Letting in the Light

Doug has been busy (even if I have not)...he decided to put a "found" window to good use. The chicken coop is as dark at 12 noon as it is at 8 pm. Yup, never any light in there. We added a light during the winter, because chickens won't produce eggs in the dark. They won't produce as many eggs anyway, because it is so cold, but the dark really slows things down for them.

So Doug went in and added the light to the back of the coop.

The chickens are probably much happier, although they won't give any sign of it until probably next winter. Right now, they are enjoying digging up the yard. As soon as Doug fenced the backyard, he let those little suckers loose. They have already destroyed one of my sage bushes and are trying to get the garlic out of the ground.

So we may be missing a chicken or two if I ever catch them at it. Then we'll never know if they like their new window. Priorities! Garden over eggs? Eggs over garden? Which would you pick?

Actually, I'd just like an additional fence...to keep them out of my garden. I'd ask Doug to do it this weekend, but it has started snowing again (sigh). Hope the weather is spring-ier in your neighborhood than it is here!

What's Bloomin'

Hooray! There are blooms popping up again!

The crocuses are adding color and telling us loudly (as loudly as a small flower in a large yard can) that spring is coming. And did you notice? No snow on the ground!

Purple ones are coming up on the other side of our fence...sometimes I am locked in the backyard with the kiddos, so this is the photo you get. Yes, I know that I need to cut back that brown perennial...that's actually what I've been doing over the past week in the backyard. The front yard is a little more problematic, since I can't go out there with any small children. They like to run in front of cars, go figure. Since my heart wants to keep beating, I've been focusing my energies on the fenced yard.

Any blooms popping up in your neighborhood? My sister in Maryland has seen daffodils...and my sister in SoCal has noted that it is over 100 degrees already. Guess I'm glad we had snow.

Have a great week!

Opening the Front Door...

Welcome to my home! Let me open the front door so you can come in...

Oh, it doesn't actually open all the way. This black bookcase is getting in the way. You can tell that it is not actually centered - well, the door is why.

There are only eight inches between the door and the wall, which is not a lot when you are looking for a console. Or a bookcase. Or anything else to "fill up" the wall.  I finally came up with the bright idea to put a shelf there - shelves do come in seven inch depths, which is perfect. Doug even put it up for me...after a week or so of just letting it sit behind the couch.

The next item: decorating it. I wanted something big and bright. Well, this arrangement is certainly big, but it is not bright. Doug says it is too big.

This was Doug's suggestion. I think it's too small. Also, this particular rose plant (which Doug bought me for Valentine's Day!) requires sun. Not gonna get much right there, let me tell you.

I also tried this little potted plant. It is fake, but it isn't much bigger than the rose. Hm.

Apparently, decorating this little shelf is still on the agenda. Rats. At least the door now opens. All the way.