BIRD NEST COTTAGE - Changes

 

I needed a  little extra light on the wall by the banquette, so I got a swing arm lamp that just fits perfectly.  I actually hung it myself so I didn't have to bug Mr. Bird Nest about it.

 

I hung two plates above and below my little cup shelf.

 

This plate was a wedding gift my parents got at their wedding from an elderly couple.  The couple had also been given to them as a wedding gift.  I'm guessing it's quite old.

 

I found this Spode plate with the cow on it at Tuesday Morning and just had to have it.

My brother and sister-in-law arrive today.  I'll post a picture of my gift from my aunt tomorrow.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

BIRD NEST COTTAGE - Bargains at Barnes & Noble...

 

Yesterday I had a half hour before meeting a friend for lunch, so I stopped at Barnes & Noble. 

I did buy Sophie Kinsella's new book, "Twenties Girl" at 40% off.  I have a Barnes & Noble membership so I also got another 10% off all these other books. 

My favorite part of the store are their bargain priced books as you can see.  I could spend all day in any book store.  Mr. Bird Nest hates to go with me because he has to drag me kicking and screaming from the store.

Thanks for all your tips about my hydrangea.  I think I may just have a dud.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

BIRD NEST COTTAGE - Our yard after some rain....finally

 

Wow!  Looks like I need to get out my trusty paint brush for this bird feeder.  Do you see my beautiful magnolias?  There are 3.

 

You can barely see the swing on the porch.

 

This is one of my favorite trees.  It's a live oak like plantations in the South used to have.  I just wish we hadn't planted it in front of the steps.

 

Hasn't this basket filled in beautifully?  Sometimes less is more. 

 

I think I have the only hydrangea that won't bloom.  Any ideas????

I had to take these photos quickly, since I was in my nightgown.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

BIRD NEST COTTAGE - Where I hide the grandkids toys...

   

I bought this cabinet unfinished about 10 years ago and added the stain and polyurethane.  With a little bit of rehab, Mr. Bird Nest removed the drawers to fit our Direct TV box and DVD player and our plasma TV.  

 

Since this cabinet has lots of storage underneath I've always used it to store the grandkids toys.  I try to place match box cars and Power Ranges into these little containers that have handles and they can carry out to the living room or the screened porch.  I think I bought them at the dollar store.

 

I have all their movies in a notebook so that they stay in one place and they can look through them and easily find what they want.

 

I use these clear containers to store all their coloring books, construction paper, colored pencils and crayons.  I have a second container to store card games, puzzles and other games.

Now they have a few other toys in the house but most of them are too big for this cabinet and are in the closet you see in the above picture.

When the children come to the house this is the first place they go.  I add a few things now and then but they like the same old toys and I can count on the kids to pick them up since they are organized.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

BIRD NEST COTTAGE - This hutch will be gone next week...

 

Okay, not gone, gone but I had you going for a minute didn't I?  I have to move it to another space in the house because I'm getting something special to fill that space.  Where will be my dilema for the week.  It has to be moved by Thursday when they arrive.

All I will tell you now is that my sweet brother Paul is driving from PA to bring it to me, along with some other treats.  He has rotatorcuff surgery scheduled for July 13 so this is a supreme act of love on his part.  Plus he will have to drive straight through so that it is safe in his truck.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen