Birds and Birdhouses...

 

This birdhouse used to be in among the river birch we had cut down this fall.  This morning Mr. Bird Nest offered to get a post and put it in a new spot. 

 

We agreed it would look good beside the hemlocks.

 

Once the concrete hardens and the weather gets a little warmer, we'll paint it.

 

I got this bird house for Mr. Bird Nest for our wedding anniversary a few years ago.

 

This was a bird house I bought unfinished a few years ago.  I just repainted it and had Mr. Bird Nest move it to a new post.

 

It's supposed to look like a watermelon.

 

It took me forever to get pictures of these birds at our big feeder.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Another Hobby Lobby Bargain...

 

I found these this morning at Hobby Lobby in the Christmas section.  They were originally $14.99 and were 90% off.  That means I paid $1.50 for these bulbs that look like apples.

 

I tore off the leaves so the apples are all red.  For $1.50 I couldn't resist.

 

I thought they had kind of a Valentine look in some apothocary jars.

 

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

The year of the diamond...

   

I've been telling the kids and Hud that I wanted a gold cross for about a year or so. 

I should have known the one person who was listening was Noelle.  She and Rick got me this beautiful gold cross with a diamond in it.

 

Next is my daughter-in-law Elizabeth's story.

December 30, 2008

Little Blue Box...

A few weeks ago, Chris called me about 4:00 on Friday afternoon and told me that he was leaving work early and he would not be home until about 9:00pm. He said he was going to go get a Christmas present for me and it was going to take him a while. WHAT?! Most of you know I can't stand surprises. I like them...it just kills me to not know! What was he doing and where was he going?

On Christmas morning Chris gave me a small box to open. The box had a green paper loop in it. It was one that Carson had torn off of his Christmas countdown chain and given to me a few days before. Carson had said it was a gift from his heart...a new earring for me. I was puzzled. Chris explained that he wanted to do something for me that was really special. Something I would be able to give Lauren someday. Then he gave me a small blue box with a red bow. I KNEW that box!!! I just could not believe that I was actually holding one.

I tucked away my old silver hoops in the little blue box and replaced them with the gift my husband and children gave me. He could have given me anything in the world and I honestly would have loved it because it came from his heart (the best kind of gift). He amazes me at how thoughtful he is.

Someday they will belong to Lauren...but she can't have my box! :)

 

I don't have a picture of her gift but Noelle got a diamond necklace from Rick for Christmas.  She totally deserves that and more.

Obviously, the girls in our family had a great Christmas.

 

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

 

My Valentine to my grandchildren...

 

Since this Valentine is made out of wood it's a Valentine they can keep for many years.  They will still get the Valentines I send in the mail with dollars inside because that's the fun stuff.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Chicken Renewal...

 

These three chickens I bought in Franklin, NC about 5 years ago.  Normally my memory wouldn't allow me to recall exactly where and when I got them.  Hey, I'm 61.  I have trouble remembering what day it is.

When I bought my sewing machine (that cost six times as much as my first car) in a small fabric and sewing store, I also bought these chickens.  After all this time, they just needed refreshing. 

 

Yuk!  This wasn't the way to go.  Let's try something else.

  

Now my secret is out.  You are all going to know where my artistic talent really lies.  DOTS!  DOTS!  DOTS!  That's it.  That's about all I can paint.

 I just thought these needed lightened up a little from the all black.

  

Of course the grandchildren will love these!

  

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Adding to a flower arrangement...

   

This is the arrangement I put on the garage door but with Valentine's Day on the horizon, I need to step it up.

 

These are red wooden hearts I bought at Michael's for $2.29 a bag of about 20.  I painted them red and then used my glue gun to glue them to these kabob skewers I bought in a pack for $1.00.

 

I added 5 stems of red flowers from Michael's at $1.09 each.

 

I added two of the hearts on sticks.

 

I then decided it needed three hearts (always use an odd number).  From winter to Valentine's Day for about $7.00.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Valentine's Day Projects...

Well, it's that time of year for another holiday.  Before blogging, I guess I didn't decorate much for Valentine's Day so I'm starting from scratch.

These little finished smooth boards I got at Lowes's.  They have different sizes, different types of wood but these are about 24" x 5 1/2" x 1/4".  These cost about $3.00 each and I cut or get Mr. Bird Nest to cut them to the length I need.  The leftovers work for other projects.

 

I put on a tranparent coat of "Parchment" paint and let it dry.

 

Can you figure out from these letters what it will say? 

Next, I painted the letters with my favorite "Barn Red" paint.

 

A little help from my glue gun and a few dots and my first Valentine sign.

 

Kind of cute, isn't it? 

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen