new river state park area
when we returned home, we decided we would start our project list. this summer we have completed a chicken coop (as most have seen), built a patio, created an area for our ducks to play and swim, and have began fencing in our front yard with hopes of completing the entire yard by next summer.
the chickens, now that they are a bit bigger and have learned to fly, enjoy to hop up on the fence. they have gotten out a few times but are always desperate to return to the comforts of their chicken coop. we have even clipped their wings, but they are always persistent in finding a place to roost!
we impulsively bought ducks in an effort to keep our garden bug free but didn't realize the importance of water in their little lives. when chad and i quickly realized that their kiddie pool wasn't going to work out, chad decided to expand their living area. the ducks are now able to roam the entire garden, which has recently been upgraded to include more space, and as you can see, we recently provided them with their own pond that is now also part of the garden area. they absolutely love it and are so much happier!!
with our patio, we also decided to move emerson and mabry's swingset. this has enabled us to stay centralized to one location so the adults can enjoy the patio while the kids can continue to enjoy the swing area.
as you can see, this is our front entryway. after numerous attempts of escape from neighboring children, chad and i both decided it would be safer to fence in the front area. currently, chad has completed the main area and is still working on finishing up the other side of the driveway and the other area close to the road. the area where you see the painted boards will serve as firewood storage after chad puts the metal roof on top. the fence posts will also be cut to be flush with the gate area.
side view / view from open barn door
there is also the prospect that chad will soon have an office space separate from the house, at which point chad will move his office out of our basement, and we will be able to organize our life a little better. it could be a longshot, but the university has started to negotiate a deal between chad and his colleague in order for them to move the previous solar homestead to a permanent location (our backyard). chad will take the below space, while his colleague takes the living space. we are still waiting final word from the university. here's for hoping:)
we have trecked across the state to visit our family (you all); we have welcomed our danish family to the mountains, and we capped off our summer with another camping trip to hungry mother state park in marion, va.
last week, chad officially went back to work for the fall semester, which pretty much makes our summer officially over. so, yes, we have certainly been busy, but we are so thankful for a productive summer season and are looking forward to what god has for us next!
