Meet the Girls

Okay first I apologize for all the chick photos but you know how it is when you get something new. You just want to share it. Anyway I thought I would introduce them properly. First a disclaimer. I allowed the girls to each name one and that was sort of a mistake. Instead of cute chicken names, I got some real doozies. You will see.

They slept so soundly last night. This morning I put some fresh paper down in their box and then when I was done taking some photos they got a nice thick layer of pine.

First off is Henrietta. My oldest took pity on me and gave hers a good chicken name. She is quickly becoming my favorite. She is mello and just cute as a bug.

Here she is on my lap contemplating the floor.

Then there is Illidan. Named after some video game character. She will be Illy for short.

Then there is Ragnarok. Another crazy video game name. She will be Rocky. She is feisty and already trying to fly.

Then there is Flower Muffin. Named by guess who? She will be named Muffin for short
.

Oh isn't she cute.

Okay I won't show any more pics for at least a day or two.

Linking to:
Seasonal Sundays
Farmgirl Friday
The House in the Roses
Masterpiece Monday
A Bowl Full of Lemons

Happy St. Patty's Day

The top of the morn to ya!! I hope you all have a wonderful St. Patty's day where we are all a bit of Irish.

Are you cooking some corned beef? We are supposed to go away for a night and attend a party. I don't want to leave my chickies though. My girls are capable of caring for them so we will see.

Have a wonderful day!! It is raining here and cold for once. Hubby and I are planning our coop for the girls. 

He laughed at me last night when I was playing with the chicks and said I am not like other wives of his friends. They all ask for expensive purses and I ask for chickens and a coop. Nothing strange about that. He wouldn't have it any other way.

They Have Arrived

 Yeah! I am a new mom. I think my husband knew I would love to get the chicks today so he suggested I should just head out and get them. So I did. I have to two Barred Rock and two Ameraucana.

The Barred Rock will lay brown eggs.

And the Ameraucana will lay blue eggs.

Photos via My Pet Chicken

This is a project I have been wanting to undertake for two years when I found out I could have chickens in our city. Our neighborhood is older so we have no HOA regulations. I am as tickled pink as you can get and though I know I just took on more work with extra pets, this is my project and fulfills a desire I have had for a long time.
I am city girl living only thirty miles from Los Angeles, yet I have learned to grow organic veggies and fruit in my yard and will now have eggs soon that I know will be raised as healthy as I can for my family. I am proof it can be done in the city, on a small scale of course. I have turned more planter space into veggie garden this year and now am so happy to have worn my husband down on the chicken project. He knows I am determined (wink wink) and will take care of the chicks but I do need his help on the coop set up. He is handy and will set me up fine. Thanks to all of you for your advice and encouragement.
Q and I just had a little time with them where I held them on her lap. I want them to be used to us picking them up. It was so cool to explain how they will be giving us eggs eventually. A great real life lesson for the kids for sure. Oh and I have been advised to add way more pine shredding to the box. Thanks Kris.

Linking to:
Show and Tell Friday
Weekend Whatever
Sat. Night Special
Sunday Blog Love

Wisdom

These were a gift from my oldest who knows how I love reference books especially on gardening.

I have been pouring through them when I get a chance. See that area behind that little white gate. That is the future home of my chickens. I am hoping my hubby doesn't get cold feet before I bring them home. I hope he sees my wisdom in wanting fresh eggs and a new project. He should trust me right?

I think it is the farmgirl in a lot of us that makes us women want to raise chickens. It goes back to our ancestors and we have this primal yearning to have chickens clucking in the yard and to gather fresh healthy eggs for our families.

Some days I have the wisdom to just grab a chair and sit while I push Q on the swings. Yesterday was one of those days. I think the time change is kicking my behind and it just seemed I was putting out fires all over the place. A problem here, a needy kid there. You know the kind of days. If you have raised kids then you know where I am coming from. Normal family stuff.

So you know I spent a lot of time outside de-stressing and you know what else I did? When I dropped my kid off at church at 3:00 yesterday afternoon, I just drove right on down the street to the nursery and bought just a couple more flowers for my garden. I know I know, impulse shopping but boy it felt as if I was in Heaven when I was walking among the flowers and greenery. It calmed me and gave me strength to get back in there. Wednesdays always wear me down for my car, with me driving, must leave the driveway about six times. My neighbors must think I am nuts but really I am just a mom, with four busy kids that need me. I am never going anywhere, for this is my world, but today is a new day and I shall take my walk and then mow the back lawn and all will be right with the world.

Trunk for Toys

Because our little one was learning to walk and because it was huge and ugly we got rid of our old coffee table. We went without for a couple of years. This year though I wanted something back in. You need a place for chip and dip during football games and to put your toes up while watching T.V.
Hubby brought in an old trunk we had in the garage.  It ain't pertty to some but around here, beat up and bruised is all good with our kids and dogs.

Perfectly stores loads of her toys and I keep the latch done which she can't undo. I don't want her messing with the lid without me. Rotating toys is one of the genius ideas I read about many years ago. Kids don't play with what is right in front of them but bring out a toy they haven't seen in a while and it is like new. She has other things out all the time but loves to get in the trunk.

This is part of my goal of organization and storage ideas I posted about here.

Linking to:
Fun Stuff Fridays
Deep Roots
Show and Tell Friday
Between Naps on the Porch
A Bowl Full of Lemons

Kitchen Cute and They Just Don't Get Me

I have been tucking my new things from my birthday here and there in the kitchen. I just love to decorate in here. It is my place in this world.

I think I have my hubby convinced I need chickens. The feed store is supposed to get them on Thursday. Oh I can't wait to bring them home. I feel like I am getting a new baby. Crazy.

This card Patty made me for my birthday is gorgeous I just have to display and enjoy it. Found the perfect spot for it.

When I was out with the gals shopping I bought this old red drainer. My family could just not understand why. Well because it is old and RED of course. I tried to figure out where I could use it. For now it is corraling my grocery ads, shopping clipboard and my pencil bucket. I like it even if the family cannot understand why. The slots make a perfect place to hold some files or papers.

Linking to:
Wow Us Wed.
Rednesday
Women Living Well
Raising Homemakers
Home and Garden Thursday
Time Travel Thursday
Treasure Hunt Thursday
What's It Wednesday
Natasha In Oz
Common Ground
Sat. Night Special
Sunday Blog Love
Seasonal Sundays
BNOTP

Peeps

I adore Peeps. I buy them for the kids so I can eat some of them. They are quintessential Easter props.

I went to the Peeps website and found some cute ideas to use them for Easter.

Instructions here.

Instructions here.

I think the one below is something we will do this year. Easy enough for my littlest one to do herself.

Instructions here.

Of course here is what I made with Peeps last year.

Instructions here.

Linking to:
Bowl Full of Lemons
Fun Stuff Fridays
Show and Tell Friday
Little Becky Homecky

Caramel Macchiato Pancakes

Sundays are pancake days around here. I wanted a batch of our extra yummy caramel macchiato pancakes. Now this recipe is so easy you will laugh but oh are they ever good.

Just take any pancake mix and add half the normal liquid and half any caramel macchiato coffee creamer.
Make sure you have a moppy little haired assistant to stir for you.

And don't for get to add that little squeeze of lemon juice. The acid reacts with the baking soda and make the pancakes extra fluffy.

Linking to:
BNOTP
Show Me How
Coastal Charm
Bowl Full of Lemons
Raising Homemakers
Women Living Well
Natasha In Oz

Many Looks of My Kitchen Shelf

Spring 2011

Summer 2011

October 2011

Christmas 2011

January 2012

Now

Did someone call me fickle?

Linking to:
Seasonal Sundays
More the Merrier
The Girl Creative
Creative Bloggers Party
Craftomaniac
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Met Monday
Coastal Charm
Bowl Full of Lemons

All In

There it is all in. Chicken manure, compost, seeds and seedlings all planted.

Six hours straight. My shoulders are burnt and I am filthy.

Sprout, grow I can't wait.

Heading to the tub for a long hot soak and a good scrubbing.

It feels so good to have it all in.

Linking to:
Homestead Revival

Like a Drug

It calls me this time of year. This is the best time of year for a garden in our part of the state. Everything is bursting. Every morning when I open the drapes, I am called out to walk around and see what else might be blooming.

I hurry to get some chores done indoors so I can head out for a bit in the garden. Weeds pulled here. Plants  tucked in there. All the while the heady scent of the orange blossoms intoxicates me. Keeps me out in the yard when I should be in putting another load in the washer.

I plan to spend the entire weekend focused on getting the veggie garden out front all planted. Compost and chicken manure await to be mixed in. I already have tomatoes in. Some bought, some volunteers that come up from tomatoes that dropped last year.

I shall have dirt under my nails and will probably get a little sunburned but oh how I will be doing what I love most. I always feel so much better when I have all my veggies planted. Knowing I am on my way to homegrown organic produce. I am determined to grow more this year than last year.

Now to convince hubby to let me get three chickens. That is what our city allows. We have the perfect spot behind our garage. They would be sheltered there and the dogs would not disturb them. Hmm. I see his favorite meal coming soon and then I shall pounce and convince him it is in our best interest to add some more chaos to this place. Organized chaos but oh those fresh eggs. My hubby has been working day and night the last couple of days so I doing his lawn mowing chores today. Did the back yesterday and will do the front today. Great workout and I love the results. Will someone make my bed though? Guess I have to do that first.

Linking to:
Show and Tell Sat.
Seasonal Sundays
Show Off Your Cottage Monday