feed them and they will come

So, I'd been wanting a bird feeder for months. All part of my evil plan to get close enough to the birds to photograph them. Unless you have a quality zoom lens (which I don't, as yet), you might as well kiss good bird shots goodbye. But wait. There is also the bird feeder option. Feed them and they will come. 

So I schemed. I looked and looked for a special feeder, even willing to pay full price. The ones I saw were...eeh, lackluster. There is nothing worse, right? Either be awesome or horrible, NOT lackluster. Anyhow, a couple weeks ago, I spotted this gem in my local independent thrift shop for $2.99. Oh yeah, baby. I bought precious and the birdseed and set it up a week ago. Day after day, no birds. 

But, on Christmas day, it snowed here in Dallas. The birds started coming. And coming eating from my feeder. Which reminds me that God, in His mercy, gives us what we need when we need it. Not the day before. Not the day after. The exact day we need it. Today both of my girls flew the nest back to their adult lives. I'm okay. Every minute with them was precious and golden. Now I am back to watching birds. God made the birdies too, and I love them.

Hello world - I love you

Today's an ordinary day. 

 

I've been lazy, just hanging around snapping photos and watching the family make crumpets. The girls are still home. Big yay.

Outside is still crisp and beautifully icy. 

 The plastic Santa are enjoying a few more days of getting to see what's going on before they get packed back into their cardboard box for another year. 

The front door is waiting for for my buddy Karen to stop by soon and ring the knocker.

Snow babies have taken over the mantel with their antics. 

Today, my heart is whispering, Hello world - I love you.

take joy

Merry merry! I hope that, wherever you are right now, you take joy. Chill out, read a book, play games, sleep, watch movies, eat cookies, take a long wall - whatever you like! I am sending you blessings and felicity.

At our house, the girls' bathroom is in chaos. Shoes, empty coffee cups, and sweatshirts dot my normally tidy floors and furniture. In short - all is right with the world. Both daughters, as of ten p.m. last evening, are tucked back into the nest for the next six days. All the presents have now  been opened and the last piece of French toast consumed. We're about to embark on a rousing game of 42 in dominoes. I love it almost as much as bridge. And later, we're off to see The Hobbit. I hope that this has been a good year for you, but even if it's been a tough one, may you grab a slice of gladness this day and hold on tight. 

on the healing power of nature

This world is crazy, right? Who knows why people do the things that they do. I believe in the power of prayer and the power of nature. I find myself missing Hawaii just now. I miss the soothing power of its beauty and the lovely calm. Here are some of my best Hawaiian memories.

super easy-to-make, cheap & cool leather cuff

If you have a last minute gift or two to get, and not much money to spend, here is an idea for something you can easily make: a leather cuff bracelet out of an old belt. You can use a belt you are done with, or go to Goodwill and buy one. All the belts are $1.99 here in the Dallas area. You want to use a belt that is one solid piece of leather, not one that is pieced together and sewn around the edge. If you use a belt that slips through the buckle and cinches without a prong, you will not need any extra equipment besides the sharp scissors. If you use a buckle with a prong, you will need a leather hole punch. These are easy to pick up at crafting stores and do not cost much. Here's what to do:

1. Slip the belt over your wrist, or ascertain the wrist size if you are making it for someone else. Figure out how much of the end you want protruding past the buckle, and mark there with a marking pencil. This is where you will cut it. 

2. Slip it off, and cut off the excess, using very sharp, strong scissors. I like the Fiskers 9921 Softouch Micro-Tip Pruning Snip ones shown, but beware. Especially if you enjoy having all of your fingers intact, as they are insanely sharp. You can decide if you want to cut straight across or use a curved or pointed edge. If you have a pronged buckle, you now need to punch a hole in the appropriate place or places. I like to do a line of punches down the entire cuff. You decide.

3. I like to then sand it using fine sand paper. Now you are done, but you could also choose to rough up the whole cuff a bit with the sandpaper for a rustic effect. You could also go over the cut edge with some shoe or leather polish in a matching color if you happen to have some handy. Enjoy!

twinkle day

I had a blog post the other week about the importance of not getting too busy this holiday season. Of course, since that post I've steadily gotten too busy baking, shopping, decorating, holiday get-togethering... you name it. All good things, only I need to do more writing, blogging meditation, and photography in order to really feel like myself. (If that makes any sense.) But no worries, I'm planning to be more focused in 2013 and have some pretty schweet New Year's resolutions up my sleeve. These resolutions are almost certain to catapult me into a U.S. Marines/Zen Master level of disciplined routine. In the meantime... cheers! people, and pass the cheese log. 

QG and I had an adventure last night at Vitruvian Park in Addison along with Jamie the Wonder Dog checking out the magically twinkly lights. Here are a few of the pics. Sit back and take a few slow, deep breaths as you journey through the lights from the comfort of your own chair.