Just before Jimmy left for his army cadet camp this weekend, he gave me a 'present.' It had been stuffed in the bottom of his school bag for godknowshowlong, and it was only upon packing for said camp that it was discovered. He made it in his textiles class at school
I wish he was as enthusiastic about sewing as he is about running around a field with a gun! I can hardly beleive that this is my little baby - now after only 13 years, a good 2 inches taller than me.
Meanwhile, Mr Marmalade and I spent the weekend engaged in our own war against chicken terror. We have tried everything to remove the torment which has invaded the hen house. We have scrubbed and sprayed, and dusted and cleaned, but still the red mites are alive and biting. Eggy and Peggy will not entertain the idea of temporary accommodation and still they pick and peck and scratch and itch. I have trawled the internet for information and searched the shops for solutions. Know your enemy is what I say! I've bought red mite spray, red mite powder, jeyes fluid (urgh!), vinegar and even coke. Still they creep and crawl and the house and garden now smells very 'carbolic'. However, my saving grace may have arrived as today I have taken delivery of a red mite WMD. Biological rather than chemical warfare must be the solution! Oh yes. Diatomaceious Earth.... or fossilised algae. Those mites better watch out! If you've got chickens, you better get some too.
On a brighter note, there has been a little crafting going on here, because it was also Mr Marmalade's birthday this weekend. I bought him some very sharp carving tools so that he has something to do with his hands when we are on holiday. They didn't come with any 'protection' so I made him a very sturdy and hardwearing pouch from a double layer of denim and some leather.
I'm not sure if he likes the leopardskin trim but I am very impressed with his first ever spoon!!
12 comments:
Good luck with the infestation - a friend in the village is battling the same thing and is very nearly tearing her hair out :-(
I fancied keeping chickens - till now!! xxx
Oooh do let me know how the diatomaceous earth works... I am contemplating getting some of that for my girls... so far putting them in the new plastic house has saved their lives! Literally!
Great bag!! Are the handles made out of cord? I can't wait for Sophie to make things at school and bring them home. My Mum still has some of my school stuff and I hit the big 40 at Christmas! I love eggs but I am not keen on chickens running around, they have beady little eyes!
Hope you win the war on the mites...poor chickens...I like the pouch..
Hey, Our hens and ducks had bugs and I went to the vet to buy some of the "dab on your dog" type insectide. You have to abstain from eating the eggs for a while but it got rid of all the nasty biting little things quick as a wink.
Some very fine whittling! (or is it carving? which is the mannliest?)
what is it about men and whittling? Although, that said your Mr has actually created something that looks a little like something... most of the whittling men I know just whittle a big stick into a little stick!
Ah, gotta love 'um!
x
oooh poor chickens.........
belated happy birthday to Mr Marmalade.
I love Jimmy's bag!
There's an award for you on my blog - I don't think it's one you already have!
Good luck with the chickens - what a stress, you must be fed up with it.
Great to see your boy's crafting - I remember being so thrilled with the things I made at school, though I've no idea where they are now!
Back in my lab days we used to use diatomaceious earth to make DNA preparations. I do hope it helps with those terrible mites. If so it's seriously useful stuff. All fingers and claws crossed. Poor Eggy and peggy. In the pebble household we reckon your chickens ave the best names ever.
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