Bird Nests and Eggs

Have you ever really looked at a bird's nest? It's an amazing, intricate, detailed work of art. The fact that a simple bird, with no hands, can weave together something so magnificent is an act of God. Each type of bird has it's own design, style and decorations for it's home. Sound familiar? I found this nest in my yard over the weekend. I got so excited that I went on a nest hunt and pulled out a few pictures of some of my favorites from the past.

This one was deep inside a Leland Cypress where they nest every year and was completely hidden from sight. The nest is all silvery because it has been wrapped with sprigs of Dusty Miller, that I thinned from my flower beds earlier this spring, and some of the Spanish moss I transplanted from my son's house in Louisiana. The center is lined with hair from our mules.

In my searching, I found this lovely Mockingbird nest up at my Mom and Dad's on their back porch. It is sitting high up on a top shelf. They have the most lovely blue and brown eggs and big shabby nests made from sticks. This one has a little horse hair and white fuzzy flowers.

We discovered this nest on the fence while walking last week. I went back to check it out but it is not a new nest. It has survived from last year. This sweet mama bird had a really safe place for her little ones all tangled down in this briar vine.

I pulled these picture from the past. One year we found a blue bird nest in our shop that was built in a clay pot with a few of our chickens feathers for extra comfort. Isn't it just the sweetest thing ever?!

The eggs are the most perfect color blue.

This is one of my favorite nests and pictures ever! This picture is taken looking down into an old fence post that is set on the corner of our property. What a beautiful nest sitting in the bottom of it.

Here the eggs are visible through a side peep hole where we spotted the mom zipping in and out. She found the perfect house to raise a family in. It has cathedral ceilings with a skylight!

I could go on and on and probably will on another day. I hope you have a great day!

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.  
Psalm 84:3-4

Wishing you God's Best,
Elaine

Join me over at:
Coastal Charm
Stone Gable
Timewashed
Cozy Little House
Fishtail Cottage
Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground
Wonderland and Company
Shabby Art Boutique
Savvy Southern Style
Thoughts from Alice
Share your Cup

The Inspiration Gallery

 

A Little Something Lovely... No. 1

It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I believe that to be true, but some things are undeniably beautiful by anyone's standards! I'm going to start a new series called "A Little Something Lovely..." and share some of the beauty I encounter. You may be surprised at what I find lovely in the future, but not today. These gorgeous roses were the inspiration for my idea. When God created these, He was just showing out!

I have to give the credit for growing these beautiful cabbage roses to my Mom. They are from her yard.

I've placed them in an old cold cream jar. I have lots of these and use them all over my house. I love the white milk glass with the color of the roses.

Ahh... there just aren't words... and they smell as lovely as they look.

I'm sitting here wishing the blooms would last forever, but I guess they wouldn't be as special if they did.

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

Join me over at:
Fishtail Cottage - Garden Party
Shabbilicious
French Country Cottage
Thoughts from Alice
Coastal Charm
Stone Gable
Timewashed
Cozy Little House
Common Ground
Wonderland and Company
Savvy Southern Style

The Inspiration Gallery

 

Bricks - Part 2

In Bricks - Part 1, I shared with you my love for old bricks and the pathway that I created at my home. Last spring, I decided I wanted to add a brick patio. 

I began by laying out a circle with the assorted bricks that I already had and then began the search for what it would take to fill it in. (I apologize for the quality of the pictures, but when I snapped them with my I-Pad last spring I didn't realize that I would be sharing them with you.)

I knew it would require a lot of bricks and I wasn't sure where I was going to find them but the hunt was on! I chased a couple of leads but they didn't work out. I pass a big pile of bricks at an old home site on my way to work each day, but I never could figure out who owned the property. The town I live in tore down an old building and before I could get a hold of someone with the city, the bricks had already been hauled off. I called around until I found where they had been taken and got permission to get some, but they were so broken up and had so much mortar on them they were useless. A friend at work overheard me telling my sad stories and said she knew where some bricks were, so on our lunch break we drove over and looked. Bricks, bricks, bricks! Hundreds of them all clean and stacked up so nicely. I just about fainted! I drove to the nearest farm house and stopped and asked if they knew who owned the property. The sweet little lady said someone had just bought it and told me what she thought his name was, but she wasn't real sure. Well, to shorten an already long story, I tracked the man down (like a bird dog) and he granted me permission to take what I wanted and so I did!! Persistence pays off!

 After several trips, I finally had what I needed to fill in the area.

After laying all the bricks, we swept cement into the cracks and watered it down. The next morning it was all set.

I am pleased with how it connects to the existing path and we have enjoyed the new outdoor living space.

The moral to this story... dream big, start with what you have, even before you have all the provisions, and never give up - be persistent.

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:

From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

Join me over at...
The Stone Gable
Coastal Charm
Beyond the Picket Fence
Shabbilicious
French Country Cottage
Thoughts from Alice
Timewashed
Savvy Southern Style
Funky Junk
Craftberry Bush
 

Garden Trellis from Recycled Bikes & Garden Gates

I have an unusual trellis at the end of my brick pathway that is made from part of a recycled jungle gym, two old bikes and two old gates. I know it sounds awful, but it's really great and my vine is in full bloom right now, so I wanted to show you.

We built the trellis by cementing four 4x4's into the ground and attaching an arch from the jungle gym on top. The arch is now covered with flowers and is no longer visible from the outside.

On each side I placed one of the old bikes, which serves as the trellis.

The bikes do not match and they each have their own unique features. This one has big fenders and a rack over the back wheel.

 

The flowers look pretty trailing down the rusty old bike.

This one is a Royce Union.

Who wouldn't want to ride a "Missile"?

...a Murray Missile with a headlight?

I recently added an old gate to the inside of both sides, which just gives it more character.

This is my favorite shot! It's so peaceful.

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; John 14:27

Wishing you God's best,

Elaine

Join me over at:
Funky Junk
Common Ground
Wonderland and Company
Thoughts from Alice
Inspire Me Please
The Stone Gable
Coastal Charm
Beyond the Picket Fence
Shabbilicious
French Country Cottage
Savvy Southern Style
Fishtail Garden
Timewashed
Creative Country Mom
Craftberry Bush









 

A Rustic, Outdoor Birthday Party

When planning any type of party my number one piece of advice is to recruit volunteers. The more help you have the more you will be able to enjoy the experience. So when I began planning my Dad's 70th birthday party, I enlisted my sisters and brother to help. 

My Dad loves the outdoors so we planned his party outside and used rustic vintage items to decorate which is just his style. April, as long as it's not storming, is a perfect time of year for an outdoor event and the weather was beautiful.

We welcomed "party goers" with a sign created from an old plow by simply writing on the rusty blade with chalk. The first time it rains the message will wash away.

We gathered old photographs and created a display for everyone to reminisce about the good old days by hanging an old window frame and empty picture frames. An old ironing board with a wooden top served as a display table and it held a glass cookie jar that we placed birthday wishes in for the birthday boy.

Here we used an enamel bucket with a tumbleweed holding a chalkboard sign to share information with our guests. In the background you can see mix-matched chairs grouped together for seating.

A boot holds sunflowers next to an old cabinet door turned into a chalkboard sign and an old rusty fireplace guard makes a great place to hang a hat belonging to the guest of honor.

Here's the table with the final touches including his hat, a Leesburg brick from the community he grew up in and his birthday cakes. We had two tables spread with delicious food and had a great time of fellowship together. 

Food + Family + Friends = Good Times!

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.  For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

Join me over at:
Timewashed
The Scoop
Coastal Charm
Funky Junk
Common Ground
Wonderland and Company
Thoughts from Alice
Inspire Me Please
 

Springing to Life!

Few things in this world thrill my soul like the miracle of life and after a long winter, the ground is finally springing forth.

I transplanted these violets from the woods last spring and they are doing great!

The grass is green again, the trees are leafing out, the first flowers are popping up and I spotted my first Scissor-tails last weekend! It's official: Winter is over!

You can always spot where there used to be an old home place by the flowers that appear in spring. The home may be long gone but the bulbs that were once planted still live on. 

I recently spotted the most beautiful clump of purple irises in a field and just had to stop and take a few pictures. For a moment, I got hung up trying to slip through the barbed wire fence for a closer view. Yikes! 

Aren't they gorgeous? The old out building makes a lovely backdrop. I'm sure whoever planted these so many years ago would be happy to know that someone was willing to risk danger (and torn britches) to enjoy them!

This Easter weekend, I hope you will enjoy the new life that Jesus offers to us through the cross! 

Here's a Heart Rock for your Pocket:
I (Jesus) came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Wishing you God's best,
Elaine

Join me over at:
Be Inspired
Inspire Me Please
Shabbilicious
Timewashed
The Scoop           
Coastal Charm
Fishtail Cottage