June 23, 2009

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME????


I am changing.
Something curious is going on in this little brain of mine.

I daydream about living on a farm with 20 acres, that I am a real homesteader. I make bread in the morning, preserve all the crops and life is simple and good. The day dreams of late are mostly of going out and throwing feed to my free range chickens frolicking on the grass.

The hens lay each morning and the kids and I go lovingly collect them.
Life is rustic, exciting and rewarding.

I can't go out and buy that homestead just yet, so I figured that my backyard would be suitable for a few laying hens until then.


My plans were made. I researched it fully here.
I took the kids to the local country store to look at supply and feed prices. We were so excited. What fun, what an experience! My Chloe was beside herself with excitement. A pet!!


I had the coop all planned out. I would use old windows like this cute lady did. Oooh- the possibilities.


Fresh eggs EVERY morning!! Good eggs!!
Antibiotic free, vitamin packed, omega 3 and lower fat filled eggs.


Since when did my heart go pitter patter at the thought of something so random. Where is all this country living desire coming from? I certainly don't know but I like it!


Is this day dream of mine appealing to anyone else??? I know I have a kindred spirit in the talented Miss Heather over at Audrey Eclectic but anyone else?

Well, after getting the plans "hatched" :) and all my ducks in a row. Err... I mean chickens in a row, I was told to go "suck eggs" by our homeowners association!!!!!!
No!!
How could they rob this dream from me?
I've calmed down now, but I am still sad. How can people have dogs that poop and bark at all times of the day and night and I can't have a few little laying hens that softly cluck?
Whaaaaaah!!

I'm sad. I think I should make an appeal to the board.
What do you think?


xo Emily xo
a.k.a the crazy chicken lady by one of my friends :)

27 comments:

Kristina P. said...

Do it! It can't hurt! Good luck.

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Aww thanks woman!!

April said...

While I don't share your love for chickens...ha ha....I DO love eggs. Maybe they'll be nice if you share! Ha ha.

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Very true Miss April, very true :)

Salty Gal said...

You are so cute!

So you live in South Carolina? ... Do you have a big yard?

I think its pretty lame.

I live on a real farm - thought about chickens, just haven't quite yet...maybe one day

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Thanks Brit ;)

I do live in SC. Right over the border from Charlotte NC. It is totally lame we can't have chickens :(
I am officially jealous you live on a farm!!! You lucky girl!
We have about 3/4 of an acre. It is small but I only want a few. Boohoohoo I'm bummed.

Heather said...

OMG that is the cutest hen house I have EVER seen! I need it, I want it, that is enough to have chickens for ;)
You know I get ya about the chickens and your home owner's board. If you havent already approached them, I would print off as much info as I could on raising poultry in cities such as New York and Chicago. Especially if your yard is large enough to accomidate them (I honestly dont think mine is) I dont see what the problem should be. Especially since hens arent the noise makers-- thats roosters. DO point this out to your board who might not know a hen from a hound ;)
GOOD LUCK!~

Emily Anne Leyland said...

I know Heather! It is divine huh? I already have the old windows to build one too.
I like the idea about printing out all the info to take to the board. I will let y'all know how it goes. I'm all fired up hehe :)

The Crash Test Dummy said...

Oh my goodness! My twins will be so jealous. That is there dream. They catch chickens and roosters and put them in a cage in the farm behind our house. And they think they are breeding them. It's so cute. Again. I wish we lived with YOU!

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Hahaha Deb and I wish I lived with you in beautiful HAWAII!!! I love your cute boys.

* said...

HOA's can be so cruel! Maybe it's time to move to greener, egg-filled pastures.

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Oh... I know Teresa. If I could I would.
I wish my hubby would catch the country living vision ;) he likes the Hoa and city life (sigh)
One day, hopefully soon I can sway him to my way of thinking. :)

Darci said...

Gardening and now chickens? You are adventurous. I hope to have property soon too, but I don't know about having chickens. If you approach the HOA, you should compare the so called 'disturbance' of hens with roaming cats in the neighborhood that poo and dig in everyone's yards. Not that I have any issues with that of course. =)

Alyson | New England Living said...

I love that dream too! I want the same thing. Let's all three of us buy a big place together.

I need to talk to you soon! xoxo

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Darci- I am a little crazy if you ask my hubby :)

ALyson- let's talk tonight.
I am all for getting a huge farm and working it. Wouldn't that be so fun? Home school our kids, be simple again. Ahhh- one day eh? Someone needs to play the lottery. :)

Sarah said...

I have had this same daydream and my friends laugh at me- and so does MY homeowners assoc. Someday...

You need to read the book "Still Life with Chickens."

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Gee- I am soooo glad I am not the only one.

I will go look that book up now. Thanks girl!!

Shelle-BlokThoughts said...

Selfish and Mean Home Owners association people!

I to dream sometimes about living the farm kinda lifestyle. Wouldn't know what to do with myself, which is why it remains a dream.

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Shelle- neither would I :) but hey we can learn anything can't we.

boracay condo said...

love that chicken.. They look so healthy

Natalia said...

I have multiple-dream-disorder...and I'm adding yours to my list, LOL!!!

Our Hands For Hope said...

Tell them Martha has chickens!
You'll share eggs at easter.
You'll discover the answer to which came first the chicken or the egg.
They can watch to see "why the chicken crossed the road".
And if they don't let you you'll dres up everyday and do the "chicken polka" in front of their house!
Terisa..running with scissors

Molly Anne said...

You've got a good point! Chickens (especially when there's only a couple) are way LESS noisy than the average dog. Maybe you should name a chicken "dog" and just...call it a compromise. ;)

I'm so glad I live in the country and don't have to deal with that HOA crap.

apparentlyjessy said...

Oh how sad you aren't allowed to have chickens...is there any way you can fight 'the man'?

I have had pet chickens since I was a teenager, and they are just glorious pets. I smile every time I see them making their morning journey to the olive tree... its amazing how 4 little birds can bring me so much joy!

I hope one day you can realise your dream!

Periwinkle Pass Studio said...

That is a great coop!!! I have chickens and more on the way soon. They are a joy to have. The noise isn't bad, even with one Rooster.

I would appeal to the board.

rummage family said...

I LOOOOOOOOOVE my crazy chicken lady! Go for it,"chick"!

Lisa said...

Aww. I just found you through Audrey today. A woman that lives a town over from me has a blog where she talks about raising chickens and doing all sorts of self-sustaining things and the complaints of one crazy neighbor. I'll leave the link in case you just want some company for your misery. :) http://www.thebluenymph.blogspot.com/

Ok, now I'm going back to read through the rest of your fun and pretty blog!