My "egg" before the chicken {coop}

Is it bad I have already begun making the decor for inside our new coop? Making my "eggs" before the chicken? The Captain has been smirking  that style of his when he is trying to stifle a laugh from bursting forth, with each completed project I have shared with him. I still have 2 weeks before pick up and have 2 signs made plus a "birdcage" style chandelier, that will cover the single light bulb inside the coop. Being it is only 6ft at the peak, I thought it best not to have a normal hanging chandelier. A cage style would work best for the humans and to prevent aerial chickens from busting the bulb with a wing. Nothing too fancy, but not something seen everyday either.

 I plan to add more wires between the spaces but I'll at least share a sneak peak of my progress:

I ran out of room on the wood signs for all the letters. Apparently in my excitement, I did not add room for the space between words while calculating in my head the proper size. So I put a crooked "s" on the end with a silly, quirky style. La Poulets roughly translates to "The Chickens". I could not find a sign long enough for my "Le poulet maison" {The chicken house}.

I went with the black crackle finish for the egg sign since the inside will be whitewashed with a lime & water paint. The Ol' fashioned method of painting which also deters bugs. The Black sign will be a nice contrast to the white walls. The brown dash will painted black. Not liking the way it looks in brown.

The Nest boxes will be painted a pastel Robins egg blue. The coop exterior will be painted with an exterior Kilz deep hide due to the OSB {particle style} board. This will hide the texture before I apply the final color of creamy yellow with white trimming.

The chicks have grown so fast. We put some sticks in for roosting, to which very few actually use. They were not impressed with my 4 in the morning picture taking:

I did find a few small decorative pieces while out buying the blank wood for signs. I knew exactly where they would go and now am focusing back to sewing a few pieces for my summer wardrobe. {lOvInG some of these romantic country tops at Aerie. Now to find a pattern {and get over my issue of button hole sewing}.

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie

Chicken coop ordered - Check!

My previous mentions of a new chicken coop have included the hope for a small "sitting/storage area inside it's walls. So I thought a regular shed would be the answer. We have been in deep discussion on whom to purchase the building from. At first we thought a regular shed would be the right route but despite the rent to own option, I did not feel comfortable with the price tag NOR buying from a company that is not independent. I knew there had to be another way, to which I found it.

 I found a local man who builds affordable chicken coops in a rather smart savvy fashion not only in building cost to him but keeping the overhead cost low for the new owner. For the base model of a 4x4 coop he charges $220 at the time of this posting{no siding, just OSB walls which  for a very low additional price a choice of siding or barn knot wood exterior} . That comes with nesting box's built into the back wall, a window over the human door and a hen door placed in your desired spot. The roofing is galvanized metal. By the way, he will deliver within 6 states but you can pick it up with a full size bed truck, since these will fit right in the back for moving.

T1-11 siding model

We are going with his 4x8 model with osb walls. I prefer to paint it and knowing how I am, will change colors over the years which makes sense to just go with the OSB walls. I am customizing our coop with a dutch door on one end, a window above the nesting box back wall, 2 windows with flower boxes underneath on a side wall and the hen door on the blank wall-which will butt up to the chain link fence of their run. Our total cost for the new coop? $350! That's it! Now compare that to those sheds out there which do not have all these options AND customized for chickens.  You can not find one of quality and customization for anywhere near that price.

One of Jim's coop's in the downtown inner city of Cincinatti, just feet from other homes.  The coop owners did a fantastic job customizing it to their urban needs and setting it up the enclosed run. 

"Custom design and firm pricing on the finished project - No Surprises. Our Most Popular Item is Chicken Coops Designed out of experience in caring for our own hens and producing eggs in the most cost effective manner. We build the basic shell; equip it with a light; put in hangers for feeder and waterer use wire hardware mesh attached with fence staples securely to 2x2 window frames to make it predator resistant; add some egg layer boxes; and put it under a metal roof - all at a price that is about the only thing the others obviously find hard to imitate. You paint or vinyl side the exterior in a color to match your taste, and seal the floor, toss in some wood chips and the birds, and enjoy producing your own eggs."

If he is in your ideal proximity for pick up or delivery, please do consider him for your chicken coops. And no, I do not get a discount for my post. His price for what all the great things you get is enough for me to say "He deserves to be spotlighted!". Just want to share this fantastic source and support the "little guy" as much as we can. 

He had  a spot at the local Fair, showing a few of his coops

We placed our order for pick up on the 15th of March. Jim, the owner, is going back to school which funds from the selling of this chicken coop venture help support. I feel so much better with our purchase and very happy we sought out a small business to support.

There will be a few customizations of my own doing once it arrives. You'll just have to wait & see how the plans turns out.

Sweet dreams,

~Tammie
** There are a few edits to correct some errors in picture titles. In a correspondence with Jim, He also wrote: "It is amazing how many people are getting chickens in the city.  One home in particular was downtown Cleveland, where the space between the homes was so tight, a coop would not fit through the space to get it in the backyard.  To solve this, I took the coop in pieces and assembled it in the back yard.  'On site builds' are not a regular occurance, but there are some people that get an 'onsite build' as a family activity, and help put it together." 

Thank you Jim for such a fantastic Source & Opportunity for chicken owners {& potentials}. It is so refreshing to find a product built with quality and purposely set at an affordable price with the customer in mind. 

Terra cotta hen, Antique tea cups & DIY plate stand

Many Years ago, I fell in love with terra cotta chicken. The Captains Nan  had 2 Terra cotta hen's {one named Henrietta which The captain has childhood stories of}. I have hunted for one in the same look & size which has proven a bit fruitless. These hens are so charming & captivating even a non chicken owner would love. I have seen a few painted or formed with clay but none satisfied the look of hen I desired. Then while looking to add to our array of Antique tea cups, I spotted her. Sitting upon a shelf as though she were calling out "I'm over here!". The look I was after, maybe half the size then I originally wanted but beautiful in form.

I have yet to decide on what shall be grown in the strawberry pot design. Most likely an herb I can snip from often for use in the kitchen. It's funny how one can look and look, forget about it for a while then that something just pops up out of nowhere. I did find a few tea cups for adding to our collection. Yes, we do use them. What delight would there be to not enjoy it's intended purpose of a hot cup of herbal tea? Such things are fragile to which I do not withhold our children from using. Accidents do & have happened but never a harsh word or scorn is used. I am sure their upset of the incident is enough to remind them of the fragile state and always share "You did not mean for it to break. No tears honey. We will find another to enjoy".  

They look forward to their afternoon tea time{in place of an after school snack} which can cause a bit of upset should something prevent them from it's time. As of late, a peppermint Chamomile blend seems to be the favorite.

 I am sure most if not all of you have seen cake platters made from antique plates. Tiered or not. Another moment that browsing in thrift stores brings unexpected finds. I would like to share the inspiration one can find from a simple trip to thrift stores such as The Salvation Army or GoodWill. I spotted this lovely wide candle holder {made from Yankee Candle co.} and this rustic blush color plate{from World Market} during such a trip. Total cost $1.98 for the pieces.

Very simple to make with superb results. I used Quick Grip All purpose Permanent Adhesive{water &  weather proof} for putting them together. Place the pedestal of your choice onto the underside bottom of the plate, eye centering at first.Measure to be sure it is the same distance from the edges all around before gluing. Let it dry over night and it's done.

Perfect for cakes, finger foods & of course to place that glass dome of which has no bottom.{I am still on the hunt to find a larger dome from the thrift store. As I have mentioned with many things you seek with purpose, C'est la vie... Such is life.

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie

Living in the Wild Garden

When it comes to reading, I have found I do not have the patience as well more often not the time to enjoy. When I do grab a book that is not inspiration and DIY topics, I go for reads in the style such as People with Dirty hands. Books about gardening which are not so much the science & technical aspect. More of the persons view & interest. Stories about the garden and it's human. Their life with these plants. One such book I recently picked up at the library titled "Living in the wild garden" by Roger Banks is very much one of those entertaining yet sharing of knowledge books I adore.

If I am not captivated within the first few pages, I put it down and never go back. The rare time I do have for a book, better be a darn good one to spend my time on. I found myself drawn into Mr.Banks descriptions and stories. His words allowing the reader to envision the gardens or country side he lovingly writes of. This book is not about the vegetable garden or even flowers. It is about the wild plants around us so many cast aside and or see as a nuisance to their prized bulbs and dahlias. From the eating of stinging nettles to the harvesting of mushrooms from the speedway in England. He brings you along as he recalls points in time of his experience with each wild edible.

He does reference Culpepper on tidbit medicinal information, but he shares the edible side (with some informal recipes here and there). The benefits of their presence in your garden and how to see them not as something to banish but embrace. Intermingle among the Roses and tomatoes. Showing they have their rightful place amongst your heirlooms and pleasures.

Mr.Banks passed away in 2008. The article I did find on him was an obituary of sort. It turns out, he was a bit of a character. Different from those around him and eccentric in almost a homesteading connection. I found myself laughing at pieces shared and smiling to think how grand it would have been to meet him. The moments shared in his book mixed with what I read in the mentioned article gives him the down to earth appeal I adore in people. If you are looking for one of those last but quick good books during the seed starting season, I would recommend giving this a chance.

Sure there are plants we may not have here in states but the stories he shares mixed in with the ones mentioned make it worth the time. Such as their cousin Mary by divorce who came to visit over the Easter Holiday and soon had them on to the stinging nettles.

"She's a cousin of my wife so distant that we once totally confused ourselves trying to work out the relationship, perhaps that's why she's a favorite. When she said 'We must all eat nettles; we did in war. Find me an old glove', we did and there by crossed unknowingly into another,older,more delightful world of people who are always on the the lookout for something free to eat rather then being tied by the nose to the compulsion of shopping. "

If your not big on this style of read, then the beautiful watercolor paintings of these plants will surely please. You know. In case ya only like books with pictures.

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie

Mustache necklace fun

Am I only one getting a bit of Cabin Fever? I know my children are going crazy with not being able to run around outside. The snow is melting, making a huge sloppy mess out there. Then the temps drop making it all ice. Just not fun. So what better thing to do then get goofy!

Mustache necklaces!

We made these up as well as a few French curl {dali} style 'staches. Apparently they were a big hit at their school with friends, who put their requests in for their own 'Stache Swag.

Of course the morning wake ups of mom flipping on the lights,wearing a stache swag, striking poses and doing  a most pathetic version of "the cabbage Patch" while singing "My...Mustache brings all the boys to the yard..." is purely optional with purchase.

Winter blues? Nope. I've gone stir crazy and coming up with wacky things to do with the kids. I am also working with a fussy laptop that is having monitor issues...lets just say it's like a shadow of a screen and to write up this post, I had to McGyver a lamp over my shoulder to illuminate the screen at a certain angle which is very straining on the eyes. If it's not one thing, it's another. So it's looking like a new comp AND that new Nikon 3100 {decided to start with that model}.

I have Frog to carry up to bed since she has fallen asleep with her head in my lap. Time to shut the house down for the night.

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie

Begging for a road trip to Terrain at Styres...

I'm not sure HOW I found this place but have been plotting to somehow, someway make a future road trip to it's Philadelphia area locale. Terrain at Styres is a 6 & 1/2 hour drive from home. I'm dying here folks. DYING! A look through their online catalog will have all gardening lovers in the same yearning state as I. There is a particular event coming up on March 5,2011 which has me all kinds of flustered.

Ellen Ecker Ogden, co-founder of The Cook's Garden seed company. Author of From the Cook's Garden and The Vermont Cheese Book, whom has also written articles for Country Living, Organic Gardening, and the Boston Globe. Will be there to sign her new book "The Complete Kitchen Garden".

Two great things all at once. Her visit and 2 hour event mixed with the location of a Gardeners heaven of wares. Their array of goods has held me for HOURS perusing their pages. Although their Vintage items are ..ummm.... out of my pocket range. a girl can still drift off into gardening dreams. They have sections for the kitchen, Garden & home full of delight and causes of many major weak inducing moments on my end.

Especially in the garden gear department and their Outdoor decor'. "I'll take one of everything, please". If only they would chain out this way.... These kind of places, are not something found around here. I would actually want a job working in their store. Although the paycheck would go right back into their hands. "Can I just work for store credit to use with my {hopefully}hefty employee discount?".Thanks.

Flowering Oregano in metal pot decorated with vine circles. Rustic Boot door knocker

The metal Chicken box nest {gotta find some new ones for the Fancy Farm Girl Style coop}....

Maybe I can use the excuse of buying The Captain's Mushroom log kit while I am there. Maybe the most expensive mushroom kit ever bought {include my one of everything Garden gear plus the trip cost}, but I would be like a kid during their first trip to Disney world. Wide eyed, glazed over dreamy look stumbling around in awe. Not knowing what to do or see first.

Maybe my true desire of gourmet gardening may not be seen as a self sufficient form, but the beauty and divine bliss it would create are not just food for body. It's tending to the mind and soul, which many overlook. Creating your own world in your space for escaping the everyday stress induced by life. Letting go of everything else outside your eden.

Organized. Lush. Healthy and organic.

Picture of Potager garden from Country Living site

Although I most likely will not make the trip, I can purchase her book online and continue my search for vintage garden touches I desire for our home and land with the upcoming estate/fle market bazars season.

Starting with the above boot Knocker I covet for the fancy chicken coop!

Sweet Dreams

~Tammie

***P.S***

My dear readers, I will be down and out until mid next week. Time to get this mean wisdom tooth removed. My too small bottom jaw can not continue housing the invader and will be evicted properly & prompt Monday morning. Please excuse any delays in postings until my thoughts are straight and mouth pain free.

The chicks, a shed and vintage Schwinn!

Our order from Mcmurray finally arrived on Monday. I was shocked they came to our little town post office and not be kept at the central downtown dock. I adore the way these Americauna/Aracauna chicks look! They remind me of owls with those fluffy cheeks. Now if they would just stay still for picture taking, I could share their cuteness...

We have some talking to do with Mr. & Mrs. J about a new shed/chicken coop. There is a Rent to own shed place not far from here where we have been eyeing a 6x10 shed. Very affordable to fit in our monthly budget "extras" section. 32 months at $59 a payment.This model fits the need:

The plan is to place it outside the run, making like a doggie door in the fence/coop where they will butt up to each other. The double doors in the middle will be the splitting point. To separate the 2 sides, we will put in a chicken wire wall. Wood framed screen doors behind the main wood doors. The screen doors serve a purpose for allowing air circulation during hot months. I will put in an additional wood frame large window I have, allowing more sunlight on the other side.

Having the shed outside the run also makes it accessible to me during garden season. A place to store my gardening tools and stop my very bad habit of leaving them outside.  I can already envision the set up. White walls with my wood pegs lined up like an indoor coat rack. Watermelon pink Vintage garden tools resting in place with the extra bird bath sitting in a corner, serving purpose of a glove bin. I have a secret obsession..well not anymore, but anyway. I have this thing for OLD wooden handle garden tools. I do have a few plastic type strong duty tools, but my favorites are the wood.

I am a huge sucker when I see these things. In example, I drove over a half hour to buy my vintage pitch fork for $10. Yes, I could have run down to the local hardware and picked one up. But I wanted "Old school". I prefer the old stuff not just for their looks but they seem to last longer and feel better to use.

Oh! Speaking of older being better.Remember that Bike I have been dreaming about? Going down This weekend to possibly buy this Vintage Schwinn {Half the price of a new uncomfortable bike}:

It is suppose to only be cosmetic issues and nothing mechanical wrong. Ready to ride and enjoy. Check out that seat! Wide and comfortable with spring cushioning. Look at those handle bars! Again, wide & comfortable. Higher up then newer bikes, making it a comfortable NON hunching ride. And of course...room for Ming the Peke's wicker basket. { Stop laughing. I truly am serious.lol}.

That snazzy new Vintage bike & Dog basket will not see use until this snow goes away. Warmer air would be nice, too... Nose icicles are not in any way appealing on me.
 Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie