Dexter and Lilly

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

It's a dog's life

Anyone who knows me knows about my intense love of animals. Anyone who has been to our home knows that we have a small menagerie living amongst us.
And luckily for me, my husband was well aware of my animal appreciation before he married me. I had 3 dogs when we met, and we have 3 dogs now. So not that much has changed, except now we also have 3 children, 2 cats, a tortoise, a hamster, a goldfish and the chickens. But let me start with the dogs. Our Goldendoodle, Bella, is an all around perfect dog. She is well behaved, very loving, very playful, and a good watch dog. She only barks if people come to the door, and she loves, loves, loves our children! Then we have Lulu, our Lhasa apso/Bichon mix, and she started out being my dog, but now she is very much Roger's dog. She has melted him with her charms and wit. Yes, wit. She is hands down, the funniest dog I have ever known. She does this thing when she is feeling friendly where she will drag her hind legs around the floor in circles, the whole time batting her eyes at her target. She also snores, and grunts, and is 100% trusting of us. She makes me smile a million times a day. Then we have Ozzy, the tiny Papillon who we rescued from his second owner who didn't want him anymore. And we cannot imagine who wouldn't want such a wonderful dog. He is perfect. Smart. Beautiful. Sweet. Good. He has no flaws. He came to us very malnurished, very sickly and thin. But we got him all fixed up, and now he is a gorgeous little guy. People stop me in the street to ask me what kind of dog he is. I have even had someone offer to buy him from me. I always tell Rog, I wouldn't give him up for a million dollars! He is the sweetest, most gentle little soul. The perfect lap companion and I can take him everywhere with me. And I can't forget to mention Scout, our recued cat who I got at "Meet your best friend at the zoo", 11 years ago. He was a tiny kitten, and now he is a majestic pure white cat. He comes and goes as he pleases, unaffected by dogs or any other animal that enters the home. Just an easy going, good guy. And our latest addition is the kitten, Mittens. She was free from a lady in Metamora, along with her littermates, so we took her home. She is sweet, and playful, and a fun little girl. She reminds me of Scout when he was little, and I know she will be a great pet for the kids.
So, my days, as busy as they are, are always filled with joy from these amazing pets. I wake up and the dogs are all looking at me, so happy to see me, licking various parts of my body and wagging their tails. It's a wonderful way to start a day! And they are always there if you need a lift. Always loyal, always ready for anything. They are the same way with our kids, the dogs love them immensely. Bella swims with the boys and watches them like a hawk. If they get too far away from her view, she swims out to get them. She is very protective, very noble. And if anyone is sick and bed-bound, the dogs will stay in that bed the entire time, keeping the sick person company, and sleeping next to them.
Of course there are times in the midst of chaos, where I imagine what it would be like without pets, without the added stress it can sometimes bring, but it would like not having kids. Unfulfilling. We manage it well. We work as a team. Our house is never boring or quiet or calm. But it is always, ALWAYS, full of life and love. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

Friday, July 8, 2011

For the love of chickens

Last weekend we finally got the ladies moved into the new outdoor addition to the barn coop. Rog got the rest of the roof on, and then Dylan helped with securing all of the chicken wire to the frame. It took about two hours to complete it. We also made an opening under the barn siding where the hens can go back and fourth through to the barn. Once we put them through the little door, they quickly started exploring their new outdoor digs. The seemed extremely happy to have access to the long grass, dirt and bugs, and to be able to come and go whenever they desire. Now we just need to do a little trim work along the roof and cut a door for us to be able to enter the outdoor part easily. But they are in. It's official. The "Chicken Ritz", as I like to call it, is open for business! So, our new little flock of pullets will be ready to move into the big coop in the next week or so. I just wanted them to be big enough so that the older hens won't pick on them. It's amazing how fast they grow. They are already fully feathered and looking like little ladies. The kids and Rog and I named the new ones and they are: Snow white-the Leghorn, Juanita-the Arucana, Peaches-the Salmon Favorelle, Shadow-the Cuckoo Maran, and Ester-the other one who we think may be a Wyandotte. My husband must really love me because this is the third coop he has built for me and my love of chickens. And he has also spent many hours building various other corrals for my pets, dog runs, bunny hutches, etc...he is a good man and he would do anything for me and my ever growing flock of critters! I am eternally grateful!
So, today the kids and I will go out and pick up a couple more hay bales and change their food and water and see how they are all doing. We seemed to have managed our Groundhog problems and haven't had any digging lately.
And now that the birds have a permanent and very fancy home, we can focus on all the other things we need to get done at the farm. The first of those being the kitchen and bathroom. We have a guy coming to look at the floor and give us a tile quote. Just too big of a job for us with so little time to do it. And we already have the tile, so that will help with the budget. The subfloor needs to come out and a new one put down, then the large grey tiles put in. Once the floor is in, we can order the two white cabinets for the kitchen and appliances. We also need to finish gutting the bathroom: Pull out old tub, and tiles and fixtures. And for the sink I want to get an antique dresser that we can cut the top out for a drop in sink. It will look better than any standard sink, and like it has been there forever. The house has so much character, and I want to keep that even in the remodeled areas.
Yesterday I picked up some amazing art for the house at the Antique Pavillion in Saugatuck, MI. I got a vintage round horse portrait, a tiny antique framed oil painting of a covered bridge, and a framed piece with Michigan State fair livestock competition ribbons dating to 1911. And I only spent $83.00 on all three! I love antiquing, I could do it all day long and never get tired. I love how almost everything you pick up has a story. And how you can find the most perfect item for your home that makes it about you, your passions, your interests, your dreams. Your home should be a reflection of who you are, it should tell a story about you and your family. Whether it's your main house, or a cottage, or a condo. It should say, "welcome to my happy place."

Inspiration that helped me get here.

Keep your eye on the prize and hand on the plow. It's easy to lose sight of what you want, especially if you haven't gotten it. I know it's less work to put the wish away, to pretend that the wish itself has disappeared. But it's important to know what your prize is, because that is part of who you are. Whether it's financial stability, two children, a collection of poetry, or a happy marriage, take Winston Churchill's advice and never give in. Never give in. Never give in.



Food for thought

The increase in U.S. food prices from 1982 to 2009 rose 128%.In the same period, prices paid to farmers rose only 34%.



1 in 3 Americans born in 2000 is expected to develop diabetes in his or her lifetime.



Jargon-food sovereignty: the right of peoples to eat healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.

(from the declaration of Nyeleni, 2007)



32 hours, 50 minutes- The amount of on-screen media, including television, videos and video games that American children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old consume each week, according to the Nielsen Company.

A must see film

Food, INC. by Robert Kenner is a must see film. You can rent it or buy it on Amazon for $10.00.
It will change the way you shop, the way you feed your family and the way you look at food and farming in our country.
For small hobby farmers, and health conscious people alike, please, please, see this film! It is eye-opening to say the least!

Chicken-ism

I loved this so much that I had to post it. I cannot take credit, I found it on the web.




All I need to know I learned from my chickens.


Wake up early, stay busy, but always stay alert.


Visit your favorite places every day.


Scratch out a living.


Routine is good.


Plump is good.


Don't ponder your pupose in life, your brain is too small.


Accept the pecking order and you know your enemies.


Weed your garden.


Protect your children fiercely, sit on them if you need to.


Take them for walks, show them the little things, and talk constantly.


Brag on your accomplishments.


Don't count your chicks before they hatch.


Protect your nest egg.


Test your wings once in a while.


Squawk when necessary.


As you age, demand respect.


Leave a little something for those who care about you.


Chase butterflies.































































About Me

My photo
I am a busy mommy of 3. Ages 10, 8 and 6. Two crazy boys and a just-as-crazy daughter. My husband Roger and I have been married for 11 years this June. He runs a family owned Architecture company in Bloomfield Hills. I am a clothing consultant for a wonderful company. But for the most part, I am just a country girl at heart. I have an amazing love of animals, all kinds, big or small. I love nature and feeling the rythms of the earth. I love to garden and grow my own veggies and fruits. So, it was only natural that I would some day grow up and buy a farm. I am just a mommy who wants to share my passion for all things natural with my family and friends. So, we are giving it our best shot!