There's lots going on at my Shoreline, WA home. Project A: removal of invasive plants in our "wild" front property and the planting of natives. Yes, vinca minor makes a fine carpet, and it's pretty when it blooms, but it even chokes out English ivy. It would keep any hillside intact, too! I want to return this area to its native state, like it was when we moved here and I would find delicate salamanders out under the woodsy debris. This year, our property has been selected to be on Shoreline's tour of wildlife-friendly yards (July 10 – more info to come). This is incentive for me to keep on grubbing and replanting.
In this photo, you can see the Sea of Vinca spreading out over the struggling salal, false Solomon's seal, red huckleberry and sword fern. It's making its way under the native rhodies and around the bases of the alder, hemlock, and cedars. I started from the edge of the road, in the foreground. Note the first heap of vinca. Yes, it looks overwhelming, but with about 30 minutes a day of grubbing, I'm making progress.
In the photo below you can begin to see open space! The solomon seal plants can now breathe, and I've planted snow berry, goat's beard, maiden hair fern, and lady fern. Since this photo was taken, I have also tackled the blackberry canes (camouflaged in the background) and ivy. The rest of our property has a wealth of native plants that will be moved to the cleared woodland area.
Project B: the design and building of a movable chicken "tractor."
To the right you can see part of the hen scratched plans for the little coop I've designed with Rick's help and with tips from numerous sources. Most of the framing pieces are cut, primed, and drying in the basement. Next week I'll be buying 2 or 3 chicks. While their little home airs out from being painted, and while they mature enough to live in it, they'll be staying in a cozy brooder box.
I will add subsequent chapters to these developments on the home front. You are invited to follow along :-).
Jocelyn Curry 
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