Here are the pictures of my chicken coop . I have always made do with whatever I had to make a coop . I have had chickens most of my life . I have always loved having them around. I have only know a few people in my live that have had chickens . I have pretty much been know as the chicken girl and now lady . Our company has always been amazed to see the chickens and other animals that we have running around.  I had even quit raising chickens for a year or so . Then here she blows again . I might as well give it up , I will always have chickens around. It is my hobby . I am a proud momma to a son who has won many broiler contest ,and even placed 1st with our Roster "Sam the Ham " He was even put in the news paper !!!! So ,I guess I have passed my love for animals on down to my son .

I decided to build a coop the way I want it to be . And that is indeed what I did , It did cost me a pretty penny !!  But ,again I am not about fancy cloths, make up ,hair and nails ,etc. So ,LOL I still  paid less than some females, that spend over $500.00 in one shopping trip . It looks nice and fancy . It has a roost ,egg box with a door that opens to just collect eges . And a door that splits so we can walk in the yard or shut the top and leave botton door open for the chickens . They have a window . A bench .The yard  is covered with wire on top .This has a shade cover near the coop . They have a nice house . And all of this for 15 chicks . And because I decided I wanted a nice chicken house at age 35 . I don't plan on building anymore chicken coops . This is it !!! have a great weekend everyone ,Shaune

Here is my son ,helping below .

We bent the pipe over to put wire on the top of coop.

Yeap that is where you collect the eggs ,from the back of coop .

You can see here on the left of the picture where I was short that one sheet of tin . Everything is fixed now and complete .

The chicks are about 3 1/2 months old . I couldn't want to let them in their new house . I lock them in at night and free them every morning . I have a rig that I fixed on the outside of the chicken yard door on bottom door . I pull a rope from the outside of the yard and it opens the door and here they come out. This way they want go crazy when I go in through the coop door(the main door from the outside ) to check their water,etc . I love it !!!! Sorry, I didn't have a picture of the complete finished coop ,and the covered yard .Waitin' on those eggs !!!!!!

Here is my husband and I  early one morning to check on the chicks after their first night in the coop !! We were laughting at ourselves running out in our night cloths to check on the chicks !

         A worthy Woman

 A worthy woman who can find ? For her price is far above rubies .The heart of her husband trusteth in her,and shall have no lack od gain.

She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life .She strecheth out her hand to the poor; yea,she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household ;for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Strenght and dignity are her clothing ;and she laughter at the time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tounge.

She looketh well to the ways of her household ,and eatheth not the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up,and call her blessed; her husband also ,and he praiseth her saying : Many daughters have done worthily,but thou excellest them all.

Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain ;but a woman that feareth Jehovah ,she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates .

Proverbs 31:10-12,20-21,25-31.

Happy Mothers Day to all of you .I am thankful for all of the women that have touched my life in one way or another. For all the little things that a Mother does for her family .God knows them all .Thank God he put us in charge of the household .The men just could keep up with all we do on a daily bases. Have a Beautiful Mothers Day and remember those little things that make this big world go around .Blogger friend , Shaune    

Nope ,I don't think so . Atleast the vegie garden is coming up nicely . We will have fresh vegies to eat soon from it . We started(haven't planted it,just tilled it ) a corn Rows  in the back yard .To keep the animals out of it . My Family Garden is all full . My son loves corn . I also started a herb garden over the weekend . This is what I planted in large containers . I wanted to save my back some pain . I set them on a long board shelf on blocks  LOL .

California Poppy for anxiety,insomnia , nervous tension ,made as a tea is known to relieve pain and menstrual cramps . Yeah !!!!Lemon Poppy Seed Cake is also very good for you ,LOL !!!!

Anise for coughts ,as tea for a soothing expectorant for getting rid of phlegm  and suppressant ,colds ,bronchitis and dry coughts . Also helps with indigestion and gas ,my dear husband will be drinking this tea with his supper ,LOL !!!

Thyme for muscle spasms ,and rheumatic pains ,add to bath water for soothe tense painful ,stiff muscles and helps to heal sprains and bruises (.I do bruise very easy .Also know to sprain my ankles.)A tea for a cold remedy . The antioxidants believed to slow the aging process and development of diseases .

Spearmint for indestion ,upset stomach , heartburn .A tea drink .Add to household cleaners or potpourris .A mint sachet repels flies ans moths .The leaves can be added to bathwater to relieve conjestion and to provide a muscle relaxing soak . Colgon take me away !!!!

Calendula for ulcers ,canker sores .This is why I got it ,is is taken also for painful menstruation . Yeah !! The tea can be usesd as a garle or mouthwash for sores ,gum disease , sore throught and tonsillitis .Dry flowers .As a tea it brightens natural blond hair highlights . (My sister might want to try it .)

Peppermint for indigestion ,heart burn and nausea .As a tea for decingestion for sinus ,nasal ,and chest conjestion .  Add to bathwater for another form fo conjestion relief ,aids muscle relaxation .Use in sachelt ,potpourris ,dried wreaths . It also relpels flies and moths .

I also planted Chives , Parsley and Green Onions . Not I will just have to wait and see how everything comes up . I plan to dry the herbs and use them as needed during the wintertime . The use more natural medicanes for the clolds and coughts . I have never grown herbs to much before . i thought I would give it a try and see . I already have a food dehydrater might as well put it to work . Alot of the herbs I picked should be very usefull for my family . I plan to make teas with the mints . And use the rest for there purposes . It will be neat to have dried herbs around . I know it will be much healthier and save money . The only thing I didn't find was lemon something or a other . I wanted to try this one as well . I haven't found it in my area . Have a good week , happy gardening , Shaune

A free give away from the Bird Lady at www.homesteadblogger.com/birdlady/94706/.com She is celebrating her 100th post on her blog . Go and see the details for entering and a chance for a free gift.

I hope everyone had a great weekend !! For my family we were very busy . We gathered and stacked firewood. Put up our 3 foot deep ,12 foot round swimming pool. And got some more wire put up on the top of the new chicken yard . We were short one sheet of tin for the coop roof . That stinks ,and it's about 50 miles back to the nearest Lowe's where we bought the tin and wood from. Not wanting to go all the way back for one sheet of tin ,with the gas prices .And you know it our Ford pick-up truck gets 14 miles to the gal. Not to good for the pocket book !!!! But,I do thank God we have a truck and it gets the job done. We also had a really nice southern supper .Barbecued chicken ,potato salad(w,homemade pickles) ,stir fried broccoli and cauliflower ,grilled garlic bread(on homemade bread). Everthing was so delicious !!! Great family time spent together .Blessings, Shaune    

Well ladies it is a painful menstruation cycle. I have been unblessed with is since my first cycle. I have been putting up with these physical symptoms for a long time now . I start with premenstraul sysmptoms only worst than that . It is called PMDD it starts about 2 weeks before my cycle.  I retain fluid,in breasts, legs, my stomach,hands,feet . I can gain 5 -10 pounds  just during that time and then lose it back when it's gone. Crazy . I have headaches, low backaches and very bad cramps. I have pain in the pelvic area and thighs . I feel emotional tentsion more, very moody ( more than the normal ). I just feel achey all over for the first 2-3 days. I don't (can't)sleep  before I start. I could just stay up all night. The doctors haven't really found a cause for this in women. I am being treated with  medicane for this disorder.  I take it the 2wks before my cycle starts . It has been a life saver to me , and sure for my family as well.  I am no where as moody and anxiousness, or restless at night. It's not for the pain ,just moods and emotional treatments.

I had a surgery back in Nov.2007 , female related problems . To check out several different problems . Anyway ,I wasn't able to use tampons for 3 months . I had to go back to using pads. I have to tell you my cramping has gotten much better . And my cycle has shorten by 2-3 days . WOW , I have never had a short cycle and less painful.  I am not going to be able to use tampons on a regular bases anymore. I have found that bed rest is best when on my cycle , I feel so drained . My body is begging for rest !! Some people say stay away for coffee/caffeine during this time. But for me it seems to help soothed my pain and be very effective . And if I crave chocolate , my body must be needing  it . So ,I listen to my body !! LOL .

Being a home steader and trying to live off the land as much as I can . I decided to try using cloths menstraution pads . Instead of wasting money on pads. It may be surprising to learn that women of the luxurious courts of ancient Near East used external pads. In Europe ,during the Middle Ages and after ,both internal and external protection was used.  When life was  leisurely  pads was favored . In civilizations where women were active ,the internal tampon was used . (Which is kinda still how things are today .)

I can tell you from my own usuage, I use alot less pads then I did tampons . It seems more natural to use pads to me. But as women of thousands of years ago , I feel the same way in public or at work I would feel more like using tampons. If I know I will be gone all day . I haven't completely quit using them . I do know my body feels much better when I use pads instead.

If you would like to know more about cloth pads I have to tell you to check out Belle's blog. www.homesteadblogger.com/homesteading.com  and her store is www.homesteaderbelle.blogspot.com She makes some really nice pads in many colors and sizes . Give it a whirl you might just be surprised !! If you have any comments or questions about pms ,etc please feel free to leave me one. If to personal to post  send me a private comment .Thanks ,Shaune

My time with God

The child whispered,"God speak to me ."

A meadowlark sang .But the child did not hear.

So the child yelled,"God speak to me !"

And the thunder rolled across the sky.

But the child did not listen.

The child looked around and said, "God let me see you."

And a star shone brightly .But the child did not notice.

And the child shouted ,"God ,show me a miracle !"

And a life was born . But the child did not know.

So the child cried out in despair ," God ,touch me and

let me know Your here !" So,God reached down and

touched the child. But the child brushed the

butterfly away.

And walked away unknowingly . Author Unknown

It's spring and cleaning isn't just for our homes . It is for our spirit and soul as well. A time for renewing our minds and hearts. What stops you from following your dreams and goals ?  Do you know your purpose ? You have to start with a plan and build on it . God is already there waiting on you at the finish line !!! We get set in our ways . Change is a good thing sometimes . But if we don't open our hearts and minds we could be blocking out God . With out even knowing he was there for us ,like the poem. I myself have a bad habit of waiting sometimes for things ,money (more of) ,or people ,to think I can't complete my plans .  Almost all of the time ,If I remind myself that God is in control of my life it works out just fine. So ,why not clean out our thoughts and let God do his work . We need to be more open to the good around us and learn to enjoy our lives to the fullest !! Shaune

I have the  brown hair and she is the blonde .

I finally bake my own Wheat Bread !!! It was so much fun and very easy !!! My DH even made a loaf with me . I was very pleased with the turn out . It was nice to eat a sandwich with the bread that we baked . My DH brought sandwiches to work to just show off the bread. LOL . He never brings sandwiches to work . We have already baked more bread and froze it . I got the recipe from the HIllbilly Housewife site about 1 year ago. And just decided that I was going to try it . Heck, I make and bake everything else ,why not  try it . I turned out so beautiful  !!! I don't think my family will every want to eat store bread again . I know it's healthier for my family . It does take some time to rise and make . But ,so very worth it to see the smiles on my families face !!! See if I can make bread ,you all can to !! I really didn't think I could make sandwich bread at home and it turn out so good . Have a great week ,Shaune         

These are the Roses that my DH got for me on Valentine's Day and for our Anniversary ,which to is on Valentine's Day, too . Lovely Roses , he's such a sweetie !!

  12 flour or wheat tortillas (fajitia style)

  2 cans of refried beans

  2 tbs of taco season (I used homemade)

  1/2 to 3/4 cup of  salsa( homemade )

  2 tbs of lime juice

  1- 8oz pack of mexican or taco blend fancy shredded cheese

Heat the beans and taco season until hot ,and reduce the heat to just keep warm.

Heat 6 stacked up tortillas in the microwave covered with wax paper for 45 sec. Repeat for the other six .

Spoon the beans on opened tortilla ,to make a thick paste ,stay away from edges . Then lightly sprinkle the beans with cheese .

You just roll it up and place the uneven side against the (sprayed or oiled)baking pan. Repeat til you have all 12 burritos finished . (I put 10 cross ways ,and 2 long ways in my pan .)

The topping : Mix salsa and lime juice in a bowl ,evenly spoon on top of thr burritos .Then put the remainding cheese on top of salsa .

Bake for 350' for 15 to 20 mins or til cheese is nice and melted .Serves 6

I serve these with one of the following ,mexican rice ,tacos, chips and salsa ,or salad .Even great with cajun boudin ,since I can heat them both up in the oven at the same time.

F orgive each other.

R efresh each other.

I nvest in each other.

E ncourage each other.

N urture each other .

D epend on each other.

S hare with each other.

H elp each other.

I nspire each other.

P ray for each other.