Now that the Chamber of Secrets is wrapped up, we’re taking a minute to assess our house-fixing priorities and figure out where we want to jump in next. Today I thought I’d share a few things that have been happening around the edges of home renovations here at Red House West South.
From early spring through most of the summer, the garden dominates our free time. Things warmed up much earlier than usual this year, and we were able to plant our potatoes and onions in early April.
Around the same time we brought home three fluffy little chicks, and I had to remind myself constantly to be gentle because I just loved them too, too much.
They were so tiny and cute, and I subjected them to all manner of Anne Geddes-esque torture.
With the size of that beak we could have called her Cyrano, but because of her markings we called her Chipmunk. It doesn’t suit her at all now.
We built them a simple little coop and painted it red. We then moved it to the shadiest part of our yard, beneath the dogwoods and plums.
Red Coop West in spring
The girls are much bigger now. Not yet laying, but beginning to make some very chicken-y noises. There’s a lot of growling and side eye.
That’s Chipmunk there in the upper left. She’s top of the pecking order.
The garden, too, is much bigger. Even though I never believe a dry little seed stuck in dirt will actually grow into food (you can check out the gif I made last year to try and convince myself), we’re now harvesting green beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and enough berries to give you a tummy ache. That is if “you” were a person who had no self-restraint. Which I am.
Once the onions are ready you break the stalks and let them dry in the sun. Those are potatoes on the left, which we’re also letting dry out before we harvest them. Both of these crops are ready almost a month earlier than last year!
We planted these raspberries less than three years ago and could barely keep up with them this year.
Anyone who reads this blog certainly know how much I love my house, but my mission in the summer is to get away from it and into the woods as much as possible. I’ve had some wonderful adventures – backpacking on new trails; my first multi-day rafting trip (on the Rogue River – so beautiful!); and a mildly-painful-but-totally-worth-it bike ride to the top of a closed mountain pass.
Mountain Lakes Wilderness trail in southern Oregon – photo courtesy of my friend Heather.
At the Dee Wright Observatory – the destination of our bike ride on the McKenzie Pass Highway. Photo courtesy of my buddy Dylan.
On the Rogue River
On a final note, I’ve been putting a lot of time into making Bunny pose with the potted philodendron in hopes of recreating the lithograph hanging in our kitchen. Trying to get an overheated, fat, irascible cat to do anything is a real challenge, but here’s my best effort so far.
And the original:
Needs work, obviously :). Hope all of you are doing well and enjoying the summer! I’m looking forward to sinking my teeth into my next house project … but not before I sink my teeth into Mera (metaphorically and lovingly) when she visits this weekend!
You have tomatoes already?? You are some kind of witch, girl.
Your garden bounty is impressive, color me totally in awe and jealous. I am a black thumb who cannot bend over, so, its farmers’ markets for me. But I do remember my younger days when nothing made me happier than coming home from work, changing into comfy clothes and picking dinner straight out of the garden.
The chicks are adorbs (can’t wait to see your first fried egg!) but, um, that cat looks like it wants to teach you a lesson. I’d run.
I can take no credit for the earliness of those tomatoes – unless I inadvertently cast a witch weather spell that made this the most unbearably hot summer in memory!
Thank you, Dean, for your excellent posing! I’d say you’re pretty much at the top of the pecking order yourself…thanks for the day to day and the wondrous bounty of your generous yard. The chicken “house” under the blooming trees is sublime…
Dean really knows how to work a camera.
Sounds like a lovely summer Katie—and what lucky hens, a darling red house under the plums!
The chickens have the best, coolest spot in the yard. It is not unusual for me to pull my chair under those shady plums for some late afternoon chicken t.v.
What a gorgeous yard! And bounty. I know what you mean about getting out of the house, and with this daunting sun, I’ve had trouble. SO! I’m creating a Bedouin type tent down by the canal for my writing use and for visitors to come and take a dunk when needed. I will send pics when done. Going St. Vinnie-ing and World Marketing for decor and comfort. MUST come and visit your beautiful home. Summer however is almost a wash at this point for anything other than what’s on the calendar. Maybe after harvest and when it cools? Love my Katie!
Sounds amazing! Please send a photo (and let me know if you want me to put any items on my thrifting list). xoxo
Oh! Do tell: what is a “thrifting list?”
Oh, nothing fancy! Just a list I keep in my phone with measurements and items I’m looking for 🙂
Thrifting list! What a great idea. Thanks, Katie.
You’ve been so productively busy down there in Red House West South. I think you’ve come pretty close with the cat portrait. But my favorite portrait is the one of the veggies and berries. What a colorful bounty. Happy summer!
Happy summer to you Carol! Viva la veggies.
LOVE the cat litho! Junglesque! Enjoy the bounties of your garden. Hug to Mera!
I’ll be hugging her in a mere five hours! Thank you!
your garden is so inspiring! I’m the same way in the summer…spending every moment outside…who has time for house projects!
Hope you’re settling (settled?) happily into your new place!
Hi! I just started reading the blog (since Mera´s house tour was featured in Design Sponge), and I have to say I really like it. Both your homes and hometowns are beautiful! And it´s a lot of fun to read about adventures around the house and out on the wild. And chicken and cat stories! Since I live in Barcelona (far far away), it´s great to get to know about life in such a different place. I hope you keep doing (and enjoing) the blog for a long time! 😀
Thanks for the lovely comment Maria! So fun to know we have a reader way over in Barcelona!
Curious about the raft in the photo…is it alpacka? also, is that a rowing attachment?