Coop de Flat Creek – Week 2 Progress

If only all the other tasks would go away for a little while, I could get soooo much more done on this project. I’ve invested two more partial afternoons this week so far. It’s such a little drop in the big bucket of time, but all I can usually muster in a week.

Things that were accomplished: my modifications to the plans – framed a “grid” in the window to help support the hardware cloth, framed in the little chicken door (original plan didn’t require this). I also installed a vinyl flooring scrap on the main floor, as well as the roost shelf. And my biggest “ta-dah” …. rafters. Although it was also my biggest blunder so far. I completely assembled one rafter “bass-ackwards” as they say. I fixed the problem and all seems okay. This coop is definitely not perfect, but it’ll do I think! And did I mention how much fun this is?? Really, it is!

My favorite tools so far: miter saw, air nailer, cordless screwdriver/drill. My least favorite thing so far: Liquid Nails – ugh! I somehow manage to glue my fingers together each and every time. I also don’t care much for the circular saw or the jig saw, but they beat the heck out of using a hand saw :) All in all though – fun, interesting, addictive (what to build *next*?!).

Next step will be installing the hardware cloth on the interior of the window, and figuring out a way to install the hardware cloth in the ventilation area by the rafters. Hmmmm, more modifications may be in order?? I think I need another board situated in there somewheres….

Well, friends… all I have for now –
hope you’re having a great week!

You’ll never guess what…

…but hang with me to the end and I’ll tell you. In the meantime, here are 1,001 random things that are going on around here. It has been a very busy week!

First, I spent an hour on a post this morning and Windows Live Writer went nuts and lost it. I really have a love/hate relationship with that program. And with computers in general.

Mr. W has been in and out of Osage Bluff Blacksmith & Quilter’s neck of the woods lately. Patti and I have been exchanging plants. This week I see I have received from her: Spiderwort, Bluebells, a cute little Osage Bluff fern, and some Live Forever. Awesome… can’t wait to plant them! Also, the Osage Bluff Blacksmith sent me this really cool, wicked-looking hoe. Won’t that be heck on weeds? I think so! Thanks, you two!

I took a quick walk around the very wet yard this morning and got a few pictures.

Purple Martin – please, oh please stay this time! I’ve been trying to lure you for three long years. I’ve resorted to everything during those years, including playing very loudly a CD of purple martin songs into a speaker directed into the front yard. Every morning. Hubby still hasn’t forgiven me for that one.

Giant Allium… ready to bloom.

Irises, between showers.

Here is one of my projects, awaiting my attention. 150+ heirloom tomato plants bursting at the seams in the jiffy pot container.

Our first hummingbirds of the season arrived at the feeders this morning.  Thank goodness I had them ready! Moments after that, I heard the first oriole. Now I need to get that grape jelly out. No rest, I tell ya! :)

Ok, for my big news. I am building a small chicken coop. Yes, I am amazed too, especially that I still have all 10 blogging fingers so far :) I have absolutely no building experience, except as a lowly assistant on projects in the past. Who knew this would be so much fun? This building stuff could be addictive. I really hope to inspire someone else to try something they never thought they could do all by themselves. Best confidence-builder ever!

So far, I’ve devoted two afternoons. The first afternoon was spent cutting my pieces and parts, labeling them accordingly, and stacking in little organized piles.  Well, that and hanging several loads of laundry on the line, and many other unrelated things. The second afternoon I completed the base (on four 2- foot legs), the floor, the nest box frame, the upper frame, and windows & doors framed in.

It isn’t perfect, but I am so proud of myself! I’ll keep posting updates, then one big post on the entire project in the end. My deadline is mid-May when 15 Ameraucana (Easter Egger) pullets plus one little rooster will arrive from Cackle Hatchery. I can’t wait! It’s been years since I had chickens and I’ve missed them ever since.

Oh, and lest you think this small coop is a permanent home for 16 chickens… nope! So, yes, a larger coop for when the chicks are bigger is already in the planning stage.  Then this “starter” coop will turn into a portable coop with wheels and the addition of a portable run.

That’s all the news from Flat Creek Farm for now. Hope everyone is doing well!

Thursday Walkabout ~ The Fragrance of Spring

Can’t you just smell the fragrance of Spring? I want to bottle it up for those long Winter days to come.

 

It is so unbelievably difficult to take pictures of Ruby and Gracie. They are always in your pocket! Here’s an example.

These two boys have been hanging out a lot together lately. I think they’re plotting something.

Springtime Blessings to you and yours….

Thursday Walkabout: Oh, Spring…

How we have anxiously awaited your arrival. So glad to see you again!

Top: Sunshine through the Bradford Pear, Redbud tree ready to pop, Lilacs ready to pop, Creeping Phlox.

Center: Wellies – a necessity, Greta Goose has 3 eggs!, Plum Blossoms, Weeping Peach Buds.

Bottom: Big Puddles, One of the new Bluebird Houses (thanks, Dad! & thanks Mr. W for installation :)), Miss Monkey in Bradford Pear, One more Bradford Pear shot.

Happy Spring!

Hay & Straw, and other random things…

My first randomness - a random mosaic including a few of my favorite things in the pie safe.

A favorite towel – a gift from a favorite young lady; Shamrock in a crock; Mama & baby donkey – treasures found by my dear mother at a recent antique show & sale (thanks Mom!); Grandma Winfree’s sugar “stove” (very precious to me); Hummel donkey & cart (my most favorite eBay find ever); yet another donkey with one of last summer’s hydrangeas; Greta Goose’s egg which was Pysanki-painted just beautifully by our very talented neighbor, Colleen.

Did everyone have a nice Easter? We had a dual celebration, also celebrating the Fiddler’s birthday on Sunday afternoon. I fixed a simple lunch on Easter called “Hay & Straw.” It’s a Taste of Home recipe, and you can find it here if you like. Very easy and delicious! And I love the name! It consists of julienned strips of ham, linguine, frozen peas, parmesan cheese, butter, whipping cream (I used half & half). I put it in the big slow cooker on buffet setting and it worked perfectly. Along with a salad, we were good to go. Or at least until later, when we all pigged out on an enormous white cake with heavenly frosting & ice cream.

I have big plans to do a Thursday Walkabout tomorrow. We have a few blooming trees now. We’re loving Spring, but it’s so overwhelming the amount of things that need to be done. Like… right now!  The only thing holding us back is all this rain, but that has allowed more time for Spring Cleaning. Speaking of which, back to work I go… the Purge continues!

Enjoy your day!