Pollinate, my local urban farming store

Pollinate received a Kiva loan last year, and were just featured in a short "success story" video:



I love this store and I am glad that I was able to help with the loan!

Lizard pants

I spent three hours weeding at N's homestead today. I enjoy weeding - I can let my mind wander and my hands work, and then I turn around and marvel at the difference.

At one point I felt something cold next to my knee. I knew it wasn't sweat. Was it blood - had something cut me through my pants? I pulled up my pant leg and saw a grey reptilian tail.

I shrieked, loudly and dramatically. Wouldn't you, if you suddenly found an animal in your pants?

I stamped my leg a few times and the lizard fell out and scurried away so quickly I didn't even see it.

Morning dew

Morning dew on a strawberry plant.

Mushrooms

I found multiple clumps of mushrooms growing in my raised bed.

As a gardening newbie, I had no idea whether this was a good or bad thing. I asked online and was told that it's a sign of soil health and rich microorganism life. Excellent!

Crocheted shell hat and army cap

I took a few crochet projects to a seminar last weekend, as I have to be actively doing something in order to stay awake while sitting in a chair. I finished a shell stitch beanie with bulky, woolen-spun yarn (probably my favorite kind to work with).

Then I started and nearly-completed an army cap. The only step left is to sew decorative buttons on either side of the band.

Chicken status update

The older and younger chickens are now integrated and everything seems to be fine. The Australorp gives an occasional peck at the babies, but not too hard.

Last week I had the big access door open while I watched them, as usual, and the older ones decided that it was time to explore outside the coop.

Unfortunately the movement attracted the cats, who startled the chicks multiple times. The Australorp and Rhode Island Red hopped back into the coop. The poor Ameraucana just froze in place and pooped. I picked her up and placed her back inside, where she resumed normal behavior. After that scary experience, none of them have ventured outside again.

The Cream Brabanter has started jumping onto the 1 foot wall underneath the big door, and may decide to come out soon. I was holding her recently for a photoshoot and she escaped my hands and walked around a bit.

She's quite photogenic. I love that crest.

I'll open the little chicken-sized door on the next warm day that I have time to supervise them.

Here's the big girls settling down to sleep:

Long-sleeved knit shirt

I made most of this shirt during the Knit Know-How class at Stonemountain and Daughter Fabrics. I'm quite pleased with the fabrics I picked out. The fit is good but not perfect. I would need someone with much more experience sewing clothing to help me fiddle with it.