First Snow and Birds Flying in for Dinner

Hey! Don't go hogging up the suet cake!

The snow is blowing and it's cold outside! So I decided to make a cup of Stash English Breakfast with local honey from Ligonier and watch birds. I was rocking back on my upholstered rocking chair by the bay window when a bird digging around the snow caught my attention. We were up to about 6 inches and it seemed to thoroughly enjoy rooting around and ruffling the snow from its feathers. I got a great shot and was like what beautiful bird is this with yellow stripes? Well, it's a White Throated Sparrow. According to the Audubon site it does indeed enjoy foraging the ground. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/white-throated-sparrow?site=pa&section=search_results#

A rotund, sweet bird shows up every winter. It flies the whole way from Alaska to my feeder. It is a cute slate grey Dark Eyed Junco. It's bottom looks like a ruffled petticoat under a pageant dress! https://www.audubon.org/news/juncos-are-original-snowbirds

Beautiful slate grey!

The beautiful golden, tubby bird below is a Carolina Wren. We call it the Chipmunk bird. When it is on the ground in foliage or high grass you swear it's a chipmunk!

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/science/2012/06/13/Let-s-Talk-About-Birds-Wrens/stories/201206130131

We love when the woodpeckers come to our tree. From young to old, we get them all!

Supporting Local Farmers and Small Business Brings a Sense of Community

The farms and small businesses around your home are the heartbeat of the community. You get to know the people passionate about their products. Their familiar faces and friendly words sometimes change a not so great day. They know their product and they like talking about it. What would your town be without festive, cheery and professional store fronts?  They would be giant, depressing paved lots with big box neon signs at the end.  

Malls were once a gathering place. Malls were designed to be indoor towns with a roof. I know many people think it was Walmart who started the fall of small business but, really the malls started the downward spiral of shopping in town. As a child, I saw town at the end of it's heydey.  Troutman's in town was a department store I recall going up the escalator with my Great Grandfather and by the time I was 8 or 10 we were going to the mall. The mall at that time had corporate stores and a mix of small business. However malls are expensive to maintain and soon the small businesses were pushed out because the rent was too high. Malls started to decline in the 90's but, old school retail executives would not accept it. They should have went back to the beginning and started to add offices, restaurants/not a food court and small business in the mix. It may have saved these giant concrete structures from turning into eye sores and tax sink holes for communities. 

Now, what are we left with? Half empty malls and small town ghostly business districts that are unappealing due to no tax revenue. Also the final nail to small business in town or online....Amazon with free shipping. Amazon who has literally taken over several retail market spaces. I'm not saying I don't enjoy my Amazon Prime because I do use it on the tv and shopping. However, the community and local politicians need to see the value in having town. I hope the one thing COVID has done is make people realize the importance to gather with friends, neighbors and strangers. Town is for shopping, having a cocktail or coffee, parades, sitting on a park bench, local clubs to gather, dining and more. It's warmth, joy, meeting new people and making connections. Offer your thanks this Thanksgiving and support a small business,

 

Gingerbread Garland Helps Usher in the Warmness of Holidays

COVID is still here but, just because I can't have a house full of people doesn't mean my home is not going to be festive.  Life is what you make it. We have all been though trials and tragedy. I choose to handle this trial in the best way possible. 

The outside of my house will be a gingerbread theme this year. I started making the fake cookies. Usually they come out more brown but, low on cinnamon so a quick coat of paint, puff paint outline and lacquer and will be ready to be strung. Spices are an essential ingredient if you are not coating as they are nice potpourri bowl fillers and the scent is fantastic. If stringing don't forget to add your hole with a skewer before baking! I also made beads to paint like gum drops.

Recipe is pretty standard on web:

2c flour

1c salt

1/4 c cinnamon   *Add others like clove and such for more scent.

1 1/2 c water

Mix. Roll out on a cinnamon board not flour. Make cut outs. Bake 300 for 45-60 min.

I have also been working on styrofoam balls and any scrap circles for candy. They will be wrapped in cello to protect against weather. More to come...

Keep your mind busy so you don't get too down. I decided to decorate more this year so my neighbors can get a little lift in their step too.

Update. Here are some of the painted and laquered gingerbread!

Look Who is Showing up for Dinner

 The temps are dropping and everyone is showing up for dinner and readying for the winter.

The Tufted Titmouse hit our bay window so I had to go out and check on it. It actually landed in a flower pot. I gently petted it's soft wings as it looked curiously at me. A slight scoop and it was off on my stone wall. I walked away so it could take it's time. It flew to a tree branch. I will be sharing the grape vine wreath I made for this window so it does not happen again. I gathered vine from my backyard.

Two Woodpeckers at once!! Feeding on sunflower seeds.

Just a chippy hanging out in the beautiful leaves.

Can you see me? I am scoping out the Chipmunks from the top of the tree. This was taken through a window so not the best clarity. I get to see many different hawks in my neighborhood.

I love this time of year. The vibrant colors from the leaves to your flowers giving one last pop of beauty!

Fall in Pennsylvania is the best!

Driving through the countryside in Pennsylvania this time of year is breath taking. The trees have erupted in firey reds, bright yellows and neon oranges. You feel like you have walked into a glorious painting. The colors are just so exquisite. I love coming across local farm stands with carts and rows of orange pumpkins waiting to become jack o lanterns and gnarly, warty gourds in shades of mint, peach and white.

 By my campground farm kids sell cornstalks and hay bales on the honor system. You add your money to the bucket on the 4 for $1 gourd cart. They also sell butter nut squash for a whole $1.00. The little things are just so special. The small, white church down the road will be making their homemade apple cider this weekend. The cider is in a giant kettle under a wood burning fire and a volunteer stirs with a wood paddle. At night the church has welcome lights burning in each window. It is picture perfect.

Sometimes a hike leads you to beautiful scenes too!

Keystone Power Dam in Armstrong County is severely low so it has lead to some great exploration.

Happy on a hike by the water!

Cheap Doggie Costume

 Larkin is ready for his Pup Posse! Is he a Sheriff or a tough cowboy? Either way he is ridiculously cute!

This costume cost me $3.00. Yep! The hat came from the doll section at Hobby Lobby. Just the hat would cost you $10+ at a pet store! The scarf was on promo for 99 cents also at Hobby Lobby.

HOW DID I MAKE IT?

🎃I took scrap ribbon from craft box. 

🎃Hole punch, hot glue.

🎃 Left over Christmas bells from craft box.

🎃 Metal star from craft box. Probably find with metal and wood crafting section.

Hole punch each side of the hat. I use a smaller punch so ribbon is held tight.

Next take ribbon and measure or eyeball how much you need to thread through hat and tie under dog chin.  📌Look at the picture if directions seem confusing.

Take two equal pieces of ribbon. Push a piece through each hole punch. Take each ribbon and tie a knot so knot setting on top of hat.  This will keep ribbon from going through the punch. You now have two ribbons attached to hat and can tie under dog chin.

🎃 The bells were hot glued on scarf for effect. My dog does not eat random stuff. If a chewer you may want skip if they happen to fall off. The scarf is folded in half like a big triangle. It's tied on and no sewing.

🎃 Scarves are great photo opportunities and nice when a pet parent is around. I don't advise leaving on while gone as they could get hooked on something and choke.

SO THAT'S A CHEAP COSTUME FROM THE DOLL AISLE!!

My Dad's Farm Craft and Antique Show

 Mark your calendars! The event days are Nov 6 through Nov 15. The owner is giving everyone time to space out their visits instead of just the weekend. Don't miss the barn filled from top to bottom! Special gifts and home decor abound in every nook and cranny! The big trees sparkle with ornaments to purchase. Truly an inviting, cheerful and merry shopping experience. I will be doing this show. I will add pictures as I pull things together.  Check the website as we get closer https://m.facebook.com/MyDadsFarm/ 345 Fort Run Road, Ford City, PA.

I just finished these sweet plants. Reminds me of a first snow on bloomed plants. Perfect for a window sill or thinking of you for nursing home patients.

I love old Christmas! Rare Candolier! Ultimate gift for Christmas collector!

Handmade Snowmen and vintage 1950-60 light.

Vintage Christmas tree holder. Perfect Atomic Tinsel Tree! Unfortunately, it does not spin and can't get to hardware to fix. Still cool!