the cracked corn.

our cochin bantams - featherton, whisky, custard, cleopatra, and speckled marilla hanging out there in the back.  love these little ladies!