carolina wren

I have at least 12 different kinds of birds that regularly visit the feeder and bird bath. I can't adequately express how much I've enjoyed seeing them eat the seed and drink from the clean water during this hot summer. They are all fun to watch but I especially like the carolina wren.

This little bird built its nest and had its babies in a birdhouse(box) that I put up in the springtime. When a bad storm blew through and destroyed the tree it was attached to I carefully put two of the babies back inside, unattached the house from the tree and set it on a stand. The mother and father bird continued to feed the young ones. One of babies died during the storm when it was thrown out onto the ground. I buried it in my flower garden.

This little friendly bird hangs around. I understand it's not the same bird since I've seen many of them. A couple of times it has come into my house when the back door was opened for too long and I had to gently shoo it out again. They seem very curious. I've learned that they generally eat bugs and snails and spiders so they don't frequent the bird feeder very much. I don't see them in the bird bath either the way I do so many other birds, but they definitely stay around my small back yard. I guess they are finding what they like among my plants and flowers. 

A few days ago one was making the biggest racket for a few hours on my back patio. I don't know what was wrong. Whether it was calling an alarm, claiming its territory, whether it was scared, or calling for its mate, I'll never know. I do have an idea though after looking at the photos I took. I think it may still be a young fledgling by the look of its fluffy feathers protruding... so maybe it was calling for a parent for assistance.

Last night the little bird endeared itself to me even more when I saw it sleeping in the corner on the eaves of my porch. I always wondered where these little birds go to sleep and I was happy that one felt safe enough to sleep in this place. I think it was the young one I saw on the porch a couple of days ago.

The carolina wren will always be one of my favorites. It's a gentle bird that lets you get to know it. It made a nest in a flower planter outside my dining room window at my previous home and I was able to get a close view of all the nest preparations and feeding of the babies after they hatched. 

All the birds visiting my yard are beautiful, but I have a special fondness for the carolina wren.

good for body and soul

How good it feels to get outside. We are experiencing rare cooler July weather for Texas and this morning I took full advantage of the beautiful breeze, dry air, and cooler temperature. It really does feed my soul.

Early this morning I turned on the TV... News... and immediately began watching some political testimony going on. I found myself annoyed as I listened to the arrogant grandstanding and decided shutting it off was my best choice. Going out into the yard... gardening.... was my next decision and I spent the following three hours working outside.

I usually work in the back because it's such a private space and very tranquil, but today I spent lots of time in the back AND the front. Pruning, weeding, cutting off dead debris, removing a rose bush, planting a different plant in its place that needed more room, breaking up the soil, watering, fertilizing, rearranging. I've learned not to be afraid of cutting back bushes and flowers since they bloom even more abundantly and grow more fervently afterwards. So that's what I did.

I love the back yard because it's alive with life. Birds are feasting on the seed and splashing in the bird bath. Hummingbirds come and go.

New to my experience this year has been the numerous sunflowers I planted in the spring. They've grown so high and pretty... but now are looking less than attractive. As much as I might want to cut them down, I just can't. Not just yet. The finches love to sit in their branches and peck at the leaves. I learned that they feed on the plant material and especially enjoy sunflower leaves. They peck holes in the large leaves making them look like ugly doilies... but it's their food and I hate to take it away from them. They are such pretty birds. A friend told me, "As gardeners we need to balance the needs of the wildlife around us, with our need for visual perfection." I agree.

I feel especially satisfied that I was able to get outside and work hard today. Not only did my yard benefit, but my body and soul did as well.

a year of changes

It's been a whole year since I was able to move into this house and begin to make it my home. I've done quite a bit to the inside and I was able to put some photos side by side of the changes I've made to the outside as well. The before photos were taken when the house was at its best... when it was up for sale. When I moved in, it was a property full of weeds and stripped soil. Many areas had no grass at all. The only flowers on the property were annuals that were dead by the time I moved in.

I'm happy with a year of changes.

I installed river rock where standing water occurs during heavy rain... and a flower garden.

I had the driveway leveled and installed new grass. Also flowers next to the house and stepping stones.

Flower garden view off the deck

I had laminate decking installed over the concrete and some planting next to the house.

Stripped soil replaced with river rock. Also tree blew over in a storm.

View of patio decking built out further next to the photo with just concrete.

changes come a little bit at a time

Last month (wow, was it only a month ago?!) I had my kitchen cabinets refinished and painted white and I couldn't be happier with the results. The look is more up to date and fresh and bright. I think I'm finished with the kitchen for now so I'm exhaling a bit and feel good. It's very satisfying.

Kitchen After cabinet refinishing

After refinishing and painting

Before photo with original oak cabinets

I've been in this home for nine months now and I feel pleased with the way I've transformed it from a nice sound structure to one that is now more beautiful and has much more evidence of TLC.  The yard, front and back, had zero thought put into it and really was a disaster. When I bought the property there were pretty flowers planted in the front, but they were annuals that were dead by the time I moved in over a month later. Weeds and the lack of upkeep was all I could see.

I really thought my "job" or work here was to make this space more beautiful and comfortable and one of peace and comfort. And so far I think it is!

Here are some garden photos just taken. There was absolutely NOTHING of beauty in the backyard before I moved in.

Lots of spring flowers and buds ready to open!

cucumber and tomato and spinach and peppers

Be it ever so humble....

more home projects getting done

Still working on projects at my new home. I guess I can still call it my new home. I've been here for eight months now. I updated the living room fireplace by using a lime wash and was very happy with the results. One thing often leads to another and I bought a new rug to blend the existing colors throughout the room.

Before lime washing the red brick fireplace

Next project is painting the kitchen cabinets this week!!

Here is a before photo. They will be painted white.

I can't wait to have it done... 

Having fun!

new year 2019, new home.... so thankful

Sometimes I think of the large home I sold and remember how nice it was to have that big house and yard, but this house is really what I need and what feels right for me at this time in my life. It's been fun to make it my cozy abode and I know I made the right decision to downsize. Here are some photos around the house.... master bedroom, guest room, living room, dining room, kitchen, grandchildren's playroom, office, etc..... in no real order. :)

Thank you for visiting! Let me know what you think. Should I paint the kitchen cabinets white? Should I limewash white the brick fireplace? It's still a loving work in progress. 

I love HOME, don't you?

I'm very happy here and so, so grateful.

Back patio

Master 

Master

Master

Guest Bedroom/Office

Office/Guest Bedroom

Office/Guest Bedroom

Front Entry

Dining Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Kitchen

Kitchen

Breakfast room/back door

Guest/Children's play room

Guest/Children's play room

Hallway

Front Entry

Foyer