The seabrights: All grown up

Well, we named the seabrights Mr. and Mrs. Cann (not Tweedledee and Tweedledum) after the canary called "King Cann" in a child's story book Elmer and the Dragon. Our Mr. Cann is so small and he just seems like the King Cann from the book, so small and so proud.

We enjoy watching them out in the grass. They always stay together, they stroll around side by side. They watch out for each other. If we hold one, it's best to hold them together otherwise they are nervous. Mrs. Cann is definitely more uptight than Mr. Cann.

As you can see in the photo above, he can relax. If you hold him for a bit and sit still he will close his eyes and just enjoy the rest. This photo was taken in our dining room. Sometimes as a treat, after my son lets the chickens out in the morning he'll bring someone to the door for a visit. Usually, either my daughter or I will gladly scoop them up and have a little moment holding them. Then when it's over, I open the french doors and toss them out and they fly like birds for awhile.

Here you can see the adorable egg my son found laid by Mrs. Cann.

So cute!

Thinking it was the first of many to come I carelessly fried it. But since then we've only been able to find one more. I don't know where she lays them. They are so small and probably have their own special hiding place.

We love them so much. They are adorable and so much fun to hold.

They stick together like all good couples.

I hope they will survive another year at least. Sounds harsh I know but I've learned...between the owls and the coyotes you just have to appreciate them today and be prepared for what tragedy might befall them.

Tweedledee and Tweedledum

The seabrights are growing. 

They stay together. If we try to hold just one of them, the other sits in the box and cries. So cute.

Their feathers are coming in.

We are keeping them in this box, but they have started flying up and roosting on the sides.  This has never happened with our chicks. The seabrights are so small and more bird-like than chicken-like. They are so fun to have around.

They're the new hamster.

Chicks

It seems we can't go a spring anymore without little fluffy characters in our life. Jack is fixated. These two are Bantam Golden Seabrights.

Samuel

Many of you many of you may know we had a baby in October that died. It probably seems strange that I haven't said a word about him on this blog. I just wanted to say that after we found out Samuel was in trouble I just stopped blogging.

Who cares about blogs.

I certainly didn't.

Now that we are past the most intense part I have started limping along on the blog, just posting when it seems very easy. If I have anything to say about Samuel, I post it over at http://www.isabelhope.blogspot.com/.

Tia's Basque Country Garbanzo Bean Soup

We've been making hummus lately. I like to can garbanzo beans in the pressure canner to have on hand for a quick batch of hummus.

As I was canning the beans, it got me thinking about a simple garbanzo bean soup that I had for dinner one night at Tia Victori's piso in Pamplona, Spain.

Yep, I've been to Spain.

I went with a friend who had relatives there for 5 weeks. We spent time in Pamplona, Barcelona, Sevilla and Rota. That was before digital cameras.

Did I mention I was cold when I was thinking about this soup? Well, I was. It was a very simple soup. I went online to try to find a recipe that would suffice. Nothing. Just fancy schmancy soup with sausage, chorizo, etc.

No, no no! That's not how it was. It was simple.

Did I mention simple?  I think I did.

So I decided to just try to do my own.

I started with raw beans and started boiling them. It didn't take long. I happened to be cooking down a chicken carcas for broth so I scooped some chicken broth in with it. I also chopped up some carrots and tossed them in with some salt and pepper. (There were no carrots in Tia Victori's soup though, just simple soup. I know you know.)

The soup took maybe 30 min, start to finish. I didn't think the kids would be too excited but I poured the bowls and we all sat down. It was DELISH! So simple! So good.

The boys and I loved it. The little gal will have to warm up to the idea I guess. It was SO good! My oldest son requested I make more today and it's gone again.

Sugar-free Chocolate Velvet

I modified this recipe very slightly from Jordan Rubin's The Maker's Diet. I replaced honey with stevia. Some other alterations that I have done in the past are adding unsweetened coconut flakes or using a little liquid Raspberry Chocolate Stevia.

This is absolutely delicious and tastes like a fine, creamy dark chocolate. Not too sweet, but very rich and fancy. The kids all love it and I feel good about giving it to them.

Sugar-free Chocolate Velvet

2 c. coconut oil

1.5 c. cocoa powder

1/2 c. almond butter

2 Tbsp. vanilla

Stevia (to taste)

Warm up coconut oil enough to melt, then add other ingredients and mix together well. Place in glass dish, cool in refrigerator to chill. Remove and serve immediately.

A friend has a son who has a little bit of eczema and after eating some of this his skin has improved. I have read that coconut oil is good for skin.

Valentine's Day.

I have just been feeling so sad lately and with valentine's day coming I really didn't give it a thought and told my Love that I didn't expect a thing and wouldn't have cared either way.

He surprised me with beautiful roses and a lovely card. I really was surprised. They are beautiful. He knows what I like. I'd much rather receive pale roses than bright red. I am so blessed to share my life with him. I don't deserve him.

The boys made some nice valentine's with Grandpa's help.

The girls got a special treat of millet tossed out to them and they ate breakfast with us.

Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours.