January in my backyard

It is 61 lovely, toasty, warm degrees outside, and it will be warmer still before the day is through! I was able to hang a few things outside to dry!

To be fair, Cyclamen and Pansies are winter bloomers here, in Zone 9.

These are technically Violas, but they are awfully similar to Pansies in temperment.

But still. . . don't you just love California?

Something Beautiful

Sometimes you just need to read something lovely and tender. Don't you think? This week, I have been following a blog that you won't be able to stop thinking about. Scroll down, and start reading at Love ~ Chapter 1, and work your way back up. It is tender and moving. inspireco

You must, must at the very least, explore her lovely blog.

Every now and then, it is nice, even necessary to remind yourself that there are beautiful, selfless people in this world. After reading this story, you will find a new confidence in , it's difficult to put it into words, what I want to say is that you will be reminded that there are still people who will give out of the goodness of their hearts, but that's not right either, maybe the simplest is the best. There are still really good people out there. We just aren't always aware. We don't know who they are, because it's a quiet life they lead. The newspaper business doesn't trade in telling the best of human nature, that isn't news, but it is the thing that we read daily.

What I want to suggest is that we put some effort into balancing all of the "news", with beauty.

I try to surround myself with beauty daily. One of my favorite Bible passages, that I really, truly try to live by is:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

I'll read this tomorrow and probably will correct the rambling, but tonight, I wanted to at least put the suggestion out there. What do you say?

Vintage Image courtesy of FreeVintageImages.com

Feed The Birds

I love birds. Anyone that knows me, knows that. And I feed the birds.

Over the years I have learned a few things that work for me, and as is my style, I just can't keep it to myself. ;)

First, birdseed germinates wherever it falls, and if it weren't in seed form, we would call it weeds. This is generally not considered lovely when it happens in your lawn.

You can sterilize the seed so that most of it will not germinate. I have searched and found conflicting reports as to whether or not this changes the nutritional character of the seed. My observations over several years, is that the birds love it. They flock to my yard. I think they think it is an especial treat to have nice tasty roasted seed. I did find a scholarly article that suggested this style, too, so I really do feel confident that roasting is a healthy method. Oh yes, that, and we are told that roasted seed and nuts are nutritious for us, so I have that argument on my side as well!

How to Sterilize Birdseed

• Place your wild birdseed in a deep ovenproof pan, I use a 16 X 3 inch cake pan.
• Roast in 300 degree Fahrenheit oven for 2 1/2 hours

That's it! I leave it in the oven while it cools, for good measure. Very little will germinate, and the house smells nice and nutty while it roasts.

Hummingbird Food Recipe

Hummingbird food is quick, easy, and inexpensive to make. I can't imagine why you would want to buy the packaged stuff! You probably already have white sugar in the kitchen!

• 1 cup white sugar
• 4 cups water
• Combine in saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil.
• Lower heat and simmer till sugar is completely dissolved.
• Continue to simmer for just a couple of minutes. (You are making a very thin syrup)
• Cool and fill feeder
• DO NOT ADD FOOD COLORING

Food Coloring is not a natural ingredient and is said to be both unnecessary and especially, unhealthy for the birds. It's true that they are attracted to the color, but the feeder will have red on it for that purpose.

Of course, this recipe makes 4 cups of food, but the point is, it's a 1 : 4 ratio {1 part sugar to 4 parts water}. Same directions for preparation. You can make exacty the amount that your feeder will hold.

Go out and make your yard a birdie diner! Enjoy the results and the sweet company!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Isn't it all rather lovely? The old and the new.


It's still hovering right around freezing, but my nice steamy cup of tea is helping nicely with that. Hope your day is lovely, too.

Vintage Shopping Finds!

Oooh, Lookie! Vintage Christmas bangles and baubles!

I have a sort of a collection of these little houses, but until now, they were all reproduction! I am very pleased!

Aren't the little houses just the sweetest? And I love the little Christmas baubles!

They were even on sale, a little! I didn't even think to look for things like this before Christmas! I assumed if they were there, somebody else had already found them. Was I ever wrong! I even got to decide which ones I wanted! There were actually options! With goodies like this out there, I might have to start shopping again!

BAD, BAD BIRD!

There is a hawk terrorizing the timid little finches that feed in my front yard . . .picking them off like fish in a barrel. I am so upset.

I suppose it was inevitable. . .anyplace the little ones gather. . .runs his odds up. But he's such a horror! And he sits in the tree and cheeps like an Easter chickie while I scold. Big Chicken! Pick on someone your own size!

I've heard hawks described as majestic. . .the way they soar, with that wide wingspan. . .but up close like this, he's just rumpled and sorry looking. Just a big old bully, too lazy to hunt for his dinner like a proud bird. . . so he picks off the tiny birds as they flock to my bird feeder, where they have come to trust that dinner will be served. I'm not chumming for the hawks for crying out loud!

I suppose it is he who is responsible for the little tuft of downie feathers scooting ahead of me on the sidewalk in the breeze.

I don't have to like this circle of life thing!

Blessings

Christmas has come and gone, but please bear with me for a couple more pictures of my blessings!Somehow, we always seem to shop for our Christmas trees in the evening. This little one slipped into slumber on the way there. Thank Goodness for Daddies and strong shoulders! I promise, he didn't miss a minute of the fun! He heard his cousins' voices and awakened ready to roll.

The three of them kept all seven adults spinning. In case you're keeping track that ratio was: 3:7 (3 kiddies+ 7 adults= 10 sets of hysterical giggles! )

Don't you just love the wonder when a little boy encounters the worlds biggest Dept. 56 Village and electric train display! I wish I could describe it for you! We walked around and around that display, I don't know, probably no fewer that 11 or 12 times. His favorite part was the train crossing the bridge.

Isn't he a big boy? He enjoys a good nature hike!

. . .and lest I forget, the train crossing the bridge!