Yesterday we were able to finish installing a 6′ tall chain link run for my breeding coop, who are not allowed to free range during breeding season. It’s wonderful to have that done, and now my dozen or so breeders will have a just over 100sf of indoor space (2 coops joined) and probably 80sf of outdoor run space available to them. It’s a big accomplishment and will help prevent any accidental babies by the wrong parents.

We were also able to settle on the plan for the new wood stove hearth. We are going with pavers/stepping stones available at Lowes. Fair simple installation, and a suitable look I think. I’ll get the free form shape I am after, and DH can have the stone/rock look he is after. As much as we would like to apply a treatment to the wall behind the stove, we are going to have to wait on that. If you didn’t know already, buying a stove is inexpensive. Installing a Chimney pipe carries a pretty hefty price tag; DOUBLE the stove cost for us. So we have to focus the rest of our potential savings on that so we can USE this darn stove this winter. 🙂

Today I have a steering committee meeting for the Newport Farmer’s Market, to help figure out where the market is going to go from here as we close down the 2011 season and look forward to 2012.