At Last!

As you all know, I have been chomping at the bit to get seeds started for my vegetable, herb and flower beds.  Yes, I realize I can't put anything outside until probably the first week of June (or Junuary as it's called here), and yes, I realize there are only nine calendar days in the entire year where a frost hasn't been recorded in Central Oregon, but....well, I couldn't wait any longer.

 Four blueberry bushes and a big variety of seed (because I had no problem restraining myself when ordering back in colder January....).

(In my own defense, most of the flowers are for the front planters of the subdivision.  Honest.)

I had earlier made about 500 newspaper pots, and loaded up on seed starter so off to the garage worktable with my seed and supplies.

After two days, I had run out of pots (I know - incredible.  I must have miscounted.), and had started everything that needs an early start.  Since the chicks were now pullets living in the coop, I had the toasty mechanical room for these newest infants.

I did have to put some in the not-so-toasty-but-warmer-than-outside garage after I ran out of room in the mechanical room,

and I am optimistic about germination.  Next week I'll start the quicker growing varieties (lettuce, etc.) that don't need to be sown directly, and before the end of May I hope to have my raised  beds finished and these babies outside as well.

That said - froze again last night.  Looks like I'll be buying more Walls o' Water and row cover before it's over!

P.s.  Here's what the First Year in Oregon Party spread looked like, for those who may be curious.

We all had a great time, and the fact we have such terrific friends and neighbors simply confirms my long-held belief that we are the luckiest people in the world.
Happy planting.

Girls' Night Out

The coop and run completed, I snapped a few pictures of it in its pristine condition, prior to the sh*t storm that is sure to follow....

A beautifully clean run.

The spacious coop interior with southerly views.

And quaint nesting boxes, complete with privacy curtains (I have a dress in that fabric somewhere).

Then to add the pullets!  It took them a while to figure out they were no longer in a 2X5 box.

But Millicent got the idea.  I named her Millicent because it means "brave."  Except for the two Megan already named, I'm going to name them all names that mean "brave" or "courageous" because it amuses me to have chickens so named.

Nigel, of course, could not care less about names.  He's thinking "Winna, winna, chicken dinna."

And Fiona here is thinking it's too cold to go out!

Great fun!  While the portions of the coop that people can see from the road have to match the house, I'm thinking of painting the south side in a Lily Pulitzer-type pattern, with rose and red.  We'll see....

Still Waiting....

...for a day warm enough and calm enough and dry enough to paint my fabulous new chicken coop.  I walked with the girlfriends this morning and it snowed on us - not even snizzle, but flat out SNOW.  I'm never going to get those birds out of my mechanical room and into their ever-so-spacious coop and run! Maybe there's no rush, but the little dinosaurs are now eating three times the initial amount of feed, and if I can get them in the coop/run with the big feeder, then no more filling up the little chick tray three times a day.   No more cleaning out the brooder box once a week (because what goes in, must come out).
Hm.  Well, at least the crocus came up beautifully, the daffodils are on the way, and the tulips should be glorious in time for our Second Annual Leaving Las Vegas Party.  And who knows, I  may even be able to start some seed indoors next week.
Patience was never one of my virtues.