For the birds....

Just wanted to let you know that I was up to the bird feeding challenge...I love birds, always have and we have a backyard full of houses and feeders...I made orange cups and filled them with suet and seeds and they have been a big hit...I also went out and shoveled snow for both of my neighbors who are elderly...It was fun and I tried to be sneaky about it...I am not sure I was, but it was fun...I am still pondering the acorn and pinecone theme, but I have ideas cookin'...I also have been trying to visit everyone's blogs...You can never have too many blogger friends...Thanks Val for the fun ideas and challenge!

Feed the Birds...

How many remember the song from the movie, Mary Poppins, Feed the Birds? That song always comes to mind when I go out to fill the bird feeders.

I feed my birds year round, even though they don't consume much during the middle of summer. It is a good idea to keep the feeders up all year because the little birds do become dependent on the food. Especially if growing conditions aren't quite right for an abundance of natural food.

I have several feeders scattered over my front and backyard. I also have two placed in front of my dining room windows which our Kitties LOVE! We call it our Kitty TV. A great way to keep them entertained during cold weather. Especially when the squirrels come to visit.

In addition to food. It is important to provide fresh water for the birds in the winter months. In temperate climates, it is fairly easy to keep the birdbaths filled. But in colder climates a person must either carry water out every day or invest in a birdbath heater. I have found that I had a lot more birds come visit my feeders once I put out water for them.

We have a winner!

Jeanne won the FIRST doorprize of the year! Remember, it was THIS calender!



Congratulations Jeanne!

I'll be mailing your prize to you soon!

RAK

It's cold out, like 30 degrees.  But my feathered friends are still around. We keep bird feeders out year round and we have to fill them up constantly. Today the birds were all over the ground and all over the feeder, as they are every day. So I quietly went outside and hid behind a tree and got some shots. .

 

And, I've been trying to find something special to do for someone else. So it just happened out of the blue. I was visiting a friend at the hospital who had minor surgery. While they took her down for more tests, I went to get me a drink at the coffee shoppe. Behind me was a little old man and a little old women ordering a cup of coffee. So I anonamously paid for theirs. They were so cute helping each other, they must have been 80 years or so. And hopefully they will pass on the random act of kindness. 

Ideas and bird feeding...

I wanted to do something really unique and creative (well, I always want to do something unique and creative, that's my problem, a ton of ideas and not enough time). The instant Valerie posted the theme this month, I started thinking, and thinking and thinking...shortly after the New Year, I had an AHA! idea that I thought would be SO CUTE and SO FUN to make. I already have a few prototypes going. But then...Val posted her tutorials post. One of the posts gave me the idea to look up on Etsy my idea and what do ya know...someone had already thought of it, BUT...it's not quite the same...MY design is different...and honestly, I think I like my design better. Well, that's all I can say about that super secret crafty bit. I know....the suspense...what on earth am I talking about...what could it be?? Soon, my enchanting friends, soon! But first tell the rest of us what enchanting ideas you all have been having... :)

As far as feeding the birdies go...I've been feeding them all winter long already. I take all our stale breads, crackers, cookies, bagels, goldfish, pretzels, granola bar and other dry bread-like goods (I know, not exciting, but it gets eaten, even by the resident squirrel) to the back end of the back yard where I have a wood platform for them. My neighbors (an older retired couple) provide a TON of housing/nesting spots for them, so, birds are not in short supply in my backyard. The only sad part about my neighbor providing his own little population of birds is that we frequently receive a bird upon our front or back porch via kitty-claw-mail. I feel bad, but it's a cats instinct, so what can I do other than feel honored that my cat wants to provide us with a gift. :) Below is the latest bird treat we provided them with...we "deconstructed" our Christmas gingerbread house by removing ALL the candy gum drops, candy canes and other extra sweet treats that I didn't think they would want and this was what was left.
I think they're enjoying it, it's almost gone! As soon as I read that we should do a random act of kindness, my first idea was buying the next person in line at Starbucks (while in the drive through, gotta remain anonymous), their coffee. This past summer the car in front of me actually bought my coffee...it just made my day!! So, I have chosen this as my RAOK and as soon as I go through the drive-thru at Starbucks again, I'll be doing just that.

I can't wait to hear from the rest of you! Good night!

pine cone and acorn cuties!

Just look at the CUTE pine cone ornaments that Robin found!





I just had to share the tutorial link HERE.

On the same blog (I had to go poke around a bit) I found THESE!

Totally cute pompom acorns!!! Here is the link for them!

Okay ladies, have fun!

I'm trying this

An enchanted pine cone with a little paint, some glitter, my husbands Dremmel tool, some Christmas ribbon, and an acrylic picture frame.

 

And, if this doesn't come out like I vision, I have a Plan B.

AND, I will be doing my RAK's this week, and will post about them. Thank you Val for inspiring us!