Baby House Wren Brings Me An "Ahhh" Moment

I just love "ahhhh" moments and today I was very fortunate to experience one.  Sitting outside on the deck doing my work that I don't get paid for, but is necessary, enjoying the beautiful spring-like weather.  My car's intelligence told me it was only 68 degrees and the humidity was very low.

House Wrens were squawking around me and I got the feeling they were trying to tell me something, like "hey we're hungry, you think you can get off your duff and fill the feeders?"  My verbal response was "OK, OK, let me just finish this one thought."  Suddenly one of them flies very close to me and in the next second is trying to land on my head.  Wow - they mean business.  Just then the bird that tried for a head top landing, landed instead in the chair next to me.  At first glance I thought it was a Hummingbird because it was so tiny, but then realized it was a baby House Wren.  Soooo cute, and, wait for it ....... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  I thought I'd scoop her up and put her on the lawn, but she flew through my fingers and into the house.  I keep the door open on nice days so doggie can let himself in and out and I can also hear the phone should it ring.

I immediately followed baby bird into the house, but couldn't find where she ended up.  She was pretty noisy outside, but inside she's not making a peep.  Without a sound, it was near impossible to find her - did she land somewhere above the floor or was she on the floor?  Please make a little noise so I have a clue where to focus my attention.  In the meantime, Mama bird is going ballistic outside wondering what became of her baby.

Finally I could hear little chirps,  really more like squawks, and followed them.  When I finally spotted her it wasn't easy to get her as she was so small she kept slipping through my fingers.  After several attempts success was finally mine!  Of course my rule is everything that comes onto my property and into my view is fair game for a photo shoot before it's free to return to the enchantment of my yard.  She didn't give me any struggle, probably because she was stressed and wanted her mommy, not because she enjoyed sitting in my hand.

Several snapshots later I put her out on top of the patio chair where mom could find her and after a minute, they were reunited.  Mom's constant sounds of fret continued for almost an hour afterwards.  I assume she was disciplining her baby for not only making a bad decision flying into the house, but scaring her half to death fearing for her safety.  Moms are moms no matter what the species.

Tweetly yours, 

Violet Vacates the Premises

Violet

Violet is our 6-year old adopted kittie from Project Cat in Accord, NY, but we like to say she's from Skittsville USA.  She's one of 4, and is very sweet and affectionate if you're lucky to be blessed with her presence.  She's very timid and will hide in the basement whenever we have company.

Our cats are kept indoors.  On nice days we allow them onto the deck as long as myself or my husband keep watch.  We enforce a 'no tolerance' policy.  If any one  of them should step a paw off the deck, we herd them back into the house.

Last night we were all out here enjoying a humid-free and mosquito-free evening until it started to rain.  All but 1 of the kitties ran inside as soon as they realized it was raining.  We kept tabs on the 4th.  Finally, we decided it was time for all of us to go inside.

This morning I broke open a can of their favorite wet food, and all but Violet came running.  We were concerned.  She never misses a canned food breakfast.  Then my husband recalls that he didn't see her last night when he took a headcount.  She hides so much we don't think much of it when she's not counted.  Now we are a bit concerned.  My husband goes into the basement to check the nook 'n crannies and I look around outside.  Our back yard is fenced in, so not only can I not believe she would have wandered off in her first experience with rain, but I would assume the boundaries provided by the fence would be enough to deter her from leaving the yard.

We then think to check the shed where we keep the cushions for the deck furniture.  She probably got trapped in there when we put away the cushions and didn't realize it.  My husband investigates and reports that he hears meowing from behind the shed.  He takes a look, and sure 'nuff, finds Violet buried among the compost afraid to move.  He couldn't get to her, but makes enough of a commotion that she slinks out on her own but not without letting out some very low and desperate sounding howls.

The funny part of this story is that the other 3 cats have different relationships with Violet.  Chandler who is her bully step-brother started a fight with her when she returned inside the house.  Stella, her step-sister, could care less about her and acted indifferent.  Luca, her step-brother, and hate to say it but it's true, also her love interest, consoled her for several minutes and consequently dissed us for like 30 minutes, blaming us for what happened.

So Violet spent her first night outside, in the rain, behind the shed where she probably escaped to when she finally realized she wasn't getting inside the house any time soon.  I have to admit I was afraid she had run off, and being such a skittish kittie, wondered if we'd ever see her again!  Hopefully she learned from this experience and will think twice before stepping off the deck in the future.

Have to work harder on honing in on Kolby's, our Australian Shepherd mix, herding skills so we can relax on the deck with our menagerie and not have to worry about their whereabouts.

Flowered Fingernails Because I Can

 I love pedicures but do not usually get manicures because right after I leave the salon they smear , chip or get gauged.  In three (3) days I'm already picking at them and ultimately begin the removal process. This can leave my nails looking nasty. On the flip side, when I don't have some color on my nails I see things underneath them and start chiseling away until every nail has been thoroughly battered and scared.  When that happens I the seek out my cuticles and, well, I'll spare you the gory details.  Happily, I have discovered polish rub-ons, particularly the ones by Sally Hansen Nails.  They come in so many different colors and designs my feet grew roots in front of the display in Walgreens while trying to decide which one(s).  Then I said to myself (yes, out loud) "Self, you don't have to go to work any more, so go crazy!"  and I did, I went for the flower power design.  SHN claims once applied it is good for up to 10 days, and they weren't just a whistlin' Dixie.  This is my ninth day and as you can see by the photo, some wear is apparent around the edges, but this manicure is running circles around my salon manicures.  SRP is about $9 in the pharmacy, less if you order online.  It's easy to apply, and I love the results.  I rate this 5 out of 5 stars!

Tiramisu. This "pick me up" dessert comes with a challenge

YES

NO

Tiramisu is one of my most favorite desserts. However, finding a key component can present quite a challenge - ladyfingers!  In my local ShopRite Supermarket they tend to move them each time I decide to make this light and tasty espresso delight.  Used to find them with the gourmet crackers, then on an end cap with other miscellaneous items, and most recently on the cookie aisle where I feel they should have been all along.  Now let me add that should you decide to attempt this for the first time, not all ladyfingers are created equal.  I consider myself an expert on Tiramisu simply because I say it's so.  That said, ha, I recommend Italian, or gourmet, ladyfingers NOT the small soft spongy ones that usually come in a flat package. Uh uh!  If, after you've mastered Tiramisu, you simply cannot find the gourmet style, and you feel desperate enough to use those, then by all means have at it.  BUT please refrain when it's your first time because the final product will be a sub-standard version and you shouldn't start off that way.  You will recognize the gourmet ladyfingers as they will have an Italian name and will be approx. 4" long and obsess a hard, crunchy texture.  They may even have a description on the package similar to "crisp sugar-coated sponge cookie".  If you are unsuccessful in finding the gourmet ladyfingers at the your local grocer, fear not.  I  have two (2) alternatives for you:    1) you can use sponge cake, and (2) you can always order them online if time allows.

Ciao!

National Geographic Magazine Meets CitraSolv & the Result is Fantastic!

A Snowy Evening in Somerset

The Falls

A Time for a Change

This is not a tutorial on how to transform pages of National Geographic Magazines with CitraSolv, at least not yet.  I'm new at the process, but wanted to share with you some of my successes.  I actually learned about this unique art after taking a CREATE NJ 2013 workshop in July.  The artist who instructed us was Cathy Taylor, and I would highly recommend taking one of her workshops if this is at all enticing to you and the opportunity presents itself. The three (3) pieces above I created in the 6-hour workshop for the most part.  I may have added a couple finishing touches once I got home.  The Barn Owl at Dusk (below) I created just recently and am very pleased with the results.

Barn Owl at Dusk

Keeping Hydrangeas in a Vase Looking Amazing for Several Days

Hydrangeas in the garden produce so many beautiful colors it would be a shame not to cut a few stems for a vase so you can enjoy them inside as well.  However, they can be temperamental.  I've had luck with them drying in the vase, but mostly, they would wilt by the next day.  Here's what I find works the best.  It is important to put them into water immediately after you cut them, so bring a vessel of water out to the garden with you.  I've read that you should make the cut above a leave joint although I don't usually do that and have still had success.  Once you've snipped all the stems you want, and odd numbers look best, bring them inside and remove all the leaves that are below water level.  Any leaves that are underwater will cause mold and disease which will hinder your chances of a lasting bouquet. Now with a sharp knife make a 1" slit up from the bottom of the stem.  Since Hydrangea stems are woody, this will help them take up more water.  It is important to refresh your water daily.  That's all there is to it.  I usually get at least 7 days out of this beautiful bouquet.

Enjoy!

Things That Make Me Happy ...

I once had a desk calendar titled something like 1000 Things to be Happy About.  The calendar made me happy, and I thought to myself, I bet I can come up with at least 1000 things that make me happy.  This is the short list.

My husband Rob
My niece Bailey
My nephews Jimmy and Derek
Emily Scholl
Victoria Scholl
Going to the movies and sharing popcorn and a soda (you have to share at those prices!)
Selling my artwork
Selling my cheesecakes
Writing in my Gardening Journal
A purple teddy bear
Thumb ring
Clogs
Hard rain when you're sleeping or feeling lazy
A new pet
Burning incense
Buying scented candles
Planting flowers
Lilies of the Valley blooming indoors
Purple pedicures
Sound machines while you sleep
Experimenting with fragrances
Buying new makeup
French manicure
Getting my first tattoo at 40
A new CD
Netflix
Lavender neck pillow
Fimo pens
Amulet necklaces
Fun jewelry
Brighton anything
Feeding the wild birds
Making a bouquet from flowers in your garden
Hazelnut coffee
The Food Network
Hummingbird at the feeder
Planning your next get-away
Lighthouses
Hatching a duck egg
Calendars with photos of things you love
Cher
Scott Cohen
Princess Diana
Adopting a pet from a shelter
My sweet doggie Kolby
My kitties
My piggies
My doves
Multiple Betta Fish at one time
My big fish > Zeus, Zarius & Zobo
National recognition in a magazine
An invitation from the White House to create an ornament for their Blue Room Christmas Tree
Visiting the White House and seeing your ornament on the Blue Room Christmas Tree
Cappuccino w/fresh grated cinnamon
Dining by the water
Creating and eating cupcakes
Good olive oil
Balsamic vinegar & strawberries
Baby oil
Almond horns, almond shower gel, almond body scrub ...
Ellen Degeneres
Day Trips
Shopping Sprees
Selling my creations in a local gift shop
Craft retreats
Garden luncheons with the girls
Photographing the gardens and activity in my backyard
Thinking about things that make me happy