Monday, June 4, 2012

Relaxing Weekend

Our weekends are usually packed with things to do.  But this weekend, we stayed home, and did almost nothing.  That is, no real work.  We spent a good deal of it sitting out on the back patio, reading, and visiting.  We also spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon, floating on rafts in the pool.  Just me and Geeps.  It was heavenly.  I hung all of the wash out on the line, including our sheets.  What is it about sheets that have dried outside in the fresh air?  They smell so good.  And they are as crisp as if they had been ironed.  Oh, and we have not caught THE gopher yet!!!  Yesterday we took  a little ride out to the feed store for chicken supplies.  They had new chicks, but no Australorps or Buff Orpingtons.  Maybe next week.
l always go out to the garden in the evenings after dinner.  I water, and pull weeds.  Look for new blooms and  coax wayward vines to their supports.   Make sure there has been no insect damage.   Perhaps eat a strawberry or two.
I turn the compost pile, and go from box to box, working freshly composted fertile soil into the veg beds.
I try to remember what it looked like out here, only a few short weeks ago.  When the seedlings were barely poking their heads above the soil for their first bit of sun.
 Before the climbers had begun to reach their sticky tendrils to anything sturdy enough to climb.
When the tomatoes were like little waifs inside their metal cages, barely even touching the rigid spheres that were meant to support their heavy fruit laden limbs.
And now, some of them are as tall as I am.
I toss bits of lettuce and parsley to the girls.  They all gather, just outside the rusted gates to wait for their treats.
Basil is their favorite!
And then, the sun begins to set, and the girls make their way to their house underneath the big avocado tree.   I sit for a minute, sipping iced tea and watching the daylight wane.
The sky takes on an amber glow, and the lingering sunlight twinkles between the leaves of the trees.
I watch as the girls waddle, their crops full, back to their roost.
I built an exterior run for the girls.  Only  a temporary space, for when we have to cut back weeds and want to keep them somewhat confined, but still leave them a space to dust bathe and scratch for bugs.  It is made with wrought iron fence panels and chicken wire.  I think I have finally adjusted it so that Aunt Bea can no longer escape.
From the house, it is not visible at all.  From the grove, it is tucked in like a fort in the jungle.  The perfect place for my yard birds.  The wrens that made their nest in the tree adjacent to the coop, have abandoned their home.  The eggs were left unattended for several weeks.  The wrens are gone.  Either they have fallen prey to the hawks that have taken residence next door, or they have moved their home to a quieter place.  I removed the nest and eggs, in hopes that a pair of birds will rebuild.
Six tiny speckled ecru eggs.  I placed them inside the nest that I removed from atop the speaker on my patio where I was trying to discourage the house finch from building.  It is sitting on the patio table now, as are many abandoned nests throughout my house, for display.
The wrens nest is now on my potting bench by the garden.  It is such a work of art!  It constantly amazes me, the intricate detailed work involved in some of the nests that are built by these tiny creatures.
Thanks for visiting me in the garden today.   It looks like it is going to be another sunny day here where I live. Tonight I am joining my daughter Erika and daughter Gennifer at her house, for a Bachelorette watching party with the ladies.  I don't usually watch this show, but I think that Emily is so darling.  And it is fun to watch it with my girls.
Go make it a great day!!
XO  Kris

27 comments:

From the Kitchen said...

What a lovely spot you have to relax and renew! I can only imagine how delicious eggs must be from chicks who dine on basil among other things!! Your garden looks lush and beautiful. We are finally getting some warm weather in these parts!!

Best,
Bonnie

Casey said...

WOW! All I can say is your garden is amazing! I love seeing your veggies grow! For my birthday my BF buily me a raised garden bed and we are trying our first year or home grown veggies, I am so so excited. I went out the other day and saw a couple things starting to come in. I love seeing all of your beautiful yard and all your chickens!!
xxoo

Heather - The Good Life said...

Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday. An in-ground pool is on my wish list for when (if) we move. Looks like you are going to have a bountiful harvest. I love summer squash and your vine looked full! Enjoy your day. Heather

Dawn said...

I can not believe how fast your garden has grown. Must be that California sun. It takes all season for our things to get that big. Beautiful pics:)

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, It is always wonderful to see your garden-oh my what amazing plants you have. Your chicks are so cute too. Love the bird nest-I wonder if you keep them inside do you try to disinfect it or make sure there are no bugs? We found another nest in our gutter-up high, that the doves built. Before fall hubby and I will have to climb the roof to clean the gutter before we get much rain. We also have robins in the yard and there are grackles next door.
Love the sound of baby birds.
Have a great evening.
Hugs, Noreen

my4lilgirls said...

Wow look at all that, your garden is amazing, beautiful.
We get so many birds here in our garden also, love waking up in the morning to hear them, so summery
Karen x

Sunny Simple Life said...

I am still buying the 5# bags of food but they go through it pretty fast these days. I will switch to the big bags when they go to lay feed. Your garden is looking awesome. Mine is just bursting too but not much ready to pick yet.

Gracie Saylor said...

Ahhhh...thanks for the garden visit in sunny California :)
We have been enjoying a robin family nest perched on a downspout
at the front of our house. I have saved a couple of bird's nests for display on our front porch. They are works of art.
Please tell me more about your avocado tree, Kris.
Thanks!
Gracie <3

pembrokeshire lass said...

Your Garden is so far ahead of ours. It will be a while before my courgettes are flowering or my tomotoes are so high. i haven't had chickens for years but loved them until the fox did too! Thanks Joan

kathy b said...

I may have to adopt your evening yard work idea..>I hate TV from 630 to 7p m. I wonder how my garden would be with just a half an hour an eve.....I bet you inspired me!

Patty Marker said...

What a nice post. I really felt like I was having a glass of tea with you. Enjoy the time with your daughters...Patty

Gloria Baker said...

OMYG dear I love the photos but especially this of the strawberies: awesome!!

Lauri said...

It was so much fun to read your post. Your descriptions make it seem like I'm there with you.

Jill said...

Sounds like a nice relaxing evening. Love those nests and the little eggs.
:-) Garden is really coming along nicely, I am missing having one started this year. Seems like we are never home long enough :-( We do have strawberries in pots that I also enjoy checking regularly :-) Nothing better than home grown.
Have a wonderful night!

Blessings,
jill

priscilla said...

Your garden looks great , seems like everything is growing so fast !!

Anonymous said...

When I read your words I want to hop on a plane and come see everything in person.........you are so diverse, you sew, you crochet, you garden, you keep chickens, you decorate........and so much more. I admire your ambition and abilities! I love those little eggs. "Our" wrens built a nest inside the wren house I believe since we watched them enter with small twigs over and again. But since then they don't go inside anymore, yet they are right there on the tree branches. Perhaps they are afraid of other birds getting in the house as the opening is a wee bit too big.

Pam said...

What a peaceful routine you have each evening in your yard. Your chickens are so lucky to live is such a great place!

The bird nests are amazing!

Poppy said...

Kris,

Thanks for letting us visit this weekend; I, for one, learned so many new things! How I'd love to have chickens, even though it seems like hard work. BTW, I adore that powdery blue garden chair with the bright red flowers! Are they geraniums? So earthy and pretty!

Poppy

Unknown said...

What lucky girls...their Momma is so good to them.

Love the nests...they truly are works of art!

Debbiedoos said...

Your fresh garden looks spectacular Kris. You will be eating great this summer. Love the cutie nest and those cute little eggs. Come on over for a glass of vino anytime. We have home made wine too.

DaCraftyLady said...

love the fresh garden looks so inciting....I wonder why the Wrens abandoned their next, but the nest looks so cute on your bench...~~Debb

Holly said...

Sounds like you're finally getting some well deserved relaxation. Enjoy those veggies!

R.Punitha said...

Hi Kris ,

Thank you for your visit to my blog and

thank you for your valuable comment on my post.

I wish your regular support to me Kris...

Keep on:)

R.Punitha said...

Hi kris ,

your garden looks Amazing!!!!

Ilove gardening Kris:)

May i come there???

podso said...

Your weekend sounds dreamy to me...quiet and no big agenda! Your garden looks great and you got quite a find in your neighbor's wicker. It looks fresh and new. I too have an old set and cannot afford new cushions. Currently I'm using a set of sheets to cover the cushions and it looks pretty good and a bit "cottagy." Enjoy your fresh eggs!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your garden is amazing! My little flower pot garden is just getting started.

It us sad the wrens abandoned their nest. Hope the hawks didn't get them!

Just a little something from Judy said...

What a beautiful garden you have! I can tell you take great care of each plant. I like how you call your chickens, the girls. Made me smile. You will never run out of eggs.