We took Cassie for a walk yesterday; found a nature reserve called The Firs. It's mostly oak and beech; abundant bluebells, wood anenomes and dog violets. We had a good - if muddy - time.

On the way there, through the lanes, we spied lots of bluebells, but I didn't have the camera with us (duh!). So we returned there today and I'm so glad we did. There were bluebells as far as the eye could see! It reminded me of my childhood, when bluebells always were collected in the spring (although that is no longer the case, of course). And the scent - we could smell it before we got into the copse

On the drive to Cirencester we saw some parachustists (?)

Also visited the first art car boot sale in the Brewery Arts car park. Lots of talented people selling painting, ceramics, glass and photographs. I bought a gorgeous papercut that asked me to take it home. Perhaps if there's a next time I will consider a pitch.....

Chickens are OK; two couldn't work out how to leave the roost this morning, so needed a helping hand. They're eating very wel - at least, the food is rapidly going!

A new flock

We thought we would get some more chickens eventually, just not yet. But then a friend told us a local animal rescue had an influx of hens from a battery farm and we decided we could give some a better life.

So here they are, for the first time in their new home.:

As you may have noticed (!), these are not in the condition the others were. They have lots of feathers missing, their eyes are dull and, with the exception of one, their combs are drooping - all signs of poorly chickens.

So we will feed them well, and give them plenty of access to the outside world once they've been with us a couple of days. I hope to document their improvement over the next few weeks

Warning - a soapbox moment! How is it possbile that allowing creatures to end up in this state can be condoned in law and morally? Please, if it's the only thing you do, don't buy anything other than free range eggs.

Sad day

We forgot. The first time ever.

No-one checked the ark was closed. Mr (or Mrs) Fox took the opportunity we presented them with.

I came down this morning to no girls. All gone.

Last day of the holiday for me

Well, I could have asked for better weather for the last day of my holiday. The only plus was watching a robin and several sparrows take an opportune bath in the puddle that has formed on my path.

Thought I'd share the cards I made yesterday - they were all from kits. Not my usual preference (normally I'd make from scratch myself), but they came my way as freebies. Only took a few minutes and it's handy to have a few cards in. Well, my eldest turned 19 today - what better reason to bake more cupcakes. Yes, he had a happy birthday, in spite of the weather

I've been thinking about doing this for a while. Do you ever get or see an idea and find it necessary to mull it over for ages until you actually get round to doing anything about it?

Well, my task was to cover some buttons and make hair clips. So I gathered together my supplies.....

Oh yes, the pleasure of being a procrastinator is that it gives you loads of time to get organised. If that's your thing (and it's certainly mine).

I fought - no, that's not too strong a word - to cover the tiny buttons. The larger ones were much easier.

I had intended on making the clips on the right of the photo. After several abortive attempts, including felt, glue gun and superglue, I gave up after the first 2 shown here, and switched to the coluored barettes. Much more successful. I had planned to put them in my shop but I'm not sure they're going to make it.

The three buttons at the top have been made into magnets for a swap I'm taking part in, the other is a button covered with a piece of Japanese fabric featuring a fawn and made into a brooch.

Funny word, brooch.

Wren update - Mrs Wren didn't chose the nest Mr Wren built in my wreath, but she has chosen one in teh clematis that grows over the front porch. So I get to watch them come and go anyway and I have a lovely nest I can admire without worrying I'm disturbing the little ones. Bonus!

Mmmmmmmmmmm, Cup Cakes!

I keep seeing cupcakes everywhere; on the web, in magazines. They must be in vogue. All this cakey goodness has made me crave (no, not too strong a word!) cupcakes! So, I made some when my BF Sue came for lunch yesterday.

Though I say so myself, they were lush. Gert lush in fact (it's a Bristol thing)

Been busy with a few crafty bits whilst on my hols from work. I took the plunge and entered a swap, organised by Hennie on Misi. Made a few odds and ends (I found my letter very difficult), but of course I can't post them here until I've posted them to my swapper.

Actually, it's a secret swap, so can I ever post them? I hope so! I don't think my swapper reads the blog (not sure anyone does........!)

So instead, here are the first pictures of the girls:

This is Totty. Beth named her; some in-joke between her and friends.

This is Penny (left) and Lucy. Lucy has some problems with her feathers on this one wing; she came like it and I was hoping that a couple of weeks under our care would improve it. It doesn't seem to cause her any problems, no parasites or anything, but it isn't improving.

As they've only just started laying (2-3 eggs per day now - how many cakes a week is that?), I'm waiting for their first moult, when they will look incredibly sorry for themselves.

My boy (!) is nineteen tomorrow. How did that happen?

Should I post with no photos to show?

Because this is what stops me from blogging. I know it's nice to see photos an' all, but I just haven't been taking any.

It's been a quiet week, actually. No crafting, just looking forward to the Easter break, although I am still in work next week. It promises to be a lovely weekend, so gardening may well be the order of at least some of the day!

Let the chooks into the garden today. They thoroughly enjoyed the grass, although I can't say the primulas particularly enjoyed the attention they got from the girls! They even put themselves away (Cassie may have had a little to do with that!), which was the bit I was dreading the most. They're not as friendly as the last ones - not vicious - perhaps I should say more nervous. They will eat out of my hand, but would rather not.

Are they trying to tell me something???