Long time & new hair

Long time, indeed!

Almost a month has gone by since my last post and much has happened. Probably not much in terms of excitement for you, but it has been a busy time for us. I'll try to be good the next few days and do some posts to get this blog moving again

Among the fun updates: I got a new haircut. This time last week, I was thoroughly convinced I'd continue to let my hair grow out (it was about 4-5" past my shoulders) and let it return to my dirty blondish color (I had a temporary dye done in March for kicks-- never had done that before!!).

Upon reflection, I suddenly changed my mind last week. My longish hair was hard to keep looking professional. And, heck, I'm not using super-bad-for-my-hair dye (I'm using high-end stuff that looks GOOD and isn't stripping my hair and is done by a professional). And for some reason, going darker in the summer is more fun. :) Maybe back to blonde in the winter? Luckily, I have a great hairstylist.

Anyway, long story short, I made a spur-of-the-moment appointment last week, got into an appointment that someone else had vacated, and I got my hair all fixified:



So much fun. AND, because it's shorter, I can easily make the hair straight (blow dry) or make it show more of my natural waves (airdry overnight). I love it, it looks professional, AND, I don't have to fuss muss with it.

Succulent Wreaths!

I made this wreath over the weekend. I attached the pots with twine, then spray-painted the whole thing.

  It works, but I knew I could do better. Bob loves it though, so this is what matters.

My coworker also loved it, and requested a succulent wreath. I decided to up my game, and this is the result (two photos because the flash does mess with things):

 

Honestly? I like the second one better, but I think the first one will last longer. We'll see!!!

The second wreath was made by taking a wood circle, attaching spanish moss with thread (cost: $6) and threading on succulent cuttings (cost: $7-- I used some cuttings from our yard to supplement).

Sister-in-law, meet chicken.

Nothing says "I love you, sister-in-law" quite like a chicken running into a bedroom at 9:15 in the morning.

Oops. Escapee from the kitchen where I was looking at her to make sure she was ok (had two matted feathers).

She was giggly (the sister-in-law, not the chicken. The chicken was freaked out.).

July 3rd annnnd rain

I love the Pacific Northwest. Truly. But part of the reason why we are more than ok with the rain during the late fall, winter, and spring is because it results in beautiful summers. So, the temperature is up there (low 70s, nice!), but WHY is it still raining?

- Me  <-- blogging from my kitchen where the window is currently getting splattered with rain... on JULY 3rd. Sigh.

Pergola

I'm pondering purchasing plans for this pergola. Yes, I think I can do it on my own, but I'm thinking this might cut down on my wood waste too.


And: HOORAY SCOTUS!

Chicken mama

Our buff orpington went broody (rather early to go broody-- she's only been laying for about 3 months, and she's from a fairly common breed, when broodiness is not as common). So, after a few weeks of this (you have to allow enough time for her to think she's sat on eggs long enough to produce chicks), I snuck out in the darkness last night and stuffed four, barely-day-old chicks under her.

She fluffed up immediately for them to curl under her feathers. I took that as a great sign, and crossed my fingers for all chicks to be alive and happy come morning.

AND: Success.

Puffed up and EXTREMELY protective.  Hurray for this and hurray for not having to worry about raising four chickies!

Putting two and two together

It's raining this morning. It's a warm rain, but it's still RAIN.

So, I moved my chop saw under the cover.

I came back inside to drink my coffee.

"GEEZ, these coffee beans smell OFF," I thought.

Then I realized that the smell was coming from my hand.

Ahh, those little chicken devils must have been hopping up on my chop saw handle with their smelly feet.

Thank goodness it wasn't bad coffee.

Quiet garden pool

I love this, and I would love this in our backyard.

However, I deeply suspect the corgi would muck it up EVERY DAY, and I think I'd have problems being peaceful and accepting this....

Beautiful Chicken Coop.

The chicken coop was never completed as I had it to be in my mind. So, this weekend, I changed it.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 Much better. Still need to finish work on the other sides as well as add landscaping around the coop. See the clematis in the pot on the left-hand side? It's going to crawl up the shed side.... you know, once I finish the shed side's new siding and add trellising and figure out how to plant the plant.

Oh, and the color of the wood on the shed? That's the color our deck is getting stained. :) The chicken coop was a big ol' test run!

Finally, I "stole" three of Bob's pots, spray painted them red, and hung them on the coop. He is mad at me for this. I completely disagree that "stole" is the accurate term to use.  Besides-- he has like 20 more! :)

Good Thoughts

I love this:

"Every day, think as you wake up, 

'Today I am fortunate to have woken up. 

I am ...alive, I have a precious human life. 

I am not going to waste it. 

I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, 

to expand my heart out to others, 

to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. 

I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, 

I am not going to get angry, or think badly about others. 

I am going to benefit others as much as I can.'"

 

- His Holiness The Dalai Lama

 

I don't think I achieve this as frequently as I should.