Victorian Chicken House Update!

So sweet of YOU to ask, Nikki & Liz!
They would like to know what the latest news is on my
Victorian Chicken House.

Remember this Craig's List find last summer?
I had gotten inspired by an article in the Mary Jane's Farm magazine, about fixing up an adorable chicken house.
Their's had wallpapered walls, a cute little shelf with a tea cup dangling from a peg and was utterly charming.
So I started looking on Craig's list and found a little outdoor playhouse.
Immediately I thought
PERFECT!
Here is what I have finished so far.

I've done a bit of painting on the outside. I am going to repaint the big posts white, the little railings are going to be red and the top of the railing white. I am hoping to add a couple little window boxes under the windows. I also painted the birdhouse on the porch post.
~*~
On the left side of the house is going to be the chicken yard enclosed with picket fence (and chicken wire). On the right of the chicken house you will find my herb & flower garden with picket fence, arched arbor & gate.

Isn't this gingerbread trim so VERY cute!
Here are my favorite colors again Green & Red

This is still what the inside looks like.
but when it warms up, (will it ever be warm again?)
I am going to wallpaper the walls with this
very cute, very cottage Waverly wallpaper...
Big Lots $3 a roll

and then I am going to hang these little lace curtains in the windows...

they look like they have been hand tatted...there are 4 separate valances!
~*~

I am so VERY excited to have my own charming little Victorian chicken house. We had been talking for years, that when we moved out to the country we would have some hens, so we could gather eggs. Some names we came up with are Matilda, Henny Penny, Gladys, Helen & Ethel ...we want old fashioned names for our girls. I have been checking into bantam chickens.
~*~
Did you know they will mail baby chicks to you in the mail?
One day Lindsey and I were in our country post office and I heard peeping noises.
I asked the Postmaster about the sound and he showed us
a box of precious peeping yellow chicks!

Look what I found online...an adorable ledger sheet to keep track of the girls and their egg production. I am going to print this out and turn it into a picture to hang on the wall in their house. Maybe it will keep them encouraged to produce, lots and lots of eggs!



These little prints from a vintage school primer are so cute,
and will make for some cute pictures in the chicken house.
I am going to be on the lookout for some cottagey frames.

So Nikki and Liz,I hope you feel all caught up on the little Victorian Chicken House project, and thanks for asking.
You know what?
I just LOVE my bloggin buddies!
You are guys are soooo much fun to share things with!
~Jill~

Precious Gardening Books

Every now and then, I will get a little glimpse of spring. The grass is starting to turn green, just a little bit at the very bottom near the soil. The robins are finding their way home to their favorite nesting spots, and the Meadowlarks are hopping around in the field. But it is still chilly enough to snuggle in by the fire and dream about gardening.
~*~
I am so excited that finally, after 10 years of container gardening, I will get to have a BIG vegetable garden. And I want to plant it ALL, asparagus, beans & beets, cantaloupes, cucumbers & corn, potatoes & tomatoes, peas & peppers!
~*~
I have been unpacking all my books/treasures and have rediscovered 3 absolutely adorable gardening books. I know you will fall in love with them too...

Betty Crocker's
Kitchen Gardens
A year 'round guide to growing and using herbs and vegetables
by Mary Mason Campbell
Pictures by Tasha Tudor
Copyright 1971

Are these not, the most adorable illustrations? Of course they are, they are by Tasha, a most magical woman who led a magical life. Tasha's family has website: Tasha Tudor and Family that allows us to continue to enjoy all of Tasha's work. You can purchase different items, but most importantly to me, you can purchase seeds that were grown from Tasha's own flowers, Forget-Me-Nots, Foxgloves and Hollyhocks to name a few!

Hollyhocks should be in every garden. I think an apron is so appropriate for the garden, little pockets to carry your tools and a big wide bow in the back.

Many pages are adorned with precious pictures.
Looks like I need a nice pair of garden galoshes too!
~*~Lois Burpee's
Gardener's Companion and Cookbook
Delectable recipes and invaluable advice on growing vegetables and fruit from American's foremost gardening family
Illustrated by Parker Leighton
copyright 1983

This little book was a precious thrift store find. The illustrations are beautiful and it is an enjoyable read. Why, just last evening I started reading it again!

The book is divided into gardening seasons, to help you know when to plant!

The book is filled with delicious, garden fresh recipes!
~*~

A Blessing of Toads
A Gardener's Guide to Living with Nature
copyright 2004

I became familiar with the writing and illustrating of Sharon Lovejoy through the Country Living Gardener Magazine. Beside Victoria this was my other all time favorite magazine. I have kept every issue I ever purchased. Unfortunately, I don't think the magazine is in publication anymore. But, Sharon does have some wonderful books and she also has a website:
Sharon Lovejoy

I wouldn't mind having these cute little critters in my garden, how about you?

Are squirrels your greatest bird feeder nemesis?
Well just bake them their own cookies, why don't you!

This little book, well actually it isn't quite so little there is over 290 pages, is just full of wonderfully endearing garden stories, recipes and crafts.
~*~
Aren't you excited too about the arrival of spring?
I know the next few weeks I will be busy trying to decided exactly what to plant and when to plant it. What I know for sure is that potatoes go in the ground on St. Patrick's Day!
~Jill~

100 Chocolates in the Mail ~

Ding Dong...who could that possibly be? Who walked across the 2x6 gangplank/sidewalk precariously perched on the mud to come to my front door? Why it is the FedEx man. Hmmm...box says something about Southern Living at Home enhancement kit. Oh, did I win something because I just recently subscribed, something that will enhance my magazine?
~*~
Oh, I recognize that name and address! This goodie box is from
Suzanne at Southern Inspiration
Hmm...I know this must be
CHOCOLATE!

My heart was just going pitter, patter when I opened up the shipping box and discovered this round, floral and ribbon bedecked beauty!
Now let me tell you this...
I have recently fallen in love with two colors
Granny Smith Apple Green and Red
and just look at this pretty girl
in my most favorite colors

Inside were little bundles of chocolates tied with red ribbon and a precious handmade Valentine card. It just made my day, Suzanne! What a joy to have such a fun surprise on a rainy day!

Yes, those are Russell Stover Private Reserve chocolates and some Hershey Kisses and melt in your mouth Doves!
With such a pretty box now in hand of course I had to play cupboard dress up. I think she looks very cute sitting next to a little bird nest and a basket of pears and a little $1 plate.

So smitten was I with my cute little round box,
I turned her into a new header for
Hickory Hollow!
~*~
Blogging truly enriches my life everyday.
It keeps me inspired to be creative in my home and it has allowed me to met some very wonderful and creative women who live many miles away. It is so delightful discovering shared interests with others. Those who enjoy the same fun, little tidbits of life that I do.
It is also enriches me with gifts...
Chocolate for one!
Thanks so much, Suzanne!
I am enjoying them immensely!
~Jill~

Little Robin Red Breast

Guess who has stopped in to visit Hickory Hollow? An entire extended family of robins.
This morning after safely seeing my family out the door, I peeked out the back window towards the pond and spotted a robin. I then noticed that there was quite a bit of fluttering and carrying on...because there were about 20 of them. To me, this is the first sign of spring! Another sign is the swelling tips of all the Bradford pear trees that line our driveway! It is almost time to plant potatoes and get my asparagus & strawberry patch underway.
~*~

Thank you everyone who stopped in to visit last week. I had close to 90 calling cards. I used the random number generator and it choose lucky number 17. Our precious Cynthia, from Cynthia's Cottage Design was the 17th person to leave me a note. I LOVE Cynthia's blog, it is one of my very, VERY favorites. I go back and read all her previous posts. I just love reading about her adorable house and the cute projects she does. I am getting ready to make a decoupaged recipe box to go in my kitchen!
~*~
Now, I do have a little something for everyone else. Well, it is not necessarily from me, but from Susan Branch. While scooting around the internet last night, I found a FREE pattern by Susan Branch to make an ADORABLE apron. It was originally posted I believe in 2007. The link is still good, and I thought while you were still tucked in for winter, you might like a little sewing project. Click on the picture and it will take you to the page where you can download the PDF file. I think I may whip up one of these cuties, don't you know we certainly don't have enough projects going on!

Hope eveyone is going to enjoy a beautiful weekend! It is supposed to be 70 degrees here today. Last evening, before supper we went for a walk down the back road and over the crossing, we spotted deer and wild turkey tracks. I think we will probably take another walk this evening!
~Jill~

Hickory Hollow Open House Part 2

Is anyone up for another home tour today?
If so come on in!
Welcome
to my
~French Country Kitchen ~

The fancy edge trim is called a French Cornice
Quite fitting for my French Country Kitchen!

~*~
Remember my Garage Sale Hutch that I painted this summer?
I have moved her into the kitchen next to my panty.
In my first pictures, I had Grandma B's antique washstand there.
I moved that to a corner in the living room. I just needed to have that hutch in the kitchen!

~*~
I did a bit of grocery shopping yesterday and brought home this precious little white Cyclamen. I saw it last week, but decided not purchase this little frivolity. Yesterday she just hopped in my cart, honest she did! She was only $5, bless her heart. I pulled out a little white tureen and found her a nice little sunny spot on the breakfast room table.

Now remember today is the last day, to enter yourself in my Susan Branch/Victoria Magazine giveaway. I am going to do the number generator thingy tomorrow!
Off to bake up a loaf of dilly bread for dinner!

P.S. I had someone ask where I purchased the Cinnamon Chips? Ya'all are goin' love me...I bought them at the commissary on an Air Force Base. I am really hoping that you will be able to find them at your local grocery store. What's strange, is usually the commissary doesn't carry the unusual goodies!
~Jill~

Cinnamon Chip Cookies ~ Yum

Guess what I found in the baking section?
Hershey's Cinnamon Chips!
Every now and then I will run across a recipe that calls for these... they are very elusive and hard to find. When I saw them sitting innocently enough on the grocery shelf, I snatched them right up!

~*~ Using a recipe on the back, I baked up a batch of Oatmeal Cinnamon Chips Cookies. The recipe called for raisins, but I added milk chocolate chips instead. They were pretty delicious. Thought you might like to give them a whirl!
~*~
Oatmeal Cinnamon Chips Cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1 2/3 cups (10 oz. pkg.) Hershey's Cinnamon Chips
*3/4 C. Raisins

*I substituted milk chocolate chips, probably about 1 cup
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in bowl until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour and baking soda; add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in oats, cinnamon chips and raisins and/or chocolate chips (batter will be stiff).
Drop by heaping teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

Makes about 4 dozen.
Mine didn't make 4 dozen, more like 2...I like BIG cookies!

Now all you need to do, is pour yourself a fresh cup of coffee, sit down and relax with a nice warm cookie, what in the world is much better than that!
~*~
The giveaway is still up and running! Make sure you drop your calling card in my comment basket, so that I know you have stopped in to visit me in Hickory Hollow.
~Jill~