Apologies on being a few days late with this post. Sam and I took Monday and Tuesday off this week. We have a very intense week coming up and wanted to be ready to tackle it. It was absolutely worth it though we are playing a smidge of catch up this week.
Kitchen View 1: Before
Painting again! Kitchen is up!!
Kitchen View 2: Before
Kitchen View 3: Before
Kitchen View 1: After
Kitchen View 2: After
Kitchen View 3: After
Kitchen Rearrange
We took the opportunity to rearrange while we had everything out. I LOVE Sam’s idea to make a divided pantry/prep area!!
Morning!
Went to sleep with wet hair and got this beauty! There’s no way I could ever make it happen on my own which stinks ‘cause I like it!!
Grasshopper!
Not the best picture but I didn’t want to bother him and get closer.
Mountain Mint
Returning with a vengeance!!
Hollyhock
From a trial we did last year. Looks great!
Yarrow
So happy we weeded this bed! The yarrow is thriving!!
Yarrow
The little ones are filling in nicely too!
Snapdragons
Only about 10% survived our overwintering trial. I originally thought about 25 but did a real count and it’s much lower. Still, we never covered them and pretty much forgot about them so I’m still impressed. The ones that did survive look amazing!!
Starting, bumping up, planting out....things are starting to heat up on the flower farm!
Bowie LOVES laser pointers! She will play forever!
Dr Scoops likes laser pointers. She tires of them easily...or maybe she's just lazy!
New paint (1 chalkboard wall and 3 bright white walls) plus a new light fixture really brighten this room up!
Craft Room: Before
View 1
Craft Room: Middle
View 1
Craft Room: After
View 1
Craft Room: Before
View 2
Craft Room: Middle
View 2
Craft Room: After
View 2
Finally Hung The Dart Board
Only needed 7 to win! So close!!
Finally Hung The Dart Board
Ha, ha!! My next throw!!
Walk About
Sam visits a horse
Walk About
Best friend cows!
Walk About
#44 and #49, I’m watching you!!
Walk About
One day, I will pet them!
Potholders
I burnt a hole in one of our pairs forever ago. now that the craft room’s all done, I whipped up a new pair. Might need extra padding…we shall see.
Added more bling to my truck!
A quick review of the Dianthus, Strawflower and Scabiosa starts and a couple mistakes made during the week. We also start some Phlox and Sam gives us some sweet tips on preventing build up during soil blocking.
It’s budding out nicely this year! Lots of new growth!!
Weeping Willow
When we first planted it, 3 years ago. So much has changed!
Yarn: After
New organization for my yarn! I’ve been working for years to get my stash under control. Strict orders (from myself) to forgo buying yarn until I went through at least half of the stash.
Yarn: Before
My old organization, minus 1 tub I emptied a few years back. Every bag and tub used to be filled to the brim, literally busting open. I’ve made so much progress!!
A super fast look at the super fast bumping up of soil blocks!
Testing out phone orientation for our longer videos. This one made me laugh so I kept it!
Bumping up soil blocks, starting more seeds and a quick update on the previous starts.
View 1: Before Still crammed full with stuff from the craft room and bedroom from last week’s work.
Painting and Ceilings
View 1: Before Cleared out and ready to start the actual work.
Painting and Ceilings
View 1: Middle Break time!!
Painting and Ceilings
View 1: After Gorgeous!!
Painting and Ceilings
View 2: Before We’re taking the opportunity to rearrange/reorganize the house. I know it’ll be awesome once we’re done but it’s definitely extending the process.
Painting and Ceilings
View 2: Before Cleared and ready to go!
Painting and Ceilings
View 2: After The color reminds me of a beach house, which is appropriate since the name is Exotic Sea. Love how much it brightens the space!!
Bowie Photoshoot
Bowie Photoshoot
She stayed here for 80% of the painting time…and covered the couch with her fur!
Bowie Photoshoot
Moon!
Moon!
Chicken Area
Pictures don’t really capture how amazing the lighting was.
Chicken Area
Loving the time change and that we’ve had some actually sunshine! Bye, bye rain!!
At 15, Bowie still loves to play! When we were painting our living room, we found one of her favorite toys and she played for hours!!
Really buckling down and getting the ceilings and walls finished. Our bed frame was falling apart so we had a replacement to install. Since we were moving the largest item out, we figured it was a good time to do the bedroom. We also started the craft room since everything was pulled out or at least away from the walls due to the electric work. 2 walls need one last coat so those pictures will wait until next week.
Ceiling and Painting Time!
Bedroom View 1: Before
Sam worked on this room while I deep cleaned the kitchen and started the craft room.
Ceiling and Painting Time!
Bedroom View 1: During
Ceiling and Painting Time!
Bedroom View 1: After
We LOVE it!!
Ceiling and Painting Time!
Bedroom View 2: Before
Ceiling and Painting Time!
Bedroom View 2: During
Ceiling and Painting Time!
Bedroom View 2: After
A whole new room!!
This is so me!
Maybe a slight alteration to ‘rage out and/or cry.’ ;) Give those emotions their time! Then let them go and give your brain the reins. All about that balance, baby!
Athena
We lost this sweet girl Friday night. She didn’t roost with the flock and, though we looked for a long time, we couldn’t find her or Derp. We were hoping they just roosted in one of Derp’s hiding spots and would return the next day. Whatever took her tried getting Derp too but she escaped.
Athena
The awkward teenage phase
Athena
Back when she was a baby chick, March of 2015. 4 years is much too young but at least we gave her a wonderful life and tons of love.
Athena: Following The Trail
Large piles of feathers are never a good sign but I still had hope. None of the feathers had skin attached so maybe she got away.
Athena: Following The Trail
This is in a drainage ditch a full property over. Lots of Derp feathers mixed in. We can’t figure out why they were so far away. Maybe they were chased? Maybe dragged? Maybe Derp was trying to help? We’ll never know.
Athena: Following The Trail
After the drainage ditch, I lost the trail for a while. I finally picked it back up across the street and a bit up the mountain. Still hoping she got away but starting to give up.
Athena: Following The Trail
This second area looks a critter’s territory. Not den but maybe a safe spot?
Athena: Following The Trail
This last spot is when I knew for sure that she was dead. There’s a chunk of feathers with a large flap of skin attached. (bottom left)
Athena: Following The Trail
Found in the same feathered area as the skin. I don’t know exactly what part this is but I do recognize chicken insides. This is too large for her to have survived. We never found the body so we’re assuming she was dragged back to a den. We did find some fur tufts on some wild blackberry thorns. Based on the color, feel and smell, we think it was a opossum.
Luckily, we don’t have fiberglass insulation! But this did get everywhere: cabinets, shoes, dishwasher, ugh! Bright side: spring is just a few weeks away so we’re getting a jump start on our spring deep cleaning.
Yup, that's a hole!
Christmas vacation anyone?
Wait, what hole?!?
They patched the hole beautifully! Downside: It DEFINITELY makes our ceiling work look like crap!! Oh well, we knew we had to go back and redo some parts anyway.
A New Irrigation Method
With our plan of direct seeding as much as we can this year, I knew I needed to come up with a better watering method. Fingers crossed this is it! I did a lot of research and it seems like it will work perfectly but, until I actually test it out, those fingers are staying crossed.
Soil Block Close Up
Trying out soil blocking,using a metal, cookie cutter like device to create soil blocks vs using plastic cell trays for seed starting. Besides cutting our plastic use down by over half, this method also utilizes our space better and prevents transplant shock! Plus, you always have the size cell you need because you are creating them! Pretty nifty!!
A silly video of our silly girls taken by a silly Sam! Starring the rebel Dominique and, of course, Derp!
A long and rambling look at our first seed starting session of 2019! Experimenting with soil blocking vs cell trays.
She’s just freakin’ adorbs! It’s crazy how much she (and Bowie) have changed their behavior since Kelsey’s passing. This one is becoming a cheeseball ;)
Photoshoot: Dr Scoops Mackenzie
Super squish face!!
Burn Pile Day
As much as I love burning things, large fires are quite scary to me. I have very little experience beyond grilling and camp fires and my parents definitely taught me that nature is as dangerous as it is beautiful. Very proud that I took this down (plus more that we added on from other areas). I worked carefully, smart and truly feel like I am learning. It might have taken over 8 hours but this over a year old pile is GONE!
Burn Pile
Progress but I didn’t quite build it right. Had to let it burn out, rearrange and start over.
Preying Mantis Sacks
While I was struggling with the burn pile, Sam was weed eating everything I couldn’t get with the BCS. He found these preying mantis sacks and saved them so we can transfer them to the farm side so they can kill for us!! Fingers crossed, I can get a video of them hatching!
Burn Pile
It’s taken a long time but I got this baby going! This picture shows the diameter of the pile nicely. Beautiful!!
Sweet Eats
At my work, when you work a double, you eat for free. I normally try to order something that can last into my next shift too. This pizza (roasted garlic oil base, spinach, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, fresh basil and sun dried tomatoes) was made by my girl, Gemma. She took each roasted red pepper and formed a heart! I LITERALLY got to eat love that day!!
Because I can't do a burn pile without taking at least one video. This one felt especially good to finish because I did it 90% solo! I've always been nervous around fires this size, no real experience, and really had to work it to get it and keep it going.
Well, I sure didn’t take a lot of pictures this week! Most of what I worked on this week was computer work: taxes, setting up our retirement investments, ordering seeds, etc. Not really photo-ops, right? We did go bowling on Monday night but I guess we were ‘living in the moment’ because neither one of us took a single picture! Apologies on a short, not incredibly interesting blog post.
Yarrow: Colorado Mix
This is second year yarrow, looking great! We’re planning on moving this bed so we won’t be adding anymore yarrow in until fall.
Yarrow: Before weeding
Yarrow: After Weeding
It might not look like much, but there’s a ton of very small plants that you can’t see. I’d estimate at least 50 which will fill half a 25 ft bed. Slugs really went at this bed last year so I’m actually very happy with the amount we have.
Sam had the awesome idea to use the air compressor to clean off the mower and BCS after use.
Cleaning Off the BCS
Watch it fly!
Yum!
Texas style ribs, done in the crock pot, with corn and greens. These ribs were super meaty! We had another huge meal from them a few nights later.
Before Bed Reset
You can see how the beds are going parallel to the creek.
Before Bed Reset
Before Bed Reset
Resetting the Beds
Using the BCS 853 and plow attachment to reset our beds. You can definitely see the plow lines getting straighter as we go.
Resetting the Beds
Resetting the Beds
Almost done! We did 9 more after this but I, of course, forgot to get a picture when we were done.
Chick, Chicks!
(l to r) Athena, WhoDat and Scrimshaw stopping by to see if I have any treats. I didn’t : (
So Sweet!
I covered a shift, last minute, for a gal who was feeling crappy and she surprised me with this sweet thank you gift! I’ve had amazing results on my legs and I’ve only used it once so far!!
Scrimshaw's Blood
Poor guy broke a spur. Not sure how it happened but I noticed it right before leaving for work one morning. Sam was already at work so there’s no picture of the actual spur. I was doing everything one handed since I couldn’t let him go. (He does NOT like to be held!)
Scrimshaw's Spur
Once I got him inside, I wrapped his body with this towel to help contain him while I washed his feet.
Scrimshaw's Spur
After washing, I use this spray and then coated the spur with corn starch to help stop the bleeding. It didn’t completely stop the bleeding completely but it did slow it down and, by the time we returned from work, it had clotted over. Roosters breaking spurs is a normal occurrence and he probably would have been fine without me doing anything. Since neither of us would be home for 7-8 hours, I just didn’t feel right leaving without doing anything. Honestly, I didn’t feel good about leaving while it was still bleeding but what can you do?
Our first oil change on the BCS 853
Our first oil change on the BCS 853
Setting our first plow line so we can base our beds off of a straight(ish) line
We let the flock out and about to roam. We also hope this will help ease into integrating the 2 flocks together.
Scrounging chickens! They know that the treats come from the shed so they followed Sam over in hopes of something nice. Speedy even followed him right in!
Our actual first plow line. We realized we weren't accounting for room at the end of the row to turn the BCS before the creek. So we adjusted our set up and opted to do the creek plow line first and then base the line off of that plow line.
A ceramic egg holder and a solar unicorn! Too cool!!
Frittata Time!
Served with roasted veggies
A super cool thank you card
Had a chat with a gal in the bathroom. Her fiance had just passed so a fellow server and I took care of her tab. She left us a heartfelt note (though I’ll leave that bit private). Grateful for the opportunity to brighten someone’s day.
A nervous beginning with the BCS 853
Starting to mow AND I remembered to drop the handlebars.
I would guess 90% of my knitting is done in wool and here’s a few reasons why! Many people think of wool as being scratchy and rough but, as with everything, there is actually a huge range on wool feels.
Birthday Card Time!
To Sam From my Mom
Immediately On The Fridge
From a sassy coloring book I gave her for her birthday, here is a look at the card! I love how she added Sam’s wedding top hat in! I didn’t even realize that she did; it looks that professional!!
BCS Pick Up Day!!!!!
They gave us a free hat! Time for a photo shoot!
BCS Pick Up Day!!!!!
BCS Pick Up Day!!!!!
Hell yeah!!
BCS Pick Up Day!!!!!
I think I’m in LOVE!!
More Sun = More Eggs
Glad production is picking back up. We almost had to go buy a dozen, eek!
Dahl
Don’t you just love him?! His books were so magical and imaginative. I still pull them out every now and then and give them a read.
Who's Up Next?
Our Instagram survey to see who should be the next guest on our podcast and a trial to see how to get our listeners involved.
Wise Words
This is a shepherd I follow on Instagram. I liked how he phrased this.
HAHAHAHAHA
This one just cracked me up!!
Sassy Stitches
Nice to know I’m not the only one who likes sassy stitches. Plus, forest fertilizer!!
Not sure who gets credit for this picture but I love it!!
2019 Board
New chore schedule board! Color coordinated and everything!!
2019 Board
Slight layout change to create more space
It's, it's electric!
The source of our electric problems! This wire used to be white (wow!). Turns out our house almost burnt down! Waiting on the full quote to fix this problem…
Happy B-Day, Dolly!
Dolly Parton turned 73 on the 19th! She is an inspiration!!
Embroidery Progress
Learned the woven wheel rose and am over halfway finished with this hoop! Exciting!!
Back of the fishbone stitch. Isn’t it lovely how the ‘backbone’ tucks the initial tail in? I love it!!
Embroidery?
Maybe for embroidery or maybe not but, either way, these insults had me cracking up!
DIY Hoop Design
Thinking about making something like this for next year. We need somewhere we can move starts. It wouldn’t work for the super early ones but I think it’s a viable option for the later ones (zinnias, tomatoes, dahlias, etc)
Light Effects
It’s crazy how much lighting will change your pictures. Here’s the hoop in full sunlight.
Light Effects
Seconds later, the hoop shifted out of the direct sunlight and into the shade.
Light Effects
And here’s the hoop inside door, medium light. The blue fabric really changes colors! The actual reason for this picture was to show the difference in the white edging after I decided to try an new approach. The 2 petals on the left with the scissors pointing to them show my first attempt, strictly following the directions. The 2 on the right are after I branched out and found a way that works better for me.
I’m starting to save little quotes that I see online. Once I’m more confident at embroidery, maybe I’ll do a quote series. Thoughts?
Jan 1st = Annual Meeting!
Going over the incomplete 2018 lists
Embroidery?
Not really a quote but I think this alphabet is super cool!
Embroidery?
Art Box!
Even though we said no XMas presents, my sis sent me this super cool art box! It has a new painting project to do each week. Our schedules have been stupid recently so I’ve only opened it up but I am pumped to try it!!
Aubry explaining we set up to have her parking area re-graveled!
First Stitch Sampler!
So proud!
First Stitch Sampler!
Some details I just love
First Stitch Sampler!
Detail shot
First Stitch Sampler!
Details
Quick Satin Stitch Project
I shall call it Rain-Bear
Almost done!
Ending the wettest year in history with, surprise, more rain!! This round caused serious flooding in Asheville and Marshall. Our creek never breached but flooding did occur at the end of our street. Luckily, the chickens were sa
A sweet Cyber Monday score! Time to get better pictures up in our shop.
Babysitting
All of the toys! Amusingly, these are Sam’s!!
Babysitting
Crafting felt foxes
Christmas Cooking
Christmas Cooking
Christmas Crafting
Sharing Success
Blue Mountain let me hang this write up on BAD Craft. So proud of Randy!
Not Sandy but...
I received this super sweet note from a customer. A nice reminder that you never know what other folks are handling!
It’s also interesting how things work out. These folks ordered a large pizza and, as it was coming out of the oven, it got a small hole in the middle. (Happens when the dough is a little thin in the middle. They go to scoop it out and it rips.) So my manager took them the pizza with the hole, explained what happened and we made them another one as a replacement because, you know, standards. They wound up eating all of the original large minus 2 pieces and then had another one to take home. Normally no big deal but, considering the customers’ situation, how perfect!! Way to go, universe!
TWINNING!!
While gassing up, I realized I was matching my truck!
Christmas Crafting
Glitter time!
Snow Day Drama
This jeep went off the road and into our farm field. Luckily, no one was injured. I did scare the crap out of them: I ran out in my socks, yelling, because I thought they were 4 wheeling in our field. In my defense, they were teenagers and we had heard nothing BUT 4 wheeling/mudding folks all day. Country living problems…
Apologies on running behind over here! Started prepping for vacation, went on vacation and then hit a super busy period. Finally getting caught back up!
Date Night!
We went to Painting With A Twist and had a blast!
Date Night!
About halfway through the class, we played a game. Put a paper plate on your head and draw a cat or dog. The plates went to the table and we all picked which one was most cat/dog like.
Date Night!
Mine won!! Also, is it possible that I can paint better not looking, on top of my head vs regular??
Date Night!
Masterpieces!
Date Night!
Another shot that shows the painting we were trying to replicate (Left corner) Not very close but I do really like mine :)
Apologies on running behind over here! Started prepping for vacation, went on vacation and then hit a super busy period. Finally getting caught back up!
