Sickness, Power Outage and a Chickie Funeral.

Yes, we have had a lot going on the last couple of days! I woke up yesterday morning feeling like "something was not right!" (Madeline storybook quote) I could hardly believe it but I was definitely feeling feverish. I haven't had the old-fashioned flu in years. But I couldn't even sit up without getting dizzy.

The Pilot had left early for work and so it was up to me to get Big Sister up and ready for school. I ended up taking her in an hour late. I felt bad, it was only one mile to drive, but it was the best that I could do.

Then I got back home, put in a video for Little Brother and basically slept for most of the day.

We had some pretty extreme wind and lost our power yesterday afternoon. Good thing we have a generator - we used it for the chick's heat lamp.

The Pilot took the kids out to eat for dinner and brought me french fries, for some reason that was all I wanted. By the time they got home it was dark so I was able to eat my fries by candlelight.

This morning I woke up feeling so much better and now I feel normal. I'm so grateful (and surprised) that it only lasted one day. Those of you who are mothers know that when we get sick, we don't have the luxury of being taken care of. There are still little ones to feed and watch and the house always falls down around my ears. That being said, I'm so thankful that when my husband did get home from work, he took over with the children and that was such a relief! Maybe I need to get sick more often, it gives me a great appreciation for my husband!

So, I spent the day cleaning and catching up on laundry. and this afternoon we all went outside and picked up sticks that the wind storm had blown down.

We have had one little chick that was not doing so well and this morning it was dead. I think I felt just as bad as the children. It would not eat even though I tried everything I could think of. So we kind of knew it wouldn't make it. Big Sister and I wrapped it in some fabric scraps and buried it. She wanted to put some food with it. I'm not sure why, I think she has a pretty good understanding of death. She takes it in stride.

It's kind of a relief to know that we have a healthy "flock" now.

To those interested in buying some, if you take them now, they would be about six dollars each. I figured it up and that's about what I have in them. 

 The price would have to go up the longer we raise them to cover feed, ect. I know that you can by them cheaper at Tractor Supply and believe me, I won't be offended if anyone decides not to buy from me. I'm not trying to make any money, just cover costs. 

We may be able to keep more than I had originally thought, The Pilot has plans to build a more permanent chicken house that could hold a lot more. Maybe someday I'll have eggs to sell!

My Little Housekeeper

She's hard at work. Isn't she a dear?

We decided to do a little photo shoot and she was so sweet and cooperative.

The fabric roses are fun and so easy. Just a strip of fabric wound around and hot glue every so often to hold it together. I want to do more!

Springtime has arrived...

... in the form of baby chicks!

So what if we woke up to freezing temps. and ice covered everything, we have springtime in our house!

The children won't leave them alone - so thrilled. Before bed last night, Big Sister had to run down one last time to tell them goodnight.

We have striped ones, yellow ones, black ones - 27 in all.

For those of you who are local, I will be trying to sell some as we won't have room for all of them. I had to order at least 25.

The order form says that I have Araucanas, Silver Laced Wyandottes, Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons and Speckled Sussex. I'm taking their word for it, still trying to figure out which is which, or what.

So, let me know if you're interested!

I found some platters to add to my plate collection so hopefully soon I'll be able to hang them above my couch. I'll post pictures to show!

Pleasant Words...

My verse for the week.

Recipe

Last night I made the Pioneer Woman's Three Cheese Stuffed Shells.  It was so good and also very easy.

I have found her recipes tend to be quite large and so wasn't surprised when the shells would not all fit in one casserole.

I don't mind, I just put one dish in the freezer unbaked for a quick meal next time.

I've been working on a few projects around here, but mostly just enjoying the warm, seventy degree weather of the last two days. Ahh... it's been lovely.

Have a great weekend!

Making little plant pots.

I have been wanting some green plants and had this little metal holder so I decided to bring out the burlap again.

I don't remember what was in this originally but these wide mouth jars fit perfectly.

This project is pretty self explanatory.

I used the selvage along the top so that I wouldn't have to hem it.

All done, waiting for plants. I found these little ferns at Lowes on clearance. They are a little ragged but hopefully with a little attention they will flourish.

These would be cute standing alone also, I may try some with some string and a tag with the plant name on it. I did put a layer of pebbles in the bottom of each jar for drainage.

I'm linking up to Debbie Doo's Newbie Party again. A great way to make new friends!

My 'Green' Living Room

I have finished painting my living room and while I love how clean and fresh it feels, I must say, I am not thrilled with how the color came out.

It is just so green, I thought it would have more gray, neutral tones, instead it's so green.

The rug is something that I would like to change out, eventually. I got it on clearance at Pottery Barn years ago and since then, my tastes have changed. But for now I'm trying to be happy with it - one good thing, it hides dirt beautifully!

All my dark brown wood accents do really pop against the green. And I think it may tone down some when I get more on the walls. ( All this I've been telling myself to make me feel better.)

I'm thinking about slip-covering my couch in white drop-cloths. Gettting up my nerve to try!

I'm looking for some old white platters and plates to hang above the couch, something like this.

I've been happy with the wall color in my kitchen. The ceiling is high and I get more light in the windows, this somehow tones down the green.

If I do repaint I'll probably go with a neutral, very light color with more gray tones.

I have found a lovely blog, Home and Harmony. I love some of the wall colors in this home. Actually, I am in love with everything in her house. 

Right now, I'm listening to a collection of scriptures put to music that she and her husband recorded.

Very peaceful and inspiring. Go here to listen to a few free songs if you like!

Blueberry Morning

Here's my sweet little guy enjoying his muffin.

He chipped his front tooth in November. At first, I felt sad but now I think it's so cute!

He still has sweet, smooshie, baby cheeks!

I love you, Little Brother!

Indecision...

The Pilot brought home these old house parts from a job. It's great to have them to use for parts and replacements. I know one of the shutter hinges is broken on a window, so one of these should work nicely. Now I wish I could find some old shutters!

I've been busy sewing curtains and painting. My living room was all the same off-white color, walls and trim. I decided to paint it the same green that I have in the kitchen. Which I love! But it's looking more intense than I had thought. So, now I have one wall painted and I'm so not sure about it. Hate this indecision!!

Please feel free to weigh in with your thoughts, the picture is kind of lousy, sorry!

I'm wondering if it should have more gray in it - to get away from that minty feel?

Bringing Spring

It's starting to become green in California. At least it looked that way in a recent photo that my Mother-in-law shared on Facebook.

I feel like now that it is February, we are on the home stretch. I know it will be a long time till short sleeve weather, but it all seems a little closer!

So, I'm making my plans for Spring! I would like to add a flower bed to the front lawn. Something along the porch so that you can't see under. Right now it looks unfinished.

I am looking at hydrangeas and I have peonies that need to be moved. And maybe hostas.

We are ready for baby chicks! They should come in a few weeks and I will share our experience with you all! Can hardly wait for fresh eggs.

I was reading a post on Pioneer Woman this morning about smoothies, think I'll go make one.

Have a happy weekend everyone!

A what kind of award?!!

Okay, so I've been awarded a Stylish Blogger Award.
 Of course I'm glad to be included but then I'm thinking wait a minute, I've seen things like this before.

You have to list a bunch of crazy things about yourself, not that I mind that so much, but then I have to tag other bloggers.

Yikes! What if they don't want to be tagged!! Maybe I could just change the rules and talk about myself. Or talk about myself and list the others -  but they don't have to do anything if they don't want to. But then, maybe the BLOG POLICE will shut me down, I'll be dropped right and left and what a lonely thing that would be!

 It all kind of reminds me of those chain letters when I was young, whatever happened you could NOT break the chain! 

So, I should probably lighten up, what do you think? 

 I'm not really the type to break the rules anyway :)

Okay,,, here goes:

Seven things about myself.

#1 Food - I don't really like candy, unless it's chocolate.

#2 For my second child, I had a 40 minute labor. No, I didn't make it to the hospital and no, he was not born on the kitchen table as rumor has it. (He was born in the kitchen though.)

#3 I am a quiet person as those of you who know me know. My husband and daughter are very outgoing, this makes life interesting at times :)

#4 I ate a raw mussel once, never again!

#5 Sometimes, I am overly dramatic. (See my rant above.) I didn't realize this until I noticed it in my daughter, definitely a drama queen. Imagine my surprise when I traced it back to myself! Children are eye opening that way.

#6 I love green. I've always wanted to go to Ireland just to soak up all the green!

#7  I am very visual - I love to see things, that's why I like blogging so much, I get ideas from so many of you all's great pictures!

Now, blogs that have inspired me:

Life in the Fun Lane
Love all the white furniture and the idea of changing the old and ugly into something fresh and new.

A Beach Cottage
Again, a lot of white and a relaxing, vacation theme.

Nie Nie Dialogues
Her courage, humor and faith.

Clover Lane
How she champions being a mom, encouraging us to treasure the short time we have with our children before they're grown.

Rare and Beautiful Treasures
Love her house and her way with words. Her faith shines!

All Things Vintage
Love all the vintage, and the energy of this gal, being around her is inspiring - so glad she's my sister-in-law! Also the main inspiration for me to start a blog. I always thought I would someday but it was not until she did that I decided to try. Thanks Sara!

Okay, I made it through!!

You all have a great night and weekend!

My Chalk Board

Here is a little project that I have been working on recently.

I've wanted a place to write down items that I run out of. 

I need a visual, in my face reminder, especially for those things that I don't usually buy. (Like light bulbs.)

I learned to use my scroll saw to cut the curved edge. My husband was so very patient with me :)

He probably did 90% of the work as I am somewhat afraid of table saws and chop saws.

We used scraps of wood that we had, love that!

I painted it with left over chalk board paint, two coats.

I decided that it needed something on the top, so I found a silhouette of a bird online, cut it out and traced it on the frame.

I gave the bird two coats of paint and then sanded it lightly to make it look distressed.

 The paint was a leftover color sample and the paint brush I stole from Big Sister's watercolor set.

 Now, I am not a very crafty person, I probably didn't do it right.

 But it was fun and best of all free!