 |
| Still Life with Fantin's Roses, 5"x7" Oil on linen Panel SOLD |
 |
| Still Life with Fantin's Roses, 5"x7" Oil on linen Panel SOLD |
 |
| Cherries from Linda's Garden, 5"x7" Oil on linen Panel SOLD |
I've found that simplifying my life can be complicated and messy at first, but I am getting into the swing of things and finding my way around raising chickens, keeping bees, organic gardening and teaching art.
During winter break, I started my coop plans--all the things coops had to have and the best way to build it so that that it would not be something my neighbors would mind seeing as they step outside their houses. I must add that I have the BEST neighbors in the world.
I bought chickens in March and by April, they were ready to be outside of the brooder I had built them. So, the coop started to go up. About three weeks (most of it during Spring break and then a couple of weekends following), half of a pinkie nail, and five hundred dollars later, my coop was finished and the chickens seemed to have made themselves at home quickly, swing and all. Yes, they love the swing and it's fun to watch them sway themselves in the attempt to getting to moving again when it has stopped.
 |
| I cannot tell Coco and Chanel apart. So, right now they are both Coco Chanel |
Chrysamthem and Sweetpea have to be in almost every photo. They are such a photo bombers.
I bet if I gave her the camera, I'd end up with a gazillion of selfies of her.
So far, we have Sweetpea, a buff orphinton who greets us every time we go outside and thinks that she is supposed to be held when we go in the coop; two chocolate orphintons--Coco and Chanel; Frida Kahlo, a welsummer; Chrysanthemum, who was supposed to be a mauve orphington but ended up with the pretties of snow white feathers ever; two cuckoo marans, who do not have names because they may be boys; the same is the case for two Americaunas that have to be touching at ALL times; and last but not least two blue lace Wyandottes, who are also too small to name. So, the plan of having four chickens has lead to having to think twice about adding a silver-laced Wyandotte, but if one just happens to appear when I am purchasing feed, I may just have to bring it home.
Thank you for sharing your stories with me. I love to hear them. They inspire me and give me energy and hope. THANK YOU with all my heart.
Hugs,
Carolina
love your work!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the GREAT post = )
I came to visit by way of the Chicken Chicks' bloghop...
ReplyDeleteYou have some mighty nice looking young hens there & put yourself together a really attractive coop! This is my first year with hens, so far so good. I encourage wild bees by growing sunflowers & other blossoms & by not spraying for weeds. But that's as far as I can go because, to tell the truth, they scare me.
I love how your bee hives match your chicken coop. <3
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteAhhh thank you for visiting my blog. Well, we will just have to keep each other posted on our chickens. Bees are actually a hundred times easier (and cheaper) than chickens. I don't have to check up on them but every couple of weeks or so and even then it is just to see if I need to add another box for them to work on. They scare me, too and I am definitely NOT one of those brave beekeepers who checks the beehives without a bee suit. In fact, mine covers as much of me as possible. :)
DeleteYou should check out flo hives. They are what has really encouraged me to get bees (eventually) and safe enough from disturbing the bees that they show their own toddler getting honey from the spout without problems. The set up is a bit expensive, but to me are worth it for the prevention of killing so many bees when removing frames and not having to smoke the bees to get honey.
DeleteHello, What a beautiful chicken coop! I know you will enjoy your fresh honey! Hope you have a wonderful summer!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Roxy
Hello Roxy!! Thank you. Yes, I can't wait for fresh honey. The bees have been bringing in lots of good stuff to their hives. I hope your summer is lovely, as well. Hugs,
DeleteCarolina
I just happenned upon your blog on pinterest & I just got some chickens,my first ones.My granddaughter won a little duck & now she is with them too,she looks so funny with her long yellow neck sticking up from the middle of their "huddle".They didn`t accept her at first & she seemed to "smile evilly"chasing them about,but now they herd her & instead of perching as they were,they keep her close in the middle,so cute.I also wanted bees,maybe they will be the last on my bucket list...I thought I was done when I got the chickens.Your blog is lovely,phyllis
ReplyDeleteThat is too cute!! I love the story, Phyllis!! :) I must say, bees are cheaper and easier to keep than chickens. I love my chickens, but the sure are work and seem to eat more expensively than I do. Thank you for the visit and the delightfully sweet words. hugs, Carolina
Delete