A feathered guest at a fancy wedding

Thanks for all of your visits during the studio tour, I know I've shown the room dozens of times before, so I wondered if anyone would even care to see it again.  I tried to post photos of different parts of the room than in the past, but some of it was a bit repetitive. 

Sugarwings was with me almost every day last week, and luckily we had a break in the weather and were able to enjoy the outdoors for  a change.  Although, I'm not sure if the cooler air was really cool enough for gloves....

We like to sit in the garden, under an archway covered in vines.  In the past, I used to trim them, but now, we let them grow wild and crazy, so that we have an enclosed area to play in. Its shady and cozy.  When we sit under the low hanging branches, we feel like we are hidden away in a world of our own.  Its a good spot for picnics, hiding from ogres, and for weddings.

We had a special guest at this garden wedding.  One of our cuddly, Rhode Island Reds decided to join us in the arbor clubhouse.

These sweet, little hens are becoming part of the family.  Its so fun to have them follow us around the yard, curious about what we might be doing in case it involves crumbs of any kind.

Of course, ask me about mid- January when I have to slosh through drifts of snow to go take care of the birds a couple times a day, if I still love them as much.

The chickens are NOT doing their job of eating enough of the bugs. So far, they've been great with grasshoppers in the flower beds, and we've not had to use any pesticides at all in our veggie garden. But they haven't eaten a single chigger from the yard.  We are all suffering from chigger attacks, and Sugarwings and I have tried to play only on the paved or gravel areas to avoid getting chewed up.

We are hoping to buy some Guinea fowl, they are champion chigger eaters, but we can't find any full grown hens around to buy. 

Every time I wake up at 3am scratching, I swear I'd pay a fortune to own a couple chigger eating birds.  Anyone know where I can find some?

We don't like the idea of spritzing the little fairy grand babies with bug spray at all. Especially since I coat my ankles with it and still get bitten.

But this year is the worst I've ever seen for pests. I suspected it would be when we had such a  glorious, mild winter.  As much as I hate snow and cold, it serves a purpose, and does help keep the bugs down.

So, I'll try to remember that when I feel like complaining about going out to take care of hens in the cold this winter.    It probably won't shut me up, though, I most likely will still grumble about the cold.

Comments

[Lori]

Karla you spend such precious times with Sugarwings! What wonderful memories you are making
with her :) Ohhhhh I don't like chiggers ~ they itch like craziness!
Have a wonderful rest of the week!
Lori

[Janet Ghio]

I love the veil!!

[Kathy Cabble]

Not this but that. I thought that I remembered you saying that you were going to look into a Flicker group so that we could share our fairy pages as they were done. Have you done it yet and I missed it somehow?

[Karla Nathan]

She made it herself!

Sent from my iPad

[Val]

Sugarwings sure is a beautiful child and I love the pictures you take of her (the way you process them).

[Karla Nathan]

Thanks, we think shes a beauty! I use picmonkey now for photos, at first I was broken hearted that picnik closed, but this replacement is even better!

Sent from my iPad

[Jane]

Beautiful bride - and sweet feathered guest!
I was going to say we put bug stuff around our ankles & don't get chigger bites, but then I saw that you already do this. Will be interesting to see the Guinea fowl when you get them. I wonder what the Rhode Island Reds will think of them?!

Oh,don't ever worry that people won't want to see photos of your studio!!! Always enjoy the tour!

[Ellie]

What a pretty bride, and yard for a wedding. Sugarwing's (and Dewdrop's) eyes are so hauntingly beautiful. Your photos are wonderful; what keepsakes.

You are all so lucky to have and enjoy such a close relationship. Believe me, your girls' experiences will be forever etched in their minds.

[Linda P.]

Sugarwings is a gorgeous little bride, and what a sweet little feathered guest. Do the hens enjoy being held?

I don't think I'd ever tire of virtual tours of your studio! There is so much to see, and it is so romantically beautiful that it just makes me imagine I am there and how much I'd love it.

The vine-covered archway looks like a nice place to get some shade. I see Twinkle thinks so, too.

Loved the peek at Dewdrop. : )

[Karla Nathan]

Thanks, Linda. Yep the red hens honestly seem to enjoy being held, when it is on their own terms. They get upset if chased, but if we crouch down they sometimes walk right into our arms!

Sent from my iPad

[Karla Nathan]

No, I havent started one, but I will if people want to use it. In past swaps, its been nice to see all the pictures together.

Sent from my iPad

[Laurie]

Oh, those chiggers you were scaring us about when we were there! I'm bummed the birds haven't found them tasty, and I hope you find some birds that do! I am sooooo allergic to bug bites that I would be suffering, too! Your girls are so cute! I'm glad it cooled off enough for you to play outdoors!

[Elaine L.]

This has been a rough week for me, but your blog always cheers me up. You are the absolute best grandma!

~elaine

[Sharon Penney-Morrison]

Karla, try Skin So soft on their legs.
Chiggers bite me even on concrete, so I smear
the oil on my feet and legs. Just a thought.

[Lisa]

Karla - you might try essential oils like lavender, maybe peppermint. Google "natural repellent for chiggers" and you'll find some things like that.
I do know that the Skin so Soft mentioned by Sharon keeps the mosquitos away - I don't really know anything about chiggers.