While we are typically a short term rental we have had an annual long term visitor return every year for the past 8 or 9 years…the Black-capped Chickadee family!
This adorable bird family returns every year, sometimes picking the same nesting box and sometimes picking a different one.
Every year they come back to raise their family, forage for food and genuinely make themselves at home.
We absolutely love this friendly and cheerful 5-star guest!
If you are here staying in the late Spring and you sit quietly on the back patio, you too will get treated to the chitter-chatter of mama and papa chickadee flitting back and forth to feed their many little hungry mouths, who are also so adorably chirpy
🥰
#rhonestreetretreat #airbnblove #zone9a
#backyardbirding #nativehabitat #backyardhabitatcertification #portlandoregon #portlandor #backyardhabitat #backyardbirds #superhostairbnb #fosterpowell #fosterpowellneighborhood #airbnb
Man the things we GET to see from our house/yard…
Every day there are one to three f-18 flyovers…the kids and I love to run out and look for them (sadly they are basically in invisible on cloudy days)
But yesterday there was an odd sound in the sky. It wasn’t the typically flyover and it wasn’t a helicopter.
After the second pass of this strange sound flying overhead, I had to drop what I was doing and go check it out…and boy was I sure glad I did!
I was treated to seeing what my son believes are WW2-era P-51 Mustang planes flying in formation overhead. They were all so colorful and beautiful to watch. They made a total of 5 passes over the surrounding area of my house!
They were very loud but oh so colorful and cool to see
Definitely a neat and unexpected treat!
#rhonestreetretreat
#fosterpowell #fosterpowellneighborhood
THANK YOU to all our Veterans for sacrificing so much for our country and our freedoms we are eternally grateful!
Every year my son and I join oodles of scouts, families and community members in honoring our Veterans at Willamette National Cemetery by saying every name aloud, thanking them for their service and sacrifice, and saluting them.
It is an honor for us to do this service and a beautiful tradition!
Happy Memorial Day! 🇺🇸
#memorialday
#thankyouveterans
#decorationday
#rhonestreetretreat
Holi Fest 2024 at @topazfarm was such a blast!
If you have the chance to go next year, we HIGHLY recommend it…we had so much fun!
@anjaliandthekid was great, the music was fantastic!
Topaz uses only organic powders at this event and there were several wonderful food vendors onsite as well.
This was the 3rd annual event so be sure to keep track of the events at Topaz Farm next year because this event continues to sell out!
#rhonestreetretreat #airbnb #airbnbsuperhost #airbnbhost #airbnblove #airbnboregon #airbnbportland #portlandairbnb #airbnbpdx #superhost #visitportland #visitportlandoregon #livelikealocal #thatssoportland #livelikeaportlander #exploreportland #portlandoregon #portlandor #youcaninportland #pdxnow #portlandpdx #pdxlove #keepportlandweird #exploreoregon #travelportland #traveloregon #makeportland #portlandiswhatwemakeit
Happy Friday ALL!
So glad that our beauty Cherry Blossom Tree has popped and is in full bloom!
Such a sight to behold and SO many visitors stopping to write wishes and taking pictures with the blossoms from our tree to the 5 other trees here lining this section of Rhone Street.
We love the blossoms and we love the visitors. Please just be respectful of the trees, their owners/caretakers and the pollinators who thrive in these blossoms. Take pictures and not flowers, write your wishes from the ground and don’t claim the trees. Be advocates for the blossoms and enjoy them 🌸🌸🌸
#rhonestreetretreatwishingtree
#rhonestreetretreat
#livelikealocal
#thatssoportland
#livelikeaportlander
#exploreportland
#portlandoregon
#portlandor
#youcaninportland
#pdxnow
#portlandpdx
#pdxlove
#keepportlandweird
#travelportland
#fosterpowell
#fosterpowellneighborhood
#makeportland
#portlandiswhatwemakeit
#thisisportland
#hiddenportland
#rosecity
#sidewalkjoypdx
#pdxsidewalkjoy
Happy Friday ALL!
So glad that our beauty Cherry Blossom Tree has popped and is in full bloom!
Such a sight to behold and SO many visitors stopping to write wishes and taking pictures with the blossoms from our tree to the 5 other trees here lining this section of Rhone Street.
We love the blossoms and we love the visitors. Please just be respectful of the trees, their owners/caretakers and the pollinators who thrive in these blossoms. Take pictures and not flowers, write your wishes from the ground and don’t claim the trees. Be advocates for the blossoms and enjoy them 🌸🌸🌸
#rhonestreetretreatwishingtree
#rhonestreetretreat
#livelikealocal
#thatssoportland
#livelikeaportlander
#exploreportland
#portlandoregon
#portlandor
#youcaninportland
#pdxnow
#portlandpdx
#pdxlove
#keepportlandweird
#travelportland
#fosterpowell
#fosterpowellneighborhood
#makeportland
#portlandiswhatwemakeit
#thisisportland
#hiddenportland
#rosecity
#sidewalkjoypdx
#pdxsidewalkjoy
What FUN sounds are in the garden today???
Well, when I first came out to the garden I heard a strange light humming sounds and I finally figured out it was oodles of bees in my blooming Osoberry Tree (aka Indian Plum or scientifically as Oemleria Cerasiformis). Fingers-crossed we don’t get anymore snow/freeze weather because she is blooming, has leaves unfurling, and is full of happy buzzing bees.
It’s a light sound, nothing like the intense buzzing that will come from the flowering cherry tree next month 😉 So stay tuned for that!
And then this morning one of the “Spice Girl” chicken ladies was singing her “egg song” and ended it with a lovely little cock-a-doodle-doo!
Never a dull or quiet moment… as of course all the little birdies are also out here doing their thing and singing their songs as per usual
Just lovin’ this Winter Sun!
Hope you got to enjoy it too!!
#rhonestreetretreat
#fosterpowell #fosterpowellneighborhood
#merrillhomestead#backyardchickensofinstagram#backyardchickens #backyardchickenkeeping #chickenkeeping #chickenmama #spoiledchickens #chickenarefamily #chickensmakemechuckle#chickencoopsofinstagram #chickencoop #backyardchickencoops #chickenmom #petchickens #chickensaspets #chickensofinstagram #happychickens #chickenkeeping #backyardflock #ilovechickens #mypetchicken #chickensofinsta#spicegirlchickens
I really really hate stupid, selfish people.
People who take and destroy for idk, sh*ts and giggles 🤷🏼♀️
People who take from/cause harm to, people/property just because 🤦🏼♀️
People like this guy, who at 1:34am on Friday, February 16th, drove up in front of my home and got out of his buddy’s car to attempt taking the lights from the front of the “Spice Girl” chicken’s Hen Hideaway. But those lights are intertwined with the fence so maybe they were too much work for him. So instead, he went over to our oversized decorative light bulbs in the front yard and ripped them out of the ground.
What he didn’t know is that halfway along they were bolted down so when he yanked, they broke. So he got away with no lights, and threw the trash he made into my yard.
Thankfully the second half of the oversized lights still work but man, what the hell is so wrong with people that this stupid sh*t seems like a good idea.
Ugh! Yuck…well you horrible person you won’t beat me. My spirits remain high and I will continue to make better my little slice of heaven AND I will continue to share it with the community as I do in so many ways!
#rhonestreetretreat
#exploreportland
#portlandoregon
#portlandor
#pdxnow
#portlandpdx
#pdxlove
#keepportlandweird
#fosterpowell
#fosterpowellneighborhood
#makeportland
#portlandiswhatwemakeit
#merrillhomestead
#rosecity
Lucky enough to catch a mini parade last night at the @portlandwinterlightfestival
It’s gonna be a lovely day today…so why not go out for a stroll, and see some of the fun #pdxsidewalkjoy spots, like the “Spice Girl” chickens here at @rhonestreetretreat
Their snacks have been refilled and the viewing window and snack door are just a lot of fun…plus they love visitors and eating their snacks 😉
And while you’re here, make a wish, maybe grab a book to read or play a game of chess. Then head down the street to @pdxflag and @comicscottagepdx which are only a block away!
And there are SO many other fun #sidewalkjoypdx spots SO close in our SE area too!
Walk, drive, bike, scooter…whatever, just get out and enjoy the day!
🐓⛅️🎋🌤️🐓
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#rhonestreetretreat #thatssoportland #livelikeaportlander #exploreportland #pdxlove #keepportlandweird #travelportland #fosterpowell #fosterpowellneighborhood #portlandiswhatwemakeit #thisisportland #hiddenportland
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#merrillhomestead #backyardchickensofinstagram #backyardchickens #backyardchickenkeeping #spoiledchickens #chickensmakemechuckle
#chickencoopsofinstagram #backyardchickencoops #chickensofinstagram #happychickens #backyardflock #chickensofinsta #spicegirlchickens
So on our afternoon walk down to @pdxflag to see the new art we came across this scene…
It was definitely an exciting part of the walk and frankly the week. Nature is neat and cruel.
Have to admit I was like 15% concerned about my girls so we came home to a full headcount and everybody is fine 😉
But this particular Cooper’s Hawk does live in the large fir tree at the end of our block and in November of 2022 it landed on our fence gate which gave me big concern.
This “lunchtime” scene happened a block and half from our house but still concerning as Cooper’s Hawks are predators to chickens!!
🦅🍽️🐓😬😳😱
#merrillhomestead
#backyardchickensofinstagram
#backyardchickens
#backyardchickenkeeping
#chickenkeeping
#chickenmama
#spoiledchickens
#chickenarefamily
#chickensmakemechuckle
#chickencoopsofinstagram
#chickencoop
#backyardchickencoops
#chickenmom
#petchickens
#chickensaspets
#chickensofinstagram
#happychickens
#chickenkeeping
#backyardflock
#ilovechickens
#mypetchicken
#chickensofinsta
#spicegirlchickens
#rhonestreetretreat
#fosterpowell
#fosterpowellneighborhood
#portlandoregon
#portlandor
#backyardbirdwatching
#backyardbirding
Repost from @justus2merrills
Sometimes it’s important to slow down and just observe the beauty of what Mother Nature can do…
I’m definitely not a fan of the freezing rain or the east winds that we get around here in the PNW every winter…but it really is amazing how it changes our environment so drastically.
It was nice to go out in the yard and neighborhood and just observe the beauty of nature.
Stay warm and safe out there
#rhonestreetretreat
#rosecity
#livelikeaportlander
#exploreportland
#portlandoregon
#portlandor
#pdxnow
#portlandpdx
#travelportland
#fosterpowell
#fosterpowellneighborhood
Today, January 8, is National Snuggle a Chicken Day.
National Snuggle a Chicken Day is celebrated annually on January 8. Evident from the name, this holiday is a day to snuggle chickens and treat them with the same care shown to more popular pets. Interestingly, many homes do keep chickens as pets and when comfortable, chickens enjoy being petted and held by people. These feathery animals were domesticated as far back as 10,000 years ago and have been put to a variety of uses, from cockfighting to making up delicious meals. The day recognizes the abuse that chickens go through and their uniqueness.
Chickens have a long and colorful history in our world. Though they’re now commonly used for food, this wasn’t always the case. It is believed that chickens were domesticated as far back as 7,000 to 10,000 years ago. Initially, they were primarily bred for cockfighting or special ceremonies. Louisiana was the last state of the U.S. to ban cockfighting — as recently as 2008.
It wasn’t until around four B.C. — two B.C. that people began consuming chickens for food. Their eggs also became a primary source of food. Now, there are more chickens than any other bird in all parts of the world. Chickens are also pets, as they are social animals like dogs and cats. Some do enjoy being petted and picked up when they are in the company of people they feel comfortable with. Chickens have also symbolized different things in one civilization after another.
♥️🐓♥️
We have been raising chickens for 13 years now and we are still learning new things everyday.
We have had 3 different flocks in that time period, having lost girls to predators, natural disasters and even a broken heart.
We have revamped our coop several times continuing to improve.
We truly love these girls and love sharing about them with our family, friends, neighbors and community at large!
Happy National Snuggle a Chicken Day 🐓🥰🐓
