One of the Many Reasons I Heart Mr. B

I know the title of this post might be a little on the cheesy end. I shy away from public professions of how great (or not so great) my relationship is. I normally find those pictures on FB of the flowers that your guy sends you at work a little irritating. Perhaps that’s the jealous part of me, it’s been years since I got flowers at work; Mr. B. is just not that guy. But last night reminded me that there are gestures far sweeter than flowers at work or a romantic weekend getaway.  And so this post is what I hope is an entertaining story for you and a reminder for me.

A little back story on the duck situation.

The ducks were evicted from the house this past weekend.  For the past few weeks they have been spending the majority of the day outside it the “play pen” we constructed last year. However, up until last weekend I was bringing them back inside for the night.  Saturday they spent the evening outdoors, in the “play pen”.  Why not the coop you may ask. Well, the duckies are still small and I don’t completely trust the geese with them yet. Everyone will need to be put in the pecking order, I’m just afraid it might be rather violent with the ducks being so much smaller. So the first few nights outdoors went well. I cleaned out the mud room and got rid of the wet duck smell.  (They won’t be making candles in that scent anytime soon!!)

Ok now that we are all up to date on the duck situation – I can tell you why Mr. B is truly amazing..

Last night we got home from work just after a storm had rolled through with more to come. It was still drizzling of course I had to check on my babies. They were stressed!! Poor little guys, they needed to get someplace dry and out of the rain. I know how ridiculous that sounds they are ducks, but they are babies and don’t have all their big feathers yet! The geese BTW seemed unbothered by the rain/storm, but they are used to it. But what to do? Where to put them? I had reclaimed my mud room and put away all the brooding supplies. The geese don’t like them so hanging in the coop over night was not an option. Perhaps if I put a partition in the coop to keep the geese from them…

I’m scouring the shed to find something that will work. By now it’s raining again and Mr. B has collected the duckies in a wash basket and they are in the shed out of the torrential down poor.  I found a piece of fencing that would work, but the geese would be able to see the ducks and would probably heckle them all night. So not ideal. Mr. B finds some plywood two long pieces about 18inches high. Not high enough, the ladies can jump that. So Mr. B quickly devises a plan and sends me to the house for the tools. Mind you it is still down pouring, the dirt floor in the shed is all wet and mucky, there is crap for light, and no decent work space. But he is going to MacGyver a partition out of what we have.  And that is exactly what he did. Using the ATV as a work bench and me holding the spot light he cut and built the partition.

The duckies were tucked in and happy to be out of the storm. They were all asleep within a few hours. The geese put themselves to bed at dark and didn’t even notice the babies on the other half of their house. Or at least I don’t think they noticed. There was no commotion in there last night.

A happy ending to the duck situation - and that my friends is better than flowers at work.

Eggs

How was your weekend? Did you get a lot accomplished?

We did manage to get a few things done. Along with getting in a fight with a garden rake and giving myself a black eye and Erwin knocking over my Easter egg tree and smashing the vase to smithereens at 3am Sunday morning - great timing!

Mr B and I put up a new fence around our patio with a gate this time, not one but two gates! More details and pictures to come later this week - when it stops raining.

We also candled all of the geese eggs, simple description and instructions found here. We managed to shoo the ladies off there nests and checked every egg to see if it was fertile. Out of 37 eggs - yes just over three dozen NONE were. (sad face). We then sexed the one goose that wasn't nesting, to the best of my knowledge she is a female. I think it is safe to say we have all geese and no ganders. I was rather disappointed. Oh how I wanted to have fuzzy wuzzy baby geese running around the acres this spring. Maybe I'll get the girls a beau for next season...

Sunday afternoon we had dinner at Mr B's parents. They have a robins nest just outside their window. At least they will get to watch some baby birds this spring.

Trio

Over the weekend our quartet of geese became a trio. We came home Friday evening after an enjoyable family dinner to find we were missing a goose. We did a quick scan of the yard hoping the missing bird was hiding somewere. 

Not so, Arlo is no longer with us.

He has been burried in the goose graveyard, near the apple trees. Several of his flight feathers have been added to the memeoral with all the other geese I have loved and lost.  

Birdie Wordies

It's been awhile since I shared pictures of my feather-babies.

Let's change that situation right now!

Patio Fence Update

The fence is holding strong. The patio is still a goose free zone. It is great to be able to walk out side and not have to watch your every step to get to the car. 

Last week Gus realized that he could jump over it. I, on the other hand, have almost biffed it a few times. We are definitely going to need a permanent solution with a gate. I'm thinking a white picket fence. Maybe next year. 

Ruined Crop

There will be no zucchini for us this year.

No zucchini bread.

 No fried zucchini.

No zucchini cakes.

No turkey zucchini meat balls.

No zucchini lasagna.

Nothing.

Zippo, Zero, Zilch.

The geese ate all of it.

See. There is barely a leaf left.

I planted four zucchinis this year.

There was going to be a mega harvest, now there will be none.

I was even preemptive and put a fence up. A cute plastic coated green one (thanks mom!) rather than the chicken wire we use around our other vegetable gardens. Well they could fit their heads through. And they devoured it. There is also a cucumber planted at the end of the raised bed. They left that alone.  

 

Moral of the story, use the ugly fencing and geese don't like cucumbers.

More Watermelon and a Fence

Back with the baby geese were, well babies, we gave them their first taste of watermelon. Look at how cute and fuzzie-wuzzie they were. 

It happened to be on sale again on Sunday and I couldn't resist. I bought them one to share with Gus. 

Look at how grown up they are with their big feathers. 

Now more fuzzies.

In other goosie new, we have reclaimed our porch and patio. The birds like to hang out near the house. I like to think it's because they like to be close to their mama and they can hear me in the house and see me though the kitchen windows. Which probably isn't the case, it just happens to be shaded and safe, but the thought that they need their mama makes me feel better. There's this thing about geese, they poop. A LOT. And it doesn't matter were they are. They are birds there is no potty training them. And now that they are big, their poops are big. I finally had enough. I went and bought a fence. 

Goosie Cuteness for Your Thursday

Look at how big they are getting.

Check you the big bird feathers.

And the size of their wings.  

 

 

 

 

It's been hot, really hot. Did you know that geese pant in the heat.

Good things the babies have a pool to cool off in.

 

 

They do this funny thing were they are all swimming, splashing around. Then one hops out really quickly. The other three follow quickly on his heals. This all goes down with allot of splashing and carrying on. Mr. B and I refer to this as their 'Chineese Fire-drill'.

 

 

 

And this handsome boy or beautiful little lady is Gimlie. You can tell by the white patch on his belly. He also has a darker neck then all the other geese. Since all the babies are getting their big bird feathers you can tell the babies apart by the shape of the white patch on their bellies. Unfortunately only Gim wanted to pose for a photo this evening.

 

A Weekend of Firsts

This weekend we gave the babies their first taste of watermelon.

 

 

 

 

 We wanted them to enjoy a tasty treat this hot July weekend. They attacked it like piranhas.

 

 

 

 

 

Gus Gus also is a watermelon fiend. But he waited oh so patiently for the babies to be done.

 

 

 

Then he finished it off.

 

 

 

After digging into the melon the babies were just a tad on the sticky side. They needed a bath, so we brought out the kiddie pool and gave them their first "swim".

 

 

 

We had to put some steps next to it and in it, right now their little leggies are too small to let them climb in and out. It didn't take them long to figure it out.

 

Goosie Cuteness and the Goose Play Pen

 

My babies are getting so big. Look closely at their wings and tails. Yup they are getting their big bird feathers. I wish they could stay fuzzy wuzzy for ever, but they are growing up.

 

  They are out growing the totes that we use to keep them in the house. Their little heads can look over the top already. Tomorrow night will be their first night in the coop.

 

 

This past week they have been spending the day outside while we are at work. Mr. B and I made them this 'play pen' to stay in during the day. It's a four by six box with wire on the four sides and the top.  They are still small enough to be a easy snack for the hawks or a stray cat.

 

 

 



 

Soon they will outgrow that too.

So sad.

Baby Geese!!

Oh yes I did.

You knew I couldn't stay away. I need to have geese, almost like I need air, or water, or food, or chocolate. They are part of the essence of my soul.

Mr. B, probably one of the most awesomest husbands ever, drove me to pick these little guys up last Thursday. He even encouraged me to get all four, rather than just the three I was originally going to purchase.

 These little fuzzy-wuzzies are American Buff Geese, my favorite breed. The Buffs we've had in the past have been by far the nicest and friendliest geese.

They are now almost two weeks old. They are spoiled and get to spend the night in the mud room and as of right now during the day as well. At least when we aren't there to watch them. I am finishing up a predator-proof play pen, remember we have hawks, so they will be able to enjoy the fresh air while we are at work.

They have already imprinted on Mr. B and I. They follow us around the yard and are quite sad when we put them to bed for the night. I need to turn the fan on high so I don't hear their peep-peeps while they cry it out.

No names as of yet, soon though. I want to get to know their personalities before we name them. I'm thinking we are going to need a Howard and a Bernadette.

Bruce and Christmas Update

Friday afternoon I received this photo from Bruce and Christmas's new parents.

They are getting along well with their new brother Leroy. Everyone is happy and adjusting nicely. 

We Interupt This Broadcast

I'm forgoing the usual Wednesday post to give you some sad news, with a happy ending. 

Remember when I told you about the sassy geese. I omitted exhibit C. The truck. Bruce and Christmas liked to sit under the truck and nibble at the wires. While the ABS light came on a while ago and we finally had it looked at. The wiring needed to be done. To the tune of $300. Yeah Mr B. and I were not happy campers when we got that news.  After much contemplation we decided when needed to get rid of the geese. These two boys are by far the sassiest geese we have had in the past three years. I blame it on the fact they are males and we got them when they were older, we didn't have the time to bond with them like we did the other goslings. 

This past weekend I put on add up on Craigslist. By Monday I had received and inquiry. Tonight Doug and Wendy came and collected the boys. So yes it is sad that they are gone and I'm sure it will hit me tomorrow when I get home from work and there are no obnoxious geese to chase the car up the drive way. 

But it is happy. 

Bruce and Christmas are going to join Leroy, another Toulouse goose who is lonely, he lost his friends a few days ago. They will be spoiled rotten and get to eat all the cracked corn their bellies can hold. Did I mention they will have their own pond. No more kiddie pool, an actual pond. 

The fact that they are going to such a wonderful home with such nice people makes giving them up easier. I have been promised and update in the next few days which I will happily share with you. 

And don't think that this girl will be going gaggle-less forever. I'm sure there will be baby peep-peeps some were in our future. Unless I can convince Mr. B that a goat would be better, the Acres could use a Norma Jeanne.  

Darn Geese

Bruce the Toulouse Goose and Christmas have a knack for getting into things they are supposed to. They are like toddelers, they have to put everything int thier mouth.  

Exhibit A:

My lily.

Good thing we have allot. I couldn't find geese damage on any other plants, yet.

Exhibit B:

The purple cabbage. I had them sitting on the goose food bin on the back porch. The wind must have knocked them down. There was only one survivor. 

This is why we put a fence around the vegetable garden. They would eat everything before it had a chance to ripen. 

Darn Geese.

Bruce is Molting

He's a mess. He looks like he has permanent bed head.

I just want to ketch him and pull out all his loose feathers. 

Mr. B won't let me. Probably because he would have to help.

Hopefully in a few weeks he is back to his regal self. 

Guillermo & Miss Talula Bell

He was getting over his broken foot. The limp was going to be permanent but not a hindrance to his quality of life. She was building a nest, hoping to be a mom this spring.

I am sorry I wasn't here to protect you. Sorry that I had to make the tough decision Guillermo. You were suffering. I will miss you chasing the car, teasing the dog, and making a fuss on the porch.  It will not be the same with out you two. 

Spring Came

Spring came on Sunday, it was a beautiful sunny day. I went for a nice long run, yeah I'm still doing that, I don't understand were the drive to do that comes from either. I just have to. Gus and I took a walk around the yard to survey the damage from the winter. Boy there is A LOT. But we will get to it. I'm sure we will spend the next several weekends putting all the gravel back into the drive way and picking up all the branches and tree limbs that fell. There will be a nice bonfire for any one willing to come help, hint hint sistas....

We have some flowers coming up! Which means I better get on it and rake out the gardens sooner than later. 

I brought out the kiddie pool and the birdies had the first decent bath since the fall. Did they enjoy that. 

Geeky side note, look how I was able to capture the water droplets. I told you that having a good camera would instantly make me a better photographer. 

 Spring was here this weekend, then it went away and has been cold an rainy for the past few days. Oh well I've been honing my driving skills. Mr. B and I recently acquired Giselle. She's a MINI Cooper. And a six speed manual. Thank goodness my husband can have the patience of a saint. I'm getting there. No panic attacks or meltdowns while driving, even though I did stall a few times at a light today. Yeah I was that person who held everyone up at the green light. It was rather mortifying but I held it together. I was in the car all by myself no one to rescue me. I had to do it, and I did. We had another lesson tonight and I am starting to understand the feel of what Mr. B refers to as the "sweet spot" on the clutch. 

Easter Brunch and An Egg Hunt

We went to my mothers over the weekend to celebrate Easter. As usual she hosted a delicious brunch. With all manner of wonderful things to eat. 

My big sista made a sausage roll, OMG wonderful.  My little sista made us a spinach and mushroom frittata. Mom supplied the ham, a fruit tray, and some pancakes. I brought the cake. 

She also hosts an egg hunt for the grand-kids. This year it was a scavanger type egg hunt with clues to find your next egg and ultimately your Easter present. My parents and I fun the night before thinking of all the clues. 

Gus on the other hand decided he need to have his egg hunt on Saturday. See these beautiful eggs. Miss Talula Bell has been working on this nest for over a week. 

Gus took himself on an adventure Saturday while we were working on some major renovation project, we shall talk about that tomorrow. His adventure took him all over the neighborhood and then back to the porch, where he found the nest and the four eggs. He snatched them and ate them. All of them! The odds of us having any goslings running around just went way down. I think she will still be laying for the next few weeks. I might have to purchase a incubator and snatch the eggs myself this time. 

Scrappy Baby Quilt

I started this quilt top early last fall. I was using up some of my scraps, trying out this method. I made enough blocks for a baby quilt. I sewed them together and added a boarder. Then it sat for months.

I was recently invited to a shower for Mr. B’s cousin. They are expecting their first baby, a little girl. I pulled some pink, yellow, and purple fabric to make a quilt for her. Then I remembered the scrappy rainbow one. I couldn’t decided if I should make a “girly” quilt or give her the one that was already pieced. I opted for the scrappy one, it had bits and pieces left over from the wedding quilt I made for her parents.

I was brave, and crunched for time, and the amount of seems was intimidating for my un-thimble fingers (really never figured out how to use one of those) I opted to quilt this with my machine instead of my go to hand quilting. I started in the middle and worked my way out in a swirl/rectangle pattern. I finished off the binding, washed and dried it. Now it’s off to the post office to be sent to its new home.

On another note when we came home from church and brunch on Sunday, where I had the worst bloody mary ev-ah (all vodka with a splash of watery tomato juice, no spice no salt YUCK!) and discovered that I heart eggs benedict, we found this on our porch. Talula-Bell is starting to nest!

Painted Trim and Curtains

Over the weekend Mr. B had to work, so I dug out my painting close and went to work on the trim. We finished scraping paint and sanding the weekend before and over the week we finished prepping for paint. We puttied the holes and calked along the seams. I started priming Friday night and was able to finish up with the touch-ups on Sunday afternoon.

I was going to wait for Mr. B to get home to help me hang the curtains. You see the week before I had tried to hang the curtains in the dining room, but there was an incident with the plaster. I was drilling a pilot hole before I put the screw in. It didn't want to go, so I applied more force. Well all of a sudden it went and I put the drill into the wall creating a large-ish hole in the plaster next to the window. We filled that hole and I touched up the paint this weekend. You can't even tell it happened. Sorry I "forgot" to take pictures of it. Taking pictures would leave evidence and the world would know. I suppose telling you does the same thing.

Like I said I was going to wait for him to get home to help me, but like most things I got impatient and decided to try it again. Success this time. I got a system down. Now drilling pilot holes, just start it by pounding in a nail. If it didn't hit a stud I put in one of the plastic dry wall support thingies. (I'm sure they have a proper name, but it escaping me right now.) I got every one right on the first time. The curtains are hung and the curtain rods are level. 

I suppose you want to see what they look like. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to take pictures of windows/window treatments and get the lighting right. There is probably a tutorial somewhere out there about it. I'll look for it when I invest in a nicer camera. Not much I can do with our old pocket size point and shoot model.

I can't believe it took me over two years to get this done. We spend so much time in this room, now that they are done I realize the globy green paint was bringing me down. The white trim makes the details on the woodwork stand out and compliments the tan walls in a way green could never do. 

We both agreed that it makes our living room cozier and more inviting. The sun blared through the windows most of the morning and afternoon. The new curtains still let in the light but defuse it. It's not as intense any more. 

Just in case you were wondering the curtains are from Target and the curtain rods are, get this, from none other than Wal-Mart. Would you believe that out of the big box department stores the Mart has the largest selection of curtain rods, and the most reasonable prices.

Guillermo update:

He is still limping no major improvement. Which isn't great but it's better than it getting worse. It is still painful, but seems less so. He's limping with more speed and seems surer on his feet. He is also back at sassing the dog, a good sign.