Friday, March 17, 2017

Wild Violets and Baby Chicks

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Spring begins in 3 days!  I was out walking about the yard yesterday and was thrilled to see the wild Violets in bloom!  Kristi picked a little bouquet for the house.. oh they smell simply divine!  There are 3 colors of these violets, the white ones come out first, then the lavender ones and also dark purple.


I put this first posy in my little vintage milk glass cream bottle that the dairies would use to sell cream to cafes.  Also in the photo is the vintage Devon Violet pottery perfume jar I found last year.  I need 2nd bouquet!



Did you know that there used to be a massive farm industry of forcing violets to sell in bouquets in the spring?  They were more popular than roses.


I had gone out to photograph our daffodils which are blooming in the garden by our back deck.  They are a bit beat down due to all the rain we've gotten lately.



I stuck my camera low under the flowers to get a shot and laughed at myself when I realized that I still had the zoom lens out.. but thought I'd share this anyway as it's kind of a fun image.


This is more what I was going for.


On Wednesday after the children got home from school all six of us headed to Coastal Farm & Garden store to pick out some chicks. Caleb picked out this one - I'm excited because I'd read about this breed which lays dark brown eggs.  He named his chick Jack.  I said.. you know these are girls, right?  And he goes, I know.  :-)



This was his 2nd choice.. he named this one Jackson.


Hayden pick out this one and named it Fluffy.


And this one is Black Fluffy.  :-)



At the farm store they keep them in these galvanized water troughs.


Kristi had gotten all the needs for the chicks ahead of time and set them up in the guest bathroom vintage clawfoot tub.  Here they are in their new home with their "parents" Caleb and Hayden.  Oops.. you can see it's a working bathroom and the towel is not hanging neatly.. lol.


Caleb is gently holding his Welsummer chick.


You should hear the peep peep peeping going on in this house.  They sound adorable and even have a little peep trill sound.


Kristi brought out Jack so I could take a close up of her.  Sweet!  Travis picked out a Bantam he named Boots, Kristi picked out a Red Sexlink she named Sexy and Barred Rock she hasn't named yet.  They were out of Ameraucaunas that lay aqua eggs, but said they would have more on the weekend.  I will get two of those.



In the news here, the White House has come up with a proposed budget which will go on to the Congress.  It increases military spending and cuts all social agencies.  Here is a chart I found.  So.. 45 and the Republicans want to cut Environmental Protection, Labor, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Education, etc.  All things that help the middle class, the poor and our country as a whole.  Cutting school lunches, cutting Meals on Wheels to home-bound elderly and sick people, etc.  


To find out more - click HERE.

I hope you have a good weekend.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

14 comments:

  1. It is good to know you are getting out and about a bit...YAY! You are getting quite a flock of hens with interesting names :) Thanks for sharing their homecoming, the pretty flower photos, and graph link. I hope you and yours have a Happy St. Patrick's Day celebration and good weekend. Mary just put corned beef into some pans to simmer! Love from Gracie xx

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  2. Cheepcheepcheep. What fun for the boys.

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  3. Oh lovely lady. You would be surprised at the amount of media coverage here about old 45. Sending you a big sympathetic Aussie hug. Things politically arent so great here either. But blog posts about St Patricks Day and violets make the world a happier place! I love sticking my face in a bunch of violets! For years I have been trying to track down a lovely one a neighbour I used to know grew. Single deep purple petals on the outside, and a double frill of white flecked with purple inside. Most amazing violets I have ever seen. Yours are stunning. Love and hugs xox Louise

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    1. Louise, I'm so glad we re-connected. I am wondering if the violet your neighbor grew are African Violets.. they actually don't have a fragrance and are indoor potted plants. The wild violet grow wild and smell amazing. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    2. They were actually wild violets for the garden! They had the delicious garden violet smell. At that time I worked as a horticulturist at a local garden centre, so I took them in to show my colleagues. The closest we documented variety we could find is called Viola odorata 'Duchesse de Parme'. Very similar. And exquisite!

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  4. I can only imagine the peeps coming from your guest bath. I love all of times and I know you're all excited for future egg production. Fun times. Still no flowers here. I walked at the mall today and the snow pile there is higher than the three story parking garage! I should have taken a picture.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  5. Oh my goodness your boys are growing up so fast !! The chicks look so sweet - how long will they live in the bath? I can understand your concerns for your country under the current regime. Love the idea of little cream jugs for your posies and I agree with you, violets smell divine. I don't think I've ever seen white ones though. Its Saturday here and I've had a PJ day. Alone for the night so I might do a bit of crochet and go to bed early to read. You enjoy your weekend. Xox

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  6. Awwww so sweet...they must sound adorable. What a fantastic life journey for you 2 grandsons to be a part of. They are so lucky..Daisy would love to see those chicks. Your violets are so pretty too. Have a wonderful weekend xxx

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  7. Gorgeous violets...such sweet little flowers, I love them and love your pictures! How cute the chicks are and how lovely the boys are taking such good care of them. Have a great weekend, Teresa.
    Helen xox

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  8. Hello Teresa. Just catching up. I was at mum's last weekend- well from Thursday to Sat, she is still in hospital - everything up in the air really. :-( Your grandsons are such lovely lads. How are your granddaughters? They must be looking very grown up now. Love the violets. Hugs Anne x

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  9. I just love the chicks, the plans for eggs and the colors and names. Such fun!

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  10. I am so ready for spring! We have had two whole days of glorious sunshine. Lovely photos! So sad for all the cuts, including the arts.

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  11. Oh wow so many chickens....am going to really love watching from afar xoxo

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  12. The chicks are so adorable. What a great experience for the boys. I have been even more floored with the budget and all the stupid shenanigans of #$5. I read this article today. http://www.upworthy.com/its-not-just-meals-on-wheels-these-15-other-programs-get-the-ax-under-trumps-budget?c=upw1&u=969af37d5b90d634ce4a6acd1091c7c53a68da00, Not sure you can get it or not but it is on Upworthy.com. Tweeting about wiretapping, and other baloney, the world thinks we are all idiots for having this man in office.

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