Spring Blooms

Spring this year has been warm in Southern Oregon. All of the flowers are blooming at once. Many of these flowering plants and bulbs are new additions and we are witnessing the first or second season of blooms.We have a purple and white theme started in our front yard and this year has been the best show by far!

Allium.

(horrible focus on this picture - oops!)

Arial view of Rhododendron.

(and my hose in the background - clearly I'm not a photographer)

Grape Hyacinth.

Hyacinth.

Lilac.

(see how the purple petals are outlined in white?)

 

 Peony.

 

Peony bud.

 

Ranunculus.

(these actually grow in a container in the back patio)

 

Rhododendron.

 

Rhododendron.

 

Viburnum.

(Looks like a mini Hydrangea - same family, the petals start out green and then turn white)

 

Veronica.

(these plants were a gift from a friend)

 

Sedum & Hyacinths.

(the Hyacinths line my front walkway and it smells so amazing!)

 

Salvia.

(this picture does not do this plant any justice, the purple is absolutely electric!)

 

Viburnum.

(purchased at last years' Spring Garden Fair)

 

What I forgot to take a picture of were the yellow Tulips (because a purple & white themed yard needs a splash of yellow). The tulips are spent now, so I'll have to snap a picture next year. I'm patiently awaiting my Russian Sage to bloom next!

 

Spring Blessings to each of you!

 

New Arrivals

This post is a little overdue. We've been very busy preparing for, and adjusting to, our 3 newest arrivals...

Meet Starliss. She's an Ameraucana, only 5 days old. She will be multi colored when she's mature and will lay green eggs. She looks a little peeved in this picture - she is the feisty one!

 

Next is Harper - a Barred Plymouth Rock, she will have black & white 'bars' when she is mature and lay brown eggs. Harper is Beau's favorite (she falls asleep in Beau's lap)! - she is also 1 week older than Starliss and Butterfly.

 

Lastly, we have Butterfly - a Gold Sex-Link. Butterfly will be this golden color when she matures, she will lay brown eggs. In this picture she is 5 days old.

 

Sleeping babies..shhh.

 

We ordered our chicks from the Grange Co-op. When the chicks hatch from the nurseries they are sent overnight to the Grange. Once inspected for health, the Grange calls us to come pick up our chicks within 24-48hrs. We got the call on March 6th and have been enjoying the new chicks each day! Our urban Fleury Farm is coming together. More to come in the near future about chick-prep and daily care. I’m off to plant some veggie seeds..

Avocados for Sale..

Not too much activity on the Fleury Farm this week. Although we had some sun this weekend, I didn't make it outside to work in the yard - still a bit chilly. Actually, I'm resting my back from the last two weekends and saving up strength for this coming weekend, with predicted 60 degree temps and sunshine!

So while I remained inside, I made guacamole and much to my surprise, my 2yr old twins were devouring this stuff! Even with red onion, cilantro and black pepper in the mix - they LOVED it. Right then & there, I decided on a great (quick) indoor project. I've attempted growing Avo's from seed many times before, but my patience got the best of me, let's just say it never worked out. You may have tried this yourself or have friends/family with the ever-so-distinguished avocado seed sitting in water - propped up with toothpicks, sitting in a sunny windowsill.

While I know avocados don't grow naturally in Southern Oregon...it is possible with the right amount of TLC and a greenhouse. So, what the hay. This will be a nice experiment - to show the girls that seeds can grow if given their 4 basic needs: Water, Sunlight, Warmth and Oxygen.

I started with clean avocado seeds/pits. (I soaked mine in this bowl overnight - not necessary). Recycled baby food jars. Toothpicks from my Husbands 49er shot glass - very necessary.

Insert 2 or 3 toothpicks into the top of the seed, the bottom of the seed should be submerged in water.

Make sure you have a helper - this is tedious work!

Place your seeds in a sunny windowsill and watch them grow. (Refresh water regularly).

If you'd like to buy some of our Fleury Farm Avocados - they should be ready in about 5-10years (Avocado Trees take a long time to mature). Please check back then!

Today, and Everyday We Will Explore

Well here I go. I'm starting a blog. Mostly, to chronicle the beginning of the Fleury Farm. To know how far I've come, and how far I'm going. To be able to list my challenges, my goals and my dreams in 1 place. To see them daily and remind me to keep going, to stay strong, to keep believing in my dream. My dream to one day have a Farm (no matter how big or small in acreage). And not just any Farm. A Certified Organic Farm built using the most sustainable farming & gardening practices available. A Farm that will provide for my family and my community. A Farm where I can teach my children how to raise chickens, and prune flowers & shrubs and harvest fruits & vegetables. Where my girls can breath fresh air while learning about the environment and how to best save it from pollution. A Farm where we can grow and raise beautiful livestock and produce and we can make beautiful things for ourselves and our neighbors. In this place we will thrive as a family of five and we will give back to our community in as many ways that we can think of. Our imaginations will be able to explore freely.

Today, and everyday we will explore.

To truly follow this dream, I have to explore. That is why I gave my notice. That's right, I'm quitting my day job so that I can have time to explore. Time with my children - while they're still young and eager to explore. Time to practice living my dream. My oldest daughter lost her first tooth last week (the day before Valentines Day). It was a reminder to me that she'll be losing more teeth and growing up faster each year. If I don't take this time right now to spend with her and her Sisters - I won't ever take time to spend with her and her Sisters. I don't want to look back on these years with regret. The best thing I can do is to follow my heart. So I quit my day job. I'll be a work-from-home-Mommy.

And Today, and everyday we will explore.

Welcome to the Fleury Farm..