Sunday, May 31, 2015
May 31, 2015 - Garden Update...and Good-Bye to May!
5:34 PM | 
Posted by
Veronica |
This has been a really good month. I got my garden started, I have chickens, and everyone has been healthy and happy. Blake's shoulder is healing really well too, and that makes me very happy. He has a bit of a lump on his clavicle, but it does not seem to bother him.
Blake only has two more days of school left...woot!...so today is study day for the last few finals. I was hoping to get the run built on my chicken coop, but Garrett really needed a day off and Jack was called into work. This was actually a good thing as I completely forgot that Blake needed help with preparing for his last few finals. To help study, I ordered a Pizza feast for dinner!
My garden is growing really well. Yesterday I noticed that I have some peppers, tomatoes and strawberries growing. My leaves are looking really sad though. The bugs are starting to have a feast day with my veggies, so today I sprayed everything down with a homemade cocktail of goodies that is supposed to take care of all the pests. I followed the instructions on this Youtube video. I really hope it works as there is no way I am going to use pesticides. I have too many animals to worry about.
This is the recipe for the spray I am using...
1 quart water
1/2 cup cold coffee
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dish soap
1 teaspoon peppermint extract or 4 drops peppermint oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
You can watch the video here...*CLICK*
As you can see, the chicks have grown! It looks more like Blake has a Golden Eagle on his shoulder than a Welsummer Chick. Yep, we finally know for sure what breed she is.
Some photos from the garden...
My baby seeds for cucumber, yellow squash, zucchini, and basil have sprouted...yay! I get so excited when my seeds grow. My spinach is not showing any growth yet though, and that makes me sad. Hopefully they will sprout soon.
Some of my tomatoes are a little discolored which is very upsetting.
A lovely pepper. Bugs don't seem to like peppers.
More tomatoes.
I really hope my spray works, and my tomatoes pep up. The chickens love bugs...me, not so much.I HATE BUGS!
The only bad thing that happened this month is that I got ZERO cycling miles in. Between the gardening and the chickens, I really did not have any time. I have the chickens free ranging, so I have to keep an eye on them when they are out. Blake could not ride either with his fractured clavicle, and it is just not as much fun without my cycling buddy. But I am not too upset about it. I have had so much fun with my new hobbies that I have managed to stay active in other ways. Hopefully Blake and I can work in a few rides in June. :)
Speaking of June...Welcome!
Until next time...enjoy life, and be kind to one another.
Peace.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,
My 365 Blog.
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Blake only has two more days of school left...woot!...so today is study day for the last few finals. I was hoping to get the run built on my chicken coop, but Garrett really needed a day off and Jack was called into work. This was actually a good thing as I completely forgot that Blake needed help with preparing for his last few finals. To help study, I ordered a Pizza feast for dinner!
My garden is growing really well. Yesterday I noticed that I have some peppers, tomatoes and strawberries growing. My leaves are looking really sad though. The bugs are starting to have a feast day with my veggies, so today I sprayed everything down with a homemade cocktail of goodies that is supposed to take care of all the pests. I followed the instructions on this Youtube video. I really hope it works as there is no way I am going to use pesticides. I have too many animals to worry about.
This is the recipe for the spray I am using...
1 quart water
1/2 cup cold coffee
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dish soap
1 teaspoon peppermint extract or 4 drops peppermint oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
You can watch the video here...*CLICK*
As you can see, the chicks have grown! It looks more like Blake has a Golden Eagle on his shoulder than a Welsummer Chick. Yep, we finally know for sure what breed she is.
Thelma is definitely the largest of the hens, and she comes like a dog when I call her, and Rosie and Annabelle follow. So cute! They are delightful, my sweet little hens.
Rosie is the darker of my two Blue Wyandotte chicks, and she loves to run over and perch on my legs when I am sitting in the garden.
Annabelle is a lighter grey, and she has the fluffiest legs and tail feathers. She is beautiful! Here you can see Thelma is helping herself to some fresh Romain lettuce...lol I love my chickies.
Miss Lilly has been the perfect little chicken guardian. She comes out with me every day to watch the chickens. If I have to run inside, I know I can leave her watching them for a minute and not have to worry. She is such an amazing little dog. She watches from the chicken side of the yard, and Dozer guards the perimeter.
My baby seeds for cucumber, yellow squash, zucchini, and basil have sprouted...yay! I get so excited when my seeds grow. My spinach is not showing any growth yet though, and that makes me sad. Hopefully they will sprout soon.
The only bad thing that happened this month is that I got ZERO cycling miles in. Between the gardening and the chickens, I really did not have any time. I have the chickens free ranging, so I have to keep an eye on them when they are out. Blake could not ride either with his fractured clavicle, and it is just not as much fun without my cycling buddy. But I am not too upset about it. I have had so much fun with my new hobbies that I have managed to stay active in other ways. Hopefully Blake and I can work in a few rides in June. :)
Speaking of June...Welcome!
Until next time...enjoy life, and be kind to one another.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,
My 365 Blog.
Follow Me on...
Flickr
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Saturday, May 30, 2015
May 29, 2015 - Overnight Stay in Coop de'Ville
It was a clear, cool, beautiful night. Blake decided that he needed to verify the structural integrity of the chicken coop before the hens move in. The only way to do that you ask? Spend the night in it. LOL :)
He got all his important electronic devices, and had us run an outdoor extension cord to the coop for lights, chargers, etc. Verified that he could get a good Wifi signal too. After all...all hens need Wifi right?
He made a nice comfy bed for himself and the diva, Miss Lilly. And made sure Dozer was close outside guarding the perimeter.
Then he settled in for a very fun, and comfy, backyard camp out.
I am a little bit worried that the hens may never see the inside of this chicken coop!
Until next time...enjoy life, and be kind to one another.
Peace.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,
My 365 Blog.
Follow Me on...
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He got all his important electronic devices, and had us run an outdoor extension cord to the coop for lights, chargers, etc. Verified that he could get a good Wifi signal too. After all...all hens need Wifi right?
Dozer, Blake's 150 pound security guard/awesome dog, checking in on Miss Lilly and Blake...or just stopping by for a Cheeto.
Blake is the coolest kid on the planet.
I love him so much! :)
Until next time...enjoy life, and be kind to one another.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,
My 365 Blog.
Follow Me on...
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Thursday, May 28, 2015
May 28, 2015 - Coop Progress!
Jack and Garrett have been working so hard on the coop the last two days. Building a chicken coop is hard work, especially when you are using a lot of reclaimed building materials...which makes it even cooler. We did get some new wood, but Garrett brought a lot of the materials from salvage. When you can take something old, and make something useful and new, that is always a good thing.
So far the coop is completely framed, and about 3/4 of the way done.
Willow window...check!
Skylight...check!
Comfortable roosting bar...check!
Wood parquet flooring...check! Wait, what? Okay, okay, we are not THAT obsessed, it is peel and stick linoleum. lol
They still have to finish the trim, and build the nesting box on the back side. I still need to decide on paint color for the trim, and decorations. I am also going to have them build some planter boxes for my herbs, and maybe some flowers. Garrett might even paint a custom art piece for the coop door. He is not happy with the plywood look. I think that would be amazing!
Next they have to build the enclosed run that will be attached to the actual coop, and build a door for the run. The framing for that is reclaimed wood from a playhouse and deck that Garrett and his friend salvaged, and it will be completely enclosed with hardware cloth. I will also be planting strawberry, mint and lavender around the chicken run itself.
I think my 3 little hens will be very happy with their new home. Blake and Miss Lilly definitely approve.
Speaking of my three little hens, it is funny how they have worked their way into all of our hearts. They are just chickens, right? Nope, they are our three little hens, and we LOVE them! I even caught Jack having a conversation with "the girls" yesterday. :)
My guys are awesome! I can't wait to see the finished project.
Miss Lilly is always keeping an eye on her chickens.
"Wait! I can't see the chickens! Someone has got to watch the chickens!!"
"Phew! There they are!"
"Hey mom? Before we add the chickens to the coop, I think Miss Lilly and I will spend the night to be sure it is all secure."
Yeah...right...sure. :) It is a way cool place to hang out, watch a little Youtube under the stars.
My willow window looks beautiful!
Until next time...enjoy life, and be kind to one another.
Peace.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,
My 365 Blog.
Follow Me on...
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So far the coop is completely framed, and about 3/4 of the way done.
Willow window...check!
Skylight...check!
Comfortable roosting bar...check!
Wood parquet flooring...check! Wait, what? Okay, okay, we are not THAT obsessed, it is peel and stick linoleum. lol
They still have to finish the trim, and build the nesting box on the back side. I still need to decide on paint color for the trim, and decorations. I am also going to have them build some planter boxes for my herbs, and maybe some flowers. Garrett might even paint a custom art piece for the coop door. He is not happy with the plywood look. I think that would be amazing!
Next they have to build the enclosed run that will be attached to the actual coop, and build a door for the run. The framing for that is reclaimed wood from a playhouse and deck that Garrett and his friend salvaged, and it will be completely enclosed with hardware cloth. I will also be planting strawberry, mint and lavender around the chicken run itself.
I think my 3 little hens will be very happy with their new home. Blake and Miss Lilly definitely approve.
Speaking of my three little hens, it is funny how they have worked their way into all of our hearts. They are just chickens, right? Nope, they are our three little hens, and we LOVE them! I even caught Jack having a conversation with "the girls" yesterday. :)
My guys are awesome! I can't wait to see the finished project.
Yeah...right...sure. :) It is a way cool place to hang out, watch a little Youtube under the stars.
To be continued...
Until next time...enjoy life, and be kind to one another.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,
My 365 Blog.
Follow Me on...
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Tuesday, May 26, 2015
May 26, 2015 - Project Chicken Coop
Today Jack and Garrett made some progress on my chicken coop. This is the first day they were both off from work, so they had some time to work on it.
My only request for coop design was that they use a lovely sheet of frosted glass, with a willow design, that I have had for years. Because they are awesome, they are building the coop around my glass. It is going to be beautiful!
Blake only has 5 days of school left until summer vacation. I am not sure who is more excited...Blake or mama? :)
We have a new chicken mystery. Thelma is starting to get quite a tail on her. I am praying that she is just going to be an amazing hen, and it is not a rooster tail she is growing. Thelma is the coolest of all the chicks. She is super friendly, and loves to snuggle. She does not behave like a rooster, so I am really hoping she is not. That would be devastating!
Until next time...enjoy life, and be kind to one another.
Peace.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,
My 365 Blog.
Follow Me on...
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My only request for coop design was that they use a lovely sheet of frosted glass, with a willow design, that I have had for years. Because they are awesome, they are building the coop around my glass. It is going to be beautiful!
The sweet girl that took Louie the rooster off to live in rural Idaho emailed me an update on King Louie. He now has his very own Rhode Island Red hens, and is very happy. Yay!
We had a crazy cool storm blow through town tonight. I managed to capture a few shots of the epic lightning show.
Mother Nature is amazing.
Until next time...enjoy life, and be kind to one another.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,
My 365 Blog.
Follow Me on...
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Saturday, May 23, 2015
May 23, 2015 - Best Friends
Blake spent some time in the backyard with Dozer this afternoon. Dozer is getting so old, he is 11 now, but he can still keep up with his boy Blake.
We love you Dozer. :)
Miss Lilly, waiting patiently for her boy to return to her side of the fence.
Until next time...enjoy life, and be kind to one another.
Peace.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,
My 365 Blog.
Follow Me on...
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We love you Dozer. :)
Until next time...enjoy life, and be kind to one another.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,
My 365 Blog.
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