Hens and Roosters

Are these roosters or hens?  Only time will tell...I am joining Shelia at Note Songs for her Roosters and Chickens  Party. 

My children have longed for chickens for quite some time  This year at the Melba, Idaho 4th of July celebration my children entered the chicken race.  Talley, our 10 year old, caught a chicken and was determined to keep it!  I just couldn't say no, even though I have never wanted chickens.  Corbyn, her little cousin from Idaho couldn't bring his chicken home on the plane to Arizona so we ended up with two chickens.  The kids carried them home for the 9 hour drive home in a box on their laps.

The children named their chickens Zach and Melba;  Melba was named after Melba, Idaho where we were visiting Aunt Dawnell and Jeff and their family.   Talley made a sign to hang on the chicken run.

Talley likes to play tricks with her chickens.

She likes to hold them.

We have been making a chicken coop as a family project this summer.  It's not finished yet, but it soon will be.  What color should we paint it?  We are leaning to red with white trim.  I am sure the pictures of the finished chicken coop will make their way to may blog.

Most the time they spend time in their chicken run, but they LOVE getting out and eating bugs -- we have a ton of grasshoppers that need to be eaten.  Unfortunately,

they wreak havoc on my husband's wildflowers as they hunt and peck for bugs-- they stamp on anything in their way.

I would have never thought that I could enjoy chickens, but it is because Talley loves them so.

We have gone chicken crazy and have watched the movie "The Egg and I" starring Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert.  It's a fun romp chronicling a city slicker married couple who on a whim buy a country home and start raising chickens for their eggs.

"Hey, are you lookin' at me?"  I sure hope you are a hen Zach!

Go visit Shelia at her Roosters and Chickens Party.  Most likely, there probably won't be many live chickens but lots of chicken accessories and chicken tablescapes.

Wonderful South Eastern Utah

How is your summer going?  We have been taking a few over night and day trips.  The above photo is from Upper Calf Creek Falls -- a favorite hike with our family.  The hike down has some slick rock and is quite an easy hike once you get past the slick rock.  At the end of the hike, you are rewarded with a refreshing waterfall pond.  On this particular day we had 90 minutes to ourselves before twenty-four people arrived -- yes, twenty-four!  You feel as if you are in a tropical oasis in the desert.  The way back up is more strenuous over the slick rock, but if you have dipped in the pool, you will be cool most of the way up.  Bring lots of water and sunscreen.  If you have forgot your bathing suit, just jump in with your clothes on -- many people do.

I had some fun taking photos of my lambs jumping.  The sun was just right for shadows.  Calf Creek Falls is on Highway 12 near Boulder, Utah.  It is located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Some people slide on the waterfall into the pool.  I am not telling you whether I did or not.

About an hour away from Calf Creek Falls lies the little town of Fruita, Utah.  It was settled by Mormon Pioneers and it was abandoned in 1955 when it became part of Capitol Reef National Park. 

Although the people left, the orchards remain; there are about 2,500 trees. The orchards are preserved and taken care of the National Park Service as an "historic landscape."

Apricots were in season.

The park maintains a "U-Pick" operation; apricots were a $1.00 per pound.

Talley, my youngest picking apricots.

The park service has a gift shop; we can't resist their pies sold in this home.

This is a blackberry one which we consumed readily.  Although a bit pricey, they are very small, at $5.00, they are very delicious.

I hope you enjoyed out little day trip.  Thanks for dropping by my Red Couch.

"Watermelon" Sherbet Dessert

This conceptual watermelon sherbet confection is so fun, easy, and refreshing for the summer.  It's my kind of dessert in the summer, just three ingredients and no baking.  It's just lime and raspberry sherbet with chocolate chips for the seeds. 

Serve it in any clear glassware and it will be the hit of your summer table.  I found the greeen stemware at the Dollar Store last year.

I served it on this Watermelon Tablescape -- the kids and I ate it before dinner ;)...dessert first please.

Whip up some frozen fun today.

Thanks for dropping by my Red Couch where you are always welcome.

Posted with the following:  Weekend Wrapup, Wow Us Wednesday, Show and Tell