Chicken celebrities!!!

It's happened!!!  Our chickens are totally legit now!

I opened up the May/June issue of Chicken Magazine today to find our photo published!!

Hokey Toe is a STAR!! (she's the brown hen on the right and the only hen still living from when this photo was taken. The three barred rocks at the top we gave away because they were mean bullies, the black hen in the center disappeared one day [we so miss her...the only hen we've had that hatched multiple groups of chicks], hokey toe is on the right...note she has short toes because just after we got her from a neighboring farm she had frostbite on her toes and Amelia is in the front...who unfortunately also disappeared one day)

THANK YOU Chicken Magazine!

Although the image of our girls wasn't selected as the winner to receive one of those super COOL nite-guard devices...still fabulous to see our birds published nonetheless!

I probably should write the nite-guard company and explain to them that only one of the six birds shown in this photo is still living...therefore...we NEED your device.

Anyhow, what FUN to enter and be one of this months' 7 finalists!

Next up....to enter the "rooster of the year" and "hen of the year" photo contest!

Free rent! Tenants wanted.

   

   

   

 

 

 

I've been inspired by the season.  The SONGBIRDS are back!!!

Red-Winged black birds, Robins (of course), blue birds, blue jays (these guys stuck around all winter) and the vultures to name a few.  Haven't seen the little wrens yet....but we're ready for their arrival!

So....I decided to make preparations for their baby hatching needs...and build birdhouses.  And what FUN it is to build birdhouses.

First I started with tweaking the birdhouses we already had that were in various forms of dis-array.  And now I'm started to design and build my own from scratch.

I absolutely love designing new things with re-purposed and various found objects.  Currently my rainproof roofing material comes from re-purposing colorful beer and energy drink and tea cans. 

Have many many more ideas in the works.  Eventually these birdhouses will be for sale...but for now...they are being put through my outdoor birdhouse lab tests for user friendliness and functionality and such.

Unfortunately, I don't have any tenants at present.  Excited to see just who might come to roost!

Stay tuned as I'll be posting updates as to if any of these houses prove to assist any bird birthings.

free rent

I've recently been bitten by the bug to build my own little bird houses.  I've traced out a ton of ideas...and have lots of old barn wood to work with. 

But I started first with re-working some old bird houses we already had laying around in need of repair or a face-lift.  Who knew how fun it is to build bird houses!!  Definitely have many many more in my future to create...so far I've completed four. Free rent for any songbird seeking a place to raise their young!

The photo of this bird house here shows my attempt at a graffiti type look...not really sure if birds will mind sharing the same space like this...but time will tell.

And....furthermore....I NOW have an excellent reason to buy some of those bright crazy-colored spray paints that Lowe's offers.  I think bird houses are supposed to be brightly colored...but...my jury is still out on that.

Yeah!!

TWO years in a row! Way to go Bell!

Super proud of Isabella (Bell)! She is Chris' 16 year old who recently created these two paintings.

Second year in a row now Bell received an award for her art entry into the annual Black Swamp Art Association's high school art competition!  Last year it was for a 3d ceramic piece. (click here if you want to see last year's entry) This year it was for her two abstracted acrylic paintings on vinyl records for which she received the award for "Outstanding entry in mixed media.".

Congratulations Bell!! We are proud of you! and We think you're pretty outstanding too!

Simplification at it's finest!

I'm a HUGE fan of the iHouse (shown above, Clayton Homes experiment with modern modular homes)...or I WAS a fan.

Unfortunately, my dream of owning and living in one of these super-cool, simple yet modern homes won't come to fruition because Clayton Homes quit manufacturing them.  Figures.
(I even went to Maryville, TN a few years ago where they made these cool houses to see the display model for myself! So cool!!)

So anyhow...my newest idea on the subject is along the lines of the recent trend of "Tiny Houses"...but in more of a re-purposed sort of way.  The whole idea being that of simplify, Simplify, SIMPLIFY!  Love the idea of living small.  Who needs tons of stuff anyway?

Railroad Shipping Containers
 

I spend a lot of time these days looking at railroad shipping containers seeing as I work as a conductor for the Norfolk Southern Railroad.  So the concept of living in one or more of these shipping containers is WAY COOL to me! 

Container Homes














Shown above is just one sample of the sweetness of the design possibilities of a shipping container home.

One day...maybe I can make this happen. Downsize into a container less that 200 square feet?  We shall see!!

First things first...gotta convince Chris that this is really a great idea.  I think that so long as there are modern conveniences I stand a chance.  She's already told me a composting toilet was out of the question.  hmmm, well I might can still work in an outdoor shower though. 

Regardless, adventure awaits.  Always!

This makes me smile!

Whenever I get a hankering to go outside and can't for whatever reason...weather, schedule, whatever other crap limitations....I go browsing around youtube for cool outdoor videos to fill the void.

I came across this one some time ago.
LOVE Lily!!! Super cool dog doing super fun stuff! And goodNESS that mountain bike trail looks FAB-TASTIC too!

You go Lily!

Sidebar here...I'm always looking for cool dog gear for my dogs too and for-the-life-of-me couldn't find the vest that Lily is seen wearing throughout this video until TODAY!
It's made my Ruffwear and is the Web Master version. Cost $59.95 and is actually designed to help you lift your dog over obstacles. Might be just the ticket for our little guy Dodi who loves to swim but hates the bulk of a pfd.

Cheers for now. And ENJOY!

Sounds that shouldn't be heard coming from your dryer...

I refuse to buy one of those new, fancy, colorful, front load, computerized washer and dryers. For the very reason of yet another appliance adventure that ensued today. 

If you've ever heard some metal on metal clicking, chirping, screeching or other such sounds coming from your clothes dryer...you know when something's not quite right with it.

The older model dryers are very simple mechanical inventions with replaceable parts, easy to understand and easy to troubleshoot.  (Which is why I love older appliances! They're fixable when they break.  And yes, they will break.)

The sound I heard today made me fly like a bird to shut it off as it sounded like something was stuck in the exhaust fan. Like something metal was be dragged around inside. (not good).  Having had some experiences in the past with this dryer before...I suspected a hair pin was stuck in something it shouldn't be stuck in.

Yep, sure enough!  Mystery solved...a rats nest of bobby pins were scattered throughout the exhaust fan chamber and venting system.  Ever wonder where all those bobby pins are going?  Ever wonder why you never seem to have enough to pin your hair back when you need them. I have a suggestion.  Check your dryers venting system.  Or better yet, check your pockets before you wash the clothes. 

Needless to say, we have a new rule in our house.  Check your pockets or the dryer is going to be destroyed.  Gotta love appliance adventures.  And the good that came out of all this? Our dryer has a much better flow of air now that things are all cleaned out.

Stay tuned for more adventures. I can feel them on the horizon!