Coconut Chicken Feed

We are low on corn, so today we supplemented the chickens diet with some natural coconut feed - very natural.  The dogs enjoyed it too.

And now some for us!

Chaos in the Chicken House!

Not really!  I came up on deck today and only saw two dogs.  I was a little worried because Black Jack has fallen in the canal once already.  I glanced at the chicken coop and saw a black shape in the cage.  I ran over expecting to see blood and feathers, but all I saw was one silly dog eating corn, and three chickens sitting on their perches.

He had pushed his big head into a small gap at the bottom of the cage and enlarged it until he could fit - did I mention that he is very persistent?  So now I have a part pitbull up for adoption who loves kids, tolerates cats, and is even safe around your chickens!

A Poem for Gordon

Five years have gone by
Still missing you
It hurts to try
Still thinking of you
Time heals? A lie

Hard not having you here
My father
Miss seeing you near
My friend
Can picture you so clear

Want to share with you
My dreams
Need to talk us two
My thoughts
Feel sorrow anew

I share with you
In prayer
I talk to you
Out loud
I haven't forgotten you

My father passed away five years ago yesterday.  Every year I remember him with a poem.  It doesn't matter if I haven't written for weeks - when the day comes I always have something in my heart to write down.

A Sweet Surprise

Grandma presented me with a sweet surprise when I arrived to pick up Madison from her sleepover today. Madison went to a Christmas party last night with Grandma and received a visit and present from Santa!  Today they made star-shaped sugar cookies and assembled them to make a . . . Christmas tree!

There were a lot more "presents" under the tree, but they were too delicious to wait for the photo :)  The tree would have been green, but Madison was concerned about the dyes in the food coloring so they decided to have "snow" covering the tree instead :)  Isn't it adorable?

An Early Birthday Party

Madison's birthday is on the 22nd of December so we traditionally have a party with her friends early before all of the Christmas madness starts.  This year I hosted a baking extravaganza here on Keewatin for five little girls.  It was wonderful and tiring.  They explored the schooner, were swinging in the rigging, held chickens, enjoyed a nature walk, and of course we baked.  We made sponge cakes with honey chocolate icing and double chocolate chunk cookies.  They snacked on chicken wrapped in bacon and a fruit platter, and quenched their thirst with homemade hot chocolate.  We all had a great day.  Take home treats included a bag of baked goodies and a jar of Madison's Mix.

The boat looking beautiful before the party

Happy little girls!

Happy Birthday to you!

Mommy received the first piece of cake!

Presents and yet more swinging in the rigging - they couldn't get enough :)