Should I bust out my war paint?

So I had to go pay the water bill today. YAY! The water department is at the village hall a few blocks from where I live. While I was in I asked about having chickens. I was told emphatically that you can NOT have chickens -what so ever - in the city limits. Which nonetheless blows for me. However, I also know that DeSoto use to have a ban on pitbulls and that was contested and overturned. Now I'm not wanting to keep a large flock or anything like that. What I want is something similar to the Eglu setup which I would have a maximum of 4 laying hens (If I could afford something like this!) . But even if I built my own small coop and corresponding chicken tractor I still wouldn't have a huge flock of birds. I think that I should be able to. I mean people can keep chickens in London and Chicago for cryin out loud. I think that I am ready to rally for this cause......my right to have a few, well cared for, properly maintained, chickens on my own private property.

So with that out there....who the hell do I need to talk to about setting this up? I have absolutely no clue as to what I need to be doing but I do know it will take a lot of research, wording, and paperwork. Any ideas or advice you guys have I need desperately.

Havent been doing anything lately. The heat and wicked T storms have been keeping me in the house and lazy. But tonight it seems we've caught a break inbetween storms so I opened up the windows to cool off the house and I should be able to weed a little in the am if I get enough sleep. The garden is going well except for all the grass that got tilled under is trying to make a comback...and reference the lazy statement above. :( Im just not having a good week mentally. We are broke, things are paid for thankfully but little to nothing left over...and that makes some people grumpy who then make me grumpy......Im going to bed now.

PS on a good note (which i do find a LOT)
One of the yarrows has started to bloom
New leaves forming on the rose plant :D super happy about that!!!!

4th of July recap and a sundry of other stuff

Just a note, I haven't forgotten that I was tagged for "What Things I Refuse to Do Without" I just really needed to take a bit to think about it in an honest light.

The first 4th at the house wasnt too eventful. I had to work from 8am t0 4:30 on 2 hours sleep. Caught an hour sleep during lunch in my car and another hour upon coming home. Bill and the Teen cooked and then she was off to see fireworks while we ran some errands and then came back home so that I could catch up on everyone's blog and he can finish belt favors for our fighting group. Ragnorok went well from the perspective of establishing a name for ourselves as a fighting group. It was also a great way for me to meet up with The Unusual Farmchick. As far as a honeymoon it was disasterous (with the storms, the chaos of Ragnorok and all, not to mention the truck crapping out on us). I would really like to save up some vacation time and go away for a weekend, even if its just something round here. Southern Illinois is actually very beautiful with the Shawnee National Forest, Garden of the Gods, FernClyffe, etc. Or maybe we could hit Cape Girardeau, MO or Paducah, KY since both are about an hour away.

The garden is chugging along at a steady (I think) pace so much sprouted and took off while we were gone. We did lose some seedlings, but I am happy with what we have so far. I worry with us getting started as late as we did that we will behind or have poor yield and not much for me to can. We tilled a chunk of the back yard up and I worry that I haven't used the space as efficiently as I could have. But I remind myself that this is our first month at the house let alone our first year, mistakes will be made, losses will be sustained logged and hopefully learned from and avoided. I have pictures on my flickr badge if you follow the link you can see my pics. I will be shooting more frequently because I got asked permission for use of one of my pics for a participatory news group called Now Public.com. I was slightly amused, part flattered and said sure.

Another cool thing that happened lately was that I found out I won a reuseable tote bag from Earthbound Farm with a newsletter, some coupons and a book. I vaguely remember signing up for it back in April I think.. So all in all good day. But now Im tired and going to relenquish the computer to Bill. I have to get up and take pics of the garden...and weed like no tomorrow and also we are going to the farmers market.

In short

Got married on the 20th the reception was awesome, left for Ragnorok on the 22nd...Met the Unusual Farmchick at Day 1 of Rag (Best part of the whole damn trip can't wait to do it again!!!) Stormed every night while there.....tried to leave to come home the followin Saturday (a day early) just past noon but the blazer's rear differential blew out 22 miles east of Dayton, OH. Got home at 9am Sunday morning. Will give you the full scoop when I get some sleep...oh and I have lots of pics

Pics and stuff

Bill and the Teen discussing "strategies" while we were driving all over for the city wide garage sale

Scored this for $2
Bill working on my altar,the lid will lift up and give me some storage

My kitchen and in the back is a lil laundry area, you can only see the dryer..its as wide as a washer and dryer side by side.

The garden after Bill tilled and the carport that we don't use that I want to turn into a chicken coop or something.
The view of my enitre garden..had to go to the neighbors yard to get it all :) Mwahahahah
Farmers Market is really the Dogs Day out on the town
Potted herbs for anywhere from $2- 2.50
Bill and the Teen at Farmers Market looking at honey maybe?

So things are starting to even out I think. We had to rent a tiller to do out the back yard. Bill has once again taken over but I can say that I've put in a good deal of work myself. We started some more seedlings that have already sprouted but we also bought some live plants at the farmers market and Lowe's. Also Bill hit Rural King. Its my weekend and I will get pictures of everything.

In other news we are getting married this Friday, the 20th. We are going to the court house with some family and friends in tow and then we are having a reception at our house. You guys are all invited (seriously) but I know you more than likely can't make it...but once again...there will be many pictures. I work the next day and then we leave for Ragnorok on Sunday morning. I want to leave after I get off work at midnight but Bill is wanting to leave at around 4 am :( Its about 8 hours or so to get to Cambridge and I would like to get there before noon so that we can set up. We will be there for a week. I have no idea what Im going to where, my bodices are too big and I don't believe Bill will have time to fix them like he said he would.

I bought some bananas today that Im going to put them into the dehydrator.. its first job! I haven't gotten to do any canning for lack of fresh produce...not to mention that its been super busy. There is so much I want to tell you guys about! I feel really blessed, equally scared and sometimes nauseaous but we are holding down the fort.

So I have been without internet access sorry I didnt post............................





I HAVE A HOUSE!!!!!!!!!



We closed Thursday the 29th at 3pm and started moving within the hour. We had everything at this place by Friday night/early Saturday morning. We are pretty much set up and 80% unpacked...as soon as I find energy I will get pictures. I do have the garden staked already....attempted to lay down the broken down cardboard boxes (wetted down) to kill the grass but they keep blowing away....got a running tiller for $65 and oh yeah Im putting in 53 hours this week. I gotta go sleep cuz they are having a huge town rummage sale and I have to try to find furniture for our bedroom and an end table or two for the living room.