The truth behind "chicken math"

If you have thought about raising chickens, are raising them or have raised them in the past you have probably heard the phrase "chicken math." This refers to the fact that once you buy yourself a couple of chickens your flock "magically" multiplies and you find that you have three or four times as many chickens as you originally intended. I was sure that this would not be an affliction I would suffer.

Fast forward to today. Our girls, as I lovingly refer to them, are about to start laying. We have Mabel (Delaware), Maude (Barred Rock) and Ethel (Jersey Giant). The girls are much easier to care for than I anticipated. I clean the coop out weekly, rake the yard, open the coop in the morning and close the girls in at night. Piece of cake.

Today I happened to stop by the feed store on our way to the toy store. There was a big sign outside that said "The chicks are here." Well, what could it hurt to go and have a look. After all, my son had never seen baby chicks as ours were six weeks and ready to be outside when we purchased them. Well, we went home empty handed but after talking to my husband and our son begging for three more girls we took the plunge. We now have a brooder in the garage. You see, chicken math gets us all, even the supposedly wiser women. Wish me luck.

Introducing Dorothy (Buff Orpington), Gertrude (Australorp) and Harriet (Road Island Red)!

Passionate pursuits.....

     Days are so easily filled. Chores, work, school, shuttling children back and forth, gardening and blogging and every little thing that we try to fit into our days. This makes me think of some of my passions that I forget to make time for, forget about completely. Back in the day photography was my designated minor. I took every class our local community college had to offer and many classes privately as well. I could go off on a trail for hours photographing anything and everything. I'd play with light, shadows and composition. It's been a while since I've really focused on my photography.

     With my son starting school in August I've been working on a list of things I'd like to do in my spare time. Of course I will only have a few hours the first year, but that's still a decent amount of time to explore passions that have been shelved. I want to focus more on my writing and I want to dig out my beautiful Nikon D-90 my husband gifted me. I'm ready to hit some new trails, photograph some new finds and enjoy the process of taking pictures again.

"Hello friend" Nikon D-90 copyright A. Edwards

What passions and hobbies have you forgotten? What actions will you take to get back to them?

Curb appeal.......

     You might assume, because of all the projects you've seen on my blog, that our entire house is in good order. However, my neighbors would most certainly disagree. The left side of the front of our house has fallen from grace and has become overgrown with weeds. We never really did know what we wanted to do with this side of the house. We knew we needed to keep a third spot for parking, but beyond that it's a barren wasteland.

Simple raised bed

     This weekend we set out to change our front yard appearance. After all, it's not fun to be blogged about by the neighbors (hey, that's my job). Starting with weeds and some reclaimed wood I had a plan in mind. I wanted to create a raised garden bed, stain a parking berm and just spruce up the whole area. Enter the husband and our trusty weed whacker, a little bit of muscle and a whole lot of imagination. Sometimes yard projects need to be low cost. No, I mean LOW cost, as in totally free. 

     The reclaimed wood was a freecycle find. The plants were either grown from seed or transplanted from pots they were outgrowing in the backyard. The tomato cages were also a freecycle find and add some color. The adirondack chairs have been kicking around for years. The roses were already here but overgrown. They just needed to be trimmed back. The parking berm was left here from a previous contractor. Sometimes it just takes a good scrounging around to find the materials needed for a much needed update! 

Small town living... car show....

Our town has quite a few festivals throughout the year to promote tourism and community involvement. Today our town hosted a really great car show with around one hundred entries, live music, great food and all sorts of craft booths. As the center of town is within walking distance we just had to take a break from our yard work to go have a look.

Neither my husband or myself would consider ourselves "car people" but everyone, ourselves included, can oggle, gawk and stare with the best of them. The car show did not disappoint. Starting with a long line of vintage to new mustangs and ending with all kinds of great off road vehicles we were oohing and ahhing all the way down the line. We visited with neighbors, had lunch at our favorite local Mexican restaurant and then it was back to yard work.

One of the fun things about living rurally are the quite nights and the close community feel of our town. However, these festivals give us a chance to show our good side and encourage other families to consider mountain living. What with hiking, biking, camping and other outdoor activities, cool mountain air, and a more peaceful feel what is not to love!

Etsy coupon......

Happy Memorial Day! Through Monday save 15% off storewide with coupon code Blog15. Find great vintage items for your home and your life. I've added some great new items with more to come. http://www.etsy.com/shop/mountainvintage

Moxie returns- drumroll please......

Moxie- 9 months

     Moxie, our guide dog puppy in training, is just back from his first evaluation (9 month eval). We have nervously anticipated the results of this first performance evaluation with the training staff at Guide Dogs of America, hoping against hope that Moxie passed and we were going on the the twelve month mark. Well..... drumroll please...... Moxie did great!

     Moxie did very well with his commands, though we have some work to do on perfecting his stay and formal come. His overall response to corrections was "very good" and he responded well to distractions like birds. However, we will need to work on his calm response to people and other dogs, both have which he's recently become much too excited about. We are very proud of our boy and excited to have him back and ready for the next step.

Handmade gift idea......

     My sister in law's birthday was approaching and I wanted to gift her something that was at least somewhat handmade. I was stumped until the last minute when I remembered making a terrarium a few years back for a friend. Terrariums are a great, relatively easy to make, unique gift. Part of the fun is picking the jar.

Our terrarium sits on our counter

     My husband and I hunted up our vintage candy store jar at a local antique shop. The jar was the perfect size to sit on a kitchen counter or desk without taking up too much space. I prefer to use jars with lids, though I've seen large bowls used as well. Being that my sister in law lives in a cooler climate, as do I, I knew that a lid would help lock in some heat during the colder times of year. Once we had the jar we purchased cactus potting soil, some charcoal, a mini cactus and rocks.

     Add rocks to the bottom of the jar for drainage. If you can't find rocks you like, try a pet shop where they usually have river looking rocks and colored rocks too. Next, add in a thin layer of charcoal or just mix some charcoal in with your cactus potting soil to absorb odors. Add the soil then plant your cactus. Spritz with water from a spray bottle and cover. Place your new terrarium in a sunny location. Don't over love (water) your cactus. Remember that you'll drown it if you overwater. Enjoy!

Guide dog puppy- 9 month eval......

I have to admit that I'm pretty nervous here tonight. Our guide dog puppy, Moxie, just went in for his nine month evaluation. We've worked so hard and spent so much time each day working with him and helping him master his commands. I'm hoping he does well.

Moxie and I- 12 weeks

I think a lot of the fear of this evaluation comes from our last guide dog puppy in training. He was dropped from the program after his nine month evaluation. Though he was a great dog he was far too hyper for guide dog work. Now he lives his days as a pet, which is not so bad of a life. However, the goal is to finish a guide dog. So, tonight I sit here rethinking these past months, hoping we've done everything we could and should have. Did Moxie get enough exposure? Were we firm enough with him? Was there something more we could have done?

School presentation

Only time will tell if we are on track. My fingers and toes are crossed that we make it past this evaluation and get one step closer to the finish line. A lot of people ask us if we are sad to say goodbye to a dog we've raised. Yes, it's hard, but it's also hard to not reach the end. I have dogs as pets and I love them. The guide dogs have a much greater purpose and we remind ourselves of that daily!

Couponing vs. Extreme couponing....

     I like a deal as much as the next gal. I want to save money when I go to the grocery store, as much money as possible. Recently an "extreme couponing" craze has popped up turning into a television series and some serious blogging about coupons. I have to admit that it's very entertaining. I am quite impressed with folks who take a $1,000 grocery bill down to $20. However, I would like to address a few things I am not so impressed with.

     I want to feed my family the best food I can. It's all about quality in our house. You can feed your family whole, nutritious food on a budget. When I see these couponing shows I have to say I'm quite disappointed to see folks loading their carts with candy bars, soda, and other complete junk food. It doesn't matter if the item is free, if it's unhealthy why bother?

      I also hear many of the most extreme couponers spend upwards of 40 hours a week working their coupons. What is sacrificed to save this money? As many of the people I've seen on the television show and have met are stay at home moms I can tell you what is being sacrificed; those children and the time you wanted to devote to them when you chose to stay at home and be a mom. If I spent 40 hours a week on my grocery coupons I could just as soon get a full time job and probably make more money than I'd saved. However, my son is the reason I stay at home. I want to use my time to guide him, play with him, inspire him and read to him.

     Americans are getting fatter and fatter and health problems are spreading. Type 2 diabetes and obesity are plaguing not just adults, who can make their own decisions, but children as well. What kind of message are we sending to our children when we focus on the cheapest, most unhealthy food imaginable. I've yet to see an extreme couponer who saves money of fresh produce, low fat cuts of meat and other high quality products. So, while it's great to save money, I'll just take a pass on having all that junk in my house. Sure, you can get it for free, but Type 2 diabetes, time missed with your family and obesity are the secret tax.

Garden projects.....

Vintage metal produce crate

     Much of my days lately have been absorbed working in the garden, planting new flowers and cleaning up areas that needed to be addressed. This weekend we cleared a new area near the back of our property which will become our pumpkin patch. In the process we found more potato bugs than I care to recount. They gross me out just thinking of them.

Dutch baby bath

     I realized that my simple 1950's fruit storage crate could be easily mounted to the outside wall and now corrals all of my tools and garden twine within easy reach. Sometimes a solution appears right before my eyes. This also frees up valuable table space as the intention of our potting bench is to use it for gardening and as a serving table for outdoor barbecues. I am constantly arranging and rearranging the garden to freshen things up and get things just where I want them.

Vintage wash tub and store display

     I've tried to incorporate many reused items in the garden, much like my simple red fruit crate. I've also used an old wash tub painted red and blue for a pot. When the pot comes out and ice is added it's the perfect cooler for parties. A dutch baby bath is filled with flowers for an attractive raised planter. An old store display rack was given a fresh coat of paint and now holds various plants and garden tools. Used creatively almost anything can become a garden accessory!

  

A thrifting we will go.....

     My husband and I decided long ago that thrift stores are an excellent resource for bargain items. We have been fortunate to find high end camping equipment, home and garden items and new and gently used clothing at a fraction of what retail stores charge. The stigma which used to be attached to thrift stores, that you had to be poor to shop there, is long gone. Now environmentally conscience, thrifty spenders and vintage efficionados can be found on the hunt in thrift stores worldwide.

     For those who haven't yet dug up the courage to dig in I thought I'd tempt you with a few items from today's hunt. Keep in mind that I spent less than an hour in the store (more time and more digging often yield even better results) and I chose a thrift store I have come to love for their higher quality items. Today's score comprised of:

                     1. 5 men's button down shirts
                     2. 3 boy's button down shirts
                     3. Quilt (great for a table cloth, summer picnics or cuddling up)
                     4. 1972 chicken counting game new in box
                     5. Risk collectors edition new in box
                     6. Garden shoes- brand new with tags
                     7. a small calendar my husband wanted for work
                    
     At just about $40 these items hold some great value. All the items are in excellent condition as are so many of the items in thrift stores. I see thrifting as a sort of recycling. Why buy something new when there is a perfectly good, gently used alternative. Vintage furniture shopping is also on the rise and thrift stores are a great way to find vintage furniture pieces like the pros do. As a former antique dealer I can promise that many of my greatest finds were from a thrift shop.


     Did you find anything great this weekend. Feel free to share your own thrifting stories in the comments. Happy hunting!

Something special.....

Every once in a while I list something on Etsy that is from my personal collection. Today I listed a very special 1950's Native American ring that I've owned for probably 15 or more years. This ring has beautiful detailing, two natural turquoise stones and my favorite: a little flower. I don't usually share my Etsy items here on my blog, but this one was something extra special. So, here it is. I have much more to come in the shop so stay tuned.

Busy Day.....

     It's been a bit busy here what with researching elementary schools, home improvements, gardening and so on. Sometimes it's nice to sit back, relax and have a day off. That is just my intention for tomorrow for both my husband and myself. We are not scheduling anything. Tomorrow we will stay home. We will not jam pack our day with endless errands and to do's or go back to Ace for the third time because we forgot something for our current project. We will simply be..... present.

     Do you schedule time to relax? Isn't it funny that we have to schedule down time now? What with children's activities, family events, work, school and the like it's hard to find time that I can just wander around the house, cuddle up to read or watch my son run all over the backyard. I hope you, like me, are finding some restful time this weekend. I'm sure we can all use the break.

Gardens in bloom.....

     Every day I walk through our garden eager to find new things sprouting. I haven't been disappointed this year. Despite the late frost (it's still not over) and some cool temperatures overall we have been quite fortunate with a few of our plants. I have found that we've had better luck with seeds started directly outside this year than we have with seedlings grown inside and then moved out into our raised beds. I'm thinking perhaps next year I'll make this a true experiment and plant a raised bed with each to monitor the results.

     Our little raspberry bush, which I was so sure had been a victim of the frost, has come back and is looking strong. This was purchased bare root earlier this year and planted in April. We haven't had any berry bushes previously so this and a strawberry pot are out experiment. The strawberry pot, which was planted with seeds in April, is also starting to sprout. I find it hard to imagine the plant growing enough so that we'll have strawberries this year but we are excited to find out.



     Other sprouts of interest this week are a huge pile of sunflowers, a gift from my son's teacher, which did much better than anticipated. We have them sprouting in every spot we put a few seeds. This green pot with a huge cluster of seedlings was actually going to be a throw away pot located under a bird feeder. I had given the birds some of the leftover sunflower seeds and it seems they fell down and started growing. The Fuchsia we planted is also doing well despite the cold which brings a smile to my face as it's such a wonderful and dramatic addition to our garden.

A glimpse of small town living......

     Today we visited the Pine Mountain Club Lilac Festival. We walked around to the various booths and enjoyed the cool but nice weather, waving to people we knew as we passed. We saw local vendors with their handmade goods, sampled some delicious kettle corn and soaked up some sun. As we walked back to our car we realized we were parked directly on the parade route and the parade was about to begin.

     This is what you come to appreciate about small town living, the families all lined up on a parade route to clap and cheer as relatively simple decorated cars drive by throwing candy. What made my heart sing was the reverent silence as the national anthem was sung. A crowd which had been noisy and boisterous brought to absolute calm as we placed our hands over our hearts, the man who was wheel chair bound and could barely stand but made every effort. We love America and we love our town.
    

    The floats passed by with an appearance by Smokey The Bear and firemen and sheriff's deputies (a parade highlight) waved from patrol cars. Our neighbors and friends clapped when the forest service rolled by because we know the hot summer is coming and with it, dangerous forest fires which have threatened our town in the past. People in small towns appreciate the little things. We revel in the joy of watching our children's faces light up as the local baton twirlers and dance studio participants walk by. It's good to be home.

Artwork makes the house a home.....

My Frank Sinatra albums

     When I go to a dinner party or over to a friend or family member's house you may often find me slowly going from wall to wall as if the home is a museum. In a way a home does become a showcase for your taste in art and display. I love seeing what someone has chosen to hang on a wall as wall space always seems to be limited.

Original oil from an antique store

     In my own home art abounds. We have originals, prints, framed records and object art. Ours walls are full of an eclectic mix of mediums and artists, subject matter and composition. There is nothing uniform about our tastes. We simply buy the art we like the best, often from flea markets, and find out what we have uncovered later, if at all. We are known to have artwork stacked in closets and rotate out different pieces.

Thrift store find $20

     For anyone choosing a piece to hang I would encourage that you always pick the piece that speaks to you, evokes a memory or an emotion. You don't have to spend a lot of money either. You can find great pieces of art in antique stores and thrift stores, at flea markets and garage sales. Artwork is everywhere. Etsy.com has a truly amazing selection of original art at very good prices as well. Fill your walls with art and you will never be board.

  

Destined to homeschool.....

     Last September my husband and I began interviewing principles of the three local schools in our area. One was our town's public school, one a charter school 20 minutes further into the mountains and the third was the public school in a neighboring town. After seeing what each school had to offer, researching test scores and looking at class sizes we chose the smaller neighboring public school, followed by the charter school and decided he wouldn't be attended our own town's public school at any cost.

     With our son making the waiting list at number 14 for the charter school (they took 13) and number 8 at the neighboring public school (they took four) we were very confused about what our next step should be. Our own town's public school has very large class sizes, a lot of teacher turmoil that ends up in the newspaper each week and test scores that don't reflect the standards we have for education. With these things considered I'm considering something I have never considered before: homeschool.

     I have some pre-concieved notions about homeschool that I will definitely have to overcome. First, that my son won't be exposed to the social atmosphere he craves, two that he'll struggle with only myself as his teacher. These are two worries that we'll simply have to do our best to work through. Parents must sacrifice when it comes to their children, must do what is right even when it seems more difficult. I know my son won't thrive in a large class size so I must take on the task of teaching him myself.

     Today I set out on a mission to learn what I can about our local homeschool chapter. If our son, for some reason, gets into one of our two schools then I will be glad. However, I can't sit idly by and wait for a decision to be made. I must prepare myself for the current status of things. Wish me luck and definitely share any insight you may have.

Another volunteer opportunity.......

     For the past two years I've been volunteering for Guide Dogs of America as a puppy raiser. While we currently raise puppy number two I've decided to pursue another of my dreams; to become certified in pet assisted therapy. Our Golden Retriever Frankie, a rescue, has now been in our home for a little over six months. In that time I've been watching to see if she might exhibit the characteristics of a good therapy dog, and it seems she does.

     Pet assisted therapy teams have the opportunity to enter hospitals, elder care facilities, schools and other institutions where owning a pet is not possible. Often times the sick are in the most need of companionship, a willing ear, and the ability to pet a dog. It has been shown that merely petting a dog can reduce blood pressure, ease tension and calm a person. So, it makes sense that these vital assistance teams exist as a means of aiding the public.

     The first time I witnessed a pet assisted therapy team was in junior high when I volunteered at the hospital. Our patients looked forward to their visits immensely. Later, when I worked at a nursing home, I was in awe at the number of residents who came to the common room one evening, only to find that it was Paxie, a dog visitor, that had them excited. As any dog owner understands there is something special about the bond between a dog and his human.

     So, now it's a wait and see game. Frankie and I will continue to work on her training, her ability to be calm in the face of stress, and her manners when greeting other people and dogs. Soon she'll be ready to sign up for her exam. Only time will tell if Frankie is the right kind of dog for therapy work. A human can choose a volunteer path, but as I've learned with raising guide dog puppies only the dog can choose whether they want to work. Let's hope Frankie is an eager student.


"One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why."  ~Author Unknown
  

This week's finds......

     Sometimes the perfect item finds me. Other times I spend hours scrounging, rummaging and digging only to come home dirty and empty handed. This week I've been fortunate to find a few treasures buried in the rough. My foraging was limited to my own small mountain town this week. Though we lack larger stores we are fortunate to have a few good thrift stores and a couple of antique shops.

     The Godfather, as I'm calling my new lamp, is a mid century modern find. Horse head lamps popped up everywhere in the 1960's and were made from everything from metal to ceramic. My horse head lamp is unusual as it's very tall (31") and very heavy. The solid wood base gives the lamp the perfect Danish touch. The horse itself is solid and cast from either a strong ceramic or cement. The lamp weighs in at over 11 pounds and was a steal for $10. Paired with the right shade this will look great in my office until it finds it's new home.

A delightful catch all

     Another great find were a pair of Meakin china cups. The cups have a striking blue and white pattern both inside and out. I added a lemon verbena soap to each and wrapped them in cellophane and ribbon for a lovely Mother's Day gift. Vintage mismatched china has so many fun uses. Here are just a few examples of ways I use vintage china:

         1. Hostess gifts- a china plate with a candle, tie with ribbon and add a thank you tag
         2. Mismatched china plates make chic dessert dishes or even every day dishes
         3. China cups are great for potted plants like cactus and violets
         4. Glue a china cup to a matching plate and fill with bird seed for an instant feeder
         5. Break up china for beautiful mosaic pieces

A simple saucer with a candle 

Pretty Q-tip container

         6. Use china for soap dishes, candy containers, sugar packet holders, jewelry dishes, pet food dishes, and use saucers for under terra cotta pots.



  

Saying farewell to Roman... a guide dog puppy grows up

     There are many proud moments in puppy raising whichever guide dog organization you volunteer with; the first time your puppy navigates the mall without needing correction, the first time your puppy lies down under a restaurant table without cleaning the floor and continually passing evaluations. Then comes turn in day. This is the culmination of everything one has worked for and it's quite a feat indeed. 16-18 months of intensive training, socialization and love have gone into this little puppy who, by now, is not so little any more.

     Today I was honored to be invited as my friend and fellow puppy raiser, Jerri, turned in her Roman. Roman and my first guide dog puppy were born just two days apart and Jerri and I became fast friends. With husbands in the same line of work, our common interest in volunteering for such an amazing organization and our love of dogs it was easy to make conversation. While my first puppy was career changed at nine months and I went on to raise my second puppy, Roman continued to grow and pass his training and evaluations.

     Roman is now 16 months old and has been called back for his formal training. This is the time that a guide dog puppy goes from his raiser back to the guide dog facility where they will work with a state certified guide dog instructor on the more advanced obedience, learning directions, additional commands such as "find the stairs," and "find the door," as well as being evaluated for both heath and temperament at this final stage. This is both a very sad day for the family that must say their farewells and also a very happy day as all of their hard work as paid off.

     Now, Roman's family will wait eagerly to hear if Roman has passed all of his tests and if he will be matched with a visually impaired recipient. While a guide dog puppy raiser may begin to raise a new puppy right before the other goes in for formal training or at turn in I believe our friends will be waiting to hear what happens with Roman first. It is a very exciting day for us all! I will miss puppy sitting Roman and his darling face. Roman is, after all, the reason I rescued my own Golden Retriever. Wishing you all the best of luck Roman!

In case of fire.......

Air assistance- Post Fire 2010

     The sirens were wailing and I watched as three forest fire trucks barreled down the road past our house today. Living surrounded by national forest makes for great hiking and weather, but can also be a huge problem during fire season. We've had fires come down the hills very close to our house blanketing our yard with thick ash. This makes one wonder what they would grab if the evacuation orders were given. At this time of year (the beginning of fire season), I try to make a mental note of things I'd grab in case the situation should arise.

Post fire 2010

     Fires are pretty frightening events. Prevention is key. Make sure that the land around your house is defensible. Cut back shrubbery and clear weeds as soon as possible. Keep insurance paperwork up to date and in a safe place. It doesn't hurt to have a second set of paperwork at an out of the area family members home. Have a point of contact out of area in case local cell towers go down. This way when you or your spouse might be cut off from reaching one another you will both know to call the same person.

     Fires are no joke and spring is a great time to start planning for them. Keep water in your car as well as a spare set of clothes. We've had times where we've spent hours on the freeway as the only road to our house was shut down for a brush fire. Know alternate routes not only to and from your home but also to and from your children's school. Keep a sticker on your front window that lets fire fighters know how many animals are inside your home. For safety reasons don't put your pets names on the sticker (burglars like this information too).

Smoke fills the air as a fire rages 

     The person who remains the calmest in the event of an emergency is the person who has taken the time to plan out a course of action. Being calm saves lives. You don't see firefighters or law enforcement jumping up and down and screaming when a disaster strikes as this wouldn't aid anyone. By thinking ahead you can keep your head when things get hairy. Remember what Smokey Bear says: "Only you can prevent forest fires."

I will win the retail war.......

     This morning I met with a woman for a private coupon class. I had mentioned on my local freecycle group that I'd like some instruction on couponing and was soon offered a one on one class complete with examples and tips on how to save. What a find! Aren't we all trying to save money these days? Whether or not your household has been directly affected by the recent spike in unemployment we have probably all felt the blows of higher gas prices, higher food prices and in many states and counties higher taxes.

Simple coupon organizer

     Whatever the state of your finances it's always fun to save, or at least I think it is. Armed with a note pad I eagerly sucked up information like a sponge. I learned which days coupons come out, which days store ads run, ways to double your savings, etc. Not only was the information great but just like a workout with a personal trainer, the class left me pumped to try harder.

     Here are a couple of fun tips I took away from my class:

1. Set a course and try to make as many right turns as possible, you'll idle at fewer lights saving gas and time.

2. Keep last weeks grocery mailer to compare to the new weeks. This will help you decide if you should make a quick Tuesday night trip to the store to save on items from last week.

Use tabs that matter to you!

3. Try to match up coupons to deals already being offered in store and then see how you can double your rewards. (For instance, Ralphs recently offered double rewards with a shell gas receipts. Might be worth a trip to Shell)

4. Don't leave out places like Walgreen, Rite Aid and CVS which often offer great deals on things like laundry detergent. Just be sure to check the unit price for ounce by ounce comparison

5. 10 for $10 is NOT always a good deal. Ask yourself if $1 is really a good price for x. Many times it's not and we're just sucked in.


     While this may be elementary to some, many of us are new to coupons. Feel free to add additional tips in the comments section and spread the savings fun!

Providing shade- an essential in this California garden

     Once we decided to plant vegetables we knew we wanted raised garden beds. Though our battle with gophers provides enough comic relief to rival Caddy Shack we knew that we didn't want to battle for our food. Once the raised beds went in the next priority became shade. In our hot and dry California climate (zone 8b for garden enthusiasts) we have hot sun to contend with. The sun beats directly into the center portion of our garden for much of the day which might scorch young plants. Thus we began researching shade options.

     Probably the most common shade structure I've seen in my research are white pvc half rounds with a shade cover. While these are economical they can be rather unsightly. IN addition pvc isn't super cheap, or easy to bend. Plus, with the size of our raised beds they might be overkill. We thought of using a tee pee type design with poles but that left little growth space for our plants. Finally, in an old Martha Stewart book and in a older garden magazine I came across an idea for simple wood slatted shades that can be removed when not in use. Better yet, they also deter the dogs who would probably go right through anything made with cloth.

Simple wood shade structure

     We made our shade covers with 1'x2" cedar but you might also be able to recycle pallets to make these simple structures. A few nails (screws split the wood) and some hinges and voila, shade. The cost for each shade was about $17 with hinges since we purchased all new wood. If you recycled wood by either using shipping pallets or even branches from trees you could save considerably. However, seeing as how we'll be using these for years I'm happy with the small investment.

     What kind of shade do you provide for your garden? What weather problems do you contend with?

Egg watch 2011.....

     The chickens are growing bigger and bigger each day. While they munch on a diet of chicken starter, fresh spinach, strawberry tops and a myriad of other delectable veggies I am eagerly anticipating our first egg. According to my calendar and judging by the look of the girls we may see an egg any time this month. Of course, because animals are never predictable we may have to wait a bit longer.

Mabel likes the view from up top

     There is something affirming about a first egg, just as a first vegetable on the vine. Setting out to create a backyard farm I have been skeptical as many around me have as well. Once I start harvesting veggies, enjoying my own fresh eggs and creating my own compost I think I will feel a bit redeemed, even if only to myself. I know I am not the first, and certainly not the last, to set out to create more of my own food using the space I have. My confidence in myself comes not from deep within but from reading and listening to the stories of others from pioneers to the present day.

     What new gardening experience are you testing this spring? Will you grow your own food or perhaps as herb garden? Is this your first year with chickens? I find that rather than being overwhelmed by the work entailed in growing food and taking care of chickens, that everything seems to fit our life well. I've mentioned to the hubby that I might like a rabbit or two as there poop is great fertilizer. His response: "I won't say no." Ahh, music to my ears!

I do- Happy Anniversary

     A white dress, pink roses tipped in swarovsky crystals and groomsmen and bridesmaids dressed in black. On this day seven years ago I married my best friend. Marriage teaches a person so many things. I've learned to listen more, speak less. I've learned that compromise is key. I've learned that there is no "winning" in arguments, you have both lost. Marriage has helped me grow into a better woman.

     Seven years later I am a mother as well as a wife. My husband and I have started a family, created a home and built our life. One son, three dogs and three chickens later we have a lot to laugh about. Our lives aren't perfect but we are exceptionally happy and so lucky to have found each other. Happy Anniversary to my husband and best friend!

                                           An Irish Toast
"Never lie, steal, drink of cheat. But if you should lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you should steal, steal kisses. If you should drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away. If you should cheat, cheat death so that you will always be together!"