Saturday was my best day out of the three and I was able to welcome several Bloggers and a few regular customers of my website...always nice to put a face to a name...I think this is what I am going to enjoy most about having the physical shop, rather than the on-line one...being able to chat and get excited about vintage loveliness with enthusiastic shoppers! I'm sorry if I still owe anyone an email...there's still a little bit more adjusting to do on my part before I can relax into the routine...I haven't felt this tired, (but content) in a long time...
As well as making a few new items this week, I have also been out on a buying trip today...
I've come home with a few more treasures, which will hopefully all end up in the shop over the next week...
Linens will need to be freshly laundered and ironed first, and china will be washed in warm soapy water.
Whilst I was out though, I had a phone call from my neighbour...
Sadly he had just chased off a fox carrying one of our chickens. I asked him if he wouldn't mind just going round to our back garden to check on the others...which he did. As I expected, the fox had killed them all in broad day light :( Our chickens were free range and had the whole of our garden to call their own, which did give us the dilemma that one day this could happen.
At least I can take comfort from the fact that they were very happy girls for the five years that we had them...I think we were quite lucky to have them for so long.
I realise that some of you may find this a little odd that I am mourning the loss of my hens, but they were a part of our family and would regularly sit on our laps and go to sleep just like a family cat or dog would.
I hope you are enjoying a happy weekend,
Niki x
Oh Niki, I am so sorry to read about your hens, how very sad you must feel. Pets are part of the family and their loss is felt deeply. As you say, it is amazing that you did have them for 5 years in your garden. They must have had a very happy life with you.
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely bumping in to you today.
Thinking of you..
Warm wishes
Isabelle x
Niki - I am so sorry about your hens. I have some girls myself and each time I lose one, it is heart wrenching. Fortunately, I haven't lost any to a fox yet but I can imagine it is probably even worse. What a nasty end to such a wonderful and exciting week.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your future posts.
Hi Niki, Lovely to hear that you are enjoying your shop but sad to hear of your poor chickens. Animals are such a huge part of our lives, our little cocker spaniel was put to sleep the 17th December after a short illness...a stay in the vets for one night I was hopeful she would be ok but it was not to be. I sat for five days cuddling her but the look in her eyes told me to let her go...she broke my heart, 12 years of happy memories to carry our family through these sad days. See you soon now. Julie x
ReplyDeleteNiki, I am so sorry to hear about the girls. What a horrible shock for you at the end of an amazing few days. Big hug xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Niki,
ReplyDeleteEvery peek of your new shop is so fabulous!
I'm so sorry that you lost your girls and to a fox! But they were lucky ones to have to run of your lovely garden.
xo, suzy
So sorry to hear your news.We have lost a few animals over the years and it is a very sad time.I feel for you.
ReplyDeleteVery pleased things are going so well with the shop.
Bellaboo
Of course you must feel very mixed about such a rollercoaster week, Niki! I'm so glad to hear the shop is going so well (of course it was going to...) but it's not at all odd that you are mourning your hens. I'm very sorry to hear of their sad end.
ReplyDeleteOh Niki, I'm so sorry to read about the hens - you'll miss their individual personalities after such a long time. Horrid.
ReplyDeleteBut delighted your first 3 days have been so successful. See you on Tuesday.
Sue x
Oh no Niki - I am so sorry about your hens. I know how you must feel - I dread that happening to ours - some of ours are around 6 or 7 years old. When we had the very cold weather the dogs alerted us to a lurking fox several times during daylight - obviously they couldn't find food so were looking for an easy target.
ReplyDeleteOurs are fenced in so that does give them some protection but a determined fox will get in anywhere.
Jayne
sorry on 2 counts, one your hens and 2 we have been so busy we havent had time to come and visit, hopefully we will be entering your lovely paradise very soon. keep working hard! lol maxine and catriona
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear to shop is going well, but so sorry that you lost your hens. Of course they are part of the family, I certainly believe that goes without saying :-)
ReplyDeleteOh no, that's awful about the hens, I can perfectly understand why you would be upset. I'm so sorry about that. On a brighter note, I did enjoy coming to see you and your shop on Saturday, you have done a fine job and I do hope you will be very successful.
ReplyDeleteHen x
I am so sorry to hear about your girls, you must be devestated! This is the one thing I dread when I let my girls out. We have a small garden (well tiny actually), surrounded by a 5ft fence. I thought this would keep them safe, but have been told it won't. They love to free-range, but it does worry me. I am so sorry - take care xx
ReplyDeleteNiki-
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read about the loss of your chooks. Very sad. My neighbour had a couple and I couldn't believe how they got to recognise my voice and make a fuss of me. They were a real joy and I was devasted when one passed away due to being egg-bound. Cried like the girlie I am! And not even my chicken!
But to finish on a good note...yay! the shop. Good stuff!
Zoe x
That's so sad! I don't think it's at all odd to mourn them. I love the picture of the hen in your lap....so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI´m happy to hear things are going well with your shop. And I fully understand you mourn the loss of your hens! I always wanted chicken but we have lots of foxes around here, too so That´s why we haven´t got them yet. Can´t bear the thought!
ReplyDeleteBye Kirsten
Anyone who would find it odd that you're mourning your hens are odd themselves. Any loss of a pet is so sad and you lost more than one. I find foxes beautiful but how ugly that it attacked them all instead of one for its needs. Really sorry to hear this.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed you had the time and energy to go looking for stock. I wondered how you would fit stock buying into your shop running routine. xx
Im sorry to hear about your hens, I can imagine how horrible it must feel to loose them. :( At least they were happy as long as they lived with you, thats a small comfort. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteOh thats awful, so sorry to hear about your hens. 5 happy years is good though and I understand whn you say they were part of the family.
ReplyDeleteThinking about you all.
Dear Niki
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear your sad news about the hens, no doubt you have become very attached to them over five years and of course, they have such individual personalities too. We used to have chickens and ducks when I was younger, so I can fully empathise with the sadness you feel.
Sorry that your special week has been tinged with this upset - nothing we say can make it better, but you know we are all thinking of you.
Take care,
Denise x
I am so terribly sorry to hear about your hens-I have wanted some for ages but have foxes lurking in corners of my garden, even though I have a German Shepherd. I lost 11 fish a couple of weeks ago to a Heron and was totally devastated-,most people would think I am mad,but they were born in my pond and have been with me for so long. Only other animal lovers understand the loss. I am glad you are happy in your lovely shop. Betty x
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your hens... our neighbour has had many sets of hens and ducks and we really enjoyed watching them toddle around .... but each of them was taken by the foxes.It was just relentless, and it broke all our hearts. Sadly she has given up now.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the early success of your shop. It looks beautiful!
Kathy xxx
Oh Dear Niki, this is such awful news. I can fully understand how you must be feeling about your girls. I would be truly heartbroken if this happened to us. Our girls free range too but luckily for us, the garden is enclosed so it would be very difficult for a fox to get to them. I hope your beautiful shop will keep your mind busy and help you to get over this loss in time.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your chickens. We are on a fox path so don't dare get them.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the success of your shop. I look forward to coming to see in the next couple of months!
Oh Niki i am horrified to hear about the chickens - they must have been the ones that i saw when i came to your house party a few years ago, yes they were gorgeous and had loads of personality - i cannot believe a fox came out in broad daylight - well usually they are pretty hungry to take that risk - but to get all of them is such a bitter blow. Am so sorry.
ReplyDeletebest wishes Ginny x
Nikki, I am happy for your success in your new shop, and I too am very sad for the loss of your chickens. I have 10 hens of my own and they are all special to me. They all have names and I know their personalities. I have raised them all from chicks and I love them. They have a nice fenced in run and house, but I let them free range some when I'm home. I too have lost some to foxes and hawks. It's very sad. I hope you will consider getting some more girls.
ReplyDeleteLaurie
I understand completely about the hens--we used to have them, too, and they are just as sweet as a dog or cat. So much personality for a bird! Sorry for your loss.--Cheryl
ReplyDeleteBit bizarre to have found your delightful site via Hen House, and then to have read such unhappy fox hunting news.
ReplyDeleteLet me focus on wishing you all the best with regard to your new shop.
Your taste is so fine, I do hope that lots of customers will flock by and keep you constantly hunting for new stock.
Best wishes from a New York shop manager, who does know how much work is required behind the scene.
Hi Dear Niki, so sorry your special time has been marred by the loss of your beautiful chickens. We have a big fox problem around here too and lots of chickens have been lost to them in the neighbourhood - we plan to get chickens in the future and I would have loved to let them free range. We have had a fox die right next to our front door though - so one up for the chickens, mind you that wasn't nice either.
ReplyDeleteOn a brighter note your shop is stunning and I'm sooooo happy for you that your launch has been so successful. How fabulous that you've already had sewing time in there. Thanks so much for sharing, I'm thrilled at every update. Suzy x
Hi Niki, sorry your wonderful week ended with the loss of your girls.
ReplyDeleteI would love chickens too but, have foxes around.
Keep your chin up gal,you are doing a lovely job!
Sandie xxx
Hi Niki
ReplyDeleteI am really sorry to hear about your hens, as you say they had a really good life with you, so take comfort in that.
Great to hear about the shop, I will get there soon.....
Tracey
Ohh, sorry for your hens ...
ReplyDeleteNo foxes around our house, except three years ago we saw one in our neighbours" garden, but they have no hens.
Félictations pour votre boutique, vous prenez vos marques, et vous avez la chance de rencontrer des bloggeuses !
Bonne semaine !
So sorry to hear about your little hens.
ReplyDeleteOn a good note your shop is beautiful and I must say huge congratulations on your wonderful enterprise :)
X
Oh Niki... I am so so sorry to hear about your chickens. My hubby's family had them when hubby & I were dating, and one day at dusk, the very same thing happened. Not too many years after that, the same thing happened to hubby's grandmother's chickens. At least they were all very happy during their life (also being free range).
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your hens Niki, that is such sad news.
ReplyDeleteI have been looking at photos of your new shop and oh how i wish I had a tardis to transport me there in a second, it is absolutely delicious and as beautiful as I imagined you would make it (in fact if I had a tardis I bet you would manage to be able to make that look gorgeous too!). Wishing you lots and lots of luck, I'm sure it;s going to be a huge success.
Congratulations
Kimx
So sorry to hear about your hens Niki, that is such sad news.
ReplyDeleteI have been looking at photos of your new shop and oh how i wish I had a tardis to transport me there in a second, it is absolutely delicious and as beautiful as I imagined you would make it (in fact if I had a tardis I bet you would manage to be able to make that look gorgeous too!). Wishing you lots and lots of luck, I'm sure it;s going to be a huge success.
Congratulations
Kimx
I'm so very glad to hear of your successful opening. I only wish that I could have been one of the visitors. Someday!
ReplyDeleteSad to hear about your poor chickens!
I don't think it is at all odd that you were attached to your hens. That is so sad, and I am very sorry to hear it.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, I'm so happy for you regarding your lovely new shop!
How sad about your hens. Our animals always become one of the family don't they? I've now managed to read all your posts as I've been away from blogland for a while. All my best wishes for the shop. I live right the other side of England, but as luck would have it my neice has just moved down your way. I'm hoping to visit her in the Summer, so I may get to see it then. I'm planning loads of work here at my cottage and will need some treasures. I'll bring plenty of large shopping bags with me!
ReplyDeleteNiki I am so sorry to hear about your girls. Anyone who has free range hens will know what a loss that would be. Our girls are such characters and all have names. We would be devastated to lose them.
ReplyDeleteBig love
D x
Niki,
ReplyDeleteI love your hearts, I do wish, since I live so far away, that you would one day consider a on-line store...perhaps when you are settled.
As for the hens, I am so sorry to hear about them and, of course they were your family....
Take care,
Donna
So sorry Niki to hear about your darling hens. We have six ladies and it is a constant battle as we have neighbourhood foxes, it is so awful that they take them in broad daylight. Love the shop, if I am ever in your neck of the woods I will pop in to see you.
ReplyDeleteJo x
Sorry to hear about your hens Niki. It doesn't matter if its a dog, cat or hen they're all part of the family and to lose all of them must have been horrid.
ReplyDeleteOh NIki! that's horrible!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry!!