Birds

Bushtits

Every now and then we get some beautiful birds in our yard. My sister was an avid bird feeder and watcher and we've continued her legacy by keeping our bird feeders well stocked.

Western Tanager

We get hummingbirds, bushtits, nuthatches, chickadees, flickers, finches, jays, and many others. One spring we even got tanagers and I've seen a peregrine falcon sitting on our back fence more than once!

Cedar Waxwing

Just last week as I was working from home I saw two cedar waxwings land on the lilac bush. I googled what things they eat as I wanted to attract more. That's when I stumbled on this great website.

You can filter by region, food preference, feeder type, or just click on a bird and see what they like to eat.

If you don't already have any, pick up a few bird feeders and start enjoying nature's parade!

I recommend these feeders:

 A simple basic feeder works great for hummingbirds. Mix 1/2 cup sugar to 2 cups water for food. Hang close to a window so you can see the birds and feed year round in the Pacific Northwest.












 These are great for bushtits and flickers. We've found these suet cakes with hot pepperskeep the squirrels from eating them, especially when there's plenty of other food available, and the birds still love them.  In really hot weather (over 95 degrees), the cakes may melt.











Keep in mind that feeding birds begins an unending battle with squirrels in your feeders. We've found that this feeder helps keep squirrels from eating your birdseed.  However, in the dead of winter when there's little food for squirrels they will try anything to get to your feeders.

Another comprehensive resource is this article from Happy DIY Home.

This and That in the Yard

Autumn is in full force in the Pacific Northwest! It's definitely getting colder and wetter but before winter hits full force, I thought I'd do a quick round up of what's still blooming in the yard.

This rhododendron is holding it's own. This particular one blooms in the spring and fall.

Of course I've got a few mums in the yard for fall blooms, like this yellow one.

My asters are hanging in there too, although they're looking a little ragged.

What a surprise this was!  I've got about five daisies blooming!  Next year I'm going to cut them as soon as they finish blooming to encourage more blossoms.

My morning glorys are still blooming their beautiful deep purple color.

Finally, my lone pumpkin. I'm going to pick it soon as the elementary kids going to school across the street have been eyeing it lately!

Recent Free Finds!

I've been out and about and have found some nice items for free (or close to it) lately! I haven't had a chance to work on them yet but here's a sneak peak at what I've found so far.

This table we picked up one evening coming home from an ice cream trip! Ice cream IS good for you!

I'm going to paint the legs and sides and hit the top with a sealant.  This table also needs a little shoring up but it's otherwise in nice shape.

Even my son is finding free stuff! He picked up this chair the other day.  I think I'll paint it similar to the table and make them a set.

This little chair is in excellent condition.  The seat is rawhide and is very sturdy.  I'll need to fix a couple nail holes in it but I'm not sure if I'll do much else to it. It was another great free find!

You can't go wrong picking up free windows! I've got plans for this one.

Did you see that little box peaking out from behind the window?

I may keep this, it looks like a homemade tool box.  I could definitely find a use for it!

Inside there's even a pull out tray!

And finally, this black beauty Jeff and I threw (heaved) unto the roof of the car last weekend.

I think it would make a great kitchen island. It even has a pull out cutting board. It will definitely be painted and I'll probably add a towel bar and some hooks on the side.

It already has casters and moves quite easily.

As I work through these items I'll post after pictures!  All of these (except maybe the box) will be in my Home and Patio Sale next July!

Cookbook Holder

A couple weeks ago we hit several fantastic estate sales!  Just about everything I picked up I plan to fix and resell at my Home and Patio Sale (last weekend in July!).  I did pick up one thing though, that I've been wanting for myself.

This little shelf was $1 and originally white. I repainted it with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint Tricycleand Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint Curio and finished it with my favorite wax, Dover's Dark Chalk Paint Wax.

It's the perfect place to store my most used cookbooks.

Did you notice the measuring spoons? These are just too pretty to keep in a drawer, so I added a hook to the shelf to keep them within easy reach and displayed!

By the way, that Farm to Table Cookbookwas written by my neighbor.  I highly recommend it!   

Things I'll Always Pick Up at a Garage Sale

There are a few things in life that you just always say yes to.

Would you like avocado on that? Would you like to spend the entire day in your pajamas? How about an extra vacation day? A full week without the Century Link solicitors on your doorstep? Yes, always a yes.

On that same note, there are just some things I seem to ALWAYS say yes to at a garage or estate sale. Those things are, in no particular order:

• Flip flops (aka thongs).  These are on the list because for some reason I've picked up two new pair recently and because I seem to spend 99% of my time at home wearing them.  A couple caveats here are they have to be cheaper than I can pick them up at the store (less than $3) and they have to be my size and new or like new.
• Antique Hardware. Furniture pulls, hinges, casters, etc.  If these are priced well; yes, thank you.
• Wooden boxes. Very handy and can be easily painted if necessary.
• Silverware upgrades. Any old silverware particularly serving utensils are fun to pick up and use. It's better to have good silverware with an old patina than to have a matching set.
• Wood kitchen utensils. Spatulas, spoons, ladles, scoops.  Yes!
  
• Old design books especially Martha Stewart. These are usually cheap and can provide hours of entertainment. The really good ones are timeless. I've got some Martha Stewart books from the 80s where the designs would still look great today.
• Vintage linens. Kitchen and bathroom towels, pillowcases, night shirts, blouses; especially if they're white and can be bleached easily, I'll always pick them up if the price is right.  There's just something about the feel of vintage linen...
• Paint brushes. These are great useful finds! I've picked up quite a few new ones and some really great vintage ones.

I'm always looking to add to this list. What are some things you never pass on?

Zucchini Pasta

I bought a Spiralizer. Don't know what that is?  That's ok, up until a couple weeks ago neither did I. Needless to say, it's only the most awesome kitchen appliance EVER!

Ok, maybe not, but it is pretty cool and if you're harvesting your garden about now, you may find it useful.

Last week I picked the last zucchini from our garden just in time for my Spiralizor to arrive!

The Spiralizor is made of plastic and comes unassembled however it's really easy to set up.

I attached my zucchini to it then just cranked the knob and suddenly I had noodles!  I know! How did you ever live with out that?!

To our zucchini noodles we added some diced hot peppers from the yard, tons of garlic (6-8 cloves), green onions, 3 tablespoons olive oil and 3 teaspoons lemon juice and mixed really well.

We added about 1/2 lb of cooked linguine noodles, tossed really well, and dinner was done!

Top with Parmesan cheese and you've got the perfect meal if you're short on time and if you're lucky enough to have lots of fresh vegetables on hand.

I'm now dreaming up other things I can use my new Spiralizer for!

Etsy Stores I Love

These days "window shopping" to me means browsing Etsy.  I love to randomly peruse what people have made and get ideas.  Of course there are many items I could never make and there are many stores I seem to visit the most; some I've ordered from.  Here are a few of my favorites.

MyDearLinen has beautiful and well made table linens.

Some of the sweaters from this shop look fun to wear now that Fall is here.

Did someone say cashmere tights!? Wouldn't these be great for winter?

Want a statement piece for your home? The lights in this store would fit the bill!

I've ordered a couple slips from this shop before. They're an inexpensive way to change up a dress or skirt.

I love the work this jewelry maker does.  Aren't these earrings so delicate and beautiful?