Sunday, March 28, 2010

Definitely Spring!



It is definitely beginning to look like spring, even though it hasn't particularly felt like it. The temperature has dropped and it has been rainy and cold.




Although it was cold yesterday, the sky was a gorgeous blue. The maple trees are in bloom and the birds are beginning to nest.



I love to feed and watch the birds but it can be an expensive hobby. I try to be very budget conscious and I am always on the lookout for creative ways to enjoy my hobby without straining our tight budget. Last year I found two hanging baskets at a garage sale for .50¢ each. I bought them with the intention of using them for the birds. I pulled one of them out last week and filled it with grass cuttings and strands of yarn. I was so excited to see the little chickadees going to the basket and getting nesting materials, (notice the little chickadee in the picture on the lower right). The robins have also shown interest and are sitting in it. I'm really hoping that a robin will actually nest in it. They usually try to nest in my front door wreath so I'm thinking about hanging the other one on the front porch, (if it isn't too much of an eyesore).

I also bought the bird house at a garage sale last year. A sweet lady was getting ready to move and selling some of her belongings. Her husband had made several birdhouses before he passed away. The cute little chickadees have been checking out the box and taking some of the nesting material to it. I hope they move in!

Every spring I collect Lilly's hair when I brush her and put it in a small suet cage. Sometimes I just leave it on the ground. It's fun to watch the birds gather her shiny golden dog hair and use it for nesting material.



Speaking of garage sales and the front porch, I bought these two rocking chairs at a garage sale a couple of years ago. I only had room for one of them in the car but they insisted that I take both of them and gave me a great deal, $10.00 each. It was definitely worth making a trip back with my husband in the van to get them both. I scrubbed and cleaned them well and spray painted them. I found the two pretty pillows at Goodwill a few days ago, they were like brand new for $1.99 each. I need to get out there this week and give the porch a good cleaning and do a little more sprucing up for spring!

I'm linking up today with Mary, from the Little Red House for Mosaic Monday and Rhoda from Southern Hospitality for Today's Thrifty Treasures

32 comments:

Bobbi Ann said...

Very wonderful mosaic!

EG CameraGirl said...

It sure looks like spring to me! It's not so colourful in Ontario yet. :)

Stephenie from Decorating Addiction said...

Those rocking chairs are an awesome find! I am jealous . . . but I don't even have a front porch! Found you through Today's Thrifty Treasures Party.

Noelle Johnson said...

I always love a good buy and am inspired by your purchases. I love the idea of leaving out nest building materials for the birds. I may have to brush out my shedding dog's fur tomorrow and leave it outside :-)

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

I always look forward to your beautiful photos...don't always comment, but I'm there...Love the birds and I had no idea they would gather dog hair...Have a wonderful week!!!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What great finds Robin. I too put Luna's fur out for the birds. It is such fun to find a nest with her fur lining the cup. I put string out for the birds too. They are so appreciative. Beautiful photos on your mosaic too. I just love little violas. Such happy little flowers.

Carolyn said...

Great idea for the birds nesting-now who do I know that has a long haired dog!
Fun to get your porch ready for spring.

Carolyn

Mary said...

Oh, how sweet to see the birds gathering nesting materials! What a terrific mosaic! Thanks for sharing at MM. :)

Ginny said...

what a wonderful idea for providing nesting materials for the birds! I'm going to try it. And what a find those chairs were!

Unknown said...

Looks like you've created a haven for the neighbourhood birds. And the porch looks great!

F Cameron said...

I think you've got the perfect nesting place with the hanging baskets of materials. Last year, my basket, filled with plants in the spring--was a favorite nesting place for the birds! I lost a plant by not watering it during the babies being raised. This year, I'm going to do as you have done and just make it a nesting spot until summer before I plant it again!

We have a lantern candle sitting between our rockers on our front porch!

Great post!

A Garden of Threads said...

Love the nesting material mosaic. Neat ideam must try that myself. Thanks for sharing.

Americana Lady said...

I love looking at the birds too. You have some neat ways to encourage nest building. Your chairs look warm and welcoming. Happy Easter, Joan

Sherri said...

Beautiful photos! LOVE the pillows. And I envy your porch!

Regina said...

Delightful photos and mosaic.
A blessed week.

shirley said...

Wow, lovely pictures and mosaics. I love watching the birds, too.

Amanda at 32˙North said...

We do the same thing with our dryer lint - the birds are constantly flying off with fluff for their nests!

Amanda

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Nice mosaic with great nesting material suggestions.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Great finds on those rockers. A simple coat of paint and things look 100% better.
Love the maple tree pics. :-)

Anonymous said...

Love that porch and the bird gifts. No wonder they pose so well for you.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Sitting in those chairs with a glass of lemonade and watching the birds start their nesting,Now,that sounds like a perfect day.
Blessings,Ruth

Catherine said...

Lovin' the fun bird nests you have out and the nest builder supplies that you have ready for the birds. How sweet!

It is starting to look like spring here today ~ lovely rain coming down! Woot woot!

Joy@Thrifty Parsonage Living said...

The rocking chairs are an awesome find!They look great with the little pillows. I love porches and wish I had one.

Sherri said...

Robin, you really do take care of your birds and that is just wonderful! I love birds. Even though we live in a townhome now I have 2 feeders in my small courtyard for my feathered friends. That is really great about the "baskets" of grass clippings and yarn! I hope the robin does make a nest in one-you'll have to let us know.

Jennifer AKA keewee said...

Robin, it sure is Spring, and I am very happy. I too, before our cat died, used to collect his fur and put it out in a suet feeder for the birds. I like the idea of the hanging basket with the straw. I have a three tiered hanging fruit basket I don't use, but I now know what it will be used for, and I am sure the birds will thank me.
Have a happy Easter.
Jennifer

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

Oh Robin I'm with you on watching the expenses... and with the love of feeding the birds! What a great idea to put baskets of goodies out for them! I'm going to do that first thing tomorrow! (:

marmee said...

i love the pillows you found at good will...you are real bargin hunter. they make the rockers look inviting.
happy springtime...aren't you so glad it is here?

Kerri Farley said...

Gorgeous pics Robin!!

I'm so happy Spring is here!! IT has been chilly here this week - but today it is supposed to get to Mid 70s. Woo Hoo!

Naturegirl said...

Robin first of all I'd like to wish you a Happy Easter!
I love the way you put out the dog hair in the suet cage!!Great idea..I usually just throw it out the back door in hopes that the birds will find it..but your idea is super!!
BTW I too joined in on Mary's MM because I have so many photos and what a wonderful way for us to show them without making posts too long for viewing..besides I love the creativity that goes with making mosaics..almost like coloring but with pictures!
See you on Monday's.
Tweet post for sure!

The Librarian and The Reading Specialist said...

Stumbled upon your blog, and I love it! I think we could be related! ha ha ha!

debsgarden said...

Our dog Lily has long fluffy hair which the birds like to use for nesting material! It is a joy to watch the birds. There are worse and more expensive hobbies. What a bargain you got on the rocking chairs and pillows! They look perfect for relaxing and bird watching.

Q said...

Hi Robin,
Happy Easter to you and yours. Wonderful ideas on reuse and up-cycling!
I too love feeding the birds. We save all the acorns that fall on the drive and walks each Autumn for the Blue Jays and the Flickers. I put the acorns on large brass trays on the deck. The birds love the ease of finding acorns in the winter and I get to see the birds up close.
Sherry