Liza, the Tyrant of the Raspberries

We’ve had raspberries all month but we’re pleased (and relieved) that they are finally in their full season. 
We knew Liza liked the garden raspberries last year but nothing could prepare us for her tyrannical rule of the garden this year.  If anybody so much as steps outside and heads in the direction of the garden she runs out and shouts at them repeatedly, “No!  NO eat my BERRIES!”  Talking about a berry that she suspects was eaten by an unauthorized person elicits the shouts, “NO eat my BERRIES!” accompanied with a few bursts of tears (and thrashing).  Alison has taken to getting up early before the little ruler awakes, diligently checking the bushes in her jammies.  We’ve all been talking in a sort of secret berry code language.  Poor Stuart smothers appreciation to any person that secretly slips him some contraband. 
So it is under this pretext that our readers may understand the joy our family feels for the arrival of the full berry harvest.  Now, two bowls can be set at breakfast and the tiny tyrant may relinquish the smaller portion to her subjects (with only a few tears shed).

Chicken House Tour

Today we changed the bedding in the chicken house and sprayed it off.  I took some pictures of Liza playing inside.  She declares it is so cozy and I remembered I hadn’t posted about the chicken house.  We bought this chicken coop and attached yard used.  I’m sad now that I didn’t take before pictures because itt was so very used and the transformation is pretty shocking.  We brought it home, cleaned it, repaired what needed repairing, built a new nest box (the other was too nasty be be salvaged), sanded it down and painted it.  Painting this little house pretty much consumed my spring.  Well that and marathon training.   I’m so pleased with the finished result though.  Its perfect for our flock and easy to clean and take care of.  And cozy, ask Liza.

Alison painted the inside so the chickens would be happy when the weather was bad.  She painted a portrait of each chicken, butterflies, clouds, raspberry vines, peach trees, flowers and some wind.  It is the most charming interior complete with a rainbow on the upper ceiling above their roost.      Today Liza ran into her first problem with the chickens besides an occasional scratch when they want her to let them go.  She drew this masterpiece on her leg last night and I’m pretty sure the chickens thought they were little bugs.  They tried to peck her legs and then chased her a bit when she ran.  She was devastated but cheered up when I explained that the chickens thought there were worms crawling on her legs and the chickens were trying to help.  She got them some chicken scratch and grapes and told them, “No, no, no silly chickens.”  Everybody made up and are friends again. 

The girls aren’t laying eggs yet but I anticipate they will soon.  They are looking so grown up.  Here is Spring our bitty Cochin. Whitey, our Buff Orpington. Lucy, who actually hopped into the neighbors yard today when I startled her.  She’s an Easter Egger. 

Lunching

Liza appreciates eating a meal with good friends.