chicken update & more!

Last week I had BIG plans for this ol' blog-- 

lots to blog about.

Then- it happened.

On the 4th of July Wende's husband- Rich (our computer expert) asked how our PC was doing-

 GREAT! I replied

 that did it.

 The next day it started acting all weird... by July 10th it wouldn't turn off or on- just one blank screen.

UGH 

Happy Day- Last night he brought it back to me all fixed up, shiny, no more problems. It runs like a gem. Fast-- I had no idea how slow it had gotten? Aw Rich- you are the best!

So- this week- I have big blogging plans. Lots to share-- photos from Girl's camp-- Stories & photos from Trent's first week long scout camp-- my birthday (which is today by the way.)

So if you are a reader- stay tuned. I promise to catch up.

Chickens

Have I told you how much Brett loves our chickens? 

He does. It's so sweet! I wanted chickens- he didn't- and with good reason.

 We got them & HE LOVES THEM.

 He visits them every morning & night and he calls them his - ladies. They know his voice, run to him & sometimes even jump into his arms... he doesn't really love that. He even spent all of his birthday money that he got from his parents on our new chicken coop. It's the perfect little coop for our two chickens

 (we are hoping to introduce two more chicks to our coop next spring.)

He & Trent put it together a week or so ago.

(Doesn't our new fence look so pretty?)

In the right hand corner you can see the old coop (which we need to return to it's owner- thanks for letting us borrow it Kevin!) Also loads of paving bricks that another neighbor gave us. We have been using those pavers over the years to build some (one- we have good intentions, okay) walkways in the yard. Brett & Trent made a fire pit & have been working on camp fire building. Plus our garden- it's growing! 

Our coop has a pull out tray to make it easy to clean.

Plus on the left there- that box- is where they nest & hopefully lay eggs.

The top lifts up & you can take out those eggs.

We hope to have fresh eggs soon.

Brett says by October- I think we should have some by September.

We shall see?

I have loved our little garden this year.

It helped that we didn't go crazy planting.

Next year- ya- we might go all planting crazy next year.

For this year- it's just right.

hot chicks

~okay~

so apparently we have joined the world of chicken owners

I've wanted to put some chickens in our backyard for a long time now... but I'm just nervous.

 REally nervous.

 I have a lot to do & a lot of mouths to feed & did I mention I have a lot to do?!

Plus, what if dogs come into the yard- or mountain lions- and eat them?

What if we don't do it right? Then, they could stink up the backyard & our neighbors will hate us.

 I am feeling the pressure. Am I making too big of a deal out of it? 

These two girls could not be happier!

Shoot- the are really cute.

And you guys are my witnesses that these two chicks promised to take care of these two other chicks.

 We may add two more chicks- for a total of 4 chicks- which will grow into 4 chickens- which should lay lots of delicious eggs. 

I hope. 

oh golly

what have I gotten myself into?

one step ahead

This week (so far) I've been trying to get some things done!

Some BIG things done!

I'm blogging about it to help me feel like I've actually achieved something.

Some day's I have to wonder....?

I made & froze:

waffles

muffins

granola (okay I didn't freeze the granola)

for easy quick breakfasts.

I planted herbs-- Woo HOooo!!! 

seeds & plants

I always mean well, and think I'm going to get my gardening in early...

 but it's so much harder to do than it seems.

I checked the weather forecast & saw that there is not a freeze in sight.

So I put in my tomatoes- well three so far. I need to pick up a couple more plants.

Surprise, Surprise

Look was is coming up all on it's own here.

YEP

pumpkins!

We had a contest last fall to see who could chuck their pumpkin into the garden from the deck.

(It was really funny)

Some of us made it- some did not- never the less- the pumpkins made it into the garden & now a pumpkin patch is growing. I LOVE it. We will have pumpkins growing out of our ears. I counted at least 10 plants- uh oh.

These are my raspberry bushes.

Kristy gave me some starts & they are coming along but not producing. They are much bigger this year & I am hoping this is the year!?

I have more planting to do- but this is a GREAT start for me.

Last but not least-

Happy Happy Day

Two weeks ago I ordered myself a key lime tree.

I have always wanted one of these little citrus trees- I am so thrilled to have it!

So far so good.

 It's darling. I LOVE it.

I can't wait to see flowers & little limes. It may not be until next spring- but it's okay.

 I can wait.

 I can wait.

Can I wait? I guess I will have to.

what's up

Yesterday Wende took Jack's senior photos-

I hung out as the assistant & smile maker.

She didn't need help especially after calling him America's next top model over & over.

That got him laughing.

This is just a simple shot from my camera....

You can just imagine how cool hers are-

I am so excited about these

and he...

could care less- or at least that's how he tries to act-

secretly I think he is pretty excited about them too.

I bought plants this morning for our garden.

This is the first year, I think... that we've gotten a garden in before June. I am so happy about this- I just can't believe how great it feels to get this done. May is always the busiest month of the year. I still have a bunch of things to get done in the garden & I know it will be a summer long project ... but I am still excited to have the basics in.

For family night we had my favorite strawberry shortcakes & finally came to a conclusion on our family mission statement that will soon be over our front door.

be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

There were a lot of contenders- but this scripture won out.

It's nice having Hailey home after school- no more play practice. I'm doing loads & loads of heavy duty laundry (happiness), getting ready for a bridal shower, sewing some baby things...

what's up at your house?

Beautiful

a really long post... about a beautiful day

A couple of weeks ago, my sweetheart called me & asked me what I was doing on April 19th. He then suggested we come here-so we planned a special day away to enjoy the gardens & spend some time alone in the middle of our very busy month.Because of our wild spring weather, the tulips were not all up. The daffodils were & some of the tulips. It was all beautiful none the less.

Here are some - aren't they gorgeous?!


After walking part way through the gardens we stopped & laid on the grass. It was a very windy day but warm & it was nice to be outside without freezing.

While we were sitting in the grass talking this little boy ran over & was so delighted to find a patch of gravel. He started playing & throwing it. It was so funny to watch from a distance. Brett said- laying on the grass without our own kids throwing rocks was worth the ten dollar admission. Agreed.

I am sad to say that living on the opposite end of the valley, this is the very first time I have been to the gardens here. I loved it. There is so much to see. These fountains were one of my favorite spots.

Brett was so curious to know if anyone has ever jumped right in on one of the hot summer days we get in July? Tempting, I'm sure.

It's amazing.

I have always wanted to be a serious gardener. Being allergic to just about everything outside- has made that difficult.
Not to mention...

I don't really ever go into the sun. Maybe that's why some of you say I don't look 40? I really avoid sun. It bothers me. I swear I can feel sun wrinkling my face after just few minutes. Even with sunscreen & sunglasses I am miserable in too much sun. I guess it's my Seattle upbringing.

The mother of the gravel lover offered to take a picture of us. She was really cute like her little guy.

Chloe would love this a little secret garden behind doors.

Here is what was inside.

I loved the daffodils- everywhere. They have just about always been my favorite flower.

The waterfalls - stunning.

My next favorite place-

Beautiful.

We ate lunch at the restaurant there.

Tomato basil soup & bread.

Chicken fried steak with garlic mashed potatoes & grilled vegetables. A turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich with marinated vegetables. Oh my goodness - the food here was amazing!

Luckily we got dessert in the deli to go. About 2 hours later I was so glad!

After our adventure at the gardens we went here.

Male paradise.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of all the guys at the gun counter. It reminded me of ladies waiting at the fabric cutting counter at JoAnn's fabrics.

This place is a serious haven for the outdoors man in your life.

They sell about a billion different fishing poles.

My favorite place in Cabela's is the aquarium full of native Utah fish. My kids love this place & will be so disappointed they couldn't come.

On the way home we went to visit a couple Brett home teaches who is in the hospital recovering from back surgery. We looked around for my very favorite bakery in SLC & found it. I hadn't been there forever & couldn't remember where it was. Brett of course knew where it was.

Can you believe this place?? Oh my gosh- It would've been better to never find it again.

We went in to get the sweet couple a treat.

I was dying... wishing I wasn't full or on a diet - HA -

After taking a couple of pictures, Brett remembered the gentleman, who just had surgery, had diabetes. We decided we better not get anything.

I'm sure the people working there were thrilled to have us come in, take pictures then leave.

WEll it was a great day!

When we got home- the house was still standing, the kids had done all of their chores... it's a modern day miracle.

I really want to go back when the roses are in bloom.
*do you love gardens?

*and bakeries?

*what did you do today?