Bird house love

My friend RJ sent me a wonderful package of gifts for my retirement. The beautiful birdhouse she found in Texas and put her own touches on it just for me. Out came her skill saw and she created The Retired Nester sign on it and the music is Amazing Grace, one of my all time favorites! Love the fleurs and the little little beaded entry to the house. It's a gift I'll always cherish.

The other two birdhouses and hat were this weekends purchases at a local crafts fair. The roof of the little birdhouse was made from a wine crate.

Pictures came be enlarged for a better look see!

Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend. Please take time to honor and remember all our servicemen in your thoughts and prayers.

Terra cotta flower pots

My friend Dee at http://alapinlife.blogspot.com/2011/05/blog-giveaway.html is giving away these adorable flower pots. She has already gifted me with two of them and I know whoever wins these will love them. She also made me the beautiful candle, I love fleurs. So please enter her giveaway, you won't be disappointed.

The pots in the 2nd picture I took at Pottery Barn, I think these would be so cute for a summer bar-b-que decoration at each place setting. Little flower candles in a small terra cotta pot. I'm going to try to replicate these.

Bear and Bird Watching in Beautiful New Jersey!

How lucky am I that I live right on the NJ border where there are beautiful parks, scenery and lots of animals to view. I have seen fisher cats, bobcats, fox, bear and all sorts of smaller critters, all in New Jersey! So many people have the wrong idea that because we live close to Metropolitian NYC that we lack wildlife. Not the case!! I think I have the best of both worlds where I live, country and city.

Porch chairs refinished

I'm determined to update my little porch by the end of this month so I can enjoy it all summer. This was project one and of course took longer than expected due to all the rain we have been having this Spring.

These chairs are about 10 years old and needed refurbishing. They are oak so I wanted to keep a natural look. They were sanded, stained and sealed. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. Next project, sanding and painting the loveseat.
I am linking up with Savy Southern Style at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
Please stop there for lots of great inspiration. Mary

Tasty treat-Candied Walnuts

I found this recipe in the Organics Cook Bible. They have a little bit of heat from the cayenne pepper which makes them a great snack.

1 cup halved walnuts

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp salt

Place a large skillet over med heat and when hot add walnut mixture. I stir with a wooden spoon till they are evenly coated and browned. Don't overcook! Spread mixture on rimmed baking tray till cool, package and enjoy!

They make a nice salad topper.

You can also mix sour cream with a little brown sugar for a topping for a fruit salad. Top with a few of these broken up nuts...YUM!

Decorating for Spring

http://alapinlife.blogspot.com/ My friend Dee from Alapinlife sent me a package and in it was this pretty card, I knew right away I would use it in my Easter decor. She loves bunnies and I love birds, what a perfect combination for Easter. Thank you Dee!

Hidden Away all these years

My husband bought a picture frame at an antique store and hidden under the picture was this artwork that was done with pastels. The shading is amazing. The picture that was in the frame was an ad from the turn of the century. I wonder why she was hidden underneath for a century.

She has Mona Lisa eyes that follow you if your standing on either the left or right of her. I think the picture gives off negative vibes..what do you think?