Which Came First?

 

As with writing an essay, you should never start with your most poignant argument or point, so we will therefore not be starting this blog off with our most exciting news. 

Oh the Ides of March, and Oh my achin' bananas!  I had a birthday-- the big 2-8, and just so you know, I just got inquiry in regards to my 10 year high school reunion.  Yes, it is that time.  I am no spring chicken...  I had a good birthday...the actual day of was a little stinky seeing as how I had to sit at a conference for 8 hours AND I forgot my toothbrush for when I finished my coffee, but once that was over, commence the partyin'!  I arrived home to a lovely family birthday
(including my little brother from D.C.--nice present).  We had barbecue chicken pizza from Asheville Pizza, and for a second year running, Sam's most wonderful strawberry rhubarb pie! 

I got some much needed certificates de pampering-- a massage and facial.  Hey, a girl just needs that sometimes!  I also go a new pair of yoga pants with a homemade paper promise of a "moveable feast" around Asheville to be redeemed over spring break.  For this "moveable feast" we went to Bouchon for brunch where we had mimosas!  Then, we strolled around downtown and went to the French Broad Chocolate Factory and took a tour.  It was pretty interesting; the couple who owns it is super innovative and know their chocolate!  You get to taste some, too.  Highly recommended.

The next March wind blew in my brother, Tim, and three nieces from the north.  Although I had 2 tests and two projects due that week, I managed to squeeze in a little q-time with them which included park, ice cream, mall, dollar tree, and RUB ON TATOOS!  They are a hoot! 

With March also came MARCH MADNESS and blooming orchids.  Sam and I filled out brackets...let's just say, my bracket was victorious.  I did have to do a little bit of research, though.  All of my orchids are also blooming and are very pretty.

Right on the tail of that, we scurried down to Folly Beach, S.C., right outside of Charleston, with Sam's parents.  Luckily, Sam and I had the same spring break.  Unfortunately, there was a cold snap.

  I think it actually snowed in Asheville while we were gone.  However, it didn't feel much warmer at the beach.  Nevertheless, we did brave the chill to enjoy some walking on the beach.  We also did some shopping, ate a lot of really yummy food-- Poogan's Porch, fried oysters, CUPCAKES!  Additionally, we saw some neat sights. We went to the Hunley Museum and saw a Civil War submarine they had recovered as well as went on Gullah tour and got to see a different side of Charleston.

Once spring break was over, the race to the finish line for my semester commenced.  I now have three weeks of class left before finals.  That means that I have three projects, a research proposal, and an exam all the while trying to prepare for my five finals.  Ayecarumba!  It will all get done; I know this.  The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is two weeks off between spring and summer sessions.  "I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN..."



We also went on a hike that turned out to be just what we needed.  We hiked up Stone Mountain in Dupont.  It was a beautiful, warmish day, and the trail was pretty deserted. We just let the sun hit our faces and listened to the quiet with the occasional gust of wind.  We followed this up with a visit to the new Oscar Blues Brewery in Brevard.  We took the tour; it was fun--also a neat operation.






AND FINALLY-- our most exciting news.  I will let Sam, the born again chicken farmer take it from here.  I say born again because the below picture will speak for itself...

 

POWER ANIMAL: The Rooster

  Farmer Sam's bit:
That's right.  As you can see, I'm no spring chicken when it comes to chickens.  I mean, looking at this picture, not all that much has changed except for the glasses, and I'm thinkin' about bringin' those back!  Yes, I remember farming chickens when I was just a wee lad as seen here.  I believe my Mom said my first word was actually me mimicking a rooster crowing.  What can I say about chicken farmin?  It's intense.  Those four buggers we have are a mess!  Here's the rundown.  Serena is our Buff Orphington, and she rules the roost.  She's a good week older than the others and twice their size, but she doesn't know how big she is, so she just bulldozes her way around.  Blair is our Australorp.  Australorps hold the record for laying the most eggs in a year.  Guess how many???  Guess again.  364!!!!  Crazy!  She's been a bit timid, and we think she might be like our cat Weezy who gets nervous and poops in Kellie's hand when she tries to hold her.  Then there are the twins.  Plymouth Barred Rocks.  We haven't settled on names for them.  But they are sweet.  Things have been a little intense in the brooder stage.  Trying to get the temperature right.  Trying to keep Serena from literally flying the coop.  Trying to keep on of the twins from flipping over the water bowl ONTO herself, soaking her and trapping her under the bowl at the same time where she stayed for maybe 20 minutes.  I would image it's a lot like having a baby.  They just poop and eat.  A LOT!  It makes me a nervous mother hen really.  However, it's all really exciting.  Today I built a couple of perches for them to go in their coop.  It's a coop de ville, if you will.  Very fancy work from Kellie's dad.  It's modeled after one I saw on the internet selling for over a thousand dollars.  FYI, they can be made much cheaper and much better than a thousand dollars. 

Other than the chicken news, the garden is underway.  Greens, broccoli, celery, onions, beets, carrots, and peas have been planted.  Don't tell anyone, but I might have accidentally planted a row of corn, mistaking the seeds for peas.  There's a logical explanation though.  I was really excited to start planting, the seed packages look REALLY similar, and both peas and corn were covered in this red stuff so it was really hard to tell.  Could have happened to anybody.  Give me a break, I was just really excited to start planting stuff. 

 

 Blair on right and unnamed twin.

For the twins we are thinking Beezus and Ramona, Laverne and Shirley, or Mary Kate and Ashley--Thoughts?

 

Spring is here--and it couldn't have come any sooner after that cooler than usual March.  Flowers are blooming, herbs are in the ground, and the hammock is in the tree. The porches are also looking inviting after Sam and I gave them a good cleaning today.  Don't forget to get outside and soak up a little sunshine!  Boy do we have the fever!

See you later!