Out my kitchen window, day 60

This was the view when we returned home after a full day of fun at a place called Entertrainment Junction. I saw some advertisements for it on TV during Christmas and figured it would be just the thing to interest my dad, a model train enthusiast.

I was right. My dad was in train heaven. It really does have an amazing setup and is definitely worth the trip and the price of admission. If you're in the Cincinnati area, I'd recommend a trip (it's off exit 22 on I-75).

It features over 90 G-gauge trains running on over 2 miles of track through a variety of settings. And it has lots to keep kids engaged and entertained.

It opened in August, so it's relatively new to the Cincy area.

Kieran was a real trooper the whole day and enjoyed watching the trains, too. They offer a list of things to look for as you walk through (the list included 8 hidden dinosaurs), which kept Seth occupied. He found everything on the list except for a few bunnies and a sailor, and his keen eyes spotted seven of the eight dinosaurs (I didn't find any on my own).

We all agreed that it was money and time well spent. And we're looking forward to our next visit to Entertrainment Junction. (No, I'm not a paid spokesperson for Entertrainment Junction. Maybe I should look into that.)

Out my kitchen window, day 59

This was the view this evening when my dad (who is visiting from Florida) reminded me to take my daily kitchen-window photo.

And this is Kieran modeling his jack-o-lantern face with his Grandmom.

And this is my dad checking out the HO-scale model trains that he bought for "Kieran" to play with. We'll see who actually spends the most time with the trains.

Out my kitchen window, day 58

This was the view at 7 this morning, while I was up with Kieran, who is finally sleeping through the night consistently. Cute little deer who wreaks havoc on my flowers.

Ruth's Mural

Out my kitchen window, day 57

This was the view as the carpet guy (who I found on Craigslist and who turned out not to be a mass murderer, much to my relief) left after spending a few hours restretching our carpet.

This was also the view as Kieran spent some time watching Daddy . . .

as he fixed the air conditioner drain-thing.

Out my kitchen window, day 56

Out my kitchen window, day 55

This was the view while Seth's very talented sister Ruth . . .

. . . used this blank wall in Kieran's room . . .

. . . as the canvas . . .

. . . upon which she painted one of her famous original murals.

As I write (at 11 pm), she's still putting the finishing touches on her latest masterpiece. It's a beautiful work of art which we'll enjoy for many years to come. Thanks, Ruth, for the lovely artwork!

Out my kitchen window, day 54

We had a special visitor today. Our friend Cath, who lives in Australia but is ministering in a country near India, came for dinner this evening. She's visiting the US--specifically the Creation Museum--for a few weeks this month while her parents are also here.

I first met Cath about 10 years ago, on her first visit to the US. I gave her a feel for Americana at its finest--we went to a high school football game, toilet-papered Dan's house, went to the museum center in Cincinnati . . . .

And then, about 8 years ago, when I visited Australia with my mom, we spent some time with Cath. And she showed us some nontouristy Aussie things--like bushwalking (an Australian tick wanted to hitch a ride to America on me, but I quickly dispatched the little buggar and told him to stay in his own country), an Australian mall, fish-n-chips at her place . . . .

Through the blessings of Facebook, we've kept in touch these past few years, and it was lovely to spend some time with her this evening. Guess it's now our turn to pay her a visit . . . .

Out my kitchen window, day 53

The view this evening at 9:30 pm when I realized that I hadn't taken a picture yet today. What can you see in the reflection in the window?

No eggs yet (chicken or otherwise), Judi.

Out my kitchen window, day 52

This was the view . . .

. . . when I found this little guy on the bars of the chicken run.

Out my kitchen window, day 51

Notice the nice, straight rows that Seth mowed this afternoon.

Out my kitchen window, day 50

There are 8 children in Seth's family. Two of his siblings live near us.


Ethan is one of those siblings. Ethan is the younger, bigger brother to Seth. This post isn't about Ethan.

Scarlet is the other sibling that lives relatively near us. This post is about Scarlet.

Or rather, Scarlet's car. Scarlet brought her car to the Holler today so that Seth could take a look at what may be causing water to puddle on its floor. After letting it dry out by baking it in the sun, I believe they are now throwing buckets of water on it to try to determine the water's point of entry. Nothing like a little water fight to start the summer off right.

Out my kitchen window, day 49

On this nice, bright, sunny, hot, humid morning, I set about putting together the Eglu which will house my chickens. We have a chicken coop that I could keep them in but I want to use them as a lawn vaccuum to clean up the chiggers and ticks that reside in our lawn.

After assembling the movable chicken house, I grabbed the chickens from the coop (where Seth put them last night) and welcomed them to their new home. The guidelines that came with the chickens suggest keeping them in the Eglu and run for five days so they learn where they live before letting them out to range freely.

They spent most of the day under the green cover, pecking at the ground and clucking quietly to each other.

The Chicken Guide promises the chickens will begin laying within a few weeks. So now I wait.

Chicken Names

The masses (ok, so just Dan and Ruth) have demanded a contest to choose the names of my two new chickens. So, I'll oblige. I'll post the contributions so far, and you can either choose from the already suggested names, or add your own in the comments. The winner of the Chicken Name Contest will receive a dozen free-range chicken eggs fresh from the Holler chickens (or something else of equal or lesser value if you don't live near enough to partake in the free-range eggs).

Entries to-date include:

• Hen and Chick
• Ginger Chicken and Chicken Paprikash
• Napoleon and Bonaparte
• Liberty and Bell
• Kim and Channaynay

(Disclaimer: I reserve the right to chose the names I've already decided on.)

Out my kitchen window, day 48

This was the view this morning while the electricty was off for a few hours. It was also the view after I got back from the little local post office. Why did I take a trip to the post office, you ask? Because, apparently, the mail lady does not deliver live chickens. Yes, chickens. The chickens have finally come to the Holler.


This is the crate the chickens safely traveled in on their journey from Iowa to the Holler.

And these . . . are my chickens (and also my feet). I'm thinking about naming them Hen and Chick, unless you have some better ideas.

And this is where Hen and Chick are residing while I wait for their home to be delivered to the nearest Greyhound Bus depot. Now that I have the long-awaited chickens, however, I'm at a loss for what to do with them.

Out my kitchen window, day 47

Sunshine came to the Holler today. Hopefully chickens will come to the Holler tomorrow.

Out my kitchen window, day 46

Another round of rain came through the Holler, watering the plants and filling the cistern, yet again.
Kieran has been having a nice time with his Uncle Dan . . .

. . . except for the time Dan tried to feed him squash.

And his Aunt Katy taught him to dance.

Out my kitchen window, day 45

The view this afternoon when Seth's sister Katy--who is visiting with her husband Dan for a few days--took Kieran for a walk down the lane.

Out my kitchen window, day 44

The view from the window after we arrived home from a weekend spent "camping" (more on that in a later post) with Seth's family.

Out my kitchen window, A retrospective

These are some of my favorite views over the past six weeks of chronicling the view out my kitchen window.
Day 1
Day 7
Day 9
Day 24
Day 33