Pearla Lace Shawl #2

I love fancy, lacy crescent-shaped shawls. I made a Pearla Lace Shawl last year for my sister, and wanted a second one for myself.

These photos don't really do it justice.

I went ahead and cast on the Kryptonite lace shawl from the same designer, then set that aside while I knock out some faster, bulky weight projects.

Happy chickens

The broiler chicks are 3 weeks old now. I tipped their metal tank onto its side so that it still provides shelter from the wind, but they can make use of the entire "coop."

The adults got a fresh layer of straw in their run.

Finally, I put up a flier advertising my eggs for sale by my front door. My sister drew it for me. It's super cute!

Baby chicks!

Got a box of peepers in the mail! They're so dang cute. Five of these are male Black Australorps. The other twenty-six are male "all heavies," so I can't identify them. All are looking good except one who has a bum left leg. He can move it but can't get it underneath him. He may not survive because he has trouble getting around. Everyone else will be butchered in three months.

In the shipping box.

Transferred to metal pen.

SO CUTE

Chicken photos

Just some nice photos of some of the chickens. Click on any photo to see it pop up larger.

Blue Laced Wyandotte

Red Sex Link

Black Silkie rooster

Golden Sebright rooster

Golden Sebright rooster

Blue Silkie rooster

Red Sex Link

Red Sex Link

Cuckoo Marans rooster and Silver Laced Wyandotte hen

Black Breasted Red Old English Game rooster

Black Breasted Red Old English Game rooster

Unknown mutt rooster

Silver Laced Wyandotte

Silver Laced Wyandotte

Golden Sebright rooster

Golden Sebright rooster

Opera dress

Back in 2014, a couple of my friends alerted me to the SF Opera's upcoming costume sale. I went on a whim, not realizing how special this was. The opera rarely has these sales - this was only their 5th one in their 90 year history! The sale was located in a huge warehouse. One corner was roped off and displayed their more expensive pieces, mostly fancy gowns. Which of course drew me right away. I have always wanted to own a ballgown. My mother, who is supportive yet practical, had asked me on previous occasions: where would I wear a ballgown to if I did shell out the money for one? Which was a very good question, as I've spent most of my life as a recluse. But that day, I saw this dress on sale for a song, and I couldn't resist:

Unsurprisingly, the gown then spent 3 years in my closet. I needed to make a few alterations: shortening the skirt, taking in the shoulders, fixing up the ragged lace, replacing the ribbon in back, and sewing in bust enhancements. (It had originally been fitted for a tall, wide-shouldered buxom amazon.)

This past December, I made another spontaneous purchase: tickets to see Hamilton in San Diego. And I knew that I HAD to wear my opera dress to the show - it was in a similar style as the dresses worn by the Schuyler sisters.

I didn't get any photos in the daylight, as the show was at 8 pm. But I will definitely be wearing this dress every opportunity I get, so I'll post better pictures at some point! (And yes, Hamilton was AMAZING.)

Fox hat RIP

I forgot that my foxy sun hat was resting on top of the lamp when I turned it on. (The switch is on the floor.) Bummer.

Chicken tractor

Most of my garden area has been mulched with cardboard and straw. It works well enough, though this area is prone to wind storms that send the mulch traveling.

However I've neglected other areas which are now overgrown with grasses, which will turn into dangerous foxtails as they mature.

I was thinking that I should build a small chicken tractor for these areas. The chickens inside will happily munch on the grass, getting extra food and nutrition while solving my weed problem. But time and energy are in short supply lately, so actually making a tractor was overwhelming. Until I had a sudden realization that a wire dog crate (with the plastic pan removed) would be perfect for this.

Five minutes later, the whole thing was ready to go. The hardest part will be catching the chickens to put them inside each day. Today I spread out some treats and was able to catch the Red Star and Speckled Sussex. They'll catch on and start avoiding me soon enough. I'd rather avoid making them sleep inside the crate as they won't be comfortable. But putting in a roosting bar would be easy enough, so that may end up being the solution.