Monday, March 11, 2013

Dreams Do Come True


I'm glad you all enjoyed my nonsensical dream!
I could start a blog just sharing my dreams, because every.single.night that's what they are like.
Epic.
Not always so tumultuous, but ridiculous nonetheless.


Been pretty busy since we last spoke.
: -)
Working away on things for the Open House. 
I'm anxious to meet you all!
I'm concerned that the driveway, yard and probably the kitchen will be a complete
 mud hole with this weather we are having.
It was in the 50's yesterday and rained most of the day - the 8" of snow and the rain are now in my basement.  Never a dull moment.


I got bit by a dog.
Yep.


My first time ever - sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.

I learned this time.
Took over an hour to stop bleeding.
It was my fault.  I think I needed a couple of stitches, but I came home and superglued it shut.  
I'll probably have a scar, but they add character.
I can now sing 'when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad' - and sing it like I mean it.
I need to learn that every animal does not desire my affection.
I'm worse than a one year old - anything interesting goes in my mouth.

The BoyChild is visiting this weekend.
I'm not sure what my hair will look like by the end of the day.
Yesterday I got an updo.
Unfortunately, he cannot be at the Open House this Saturday, it's a mandatory school day.


I placed a giant order for supplies on Saturday.  I'll be filling my Etsy shop soon with natural hand lotions and body butter, and my home roasted 'Coop Keeper Coffee'!

Amid all the other things that were going on the last few days, I took the time to plan out my vegetable garden and pick out the chickens I want for this Spring.

I've decided to order baby chicks through the mail - I've never done this before, and I feel a bit apprehensive.  My reason for doing it?  I really want the breeds I want, all at once.  I also want to order ONE rooster.  The feed store seems to get breeds in all throughout the Spring, and I just didn't want to be introducing new birds all the time, plus, they only sell females.




I'm going to order them from McMurray Hatchery.
I've decided on all heavy breeds, brown egg laying birds.
Some of the lighter breeds sounded wonderful - but I hesitate to get them, since I don't electrify my coop, and my birds must overwinter on their own, with no heat lamps.
Am I cruel?
I don't think so.  
I think heat lamps are a great way to start the Great Crown Point Fire of 2013.
And it would be my luck.
Chickens were successfully raised before electricity was even invented.

I chose these breeds:


New Hampshire Red - This will be a new one for me - looks like  Rhode Island Red to me - but that's like  comparing New York to New Jersey - I shan't do it.  The catalog promises her to be a prolific layer.

The Black Australorp - a gorgeous, plump 'so black she's almost green' bird.

The Partridge Rock - this will be the stuck up cheerleader of the coop, I'm most certain.  You can tell by the
 look on her face - she thinks her plumage is the best.

He'll be the cock of the walk here - The Rhode Island Red Rooster.
The fabulous Buff Orpington - if I could only keep one breed - this would be it.
Lustrous feathers, plump body, good Mother, great egg layer. So gentle.

I absolutely cannot wait to hear the scratching and peeps of the baby chicks! 
The order will be shipped around the 8th of April.  I'll do a little video of their arrival!

Now...on to the garden.


My chickens are right behind this garden area...the vegetable garden will go right behind the chickens.



I'm bristling with excitement over it.  I think I'm really over winter - and needing some dirt under my fingernails.  I need to see some green.  I think I have a 'vision' for extending the garden - hopefully it's not a premonition.  Here are some photos of the area, as of yesterday.  I'm starting from scratch here.  I'll take you along the journey with me, from start to finish.  I'm not promising you that I'm going to do it the right way - but I will have a garden here, and it my mind it's going to be fabulous!




The vegetable garden is going to go right behind my chickens.  This will work for several reasons...the chicken poop collected can easily be put in the garden, the weeds can easily be thrown to the chickens, and I'm dreaming of sitting on my swing, placed in the northeast corner of my vegetable garden, so I can sit there, and drink it all in.  My garden, my birds, my bees. 

 My dream come true.

I sketched it all out yesterday.  I don't want it to be unrealistic, and I only want to grow what I know I'll eat.  I hesitated to grow cauliflower or broccoli - only because I've not grown it before, which is really no excuse, but I want a stress free garden this year!  I don't want to over do it, and have a weed patch.  A little well kept garden is much better than a large unkempt one.



Happy 
Monday!

51 comments:

  1. How wonderful, making your garden plans. Ummmm, the rooster looks a lot like mine and he is an Americauna. Maybe they are cousins. I LOVE having a rooster and he really helps keep the girls together as much as possible. Mine is a very nice rooster, otherwise he wouldn't be here.

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    1. You know - I had a stinking suspicion that wasn't a RR rooster! He sure is pretty. I want THAT one!

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  2. Sounds like heaven. Since moving into a townhouse, I have embraced container gardening. Not nearly satisfying, but it feeds the craving. I can't have chickens, but there is a large swampy field across the road and it is ripe with birds and rabbits and coyotes and wolves. My dog and I lie in bed in the wee hours of the morning, listening to the birds greet the day and occasionally hear a pack of coyotes on the run, howling the whole way. It is a nice way to wake up. Best of luck with your open house. I am watching your Etsy site.... ;) Pam

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    1. Any and every little bit of nature we can get is wonderful! I'm going to enjoy my property while I can. Who knows what life brings?

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  3. I am so sorry about the dog's bite! I have always loved that song and singing from experience will put even more passion in your voice! We order our chicks through the mail and it's very handy dandy -- except for one horrible time: they arrived a day earlier than expected. The mail lady, having no patience for the chirping chicks, sat the box on the porch. Not on the TABLE on the porch, but on the porch floor. I came home to a shredded cardboard box and lovely little darlings scattered around the yard. A neighbor's dog must have heard them and come to play. It was atrocious and heartbreaking! And then I found 1 tiny little chick alive and hiding under a rose bush. It was about 45 degrees that day (touch and go for awhile!) but she survived and grew into a happy - and hardy - hen!

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    1. Oh that is so heartbreaking! I would have been a basket case!

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  4. Oh we are getting buff opringtons for our first chickens!! They come this week! So glad to hear that you love them!! :)

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    1. They really are my favorite! Can't wait to hear about your chickens!

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  5. Every single time that darn spell check won't let me spell Orpington correctly. :)

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  6. Oh Jayme, you poor thing. You should have gone to ER or urgent care to get a stitch or two. Hope it heals well. It surely will be alittle difficult to eat or drink. Hopefully the dog was up to date on all its shots? Oh my, I have to agree, always something happening in the Indiana Coop. Your flock will be amazing, and where your garden is, well, what picturesque views surround your property. It must be wonderful to sit out there no matter what time of the day. Just drooling over that picture you posted of your gorgeous flowers. Spring, no make mine Summer dreams today. You definately have a green thumb.

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    1. Yes, the dog was up to date with shots. : -) I think I did need a stitch or two, but I couldn't bear the thought of having the needle in my lip and the stitching! Lord have mercy! I'm so anxious to walk out in the yard and enjoy the summer breezes. Not wanting to rush life or anything...but, you know. : -)

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  7. Never a dull moment for sure! I hope the dog bite is healing quickly.

    I've ordered from McMurray before and was quite pleased with my flock. (Dad gum I miss my chickens... some day I'll have some more, sigh) I got a call around 5:45 in the morning from the post office asking me to come pick up my chicks. I could hear them peeping immediately upon entering the post office. So cute! (Not sure what the postal employees thought though, lol!)

    Good luck with the garden (another thing I'll miss this year). But, I did just plant some tomato seeds in a container so that if we have to move on I can take it with us.

    I'm looking forward to watching your garden 'come to life'!

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    1. I am too. I've been wanting to blog about starting a new area, like, forever. It will be fun to see it progress in the pictures. I can't wait to get my post office call. : -)

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  8. Oh- Your lip looks like it is going to be SORE! UGH- I got bit by a dog one time, too....right in the boob! Only once! I hope your babies come through the mail in perfect order. My mother always ordered ours through the mail and we had a mixture of chickens, too. I am glad to see you are finally going to have some of your products for sale. I am still using your serum and still love it- xo Diana

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    1. In the boob! Yikes! I too hope the babies come all in one piece. I can't bear the thought of opening the box and finding mayhem.

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  9. Do try the broccoli! I did it for the first time this last summer and it was amazing! It kept growing and growing and growing! And tasted SO good!
    And I'll have to try that super glue trick. You are so smart. :) Wish I could travel over for your open house. I'm sure it will be wonderful.

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    1. really really? OK. If I can find a spot, I'll put in a couple of plants! I don't know if I'm too smart or not, don't be supergluing things shut until you see if I survive it!

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  10. You sound like one busy little bee. Sorry about the dog bite. That's a horrid place to be bitten.
    Brenda

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    1. Hey Brenda! I just keep thinking about how bad it COULD have been. The poor dog just nipped me out of fear - she really wasn't trying to be mean.

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  11. Are you having raised beds in the garden? I am chomping at the bit to get started as well. Need more chickens too! I miss them!

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    1. Hi Jen - nope, no raised beds. Several reasons, which I'll blog about later. I'm really itching to get started, but I'm already sort of dreading how sore I'll be. : -) Great exercise!

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  12. You poor deer . . . how could a dog want to bite you! I hope you are on the mend soon!

    That "boy" is one good lookin' kid!

    Design away for your gardens . . . I can't wait to see the results! Most of all . . . ENJOY!

    (Listening to the weather news as I write this . . . in the 10 day forecast, three snowfall days, shovels and snow blowers back in use too! Michigan weather along the lakeshore near Muskegon!). And I want to think sprouts, buds and blooms . . . DARN!

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    1. The sun is actually shining right now : -) I am so dreaming of those warm spring breezes and the first trip to the garden center!

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  13. Sorry about your lip:). Just a heads up-- I always order from McMurray and have been happy with my chickens. Big fun getting them at the Post Office! The last time I did it was about 9 years ago so hopefully they have stopped doing what I am about to tell you. I ordered around thirty chickens, different breeds. Impossible to count them but it did look like more chickens. At about 4 weeks we moved them from basement to chicken coop and counted them. Seems we had about 13 extras and did not know what they were. Called them and they said they were Red Star roosters that they added for body warmth. Right--like they don't have extra roosters to get rid of! So we were stuck with 13 roosters we did not order. Had to have them butchered which made me sick and I couldn't eat them. Kept one and he was the meanest rooster ever. Named him Bill and I hated him and he hated me. The racoons eventually got him and I wasn't sad. So anyway, you might make sure they don't do that to you.

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  14. LOL . . . i read my comment above . . .
    "poor deer" . . . how about,
    "Poor Dear!".
    Hopefully it gave you a smile . . .

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  15. I meant to put a frowny face on my comment about your lip---so sorry :(.

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  16. oh Jayme do try the cauliflower and brocolli it is so easy to grow (I started with little starter plants) and they just kept up till almost Christmas here in the Mid Atlantic region. Makes you feel so good to go out and cut some right from the garden. I even did the cauliflower in big formal iron urns one year and had some grasses growing in the middle very cool looking they flanked the front door and I did this for fall. Good luck with the upcoming show. nancy settel sheepishgrin92@yahoo.com

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  17. YES! I read "coffee in etsy shop"...

    Now. back up to finish reading your post.

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    1. Wow! So sorry about your lip... not fun. at all.

      Your "chicken scratch"and "garden patch" sound so lovely... can't wait to read all about it.

      Sweet dreams to night.

      Don't let the bedbugs bite and if they do, hit em with a shoe until they're black-&-blue.

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    2. Last night I dreamt that Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory was in love with me...and that I chipped one of my neighbors favorite coffee mugs and I was trying to hide it. I also dreamt that Cam from Modern Family was living with this red headed actress that I can't remember the name of and that they were my neighbors. : -)

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  18. My aracauna rooster is snowy white, and quite the gentleman. My RR was the meanest rooster I have ever met, the last straw was when he attacked my husband!! I have also heard that the Buff orpingtons are gentle roosters as well

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    1. I'm switching my order to a Buff Orpington! I don't need a mean bird around here!

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  19. Oh girl your lip looks nasty. Take care. I know the feeling of dirt under yer nails. I keep planting seeds in the house an hubby wants me to stop. I'm addicted to dirt! I found I am allergic to chicken dander. I miss my buff orps so much. If you come across a naked chicken (no dander) let me know!

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    1. Oh Nancy, that is so heartbreaking! I would be so sad if I were. I think I'd have to take meds and wear a mask and keep on keeping chickens.

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  20. you NEED to watch the Back To Eden gardening film online-it's free. just google it, it will change the way you think of gardening!

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    1. I will do that! Thanks for telling me about it. I already have the window opened up so I won't forget to watch it - hopefully tonight.

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    2. Thanks for the movie! I am wondering about expanding my garden and this looks like the way to go!

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  21. I am so sorry , super glue is a new one for me. I think your chicks were a great pick, They will look so cute going about your yard/garden. I love the way your flower garden looks!Has a English look too it. Good luck with your garden, I know what you mean sometimes my mind gets ahead of my talent. Have a wonderful day.

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    1. Oh thanks for the garden compliments - it's my pride and joy - and also my worst enemy at times! the super glue seems to be working pretty good. It's scabbing over.

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  22. Love your choices in chickens...I think the buffs are wonderful too!!! Did ya bite the pup back??? Hope it heals nicely :) Flowers...my snowdrops are up and blooming...ALWAYS the first up...makes me smile :-D MUD EVERYWHERE here at the farm too :( that makes me cuss a wee bit!! Hope to see/meet you this weekend :)

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  23. "The Partridge Rock - this will be the stuck up cheerleader of the coop, I'm most certain. You can tell by the
    look on her face - she thinks her plumage is the best"

    Thank you for the laugh!!!! I agree she seems to think her "droppings" don't stink :)

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  24. The RIR roo - do you know those are some of the most aggressive roosters? Famous for being mean. I have a beautiful one that I have to lock outside of the hen house while I get eggs. Otherwise I need stitches. I have 10 other roosters, different breeds, that I can walk right by without a care. But that RIR is vicious. He won grand champion at the fair or "Pot Pie" would indeed be in one.

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    1. Pot Pie is an AWESOME name for a rooster!! Ha ha!! Thanks so much for telling me, I also got a few emails from other readers that told me the same. That's enough convincing! I'm getting a buff.

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  25. What a view you've got out the back!! Gorgeous!...

    Aaron is looking very sophisticated nowadays... I can sooo totally see him at a high end salon in NYC, just sayin.

    Your chicken selection is a good one, I have a buff Orp (it was your suggestion two years ago) and a black australorp, great chickens, friendly too.

    How the heck did you go up and get your lip bit? .. sheesh.



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    1. Isn't he though? You should see him dressed for school, carrying his latte around. He's such a good boy too...texts me everyday.

      I was just kissing that dog! Honest!

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  26. As always, Jayme.. your posts are a delight for the eyes to taken in :) I only wish my gardens looked as well-kept as yours.. something to aspire to! Sorry about the dog bite. My rooster opened my lip up pretty good when I pulled him off a hen and gave him a tongue-lashing (I know... didn't think that one out very well.. lol). No scar, and I bet yours won't scar either. I'll have to check out your Etsy shop soon. Best wishes with the Open House and new chickens! I'm always amazed at what you do, and with flying colors! You go, Girl! -Tammy p.s. picking baby chicks up from the post office - truly some of the best days of my life ♥ enjoy.

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  27. What kind of dog? A small breed? They can be kind of nasty tempered.

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  28. The Black Australorp... you should name her Betty. All I could think of when I saw the picture of that Big Mama was the song... "WHOA, Black Betty. Blam-ba-lam, WHOA, Black Betty...."
    And yes, I'm old enough to know that song :o)

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