The Chook Chronicles # 4 The Two Kittys, with a sad note

THE CHOOK CHRONICLES

share the ups and downs of life in the chookyard with a great bunch of girls (Blackie, Whitey, Jessica, Paris and The Two Kittys)

ONE KITTY THE OTHER KITTY

We weren't sure where we fitted in on our first day 7/12/08 We felt a lot better after Blackie gave us the "Welcome to the chookyard, and these are the Rules" talk We always stick together Pic taken 7/10/10

THE TWO KITTYS’ BIO: ~they’re Australorps  ~the last to arrive at the chookyard ~because it’s impossible to tell them apart, and because of their beautiful black button eyes they were named The Kitty Chooks after Comedian Kitty Flanagan who has strikingly pretty dark eyes and curly black hair. Position on the Who-Rules-the-Roost Ladder: The Two Kittys are on the bottom rungs and one is flightier than the other …. we’re just not sure which because the look exactly the same! They are under the daily domination of Jessica and Paris, a situation they accept in accordance with their position in the Great Heirarchy of the Chookyard. Personality: They are rather funny to watch as they get up to comedic antics at times. They both fly quite high and it's not unusual to see two sets of inquisitive shiny black button eyes peeking at us over the palings through the wire from their vantage point on top of the safety shelter. Just like a pair of nosy neighbours. While The Two Kittys were generally bullied by other members of the chookyard, one in particular received a fairly brutal “seeing-to” on a daily basis. However, this particular Kitty developed a keen sense of anticipation and managed to avoid many a stinging peck by virtue of a quick sidestep.  Consequently, the bullying lost most of its appeal and because The Two Kittys know not to annoy anybody, life is not too bad for them nowadays.  Except if boredom sets in – then they’re fair game for a while until the novelty wears off.

Sadly, a few days before I'd prepared this Chronicle, one of The Kittys died.

The Chookmaster tends his girls morning and evening, so he was able to know it was a quick ending at least.

We think it may have been a snake bite but aren't sure. 
Of course, things like this happen when keeping animals and it's definitely been one of the 'downs' of life in the chookyard.
The other chooks were very quiet all that day, which was unusual for them.
They knew something wasn't right and that's not just me putting my spin on their behaviour - we're often amazed at what they do, both as a group and individually.
So, anyway, life carries on in the chookyard but we'll miss The Kitty.

cute castoffs ... the life and times of a dedicated op shopper

~ seems I'm not alone in my love of op shopping.  Have just been reading Linda's post on her blog 2 pink possums.
Just can't help myself once I get started, here's what I ended up with on a recent cute castoffs hunt - total outlay $5.20

Someone's put a lot of time into their
work of art - I'll give it a home.

For $1 how could I resist.

Tloml*  hunted out this one for me.
Glamorous Gardening from now on.

Just needed another bowl ;-)

This spot in the garden was begging for a hanger

*Tloml (The light of my life)

got that tight knotty feeling? How must these be feeling!

~ some more beauties from the ACT Botanical Gardens a few years ago ...

strike me lucky

~ got around to clearing some of the tall grasses and various weeds today, that had suddenly shot up in my cuttings area, and received a nice surprise. 
Back in August I'd put cuttings of grevilleas and woolly bush down to strike. I'm a sort of set and forget kind of gardener (except during the hot weather),  and it looks like all of the cuttings have taken except one.  I take the attitude that if I get at least one cutting strike out of a potfull I'm lucky, so I felt pretty happy at seeing these....

Grevillea "Clearview David"

More of the same, the one failure is
second from the left

Grevillea Winpara Gem

Woolly Bush cuttings

The Chook Chronicles # 3 Jessica and Paris, the Pretties

THE CHOOK CHRONICLES

share the ups and downs of life in the chookyard with a great bunch of girls

(Blackie, Whitey, Jessica, Paris and The Two Kittys)

JESSICA PARIS

Paris was cuddling into me because it was all new and scary. The Chookmaster is  very gentle with us though,  so it might be ok. We're a month older in  this pic, and quite at  home now.  Here we are socialising with  Whitey and Blackie, all having  our mid-day siestas We made up this 'Neck-Feather-Shake'  dance routine ...... it's our party piece

JESSICA’S BIO: ~she’s a Light Sussex  ~she and her BFF, Paris, were second on the chookyard scene ~she’s pretty but doesn't quite get it, so her name just seemed appropriate Position on the Who-Rules-the-Roost Ladder: On the middle rungs with Paris. In the Great Heirarchy of the Chookyard, Jessica defers to Blackie and Whitey but bullies The Two Kittys a fair bit. Personality: Very “out there”,  always the first to check things out.  A real party girl.  Keeps tabs on everything that’s happening. Something new to eat… she’s into it - except tuna ;-)  Something happening beyond the chookyard – nothing escapes Jessica!  When Jessica lays an egg – everyone knows about it for hours. PARIS’S BIO: ~she’s a Light Sussex, the same as Jessica. ~along with Jessica, Paris was second to arrive in the chookyard ~again, like Jessica, she is pretty but a bit 'ever so'. Her name suits  Position on the Who-Rules-the-Roost Ladder: Level pegging on the middle rungs with Jessica. In the Great Heirarchy of the Chookyard, Paris defers to Blackie and Whitey. Personality: Not quite as “in your face” as Jessica.  However, Paris waits for Jessica to suss out where the action is and then rushes to her side with her skirts in the air and a handbag under her wing!!  Loves to be where it's at with her BFF, but, all the while keeping a look out for Blackie or Whitey.

there's a frog on our table!

Pass the salt yourself - I'm resting !

a quick stroll around the succulents

I love these and have them everywhere thoughout the garden
- it's always a race against time to see if they can flower
before they topple !!

The Chook Chronicles # 2 Whitey, the Lieutenant

THE CHOOK CHRONICLES

share the ups and downs of life in the chookyard with a great bunch of girls

(Blackie, Whitey, Jessica, Paris and The Two Kittys)

WHITEY I like to snuggle in the straw,  take my time and lay my eggs. I tried to be a Mother Hen once, but it didn't happen..... perhaps one day

I was a bit nervous on my first day in our new home, but very excited too Blackie and I had a little meeting in our carry cage and decided that I'll be second-in-charge

WHITEY’S BIO: ~she’s a Light Barred Plymouth Rock  ~together with Blackie, she was first to take up residence in the chookyard ~because of her dazzling white stripes and the two pretty white splotches next to each of her eyes,  she was named Whitey Position on the Who-Rules-the-Roost Ladder: Whitey is on the second rung and proudly holds the position of Blackie’s Lieutenant. She carries out Blackie’s orders when necessary. However, the others have finally acknowledged their positions in the hierarchy and don’t need reminding quite so frequently. But Whitey is ever vigilant. Personality: Quiet and sometimes timid (but not when backing up Blackie!). She nearly became a Mother Hen once after giving her all, sitting on a clutch of fertilized eggs purchased from the Chookmistress who runs the chookyard of Whitey’s birth. However, due to a series of mishaps and general bad luck, it was not to be.  The other chooks only talk about Whitey’s traumatic times in hushed bok boks.

living in a boat shed at Nungurner, SE Gippsland

This boat shed was built by Ern and Mary Kleinitz around 1941/42 with reject railway sleepers. They lived in it with their two sons Ray and Bob until 1949.

There was a stove  top for cooking to the left of the front door and a fire was lit on the sandy foreshore for the camp oven.

Mary and Ern slept at the top end of their shed while their sons slept in bunks made of hessian sacks at the bottom end.  During high tides, water would come into the shed under their bunks. The floor was regularly covered with clean sand from the foreshore.

For lighting they used kerosene lamps and for heating in winter a four gallon drum firepot.

Mary was well known for her cooking skills and her kitchen was the hub for friends and pickers of peas and beans that were locally grown. People from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds came to enjoy food and company and cricket was played in front of the shed.

The Nungurner community restored the shed in 2000.

What a lot of fun memories Ray and Bob must've accumulated while living in their unique childhood home! 


(My photo, but the above information copied in part from the Vic Parks Heritage signage at the Nungurner Boat Shed)

just singin in the rain! Wotta wet froggie!

I love puddles

Ok, ok, I've got my
raincoat on .....

Rina's .... ah, Tanya's ;-) Pizza - just the weather for it !

It's still pouring with rain, so, ha ha,  I've got blogging fever by the looks of it.  

I'm sure she won't mind me passing this on, but am definitely going to try some recipes from Rina's 'Our slice of heaven'  blog. 

Especially the Homemade Thin Crust Pizza - looks like a real no-fuss no-yeast gem. 

(For some reason, I get turned off when I have to use yeast in something - it's usually been sitting in the back of the pantry and has become quite stale, so it's not one of those things that could be called a pantry staple).

Oh, and her "What to do with overripe bananas" section is a beauty as well.

Thanks Rina. 

P.S. Love your chicks too!

chook bounty - egg n bacon pies

~ while still in "chook" mode .... 
all 6 girls are in peak egg production at the moment, so I had a cook-up today and made some egg and bacon pies.
Some for us, some for the freezer for when we visit the children and grandchildren.
My pastry skills are a bit 'rustic' but don't think it'll deter anyone!

Egg n Bacon pies in various styles

I don't have any set recipe, just use rule of thumb for amounts.  For this lot, I gently beat up 8 eggs with about 1+ 1/2 cups milk, 2 teaspoons mustard powder, half teaspoon diijon mustard, 2 light shakes cayenne pepper, some finely chopped chives and parsley. 

Then stir in 2 cups chopped up, previously fried bacon.  

Line pie tins and large muffin tins with shortcust pastry, scatter some roughly chopped previously boiled eggs (5) on the bases of each pastry sheet and then pour the egg/bacon mixture over each pastry base. Sprinkle each pie with some grated tasty cheese and a light shake of cayenne pepper. Fold the bits of pastry over on to the pie and brush visible pastry with a bit of milk.

Cook in fan forced oven 160 deg C for approx 20 - 25 mins or till lightly browned and just set.  I don't go the full golden brown look because I'm either freezing them or re-heating them, that's when I get the full crispy golden brown action going!

The Chook Chronicles # 1 Blackie, the Chook in Charge

THE CHOOK CHRONICLES

share the ups and downs of life in the chookyard with a great bunch of girls

(Blackie, Whitey, Jessica, Paris and The Two Kittys)

Blackie Sometimes, just for the heck of it, I like to take my time rolling up for feed time... "OK, I'm here - you can all start now" Well.... being the Chook in Charge has its perks !

This is when I first arrived at the chookyard, along with Whitey (I've got my back to the camera) 16/08/08 Hey, this mightn't be too bad here .... The ChookMaster is a kind fella,  yeah, it'll be ok

BLACKIE’S BIO: ~she’s a Dark Barred Plymouth Rock ~was first on the chookyard scene, along with Whitey ~because of her dark colouring, those beautiful black and white stripes, she was named Blackie ('Stripey' just didn't do it!) Position on the Who-Rules-the-Roost Ladder:  Blackie is the Chook in Charge and defers to no other chook. Personality: Quiet and laid back. Boks only when the situation requires it, when someone needs a dressing down, or as a warning to get out of the way, or just because she can.

getting a bit misty

~ caught a misty start to the day on Tuesday. I've always enjoyed that crisp, fresh, feeling of dewy mist against the face. It holds the promise of a beautiful sunny day to come.

~ some more misty pics I snapped a few years' ago when we visited the ACT Botanical Gardens