Thursday, June 27, 2013

It's A Hot Mother Chicken!!!!

That's what I always say when we hit those dreadful triple digits!  Don't ask my why.  I don't know.  But I say it.  Now my grandkids say it!   Today we are supposed to hit 100, and by the weekend 111!  Ugh.  I will be in the pool!!!
My garden is going to take a hit in this weather too.  I harvested all of the rest of the broccoli last night, and pulled the plants to free up some space to plant more things.  I will plant more of that in the Fall. 
Last night, I worked in the  yard until 8:30!  I love to be out there as the sun is setting and all is quiet.  I put the chickens to bed  and love to sit in the old swing that I gave new life to, which is located underneath the canopy of shade that the huge avocado trees provide.
This is the swing with my two darling granddaughters in it.  We bought this well over 10 years ago.  It has been all over the back yard and grove.  It has seen a LOT of swinging!  The original cushions and canopy have long since rotted.  The second canopy I made has also rotted in our hot sun, and I tossed it a couple of weeks ago, when I moved the swing to this location.  I put some new cushions on the swing, and clipped a color coordinating vintage sheet to the top.  It is under complete shade, but I still put a top on it.  Well, the other night when Geeps and I were sitting out there for a sunset swing, Geeps went through the old seat supports.  I know this old swing should be tossed in the trash, but it is still so functional, that I just couldn't do it.  So I went to Joann's and looked for some webbing to reweb the seat bottoms.  I bought the rest of the jute web that they had.  But it didn't get me very far in rewebbing it.
I removed the rotted fabric from the frame, and began to web the bottom with what I purchased in the jute webbing. 
You can see that I only got three pieces in with FIVE  yards!  I could have waited until they got more in, or checked with another store, but no.....I wanted to swing!!!  So...I sat for a minute thinking what I could use to finish the job, and a lightbulb went off.  SHEETS!!!  I ran in and got an old sheet, and began to section it off in 6 inch widths with one little snip of the scissors. Then ripped it down the rest of the way, and I went width wise on a twin sheet, which gave the perfect length of webbing to work with.
This gave me the amount I needed to web the bottom of both seats.  I simply wove it in and out basket weave style, and tied it as tightly as I could, using two knots.  I then rotated the knotted end to the underneath side of the seat.   I put the cushions back on, and sat down to enjoy my work.  Ahhhhhh.  Now I need to make new arm rolls for the swing.
My daughter came over later than evening, and said, "MOM, what are you wearing?"  Our kids don't like to see their Dad and I in our favorite yard gear.  OVERALLS!!  We love them though.  So many pockets to hold tools, and veggies picked from the garden.  Eggs from the coop, or a cell phone, or whatever.  My overalls are shortalls.  Geeps are long.  I like mine better! 
I sat out there watching the chickens, and resting.  I let the little girls out of the run for the very first time, and they were in heaven.
Still thinking this little Polish is a Roo.  Waiting to hear a cock-a-doodle-doo!!!  As the sun begins to set, they automatically waddle back into the coop to roost for the night.  But these two insist on sleeping in a nest box!  I take them out, and put them on a roost, and they go right back into a box.  So I had to cover up the other two boxes to prevent them from getting in.  I decided to let them go into the wood box, since they refuse to lay eggs there anyway!
There he/she is, with Cream Puff about to hop up in there with him/her.  You can see the cardboard that is used to hide the other two laying boxes, and keep them from sleeping in them at night.
Goodnight girls.
Before heading inside, I take a look around the grove, and the garden.  The sky is so pretty at this time of night.
The pumpkins are turning orange.
There are about 18 pumpkins hiding in that patch.  I have carved the grandkids names into a pumpkin for each of them, so they can watch the pumpkin, and their name grow.
I have since made Claire's a little bit deeper so it looks much better now. 
We continue to pick buckets full of avocados!  What a harvest this year!!!
Stay tuned for another redo.  I found this outdoor fabric at Joanns for half off.  I got enough to recover the seat cushion to the wicker settee by the pool.  The colors are so vibrant and perfect for this yellow wicker seat.  Old and tired.
New and colorful.  It is just laying on top of the old cushion.  I haven't made it yet.
I love this fabric so much that I may go back and get enough to recover the cushions of the wicker set on the patio too.  
We are going to be having some really hot weather, so I think I will stay in and sew today.  I am quilting a summer table topper.  And then I will do the cushion.  I will show you those in the next post.  
Til then....go make it a great day.
XO  Kris

30 comments:

Mereknits said...

Kris, you are such a hard worker. I love your garden and the girls are so entertaining. Love what you have done with the swing and the new fabric for the wicker chair is prefect, bright and cheerful. It is not as hot here, but with the intense humidity it is ridiculous outside.
Sending you a hug,
Meredith

From the Kitchen said...

I want to be your neighbor! I'd find some way to repay you for fresh eggs (cleaning out the coop?), avocados (guac?), tomatoes (salsa?), etc. I especially like the sunset photo of the tree and the tip of the umbrella. And the one of the little girls on the old swing.

Best,
Bonnie

Bethany said...

Oh wow I love that fabric!!! So perfectly vintagey and citrusy and summery!

Barbara F. said...

I totally agree with From the Kitchen! xo

Gracie Saylor said...

I love my visits with you, Kris:-). I keep meaning to tell you what a neat idea carving the kids names into the pumpkins is! I 'm visiting friends this afternoon who are growing some pumpkins and have a little girl and am going to suggest it to them. We are supposed to reach 100 here, too...Gasp...
Xx,
Gracie

Debbie said...

I hadn't heard such a hot week-end was on it's way. : / Not looking forward to that. I am sitting here sewing today in my nicely air conditioned house, so I guess I really shouldn't complain. Can't wait to see your table runner. I have become somewhat obsessed with quilting, haha. Enjoy the rest of your day Kris!

Betsy said...

I so enjoy my visits to your house. :-). You are very industrious at refurbishing the swing and now the chair too. I don't think my talents run along those lines at all.
I keep looking at all of those avocados and thinking what great sandwiches and burgers and guacamole they would make. Way too expensive to buy many here though.
Hit weather is on it's way to Spokane too. 100 by early next week. Ouch!!!
Blessings,
Betsy

Valerie Cottage Making Mommy said...

Kris,

What a great idea. We have been debating on getting a swing but saw that they don't last long.

This is a great solution. I love the fabric you chose to recover the cushions for the wicker.
Your chickens are precious, can't wait to get some.

Hugs,

Valerie

Gloria Baker said...

your home always is fun Kris; the veggies; the kids; the chickens lol, the food, what fun live near you:))

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hi Kris,

I love your spunk and love for nature and family. I am your #334 follower and proud of it.

Such a jolt to see Noah's name carved in your pumpkin. My son is Noah and I have always scratched his name in a pumpkin. Now I do it for the grands too. I wrote about this in my first book, Sunflower Houses. Since then I've gotten dozens of wonderful letters from others who now do it too.

Cheers to you and stay in the shade!

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hi Kris,

I love your spunk and love for nature and family. I am your #334 follower and proud of it.

Such a jolt to see Noah's name carved in your pumpkin. My son is Noah and I have always scratched his name in a pumpkin. Now I do it for the grands too. I wrote about this in my first book, Sunflower Houses. Since then I've gotten dozens of wonderful letters from others who now do it too.

Cheers to you and stay in the shade!

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hi Kris,

I love your spunk and love for nature and family. I am your #334 follower and proud of it.

Such a jolt to see Noah's name carved in your pumpkin. My son is Noah and I have always scratched his name in a pumpkin. Now I do it for the grands too. I wrote about this in my first book, Sunflower Houses. Since then I've gotten dozens of wonderful letters from others who now do it too.

Cheers to you and stay in the shade!

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

It may be hot, but girl you have the life! Lounging and feasting on avocados. lol! I could handle the heat. Hot here too. Suppose to hit 100. We have been put on water restrictions and my yard is suffering a bit. Veggies look o.k. for now. I love to be out at night too. Definitely feel blessed!
hugs,
Jann

Deb~in~Denver said...

Hi Kris, you are so stinkin' creative! I'll bet the sheets hold up longer than the webbing! Nothing like an old swing. I love the fabric you chose for the cushion, it will be perfect! Love seeing pictures of the chickens, I'm terrified of birds (strange, I know) but I wish we could have chickens. They are so entertaining! We are having a hot one here, today, 98° right now, even with the cooler on the porch, it's 91°. Too hot for gardening today! Put your feet up and enjoy a cold drink!
xo
Deb

Linda said...

I love that fabric for the bench...how cheery! This heat just snuck up on us...didn't it! I have been inside most of the day...too darn hot...it was hot already at 7:30 when we went for our morning walk! Enjoy your pool...I'm sewing! Have a great day!!

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, I was thinking about your hot weather and how ours is pretty darn hot too-today will get up towards 99. Every time I walk or ride, I come in soaking wet, it is so hot.
Love your new fabric for the cushions on the wicker set-matches the yellow perfectly.
Have a cool evening.
Hugs, Noreen

Dawn said...

That weather is to hot for me. I don't even like it in the 8o's
Love how you are getting so much use out of the swing. I have recovered mine several times to and would hate to give it up.

Teresa Kasner said...

We've got a sunny and hot streak here as of today - but I'm okay with it as I'm having a girls BBQ lunch on the deck tomorrow! I wish for you cooler days. I love your chicken posts.. you know I love my chickies. Good job on the swing fix and the new cushion cover.. you're so clever and busy! Can I have some of your energy? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Unknown said...

Kris you are so creative! Great idea using old sheets for the webbing. Love, love, love the fabric you are going to use on the yellow wicker seat! It makes it look like brand new!

Enjoyed reading this post today, such fun peeking into others lives for a brief moment :-)

Holly

Unknown said...

I love that you wear bibs! So handy, and I bet your a sweet doll in em!

I also love the fabric on the yellow couch you have, oh my! I do!



Tania said...

Ouch, that sounds like our Summer!

That is such pretty fabric, nice and bright, just right for Summer...

Stay cool :)

xx

Nicky said...

Hi Kris, wow that's hot! Belfast's summer is mediocre to say the least .. boo!

Jill said...

Love what you did with the swing and the cushions! Your yard always looks so lovely! Try to stay cool! :). Have a wonderful day!

Blessings,
Jill

priscilla said...

Busy , Busy Bee ! You are one busy girl :) Love the fabric for your new cushion ! Yuck on the 100 degrees .. going to be in the 70's here next week . Love the pumpkin idea!

Anonymous said...

When I see your pictures I always can imagine myself right there! I love all your pumpkins (mine are soooo slow this year!)

I love that you repurposed that swing. Those kinds of posts are always my favorite. Anyone can put a new swing on the credit card at Target but not everyone can creatively re-do a swing with old sheets no less!! A job well done.

Lisa

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Kris, You are a very creative person to redo your old swing. I have one too that needs a new top. You used a old sheet. What a great super great idea...I must give a go. I always love looking at your chooks. Hugs Judy

Lynne said...

Kris you are a bundle of energy! Good for you fixing up the swing.
I'm so jealous of your chickens. I don't have any this year and really miss them and their delicious eggs.
The heat is on here too - Yay for the pool!

Pam said...

It's supposed to get really hot here next week - UGH. Wish I had a pool to jump into!

I love the fabric you picked to recover the wicker bench - so cute!!

Sunny Simple Life said...

You know looking at the Polish it may just be a hen. From all the photos I shared on the chicken forums and I looked up the rounder the crest on the head the more it means a hen. The males have more disheveled and spiky looking crests.

Holly said...

I'm dying here in this heat. It was 117 in the shade on our patio. Thank God for our pool. Love the new fabric. Those colors are so cheerful and pretty. I've been so lazy lately and have no energy to work in or out of the house. I need to get my rear in gear and get this house cleaned.