Hen House: A Backyard Project

Building Our Backyard Chicken Coop: Raising Chicks in the City

Our chicks are now about six weeks old, and it's amazing how quickly they've grown. The fluffy little chicks we brought home are beginning to look like real chickens as their feathers continue filling in. Every week brings new personalities, new adventures, and a little more confidence as they explore their surroundings.

One of our biggest projects has been finishing their new chicken coop. I wanted to give them plenty of room to scratch, roost, and stay protected from both the weather and neighborhood predators. The coop still needs one final touch—a door leading up to the loft—but it's exciting to see everything coming together.

Building a Comfortable Chicken Coop

When designing a backyard chicken coop, I tried to keep a few simple goals in mind:

• Plenty of fresh air for good ventilation.
• Protection from rain, heat, and predators.
• Enough room for the flock to move comfortably.
• Elevated roosting space where the chickens could sleep safely at night.
• Easy access for cleaning and collecting eggs once they began laying.

One of my favorite additions was the homemade ladder leading to the loft. Rather than buying one, I used bamboo poles attached to a piece of lumber. It fit the rustic look perfectly and gave the chickens an easy way to climb to their roost.

Healthy Treats for Backyard Chickens

The girls thoroughly enjoyed a special summertime treat—watermelon! Watching them peck away at the juicy fruit was almost as entertaining as watching children with their first slice of watermelon.

Fresh watermelon is mostly water, making it a refreshing snack during hot Texas summers. Like any treat, it should be offered in moderation alongside a balanced chicken feed, but it's a fun way to help keep the flock cool during extreme heat.

Looking at these pictures still makes me laugh. After spending the afternoon buried in watermelon, several of the girls looked like they'd just finished a day at the spa. Jessy may have enjoyed herself just a little too much—I don't think I've ever seen such a round little chicken!

One of the greatest joys of raising backyard chickens isn't just collecting fresh eggs. It's watching their unique personalities emerge. Every chicken is a little different, and before long you'll find yourself recognizing each one long before she reaches the coop.

The chickens are 1.5 months old now and growing fast. Got most of their feathers.

I've finished the coop. Just need to build a door that leads to their loft.

Cleopatra.

Like my ladder? I used bamboo and glued it for rails on a piece of lumber.

Chelsea.

The girls have been eating watermelon all day.

You'll have to excuse them. They didn't know their picture would be taken today. Didn't have time to clean up after that watermelon bath!

I think Jessy took a swim. If you look closely, you can tell she's been pigging out. Her gut is really sticking out!

Marigold Seeds: How to Save Marigold Seeds for Next Year's Garden

Certified Organic French Brocade Marigolds. Marigolds are popular companion plants that many gardeners grow because they may help discourage certain garden pests while attracting beneficial insects.  These flowers are keepers in my garden --- not only drought tolerant, but very hardy.

How to Save Marigold Seeds for Next Year's Garden

One of my favorite things about gardening is discovering that some of the best investments only have to be made once. Marigolds are a perfect example. After planting just a couple of French Brocade marigolds, I was rewarded with enough seeds to fill my garden for years to come.

There's something incredibly satisfying about collecting your own seeds instead of ordering new packets every spring. Not only does it save money, but it also allows you to preserve varieties that have already proven themselves in your own garden.

Why I Always Plant Marigolds

Marigolds are more than just cheerful flowers. They're one of the hardest-working plants in my vegetable garden.

Some gardeners plant marigolds because they may help discourage certain garden pests and nematodes, while others simply enjoy attracting pollinators and beneficial insects. Whatever the reason, I've always found they make wonderful companion plants among tomatoes, peppers, beans, and other vegetables.

They also happen to be incredibly tough.

Even through long Texas summers, my marigolds continue blooming despite the heat and occasional drought. They're one of the easiest flowers I've ever grown.

How to Save Marigold Seeds

Saving seeds couldn't be much easier.

1. Allow the flowers to dry naturally on the plant.
2. Once the flower head is completely dry, gently pull it apart.
3. Remove the long, slender black-and-tan seeds.
4. Store the seeds in a labeled envelope or glass jar in a cool, dry place until spring.

Just two healthy marigold plants produced far more seeds than I'll ever need for one growing season. I'm hoping to trade a few with other gardeners and continue adding new heirloom flowers to my garden.

One of the joys of gardening is sharing. Whether it's vegetables, flowers, or seeds, there's something special about passing along a little piece of your garden to someone else.

And as an added bonus, our little chicks were growing quickly too. It's amazing how fast a homestead changes during the summer months!

Today, I managed to collect a bounty of seeds! What a great feeling to never have to order online these seeds again.

This was only from two plants! Hoping to find someone willing to swap organic flower seeds.

Freshly hatched natural pesticide!

Grilled a yummy burger today of sea salt, garlic, and Rosemary.

Galveston Island After Hurricane Ike: A Day Trip Through Recovery

Houston

Even though Hurricane Ike had struck months earlier, its impact was still impossible to miss. As we drove around Galveston Island, we saw damaged piers, salt-burned trees, and buildings still bearing waterlines from the devastating storm surge. It served as a sobering reminder of just how powerful nature can be.

Hurricane Ike's Lasting Impact

When Hurricane Ike made landfall on September 13, 2008, it brought one of the most destructive storm surges in Texas history. Entire neighborhoods were flooded, historic buildings were damaged, and many of Galveston's famous fishing piers and coastal attractions required years of rebuilding. Although recovery was well underway during our visit, reminders of the storm could still be found throughout the island.

A City Full of Resilience

What impressed me most wasn't the damage—it was the determination. Restaurants were busy, local shops had reopened, visitors filled the beaches, and families were once again enjoying everything Galveston has to offer. Despite the hardships, the island's spirit remained very much alive.

One of our favorite discoveries was the historic Strand District. Filled with beautifully restored Victorian buildings, unique shops, cafés, restaurants, and old trolley tracks, it quickly became one of our favorite parts of the island. It's easy to spend several hours simply wandering the streets and soaking in the atmosphere.

A Dog-Friendly Getaway

Traveling with Sheba made us appreciate businesses that welcomed pets. After enjoying lunch at The Mosquito Café, we found a shaded park where she could stretch her legs before we continued exploring the island. It's always a bonus finding destinations where the whole family—including the four-legged members—can enjoy the day together.

Although much has undoubtedly changed since our visit, I'll always remember seeing Galveston during its recovery. It reminded me that communities, like people, have an incredible ability to rebuild after difficult times. That's one of the things I love most about traveling—you don't just visit places, you witness their stories.

Although Galveston Island was HOPPING, we saw lots of damage, and missing piers from Hurricane Ike. Something else was "missing" too but Alan and I couldn't put our finger on it...

We ate at the Mosquito Restaurant off of 14th street (a few blocks from the sea wall.) A very friendly establishment that welcomes pets. They'll even serve your furry friend water. We dined in their outdoor patio. Their burgers and mango iced tea was FAB!

While at the restaurant, we met a 5th generation Galveston resident. Her first ancestor, an attorney, survived the Sept. 8, 1900 hurricane. She suggested a shaded park down the road for us to take Sheba. There we walked the dog and gave her a much needed break from the car, and the hot asphalt of the sea wall.

On the beach off the sea wall.

Salt water from Ike destroyed these trees. They'll eventually be cut down. We were wondering earlier why they weren't green while driving through.

We saw a lot of damage today, but also a small island BOOMING with business. What was sobering was driving through the residences and noticing water lines on the buildings. Many of these buildings were submerged.

We discovered a quaint district off of Strand street. Busy eclectic shops, ice cream parlors and trolley tracks. Hare Karishma devotees walked up and down the drag in pink robes singing songs and handing out tracts. Oh how I wish I took some pictures.

Check out the Olympia restaurant. Greek food right by the water. You can watch the ships go by. We plan to go there next time we're in town. Pets welcome!

Around this time last year we had camped at Galveston Island State Park - exactly a month before Ike hit. We were shocked at the damage at the state park today. Many buildings were gone and the park was a shell of its former self.

All in all, it was a worthwhile road trip. Alan took a lot of pictures of the damage and will post some on his Facebook. We listened to a neat radio station driving home. A smorgasbords of music - 60's, 70's, 80's, -- left us guessing who would play next. What a great day trip. Tired and glad to be home though!

Every Texas road trip teaches us something new, and Galveston reminded us that history isn't only found in museums—sometimes it's written in the streets, the seawall, and the determination of the people who rebuild after the storm.