Farm Fresh

Guess what we found...

Aren't they beautiful!

I'm not sure which three chicks are laying for sure, but I suspect the two barred rocks and the black sex-link.

 I was a bit surprised to find these in the nesting boxes, I wasn't expecting eggs for a few more weeks.

I figure when they are all laying we'll get about five eggs a day.

This is my nephew Liam, holding one of the Rhode Island Reds.

The older chickens are quite tame and will let you pick them up without running from you.

During the day while we are working at the Villa we let them roam free, they are adventurous, but

always come back to the coop in the evening to sit on their perch.

I know having the animals out at the villa may have been premature,

but it has been a constant reminder for us as to why we are doing all this work.

 Ya know, it's worth it!

Next... apricots!

Roughing' It With My Chicas

I love to go camping with the family, but I really love our annual "all girls camp-out".  We like to go to Garden Valley and see the outdoor plays at Starlight MountainTheatre. This year we were able to spend three full days there. We watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and The Wizard of Oz! Of course we also do all those camping things one does when one goes camping.
We really rough it...not.

We camped right next to this field of daisies.
It was almost as beautiful as the weather.

We walked into town and did a little window shopping. I think Laiken found something she liked.

Little towns have little stores with little aisles.

Found a cute boutique with a sweet nursery in back.
I will be planting geraniums this week!

We had to cool off with an ice cream before heading back to camp.

 We thought it would be fun to try painting this old barn. Laiken and I have been planning to get our oils out and paint en plein air. Maybe next year we will come prepared to paint. Lucky for us there's always beautiful landscapes to paint at the Villa.

Laiken made us dinner the last night.

 (she actually enjoyed this, the look is "I'm not awake yet" because we stayed up all night watching movies)

 MMM... six hours later...pork roast with potatoes and carrots.

Spinach salad with dried cranberries, candied walnuts and feta.
It was totally worth Laiken getting up at the crack of noon for.

We love camping with hook-ups!

It makes it easier to watch movies all night too!

 On the last day we ventured out to Kirkham Hot Springs.  It was already hot, so we spent most of our time in the nice cold river.

 The water was too high for us to swim across like we usually do.

A little time to kill before OZ.

Early, with our blankets, waiting for the Green Show.

 Next year I think I'll say "no" to the Emerald City popcorn and "yes" to bug spray!

Goodness Gracious Great Bulbs of Spring!

When Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil...

                                                                       - Reginald Heber

My beautiful Valentine flowers will soon be followed by these little "sprouts"

Every where I look I see green. Tulips, Daffodils, Iris, Hyacinth, Lily, and of course small but not last, Crocus! It makes me dizzy with anticipation. Not to mention a little overwhelmed with all the garden preparation I have this year. The ground out at the Villa can be worked now and I have so much to do it's hard to know where to begin. My first priority is to re-locate a few of my trees from Nampa, they already have signs of green and are about to burst. I'm just not sure where I want them yet. The same goes for dividing many of my flowers. I also have a garden spot that needs attention. (at least I know where my garden is going to be located) To keep myself from going totally crazy, I am completely covering my garden here in Nampa with weed paper.

One garden, at one house, is enough!

My Bee Day!

 Fame is a bee

 It has a song

 It has a sting

Ah, too, it has a wing

-Emily Dickinson

Well now I really am the girl who has everything!

Arron bought me 10,000 Italian Bees and 1Queen for my Birthday. Just that he knows what I like is a great gift in and of itself! What a guy, and to top it off he made dinner reservations!

The girls will be shipped in the mail to Pura Vida this spring. I can't wait to get them into their new home! I will be ordering their hive very soon so it will be ready.

“The bee, from her industry in the summer, eats honey all the winter” -Old Proverb

Mom did this Crewel embroidery for me, I just had to show a close-up of the bees. Do you think she knew then that I would love a bug? Either way, she did a beautiful job, and  I treasure it!

I have a lot to learn about this new adventure of mine. I think the love of learning is really why people are so fascinated with beekeeping as a hobby. I envision long summer days, sitting under our gazebo, drinking lemonade and listening to the bees pollinating my lavender. What could bee better?

This could be Arron and I in the near future.
(without the saggy boobs.)

Ailanthus, Tree of Heaven or Spawn of Satan?

I've been wanting to drive out to the Villa and take a sample cutting of this plant that has run amuck. I wanted some professional advice on the matter. So I loaded up the dogs and started out on my scenic tour.

Olive was so cute trying to breathe in as much of the crisp fall air as she could.

The trees around the lake were beautiful!

Ah, here it is. It looks so innocent doesn't it. Well now multiply these two babies by about 300.

So I arrive at my favorite nursery, within moments I am approached by knowledgeable staff.

Staff:  Hey what ya got there?

Me:  Oh, one of many. Can you tell me what it is?

Staff:  Looks like a sucker from the "Tree of Heaven."

Me:  (laughing) are you serious? This is more like the "Spawn of Satan"

Staff: (laughing and nodding) Ya wanna know how to kill it?

(smiles all around)

We did talk extensively of the Ailanthus tree. Of course it originated in China. Big surprise! now they are taking over. You give them a little, turn your back for a second and they are everywhere. I guess its in their nature. We are still talking about the tree here. Not only did he conspire with me on how to kill the little sucker, he also helped me choose a tree to line the lane. Make the lane into an Ailee.

 It is a Purple Ash. Beautiful fall color, moderate grower, and will do well in our alkaline soil. I love it! I also love this nursery, here are some fall pictures for your viewing pleasure.

I had a great day. I can't wait to start landscaping the new place.

One Last Mow

Arron mowed the lawn yesterday, we hope for the last time. I mean not just the last time for the season but the last time at this house. It would be great if by next spring this 3/4 of an acre lawn was someone else's responsibility. Our riding mower got sick last week so we borrowed this mower from some good friends.

After Arron's victory lap, he rewarded himself with a cookie and a glass of milk. He enjoyed this treat on his leisurely return trip down the street to the Adams house. Olive thought it was pretty fun too.

 Thank you Adams for letting us borrow your mower, you guys are great!

Isn't it Romantic

Oh No! Over Labor Day weekend we fell out of contract on our Villa! We were scheduled to close on Friday, and as many of you know Realtors take vacations too. Long story short, paper work didn't get in on time and we had to wait all weekend to find out if we still had a deal. So in the meantime, my husband being the thoughtful guy he is, took me out there just to ease my mind. I have to say I was relieved to find that no-one was  there with a tape measure or big ideas of their own. Then Tuesday as he wisely predicted,we signed a new contract for a closing date sometime between now and October 15th. I know, it's quite a window but what can you do?

Not only is there beautiful views of the Owyhee mountains on one side of our property, but our neighbors down the lane grow a huge field of sunflowers! So Romantic!