Combining Flocks

Integrating new ducks into the home flock has been incredibly easy, we've been very lucky. Josh and I carried the carrier out into the duck pen and let loose the Alconas & Magpies. After checking out the pond (they didn't have one at their last home, sadly) and drinking a lot of water, they settled in quite comfortably. We opened up the pen and immediately, the home flock waddled into the pen to see what was going on. After a bit of investigation, Josh and I herded the ducks back out into the yard. The home flock and the new gals split up at that point, but after Gracie began herding them about they willing joined up and waddled around together in harmony.

The new gals are extremely vain, spending most of their time preening to show themselves off. They are a bit flashier in some ways than our Khaki Campbells. Lucky Penny, our zombie duck, is the friendliest with them and has spent time snoozing in the sunlight with the new gals. The drakes are infinitely impressed with the Alconas & Magpies, there's been a bit of joyful excitement as everyone gets to know each other.

Phil, unfortunately, has continued picking on Brutus and now Bernie. We've taken the steps to trap him inside the Duckgard pen to calm things down. He and likely the Magpies will be heading off to work at the border collie training farm, which will bring Brutus back to alpha status.

We had breakfast today, courtesy of the ducks. There was no yolk in the tiny fairy (Runner) egg. Our eggs have very hard shells and are considerably thicker in consistency. They scramble thicker than chicken eggs and have a marvelous sweetness you just can't get anywhere else. A diet of foraging and insects has really paid off in delicious returns.

Great new book recommendations

As always, I'm not linking to a book seller, go walk into your independent bookstore and order these!

"I Can Make You Sleep: Overcome insomnia forever and get the best rest of your life!" by Paul McKenna (with Guided Hypnosis CD) seems like a timely inclusion here. McKenna guides you through re-training your brain to quiet those fears and thoughts that plague so many, as it guides you with thoughtful discussion and simple steps.

For all my knitting friends (and you know who you are) there is a great new book by Linda Kopp called "The Joy of Sox: 30+ Must-Knit Designs". With both drawn step by step guides, gorgeous photography and great knee highs, this has some of the loveliest patterns you'll see at a very reasonable MSRP of $22.95. The "Ode to a 2nd sock" will have you in (what else?) stitches! Wow factor - spiral spine so the book can lay flat or fit neatly into a cookbook stand.

"Painted Paper: Techniques & Projects for Handmade Books and Cards" by Alisa Golden. Using a combination of cutting, folding and painting - this lovely book will bring out your inner artist using a variety of techniques and tools. For the perfectionists like myself, it features a messy chic mindset that you'll adore.

If you haven't bought it already, "Storey's Basic Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self-Reliance" by John & Martha Storey will get you up to speed (and quickly) with all those things you ought to know about making your house a home. The sections are charmingly named "Your Place in the Country", "Your Garden, Yard & Orchard", "Country Cooking & Stocking Up", "Your Barn, Stable & Fields". This is a great primer for new home owners and a great reference guide for those of us who might need to build a shed or chicken tractor once in awhile.

For the kiddos, "Day is Done" by Melissa Sweet w/ music by Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary) comes complete with a gorgeous, colorful book whose story is a poem being told by Father Bear to Baby Bear with an accompanying sing-along CD of three songs.