Being a faithful blogger requires at least these two things: being near a computer and sitting down. Lately, I have done neither.
When everything starts to burst wide open outside these walls, I am there each step of the way. The grass is green and it smells like grass (ahhhhhh).
Leading this semi-agrarian life has its many rewards. But most of them come as a result of plain ol' hard labor. That's why I'm out there and not in here when the weather is my friend.
Take our happy flock of hens. Fun to watch. Beautiful fresh eggs. Lots of reasons to love them. But with hens that are truly free-rangers comes the added task of ever watching for the occasional hawk or rare dog/coyote that prey. And now and then, especially this time of year when the girls are laying like crazy, one or two might get broody. That's when she lays an egg and never wants to leave it. Causes all sort of issues in the henhouse. They start fussing at each other, bickering over whose turn it is to lay in a particular box. It's a problem that's pretty easy to solve, just takes some time and patience. I mean look at her, does she look like she's coming out of there without a fight? Such a silly.
An update for my fellow gardeners...cool season veggies went in the ground this weekend (greens, sugar peas, broccoli, onions, etc.). Potatoes will go in this week. Would love to hear a garden update from each of you as well.
The barn project is moving along. It's involved a lot of good old-fashioned cleaning. We strung some lights up and put fresh straw down. I will keep you posted on that project as it happens. (Note: please don't expect anything spectacular. This is definitely not a 'chandelier in the henhouse' kind of farm :)
Actually, everything on the farm this time of year involves a lot of cleaning up and clearing out. It's just part of it. Again, the rewards are immeasurable but I didn't want you to get a mental picture of me skipping through the fields in my apron with not a care in the world. I get dirty and sweaty and bone-weary on the average day. I wouldn't trade my life for anything, but that's the real of it.
Here are a couple of photos of trips I've been blessed with the past couple of weekends. My husband and I escaped up to Boone (NC) and just kicked back in the mountains (big sigh). A place of such raw beauty, love it.
And then last week I took my daughter down to Savannah. A perfect 'girl trip'. I wanted to show her the art school, and we walked all over that awesome city. Ate lots. Talked lots. Time well spent.
So yes, there's been much ado in my world lately. How about you? Are your days full to the brim too?
(Oh and please don't abandon me completely. I am honored to be working with Jenny on a project for our dear friends in Japan. Some of you may be helping as well. Stay tuned!)
It sounds like a beautful life on the farm. my girls are doing at lot of squaking these days too! I love it.
Rebecca I am so excited to see what you are doing with your barn-i'm sure it will be wonderful.
Have a great week and I keep an eye out to see what you and Jenny are doing for the sweet people of Japan.
Posted by: lorraine lewis | 21 March 2011 at 10:45
Oh, I want a garden.
I think I'll put that on my "to do" list. first, I have to buy a fence to keep the dogs out.
I'll keep you posted.
Have a lovely week
cari b.
Posted by: cari bruno | 21 March 2011 at 10:59
Hi! We still have at least a foot of snow to melt before even thinking of gardening In Northern Minnesota. Snow is in the forecast for the next couple of days...storm watch actually...We are zone 3...Your pictures look so nice compared to slush, ice, and dirty snow...he he he
Posted by: vickie ann | 21 March 2011 at 11:20
Abandon?
No way!
Life gets busy.
We all know that.
Always a pleasure to read a new post.
Happy Springtime!
Dawn @ 4:53 am
Posted by: Dawn | 21 March 2011 at 12:02
Butterfly gardening is all I manage these days, still a little early for them; but clean-up comes first, as you know. Will need to get those host plants in the ground soon. I love that you share your "real" life with us, and obviously you share with others in need through your art projects. Thanks for a peek at your trips, beautiful. And the hen! It's been years since I've been around chickens, my dad raised them. I remember gathering eggs, and finding an opossum in a nest box once.
Posted by: patti sj | 21 March 2011 at 12:11
Springtime here in the Arizona desert means the city's jammed packed with baseball fans, spring-breakers, golfers, and snowbirds so it's best to just stay home and work in the yard. This time of year means pruning back shrubs (many hard hit by a freeze in January) and testing drip-systems for leaks. I spent all of yesterday repairing a main line which had been pinched by some tree roots but am glad I discovered it because without precious water here in the desert, all you are left with is rocks and dust. Which is pretty much all you have anyway, oh, how I miss green. Thankfully, I have Rebecca's post to reflect on. Can't wait to hear more about the barn, never knew hens could be fussy about their eggs, and look forward to hearing how to help the people of Japan. Write more, soon!
Posted by: Cathie | 21 March 2011 at 12:35
I love hearing about life on your farm. It sounds so wonderfully rewarding. The extent of our gardening was replacing our old landscaping ourselves two weekends ago. We really enjoyed it. I can't wait to see how your barn turns out!
Posted by: Suzette | 21 March 2011 at 14:17
Sounds like a wonderful life...not easy & perhaps not carefree, but wonderful still:)
Posted by: Leah C | 21 March 2011 at 14:21
No gardening here yet, although I weeded around the herbs recently. It's getting close to when I can plant the cool weather seeds, though.
Posted by: Lorrie | 21 March 2011 at 15:35
I must agree ... your hen does not look like she wants to be messed with! Looking forward to seeing more pics of your barn. I'm thinking of doing potatoes, too, but wondering if I should have planted in the fall since I'm in Indiana? Think I'll google that tonight and see what I can find. Blessings!
Posted by: Patricia | 21 March 2011 at 16:13
In Northern Arizona it's snowing (!) but it's on the brink of freezing so shouldn't hurt the apricot or peach trees that are in full bloom on our property. My raised bed has onions, sage, lavender, chives and oregano coming up from last year. I was unhappy to see the lemon balm didn't make it.
I'm ready to start seeds indoors this week and an early planting of lettuce, chard and spinach will go in this week.
I've also embarked on a new project -- planting a Wardian case (Victorian for "terrarium"). I bought an orchid as a start and will have a photo of it on my blog tomorrow. We're so dry here I thought some plants I long to have that don't do well will thrive in an enclosed environment. We'll see!
I envy you the chickens, but don't want the work! I have neighbors who do that for me and I pay them . You sure do look like you have one mad hen there!
Happy Spring!
Posted by: Georgene Lockwood | 21 March 2011 at 16:28
Well, I'm envious of you and even of the commenter white the foot of snow. we've got at least 6 feet and it has gone down a couple of feet in the last 2 weeks. we're expecting a little more tomorrow too. It's even too soon to start my seedlings indoors. More time for sewing.
Posted by: Holly McLean | 21 March 2011 at 17:48
Love your update! SW Montana doesn't have any green yet, and the only "gardening" is the planting of seeds indoors and the clearing of muddy beds from the debris of winter. But spring has let us know of it's coming through the return of the birds, the melting of snow in the yard (only to come again overnight and melt again by the afternoon), and that special light from the sun rising higher in the sky as the days go by.
Posted by: Susan Beth | 21 March 2011 at 20:26
My garden dreams are big, but this is not the season in my life to embark on big projects...so, I'm keeping things simple! My son and I are enjoying watching our coleus seeds emerge from their tiny, tiny shells (aren't seeds just miraculous!!!) and I'm loving watching the bulbs bloom from the little garden-in-a-pot that my hubby gave me. Blessings to you!
Posted by: Kelly | 21 March 2011 at 21:37
Springtime in Florida for me is that the bikers, race car fans and spring breakers descend upon us. It is also the return of my sweet, loyal hummingbirds, the bloom of my Red Bud Tree, days at the beach when the heat is not unbearable and so much more!
I am not one to spend a great deal of time outside but this year, I am making it a daily routine and am feeling the benefits!
I grew up in Charleston, SC and know the beauty of a southern city. I have had some of the best photo-taking trips in Savannah.
So happy to see a post from you today! I am a new follower and have been reading many of your past posts! Thank-you for working with Jenny on this new project. I feel blessed to have been asked to participate.
Many blessings to you and your family!
Roben-Marie :)
Posted by: Roben-Marie | 22 March 2011 at 08:07
Had to giggle over the "brooding" story. How many times have I {we?} referred to brooding over something. Yet, I {we? oh say it's not just me!} don't think I've ever connected the dots as to the origins of this word! But sure wish I had room for a real garden here in suburbia. It's how I grew up...compost piles, a freezer full and shelves in the basement holding 100's of canned goods...tomato juice, sphagetti sauce, dill pickles [and my favorite, small green tomatoes put up like dill pickles], etc. The northern most dark corner was where you stashed onions and potatoes to make them last as long as possible. Such fun memories. But I do grow lots of perennials and check on them daily to see who's appeared on the scene, who's gotten bigger overnight... Thanks for stirring up some sweet memories in me! Xo
Posted by: Sue@MyArtsDesire | 22 March 2011 at 08:34
Rebecca, if your daughter chooses SCAD, let me know. I'll be happy to provide her with a few home-cooked meals. Savannah is a beautiful place to live. I envy your garden space. Since we moved here, I have no space for anything except a few containers.
Posted by: Ginny | 22 March 2011 at 08:54
Thank you for a glimpse into your world as spring time takes over..... I could actually smell the grass. I'm filled with admiration at the hard work involved as you shift from winter to spring.
Posted by: jocelyn hession | 22 March 2011 at 11:01
It's so good to see you back!
I do like reading about "life in the hen house". :)
Love, Colette
Posted by: Colette | 22 March 2011 at 18:12
My husband went to college in Boone. He would love to take us there to show us around but as of yet we have not made it. It sounds like you are keeping plenty busy these days. For everything a season.
Posted by: Jen@thecottagenest | 22 March 2011 at 21:22
My garden (or what will be my brand new garden) is under a foot of snow. But I am plotting and planning and dreaming...
I love when you post but am happy to know you are out there, happy in the sun...
Posted by: Jillayne | 22 March 2011 at 22:09
I think being connected to the earth is being creative. I plan to plant out my winter veges this wknd with a few winter flowers for my Poppy girl who loves to pick the little flowers in the garden, she has taken to picking basil leaves and smelling them because I showed her what it is.
Trying out my new shiva paintsticks in my studio - love the smell....bliss.
Love Deb
Posted by: deborah michels | 22 March 2011 at 22:52
As with other commenters still dealing with snow, I adore hearing your updates and seeing pictures of GRASS. Today we are getting yet another storm, my 13 year old looked out the window this morning and wailed "PLEASE! STOP!" We had a big melt in the last couple of weeks, and I even saw a tulip starting to emerge, but now everything is covered in a blanket of white again. I will keep gardening on paper, for now.
Posted by: maybaby | 23 March 2011 at 08:40
I love the NC mtns....I grew up in the piedmont area of NC but graduated from Western Carolina U(a long time ago). Those four years in the NC mountains fostered a life-long love for those beautiful mtns. I no longer live in NC, but will travel there at the drop of a hat, given the opportunity.
Thanks for the little memory trip!!!!
Posted by: barbara lassiter | 23 March 2011 at 21:10
We won't abandon you! Don't you just love Savannah?
Posted by: Karen Owen | 26 March 2011 at 12:17