Dairy Post: November 22, 2017

Author's Note: To practice free-writing style, Drew has encouraged me to write down my day-to-day activities occasionally as a writing exercise. Over the years, I've had numerous people wonder what it is like to be at The Britten Roost on a day-to-day basis. These new writing entries, I've titled "Diary Posts" will be this glimpse into life on our property. Enjoy. 

Even though the mountain peeked out from the clouds, today's weather was grey sprinkled with rain. However bleak, the few fall leaves dotted the yard and hung to some of the trees branches almost like trees filled with butterflies. Most of my work is done for the day, so I sit and enjoy a sweet orange and a hot cup of tea. The tea is surely a welcome warmth as somehow in the last few days I've seemed to lose my voice.

I finished cleaning the rest of the house today. Mainly the kitchen which needed some love as we left the turkey carving supplies and cutting boards to this morning. Keegan's Boy Scout troop enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast together last evening and we had volunteered one of our farm-raised turkeys. We had left in a hurry since our turkey needed just a few more minutes to ensure it was perfectly done. It made for a whirlwind of events and both Drew and I were quickly carving the turkey to make it on time. The kitchen definitely got the brunt of the craziness. We were proud to share our bounty. There is something empowering being apart of the entire process of raising, harvesting, and cooking your own turkey.

 As I struggled this morning to wake up, I questioned my thought process leaving this mess, however, the work needed to get done. After getting both kids to the bus stop, I walked up to the chicken coop to drop the remaining turkey carcass out into the coop. The chickens were quick to gobble up the treat.  I decided they'd like some fresh air and a chance to stretch their legs so I let them out to free-range for awhile. Later when I went back to the coop, the carcass was stripped clean in only a few hours. In the meantime, I got some loads of laundry going while I deep cleaned the kitchen.

After finishing the dusting and vacuuming, I headed over to my dear friend Kasey's home. They were heading out for the weekend and I stopped by to go over the chores so I could check on their cats and chickens in their absence. We chatted a bit about and then she helped me load up her three chicks and supplies. Not only are we cat and chicken sitting, but we get to have the chicks live with us for the extended weekend as they need extra care. Since chicks need access to fresh water at all times, it made more sense for me to load them up and care for them at my home instead of making lots of trips. I made sure to let Drew know last night that I was "chick sitting" for the weekend. I didn't want him to get home from work and suspect that I had gone off and bought more baby chicks. This may have happened a time or two. Oops.

After I got the chicks settled, Fiona came home. The kids have an early release today due to the Thanksgiving weekend. After welcoming her home, I went into the back bedroom and worked on folding more clothes and putting them away. Keegan was not far behind her and I got to spend a little time with him while he ate lunch. We then headed out to the coop as I needed to dispatch a couple of hens. I needed my best chicken wrangler to help me catch the correct birds. I had been watching them for awhile and knew it was in the best interest to ensure the health of my other birds by ending their lives. This is always a difficult part of flock management, but it is a necessity. As I pulled out the killing cones, Keegan helped me catch the hens. Keegan and I thanked them for their service, before I completed the task. After we finished bagging the chickens, Keegan went ahead and went back inside while I cleaned up those supplies and fed and watered the animals for the evening.

As I walked back into the house I noticed there was another load of laundry to fold, so I walked it up with me to the bedroom before getting into the shower. The hot shower was a welcome relief from the cold rain and I let my mind wonder as I let the water beat down on my back. I took my time getting ready after my shower, finishing up folding the last load of laundry in between. I pulled out some pumpkin puree from the freezer to make pumpkin pies later with Fiona in the evening. Even though we aren't hosting Thanksgiving, I still am going to make a few pies for our family. We love pumpkin pie and the milkman even delivered the heavy whipping creme with today's order. We are set.

Drew will be home soon, so I best close for now.