Under a Blue Moon

I call this picture "waiting for Spring."  Garden shoes and wellies are by the ready.  

This is taken in my garage, lest you thing I keep my muddy shoes on the counter in my kitchen or something.  It also explains the chippy counter top and the cobwebs.  

I was actually trying to take bird themed photos for a blog post but the light wasn't cooperating with me outside so I can't show you my newly hung bird feeders.  

The two white cans on the workbench hold bird seed.   One holds Nyger Thistle seed and the other regular bird seed.  I bought the cans from Ikea and I love them.  Perfect creamy white.  Even utilitarian things can be lovely.

I did manage to get my garage cleaned this past weekend.  First Spring cleaning project completed.

Of course now I just need to wait for Spring to show up.  And the birds. 

Flickr Favorites (please click link to see the source of these beautiful images)

• Adorable idea for a picnic or bbq (it's not bad enough I'm rushing Spring – now I'm talking Summer activities??)
• Another baking mystery revealed!  Make your own sprinkles!
• Vintagey looking labels via Martha and Staples.  
• Gorgeous earrings in my favorite combination: Gold and the palest turquoisey green or these – a little simpler but just as pretty
• I'm kind of all about lists lately, aren't I?  Well here a good one with solid organizing tips

I'm thinking what this blog needs is a lamb.  Don't you?  Think of the posts and photos it would generate.  I wonder if you can rent one each Spring and then turn it in when it starts chewing on your hydrangeas.  

I have a serious case of Spring Fever – it's the unseasonable weather we have been having.  I'm even thinking of launching into a Spring cleaning project this weekend – the Garage.  Ugh.  We shall see.  I may not be as motivated when I wake up on Saturday morning.

Have a splendid weekend everyone!

Form over function.  Yes I bought toothpaste merely because I liked the tube.  

It does get decent reviews but I have a notion they are from like minded people that want to justify spending $14 for a tube of stinking toothpaste.  

Ignore the date on the photo. I'm trying to do a 366 project (a photo a day for 366 days), similar to last year's.  Last year I made it until the end of January.  Let's see how long I last this time.  

I thought we needed a palate cleanser after all the decorating/crafty type posts I've had lately.  

Plus it's written in Belle's contract that she is featured on my blog at least once a month or there are dire penalties. 

She sent a warning via a vole that she let loose behind our bookcase/tv cabinet in the livingroom.  When I got home last night Rick had all the books and whatnots off the shelf and had to remove the trim pieces that connect the bookcase to the cabinet in order to move the bookcase to get the vole.  

She said next time it would be a bat.  

In case it isn't obvious I've become rather besotted with Hobby Lobby over the last few weeks.  We just got one in our town this Fall and while the merchandise isn't all that new or different than what I can find at JoAnns or Michael's – the prices are really appealing.  If you wait a week the item you are interested is bound to go on sale for 50% off.  Or you can download a coupon for 40% to use on any one non-sale item.  

No I am not on their payroll.  

Before Christmas I bought a pair of tall, lidded jars (50% off, of course) and I filled them with an assortment of silvery ornaments and had them on my entryway table.  When Christmas was over I put them in the attic.  

Then I saw this picture.  

Back up to the attic I went.  Back down came one of the jars.  And off to Hobby Lobby I went.  

I wanted a less colorful version so my little birds are speckled white and brown.  I couldn't find any eggs the size or color I wanted so I made some with Fimo Clay.  The little nest was straw colored so I dabbed on some raw umber paint to darken it up.  Then, on the branch, I wired some left over leaves from some millinery flowers I used in another project.  

I arranged it all in the jar with a few big handfuls of moss.  

I like how it has a vaguely Natural Science Museum diorama feel. 

 

If you live in Northern California you know we have been having a very mild Winter so far.  And every year, around this time, we are tricked into thinking Spring is imminent.

We'll have a week of mild temperatures and you'll get all lulled into thinking Spring is on the way and you'll start planning your rose bed and your picnics and then bam!  It's Winter again.

I decided to bring a little faux Spring into the house until the real thing makes a proper appearance.  Our grocery store was selling the plant combo above for about $7.  Not bad for a little taste of Spring.

The bucket it is sitting is from Hobby Lobby.  I bought a set of three of them for $4.50 (50% off their normal price).  Not bad – a buck-fifty for each little bucket.  I painted mine white because, well – just because I wanted to.