Dreaming of Spring

The daylight hours are getting longer and that gets me looking forward to Spring. The Chickens are laying more eggs and the temps are better.

This year I want to try something new. I want to plant some Dahlias and Asters and Zinnias. I want a cutting garden. I am trying to work less and have more time to garden. We keep cutting down trees, but we are at our property line. The neighbor joined us and cut some down but sadly it isn't enough. I have a 25x25' plot which has some perennials and a huge Limelight hydrangea in it. So I want to put a couple of 4'x12' raised beds on the right side of this plot. I am hoping they get more sunshine here. I have been ordering away and have some plans drawn up. I can't wait to see how they do this year. Here is my plot cleaned up. I did it last weekend and I don't think I have ever had it done by the end of February. My chicken droppings have gone in the compost for the past year so I am hoping it will help my garden grow too.

 The potting shed got a little color for Spring while I was out there. I can't wait to clean her out and be able to putter in my happy place. With the windows open and a warm breeze in the air.

I can't wait for it to be like this again. Isn't it hard to believe that this is the spot where my second picture was taken?

On a completely different subject I have put this set on Craigslist because I finally ordered a new set that should be here in about 3 weeks. The new set has the same lines. This set has been comfortable and has lasted so well. It is 18 yrs. old. I have been procrastinating for the last five years. It is just starting to show some wear on the corners. I hope we find someone to take it off our hands or I will be parking outside.

Heavenly Blue

I planted some seeds in a pot with a trellis. There was a windy day and I lost my plants, so I stared again and it seems like forever, but we now have some blooms. No matter how many times I plant Morning Glories the flowers just amaze me. So beautiful, such a beautiful shade of blue. I will hate to see them go by. Do you have any favorites? I love the bright and vibrant zinnias in bloom right now too. They are like happy, sunny faces smiling up at me. The colors are like Fiesta dinnerware. They just make me smile.

 

 

The Morning Glories are climbing up the Hen House and the girls seem to like them too!

 

 

 

 

Away go the Summer dishes and out come my Fall plates. I know it is September, but man it is still hot here! I picked up  Pumpkin roll last week and that means Fall to me.

This week at the Country Nest

The weather here has been hot and humid. The chickens have been out free ranging to find some cool space under the trees. They love being out, but I usually supervise to be safe. They love stealing tomatoes from the garden and eat up lots of pesty bugs. The flowers are blooming nicely and it really is dog days of August.  Hope you all have nice weather where you are.

We have a project under way in the front yard, but I will save that until next time.

Chickens in the garden

These two rascals are Lucy and Pumpkin. They are still in the small cage so I like to let them out each day. They don't wander as much as the other four and they are just so sweet.

Pumpkin is the smallest of all, but the most loving....she loves to be held and she will coo and make sweet noises. I've already told hubby if they never accept her I want to build her own space. She can have peace and lots of loves from her humans.

 One of my favorite flower beds with my Limelight hydrangea peeking out behind the rest.

 She is a beauty for sure. We cut her way back last year and it looks like we will have to do that again.

 Lucy at the window waiting to be let out~she makes me giggle.

Here is Lily, the Black chicken and Molly my barred rock. We are almost 20 weeks so I am hoping for eggs soon. The nesting boxes are lined with herbs and hay and fake eggs. I check daily. I can't wait for our first egg!

P.S. It looks like Princess is here to stay!

What's happening at The Country Nest?

I just sat down tonight and I honestly can't believe it has been almost a month since I posted. I have been really busy with work and have not had enough time in my garden. Then there are the moments spent with my chickens.....I am hooked.

I don't want to bore you to death but my original four are about 13 weeks now and the two newer chicks the Araucanas are about 6 weeks now. They are still too small to let out with the larger hens. the larger girls peck and corner them then the babies squeal and I hurry in to the rescue. We keep them in the hen house in a wire crate. They are loving my herbs and lettuce.

Ok I woke her up for the picture, meet Princess. My grandson brought her home and said her owner was going to kill her. He had thrown her and my grandson couldn't stand it. So we now have kitty #3. She is about 5 months old and as sweet as can be. Her name was Smalls, but he renamed her Princess. It seems to suit her, she rules over the two male cats here. Already love her to bits.

Chickens, plants and some great weather

I am so happy our little coop is almost done. My sweet husband has gone above and beyond to make my dream come true. He has been working steady for 5 weeks now. The girls just love it. They watch him and peep away. He is working on the run right now and they come charging to greet him when they see him coming out there.
I planted a pot of their favorite herbs to snip and add to their breakfast. They get so excited when they see me come out with the oats and snip the herbs. My little galvanized bucket came with a hard to get off label, so I painted it with  Chalkboard paint and now I have any label I want so Chicken poo it is.

The girls love the run, it isn't finished, but is enough to keep them contained.

 Their afternoon snack~

 These are a few of what is blooming at the Country Nest. I always love geraniums.

 I put this iris in last year. It is a tall bearded iris called" Poem of Ecstasy"

We planted these Rhododendrons almost 12 years ago. They are so pretty and have grown so big we had to move one of them. The funny part is we had just bought them the day I got a call that my Mom had passed away....it is kind of bittersweet how pretty they are.

Love this black petunia. I saw it last year and they were sold out. I was so happy to get one this year.

Now while I was at the farm getting plants I went into the little greenhouse with the fairy stuff....I wasn't going in, but I am glad I did. I found these gems, just what I wanted Araucana  chickens. They were down to their last few so he let me buy just two. I am so happy. So I will show you how they grow. They are about two weeks old now. I am keeping them on my porch right now. Another chapter in our Chicken Chronicles.