When You Come Into My House

 

 I haven't been able to come up with a thing to post the last couple of weeks...my 'summer dry spell??"  But, yesterday, I saw my friend, Kathy, who is inspiring, which is where I got this lovely 'rock flower' and I just had to find a place for it this morning.  After doing that, I thought "Aha, a post!"  Kathy has the cutest little shop in Beebe....so I think next time I go over there, I will take some photos and then you all can see it.  I love going there!  Anyway, now inspired, I wanted to show you where her 'rock flower' found a home. 

This 'spot' is just to the left when you enter my house.  I have no entry, when you come in the front door, you are in the living room, but there is a little corner on either side of the front door.  I'll show you the other one later.  This one is where I have placed a lot of my 'bird' stuff....what else would there be if you named your home "Bird Nest Cottage?"  Do you see the flower on the right side of this corner?  Yeah, right there by the mirror.

 

 Here is a better view of it.  Just an old piece of wood, which Kathy made into an art piece using rocks she gathered herself.  Now, you know I love that!  Such a cute flower.  I wanted to put it somewhere where it would really 'show' and this is it...you see it right off when you come in.

 

 She used jute for the stem, lace and buttons for the leaves, etc.  I LOVE it and I love that it came from her, a special friend.

  

 Who knew rocks could look so cute?  Thank you, Kathy, for the inspiration!!

  

 Now, some of you might be wondering just how I could possibly put anything else in this corner.  (Yes, I know you are.)  But, I'm sure I could manage to find more room if something special comes along! 

  

So, okay, there is the door.  I took these photos early today, so there is a lot of light coming in that side window by the door.....but, I could still manage to get a few photos.  I call this the "bird corner."

  

A vintage print, one of my very favorite things in the house, a bird house, made from other recycled wood, and various bird themed items.  You'll see.

  

Here are bird feathers I have managed to collect in the time I have spent in this house...as of now...a year, can you believe that??  I'm always looking for feathers when I go for my daily walk...well, rocks also!  And, bird nests.  These are all real nests.  The large one I found in a neighbor's yard.  An ACTUAL 'bird nest on the ground.'  It had been there for days and finally I asked for it and they gave it to me, thinking, I am sure, that I was nuts.  The two very tiny nests came from my daughter's yard.  I like to put little labels in the nests telling where they came from.  

  

 I find little birds here and there, these made of wood.  Sometimes at the flea, sometimes gifts.

 These are sitting on a mirrored tray.

 

I found this bird house at one of the fleas....made by a local guy.  It's taller than you think and I loved it instantly.  The flower pot holds paper flowers made by a friend, from book pages.  

  

Sorry this photo is kinda blurry, but you get the idea.  That apothecary jar is filled with feathers gathered from my former home.  During the time the 'old navy man' was ill and I needed a bit of a 'time out,' I would walk around our back yard for a few minutes.  All these feathers were gathered during those times.

It gave me something to look for and I would share them with him...he loved to watch the birds.  So, this jar cannot be added to....it's a reminder of how we tried to find one good thing a day to be amazed by or to make us laugh.  A lesson I still practice today.

  

A little metal bird dish....the tiny basket was given to me by a friend very long ago, and the thread buttons are from my collection.  

  

See.  Adorable, right?

 

Here is a vintage English tin with birds/nests and poetry on it.  It, also, is one of my favorite 'bird items.'  So sweet.  And, that nest is real.  For the life of me, though, I can't remember where that one came from.

  

I was reading blogs the other day and came across an English lady who had placed photos behind the edges of her light switch plates.  I loved that idea instantly and had to do the very same thing right away.  Now, there are light switch plates here and there in my house with photos or cards behind them.  Maybe you wouldn't do that....but me, oh yeah!!!

  

 My friend, Bibi, has given me real leaves over the years, Mod Podged and glued to paper or burlap.  These are several years old and still look just great.  I had gotten the little wreath from Kathy and decided to add the leaves to it.  Nothing to do with birds, really, but I liked it in the mix.  (And, you know me and my clothes pins!)

 The funny thing is....when you live alone, you can do just about anything you want.  I only have to please myself and am not overly concerned with what others think.  That being said,  I find being inspired by others just makes my day a lot of the time and I am so grateful to my sweet friends and even strangers in blogland, who constantly leave me thrilled with what they do.  

Hope you enjoyed this little tour of my 'bird corner' and it's special items.

From Bird Nest Cottage,

Until next time,

♥♥♥

A Nice Day to Sit on the Porch

 

This was a really nice day to sit on the porch and appreciate what we have.  Saying thank you to all our veteran's doesn't seem quite adequate....but it's ONE thing we can do....so,  for all of you veteran's out there...a huge THANK YOU!  I couldn't enjoy my life on this porch if YOU hadn't taken care of us in 'sunshine and in shadow.'  Much gratitude and love to you all (including my own hero, the old navy man!)

 

 

Sitting on the front porch this afternoon was a beautiful  experience...somewhat quiet, an almost  'whisper' of a breeze, a lot of sun and birds singing.  Quite lovely and I'm so lucky to have this porch to spend some good time on.

 

Sitting in my chair, I snapped this photo....that's the Catholic Church parking lot across the street....I love those trees way at the back.  I've seen deer and other wild animals over there from time to time and standing back in those trees brings a feeling of peace over you.....very quiet.

 

They are building something on the other side of the church and I think that is lumber or some such sitting back there.  I need to begin walking back there again...but haven't made myself do it for quite a while.  Sometimes I lose my determination...especially when it comes to exercise.

  

This is another view of the church property...this old house they use for children's events and such, I'm told.  The church building is over to the right of this little house.  The tree in this photo is the same one I was so upset over a year or so ago....it got struck by lightening and wind...and truly, it is still alive, but only half a tree...I still love it though.

  

We always put out a flag on the appropriate holidays and celebrations....and this flag is the Navy flag for the old navy man.  A gift from the grandson.

 

My porch from the South end.....

  

And, the porch from the North end.   (I'm told by some it's too 'junky.'  Fortunately, I don't worry much about the opinions of others, I just enjoy what I have, and, sometimes there is less 'stuff' on it, sometimes more!)

 

It's comfy.

  

I really do LOVE this kid's chair!

 

And, this old screen door, a gift from my favorite son-in-law.

  

And, my wishes for your "Happy Fall."

  

Dried hydrangeas, from what year, I do not remember. I just save them until they fall apart!

 

    

  

I wanted to go inside the house for just a minute, where I have my small collection of bird feathers, chosen from those fallen in my own backyard this year.  And, some Fall leaves, chosen from the front yard, just the other day.

 

  

 The leaves and other outdoor things....real bird nests, feathers and such.  Love that old wooden 'bird' box!!

               The little glitter bird and nest sent to me by my favorite and very sweet sister!!!

 

Some of those collected bird feathers.  I love walking around the back yard on the hunt for them....and I'm rarely disappointed...although winter is coming, so few will be found right now.

  

Well, one more bear photo......why, I don't know.  I'm thinking I should make more of these....someday.

  

 That 'bird box.'  Just had to bring it home from the flea market one fine day. 

And, now I am at the end of the photos....this one taken earlier today......part of the backyard.  As you can see, we no longer mow all two acres of our little plot here.  Well, we never did mow all of it, to tell the truth.  We did have a very nice older gentleman come and bush hog our 'back acre.'  He didn't charge us a penny, but did manage to squeeze a few bales of hay from it.  Now, he is not in good health and older....so not having anyone else to do it....we have been letting it go...back to nature, I like to think.  The grandson has been mowing the front acre, thanks goodness....after work, when he can.    So, another day is nearly gone...a beauty it was.  I'm thankful for the Fall weather, thankful to live here in the USA, and very thankful to be able to enjoy it with YOU.  pat