My pets make breakfast.

I love being a chicken mama! 

(not our eggs...but soon :)

Michael and I eat 4 eggs every morning so we are really excited to get our own fresh eggs in the morning. It is also very important to us that we know where our food comes from. Well this is about as good as it gets.

 

We got our four chicks just a little over a week ago and I already love them. Our chicks were about 5 days old. I had no clue that chickens were so full of personality!
January of this year Nashville passed a law allowing homeowners to own domestic hens. You can learn all about that process here: http://www.ucannashville.org/
It is $25 a year for a permit and we are allowed to have 4 hens.

Michael and I decided to name the chickens after our relatives (mostly grandmothers). We have Faye, Matilda, Jean and Doris. I have no clue what I am doing with these chickens but I am learning as I go.

 Faye is the sweetest. She doesn't mind being held. I think she is probably the most friendly of them all. She is growing really fast! She is currently the biggest chick. 

 Doris is the trouble maker and the loudest. She chirps the most. She escapes out of the brooder daily. We can always tell when she escapes because she has a special "I escaped but I really want to get back in the box" chirp. She puts up the biggest fight when I want to hold her. And in some ways is the leader hen. We will see if she continues when they are older. 

 Matilda can chirp so loud! Like piercing ear chirp. She is very curious and is often the pillow for the other chicks. She also like to stick her neck out funny when she sleeps. 

Jean is our smallest chick and probably the most photogenic. I love that she has feathers on her feet! She is sweet and delicate. I like Jean. 

This is how we started. We went to the Davidson Co-op and bought 4 pullets (female chicks) for $3 a piece. We then bought medicated chick feed. We will be giving them medicated feed for one more week and then change over to non-medicated feed. We bought a water dish, a feeder and a heat lamp. I learned that a red light is better than a white light because it helps them sleep. Not sure how much of a difference it makes but we went ahead a bought a red light. We took a big plastic bin and layered the bottom with pine shavings. Do not use cedar shavings, apparently that is bad for chickens. 

Supplies:

-Chicks

-Plastic Bin

-Pin shavings

-Water dish

-Feeder

-Heat lamp and bulb

-Chick Feed 

They always fight over the same opening. It is so strange. And they walk on each other. I seriously could watch them for hours...

Poor Jean, all by herself. Here are all the chicks in their brooder (this is before we got the red light). 

So in terms of caring for little chicks...right now we just make sure they have fresh water and food every morning. We also change their bedding every 2-3 days just because chicks are prone to disease. They do take a lot of monitoring just to make sure their brooder is the right temperature. If it is too hot they will sleep far from the light and even start panting. If they are too cold they will huddle under the light. It is important to watch their eating and drinking habits and to be sure they are at the right temperature.
Their first week the temperature should be about 90-95 degrees. Every week it goes down 5 degrees.
They will live in the brooder for 4-6 weeks or until their feathers grow in. Then it will be time to put them in the coop. That will be our next adventure!!

I love my cuddle bugs!

Happy Arbor Day

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters"- Psalm 24:1-2

Today is National Arbor Day and last weekend was Earth Day. I only felt it was appropriate to write a post about 'the Earth'. 

Michael and I spend a lot of time in the trees: 

I have to start by saying I did not grow up a 'tree-hugger'. We did not recycle, mainly because it was inconvenient. I didn't believe it was viewed as something important or necessary because the world will be destroyed in the end and was recycling really making a difference? I grew up hearing in Sunday school that the earth is not our home, we are merely passing by until we 'reach' heaven. I used to be annoyed with all the 'save the Earth' talk and I wrote it off because we were only temporarily living here anyway...right? I feel like protecting the earth became a political issue that is only talked about on one side of the aisle and in some circles even laughed at. 

Well, in the last two years my perspective has shifted. It all started with witnessing my first home birth October 6th, 2010 (I will definitely be writing about my experiences witnessing birth in the future!). This led me to start thinking about my body and how it was designed. I then started thinking about the food I was consuming. That led to wanting to shop local and buy organic. I no longer wanted to be on or use medications that weren't necessary. I started looking into natural products for cosmetics, toiletries and cleaning supplies. My husband bikes to work/school every day. We started walking to the grocery store, which is actually a lovely 1.5 mile walk. We planted our first garden and started composting and recycling. No, I am not saving the world but I am starting to see the importance of taking responsibility for your own lifestyle - and yes, I am now the 'crunchy, granola' friend. :)

Growing up in church I hear all the time how we are supposed to be good stewards of everything we have, mainly pertaining to money. I started to wonder why Christians were not the biggest hippies out there, as stewards of this planet. Also in the church many people use language like, "I feel most connected with God when I am in nature". I don't think that is by accident. If God gave us this Earth and God calls it good, why on earth are we not taking care of it? 

I just read the book "7, an Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" by Jen Hatmaker. I could probably take a whole blog to talk about my thoughts on this book but that will have to be another time. Jen takes 7 aspects of life and each month learns to minimize or improve in those areas. One of her months focuses on waste. She spends a chapter going through her family's experience learning to recycle, compost, garden, driving one car, etc. She quotes in her book author Wendell Barry who says it best:

"The ecological teaching of the Bible is simply inescapable: God made the world because He wanted it made. He thinks the world is good, and He loves it. It is His world...He has never revoked the conditions, bearing on His gift to us of the use of it, that obliges us to take excellent care of it. If God loves the world, then how might any person of faith be excused for not loving it or justified in destroying it?" 

As a believer in Christ I recognize that he came to redeem the world. I came across another author that said, "I think the message is that God loves this place. God wants to restore this place. It's not so much that we were made for heaven as that heaven was made for earth"  And often we limit that at a relational or spiritual level, but why not consider it ecologically? I cannot pretend that ecology and theology do not originate from the same source. One day there will be a new earth, one made perfect as it was intended to be. I want to be part of the process of bringing heaven to earth, both in my relationships and in the way I live my life. 

I put Gungors's version of "This is My Father's World, the lyrics are beautiful and speak to everything that I am feeling about the way we view Earth: 

This is my Father's world

and to my listening ears,                                            

all nature sings and ‘round me rings 

the music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world, I rest me in the thought 

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas, 

His hand, the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, 

the birds, their carols raise, 

the morning light, the lily white 

declare their maker’s praise. 

This is my Father’s world, 

He shines in all that’s fair. 

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, 

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world, 

oh let me ne’er forget 

that though the wrong seems oft so strong, 

God is the ruler yet. 

This is my Father’s world, 

why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!

God reigns; let the Earth be glad!

The presence of God is so tangible in nature and I want to do what I can to preserve the planet God created. I challenge you to look at your life and consider ways that you can better steward this earth. 

My DIY Office

Visiting Orphans moved offices! I was so excited to get my own space to decorate. Now that I have a cozy space I feel like I can focus so much better! Although transition and change can be really tough, a fresh start is just as rewarding. I have definitely learned to be patient trying to figure out new phone, printer and email systems and my old computer completely died in the middle of a work day. But after 3 weeks of transition and more change than I thought I could handle, I am embracing and enjoying the this new season. It is starting to feel like the perfect "office home"!

Here are some pictures: 

Before: Grey walls and carpet

After: So much warmer with beige walls and brown carpet

I couldn't afford new furniture, so Michael and I built a bench out of some shipping pallets. 

Before stain: 

After stain: 

I made the cushion out of thrift store pillows and fabric I got while in Rwanda. 

I went to Goodwill, Ikea and Home Depot and got everything for $60. 

-3 curtains that I made into 2 massive curtains: $10

-5 frames that I spray painted black: $10

-4 pillows: $8

-Lamp: $2

-Grey Rug from Ikea: $20

-Stain for the bench: $10

I filled my frames with some art that I made and 2 beautiful photographs that Alison (from my December Africa trip) took. 

My office would not be complete without my favorite Anthropologie candle, wedding photos, and my pen holder made out of pretty fabric and a bean can!

Paint chip art! But seriously, if you want a cheap (free) and interesting medium for art, go to Home Depot, Lowes or Walmart and grab some paint chips. I am working on an entire post dedicated to paint chip art. I love using them!

Some more of my pen and ink drawings (I am a little obsessed with trees).

Side note: Happy early National Arbor Day! Every state celebrates it on different days, but the national day is tomorrow, April 27th! Michael and I will be celebrating this weekend :) I love that there is holiday dedicated to trees!

That vase will soon hold red fabric poppy flowers. 

 Thanks Urban Outfitters for my office motto :) 

 I had to combine three curtains to make one that was tall enough for the window. I love the texture of the deep purple curtain paired with the blue and brown patterned fabric.

I really like it here. 

Sandwiches.

I love sandwiches. I love hamburgers. I love that you can taste so many flavors in a single bite. And the options are limitless...

Some of our favorite restaurants in Nashville include Silly Goose and Burger Up because they use delicious, interesting ingredients in their food.

But here is the deal, sandwiches require close to no cooking and are quite simple if you know what ingredients to buy. This is one easy way to make a yummy meal. Click on this link and look at the Silly Goose menu. Delicious, right? Now go to the store and buy those ingredients and enjoy your favorite sandwich multiple times at a fraction of the price. (But still go to these restaurants every once in a while to support local business ;)

We decided to create some of our own gourmet sandwiches.

Sandwich #1: Fennel and Salami

What we used: 

1. Grilled slices of fennel (from the bulb)

2. Alfalfa sprouts

3. Salami

4. A goat cheese and chopped olive spread (we added some pureed garlic, fennel tops, salt and pepper, apple cider vinegar, a little mustard, capers and a splash of milk) 

5. Tuscan bread from Provence 

 Sandwich #2: Our own take on a BLT

What we used: 

1. Spinach

2. Bacon

3. Gruyere

4. Some more yummy bread

5. Herb Aioli - Whisk an egg yolk while you slowly add olive oil. Add a tablespoon of vinegar. Mix in herbs (here we used basil, garlic powder, oregano and marjoram) 

6. Fried tomatoes (not fried in this picture...) 

 Sandwich #3: Turkey, brie and raspberry

What we used: 

1. Sliced Turkey

2. Brie

3. Dijon Mustard

4. Yummy bread, once again

5. Fruit compote: diced apples, raspberries, plum, cranberry juice, and a touch of horseradish and balsamic vinegar. Mix it together and put over low heat. We used the emulsion blender to help mix up the fruit.

So yummy and now I get to eat these tasty sandwiches all week long :)

I am a Hobbyist

I recently discovered that I don't know how to not do. 

I enjoy making things.

I love the feeling I get when I finish a project.

I am always trying new crafty ideas.

Could this be one meaning of being made in the image of a Creator? 

Hobby: a regular activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure, typically done during one's leisure time.

Some current hobbies:
1. Gardening (or rather learning how to garden)
2. Quilting
3. Scrap booking
4. Card making
5. Crocheting
6. Cooking
7. Embroidering
8. Jewelry making
9. Pen and inking
10. Painting

My 'craft' room is always a mess.

Jo Ann's and Hobby Lobby gift cards are always a winner.

I like the challenge when people ask me, can you fix this? or can you make this?

Many people have said that I am very crafty, but I think I just enjoy following instructions and problem solving. If there is such a thing as a left-brained creative, that is me.

 I don't really know what I am doing half the time but if I can make it systematic I love it. 

Quilts involve math, charts and precise measurements.

All of my drawings are full of lines and details.

Gardening has been an experiment in scheduling and charting. 

So to all the list making, control loving, organized, type A, administrative people out there, you can craft too!

Take a Saturday and conquer one of your Pinterest pins.

 If you mess up, try it again. If you hated it, try a different craft. 

And then take Sunday and learn to rest and not do. 

I would say I am working on it, but then that wouldn't be resting, right? ;) 

How does your garden grow, Part 2

Here goes for composting. 

So much to learn...

We went to a thrift store and bought these canisters. One is for eggshells, veggie and fruit scraps. And the other for coffee grounds.

We were going to build a compost bin of sorts but my parents had this composting container that they weren't using.

They had some extra compost in the bottom so we didn't have to create the foundation. All though it looks disgusting, those are just food scraps and coffee grounds on top of old compost and straw.

So I found tons of charts telling me what to compost and what not to compost. And how there has to be a certain part green (nitrogen) to brown (carbon).

I was starting to get overwhelmed. And then I realized that it will all decompose and become dirt. Hopefully it is not that hard. I found this great blog from Young House Love. Here is their experience composting. 

My personal handy man making frames for the garden beds. 

The beds are now framed and the garden is starting to come together. Michael built a cute little gate we will add once the chicken wire is all up. 

I found some bricks behind our fence and I plan on elaborating on the pathway.

Some sunny weekend I will level the pathway and get the pavers and bricks in their place. 

First round of seeds have been planted! My sunflower, marigolds and bell peppers are the first to plant. Next week I will start the cilantro, dill and basil. I had to create a chart to keep up with when to start planting seeds, when to buy the plants, when to transplant the seeds and when to plant the plants. So much to figure out. But I love it!

More to come next week....

How does your garden grow, Pt 1

So Michael and I decided to plant a vegetable garden...
Over the next few weeks and months you will get to witness what a beginner trying to garden looks like.
I had no clue so much was involved in this process. I looked at soil type, USDA hardiness zone, I had to consider rain run off in the yard, amount of sunlight, what plants need what amount room, which plants grow well together, which ones need rows and which ones need something to grow on, which ones to plant from seeds and which ones would be better to plant from an existing plant, when to transplant the seedlings, etc. So much to consider...My goal is to plant: Rosemary, basil, mint, cilantro, dill, sweet potatoes, squash and zucchini, corn, a blackberry bush, tomatoes, strawberries, red peppers, string beans, lettuce, sunflowers, marigolds, and lavender.
 Any tips you have will be much appreciated!! 

 I spent a few hours outside mapping out what I wanted it to look like. With the help of some scrap wood, sticks and yarn, I could "walk through" my future garden plot. I am visual person and I had to see what 20 feet by 12 feet looked like.

I spent hours planning and reading and researching and googling and blog reading...

 And I drew a nifty diagram with all veggies and fruit I want.

 I learned something about myself today. I don't know how to use a shovel. I was completely useless. I guess I don't have the weight to really make a difference. I broke a few blades of grass and suffered a minor injury. Oh well. So Michael dug up 10 pound clumps and I hauled them out of the garden. 6 hours of digging and lifting wore me out!! Muscles I didn't even know I had were hurting so bad!

Thankfully, Michael's parents came over and brought a second wave of energy and we managed to clear the plot before dark.

 We placed pavers and boards where they will tentatively go.

We ended the night with Lauren and Evan over for sweet potato fries and black bean quinoa burgers (like the ones at Burger Up). Delicious.
And I went to bed at 8pm. I was exhausted.

I will start my plants from seeds next week and start planting in the soil mid April. By the beginning of May I will have all the plants in the garden. Until then I will learn all I can about composting so I can have nice, rich soil by May!