Countdown to CHICKS

Hubby finally gave in and let me order the chicks a few weeks ago. They are due to ship the first week in May. (around the same time that my sis's baby is due...yikes) I can't wait. Sophia is already talking about them tickling her and peeping at her. We are "breaking ground" on the coop this weekend, weather permitting. I order 5 different breeds and 7 total chicks. Two Buff Orpingtons, two Americaunas, a Silver Laced Wyandotte, a Delaware (b/c hubby insisted on an all white chicken and this one has a little black mohawk as a chick--how appropriate), and a Partridge Plymouth rock. I think their colors will spice up my garden quite nicely. I keep daydreaming about sitting outside in the evening around the fire pit, knitting, watching my girls peck around for bugs.

Seed-Crazed

A few here...a few there...seeds. They're everywhere now. Every store. Catalogs. I buy them. Its a weakness. The potential. The planning. The planting. Watching as the little stem pushes its way up through the dirt and the two little leaves pop out of the shell of the seed. For three years I've been (unsuccessfully) trying to grow poppies. This year, as I carefully planted the seeds, I decided to try again. And, for the first time, they sprouted! I'm not good with flowers. I like to throw seeds into the ground and hope for the best. Flowers don't seem to care for that method, with the exception of sunflowers and zinnias. Those are always my "plan b's."

This is what is movin and groovin in my started trays:
Burpee
Bunching Scallions
Italian Parsley
Sweet Bell Pepper Mix
Organic Romas
Thyme
Genovese Basil
Baby's Leaf Spinach
Spearmint
Gaillardia "Goblin"
Butterfly Weed

Ferry-Morse
Dill
Jalapeno Peppers
Rosemary
Sweet Spanish Onions
Great Lakes Head Lettuce
Parris Island Cos Organic Romaine
Grand Rapids Leaf lettuce
Danvers Carrots (heirloom)
Poblano Peppers
Oregano
Organic Calabrese Broccoli

Tons of seeds still to start:
Black Turtle bush beans
Casper Pumpkins
Boston Pickling Cucumbers
Burpee Sunflower cutting mix
Spaghetti Squash
Canterbury Bells "Cups and Saucers"
Prizewinner Hybrid Giant Pumpkin
Babyboo mini white pumpkins
Lemon Bee Balm (heirloom)
Feverfew (heirloom)
Thai White Ribbed Eggplants (heirloom)
Moon & Stars Watermelons (heirloom)
Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelons (heirloom)
Hazelfield Farm Tomato (heirloom)
Cour di Bue Tomato (heirloom)
more to come...

I'm trying out a small herb garden for tea blends. The variety of pumpkins are mainly for Sophia. They were so neat to grow last year and she LOVES Halloween. I'm growing tons of extra lettuces because I'm hoping to be able to donate to a local soup kitchen.

I'm in HEAVEN

Its almost 8:30am. I've been up for awhile. Made some coffee. Fed my furry little sidekick, Happy. So far I've planted two trays, 72 pods each, of randomness-veggieness. Tons of sproutage going on. (the broccoli is my overachiever this year) I'm about to place another order with an heirloom seed company, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, mainly for herbs and special tomatoes that you can't find around here. In a nutshell, I'm in Heaven. The weather is starting to turn around finally and the sun has been peeking out almost everyday for a bit. I've got such big plans for my house and garden this year!! So much energy!!!

Joined the Sisterhood

My momma and I joined Maryjane's Farm sisterhood over the Holiday season. (link to the right) Its kind of a girl scouts for big girls! You can earn badges by doing different things like gardening, community service, and homesteading.
To date I have earned 5 beginner badges:
Stitching & Crafting: Knitting
Stitching & Crafting: Buttoned Up
Stitching & Crafting: Sew Easy
Make it Easy: In the Garden
Cleaning Up: Shopping Green

I'm making a tote bag to attach all of my badges to, kind of like the sash that girl scouts wear. Its fun and it suits my *goal-oriented* side very well. Some of the tasks to earn badges really push you to accomplish big things and to focus on your dreams. Never in my life have I been so focused and understanding on what really makes me happy and where I want my life to go.


"Even if it Breaks Your Heart" by Will Hoge

Way back on the radio dial
fire got lit inside a bright eyed child
Every note just wrapped around his soul
from steel guitar to Memphis all the way to rock and roll
Oh oh, I can hear them playing
I can hear the ringing of a beat up ol' guitar
oh oh, I can hear them saying
Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart

Downtown where I used to wander
old enough to get there but too young to get inside
I would stand out on the sidewalk
listen to the music playing every Friday night
Oh oh, I can hear them playing
I can hear the ringing of a beat up ol' guitar
oh oh, I can hear them saying
Keep on dreaming even it breaks your heart

Some dreams stay with you forever
drag you around and lead you back to where you were
Some dreams keep on getting better
Gotta keep believing if you wanna know for sure
Oh oh, I can hear them playing
I can hear the ringing of a beat up ol' guitar
oh oh, I can hear them saying
Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart
Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart

And it does break my heart. This song is perfect. The longing to be on land surrounded by trees and chickens, hearing Sophia laughing and playing with little goats and appreciating life, its painful but its good and its my dream. It will take so much work and dreaming, but its possible and I will have it. No dream is unattainable if you're willing to work for it.

Just around the corner

First snowfall of the year

Knitted wool scarf. LOVE IT!!

My first homemade chicken soup! Back off sniffles!!

This is Sophia's "bunny cape" because she refuses to wear a scarf.

I made it from snuggly purple fleece.

The sun is starting to shine a little bit more. Every morning, while taking the birds their breakfast, I notice the fuzzy little buds on the trees are getting fatter. The seed catalogs have been pouring in. Spring is almost here. Its been a long winter with modest amounts of snow. I've been hibernating with my knitting needles and homemade pumpkin lattes. I've worked on my sewing skills (or lack thereof) and even took a few classes on it. My mom is progressing along quite well with her new found love of crafting. AND, the biggest and bestest news is that I'm going to be an auntie for the first time in less than two months. I've probably bitten off more than I can chew because while I'm planning my sissy's baby shower, I am also making baby Hadley's bedding. I'm really excited about it and I hope it turns out as good as it looks in my head. It means a lot to me that my sis would even let me attempt to make something like this for her. People think I make things myself because its cheaper, but honestly, I pour my heart into making things for people that I love, whether its a cake or a scarf or baby bedding. This winter has provided a lot of "firsts" for me as will this spring. I finally placed my order for my brooder supplies and preparing for my baby chicks to arrive. I found some chicken coop plans that will work perfectly for my yard and Hubby and I are going to build it together. This is going to be a very productive and good year. And, with any luck, Hubby will see how badly I need a laptop and get me one! I can't stand being in the office typing. Its no wonder that my blog posts are months apart. There is nothing inspiring me while sandwiched between desks and bookcases and file cabinets! Not to mention this chair is ridiculously uncomfortable! I should be outside in the sunshine, among my plants and chickens!

The quilt material for Baby Hadley

My first hand-sewn sewing project! !

Another Odd Winter in the Ohio Valley

Yesterday was sunny and warm. Today was mild. Thursday is calling for snow. It hasn't really felt like autumn for more than a few random days. Nonetheless, I still choose coffee and snuggly sweaters to keep me in the mood for cold weather. I don't mind the plummeting temps as long as I can stay warm and focus on planning for the Spring. I have turned my mom into a crafting monster. I finally have someone around me who is as crazy about making everything that you can. We learned to knit and crochet together and it seems to have opened the floodgates. I love it. We are even planning to help each other in the garden this year. Yay for moms!

Making steps

So as I said before in my last post, I was beginning my journey to finding my niche in the farming world. This is where I will be going on Saturday: http://semonin.com/PropertyDetail.aspx?PropertyDetail=1187362&PropertyItem=0&PropertyIdx=1&tab=6&RecordType=180&0110_exc=1187362&5020_order=ascending&9375=1&AgoraItems=10&AgoraPage=1
Its small and most wouldn't consider this much of an opportunity, but I had a vision when I saw this place. I'm a sucker for a fixer-upper. There is just so much potential there. The house is in need of much repair which means I can have it fixed up as I'm fixing it. New houses gag me. I want to design and paint and remodel myself. There isn't much room for creativity in a brand new house. Plus, $10 says that little old rundown country home has more charm and character in its garage that a newer house has in its entirety! And, as much as I wanted to be an "urban farmer" and raise city chickens, I want to be able to experience lots of different aspects of farm life. So, please say a little prayer that I can sell my current house!

Hey...a girl can dream, can't she?!? :-)