For two years, taking care of my chickens meant one thing: mud.

It didn’t matter if it had rained yesterday or five minutes ago. I’d slip on my crocs, dodge puddles, sink into the soft ground, and somehow still end up with muddy feet by the time I reached the coop. Every single day I thought, One of these days, I’m going to build a real path.

Well… that day finally came.

If you’ve followed any of my projects, you know I have a hard time throwing away something that still has life left in it. For months, I’ve been collecting free bricks, pavers, and stones from neighbors, FB groups, and anyone cleaning out their yard, so glad we still have our truck. My backyard looked like a construction supply yard with little piles stacked everywhere, but I had a vision.

I wasn’t looking for a perfectly straight sidewalk.

I wanted a winding path that felt like it belonged in a storybook. Something that invited you to wander through the garden. Something that made feeding the chickens feel a little magical. I kept telling Steve “it will be whimsey!”

So naturally, we decided to follow the yellow brick road.

The best part? Every piece was free. Instead of buying hundreds of dollars worth of new materials, we gave old bricks, weathered pavers, and forgotten limestone a second life. Free cycling isn’t just good for your wallet. It keeps beautiful materials out of the landfill while adding character you simply can’t buy at a home improvement store. Every brick has a slightly different color. Every stone has its own shape. That’s what makes it interesting.

Of course, laying a path isn’t as simple as dropping stones on the ground.

Steve and Ethan worked incredibly hard to make it happen in just one day. We spent time leveling the path so the stones sit solidly and there’s much less chance of tripping. It may look whimsical, but there’s a lot of practical work hiding underneath. A little extra effort now means it should stay safer and easier to walk for years. We sprinkled clover seed between the cracks, creating a green cover to hold it all together.

One of my favorite details is the circular feature built into the path. Right in the center is a handmade stepping stone that Mars made back in elementary school. For years it sat randomly in the garden, waiting for the right project. Now it’s the heart of the pathway, surrounded by bricks laid in a sunburst pattern. It’s one of those little touches that makes a project feel personal instead of something straight out of a catalog. I smile every time I see it, that little scamp Mars bar:)

As the path winds through the yard, you’ll find large limestone stepping stones mixed with reclaimed brick and concrete pavers. The combination feels collected over time rather than installed all at once, which is exactly the look I hoped for.

And the best reward?

No more ankle deep mud. The rain water now has a slow down barrier, which helps keep the water in the garden, not the grass path.

Now every morning I get to stroll through the garden, listen to the chickens chatter, and make my way to the coop on a path that feels like it has always belonged there. Sometimes the projects that solve the biggest everyday frustrations end up becoming your favorite part of the yard.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got chickens waiting at the end of the Yellow Brick Road. 🐔🌿 Dee Dee!!!