I am taking an e-course with Marisa Haedike, a lovely artist living in Los Angeles. She was one of my instructors at Squam Art Workshops last year, and I am so happy to have a chance to be in another one of her classes. Since my fellow classmates are showing their beautiful artistic endeavors on their own websites/blogs/etc., I am going to take the plunge and post a picture of Charley that I painted last Spring. And yes, I do know he looks sad. He always looked sad. But underneath he was an always sweet, sometimes goofy, and generally happy boy.

Peepers!

We have new chicks! I got them from a wonderful woman in Byers, Colorado, who operates a hobby farm, Manifested Wings, specializing in breeding and hatching quality birds for people like me to love (no mass breeding here).

Mottled Bantam Cochins

Marcheline and Esme are mottled Cochin bantams, supposedly one of the friendliest breeds of chickens. I have what I believe to be a healthy suspicion of this claim after getting the Silkies based on the “friendliest of breeds” assertion. Calliope and Polly are terrified neurotics and Ruthie is a bit unpredictable and, quite frankly, more than just a little scary for a 3-pound rooster. We’ll see how these Cochins turn out. So far, so good.

Marcheline

This is Marcheline. I knew she was a Marcheline the minute I stuck my hand in the box. She is tiny, but she is mighty. Marcheline is French for “warrior like.” Look at that beak – it’s very spear-like, yes? And it comes at you at an alarming speed for her age. Once she’s in hand, however, she calms down.

Esme

Here is Esme. Esme if French for “to love.” Which is weird, because I named her that before I knew how cuddly and affectionate she is.

Easter Eggers

Astrid and Hannah are Easter Eggers. So far, they both look exactly like Coco did at this age. I am guessing they will look super similar to her, which is lovely, as Coco used to get many compliments from her adoring fans.

Astrid

So far, Astrid seems like a normal chicken. No surprises, a little jumpy, hungry, only slightly nervous.

Hannah

Hannah is a little rolling ball. She looks like a rolling windup toy – it’s pretty hilarious. She rolls right into my hand and doesn’t seem to mind just hanging out there.

Of course Ivy and Milo are interested in the chicks, but so far no frightening lunges or scattering of feathers. The chicks are living in a huge plastic tub in the bathtub for now.

I’m not exactly sure where they are going to live when they outgrow the tub but are still too little to be outside. Mike’s office is pretty warm, but then if I put the chicks in there, I have to weigh that against Mike going to live in a hotel. I’ll keep you posted.

And yes, I realize I am a horrible photographer. Baby animals move really fast! I think I need friend Rachel or friend Willie to come over some day and take good pictures of the babies. Rach? Willie?