Introducing...

My California Wild Rose. Isn't she pretty? There are a bunch more on the way. I love this plant and I kind of wish I had put it on a more prominent place in the yard.
We've settled on flower names for the chickens and since I don't run a military dictatorship, we have middle names too, which were selected by Sofia.

First we have Poppy Honeybee, our Buff Orphington:

Next is Violet Viola, one of the Barred Rocks:

This is Rose (Rosie) Cocoa Bean, a Black Sex Link:

This is Daisy Dear, the other Barred Rock:

And finally, Tulip Petal, the other Black Sex Link:

They are just over 3 weeks now and they weigh between 5.5 ounces and 7.4 ounces. Tulip is the biggest and Rosie is the smallest. Coop is coming along but no photos to share yet...

Mountain mom

Mountain mom
Originally uploaded by Berinder

Chris and a couple friends went backpacking this weekend to Matlock Lake, Kearsarge Pass, and Mt. something or other (eastern Sierra out of Independence). Bobby (one of his companions) titled this "Mountain Mom", which seems pretty fitting. Chris was my savior in college when I had to prepare for the 8-week summer field camp in the Sierras. Chris' companions, although not lacking enthusiasm, did lack some experience and perhaps there was a little figurative hand holding. Chris is also the voice of reason, which apparently came in handy, too. There are more pictures here and here.

Makes me want to go. Who wants to babysit?

Name This Bird

A new bird came flitting through the back yard and was in and out in 30 seconds. So, as usual my pictures are poor, through the window, fully zoomed and cropped. But this is definitely a bird I haven't seen before. I have a general idea, but I haven't pinpointed it. Any guesses?

It has a slight crest that's hard to see in the photo and there is a small branch crossing its face in the photo (not a white streak). Tail feathers spread and showed more rust when he flew off.

Fly Away Little Birdies

The birdies are on their way to their new homes. That was a fun little diversion. But holy smokes, I have less than two weeks until Maia's birthday and have compiled quite a to-do list for her celebration. First and foremost, I need to finish her birthday ring - she remembered that I said I would and so it must be. Then we have a small fairy party planned and I decided that I wanted to make fairies as party favors - so we're going to try a clothespin doll/fairy scavenger hunt. Maybe a little ambitious for 4-year olds, but should be fun. Then there's a fairy/birthday coloring book in the works. Oh dear, what have I got myself into - all self-imposed of course.


Did I ever post about this birdhouse? I think maybe it got lost in the "back to work" shuffle. Chris and I made this birdhouse following instructions from Sunset magazine. It's supposed to be suitable for Western Bluebirds, which I would love to attract to my yard. I've seen them here a few times but very rarely. But, the exciting news is that the Oak Titmouses, who are around pretty often, have been fluttering about and even in and out of the birdhouse. I'm very excited. I'll try to get a better picture.

Reading

I was tidying up my nightstand this morning, which is usually not so tidy with a stack of magazines, books, knitting projects, tissue, lotion, glass for water, etc., when I got the urge to share a picture (of the tidy version of course!)

I think what you're reading can say a lot about a person. Most of these books are not new, several are family oriented, and I have to admit all could be categorized as "preaching to the choir". So make of it what you will. Here's a brief description:

The first was lent to me by Maia's "Mommy & Me" teacher when I told her I was reluctantly going back to my old job part time. This is the subject of some future post. Yes, I have started working again, no, I'm not completely happy about it, but not because of the working part but because it's my OLD job, the one I never intended to go back to. My friend in a similar situation says I will feel much better when I get that first paycheck. I haven't started this book yet and I doubt it will have too much I can use. We have made every adjustment possible over the past 3 1/2 years and my working has mostly to do with our choice to keep the girls in Montessori school. Oh, and that darn car... the subject of yet another post.

The second was lent to me by a friend over a year ago and I have started it but can't seem to get through it. Maybe it's the yucky subject matter, maybe it's her writing, or maybe it's the dorky title, but it's important so I really should get back to it. It's about being safe, how to help your children listen to their instincts, make good choices, and avoid being taken advantage by long lost Great Uncle So-and-so (or whomever it may be).

Last Child in the Woods was given to me by my mother-in-law, Julie. She read it, enjoyed it (mostly), and said I might enjoy it too. She said we're already doing most of what he suggests, but then again, it's always nice to get some reassurance.

The Creative Family was written by a really neat blogger (Soule Mama) who lives in Portland, Maine. She homeschools her three (soon to be four) children, sews, knits, crafts, gardens, cooks with them, and she takes wonderful pictures to share with the rest of us. I'm sure the book will have some ideas that I can use.

Affluenza was lent by another friend. It's a critical look at our consumer society. Chris and I have suffered from affluenza in the past, but it's amazing what three years of one income will do to cure it!

Grub was co-authored by Anna Lappe, the daughter of the woman who wrote Diet for a Small Planet. It seems to be written for a younger audience, which I don't exactly like, but it has great information about how eating local, organic, fair food can help the planet. And it has recipes, too!

What are you reading?

Name This Bird

Just when we thought we'd seen all the birds this area has to offer, this feathery friend and his buddy showed up last weekend. Chris and his dad spotted them first. Today they came back just long enough to snap this photo through the window. We think we know what it is, do you?

Quail Family

Look at these lovelies!! I noticed a quail out the window this afternoon and then one baby, then two, then four, then eight, oh my, I couldn't count them all. They were parading around the yard, pecking around for food. So cute and so tiny. The babies mostly stayed under bushes and they spent quite a bit of time under the sage and lavender bushes by the bird feeder. Papa Quail always trailing and standing watch, Mama Quail in the lead. I have to admit I was so giddy I could barely contain myself and even though my girls were excited too, they kept looking at me like I was crazy. There were more than ten babies but I never did get a good count. They sure do move fast. I hope they keep visiting our yard. More pictures here.

Butterfly Emerges

Wow. What fun we had today. Click here to see our flickr set of the gulf fritillary.

Caterpillar Updates

The caterpillar metamorphosis is being well documented (I'm a little obsessed). I don't think I ever did this as a kid, so I'm completely fascinated by the whole process. The caterpillar has now started turning into a chrysalis. We've also confirmed that it will be a Gulf Fritillary, which is the same as the butterflies I saw around the vine where I found the caterpillars. Picture updates are being posted at our flickr site.

Just another trip to the mailbox

Maia and I went out to get the mail today and noticed some pretty flowers that had bloomed. Then we saw the lizard by the door. It was a much larger variety than the blue-bellies we normally see in the back yard. This one was about 9 inches long! Then we saw the grasshopper jumping around, on the grass. So I ran and got the camera. I couldn't let all this nature go without some documentation.

All this after our adventure collecting a caterpillar this morning. I had seen a bunch of these caterpillars on my walk yesterday, so I took Maia back there this morning to see them. I brought one home, along with the stem/leaves it was sitting on. This is the one we brought home.Here is his current home - I'm still reading up a little about what it will need. Mainly, plenty of ventilation, plenty of the fresh leaves it was eating, and some moisture. If all goes well it will metamorphose into a beautiful orange butterfly. Then I will be sure to release it in the same place I got it.