Quail_Antwerp: Words from the Barnyard...

[Quail_Antwerp]

This will be the only time I will speak regarding this matter with you, and it will be the last time I even acknowledge you, and I would appreciate the same consideration from you.

the fruit trees have been damaged from shipping, just a little TLC will be all that is needed to get them strong, I hope...

If it is a broken top, or broken limbs on your fruit trees, those usually (well I guess it depends on what kind of fruit trees you purchased) get pruned anyway, so it might just set them back on bearing fruit. If the trunk was damaged, you'll need to cover it with something to prevent disease from setting in. DH suggested a non toxic paint if the bark is tore up that you should be able to get at any nursery or Lowes.

My DH said to suggest the book Guide to Growing Delicious Vegetables, Fruits, & Herbs. That's where he read the tips on the fruit trees I wanted. Good luck! I hope you get tons of fruits from those trees. Fruit trees (or any food bearing plant IMO) is a great find!

Thanks Aly for your advice, I will consider it.

HAHAHA (there's no blushing smiley here, so just imagine one, K?)

Something most need to realize about me, I feel things deeply, am quick to anger, but as soon as my anger is gone, I'm pretty much forgive/forget/move on.

I really didn't pay much attention to who posted it, I was more interested in the fruit trees, but you're right, I had posted that, and I forgot about it as I was in the midst of my hurt and anger and I'm over it.

You can consider the advice or not, I understand

Today's another busy day here. I'm going to take my eggs down to the feedstore this morning (they don't open till 9am) and then we have framing in the deck on the to do list today.

We added more top soil to my raised bed yesterday. I'm going to go work the soil around, not that it needs much working, but my darn geese thought it made a great (albeit expensive) dust box. So I started with nice loose soil, that is now compacted down by geese feet and bodies.

I've some romaine lettece, head lettuce, and collard greens to put in my raised bed. They're already started, but they are forecasting snow this weekend, so I have to hold off a bit before I put my starts out. DH said my seeds can go out, so I might put out my salad mix, maybe carrots? I dunno yet... Too many decisions!!

Uh, I think I need a second raised bed

DH said after we are done with the framing in of the deck, he'll help me work on my coop plans. He doesn't think I picked up enough 2x4's so we are going to go over everything before we start. I told him I even want to try to make the 3 hole nest box on the inside, but I don't plan to buy the materials for that as I think we have enough scrap pieces of plywood and stuff here to make them out of.

I might get to use the power saw today!! I've always had a fear of power tools (comes from witnessing an accident in 8th grade shop class) but DH says I just need to be careful, and take my time. He says don't rush the job and keep my hands clear of the blade. Easy for him to say! But last year I did learn how to use the chain saw, and used the axe, so I am sure I can learn this, too.

So I think I can I think I can I think I can....LOLOL

 

[Farmfresh]

Quail your raised beds reminded me of a site I was going to share. http://chiotsrun.com/2009/03/19/square-foot-gardening-templates/

I think these little templates the guy made really rock!

I love my Ryobi circular saw! It runs on a rechargeable battery system - so no cord to saw off! It is light. It packs plenty of punch for me and saws enough on one charge to finish most of my projects. PLUS their are MORE Ryobi tools that you can buy to add on. I have the drill, circular saw, router, chainsaw, and reciprocating saw now. (note I do NOT work for Ryobi ... it just sounds that way!)

 

[gettinaclue]

FF, thanks for posting that link! That's a great idea!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

So today, we spent most of the day working on our new front deck!!

We haven't had a front deck or porch in 4 years! That's a long time to not use ones front door! Ok, well, we have used the front door...I just jumped out to the ground instead of walking down steps!

So, here's a pic of the deck as it is right now...we don't have the planking yet, but I hope to have it finished in the next few days. The forecast is calling for rain, so we might hold off until it's clear before picking up the planking.

Last fall my step dad left a desk here. It's one of those slanted top desks, and DH said it's just made out of pine, I think? Anyway, I asked DH what he was going to do with it, and he said haul it to the dump. It's been sitting out in the weather and doesn't look that great.

So I started checking it out, looking it over, and we don't need a desk, but it makes a great framing for a chicken coop!! So I asked DH if I can slap some sides onto it, put in a door, roost, and nesting box, and attach a small run. He said he didn't care, and cracked up laughing. I figured, why not? I've plenty of wire, and can find plenty of scrap pieces around here for the sides, I think....

So that will make two new coops, with the supplies I have for building the 4x8 coop.

Then I eyeballed the scrap pieces of 4x4 posts left over from building the deck. I asked DH if I could have them. He said sure, what are you doing with them? I replied "I think they'll make good corners for another banty coop." So I now have 4 4x4 mini posts, that are about..um I dunno a little over 2 ft tall....so I plan to build a small Quail Antwerp Belgian Love Shack for Robert and Fran...again, I've plenty of wire and I'm sure I can find enough scrap pieces for sides!

So that now makes THREE coops!!

To top that off, DH said today that he's ready to empty out the woodbox and move it off the porch! Ya'll remember that, don't you? Our woodbox that we revamped last fall that he promised I could have for chickens?! It's going to be the Mille Fleur Love Shack, and since it needs the LEAST amount of work (just a small run and chicken door into the run and tar the roof) I'll probably get it done in the next few days (if the weather holds off).

So that's FOUR Banty Love shacks!!!

AND I got to break in my new hammer today!!

 

[MorelCabin]

Aw Quail, it sounds like so much fun at your house, getting things built for the chickens...I can't wait until pring comes to my neck of the woods. We still have two feet of snow in the front yard but the parts the sun has been hitting are starting to thaw. I can't wait to get working on building something! I really need the stress relief right now of pounding a hammer, and doing some physically exhausting work. Have fun Quail...and HAPPY SPRING to you!

 

[modern_pioneer]

HAHAHA (there's no blushing smiley here, so just imagine one, K?)

Something most need to realize about me, I feel things deeply, am quick to anger, but as soon as my anger is gone, I'm pretty much forgive/forget/move on.

Like free posted, Ann encourage, a simple we are working together for a common goal. Feeling things deeply means you have passion for what you do, that is a good thing.

I use to be quick to anger, as a soldier, that often meant I would keep the enemy back at his own place. When my anger was gone and left me, I tried to forget and move on. But the ghost of my ways wouldn't allow me to forgive myself because of my anger.

Anger makes people say and do things in the time of the moment, it's just like a tornado. Anger comes in, rules people emotions, and their victims are left with dealing with the aftermath.

Being quick to anger is a bad thing, it hurts people, and those people loose trust in you. There are times when anger is the best tool to deal with something. I talk softly, but I do carry a big stick. If I ever did something in anger, I would change peoples lives.

I am not offering advice, nor am I suggesting you are a angry person. I will tell you that anger is a bad way to deal with your emotions, no matter how angry you are at a person.

 

[keljonma]

So today, we spent most of the day working on our new front deck!!

We haven't had a front deck or porch in 4 years! That's a long time to not use ones front door! Ok, well, we have used the front door...I just jumped out to the ground instead of walking down steps!

So, here's a pic of the deck as it is right now...we don't have the planking yet, but I hope to have it finished in the next few days. The forecast is calling for rain, so we might hold off until it's clear before picking up the planking.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m84/alyciaT_2006/frontporch.jpg

Looks like ya got a "supervisor" underneath just waiting for you to return to work. At our place it's usually Patsy, our Rhode Island Red!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

I will tell you that anger is a bad way to deal with your emotions, no matter how angry you are at a person.

I agree. As quick as I am to feel anger, I am also almost just as quick to be over it. Can't stay mad for long, takes too much effort

I hope all your fruit trees make it!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Looks like ya got a "supervisor" underneath just waiting for you to return to work. At our place it's usually Patsy, our Rhode Island Red!

Yup Actually, had a couple of them! They kept tearing up my dirt for the posts and eating all the bugs. They loved having the 2 day smorgasbord out there.

Polk has a back bone! He's normally so calm, and just waltzes around the yard (or run) in this nice, commanding, stately manner. Yesterday, one of my little Buff Brahma Bantams thought he'd pick on Polk! Polk...who never bothers anyone, and seems to think he is above all the normal chicken nonsense...Polk, who sits lazily in the sunshine and is content to allow me to bring him his feed instead of going out working for it...Polk, who watches all the other chickens run around frantic with worms or fighting over treats with a definite look of disdain for the chickens *beneath him*.....Polk who's 4 times this bantams size picked himself up out of his sunny spot and beat the living crap out of the Buff Brahma Bantam....who then hightailed it into the coop and hid under the rabbit hutch where Polk doesn't fit! He hasn't come back to challenge either!

Polk moseys back to his sunny spot and resumed his sunbathing like nothing had happened! He's quite secure in his position!! Even Pocket, the BO roo doesn't cross Polk!

 

[keljonma]

ROTFLMBO!!

Polk used to beat the crap out of Quincy and Monroe when they were chicklettes..... and then go back to whatever he was doing.....
usually hanging with Louisa in the sun.