Gardening Drivel - Part One

Prepare yourself.

Drivel ahead.

This cement planter belonged to my beloved Aunt Jean.

This year I filled it with three different Plectranthuses.

I love the textures.

One of the things I'm enjoying so much, in getting ready for this garden walk, is the feeling that so many loved ones are with me.

Aunt Jean's planter. Flowers from friends. Cement chickens from friends (thanks Linda!) The camper table staged with dishes from my friend Donna, the clothespin holder from a faithful reader, Sharon.

Things like that make my soul happy.

These photos are in random order, no rhyme or reason.

It's the good the bad and the ugly, my friends.

It's been a weird season so far.

We've had some serious rain.

The perennials love it. They are chest high. The annuals haven't seemed to enjoy it as much.

The vegetable garden is hydroponic.

This is a photo of the back of the house, looking west.

Do you see that blue lagoon peeking out?

We'll talk more about that later.

It does not make my soul happy.

This actually hurts my soul.

Yes friends, this is in my yard!

16 days til the yard walk - and I've got this.

A few hours will fix it right up.

Mulch covers a multitude of sins.

I have a few shrubs and some daylilies to pop in there.

Fixin' some fences - it'll be good.

Standing on the east side of the back yard, facing west.

Are you as surprised as I am, that I in fact know East, West, North and South from my house?

You should be.

This is on the east side of the house, and it covers up some of the pool.

It doesn't look like much here, but in real life - it's quite lovely and tranquil.

Facing east in the front.

Bridal Wreath Spirea taking over.

Very moist shade.

Mosquito heaven.

Dahlia carnage.

I finally caved, and in the cloak of early morning darkness, applied some systemic insecticide.

I apologize in advance to any bees that happen to visit.

It was a cost/benefit analysis.

Bees lost this one.

More carnage.

More systemic insecticide.

I'm sorry world.

I'm sorry bees.

Full frontal view.

It's prettier in person.

I walk around criticizing this area all the time.

It's getting a complex.

Don't even get me started on the zinnias.

Half of them look like this.

Gnarly, blackened, twisted.

Sounds like a few people I know.

Another area that looks better in person.

Why do I keep apologizing for my garden?

Walking to the back porch.

Love this area - it looks awesome in 'real life'.

The Penstemon was a show stopper.

This is my 'free' garden'. I used starts from all over the garden to plant this.

Gotta love it.

There is still ivy residue on the house from pulling it off last year.

I thought I was going to have to wire brush the back of the house and repaint before the walk - and now - eh, I don't care.

Funny how fatigue and lack of time can change so many 'have to do's' isn't it?

Next to the garage - I love the Boston Ivy growing all over.

This area makes me happy.

A few weak spots - but all in all good.

I'm realizing that sometimes I have a tendency to plant too many 'onesies and twosies' of things - instead of doing a more dramatic mass planting.

Gardening is like life.

You learn as you go - and hopefully you grow.

Not sure what's going on with the annuals that I planted here to fill in an empty space - they just aren't growing, despite all the rain and fertilizer!

The back porch photo from the last post.

I liked it so much that I put it here again.

The cats love the window box.

I've planted it twice now.

I'm saving the rest of the pictures for Garden Drivel - Part Two, cause I have a feeling ya'll look like this now -

As the Coop Turns

I'm alive! I'm alive!

I'm in a good place with the yard - sorta. One or two more days like today, workwise, and I'll be sittin' pretty. I took a bagillion pictures of the yard today, and hope to share them with you tomorrow. The good, the bad and the ugly.

I've decided to take the advice given in Proverbs -

A relaxed attitude lengthens a man's life.

Proverbs 14:13

I'm really enjoying the garden.

If you would have told me that Scripture a few days ago -

I would have said -" in lieu of flowers, please give a donation to your local Chicken Rescue Shelter."

But today-I'm livin' it.

Who is this chicken?

Why do I blow dry her?

I just want to thank you for sticking around here, and waiting - and waiting.

I've been disheveled.

Frazzled.

Frantic.

I'll be back on a pretty regular basis now with stories of:

Shenanigans.

Mayhem.

Heartbreak.

Betrayal.

Fornication.

Intrigue.

Mystery.

Larceny.

Dog Poop.

A soap opera?

Nope, just a day in the life of the Coop Keeper.

Poor a glass of sweet tea and stay tuned.

and

THANKS

for sticking about.

One of My Favorite Places

Nestled in the fabulous 'old home district' of Lowell, Indiana -

One of my favorite spots - within walking distance of Aaron's abode -

Glazes Greenhouse.

or

'The Girls Greenhouse'

You'll pull into the driveway of this fabulous old home.

There's something about old houses.

When you live in one - you have an instant kinship to anyone else that does.

It's like a secret sisterhood.

You'll walk past this porch.

Oh, if this porch could talk.

I want to languish on this porch.

Languish = 'to undergo neglect or experience prolonged inactivity'

That's what a porch like that is for.

I didn't want to be too bold and get right up in the yard - but I did sneak this picture.

A fan and a glass of sweet tea is needed here.

I would wipe my sweaty, salty brow with the condensation on the glass of tea - and talk about the weather. I would languish.

As you walk down the lane to the greenhouse, you pass this wonderful patch of hollyhocks.

Anyone that knows anything knows that anyone that grows hollyhocks is a good soul.

It's a universal farmgirl truth.

This is Linda - the proprietor of this haven of mine.

What I love so much about this place, is that you feel the passion there.

You feel the passion of one that loves to garden, and has borne a business out of that love.

So many garden centers do not have that feel.

Linda and her husband started this business in 1987 doing semi hydroponics - five years later, they started selling flowers.

You'll find a great selection, and great prices.

Thank heavens I saw this sign.

On the path to the greenhouse, you'll also see this.

I believe it's her husband's tomato trial garden.

Seriously.

Don't you love it!?

They sell tomatoes that are in gallon pots, about two to three feet tall - all pruned and ready to go for $3.50.

Since I saw that sign, that said Glenco had called and said to get anything I wanted, I brought home this.

I cannot tell you how good this made me feel.

A drug for sure.

It's all happiness and sunshine.

You probably can't see it - but I bought this Gerbera Daisy - it's orange -

do you see it?

It was $2.50.

It was fabulous.

Even if it died by the time I got it home, it would have been worth $2.50 to even just look at it.

I know - I'm weird.

I'm taking that daisy camping this weekend to dress up The Squirrel.

(I should be preparing to go - and here I am blogging!)

Like I said - things are starting to get back to normal around here -

I hesitate to tell you where this wonderful haven is - but I must.

I think I've bought everything I've needed from there - so you are free to go.

490 W. Commercial Avenue

Lowell, Indiana

219-696-4705

She's open from the first of May until the 4th of July

I didn't get the hours - but she's there anytime I go -

You might want to call first to make sure.

Completely unrelated to this post -

Claude and Maude

My fabulous ducks.

That I adore.

This is where they've taken to hanging out.

I don't mind the poop - I can hose it off

But look at Maude's plumpness, hanging over the chair -

I can't stand it.

I want to squeeze it.

But she doesn't like that.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Chickens Ruined My Social Life

Just trying to keep ya'll entertained whilst I'm finishing up the garden for the walk.

I'm this close to being back to normal around here.

This close, I tell ya.

Here's a blog from last June -

Not that I had much of a night life to begin with, but I do have a rather busy social schedule. Cooking clubs, girlfriends, etc. I like to stay occupied. It doesn't give you time to dwell on the things in your life that you want to change.

I've been pulling a lot of early morning weed sessions. The weather has been unbearable here in NW Indiana the last few days. Today will be no different I hear.

Look what I found on my way to the hoe.

Oh, looky here, a mater.

Deciding that I'd had enough of work for the day, and after all it was my day off, I scootered over to Barbara's house to see her and her garden.

Barbara is a lovely lady, and I'd like to be her when I grow up.

She likes drag racing, books, gardening and cooking. Her home is filled to the brim with light and loveliness.

She knew I was coming, and look what she had ready. She's that kinda gal. I love it. It was when I bit into one of these delicious muffins after viewing her garden, the worry began to sink in. Is the rabbit cool enough? Do the chickens need more water?

Then I went and picked up these two rock stars for a day at the pool. Aaron lives in a lovely apartment complex that has a nice pool.

There was a little thunderstorm that cleared the pool out, and when we got there, we were the only ones there for a good hour.

Oh to be young again.

My attempt at art. I LOVE Aaron's little corkscrew curls.

Later that evening, Glenco and I met up with our new friends Neil and Sue at the Model A Car Restorers Club.

I'm thinking....heck, I shoulda put the chickens up. It's 7pm now....should I have put them up? Why don't they go up to the roost box themselves, goofy goofballs. Why did I even get chickens? They smell.

Beautiful cars. I actually think I might like them better than the muscle cars that we always go look at. We have a 64 Chevy Impala. I like these old ones. The lines are so romantic on them. More attempt at art.

The first thing I said when I saw this truck was...."what a perfect thing to bring home goats in."

This car reminded me of Nazi Germany. Why?

We had a lovely time with Neil and Sue, and went out to Steak and Shake after the show. I tried to be polite and laugh and talk, but I was worried SICK over my girls, and could barely eat my cheeseburger, fries and rootbeer. I mean, I left one french fry on the plate for goodness sakes. I was just too upset to eat.

We didn't get home until about 10:30. I ran to the coop. Literally. I counted them. They were all there and accounted for, and I'm sure that if we'd returned home five minutes later there would have been carnage. It actually looked like something had been trying to dig its way in.

Can't even go out for a late night burger. Thanks chickens.

Helen scolded me like a teenager when I got home.

I rolled my eyes. GEEZ. I was right up in Merrillville. My cellphone was dead. I would have called. You shouldn't worry so much. I was with friends.

Omagosh...I'm Such a Hillbilly.....

Since I've been so busy - I thought I'd repost things from last year - and that got me thinking - what was I doing a year ago today - and well - this is a year ago TOMORROW - but thought I'd share it again - since there are so many new readers!

I've also posted a few recipes over at

In the Kitchen with the Coop Keeper

Enjoy!

Originally posted 6-10-2009

or maybe I should title this....My Exodus Off the Internet...I may never show my face here again after this!!!

This is the song I've been singing around the yard. I really can't believe I'm posting this....oooohhh dear...I have rejection issues...this isn't good.

It's going to be another quick post tonight...I'm sorry. I've been running all day since 6am. I even had the flood lights out in the yard tonight til 9:30 just to try and keep up on the weeds. My friend Donna's father suggested that I use Preen. I looked into it, but it says to keep animals and children out of the beds...and well, that won't work with my cats and chickens. I reckon I'll be pulling til the cows come home. Considering I have no cows...it's gonna be a long night.

Glen is playing the guitar for me on this, and Aaron did my hair and is operating the video camera. Without further adieu....

Goodbye forever....

32 Days and Counting -

32 more days until the Garden Walk.

This is where you'll find me most days from 5am til 8pm.

Of course I take time in between there to teach Aaron.

We've started Physics of all things.

'All motion is relative'

If it rains I take time to clean and cook.

Glenco likes rainy days.

I try to stick to my routine, but sometimes, it's just impossible.

I've had a lot of drop in company - and guess what - I've not cared!

The garden is coming along pretty good. There are certain things you have no control over - like the weather - or the comfrey patch deciding to flop over - or a maple branch falling and breaking down a section of tall perennials.

I vacillate between freaking out, thinking it looks great, and just not caring.

If I could just find a happy medium there.

Truthfully, I think it's looking 'ok'. I'm not feeling GREAT about it, but I'm learning that there are more important things in life to worry about.

In 32 days I'll begin to worry about those things.

There's been an awful lot of carnage here at The Coop.

Last Sunday, in a freakish downpour, all seven of my guinea babies drowned.

Luckily, Glenco was the one that found them, so I don't have that image burned in my head.

It's all too much to type - how it happened.

I bawled like my best friend had died.

I'm not sure why I took it so hard, I think it was just the thought of how they died.

We had a bit of Pasty Butt on the babies.

Lady Gaga passed away from it.

This un-named Polish baby survived it.

I've been doing things like this:

And this:

Just look at that chicken's face.

It speaks volumes!

I actually inserted a mineral oil soaked Q-tip up the baby birds vent.

Anyone that knows me, knows how difficult this was for me.

Glenco hit his head on a tree branch last week - and needed me to see if 'there was a flap' that needed stitches.

My butt puckered up and I almost fainted.

For real.

I'm actually a little light-headed just typing about it.

I'm not sure what it is about carrying baby birds in my bra that I enjoy so much.

It's like having a little company with you at all times.

I've not been pooped on yet.

They like it in there.

Perhaps I should try incubating a few?

Whilst the chickens suffered from Pasty Butt, I have suffered from Pastry Butt (see second photo in post) It's a debilitating disease.

Good news is I've lost ten pounds.

I can no longer bear the moniker "Bee Whisperer"

I've been stung.

Twice.

It hurt.

Bad.

Bees are frightening.

Here they are conspiring how they are going to get me next time.

I just know it!

The ducks fly all over the place now. What I thought were two females, have turned out to be a male and female. I didn't realize that the male's feathers color up later, after they are a few months old.

It's funny to see them fly around the yard.

They still come up to the house every night and follow me out to their pen.

I adore them.

I adore Paula Deen too, but that's another post.

So, now I call them Maude and Claude.

Maude went missing the other day, breaking my heart, as well as Claude's.

She returned.

Such a relief.

I thought perhaps another drake had won her heart, and she flew off into the sunset with the scoundrel.

Poor Claude would be a widower for the rest of his life.

Luckily she came to her senses, and returned to her soul mate.

Bun Bun, the rabbit - is trying my patience. I gave her a huge fenced in area - even planted raspberries for her to nibble on - and the darned thing is trying to dig her way out!

Why can't she just be content?

I think she could ask me the same questions.

Touche' Bun Bun - touche'.

My chickens are still fabulous, and entertaining me so much.

Fifi - went broody - for one day!

I was so proud of her, and sooooo excited - planning a baby shower and everything - I mean, I was EXCITED! I hope this means that she's going to go broody soon. Perhaps I should make a nest of golf balls to get one of those stinkin' hens to set.

All in all, life is really fabulous - just busier than I'd like it to be - but guess who's in control of that?

Me.

How I spend my time is one of the few things I can control.

I count my blessings, and just try not to think about the other things.

Like anyone, I have my share of ups and downs.

I've come to realize that I'm easily overwhelmed, and that I worry a lot.

I've not visited one dang blog in weeks - I'm sorry.

32 days.

Then I'll sit with my feet up and drink sweet tea.

Until I can plan my next scheme -which I'll be sure to tell you all about.

We are still having fun on Facebook.

I pop in there for a few minutes a day, and it's been so fun interacting with you all.

Right now it's the best way to contact me if you have any questions.

If you haven't joined us yet - take a gander

Tales from the Coop Keeper

By the way - all of these photos were taken by Aaron.

He's still blogging over at Pixel Perfect.

Thanks for all of your comments and emails.

I really do miss you all!

32 days